Mr John O’Reilly, of Thoroton, launched Walking In Their Footsteps near the scene of the Battle of Arnhem, in the Netherlands at a reunion of Servicemen who fought in the conflict. Allied forces clashed with the Germans in September, 1944, during the infamous second world war battle. It was aimed at securing river bridges as part of Operation Market Garden — the Allies’ unsuccessful bid to secure bridges and move troops across the River Rhine and into Germany.
Mr O’Reilly’s father, Mr John Joseph O’Reilly, was a member of 156 Parachute Battalion, then billeted in Melton Mowbray, which took part in the battle.

The book describes the exploits of the 4th Parachute Brigade — of which the 156 Parachute Battalion was a part — during the heaviest three days of fighting at Arnhem, from Monday, September 18 to Wednesday, September 20, 1944.