Geoff is a veteran of the Battle of Arnhem, and this September, he visited the Netherlands with the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans to pay tribute to his fallen comrades.
This trip is supported by the Army Benevolent Fund and we are delighted to share Geoff’s story to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem.
Geoff Roberts joined the army in 1942 and after volunteering for Airborne, he was posted to the 7th Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers. After Glider training at Brize Norton and on the Yorkshire moors, he was one of the men who flew into the Netherlands as part of Operation Market Garden in September 1944.
On a sunny afternoon, Geoff’s glider flew into the Netherlands. He was sitting in seat 28, next to his friend in seat 29. As Geoff recalls, when they encountered a bit of flack over the Dutch coast, his friend ended up with some shrapnel in his behind.
While in Arnhem, Geoff spent time digging trenches at the White House, a central point in the defence of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers. Geoff was one of the last to leave, in a jeep, as part of the retreat to Oosterbeek.
When Geoff was captured soon afterwards, a German Officer gave him a packet of Woodbine cigarettes and told him in perfect English: “For you the war is over”. Geoff and his fellow soldiers were eventually sent to the Prisoner of War camp, Stalag IV-C, where they were put to work in coal mines.
Told by the Russians who passed through the camp to wait for the Allies, Geoff and two fellow prisoners were Impatient for freedom. They ‘liberated’ some bikes and used these to find the Americans who ensured they were fed, clothed and flown into France, from where the RAF took them to Worthing. After being de-loused Geoff was given eight weeks leave.
Watch a video about Geoff’s story here.
Hear from fellow Arnhem veteran, Sid Sallis here.
Supporting Geoff’s return to Arnhem
We are delighted that the Army Benevolent Fund’s grant to the Taxi Charity, this year has enabled Geoff and his fellow Airborne veterans of all ages to take part in the 80th anniversary commemorations in Arnhem. The group visiting Arnhem were supported by the Taxi Charity’s team of volunteers, all London cab drivers.
Colin Mills, London Cab Driver and Chairman of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans said: “As a small niche charity which relies wholly on donations for our work with veterans, the support given to us by the Army Benevolent Fund is invaluable. This year they awarded funding towards our trip to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D Day and for the Netherlands visit for the 80th anniversary of Market Garden in September. These trips are so important for our veterans and we hope that the backing that we receive from the Army Benevolent Fund continues.”
For more information about the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, visit their website here.