Headstone of Flight-Lieutenant David Lord, VC

David Lord is buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery at Oosterbeek. He had spent five years, mostly in India with 31 Squadron, notably supplying Orde Wingate's Chindits force behind enemy lines in Burma, for which he was awarded the DFC in July 1943. He moved to 271 Squadron at Down Ampney in January 1944 and with them took part in the D-Day operation and then on to supplying the surrounded British paratroopers at Oosterbeek during Operation Market Garden. Flying Dakota KG 374 he knew that to have a chance for his much needed supplies to reach the troops surrounded in the grounds of the Hartenstein Hotel he had to drop to 900 feet before releasing his cargo. On the approach at 1, 500 feet on 19th September his aircraft was both hit and set on fire. His Citation continues the story - Flt. Lt. Lord would have been justified in withdrawing or even in abandoning his aircraft, but knowing that the supplies were desperately needed he continued on his course. Twice going down to 900 feet under very intense fire, he successfully dropped his containers. His task completed he ordered his crew to abandon the aircraft, making no attempt to leave himself. A few seconds later the aircraft fell in flames, only one of the crew surviving.... Flt.Lieut. Lord displayed supreme valour and self-sacrifice

Abandon Abandoning Approach Buried Chance Chindits Citation Commission Containers Continued Continues D-day Dakota Dday Desperately Displayed Drop Dropped Failed Hartenstein Headstone Intense Justified Knew Knowing Lieut Mostly Moved Needed Notably Oosterbeek Orde Ordered Paratroopers Reach Releasing Seconds Spent Successfully Supplying Surviving Task Twice Valour Withdrawing

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