WILTSHIRE people whose relatives were part of an elite regiment which fought in some of the most daring campaigns in the Second World War are invited to a memorial service next weekend.

The service for the Glider Pilot Regiment, which was made up of volunteers originally trained at Tilshead, will take place at the Memorial Stones in the town on Saturday, February 24.

Formed in 1942, the regiment was put through rigorous selection and strenuous training before learning to pilot the unpowered gliders.

Those who did make it through the tough training process went on to carry soldiers and land aircraft behind enemy lines in campaigns such as the invasion of Sicily, D Day, Operation Market Garden and the Rhine Crossing. Many of the gliders taking part in the Arnhem Market Garden operation left from the nearby Keevil airfield.

To honour their memory, local man Frank Druce arranged for a memorial stone to be placed alongside the existing Parachute Regiment memorial in 2004, although the regiment was moved to Fargo Camp near Larkhill in 1943.

As veterans died, those attending memorial services got fewer and fewer, and the Glider Pilot Regiment Society was formed two years ago by friends and family of those who served to help keep their memories alive.

Anyone wishing to attend the service should meet at Tilshead Village Hall no later than 11.15am where directions to the stones will be provided.

For more information email info@gilderpilotregiment.org.uk or visit www.gliderpilotregiment.org.uk.