Life Story

Early Service and Role

Sergeant Robert Syme (Army No. 959372) served in the 89th

(Parachute) Field Security Section, part of the Intelligence Corps during

World War II. This elite airborne-trained unit specialized in intelligence

and counterintelligence tasks: gathering information from civilians and

prisoners of war, conducting interrogations, locating enemy agents,

and safeguarding operational security during airborne operations.

As a member of an airborne FSS, Robert Syme was parachute-qualied

and operated in close coordination with front-line paratroopers, often

behind enemy lines. For the Arnhem mission, he was Detachment

Commander attached to the 4th Parachute Brigade of the 1st Airborne

Division. Their role was to interrogate the recently captured German

prisoners, and sort through the materials that were found in the houses

the Germans had recently vacated.

Training and Pre-Deployment

Before Arnhem, the 89th (Parachute) FSS was stationed in Lincolnshire.

A group photograph of the section was taken at Fulbeck Hall in July

1944, one of the local houses commandeered for housing of airborne

troops prior to Operation Market Garden. The unit was billeted at

Harlaxton Manor, near Grantham, where they awaited nal orders and

prepared for deployment into Holland.

Group photo,

Fulbeck Hall July

1944.

Robert is on front

row, second from

right.