Jim Wallwork
| Jim Wallwork | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | James Harley Wallwork |
| Nickname(s) | Jim |
| Born | 21 October 1919 Manchester, England |
| Died | 24 January 2013 (aged 93) White Rock, British Columbia, Canada |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 British Army
|
| Years of service | 1939–1945 |
| Rank | Staff Sergeant |
| Service number | 903986 |
| Unit | Glider Pilot Regiment |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Medal |
| Other work | Farmer |
Staff Sergeant James Harley Wallwork DFM (21 October 1919 – 24 January 2013) was a British soldier and a member of the Glider Pilot Regiment who achieved notability as the pilot of the first Horsa glider to land at Pegasus Bridge in the early hours of D-Day, 6 June 1944, during the Second World War. This achievement was described as "the greatest feat of flying of the second world war" by Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory. Although most noted for his part in the Battle of Normandy, Wallwork flew gliders in every major British airborne operation of the Second World War. These also included the Sicily landings, Arnhem and the Rhine Crossings. In later life he lived in Vancouver.
He was born in Manchester, son of an artilleryman who had served during the First World War. When Wallwork volunteered for the British Army in March 1939 his father advised him against joining the infantry. He ignored his father's advice but subsequently regretted it and, despite being promoted to Sergeant, he tried to join the Royal Air Force.
This was blocked by his Commanding Officer although in 1942 he was accepted for training in the newly formed Glider Pilot Regiment. By May 1942 he was at flight training school.
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