A short time ago, I was asked to research a house that wasn’t particularly old, but had a significant link to a momentus historic event. Rather than a famous resident or being built on an ancient site, this house in a small village in Lincolnshire was direcctly connected to the soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, who fought in the Battle of Arnhem during World War II.
Millfield – Colsterworth
Built in around 1905, Millfield has had a few links with military history, but is was the connection with the parachute regiment and the Battle of Arnhem that has dominated its story. Their heroic efforts in the battle were also re-told in the famous film, A Bridge Too Far, featuing Sean Connery, Michael Caine and Laurence Olivier, amongst a long list of other notable actors.
A Bridge Too Far – 1977
The day before the parachute regiment left Millfield to fly over to Arnhem, Private Vincent Goodman completed an illustration of the house at that time.
Millfield 1944 by Vincent Goodwin
However, Private Goodman is not only noted for his illustration of the house, but also his extraordinary story of his survival during the Battle of Arnhem. He later returned to Millfield and told his story. He was advised by his commanding officer to sew pennies into the breast pocket of his uniform for additional protection, and on his return to Millfield he still had the remains of one of those pennies that saved his life when he was hit by a bullet.
Vincent Goodwin with penny
For more on the history of Millfield you can read my latest blog for Country Life or go to the complete story - The history of Millfield – Colsterworth
For more details of Millfield, on the market with Chesterton Humberts, go to – Millfield
