6344126 Sergeant John Whitfield Dinsdale
6344126 Sergeant John Whitfield Dinsdale was born on 7th July 1919 in Elham, Kent, the son of Adam
Dinsdale and Edith Dinsdale (née Francis).
The 1921 census of England and Wales shows him living with his parents, siblings, maternal grandmother and
uncle at 292 Cheriton Rd, Folkestone.
In 1936 John enlisted with 2nd Battalion The Queens Own West Kent Regiment as a boy, serving
until 1939, seeing active service in Palestine.
After successfully completing Parachute Course K55 at the Middle East Parachute Training School in Kabrit,
Egypt, John joined the 11th Parachute Battalion and
fought at the Battle of Arnhem during Operation Market Garden in September 1944.
On 20th September 1944 during the fighting in the battle, John was captured and taken prisoner of
war. He was held at Stalag 11B — Fallingbostel, Hanover and given POW number 117545, as can be seen in his
photograph on this page.
John was finally freed from captivity on 11th May 1945.
In early 1947 he married Norma Margaret Bain Hawkins in Dartford, Kent.
In 2003 John was living with Norma at 4, Churchill Road, PL19 9BU.
On 20th October 2016 John died in Tavistock, Devon, outliving his wife Margaret who died in 2010.
We are still researching the life of Private Harrison. If you are a relative or have any information about him, please contact us.