Airborne Assault MuseumArticle
Rhine Crossing (Operation Varsity)
Operation Varsity was the largest single airborne operation in history. On a single day, over 16,000 men were inserted by gli...
Lieutenant‑Colonel Gerald Percival Rickcord, DSO, was first commissioned into the Royal Ulster Rifles in 1934 and rose through the ranks with intellectual rigor and gritty front-line experience. After re-training with the 6th Airlanding Brigade, he landed by glider into Normandy on D-Day and later assumed responsibility for B Company following a grenade accident. By March 1945, during Operation Varsity—the largest airborne operation of the war—then-Major Rickcord parachuted deep behind enemy lines. Under chaotic and dangerous conditions, he rallied scattered troops into a fighting unit and led them back under fire. On discovering that his commanding officer had been wounded, he took over command of the battalion and held a critical position through repeated enemy counterattacks. His composure under pressure, battlefield acumen, and inspirational leadership earned him the Distinguished Service Order. In recognition of his bravery and contribution to the success of joint operations, he was also awarded the Silver Star by the United States government.
After the war, Rickcord remained a steady force in the British Army. Though temporarily returned to the rank of Major, he was again called to leadership in the Korean War. Serving as second-in-command—and later as acting CO—he led the 1st Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles through the pivotal Battle of Imjin in April 1951. In bitter conditions and under immense pressure from Chinese forces, Rickcord drew upon his early military experience in the North West Frontier and, going against direct orders to pass out through the valley, knowing this would be suicide from his experience, chose a daring withdrawal through hazardous terrain to save the lives of his men, a decision that demonstrated his aptitude and skill, and his commitment to protecting his soldiers’ lives. His men, many of whom survived because of his judgment, remembered him with deep respect. Known affectionately as “Farmer’s Boy,” he was described by one veteran as “a rough man, a hard man… we thought he was a great man”. Rickcord was awarded the Silver Star (USA) —twice– for his services in action whilst in Korea.
Beyond his battlefield decorations, Rickcord commanded with integrity, humility, and steel. He went on to lead Gurkha Rifles battalions in Malaya and became Administrative Commandant of the Infantry School—a post reserved for officers with outstanding strategic insight and field-tested experience. He retired with the honorary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, a fitting close to a career marked by bravery, loyalty, and the deep admiration of those who served under him. Known not only for his courage in war but for his quiet integrity in life, Rickcord was a man deeply respected by all who knew him — a devoted husband and loving father to four children, he set a rare example of decency until his peaceful death in 1990.
Below is a transcript of a letter Gerald wrote to his mother on the day before D.Day 1944.
"1st Bn The Royal Ulster Rifles A.P.O. England 5 June 1944 My dearest Mother When you get this I shall have realised my great ambition to be right in on this show as a Company Commander. It just turned up like a charm. Never have I felt so happy about anything – it is just a wonderful adventure which at one time I thought would never turn up for me. Everyone is in terrific form – you will read about it all in the paper. We have got the Daily Mirror correspondent (what a paper!) so look to him for preliminary reports. At present we are in what is known as a transit camp all ready to take off – my 2 i/c and I share a tent and very comfortably. There are a hundred and one little things to do equipping ourselves with the greatest precision. Everyone’s joking, laughing, singing and the chaps playing football – like being on the crest of the wave. We are extremely confident and could not feel better. All I want you to do is to enjoy and foresee our successes – I am sure they will be – with interest and happiness and for heavens sake don’t worry. I shall be home to tell you all about it and this is something really worth while. Give my love to everyone at home and tell Jack I really will have something to tell him about the army next time. Keep well now. Send a message to Ree for me and tell Mike in your next letter. God bless you Ma Your loving Gerald."
Information, biography and imagery kindly donated by Anoushka Muir (granddaughter)
Service History
- 1934 1st Battalion The Royal Ulster Rifles
- 1939 Depot, The Royal Ulster Rifles
- 1940 10th Battalion (The Buffs), Royal East Kent Regiment
- 1942 School of Land Air Warfare
- 1942 Staff College, Camberley
- 1942 Senior Officers School, Brasenose College, Oxford
- 1944 1st Battalion The Royal Ulster Rifles
- 1944 1st Battalion The Royal Ulster Rifles
- 1945 1st Battalion The Royal Ulster Rifles (Lieutenant-Colonel)
- 1946 6th Airborne Division Battle School Haifa (Lieutenant-Colonel)
- 1946 The 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (3 PARA) (Lieutenant-Colonel)
- 1951 1st Battalion The Royal Ulster Rifles
