The 10th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, were based in Somerby and the surrounding area for 9 months prior to taking part in the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. Of the 582 men who landed in occupied Holland 92 were killed, 404 taken prisoner, and only 96 eventually returned to England. The Battalion was dissolved after these disastrous losses. The Memorial was established to commemorate the men of the Battalion. The Trail provides a route around various sites relevant to the time they spent here in 1944.
A group called the Friends of the Tenth set up this 15 mile trail in 2019. Alec, who is Chairman of the group, only found out about his father being a member of that battalion after his death.
Please visit their web site and Facebook for more information about their great endeavours.
https://friendsofthetenth.co.uk
They have attached explanatory plaques to buildings used by the battalion while training in High Leicestershire. The route is sign posted as well.
Our ramblers group, Leicester and District, decided to include a slightly cut down version of the trail in our programme of walks. We also decided to open it up to members of the public and as a result 20 of us walked the route on a lovely blue skies day in April 2022.

This is the route taken:

You can download a copy of the route here.

The Burrough Court coffee shop would be an excellent place not only to park but also to start and finish your walk. This location would also make it easier to plan a series of 5 to 7 mile circular walks. The coffee shop also stocks copies of the book but I would recommend buying the book before doing the walk. It was at Burrough Court that Edward first met Mrs Simpson. The book details many stories, both funny and sad including the squeaky weather vane, the original “you’re only supposed to blow the doors off”, things that happened in the pub that I dare not mention, bikes left in a pond, a pet rabbit and the tale of the Leicester bus parked outside the local bobby’s house. The church at Somerby is a must.
The walk takes you through breath taking scenery in High Leicestershire and a copy of our original walk out with slight amendment for the actual walk can be found here.
The memorial is well worth a visit and the sculptor has made an amazing job of reflecting the battalion’s time in the area. The last man standing, died at the age of 101 and his request for it to be his final resting place was met.
I would like to give my grateful thanks to Alec, Chairman of the group, Charles for his extensive research including leading a group of us on a walk out last year, Dave for organising publicity and Phil for his wonderful collection of photos taken on the walk.

A few of the photos can be viewed in our gallery.
Steve
Footpaths secretary, Leicester and district Ramblers.
22/04/2022