Kenilworth war veteran honoured by Dutch Government for efforts in WW2 operation

A war veteran in Kenilworth has been honoured by Dutch Government the for the part he played during a military operation in the Second World War.

Sergeant Luis DiMarco, who is 97, parachuted into Arnhem on September 17 1944 as part of Operation Market Garden to liberate the Netherlands, when he was 21-years-old.

At the time he was a Signalman to 1st Battalion Lt. Col. David T Dobie.

He fought during the ill-fated Operation, which aimed to capture eight bridges over the canals on the Dutch-German border.

The Dutch Government has a 'Thank You Liberators 1945 Medal' that they present to Veterans that fought at Arnhem in Operation Market Garden and/or helped liberate their country in 1945.

Luis was presented his medal on Wednesday (September 16) at his Kenilworth home as he is now home-bound.

Lieutenant Colonel Rob Arts from the Dutch Embassy in London presented the medal and Les Ratcliffe MBE TD DL, who is a member of the Bedworth Parachute Association, attended as Deputy Lieutenant representing Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of West Midlands.

Angela DiMarco, Luis' daughter, said: "We were delighted and honoured that Lt Col Arts wanted to make a personal visit to meet my father rather than via zoom.

"Dad was really pleased.

"The British, American, Canadian and Polish have a special relationship with the Dutch as since 1946 the Dutch have annual welcomed back to Arnhem for the commemorations.

"Although Operation Market Garden was a failure the Dutch continue to overwhelmingly show their gratitude to the veterans because they gave their lives trying to liberate Holland."

Speaking about the Operation, Luis said: "I was one of the first wave of paras to be dropped on the afternoon of September 17 1944.

“It soon became obvious we were quickly up against strong German opposition and for the whole time I was there I can’t remember ever eating or drinking and suffered from exhaustion due to lack of sleep.

“I was there for nine days and by this time we were out of ammunition with no prospect of resupply.

"I was one of the lucky ones that managed to escape across the Rhine on September 25."

Reflecting on his experiences after Arnhem, Luis added: "I have been asked how my time in Arnhem affected me on my return.

"The period of time directly after Arnhem has always been a bit of a blank. On my return my family told me that I suffered nightmares. I wasn’t aware of being anxious.

"Being young, aged just 21 at the time, it was something you accepted, as a Soldier you had been assigned to do a job.

"The fact we had failed and so many Dutch people had died and suffered and continued to suffer afterwards as a consequence was however very depressing.

"The war was still on and I had to return to my Battalion billeted in Bourne, Lincolnshire to continue my war service.

"When eventually demobbed and as far as I can remember the ravages of war hadn’t effected me too much but I can now put this down to still being young and having to accept what I and all those who served had experienced.

"My main aim after the war was to find suitable employment and I was lucky as I ended up finding a job in quality control (with what is now known as British Telecom) that I enjoyed, staying with the same company for well over 30 years.

"Now much older and having read detailed information, watched documentaries and films associated with the battle of Arnhem I’ve felt more and realised more what we had to go through and many memories of my time at Arnhem have come back to me.

"In more recent years, accompanied by my daughter, I managed to return to Arnhem to attend a few of the Operation Market Garden commemorations putting a few of my demons to rest but not all.

"On these visits we have met and made friends with several Dutch people who have taken us under their wing.

"More recently we befriended some young Dutch teenage school children who later made the trip to visit us in England.

"On all of my return visits to Arnhem I have never ceased to feel humbled or overwhelmed by the unconditional welcome and generosity shown by the Dutch."