Meet Arty

Arty is the mascot of Remember The XIth — a parachuting teddy bear, kitted out just like the men of the 11th Parachute Battalion, dropping in under his own red, white and blue canopy.

Where his name comes from

Arty's name is short for RTE — Remember The Eleventh — said quickly, the letters run together into "Arty". It's a nod to the Battalion he represents, and a friendly, easy-to-remember way for people of all ages to connect with the 11th Parachute Battalion's story.

His kit

Arty wears a maroon beret with the Parachute Regiment's cap badge, and jumps under a parachute harness just like the real paratroopers of the 11th — a small, friendly echo of the equipment the Battalion wore into battle at Arnhem in September 1944.

Who drew him

Arty was designed and drawn by Vera, granddaughter of Gerrit and Johanna — a lovely reminder that remembering the 11th Parachute Battalion is something that spans generations, on both sides of the North Sea.

Where you'll see him

Arty is starting to turn up around Remember The XIth — including on some of our merchandise — and we hope he'll become a familiar, friendly face for the CIC, especially for younger visitors and families getting to know the Battalion's story for the first time.