WILLIAM JAMES PAGE

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From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

 

Extra family information courtesy of Janice – Photographs courtesy of Rosie and Alice.

BILLY

Born: 3rd May 1923, Ipswich.

Died: 23rd September 1944; age: 21; Battle of Arnhem, Operation: Market Garden.

Residence: 54, Wherstead Road, Ipswich.

Occupation: a Riveter’s Labourer.

 

Rank: Private; Service Number: 5827349.

Regiment: Army Air Corps, Parachute Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Platoon, A Company.

Formerly the Suffolk Regiment.

 

The body was originally buried in No. 3 Mass Grave at Arnhem Communal Roman Catholic Cemetery. On the 27th August 1945, the body was exhumed, identified and reburied at Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, the Netherlands.

 

Grave Reference:

19.B.9.

Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery,

Netherlands.

 

Father: Thomas Frederick Page, born 1888, Ipswich – died July 1942 at Tar Works, Wherstead Road, Ipswich. Home address: 54, Wherstead Road, Ipswich.

Mother: Ellen Eliza Page (nee Elliston), born 1892, Bow, London.

 

ENGLAND and WALES REGISTER 1939

54, Wherstead Road, Ipswich.

Billy was a Riveter’s Labourer and lived with his parents and siblings at the family home – 54, Wherstead Road, Ipswich.

Thomas, a Skilled Labourer – Tar Works.

Ellen.

Reginald Walter Page, a Trolley Bus Conductor – Corporation, born November 1916, Ipswich.

Margaret Ruby Page, a Printer – Sack Factory, born August 1924, Ipswich.

Stanley Frederick Page, born March 1926, Ipswich.

Norman Joseph Page, born March 1928, Ipswich.

Alice Bronwen Alice Page, born 1929, Ipswich.

Mary Elizabeth Page, born 1931, Ipswich.

 

Sisters:

Violet Rose Page, born May 1913, Ipswich.

Jane Evelyn Page, born March 1915, Ipswich.

Brothers:

George Arthur Page, born July 1917, Ipswich.

Ernest Richard Page, born September 1919, Ipswich.

 

Tassie, Ellen and William.  Tassie and Billy were only married a short time before he was killed. 

Billy and his wife Tassie on their wedding day.

 

Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands and the Battle of Arnhem involved William’s regiment.  The division’s mission was to capture intact the road, rail and pontoon bridges over the Lower Rhine at Arnhem and hold them until relieved, which was expected to occur two or three days later. The 1st Parachute and the airlanding brigade would land on the first day. The DZS and LZS would be secured by the airlanding brigade, whilst the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Parachute battalions would head into Arnhem and capture the bridges. The 2nd Battalion, largely unopposed, made it to the bridges. By dusk, most of the 2nd Battalion and some supporting units, including the Brigade Headquarters, numbering about 740 men, had taken the northern end of the Arnhem road bridge. The Germans had surrounded the area with street-to-street fighting, many attempts were made by both sides to take the bridges. The 2nd Battalion still held out, but short of supplies, their position was becoming untenable.
The division managed to hold on for nine days.
The two parachute brigades had contained 3,082 men of the Parachute Regiment. Of these, 2,656 were killed or reported missing, and only 426 made it to safety.

3 Comments

  • It was very interesting to read,I was born 1946 and was told of my mums brother’s death during the War although very sad I feel very proud of him, Thankyou Regards Rosemary Elmer new Smith

    Reply

  • It was great to read about my family particularly my Grandmother and Grandfather who I never knew as he died. My Grandparents also had older children one was my mother Violet Rose Pike (page) the eldest and my Aunt Jane Blakemore (Page) and then my other Aunts and Uncles.

    Reply

  • I recently spoke to an aunt who said Tassie lived in London and after Billy’s death continued to visit family in Ipswich but only a few times. No one hasn’t heard anything from her since

    Reply

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