John Halse Watkins volunteered for The Parachute Regiment in 1944 when the 8th (Midlands) Parachute Battalion was formed from the Royal Warwickshire Regt.Private Watkins attended parachute training course number 113 at RAF Ringway between 24 April and 7 May 1944. His course report stated that he was 'Average, jumps well'.

Pte Watkins was posted to HQ Company, 8th (Midlands) Parachute Battalion and took part in the D-Day landings to Normandy on 5-6 June 1944.

Pte Watkins died on 6 June 1944, aged 19 years old. He is now buried at Ranville War Cemetery, Normandy.

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Headstone image provided by Bob Hilton.