Markshall Estate holds annual service for Operation Varsity

Trustees and staff at the Markshall Estate, near Coggeshall, commemorated the 78th anniversary of Operation Varsity on Friday, March 24.

Each year Markshall commemorates the event by inviting the forces associated with the assault, dignitaries and members of the public to the memorial to lay wreaths and remember those involved.

Members of the 4 Regiment Army Air Corps (Image: Bryan Shaw)

This year was no different, with the memorial attended by the Glider Pilots Regiment Society, a veteran, patrons, friends and members of the public.

Phil Ward, Norfolk and Waveney Parachute Regimental Association who flew from Earls Colne (Image: Bryan Shaw)

This year the estate also welcomed a contingent from 4 Regiment Army Air Corps on parade and members of the British Army Band Colchester.

Revd Melanie Shillito conducting the service (Image: Bryan Shaw)

The service was led by Reverend Melanie Shillito, curate of Coggeshall and Markshall.

The Parade Commander from 4 Regiment Army Air Corps then took time to lead a guard of 30 marching troops to begin the proceedings.

The Colchester Army Band (Image: Bryan Shaw)

The guard was accompanied by the British Army Band Colchester.

Operation Varsity took place on March 24, 1945, and has been described as the “boldest, most successful and also the last airborne operation of Second World War”, a vital part of what became known as the Rhine Crossing.

Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, Jennifer Tolhurst, Air Force Cadet Catherine Barber with Chair of the Board of Trustees, Meriel Barclay (Image: Bryan Shaw)

A total of 60 gliders were flown from Earls Colne Airfield for the operation, which included more than 1,500 aircraft and 1,300 American and British gliders.

It was the largest single lift of airborne forces ever undertaken.

A veteran of the Parachute Regiment (Image: Bryan Shaw)

Markshall was the headquarters of the RAF’s 296 and 297 Squadrons, which were based at the nearby Earls Colne Airfield. 

Early on March 24, 60 Horsa gliders carrying troops were towed into action. 

Members of the Parachutes Regimental Associations with Revd Melanie Shillito (Image: Bryan Shaw)

The casualties were devastating, with 102 glider pilots killed and a further 102 wounded during the operation.

Markshall created a memorial site within the Arboretum, which includes an obelisk and a one-tenth scale replica of the runway layout of the old airfield.