Airborne Assault MuseumArticle
North Africa (Operation Torch)
On 12 November the 3rd Parachute Battalion (3 Para Bn) jumped onto and seized the vital airfield at Bone between Algiers and ...
Lance Corporal Roland Hannaford enlisted with the 4th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment in 1940.
Later Roland being of a farming background and fit, he volunteered for airborne forces. He took part in parachute training course number 8. This ran from 10th - 24th of February 1942. On this course unfortunately 2 trainees died, including a Major. This highlighted how dangerous this training was. Upon successful completion he was attached to S Company HQ of 1st Parachute Battalion as a clerk.
Roland was shot in the leg whilst fighting DJEBEL ALLILIGA in Tunisia on 3rd February 1943. He never spoke about the war and when he did he said he lost alot of friends taking those hills.
Service History
- 1940 4th Battalion Wiltshire Regiment (Lance Corporal)
- 1942 The 1st Battalion The Parachute Regiment (1 PARA) (Lance Corporal)
