Sidney Cornell, the first black paratrooper to land in Normandy on D-Day, has been remembered in his hometown of Portsmouth. He served in the 7th Parachute Battalion during World War II and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his bravery in 1944. Cornell is also known for inspiring the character Lt. Arthur Kingsley in the popular video game series Call of Duty.
Cornell’s great-nephew, Chris Cornell, who helped bring attention to his great-uncle’s legacy, said the family is very proud of his bravery. Chris was inspired to research the story of his mixed-heritage family after meeting actress and TV presenter Baroness Floella Benjamin, which led him to spend ten years searching through military and family archives.
Sidney’s father, Charles, was an acrobat with the Barnum and Bailey circus, and Sidney grew up in Portsmouth, where his family faced challenges as mixed-race immigrants. Sidney worked as a lorry driver before joining the Army and later the Parachute Regiment. He became the first black paratrooper to land behind enemy lines during the D-Day invasion in June 1944. During his service, he was wounded four times but continued to carry out his duties, earning high praise for his courage.
On April 7, 1945, Sidney was killed in action during a battle in Germany. He was just 31 years old. Although Sidney did not receive his DCM before his death, his service medal was returned to the family in 2021 after being found in the River Thames.
Sidney’s legacy is being honored at a special exhibition at the North End Library in Portsmouth, near where he grew up. His name is also featured on the war memorial in the city center. His great-nephew, Chris, expressed sadness at never having met him but said Sidney was a hero to the family, particularly to his father, who joined the Army because of Sidney’s influence.
This story, as shared by BBC, highlights the significant role Sidney Cornell played in history, both in World War II and in inspiring a video game character, leaving a lasting impact on both his family and the world.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cze36r4n4dro