The Men

Number: 5883315
Company: A
Platoon: -
Section: HQ
Killed In Action: 20 Sep 1944
T & E Book: 11/25
Para Course: K42

Life Story: 5883315 Company Sergeant Major George Wilson Ashdown MM was born in London in 1914.
At some point he decided to join the Army as a regular soldier and was enlisted into the Northamptonshire Regiment. This unit was sent to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and in May 1940 was in action with his unit and his actions on this day did not go unnoticed.
He was recommended for a Military Medal which was duly awarded and this makes mention of him being a Sergeant. George was one of the lucky ones who escaped from France back to England.

It was at some point when he was in Egypt that George volunteered for airborne forces and he underwent his parachute course no. 42 from 16 – 30 May 1943.
By the time of operation Market Garden George was a Warrant Officer Class II and the Senior NCO in A Company of 11th Parachute Battalion. This Battalion landed on the second day on Ginkel Heath and was soon after landing ordered into Arnhem to make an effort to reinforce the troops at the road bridge. The unit made their way into Arnhem and on the 19th September several efforts were made to pierce the German blocking line that had been set up to the west of the road bridge.

It was during this time that George was killed. He was 30 years of age. The officer commanding (OC) of A Company, Major David Gilchrist, is recorded as saying:
“I had attended one of the many ‘O’ Group meetings and went back to my company position. I walked round giving the platoon commanders their information. A German 88mm gun was firing on our positions and scored a direct hit on my company headquarters. My Company Sergeant Major (George Ashdown) and signaler were killed instantly”.

George now lies in Plot 19 Row C Grave 15 at the Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery and the wording chosen for his headstone was This Boy Of Ours Who Died To Keep Us Free Left A Happy Memory "Till We Meet Again”.