Arnhem Veteran called Bill on BBC1 Motorway Cops

I took the picture in 2011, don't ask me why, although I had chatted with him, maybe is was foresight to help with this thread
lofty

 

Nice find Lofty! Sure looks like 'Bill'.
Now to find a name.
Anything on Paradata?

 

That was quite spooky Lofty - nice one. I don't blame Bill for leaving - I've been a few times and the kids always get to me.

 

Just had a look at signals chaps at Arnhem and found a Bill, clutching at straws here, but same number of eyes,
probably too old in this picture. seems worth a try for an opinion.


Capt Marquand W J 'Bill' J Section, No.2 Coy (att to 1st Para Bgde) Picture credit Mr Pariso.

lofty-------------- I'm wondering now is that a Signals beret badge he is wearing????

 

Looks like it could be him Lofty but no surname given.

Can Paul P id him from his collection of books?

 

REME? Although a post war version in his beret not the shield with REME.....

 

The ears are identical and the earpiece also "fits".

He sure could still smile when encountering the motorway cops. I hope we find out more about this man.

Why not contact one of the two police men or the West Yorkshire Police?

 

... and the other is 'Islanders in kitbags' which is a book recalling the men and women of Guernsey who fought in ww2 within the book is a story by a Bill Marquand who served at Arnhem with the signals of first Airborne.

 

I would say Lofty's pic is the same guy and it is a modern Reme cap badge, so assuming he was Reme at Arnhem I looked in With Spanners descending and while there are some with the name Bill, and guys with the first name intial B or W working on theory of Bill deriving from William.......but those B's or W's may not be Bill or Willam and even if they were..... we have as of yet no surname to work from, Phew confused yet! although in the programme he did say he was Parachute Regiment.

 

Just found this, his name under the description is said to be William F Mountfield------ youtube link here click on title top of box below
it contains other links of interest including this one---http://www.fcairborn.nl/uncle-bill/-

regards lofty

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2BYQ50OM6o&feature=share&list=UULmoDctkuruUmk6iG0bLUa

 

It has been said in another place, and from a respected source, Bill took no part in the battle at Arnhem. However now we seem to have a name, I am sure it will soon be sorted by the Arnhem students here on the forum.
lofty

 

No 'Mountfield' listed on Paradata but we know the list is not complete.

 

The translation of the Dutch blog entry about Uncle Bill:

"Every year, Bill came to Holland and stayed with the neighbours. He visited commemorations and met old comrades. The neighbour's daughter and mine were still little and best friends and as a true liberator he never came empty handed. Chips (salt and vinegar) and candy, he even thought of me and brought tins of British beer.

Holland became his second home. After his wife passed away, he came more often and spent a lot of time here. Sometimes we met and we talked. He still drove his own car, he was still smart and cheerful.

Last week, Uncle Bill died in Arnhem. 91 years old, he died in the city so central in his life. In the same city where he fought so hard and lost many comrades.

Bill, I salute you."

 

Some facts for people to consider.....
No record of him ever being a member of the Arnhem Veterans Club
No record of anyone of this name doing a parachute course at Ringway during WW2
No mention of him in With Spanners Descending

Credit to Bill for supporting the sacrifice of others at the age of 91. RIP.....

 

Lofty,

Very well done.
A fantastic Video Clip to view.

Regards
Tom

 

Well done to Lofty for a superb match of the photo from 2011. I do recall seeing him attending a service at the cemetery.
Research has indicated that Bill was in 12th/13th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, a TA unit,formed in 1956. But no one has yet found any evidence to suggest that he was actually involved in the Battle of Arnhem itself.

 

Assuming he hasn't lied about his age (91) - he must have done some service unless he was in a reserved occupation during the war.

 

Fantastic work Lofty, it's definitely the same guy. As to whether or not he served at Arnhem, I don't think so, but as AM says, full credit to the fella for making the trip to Holland so many times to commemorate the fallen.

RIP Bill Mountfield

 

My father joined the 12th (Yorkshire) Battalion The Para Regt TA in Bradford on 16 November 1948, 2 years after he came back from war.

Lesley