TILSHEAD will be hosting a ceremony to commemorate the founding of an elite regiment that fought in some of the most daring campaigns in the Second World War.

The Glider Pilot Regiment was formed in February 1942, and was made up by volunteers from other parts of the army.

The regiment’s depot was located at Tilshead.

The Glider Pilot Regiment were involved in D-Day - led by Major John Howard, using six Horsa Gliders, each of which could carry around 30 men.

The gliders were 67ft long and engineless, largely made out of plywood and canvas and were towed into the air by RAF bombers.

After being towed across the channel, the gliders were released.

Using only a map and a stopwatch, the Glider Pilots navigated their way to the landing zones, touching down just yards from the bridges.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of many of the operations in which the regiment played a role, including D-Day (June 6, 1944), and the Battle of Arnhem as well as operations in 1944 in Yugoslavia, Brittany, the South of France and Greece.

Members of the public are invited by the Glider Pilot Regiment Society to the Tilshead village hall from 10am on Saturday, February 23.

The service will then take place at the Memorial Stones, which are dedicated to the foundation of the Glider Pilot Regiment and Parachute Regiment, at 11.30am.

Refreshments will be available on arrival and after the service.