1st Para Brigade

On a recent walk I spotted this memorial ,almost on my doorstep at Hardwick Hall ,I never realised this bit of history happened in this area.

The 1st Para Brigade was formed in September 1941, under the command of Brigadier Richard Gale, with its headquarters based at Hardwick Hall, near Chesterfield in Derbyshire. It was Britain's first true parachute unit. Initially the Brigade comprised of just three battalions, but a fourth was added in January 1942. However in July of that year, the 4th Battalion was released to help form the basis of the 2nd Para Brigade.