Staff Sergeant Geoffrey Thompson Legion d'Honneur, OBE

"Former Staff Sergeant Geoffrey Thompson from the British Airborne Forces took part in two of the most important missions of World War Two.

He was a volunteer gilder pilot and dropped troops and equipment into Normandy as part of the D-Day operations in June 1944.

Mr Thompson also successfully flew in men and equipment during the unsuccessful Market Garden operation at Arnhem, Holland, in September 1944 - a battle brought to the big screen in the film A Bridge Too Far.
The great-grandfather from Pocklington, East Yorkshire, died in hospital after being taken ill at his nursing home.

In 2005 the former prisoner-of-war was awarded the Chevalier of the Legion D'Honneur - the French equivalent of the OBE for his heroic actions not only for his flying exploits but also for his battlefield work.

He once found himself trapped in the attic of a house which was shelled leaving him badly wounded.

Mr Thompson was originally called up to serve with the Highland Light Infantry before being transferred to the Royal Artillery and then volunteering for Airborne Forces with D Squadron, Number One Wing, The Glider Pilot Regiment.

He married Joan Mouncer in Malton, North Yorkshire, in 1942 and the couple had a daughter, Jacqueline, and son, Richard. Joan died aged 71 in 1993."
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/777171/glider-pilot-doomsday-operation-market-garden-dies