Lieutenant Edward 'Ted' Pool
7th (Light Infantry) Battalion, The Parachute Regiment
First commissioned into the Royal Irish Fusilliers, Edward Pool was drawn to the excitement of the newly formed parachute regiment.
After completing his training, 21-year-old Lt Pool parachuted into Normandy in the early hours of the morning. Crossing into , his company made their way to the end of the village to defend the area from German counter-attacks.
Almost constantly under attack, Lt Pool fought for 21 hours without relief, a feat of endurance which earned him the Military Cross. Only two weeks later he was injured badly by a phosphorus grenade, losing the bottom of his leg. After recuperating, he went on to train paratroopers for the rest of the war.
In civilian life he continued to seek adventure and excitement, competing in amateur car racing, rally driving, and mountaineering. Ted Pool died on January 1st 2013.
