Pte Thomas (Tommy) Kelly, born in Airdrie, Scotland, was a proud veteran of the Parachute Regiment. Pte Kelly served with the 7th Battalion (Light Infantry) under the command of Lt Col Geoffrey Pine Coffin. The 7th Battalion was part of the 5th Brigade of the 6th Airborne Division during WW2. All photos on this page are from the family's records. The photo to the right shows Pte Kelly and his sister-in-law in 1943.

In the early hours of D-Day, June 6th, 1944, the 7th Battalion parachuted onto Drop Zone "N", near the famous Pegasus Bridge to the East of Caen, France. As in so many wartime airborne night operations the parachutists were scattered during the drop. However, they recovered quickly and took their objectives, including the relief of Major Howard's coup de main party at the Caen canal and Orne River bridges. After the successful drop, the Battalion and the 6th Division formed the extreme left flank of the Allied beach-head. While the British, Canadian, Polish, French, and American troops fought to consolidate their gains, the paratroopers were involed in a defensive position; tasked with holding the flank against ever increasing German pressure.

In late June and early July a location known as "Bob's Farm" near the Bois de Bavent became a focal point of action for the 5th Brigade. Constant sniping took place at this strategic location, as well as several company sized raids which resulted in sharp actions. It was during one of these attacks that Pte Kelly was wounded, bayonetted in the leg when his Sten gun jammed. Luckily his mate, a Bren gunner, settled the score. The photo below shows men of the 7 Para most likely preparing for an exercise.

In August of '44 the German resistance in France was broken by the Allies. The 6th Airborne Division was tasked with pursuing the retreating Germans along the coast of France to the Seine River. On the 17th of August the division advanced on an axis along the towns of Troarn - Pont Leveque - Pont Andemer. On the 22nd of August the 5th Parachute Brigade led the division's advance into Pont Leveque. For two days the 12th and 13th Parachute Battalions fought against a determined German rearguard action in heavy fighting. On the 24th the task was given to the 7th Battalion to take the town. They succeeded in securing both the town and the surrounding high-ground. The picture below shows Pte. Kelly and other paras crossing a make-shift bridge in the destroyed town of Pont Leveque during that day's advance. Please click on the picture to load the full size version.

After VE day the 5th Brigade was hurriedly sent to SEAC (South-East Asia Command) to join in the continuing fight against the Japanese Imperial Army in Burma. The Brigade arrived in July, 1945 for an imminent airborne operation on the Malay peninsula. The plan involved a drop to cut the single land bridge connecting Singapore to the mainland. The end of the war cancelled the operation, but did not end the need for the paras to remain in the area. The Brigade was sent to Malasia and later Indonesia to help collect Japanese prisoners of war and keep peace in the power vacuum created by the end of the European colonies in Asia. The two photos below of Mr. Kelly were taken during his service with 7 Para in Indonesia. Notice the absence of the coveted wings on the uniform, which Mr. Kelly said was due to the precipitous move from Europe to Asia, during which the supply of wings for the jungle uniforms was left behind. In July, 1946 the Brigade left SE Asia after handing over control to Dutch troops.