Ronald Guy Ellen was granted an emergency commission into the Royal Artillery in May 1941 and later volunteered for airborne forces, transferring to The Parachute Regiment in June 1943.He qualified as a military parachutist on course 75, which ran at RAF Ringway from 26 July to 6 August 1943. The course instructors’ notes record “very good, keen and knowledgeable, parachuting excellent.”

Ronnie Ellen subsequently commanded 7 Platoon, C Company, 8th Parachute Battalion, in the Normandy campaign in 1944, where he was seriously wounded.

He resigned his commission in May 1945 and was granted the honorary rank of Captain.