Born: 12 Aug 1924
Died: 05 Apr 2025
Age at death: 100 years, 7 months, and 24 days
Parachute Course: 108
Company: SP
Platoon:
Section: HQ
William (Bill) Larder was born just outside the village of Wedmore, Somerset in an area known as Allermoor, Blakeway. His ancestry can be traced back to the 17th century in this area, though he moved to Wiltshire shortly after his birth so that his father could seek work.
Bill was the son of an army veteran who was gassed during World War I. Keen to join the war effort, Bill initially joined the RAF since by doing this he was able to leave his reserved occupation of farmer.
After a period of just a few months, he left the Raf and joined The Wiltshire Regiment. His reward from his father was to take him to the pub for a beer - his dad didn't approve of him joining the RAF!!
A few months later he volunteered to join the Parachute Regiment - he always said it was for the extra 2s/6d per week but it was also very brave.
As batman to the 2 i/c of Support Company 88545 Captain Peter Forshall, he was second to jump at Arnhem, though he waited for the green light whereas his Captain jumped while it was still red!! After surviving the fighting Bill was one of the men who crossed the Rhine to reach safety, though this was only after he and a group of his mates grabbed a passing boat and paddled across the river, using their hands and anything else they had as oars. The boat was a wreck and didn't reach the other side but somehow they eventually reached the far river bank.
Like many veterans Bill didn't like to talk about his experiences during the war and preferred to get on with his life - getting married and having 5 children!!
Aged just short of his 100th birthday Bill made the trip back to Oosterbeek and was amazed at the warmth and friendship he experienced from the local people, previously believing that his efforts during the war had been a failure (a feeling experienced by many veterans). However, the visit changed his life for his remaining years. He realised the military objectives of Market Garden were irrelevant and of no value in comparison with the hope it gave to the people of Oosterbeek and the surrounding area.
Prior to travelling to Oosterbeek, Bill met Lt Col (ret) Gerrit Pijpers and struck up an instant friendship. Gerrit attended Bill's 100th birthday held, of course, at The Welby Pub in Melton Mowbray, just a short distance from Welby Camp and spoke at his funeral.
Bill was the last known survivor of both The 11th Parachute Battalion and The 4th Parachute Brigade and his ashes were interred in Oosterbeek Cemetery behind the grave of 314180 2/Lt Richard de Corcy Peele in September 2025.
However, the exploits of Bill and the other members of the 11th Battalion have led to the formation of a movement that is working to ensure their memory lives on. For many years Lt Col Pijpers has worked to ensure the battalion received the recognition they deserve and together with Bill's daughter, Dr Jan Larder-Davis, they are the driving force behind this website and the creation of the Remember The XIth CIC.

Utrinque Paratus