A Sutton soldier parachuted into Arnhem in the Netherlands to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of airborne soldiers who fought in the second world war.

Lance Corporal Aron Barker-Haywood’s jump was part of a series of commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem, which was a key part of Operation Market Garden.

The operation aimed to recapture a series of strategically-important bridges so the Allied forces could enter Germany and end the war in Europe by Christmas 1944.

Aron (above) is a combat engineer and plumber with 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment, which is tasked with ensuring that 16 Air Assault Brigade can live, move, and fight. That includes providing bridging and explosive capabilities.

He was one of 90 British airborne soldiers who jumped on to the same drop zone used by 4th Parachute Brigade during Operation Market Garden in September 1944.

Also jumping were soldiers from 11 Airmobile Brigade of the Royal Netherlands Army and seven other NATO nations — USA, Greece, Romania, Portugal, Spain, Poland, and Germany.

Aron, a former student at Ashfield Comprehensive School, Kirkby, said: “It was a massive honour to get a place on the commemoration jump.

“They were all young men who jumped into Arnhem for real under battlefield conditions.

“Their actions define the bravery and determination of airborne soldiers that we all continue to be inspired by today.”

On 17th September, 1944, the 1st Airborne Division landed by parachute and gliders near Arnhem to capture the final bridge across the Rhine.

The initial order had been to hold the bridge for 48 hours until relieved by ground forces. Meanwhile, the rest of the division, depleted by attempts to fight through to reinforce the bridge, were compressed into a small perimeter across the river at Oosterbeek.

A defensive battle was fought at the bridge by 2 PARA that saw nine days of prolonged and brutal street fighting until ordered to withdraw on 25th September.

More than 1,600 British soldiers were killed, nearly 6,500 captured, and five Victoria Crosses were awarded.

Although its objectives weren’t met, Operation Market Garden remains a remarkable feat due to the determination and courage shown by the soldiers. It also led to the liberation of a large part of the Netherlands.

The commemoration jump was the culmination of Exercise Falcon Leap.

Led by the 11th Airmobile Brigade of the Royal Netherlands Army, the exercise focused on enhancing operational readiness and the ability of NATO’s airborne forces to function together as a strong and flexible workforce.

Aron added: “It’s always enjoyable working with our NATO allies.

“I’ve worked with American and Italian soldiers on exercises before. It’s good to see how each other operate.

“It builds a bond and shows we can work together as one team despite our differences.”