44890 Major John Charles Henry Eyles was born on June 16^th 1910 and baptised on 4^th September 1910. He was the son of John Robert Eyles and Frances Mary Eyles (née Watts). John's father was an analytical and agricultural chemist. In 1910 the family were living at St Mary Bourne, Hampshire. In 1921, John was 11 years old and a full-time boarding scholar at Cheltenham, Gloucstershire.

On Saturday September 11^th 1937 John married Joan Mary Medcalf in Swindon, Wiltshire. Western Daily Press Mon Sep 13 1937 John was commissioned on March 31, 1930, as 2nd Lieutenant in The Wiltshire Regiment.

The 11th Parachute Battalion War Diary states that on June 10^th 1943 John arrived and is attached pending posting.

He is listed as successfully completing parachute course No.48 at Ramat David, Palestine from 15 to 28 June 1943 at the age of 33.

Up to December 1943 he was the Officer Commanding C Company. He then took over as the 11th Parachute Battalion’s Second-in-Command.

The 11th Parachute Battalion War Diary also mentions the leave of Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas and Major Eyles on June 29^th 1944.

On June 30, 1944, John was assigned as Deputy Assistant Adjutant Quartermaster General (DAA & QMG) at 4 Parachute Brigade.

During Operation Market Garden he was DAA & QMG 4 Parachute Brigade and it was planned that he would join up with the 1st Airborne Division so that it could continue in a ground role after a junction had been made with the 2nd Army.

The seaborne tail contained approximately 1,000 vehicles, which contained equipment and stores that could not be taken in by air. Because the Battle of Arnhem unfolded differently than was planned, the reception and care of troops of the 1st Airborne Division was moved to the Roman Catholic teacher college and girls school in Nijmegen.

Throughout the 1960s John and Mary lived at Benningborough Hall, North Yorkshire.

John died on 7^th August 1994 at Mowbray House, Horsefair, Boroughbridge North.