Born in Kempsey Town, Worcestershire. ( near the Welsh Border )

In 1939 at age 17 years joined the TERRITORIAL Army & attended TA Camp July 1939.

1st Sept 1939 WAR Declared with Germany. After a month in a Drill Hall ( No Beds or Blankets initially ) @ Drill Halls at Westminster,, Uxbridge and on to Folkestone.

QUEEN’S WESTMINSTER RIFLES. Mounted in Carriers

POSTED to Middle East in 1941 as a DIVISION to EGYPT were Fierce Fighting took place between the ALLIES and GERMAN & ITALIAN’S.

The Division was taken to EGYPT on old Liners, twenty in all, via South Africa.

The WESTMINISTER Rifles, saw ACTIVE Service @ both Battles of EL ALAMEIN in July and October of 1942.

They then moved onto SYRIA. Volunteers were asked for the the PARA Regt. THIRTY members of the Battalion and they were sent to PALESTINE to make up strength of the 156 Battalion

This is where they completed their Basic Parachute Course (P Company) in PALESTINE

156 Battalion moved to TUNISIA the Fighting in that area was just finishing.

1st AIRBORNE DIVISION Landed by Sea @ TARANTO in ITALY when the INVASION of ITALY took place on 1st September 1943. At Christmas the whole 1st AIRBORNE Division returned to the UNITED KINGDOM. Training commenced for the INVASION of EUROPE

John HATELY’s Brother ROBERT also a member of the PARACHUTE Regiment ( different Battalion ) ROBERT was KIA on the 06th June 1944 ( D DAY )’

September 1944 , OPERATION ARNHEM, Dropped into HOLLAND, with 2 PARA 1st AIRBORNE Division to try and Capture BRIDGES over the RHINE. John was WIA, a Head Wound and was Captured, John was a member of 2nd Battalion the PARACHUTE Regiment of the 4th AIRBORNE BRIGADE. The BATTLE lasted for nine days, during the WITHDRAWAL he became a Prisoner of War ( POW ) he remained a POW in GERMANY for the rest of the WAR. A period of EIGHT MONTHS till the WAR ended MAY 1945. As a POW he worked in the GERMAN COAL MINES & Local BRICKWORKS.

John and his new Wife WYNNE were eventually Posted to ALDERSHOT with 2 PARA, 1947 in 1948 they were Posted to HUSUM in North GERMANY for two years. With their Daughter SUSAN. Posting to CYPRUS on a Peacekeeping Mission for 18 months and then the Family joined John, Wynne, Jenny & Sue lived in the TURKISH Quarter in CYPRUS, for a further two years. By this time John was a Company Sergeant Major in 2 PARA, and John’s Army Career was coming to an end. He was Posted to CATFORD, South of London as a Permanent Service Instructor (PSI) with a Territorial Battalion 10th PARA. After 24 years Full time Army Service in 1963 he retired. However this was not the complete story he rejoined the TA 10 PARA as a Volunteer Reservist and became The CSM of 1 Company 10 Para until July 1966

In October 1968 they became Ten Pound POMS and Sailed out to Australia to join their Daughter Jenny. They Built a HOUSE in PURLEY Street, BAYSWATER where lived for 25 years.

1968, Christmas, an Association was being formed for Former Members of the AIRBORNE FORCES at a Hall in South Perth. It was Hard Work, John served for many years as President of the PEGASUS ASSOCIATION ( WA ), later to be renamed AIRBORNE FORCES Association (WA ) and also many years as Secretary and always on the Committee in later years. “ We made many many Friends among the Members of the Association.”

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In August 1969 LISA was the first of 4 Grandchildren to be Born, Susan then gave birth to a Daughter, ROBYN, REBECCA, and son MICHAEL.

JOHN FREDERICH HATELY was a Member of the RSL Highgate, John attended their Monthly Functions. He became PRESIDENT of this elite club, The RSL HIGHGATE. In later years was also a WARDEN at the State WAR MEMORIAL King’s Park. This State WARDEN Party is supplied by the HIGHGATE Members of the RSL ANZAC House.

John Frederick HATELY, Born 16th March 1922, passed away in PERTH, Western Australia on the 24th December 2015, aged 93. He is Survived by his 4 Grandchildren and 3 Great Grandchildren. He will be deeply missed and his memories will be Cherished for many years to come.

A TRUE AIRBORNE WARRIOR & VETERAN

2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment,

4th AIRBORNE Brigade

1st AIRBORNE DIVISION

Founder Member of the “ PEGASUS ASSOCIATION ( WA )

Now know as THE AIRBORNE FORCES ASSOCIATION ( WA )

A Member and Past PRESIDENT of the HIGHGATE RSL

A WARDEN of the WAR MEMORIAL, KING’S PARK

A Veteran Life Long Friend COLONEL John WADDIE, OBE

Parachute Regiment Regimental Colonel

I can’t hold back the minutes, They fly by much to fast.

I can’t postpone the Future, Nor yet retrieve the Past.

But one thing I can do to make the Present Shine,

Is Polish up the Here & Now, For that’s Forever Mine!