No.3 Platoon, "A" Company, 2nd Parachute Battalion

16 January 2008 - In Trenton the British WW2 veteran Bill Fulton passed away. Fulton was the first British soldier to set foot on the Rhine bridge at Arhem on 17 September 1944. He was shot in a leg during this action by the Germans. Shortly after being wounded in action he was taken prisoner of war by the Germans. Fulton was a VIP and very welcome guest in Arnhem during the commemorations every year. Bill Fulton was 88 years old. Bill Fulton (2 may 1919 - 16 January 2008) joined the army 20 years old. Being a member of the Cheshire regiment he was part of the withdrawal from Dunkirk in 1940. Back in Britain he joined the newly formed Parachute Regiment. Bill served with the campaigns in North Africa, Sicily and Italy.

Taken at Easton Hall, Lincolnshire, in 1944.

Being part of A-company, 2nd battalion, parachute regiment, Fulton was dropped on the Heelsum DZ on 17 September 1944. Of the 5200 Para's who jumped that day only 750, under command of Colonel John Frost, reached the bridge over the river Rhine (now the John Frost Bridge). He was the first to set foot on the bridge and was injured during a firefight with the German defenders. Bill shot a German but when the German fell down he still had his finger on the trigger and shot Bill. Bill was shot in his left upper leg.