Driver Sydney L Churchyard was a member of 253 Rasc Light Composite Company serving with 610 Squadron flying Short Stirling Bombers.  He was an air despatcher from 49th Air Despatch Group but serving under 1st Airborne Division.

He was killed sometime in the afternoon of 21st September flying a resupply mission over the Oosterbeek perimeter during the battle of Arnhem.  It's very likely he flew the previous days missions and knew exactly how perilous it was and it would have been a certainty after the first mission that subsequent airdrops would be fraught with danger.  His plane was being flown by either F/O McLeod in Plane #LJ830 or P/O Carey in Plane #LJ946...one of these planes crash landed and all members survived due to the heroic exploits of Corporal Sproston (Military Medal).  Unfortunately Sydney's plane was hit by heavy flak over Renkum (likely one of the dreaded 88mmm cannons) and crash landed with the loss of three lives (detailed below) but five aircrew survived the crash. His plane was likely carrying ammunition for anti tank guns and very possibly the dreaded Red Beret replacements.  The scene in "A Bridge Too Far" with the canister full of berets happened from this same air drop.

 

21/09/44	CHURCHYARD, Sydney L.	Dvr	22	253 Coy, RASC
21/09/44	THOMAS, John R.	F/O	-	RCAF
21/09/44	THOMPSON, William G.	Pte	25	253 Coy, RASC   He's buried in plot 27. c. 8 in the Arnhem Oosterbeek Cemetary, it's a beautiful cemetary and he rests alongside the majority of fatalities from Arnhem bridge and the Osterbeek perimeter, including three Victoria Cross holders.   Gone but not forgotten.