William ‘Bill’ Aldcroft, C Company, 2nd Parachute Battalion

Dear Members,

We are sorry to have to inform you of the passing of Arnhem Veteran and Honorary Life Member of the Arnhem 1944 Fellowship, William Thomas Aldcroft, known to us simply as Bill Aldcroft.

Bill passed away at the age of 103 on 22nd February 2026.

Bill served with C Company, 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment at Arnhem, was wounded, captured and sent to a Prisoner of War Camp.

Our condolences to his family, may he Rest In Peace.

I am grateful to Bill’s daughter Leonie for letting us know It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of my father, Bill Aldcroft. he was born in Lambeth on 20 June 1922 and died 22 February 2026. Dad was an Arnhem veteran. He was an amazing man, a wonderful father and devoted to his community. He came to Australia in 1952 on a “seaman’s ticket” and stayed, becoming an Australian Citizen in 1962. He received the Order of Australia medal in 2001 for services to the community for his work with prisoners and their families and people. He was also nominated for Australian of the Year in 2012, which he declined.

We will have Bill’s full story in a future edition of our newsletter.

John Gerring
Honorary Secretary
(on behalf of the Trustees)