Sidney Cornell, recognized as the first black paratrooper to land in Normandy on D-Day, is being honored at an exhibition in his hometown.
His legacy extends beyond history, as he inspired the character Lt. Arthur Kingsley in the popular video game series Call of Duty: Vanguard.
Born in Portsmouth, Sgt. Cornell served with the 7th Parachute Battalion and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his bravery during World War II.
His great-nephew, Chris Cornell, has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about his great-uncle’s remarkable story.
“He has become almost famous, which I never would have believed. He was extremely brave, and as a family, we’re very proud of what he did,” Chris said.
Chris’s journey to uncover his family’s history began with a chance meeting with Baroness Floella Benjamin, inspiring him to spend a decade researching military and civilian archives.
Sidney’s father, Charles, an acrobat with the Barnum and Bailey circus, arrived in the UK from the United States in 1889.
The family faced challenges as mixed-race immigrants in the North End area, but they were respected and known for their resilience.
Before joining the Army, Sidney worked as a lorry driver.
He became the first black paratrooper to land behind enemy lines in Normandy on the night of June 5-6, 1944. His DCM citation highlights his extraordinary courage: “Cornell was a company runner who repeatedly carried messages through heavy enemy fire. Four times wounded, he never evacuated and continued his duties cheerfully and efficiently.”
Race played little role in his military career, as he was respected for his bravery and served as a “grandfather figure” to younger soldiers.
Tragically, on April 7, 1945, Sgt. Cornell was killed when German soldiers detonated explosives on a bridge over the Rhine, along with about 20 members of his platoon.
His service medal was returned to the family in 2021, after being found in the River Thames.
Notably, Call of Duty: Vanguard, released the same year, credited Sgt. Cornell as an inspiration for one of its main characters.
Sidney’s contributions to D-Day and subsequent battles are being commemorated at a pop-up museum at North End Library, near his childhood home.
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He is also honored on the war memorial in Portsmouth. Chris Cornell reflects on the lasting impact of his great-uncle, saying, “It’s sad that I never got to know him. My dad was always in awe of Sidney.”
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