Kilted Paratrooper!

**Lachlan09** · 4th April 10, 10:32 PM

Although not a paratrooper himself but still a member of Britain’s Airborne Forces, Captain Ogilvie of the Glider Pilot Regiment wore his kilt into action around Arnhem during Operation Market Garden, September 1944. He was one of 229 glider pilots who were killed during the Arnhem operation. He died on 26th September 1944, age 26.

It is interesting from a Scottish angle that Johnny Frost’s 2nd Battalion (Parachute Regt) who held the Arnhem road bridge, always had a very strong Scottish influence, with many Scots volunteers in the ranks. Lt Col Frost himself was ex-Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).

Also at Arnhem (or rather Ooosterbeek) was the 7th Batt, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, part of the Air-Landing Brigade of the 1st Airborne Div.

Meanwhile, not at Arnhem but soon to intervene in the Greek civil war, was the all-Scottish 5th Battalion (Parachute Regt), which had been formed by the conversion of the 7th Batt Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, with any unsuitable or unwilling Cams replaced by Para volunteers.

Captain Ogilvie conferring with Lt Col Murray, CO No 1 Wing GPR, at the Utrechtseweg and Kasteelweg junction near 1st AB Div HQ, Oosterbeek, 18th September 1944. You can see both Captain Ogilvie (at the jeep) and the other soldier (holding the Sten which looks like a Mk II rather than an Arnhem issue Mk V) behind the lamp-post , are wearing kilts. Glider pilots were also trained as Airborne infantry, to join up with the glider-borne infantry once the gilders were grounded and vacated.

**BoldHighlander** · 4th April 10, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by Lachlan09

Although not a paratrooper himself but still a member of Britain’s Airborne Forces, Captain Ogilvie of the Glider Pilot Regiment wore his kilt into action around Arnhem during Operation Market Garden, September 1944. He was one of 229 glider pilots who were killed during the Arnhem operation....

Captain Ogilvie at the Utrechtseweg and Kasteelweg junction near 1st AB Div HQ, Oosterbeek, 18th September 1944. You can see both Captain Ogilvie (at the jeep) and the other soldier (holding the Sten which looks like a Mk II rather than an Arnhem issue Mk V) behind the lamp-post , are wearing kilts. Glider pilots were also trained as Airborne infantry, to join up with the glider-borne infantry once the gilders were grounded and vacated.

From the memories of Sergeant Louis Hagen, No.22 Flight, "D" Squadron, No.1 Wing, The Glider Pilot Regiment:

"Hagen and Captain Ogilvie, who grew very close during the battle, travelled to the Hartenstein on Sunday night to report their position. On Monday afternoon they learned that the Division was going to pull out. At about 22:15 the troops in their part of the perimeter began to make their way to the riverbank in the rain, but once they arrived it became clear that the prospects of being evacuated were fading as the embarkation point was being fired on and no boats could be seen moving across the river. Hagen and Ogilvie decided to risk swimming across, but once halfway Hagen got into difficulty and in panic abandoned his personal possessions and any excess weight he was carrying. He reached the other side safely but could not see Ogilvie anywhere; it was not until he reached England that he discovered that Captain Ogilvie had drowned, hampered by a wounded arm and weighed down by his kilt."

**Lachlan09** · 4th April 10, 10:58 PM

Very interesting information. I knew from the CWGC website when he died, but your post has provided the events very well !

**FightingCelt** · 6th April 10, 08:30 AM

As a retired paratrooper...I found this thread very interesting...the ol' suicide T-10 harness would have been cause for a little pre-jump preparation...for good reason! ;o)