Wilf, hero of Arnhem, dies at 101
TRIBUTES have poured in for one of the oldest remaining veterans of the Battle of Arnhem after his death, aged 101.
Wartime paratrooper Wilf Oldham passed away on Saturday after a short illness, surrounded by his family.
Heartbroken friends rushed to pay tribute to Wilf, from Radcliffe,who was described as a ‘superstar’ by members of the Bolton branch of the Parachute Regimental Association, where he was a member.
Messages poured in from The Netherlands too, with Dutch professional football team Vitesse Arnhem leading the tributes.
The club said: “Wilf was, among other things, the face of the annual Airborne competition and an avid visitor to it.
“Vitesse wishes the family and friends of the veteran a lot of strength during this difficult period.”
The dad-of-two served with the 1st Battalion Border Regiment (Airborne), and was one of 35,000 British, US and Polish troops who parachuted behind enemy lines to try and seize bridges in the province of Arnhem in 1944.
It was his second airborne operation, after his first glider mission in July 1943 ended in a crash into the sea three miles off the Sicilian coast – from where he was rescued eight hours later.
Tragically, Wilf lost many friends in the battle for Arnhem, part of Operation Market Garden, which was the basis for the 1977 film A Bridge too Far.
Since the 45th commemoration of the battle, he has attended almost every anniversary, staying with the same host family, Peter and Maria Hagelen in Heelsum, each time.
Speaking to a Dutch newspaper the couple said: “Wilf was like family to us, he called us his extended family.
“We were on the phone with him two days (before he died).
“He just radiated goodness. “He made an enormous effort to tell the story of the Second World War, which he also did at schools in Arnhem.”
Wilf was the oldest person recognised in the 2020 New Year Honours list – made an MBE.
Born in Salford in 1920, he was the second-youngest of seven.
Friend Dave Baverstock paid tribute on the Airborne Memoirs Facebook Page which he runs to share the stories of veterans.
He said: “Wilf was an absolute gentleman, loved by many, disliked by none, a legend and inspiration – a titan of a human being.”
He just radiated goodness. He made an enormous effort to tell the story of the war Peter and Maria Hagelen