Charity ride salutes soldiers' journey to Arnhem
A group of cyclists from across the Midlands are commemorating the heroes of the 2nd Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment in a charity ride.
The riders are following the soldiers' route which took them to the Battle of Arnhem in Holland 75 years ago.
The cyclists are from the Staffordshire Regimental Association Cycle Club and are from places including Stafford, Shrewsbury, Cannock, Stoke, Wolverhampton, Telford, Birmingham, and Walsall.
The 21 cyclists left the regiment's museum at Lichfield on September 18 at the start of the 400-mile commemorative ride which is taking place over six days.
One of them is Frances Clarkson – wife of TV's Jeremy Clarkson – who is the daughter of Major Robert Cain, who won the Victoria Cross in the battle.
The ride is raising money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Help A Squaddie, a non-profit organisation based in Rugeley which was founded in 2015.
The battalion was part of the 1st Air Landing Brigade that landed outside Arnhem in gliders and was heavily involved in the fighting. A total of 87 men died in the battle and its aftermath. The riders will be visiting memorials and laying wreaths and poppy crosses.
A club spokesman said: "The ride is our biggest challenge to date, both physically and mentally. But it fits perfectly with the ethos of the club which is keeping the great name of the regiment alive, bringing together veterans of the regiment, their families and friends together through cycling and so therefore maintaining links with the county."
Initial legs of the journey were to Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire, where the South Staffords were based on the eve of battle, and then to Hull, and by ferry to Rotterdam.
The climax on the fourth day involves commemorations at Arnhem and Oosterbeek, including crossing the John Frost Bridge at Arnhem, visiting the memorial at the Lonsdale Church at Oosterbeek and Baskeyfield VC Corner, and laying wreaths and poppy crosses at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery in Oosterbeek.
Finally they will ride 100 miles to Rotterdam to catch the ferry, and Day Six gives them a rest as they will return by road transport to the regimental museum.
