Major John Timothy MC
Unit : "R" Company, 1st Parachute Battalion
Army No. : 164812
Awards : Military Cross and two Bars.
John Timothy was born July 1914. He was given an emergency commission in the The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment on the 21st December 1940.
Major Timothy was one of the longer serving officer of the Parachute Regiment, having served as a Lieutenant with the 2nd Battalion during the Bruneval Raid and later in North Africa, where he was awarded the Military Cross for his part in the action around Bou Arada. His citation reads:
On the night of the 26th/27th February 1943, this officer led a small patrol into the enemy positions in the Bou Arada Sector and brought back seven prisoners including one officer thus producing valuable information as to the enemy's intentions. During this action he displayed great qualities of leadership and initiative.
On the 8th March 1943, his platoon was surrounded by the enemy on the Sidi Mond {unreadable}. They held their position and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. Later in the day Lieutenant Timothy went forward alone under intense fire and captured an enemy machine gun post single handed.
Throughout the operations from the 7th March 1943 until the 18th March 1943 he displayed great qualities of leadership, courage and {unreadable} and by his gallantry under heavy enemy fire was an inspiration to all ranks.
Recovering from wounds in North Africa he missed the drop into Sicily in July 1943, but after the 1st airborne Division had landed in Taranto in Southern Italy in September 1943 he was ordered to select a small team of men for a special mission. This was Operation Simcol in October 1943, and was a parachute drop behind enemy lines to rescue escaped Allied POW's. Although he was separated from his team on the drop zone he still managed to organize the safe return of Allied POW's and got back to Allied lines himself. He was awarded a bar to his Military Cross.
Transferred to the 1st Battalion, Timothy was promoted to Major and given command of "R" Company. For his actions at Arnhem he was awarded a Second Bar to the MC:
At Wolfhese on the 17th September Major Timothy commanding R Company was ordered to attack infantry positions covered by four tanks. Despite the heavy fire he put in a most skilful attack, covered by 2" mortar smoke, and drove a superior force of enemy back, thus securing an important cross-roads. There, although attacked by tanks and infantry of a battalion strength, he held his ground until ordered to withdraw. He did this bringing out his casualties which amounted to 50% of his company. Later in Arnhem on Tuesday the 19th September he led the Battalion attack against a German strong point - he personally led his men against two infantry guns and two armoured cars, one of which was disabled by gammon bombs. The guns were captured and rendered useless under his personal supervision, despite withering fire. Later he commanded an assault against entrenched positions, his personal dash was largely responsible for the over-running of these positions, this despite the fact his company was reduced to six men. His leadership constantly inspired his men to the tremendous task set them, and it was largely due to this that so much was accomplished.
He was taken prisoner at the end of the 1st Parachute Battalion's attempt to get through to the 2nd Parachute Battalion at Arnhem Bridge on Tuesday 19th September 1944. He was sent to Oflag VIIB.
John Timothy died on the 24th October 2011.
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