Army veteran, 84, recognised for organising trip to Holland nearly 40 times

On Friday, June 25, at a ceremony in Aldershot, 84-year-old Tony Trown, who lives in Hackwood Lane, Cliddesden, was handed an Award Certificate, and Regimental Medal for his dedication in taking hundreds of ex PARA's, as well as members of the Army Cadet Force and Cadets from the Air Training Corps in Basingstoke, to the annual Airborne March in Holland.

Retired Major Tony Trown was responsible for organising the transport, accommodation, and food, special Airborne Tours, march entry and all other aspects of the annual occasion, which hundreds of UK personnel take great pride in attending.

The father-of-two previously served with the Royal Fusiliers based at the Tower of London. He is originally from South London, but moved with his wife, Shelagh, to Hook where they lived for 20 years before moving to Cliddesden, where he has been for the past 36 years. He is also heavily involved in the training of Army Cadets locally.

Tony told the Gazette: “It’s quite an experience. We’ve taken thousands of people over. I’ve had fun doing it. People say, how did I manage? Well, sometimes I would be up at 3am organising things!”

Tony’s involvement with the Parachute Regiment “goes way back” to 1984 when his then 17-and-a-half year old son, Nicholas, decided to join following a week-long training course.

Nicholas went on to do 120 jumps with the regiment before “travelling the world” with the RAF.

“My interest really kicked off then, because the instructor who was with them asked what I was doing, and I was training Army Cadets, and I asked him what I could do to help,” said Tony.

“If they needed bodies, they’d ask me if I could get 30 lads together - the kids loved it!”

Tony with his certificate and many awards and memorabilia.

The annual Airborne March in Oosterbeck, Arnhem, Holland, takes place on the first Saturday in September each year and pays homage to the soldiers who never came home after the second world war, in remembrance of the Battle of Arnhem of September 1944.

Tony says he attends many different marches, but that this particular event remembers a nine-day long battle, which saw British parachuters met with unexpected resistance, many slaughtered, and some 6,500 surrender to the Germans.

If it hadn’t been for being unable to travel in 2020, this year would be Tony’s 40th trip to the event, each time taking dozens of young Army Cadets with him.

He says it is "devastating" to see the trip cancelled once again this year, after 38 consecutive years of going.

Tony says he is “without a doubt” that the experience of the march offers the young people a crucial education in armed forces history.

“A lot of them are barely 16, but in a year and a half they could be doing what those parachuters do,” he said.

“If any youngster takes an interest, I am interested. What I can do for them is phenomenal. They become young men quite quickly - no bullying, no aggression.

“I am am so proud to see them in their uniforms and, really, they are all my sons.”

Tony taking part in the annual Airborne March in Holland.

Tony says he has supported many of them in making the most of their lives, whether it be finding employment, or getting driving lessons.

Recognising his commitment, the Parachute Regiment Association, Aldershot Branch, presented Tony with a certificate which reads: “Your commitment and dedication have been an inspiration for those who will follow in your footsteps and for all Branch members who join me today in saluting you for a job well done.”

Reacting to receiving the award, Tony added: “I didn’t expect it, and it’s quite a shock.

“I was the last one to be presented, and I said I couldn’t accept yet. No man is an island and I was not on my own, so I named the people who were there by my side for 30 and more years, and I felt much more comfortable with that.”

Tony was presented with an Award Certificate and Regimental Medal.

Looking to the future, Tony says he has no plans to stop making the trip to Holland anytime soon.

“There is nothing I regret,” he said. “I am still involved, and once the pandemic is over and we can go back to Holland I will be doing a couple of the biggest marches!”