80 years since the Battle of Arnhem, award-winning actor, Jeremy Irons, and other leading figures from the entertainment and military worlds, have joined the Army Benevolent Fund in honouring real-life Arnhem veteran, Sid Sallis in his tribute to his fallen comrades.
Corporal Sid Sallis was just 21 when he saw action at Arnhem in 1944 as a Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) Air Despatcher. The battle was part of Operation Market Garden – a daring attempt to secure key bridges in German-occupied Netherlands in a bid to shorten the war. For days, the Allies bravely fought German Army, SS units and tanks, but by 25th September 1944, over 2,000 men were withdrawn and thousands more were killed or captured. Their bravery and sacrifice were later immortalised in the 1977 epic film, “A Bridge Too Far”, directed by Sir Richard Attenborough.
Sid Sallis survived his mission, when many didn’t, and went on to write a poem, ‘Arnhem’ as a tribute to his fallen comrades. The Army Benevolent Fund supported Sid in his final years and we were delighted to welcome Sid, then 96, to hear his poem performed at our event marking Arnhem’s 75th anniversary in 2019.
Very sadly, Sid died in 2020, but the Army Benevolent Fund, with the support of his family, are determined his words should live on in tribute to Sid and those who fought alongside him. To mark the 80th anniversary of Arnhem and Operation Market Garden, we are sharing Sid’s story and his poem, performed here by Jeremy Irons and General Sir Mike Jackson. We are also delighted that original cast members from “A Bridge Too Far” have shared their memories of the film, inspired by the undoubted courage of all those who took part in this campaign.
For many of the film’s actors, their experience became a testament to those who took part in Operation Market Garden. Actors Frank Grimes and Donald Douglas have given a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes, including an encounter with star, Sean Connery. Long-time ABF supporter, actor Paul Copley, who performed Sid’s poem to at our Arnhem 75th commemoration, said: “I can only salute the mind-blowing bravery, tenacity and sacrifice of the real-life soldiers involved in battle.”
For real-life soldier, Sid, it was his Arnhem experiences that stayed with him when he left the Army after five years’ service. The field that was his drop zone back in 1944 is now the site of an Air Despatch memorial and Sid returned to pay his respects each autumn for many years, until his death in 2020.
Today, there are sadly few surviving veterans of Arnhem, but the Army Benevolent Fund was honoured to fund our partner charity, the Taxi Fund for Veterans, to support several veterans of Airborne Division, including Geoff, who fought in 1944, to attend this year’s 80th commemorations in the Netherlands. Read Geoff’s story here.
As we mark our own 80th anniversary as a charity, we are honoured to share Sid’s story and his poem memorialising the courage and sacrifice of his comrades, and to remember all those who fought so valiantly, 80 years ago at the Battle of Arnhem.
Jeremy Irons said: “It’s important to acknowledge the bravery and commitment of men such as Sid Sallis who …dedicated themselves to liberating the citizens of Europe and defending our freedom. Sid’s poem “Arnhem” is a heartfelt and fitting tribute to those that fought and died during Operation Market Garden.”
Thank you to Sid’s family, to Geoff, to actors, Paul Copley, Frank Grimes and Donald Douglas, for sharing their memories and to Jeremy Irons and General Sir Mike Jackson for bringing Sid’s incredible words to life.