Volunteers wanted to tell airborne forces history

Volunteers are being recruited to help uncover the history of airborne forces in Lincolnshire.

South Kesteven District Council is holding a free event for volunteers to conduct research as part of the authority's Soldiers from the Sky project.

The commemorative project aims to mark the district's airborne forces history.

The council's armed forces champion Councillor Bridget Ley said she hoped the ambassadors could discover and share the stories before they pass from memory.

The two-hour event will take place at 10:00 BST on Saturday 7 June at the Wyndham Park Visitor Centre in Grantham, a day after commemorations for the 81st anniversary of D-Day.

Following the event, attendees can pursue their own research and tell the story of South Kesteven hosting British, American and Polish paratrooper forces who trained locally for D-Day and Arnhem and flew into battle from local airfields.

Paratroopers underwent gruelling training marches, dropped from C-47 Dakota aircraft stationed on giant American airfields around Grantham, drank ale in local pubs, and stayed in properties commandeered as military accommodation, according to the council.

Ley said: "We have a wealth of information about this incredible chapter of South Kesteven's military heritage, a largely untold story of allied airborne forces who gathered here to fight for freedom.

"There are layers of heritage that we have yet to uncover."

The council said it hoped ambassadors would give local talks and share information on village websites and with parish councils and schools.

The Soldiers from the Sky project received money from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

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