Arnhem Commemorations 2025
As is usual, there is lots going on in September.
We will try to provide a list of events that we think will be of particular interest to Arnhem Fellowship members but if you are aware of other events not already listed within the official programmes, please let us know and we will add them to this page.
Remember you can also keep up to date with all the events we’ve been told about by checking our Events Calendar.
Events in the UK:
There are many events taking place between now and September in the UK in relation to Operation Market Garden.
Here is a list of events that we know about and the links to them. If you know of any more then please let us know!
Saturday 7th September, 14.00hrs – Annual Service and Commemoration to remember some of the first Arnhem casualties
At the Double Hills Memorial, nr Paulton, Somerset BS39 7ND. Service commences at 14.00 hrs.
Saturday 13th September, 14.00hrs – Annual Service and Commemoration to remember the 10th Parachute Battalion
At the Memorial, Burrough on the Hill, Leicestershire LE14 2QS. Service commences at 14.00 hrs followed by social gathering with refreshments, food and entertainment. ALL FELLOWSHIP MEMBERS WELCOME – there is no charge but donations to ‘Friends of The Tenth’ gratefully received.
Sunday 14th September, 11.00hrs – Annual Arnhem Service and Parade
All Saints Church, Somerby village, Leicestershire (LE14 2PZ). Parade forms up at 10.00 hrs, Church service commences at 11.00hrs. Refreshments afterwards in Somerby Memorial Hall. ALL FELLOWSHIP MEMBERS WELCOME – there is no charge but donations to ‘Friends of The Tenth’ gratefully received.
Saturday 20th September, 15.00hrs – Port Vale FC
On Saturday 20 September, Port Vale’s home League One match against Mansfield Town will be preceded by a breakfast at Vale Park hosted by the club’s armed forces group, a remembrance service dedicated to Jack Baskeyfield, who was a Port Vale fan, held at Port Vale church, Holy Trinity, Hamil Road, Burslem, and a pitch side wreath laying with an honour guard on the pitch before kick-off.
Sunday 21st September, 18.00hrs – Remembrance Service – Jack Baskeyfield statue at Festival Park, Stoke-on-Trent
A remembrance service will take place at the Jack Baskeyfield statue at Festival Park. The service will be led by Port Vale Chaplain, Father Andrew Swift, and family member, Captain Jason Peach of the British Army D Company, 4th Battalion, The Mercian Regiment.
The Victoria Cross of Lance-Sergeant John Daniel Baskeyfield is also on public display for the first time in the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery It will be on display until Sunday 14th December 2025.
Further information about Jack Baskeyfield and his links to the areas can be found in this Blog on the museum website.
Sunday 21st September, 12.00hrs – Service of Remembrance – Tarrant Rushton Airfield
Service of Remembrance for the 81st Anniversary of The Battle of Arnhem at 12.00 hrs at the Tarrant Rushton Airfield memorial. Tarrant Rushton Memorial can be Located on the Tarrant Rushton to Witchampton Road postcode DT11 8SB. “what3words” free.sporting.unafraid.
Sunday 28th September, 11.00hrs – 1st Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers Annual Arnhem Service
St Mary & the Holy Rood Church Donington Lincolnshire at 11.00am. Everyone is welcome to join in the short parade led by a Piper to the church, please form up in the Market Place by 10.30am. After the service wreaths are laid at the Arnhem Oak Tree Memorial & refreshments are served in the church hall where the men did some of their training. There is also a display of photos, personal wartime recollections, service records & POW cards etc.
Events in and around Arnhem:
Thursday 18th September, 11.00hrs – Brummen Wreath Laying Service
The late Major Tony Hibbert, one of our founding members, traditionally laid a wreath at the location where he escaped from captivity by jumping from a lorry and during this escape attempt an SS guard murdered a number of prisoners in the same vehicle. This tradition has been carried on since Tony passed away and a wreath will be laid outside Hotel Oude Postkantoor, Zutphensestraat 6, 6971 EM Brummen. Afterwards we retire to a local restaurant for coffee. All are welcome to attend.
Thursday 18th September, 18.00hrs – Annual General Meeting / 18.45hrs Arnhem Fellowship Dinner (both at the Lebret Hall, Oosterbeek)
The evening will run as follows:
17.30 Doors open. Refreshments available (tea and coffee) and bar opens. Books and Merchandise available to purchase.
18.00 AGM (Hopefully preceded by a speaker – details to follow once confirmed)
18.45 Finish AGM
18.45-19.30 Drinks
19.30 Dinner served
If you are interested in attending then please contact the Arnhem Fellowship Secretary
Friday 19th September (afternoon) – Battlefield Tour: The 4th Parachute Brigade in the Bilderberg Woods
If you are interested in attending then please contact the Arnhem Fellowship Secretary
Saturday 20th September, 09.00hrs to 14.00hrs (approx.) – Ginkel Heath
Access to the Fellowship Marquee is for Members only. This means you need to be a member of the Arnhem Fellowship and be able to show a valid membership card. Membership is individual so if you intend to visit the marquee with friends and family they need to become members in advance in the normal way. Under 18 years of age do not need a membership.
A separate email will be sent to members providing details for booking a lunch pack.
Sunday 21st September, 10.00hrs to 13.30hrs – Oosterbeek Cemetery
As in previous years we will have a refreshment marquee adjacent to the Oosterbeek cemetery before and after the service with tea and coffee available.
(Note: the ceremony commences at 1100hrs)
Monday 22nd September, 10.00hrs – Ede Mausoleum
The Arnhem Fellowship has set a tradition of holding a small commemoration at the memorial to the Dutch Resistance in Ede on the Monday morning.
The address of the Mausoleum is Van Eeghenboslaan 2, 6711 EB, Ede.
All are welcome to attend
NOTE: the above events are those which the Arnhem Fellowship organises. We will be attending various other events across the weekend such as the service in Arnhem on Friday night, the service at Driel on Saturday afternoon and many others.
Airborne Commemoration Foundation
The Airborne Commemorations and Airborne Events programmes for 2025 have published by the Airborne Commemoration Foundation.
This programme will be updated from time to time and you can always find the most up to date programme by following the link below which will take you to their website.
https://www.airborne-herdenkingen.nl/programma/2025/SAH_ACF-commemorations-program-2025.pdf
Places to visit
Airborne Medical Display
Back again this year. Please see below details of a living history display of an airborne medical facility running from 18th to 20th September in the Concert Hall in lower Oosterbeek near the old church.
In previous years this has (in our opinion at least), been a very good display!
Eusibius Church
There is information on the battle in the church and a glass viewing platform that allows you to see Arnhem from a different perspective.
There is information on the battle in the church and a glass viewing platform that allows you to see Arnhem from a different perspective.
https://eusebius.nl/en/plan-your-visit
Military Platform Ede
The Platform Military History Ede is housed in building 27 on the former Arthur Kool barracks. The monumental building from 1908 has a beautiful military history and is located next to the horse stables and associated warehouses. ‘De Smederij’ contained a workshop for the sword sweeper and two workshops for the farriers (blacksmiths), with a batter shed for the two squadrons of Hussars who were housed in the cavalry barracks.
Wolfheze glider museum
This museum introduces you to the gliders and the brave people who participated in Operation Market Garden, which was carried out around and in Arnhem from 17 to 25 September 1944.
Historical Museum Wolfheze (Wolfheze Asylum)
The place that we all know as the ‘Wolfheze Asylum’ continues to be a place that provides specialist mental care in Gelderland. In the centre of the site, and quite difficult to find, is a small museum that covers the history of the ‘Wolfheze’ facility, the history of the care of patients, the impact of events in September 1944 including the bombings, landings and the treatment of wounded British soldiers. If you can find it it is a great place to spend an hour.
It has limited opening times so it might be best to check first.
Contact details can be found at the link below
https://www.propersona.nl/Over-Pro-Persona/Geschiedenis/Museum
Information Centre in Driel
The Information Centre: The Poles of Driel provide insights into the battle fought by the 1st Independent Polish Parachute Brigade in the village of Driel during Operation Market Garden. The focus here is the way the Brigade came into being, the inexplicably dishonourable way the Poles were treated after the failure of Operation Market Garden and the friendship that subsequently developed between the people of Driel and the Polish parachutists.
The Information Centre is at the back of the Roman Catholic Church in Driel and is open daily to visitors from 9.00hrs to 17.00hrs. Kerkstraat 27, 6665 CE Driel. Entrance is free.
There is a bus stop directly in front of the church and there is sufficient parking space for cars and buses.