It has been nearly 73 years to the day since Croydon man Johnny Johnson was part of the biggest ever Airborne operation.

It was the final push into Germany in the last year of World War Two when both British and American troops descended onto German soldiers.

Known as the Rhine Crossing, troops landed by parachute and by glider to capture high ground on the far side in order to protect ground troops crossing the river.

More than 1100 people died in the operation, including Mr Johnson's entire 30-man platoon.

Since then, Mr Johnson, part of the Croydon Branch of the PRA, has gone to the war memorial in Sutton each year to remember his friends who did not come back.

When word started to spread in the branch, many others started to join him and it has now grown into a short ceremony.

Despite Mr Johnson passing away, the tradition lives on.

So at 10.30am this Saturday (March 24), Mayors from Croydon, Sutton and Kingston will gather together with the veterans to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of the Rhine Crossing.