Military
Service
Derek served with 1 PARA between 1956 and
1959. As all Para's of the time, he was trained at Aldershot, and
he earned his wings at RAF Abingdon during
1956.
Derek served in Cyprus, Malaya, Malta, Denmark
and Germany through out his time with the
battalion.
Derek also went on to pass the 22 SAS
Selection course at Hereford, where he also did more jungle
training.
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Above: (Terry at
our recent fund raising event at Tesco,
Bulwell).
TERRY
DUKE
Meet Terry Duke Ex 2
PARA
Terry is a long
standing member of the branch with over 30 years of membership. In
the past Terry has served as our Standard bearer, as well as the
position as our Branch
Secretary.
Military
Service
Terry served with 2 PARA between 1962 and 1968. He spent
time with both support Company, as well as A-Company and D-Company.
His service took him on exercises to Germany, Kenya, Oman, Bahrain,
Singapore and Malaysia, and he saw active service in Aden and
Borneo.
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Above: Dave Ross Nottingham branch
PRA
DAVID
ROSS
Meet
Dave Ross: Ex 16 Company
(Pathfinders)
Dave is a long time member of the branch and has become
very active recently with our branch fund raising events. Dave is a
proud former member of 16 Coy Pathfinders and has three Son's, one
of them Andrew Ross is now following in his Fathers footsteps as a
Soldier and going through the recruitment stage at Catterick with
the Rifles, Andrew hopes to go on to pass P-Company and join the
Airborne Forces like his Father.
Military Service
Served with 16 Ind Coy
- Pathfinders 1979 - 1984
During my service 16 Company was trained in the role of
Anti-Tank (Tank Busting) and was practised in night time
deployed by parachute onto the boarder area of West/ East Germany
during the 'Cold War'. This was preparation in the event that
Russia attacks with it's tanks in a move against Europe.
The brief was to Parachute onto pre-dug positions and delay the
enemy so as to buy Europe the time to mobilise it's
forces.
We were briefed, "Gentlemen It is not about winning but how
slowly can you loose".
The briefing continued " You all have a 24hr ration pack and as
such you have twice the amount of food that you will need. That is
because from the moment you engage the enemy you life expectancy
will be approx 10 hours - Europe is relying on you to
buy her time".
Film showing P.R.A Members during remembrance Sunday
2001
Remembrance Sunday 2001 Members of Nottingham branch take part in
the Parade including; Dave Ross, Michael O'Connor, Patrick Riley
and Karl Purcell.
