| Jim Wallwork | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | James Horley Wallwork |
| Nickname | Jim |
| Born | Manchester, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | British Army |
| Years of service | 1939 – 1945 |
| Rank | Staff Sergeant |
| Service number | 903986 |
| Unit | Glider Pilot Regiment |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Medal |
| Other work | Farmer |
Staff Sergeant Jim Wallwork DFM was a member of the Glider Pilot Regiment who achieved fame as the pilot of the first Horsa glider to land at Pegasus Bridge in the early hours of 6 June 1944. This remarkable achievement was described as "the greatest feat of flying of the second world war" by Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory.[1] Although most famous for his part in the Battle of Normandy, Jim Wallwork flew gliders in every major British airborne operation of the second world war. These also included the Sicily Landings, Arnhem and the Rhine Crossings. He now lives in Vancouver.
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He was born in Manchester, son of an artilleryman who had served during the First World War. When Jim volunteered for the British Army in March 1939 his father advised him against joining the infantry. This advice was ignored although it was subsequently regretted and, despite being promoted to Sergeant, he tried to join the Royal Air Force. This was blocked by his Commanding Officer although in 1942 he was accepted for training in the newly formed Glider Pilot Regiment. By May 1942 he was at flight training school.
After training at Tarrant Rushton airfield, Wallwork set off on the evening of 5 June 1944 for what was to be the beginning of the invasion of Normandy. The Horsa glider that he flew was nicknamed Lady Irene by Wally Parr and landed in occupied France shortly after midnight. The force of the impact catapulted both Wallwork and his co-pilot John Ainsworth through the front of the cockpit. Although stunned,[2] this made them the first Allied troops to touch French soil on D-Day.
After the war he worked as a salesman and then in 1956 he emigrated to British Columbia. He ran a small livestock farm to the East of Vancouver.
Jim Wallwork at 2001 GIJoe convention