Life Story
W. Derek H. McCardie was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on August 15,
1912. He was the son of William McCardie. McCardie received his
education at Glasgow Academy. Following his schooling, he pursued a
career as a chartered accountant, joining his father’s rm, W. McCardie,
in Glasgow.
He began his military career in the Territorial Army before the outbreak
of World War II. On 21 September 1935, he was commissioned as a
second lieutenant in the 7th Battalion, Cameronian (Scottish Ries)
Regiment. This early military training and experience in the Territorial
Army laid the foundation for his command career during the war. He
was a procient soldier, and his commitment to his military duties grew
steadily.
At the outbreak of World War II, McCardie was called up for full-time
service and later transferred to the South Staffordshire Regiment. His
dedication and leadership qualities led to his promotion to lieutenant
colonel on April 7, 1943, when he was given command of the 2nd
Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment.
Operation Ladbroke
His rst major action as commander was during Operation Ladbroke,
the glider-borne component of the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943.
The objective of the mission for his battalion was to land near Syracuse,
secure the strategically vital Ponte Grande road bridge over the Anapo
river, and hold it until relieved by the main seaborne forces of the British
Eighth Army.
The operation, however, proved to be a disaster for many of the
glider forces. A combination of strong winds, inexperienced American
pilots ying the tow planes, and poor navigation caused gliders to be
released too early, too far from their objectives, or to crash. Of the
136 gliders carrying the 1st Airlanding Brigade, 73 came down in the