Sgt. Thomas Cunningham. (No.1134622)
Born 13/12/1919 at Caldermill, Strathaven, Lanarkshire, he was educated at Hamilton Academy.

Thomas enlisted 11/12/1941 at Redford Barracks, Edinburgh with the Royal Artillery and trained in the Signal Section. He also passed the Gun Fitting course and moved on to the AA Gun site in Liverpool, where he met his future wife, Ida.
Thomas volunteered for the Parachute Regiment in 1942 and was accepted for training at Hardwick Hall in May 1943, passing out at Ringway. After embarkation leave he was posted to the 6th Royal Welch Para Bn in North Africa and served with them there and throughout the Italian Campaign, making operational jumps into Southern France and Greece and gaining the rank of Corporal.

After VE day, when at Foggia, Italy, he volunteered for service in the Far East. He was flown from Naples and after leave was posted to the 12th Yorkshire Para Bn and served with them in India, Malaya, Singapore and Java, gaining the rank of Sergeant. After de-mob in 1946 he worked at his trade of plumbing until 1970 and then went into work study with Hemsworth Urban Council and Wakefield City Council. On reorganisation of local councils in 1974 he went onto become an area technician and manager in charge of repairs to public buildings. Shortly after retirement in 1984 Thomas joined the Wakefield Branch of the Parachute Regimental Association and served on the committee as Welfare Officer and Scribe. His wife, Ida, died in 1971 but Thomas has one daughter, June and at the time of his passing he also had 4 grand daughters and 5 great grandchildren. Thomas passed away on 25/1/2010 aged 90 years following a two year period of illness. 


Yours sincerely,
Deborah Smith
(granddaughter) ... Please note that if you knew Thomas you can contact his family with this e-mail address