Bolton war hero Wilf Oldham's bid to return to deadly battleground

Wilf Oldham, who served with 1st Battalion Border Regiment (Airborne), was one of the few who escaped at the end of the 1944 battle, which is depicted in Richard Attenborough's epic war film, A Bridge Too Far.

Now 100-years-old, Mr Oldham hopes to return this September ­— with the help of the town.

Wilf Oldham

Chairman of the Bolton-branch of the Parachute Regimental Association, David Sharkey, has set up a fundraising campaign to get Mr Oldham to Arnhem this September.

Mr Oldham, who was awarded the MBE in 2019 for commemorations and UK/Dutch relations in the Diplomatic Service and Overseas, said: "I never went back for 45 years and then I have been back nearly every year since.

"God willing and I know it is six months off, and conditions permitting, I am so much looking forward to going.

WAR: Troops landing at Arnhem

"There are very few of us left known so it means a lot to go back and meet my Dutch friends and think back to the terrible days this battle fought under."

Mr Oldham lost many friends during the battle, one Norman Manchester, from Bury, who he knew as schoolboy.

Mr Oldham said: " He got killed about the third. I always visit his grave and always put a cross on and salute at the grave of our Regimental Sgt Major Pope, he was a Bolton man, he was a wonderful man, looked up and respected by everybody. He died and left a wife and two children.

"It is a great honour for me to visit their graves. I can still their faces in my mind, I will never forget them."

Resting place: The Airborne Cemetery at Oosterbeek near Arnhem

Mr Sharkey said: "He has always said when he passes away he would like half his ashes to be in Arnhem. I said if we could raise money to take him.This is a heartfelt message because he has given up so much and goes up and down the country giving talks." The money raised will provide safe transport with medical supervision.

To support the fundraising campaign visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/Hero