6924491 Private Leonard Charles 'Len' Davis was born on 28^th November 1922 in Tonbridge Wells, Kent.

Len was on parachute course No. 60 at Ramat David in Palestine from 14 to 26 August 1943. After having received his parachute qualification wings he was assigned to 8 Platoon, C Company, 11th Parachute Battalion.

During the Battle of Arnhem he was injured by a phosphorus hand grenade on his hands and face. Despite these severe injuries, he still managed to return across the Rhine to Allied territory.

Upon his return to the United Kingdom, however, he had to be treated in hospital immediately. Nevertheless, he felt fortunate, because he had survived after nine days of 'Hell', as he described it.

Len's nine days of 'Hell' were reported in The Kentish Independent and Kentish Mail on 6^th October 1944.

In 1949 Len married Ivy Potter in Cheshire. After marrying the couple settled in Tonbridge Wells, Kent, where they had two children.

Len died on 28^th February 2006 in Tonbridge Wells. When he died his bravery at Arnhem was still remembered with a tribute in The Canterbury Times dated 1^st March 2006:

"Davis Leonard Charles Died Peacefully in His Sleep, 28/2/06, One of the Survivors of Arnhem. Beloved Husband of Ivy."