Lest we forget - 

LOSE OF A GREAT HERO AND SOLDIER

Len Corley

  Two days ago I received a call from Michael Corley, son of Len Corley (Center Photo in short and red beret) of Len's passing due to cancer of the lungs. Len's son Michael is behind Len to his right rear. My good friend Jim Clinton is to Len's right seated.  Len was exposed to asbestos in the 50's after he got out of service. At the time knowledge of avoiding contact was limited to putting a bandana in front of one's face. 

  Len had this when this photo was taken at the 65th Anniversary of D-Day in 2009.  He had undergone treatment for 4 years yet kept it a secret from many.  Len was one of the first WW-II veterans I met on my first trip to Normandy for the D-Day events in June 1995.  Len was in charge of the London branch of the Parachute Regiment for many years and a regular in Normandy.
    Len enlisted at 15 in the British Army.  He was a large young man and they took his word he was older as they needed men. Len served in the Paratroopers and Jumped on D-Day, and Operation Market Garden.  Len first saw action in North Africa, later Italy before going back to England for D-Day.  Len was one of Paratroopers who jumped and linked up with Major John Howard's D-Company Reinforced, who's gliders captured the Caen Canal (Pegasus Bridge) and the Orne River Bridges.  Len's battalion in Operation Market Garden had only about 25 men left who got back across the Rhine River of the destroyed British 1st Airborne division.  Len told me had had 5 rounds left and they were eating apples off the trees.
    After VE Day Len was sent to the Far East against the Japanese and later joined the British SAS.  He was one of the most remarkable and strongest man for his age I have ever known.  last year Len did not make it to Normandy due to cancer treatment.  We all know something was wrong, but hoped to see him this June.  I had been calling him in Britain for time to time to check on him.  Sadly we lost him, but Len was a fighter to the end and never complained.  A really very unique and special person.
    I am honored to have know Len for 15 years.  We will morn his loss very much.  The good thing is he is now with his fellow veterans who died in WW-II and after and with my wonderful mom, Edna who knew him well from her 3 trips to Normandy.
May God Bless and keep you Len.  We who knew you were very impressed with you and loved you.
Normandy at D-Day will not be the same without Len Corley who although in his 80's was as strong as a man 35.  
Gene Garren