Major Digby Tatham Warter on 19th September 1944, famously wearing a bowler hat and carrying an umbrella in artist Steve Noon's 'Quite a Leader.’ It was said that as the situation was becoming worse by the hour, Major Gough looked out a window only to see Digby looking like Charlie Chaplain. Gough said he ‘roared with laughter and found John Frost. When I mentioned it to him, John just smiled and said, 'Oh yes, Digby's quite a leader.' (Neil Thornton collection)
Several years ago, my friend and fellow military historian, Neil Thornton, embarked on an exciting new research project that involved breaking down the myths and getting behind the real life and personality of Major Allison Digby Tatham Warter DSO. Digby, as he was more commonly referred to, was the exceptionally brave and eccentric officer who led his men into battle at Arnhem wearing a bowler hat and carrying an umbrella that he found discarded on the battlefield —yes, an umbrella!
Neil’s research took him to Kenya, where he met Digby’s wife and daughters and was given access to his personal papers and memorabilia, which for any historian is gold. I can still vividly recall the highlights of Neil’s Kenya trip being posted online—we were all extremely jealous but equally excited about his discoveries. In order to obtain the real facts about Digby and to peel away the myths, Neil spent many hours in archival repositories, which included accessing the official war diaries as well as reading through eyewitness accounts and talking with the families of the Arnhem veterans. The result was his acclaimed book Arnhem Umbrella.
Author, Neil Thornton while visiting the Tatham Warter family in Kenya (Neil Thornton)
At 27 years of age, Digby, as a temporary major, commanded ‘A’ Company of the 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, when, as part of Operation Market Garden, they parachuted into Holland on 17th September 1944 with orders to seize the three bridges over the Rhine at Arnhem—this was his first taste of action. Having captured their objectives, 2 Para, then anticipating to be relieved, found themselves alone and fighting off repeated German counterattacks, of which, having suffered heavy casualties and running out of ammunition, Digby, now commanding the survivors of the battalion, ordered the men to disperse and evade capture.
Interestingly, in the highly successful, film ‘A Bridge Too Far,’ his character was merged with that of Lieutenant John Grayburn VC into the fictitious character of Major Carlise, who famously, with an umbrella in hand, when asked to surrender, retorted, ‘We’re sorry we don’t have the facilities to take you all prisoner.’
Digby, being wounded was captured by the Germans on 21st September, however, in a chance opportunity, he escaped the same day, and on 22nd October, in what was dubbed Operation Pegasus, he led 138 men across the Rhine to safety. When arriving back in England in late October, he set to documenting the incredible events of 2 Para during Operation Market Garden and for a short period, he temporarily commanded the battalion. For his bravery and leadership, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, of which the recommendation, speaks for itself as to the character of Digby and the ordeal that the battalion faced:
‘Major TATHAM-WARTER commanded a Company of 2 Para Bn which dropped West of ARNHEM in Holland on 17 Sept. The task of the Bn was the vital one of capturing, the main Rhine Bridge and this officer handled the leading company with such dash and skill that the bridge was in our hands before dark after considerable casualties had been inflicted on the enemy and 30 prisoners captured. Later, when the C.O. took command of all forces on the Bridge, Major TATHAM-WARTER assumed command of the Bn. He commanded during the next three days when the Bn without any re-supply of food or ammunition, resisted incessant and determined attacks by vastly superior forces including tanks. Throughout this period, Major TATHAM-WARTER displayed magnificent qualities of courage, leadership and the utmost determination. He was to be found invariably at the most threatened point in the defence, where his personal example was an inspiration to all. On one occasion he was rendered unconscious by blast from an 88 mm Tank Gun firing point blank at the house he was in, but he recovered and resumed command. Later, when captured by the enemy, he escaped and showed great initiative in making contact with the Dutch Resistance organisation. He organised and assembled a force of one hundred escaped airborne troops, so that they could play their part when the Germans should begin to withdraw. Finally, when orders were received to withdraw this party through German lines, Major TATHAM-WARTER was largely responsible for the planning of a most brilliant and successful operation in which 130 armed men escaped through the German lines and crossed the Rhine. For a month, behind the German lines, this officer moved about regardless of his personal safety and was an inspiration to all those who saw him.’
Digby came from fighting stock, of which his father Henry de Grey Tatham Warter had served in the Great War, while his brother Major John Tatham Warter MC was killed at El Alamein, and his sister Kitty Tatham Warter, having served as a driver since 1940 in France, was awarded the French Croix de Guerre. Digby himself had served in the pre-war Indian Army since 1937 before transferring in 1940 to the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, and ultimately, with a thirst to see action, he was attached to the Parachute Regiment in 1943. In the postwar years, he served in Palestine with 3 Para, then with the 5th Battalion, The King’s African Rifles in Kenya. He purchased Eburru farm in Kenya, where he decided to settle, and during the Mau Mau Rebellion, he became known as the ‘Galloping Major’ as he commanded a locally raised mounted police unit. He died in Kenya on 21st March 1993.
Marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem this week, Chris Parkinson from Red Coat History, in conjunction with Neil Thornton, has written and produced a video and podcast about the incredible life and excentric leadership style of Major Tatham Warter.
The podcast can be found here
The video can be found here The LEGENDARY British Para Who Fought the SS with an Umbrella at Arnhem (youtube.com)
Neil’s fantastic book Arnhem Umbrella can also be found on the below link, as well as on Amazon: Arnhem Umbrella: Major Digby Tatham Warter DSO – Fonthill Media
References:
National Archives, Kew. Recommendation for the Distinguished Service Order
Thornton, Neil., Arnhem Umbrella.
www.pegasusarchive.org
Thanks Cam, this was a great topic mate. I was not aware that the charecter portrayed on the film A Bridge Too Far, was an amalgam of officers. In 2003, I was able to walk the ground in Arnhem. One of my souvenirs of this visit was the book, It Never Snows in September by Robert J Kershaw. The title may be of interest to your audience.