James Patrick Dolan enlisted into the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (OBLI) before volunteering for airborne forces in October 1943.After completing the selection course at Hardwick Hall, near Chesterfield, he was sent on parachute course 89, at RAF Ringway, 28 October to 9 November 1943. There were 281 trainees on the course from various units and between them they completed 2077 descents. Over 10% failed to qualify either because of injury or refusals. One trainee suffered serious multiple injuries as a result of parachute failure. Upon completion of the course, which consisted of 2 day-time balloon, 1 night-time balloon and 5 aircraft descents, his parachute instructor wrote ‘Pte Dolan: Very good jumper, spirit very good, worked very hard.’

Private Dolan was posted to the 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion. He jumped into Normandy and saw active service in the Ardennes, the Rhine Crossing and the Advance to the Baltic.

It is likely that he served in Palestine before being demobbed in March 1946.