‘AN ARNHEM OAK IN LEICESTERSHIRE’

In time for Remembrance Sunday, Friends of The Tenth, have planted a Dutch Oak tree in their 10^th Battalion Memorial Garden at Burrough on the Hill. The tree was grown from an acorn collected from under a battle-scarred oak in the grounds of The Hartenstein Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek, the Netherlands.

In September 1944, during the Battle of Arnhem (Operation Market Garden), the then Hartenstein Hotel became the headquarters of British First Airborne Division. Only a few hundred yards from the hotel, the remnants of the 10^th Parachute Battalion, part of British First Airborne, fought their last stand. Of the 582 men of the Battalion who had parachuted into Holland on the 18^th September 1944, only around 30 were left fighting. The 10^th Battalion was based in and around Somerby for nine months prior to being dropped 60 miles behind enemy lines into Nazi occupied Holland.

The tree was planted by James and Toby Jesson, both who served in the British Army. In 2009, the 65^thAnniversary of Operation Market Garden, James, a member of 4PARA, parachuted into Arnhem and later collected acorns from the grounds of the Hartenstein. James gave the acorns to various Airborne comrades including Major Dave Swarbrick. Dave planted the acorn at home and grew the tree which now graces the 10^thBattalion Memorial at Burrough on The Hill.

Our annual Remembrance Service will take place on Sunday 12th November 2023, 10.45hrs at The 10th Battalion Memorial.

If you would like to lay a wreath or flowers in memory of a member or members of the Battalion or on behalf of an organisation, please contact us beforehand: alec@friendsofthetenth.co.uk

All are welcome and refreshments will be provided free of charge in the Matt Hampson, Get Busy Living Centre after the service.

Any donations made to our charity help cover the cost of our events and the maintenance of the Memorial and Garden as well as our ongoing work to keep alive the legacy of The 10th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment.

VICTOR GREGG – ‘The Last Man Standing’

We are pleased to offer for auction this extraordinary portrait of Victor Gregg, created by Derek Chambers FRSA on Vic’s 101^st Birthday. It shows Vic at 101 and his younger self, set against the background of the destruction of Dresden – something which Vic spoke about with great passion and regret. The artist said at the time how he was struck by Vic’s hands which displayed Vic’s physical and emotional strength, this is apparent in the picture.

Before his death in 2021, Vic was the last surviving member of WW2 10^th Parachute Battalion; ‘The Last Man Standing’.

Vic and the artist agreed to donate the portrait to help raise funds for the work we do to perpetuate the legacy of the 10^th Battalion and maintain our Memorial and garden.

Professionally framed under ‘anti UV’ museum quality glass, measuring 900mm x 800mm x 50mm (36 x 31 x 2 inches). The framing alone over £400.

Please note that this is the original portrait NOT a print or reproduction.

There is a reserve. I will keep all bidders updated with the highest offer and ask for final bids on 1^st November 2023. This is large and heavy (10kg) and the buyer will have to arrange collection from Leicestershire – otherwise shipping to be arranged by the buyer. FoTT will retain all present and future reproduction rights, such rights will not pass to the buyer.

Please email your offer (or if you would like more images or information) to alec@friendsofthetenth.co.uk