A FATHER and son with a love of history from York made a parachute jump together as part of an event to mark the 70th anniversary of the Arnhem raids.

John Bramwell and his 16-year-old son Alex dressed as paratroopers to take part in a re-enactment of the huge airborne assault during the Second World War.

Operation Market Garden was, at the time, the largest ever offensive of its kind. It involved British, American, Dutch, Canadian and Polish troops parachuting into the Netherlands on September 17, 1944.

Mr Bramwell and his son took part in the display shortly after the battle’s 70th anniversary, and landed at one of the drop zones used by the British 1st Airborne Division.

Mr Bramwell, 45, of Braeside Gardens, York, said: “It was brilliant. It was something special and there was a few veterans there, a lot ofre-enactors, Sherman tanks and more.other vehicles.

“I did a static line jump when I was 18 and always had the intention to do more, but never got round to it.

“Alex wanted to do Second World War re-enactments when he was 13, so we joined the Northern World War II Association.”

They pair later joined the Pathfinder UK Group and heard about the anniversary parachute event, but had to complete a week-long course in the Netherlands before they were given the green light. to complete the historic show Mr Bramwell added: “It was an experience never to forget.

“In the same way the bravery and endeavour of the men who took part in this operation should never be forgotten, nor their sacrifice or that of millions of others who have fought and died to preserve our freedom over the last century.

“Our experience was exciting, exhilarating, nerve-wracking and downright scary, flying over the countryside before jumping out.”

The pair completed the jumped to raised money for the Royal British Legion and St Leonard’s Hospice.