The plan to seize bridges across the Netherlands by airborne advance and ground attacks was a “Bridge Too Far” with more than 1,600 British soldiers killed and almost 6,500 captured.

British paratroopers were told to capture and hold the bridge at Arnhem until back up forces arrived but they were left isolated and vulnerable.

One man at Arnhem was Major William Frank (Bill) Arnold, Commander of 1st Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery RA.

(Image: Family Collection)

A Norfolk man and Gresham’s pupil whose grandfather founded Arnolds Department Store at Great Yarmouth in 1869.

Bill, a highly respected soldier who served around the world, was married to Subaltern Priscilla Ryan. She wrote to him after reading about the action at Arnhem but the letters were returned and he was reported “missing.”

Now their daughter Scilla Landale has sent me some recently discovered important letters that Bill’s colleagues sent to Priscilla following the operation.

(Image: Family Collection)

They include ones from:

*Lt. Col Robert Loder-Symonds from HQ Royal Artillery, 1st Airborne Division.

“I very much regret to tell you that Bill is missing together with a large proportion of 1 Para Brigade. I honestly think there is every reason to suppose he is safe but a prisoner of war. Bill is a great loss to me.

*Peter Spencer Thomas.

“I returned from Holland........

© Norwich Evening News