James Nolan

James Nolan was a British paratrooper who participated in Operation Market Garden, and was part of the group of soldiers who banded together to defeat the Morgen

### **Early Life**

James Nolan was born and raised in the Worcestershire town of Dudley, along with his older brother Matthew Nolan. Their father, Frances Nolan was a violent drunk, whose wife walked out on the family when both boys were still young.

As a result of his father's actions, James and Matthew were both bullied at school.

Upon leaving school, Matthew became the main provider for the family, working at a local factory to put for on the table, and acting as a protective and stabilising influence on his younger brother.

In September 1921, Matthew was arrested for the murder of a local gypsy girl. Whilst he was being held at the local police station, Frances took James with him to demand that Matthew be released. Whilst they were at the station, the victim's family arrived, and there was a disorder. James watched on as his drunk father attempted to fight with several officers, and was arrested.

Detective Sergeant Amos Armitage took pity on the boy, ensuring he had a hot meal, and was taken care of until his father was released.

Despite Armitage's best efforts, Matthew was convicted of the girl's murder, and sentenced to life in prison, leaving James at the mercy of his father.

### **Life without Matthew**

With Matthew gone, James was exposed to his father's rage and bigotry, and subjected to violent beatings.He received no peace at school, where he was now bullied even more for having a drunk for a father and a murderer for a brother. As a result, James became violent and aggressive himself, solving problems with his fists rather than his words.

After school, he fell in with a local gang, and spent several years involved in running battles with rival gangs, and the local police.

Throughout life, Nolan's was teased for having a thick Black Country accent. He grew bitter and resentful, believing that people treated him like he was stupid, and struggled to form relationships and friends.

Eventually joining the army, he was still bullied for his accent, but knuckled down with a newfound sense of purpose.

### **Market Garden**

In September 1944, Nolan was appointed as the pilot of a Horsa Glider, and was involved in the aerial armada that transported the airborne element of Operation Market Garden into occupied Holland.

The day after the mission, he was asked to transport several members of the British Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron in a supply run back to the drop site.

Crossing the channel, the transport aircraft towing Nolan's glider developed engine issues, forcing him to detach early. Having to contend with horrific weather conditions, Nolan felt fortunate to successfully crash-land the glider in a large dyke, not far from Arnhem itself.

### **The Morgen**

But shortly after their landing, the glider and its occupants were attacked by an ancient entity known as the Morgen, which used the bodies of previous victims as drones to drown them.

Surviving the initial attack, the pilot began to fight back, his rage and fighting skills making him a strong opponent for the undead.

Partway for through a plan aimed at defeating the monster, Nolan chose to sacrifice himself to ensure the plan succeeded, locking himself in the cockpit in order to prevent the horde from entering through it into the aircraft's main section.

Armed with his combat knife and a knuckle duster, he waited until the creatures had gained entry to the cockpit module, before detaching tit whilst still inside and sending them all sinking to the bottom of the dyke.

Ultimately, Nolan was able to fight his way back to the surface, where he and another survivor were picked up by a detachment of Panzergrenadiers led by a Master Sergeant named Metz .

The Germans were impressed by the spirit of the British paratroopers, advising them that Arnhem was lost, and allowing them to instead head south to where the Americans had broken through,

#### **Appearances:**

Short Story: Leanan Sidhe

Episode Seven: Morgen