- Jim Wallwork
Infobox Military Person
name= Jim Wallwork DFM
lived=
placeofbirth=
placeofdeath=
caption=
nickname=
allegiance=
serviceyears=6
rank=Staff Sergeant
commands=
unit=Glider Pilot Regiment
battles=Sicily Landings
Normandy Landings
Arnhem
Rhine Crossings
awards=DFM
laterwork=Farmer
portrayedby=Staff Sergeant Jim Wallwork DFM was a member of theGlider Pilot Regiment who achieved fame as the pilot of the first Horsaglider to land atPegasus Bridge in the early hours of6 June 1944 . This remarkable achievement was described as "the greatest feat of flying of the second world war" by Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory.cite book
last = Ambrose
first = Stephen
year = 2003
title = Pegasus Bridge - D-Day: The Daring British Airborne Raid
publisher = Pocket Books
location = London
id = 0-7434-5068-X] Although most famous for his part in the
Battle of Normandy , Jim Wallwork, flew gliders in every major British airborne operation of the second world war. These also included the Sicily Landings, Arnhem and the Rhine Crossings. He now lives inVancouver .Early life
He was born in Manchester, son of an artilleryman who had served during the
First World War . When Jim volunteered for theBritish Army in March 1939 his father advised him against joining theinfantry . This advice was ignored although it was subsequently regretted and, despite being promoted toSergeant , he tried to join theRoyal Air Force . This was blocked by hisCommanding Officer although in 1942 he was accepted for training in the newly formed Glider Pilot Regiment. By May 1942 he was at flight training school.Pegasus Bridge
The Horsa glider that he flew was nicknamed Lady Irene by
Wally Parr and landed in occupiedFrance shortly after midnight. The force of the impact catapulted both Wallwork and his co-pilotJohn Ainsworth through the front of thecockpit . Although unconscious this made them the first Allied troops to touch French soil onD-Day .Post War
After the war he worked as a salesman and then in 1956 he emigrated to
British Columbia . He ran a small livestock farm to the East ofVancouver .References
External links
[http://www.britisharmedforces.org/ns/nat_jim_wallwork.htm D-Day in his own words]
Jim Wallwork at [http://www.mastercollector.com/neat/gijoe/kansascity/specialguest.shtml 2001 GIJoe convention]
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