Obituary: Major John Timothy, MC - Decorated war hero who served as military adviser to film director Peter Ustinov

HE WAS one of the most celebrated and decorated officers of the Second World War and played a brave and honourable role in various hazardous expeditions of the conflict.

John Timothy’s name is much praised by the Parachute regiment which he joined in 1941 and served with much distinction. Timothy not only won three Military Crosses but was captured in September 1944 and was a prisoner of war in Bavaria. Displaying typical initiative he escaped from the prison and after a lengthy trek across country he met up with the advancing American forces.

The Parachute regiment’s official history says of Timothy: “He displayed great qualities of leadership, endurance and courage which resulted in him being awarded the Military Cross on three separate occasions.”

John Timothy (always known as “Tim”) was educated at the Skinners’ School in Royal Tunbridge Wells, where he was a keen sportsman, being especially good at cricket and rugby. On leaving school he worked as an assistant store manager at the local Marks & Spencer. But soon after the outbreak of war he enlisted in the Grenadier Guards and was commissioned into the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment. He joined the newly-formed Parachute regiments the following year

Early in 1942 Admiral Lord Mountbatten commanded that a raid against the radar station at Bruneval, near Le Havre, should be carried out by the Paras. It was an exceptionally dangerous mission as the German fortress was well fortified.

What was required, and required urgently, was concrete evidence regarding the advances which were being made in radar technology by the Germans. The plans were to capture an enemy radar installation and Timothy played a prominent part in ensuring the complete success of the raid.

In February 1943, his regiment was sent to Tunisia – Timothy leading a night patrol into the desert and capturing seven prisoners, including an officer. The prisoners provided valuable information regarding the enemy’s movements and plans. The following month his platoon was totally surrounded by a large enemy force but under Timothy’s determined leadership the Paras fought off the attacks. Timothy was awarded an immediate MC and the citation read: “He went forward alone under intense fire and captured an enemy machine-gun post single-handed.”

In 1943 Timothy was parachuted into Italy to trace escaped Allied prisoners of war. The countryside was still full of German troops and he fell in with some Italian partisans who showed him little favour; guarding him with excessive zeal.

Timothy gained their confidence by making much use of his “friendship” with General Montgomery. The next morning, to his considerable relief, he was released. After three weeks behind enemy lines, he oversaw the safe evacuation of many rescued Allied servicemen by the Royal Navy and was awarded a Bar to his MC.

In September 1944 Timothy was dropped with the Paras in Operation Market Garden – the largest airborne operation of the war. General Montgomery’s goal was to force an entry into Germany and Timothy, on landing, was ordered to attack several strategic enemy positions. Timothy’s company drove the enemy back and secured various vital positions until ordered to withdraw.

Two days later, at Arnhem, he led a bayonet charge with his six remaining men. They were within 1,000 yards of the road bridge before, under constant enemy fire, being forced to seek refuge in a house. Eventually they were overrun by the Germans and Timothy was taken prisoner. For his gallantry at Arnhem he was awarded his third Military Cross.

After his escape he was rehabilitated back to the UK by the American troops. Although he acted as a military adviser on School for Secrets, directed by Peter Ustinov, Timothy, with typical modesty, returned to work for Marks & Spencer until he retired in 1973

Timothy wrote of his military career with the Paras for their regimental archives and published them privately under the title Tim’s Tale. In September this year, although in a wheel chair, but proudly wearing his red beret, he was honoured at a ceremony by the Paras when they presented a battalion plaque and tie to him in recognition of his remarkable wartime service.

On retiring Timothy settled in Devon. He was unmarried. ALASDAIR STEVEN