Edward PJ Rafter enlisted with The Royal Fusiliers in February 1939, then in 1941 transferred to The Middlesex Regiment. He volunteered for the airborne forces from The Middlesex Regiment in 1943.

He was successfully parachute jump trained at RAF Ringway on Course 75. This course ran between 26 July and 6 August 1943 and consisted of 8 descents.

Edward was listed with the rank of Lance Corporal during this training.

He was then posted to The 9th (Essex) Parachute Battalion and served in Normandy in 1944.

On his return to England he was posted to the Small Arms School in Hythe. Then left the Army in 1946.