The Parachute Regiment and Resettlement Camp
Learn the history of the Parachute Regiment born in 1941. Find out about their strong ties to the Hardwick Estate and how this made way for the post-war Polish resettlement camp for allied soldiers.
Para Regiment Brigade & History
The Para Regiment is the airborne infantry regiment of the British Army, they have strong ties to the Hardwick Estate as the first training camp was based on Hardwick’s grounds.
A year after the success of Operation Dynamo in Dunkirk (1940), Prime Minister Winston Churchill called for the formation of a new fighting elite, this came to be known as the Parachute Regiment.
In 1941, Hardwick Hall was requisitioned. An entire army village and battle school was built above the ponds. The army village was no small feat, it included a gymnasium, a cookhouse, cinema and medical facility. The most fascinating features in the battle school included the Trapeze, to mimic the rocking motion of a deployed parachute, the 250ft jump tower and a barrage-type balloon which allowed descents from up to 1,000 ft.
Daily Life
Training was long and hard, not everyone who passed through the camp ended up with the coveted red beret. There was no room for error if you wanted to be part of this prestigious regiment. If any mistakes, refusal or insubordination became apparent, the soldiers would be returned to unit (RTU).
For those that made it through the arduous training programme, the reward was a 50-mile march to Ringway (now Manchester Airport). Here they finalised their land and glider training.
By the end of the war, 14 Parachute Battalions, 8 glider-borne battalions and many airborne trained units had been raised, with many passing through Hardwick as part of their training.
Training exercises taken from a daily drill sheet by Major Reid:
0830-0915: Organisation & Equipment
0915-1030: Formations
1030-1115: Observation
1115-1300: Concealment training & crossing of obstacles
1400-1700:
1. Grenade Throwing
2. Sniping
3. House Snapshooting
First hand accounts
Whilst on the march (The Bash), the instructors were constantly subjected to abuse and harassment from housewives en-route because of some of the army language which was directed towards us to gee us up in order to successfully complete the march, which we all wanted to do. - Geoffrey Read, Paratrooper
We had to run everywhere and the two weeks' training was intensive and very physical. The first day was gruelling but it did settle down, although we had to run a mile early in the mornings before we did anything else. - Gerald Beavan, Paratrooper
The Polish Resettlement Camp
After the camp closed on 29 March 1946, management of the site passed to the Polish Resettlement Corps. Hardwick then became home to Polish families and other European refugees, including Latvians, Hungarians, Czechs, and Ukrainians. Although the camp was demolished in 1959, leaving little visible trace, it played a significant role in the lives of those who lived there.
A Place of Refuge and New Beginnings
In the aftermath of the Second World War, the British government offered hospitality to Polish soldiers and their families who had served under British command and were unable or unwilling to return to their homeland. Wives and dependants were brought to join them, and former army and air force camps—such as Hardwick—were used as temporary accommodation.
When the camp eventually closed, many families chose to remain in the area. They built new lives in the villages surrounding Hardwick, working in mining and other local industries. Many married into local families and established deep roots, contributing to the cultural and social fabric of the region.
Continuing the Story
Research into the experiences of these individuals and families is ongoing. We are working with the local community, relatives, academics, and others with an interest in this history. Over time, their stories will be woven more fully into the wider narrative of Hardwick, ensuring this important chapter is recognised and remembered.
We would like to thank, Alex Collins, Paul Rickett and Geoff Wood from the 7th Battalion Parachute Battalion Facebook page for their contributions and research for this page.
