John (Jack) Aspinwall was the youngest son of James and Jane Aspinwall of Windle City, St. Helens.
He enlisted voluntarily on 20/6/40 and was assigned to the Cameron Highlanders. Promoted to Lance Corporal on 16/9/41 and made Corporal on 28/11/41.
John trained on parachute course number 26 at RAF Ringway, which ran from 7th to 12th September 1942, then joined the 5th Para (Scottish) . He was made up to Sergeant on 28/1/43 and served on active service in North Africa the following April. He then joined the Italian campaign alongside the New Zealanders and took part in the battle for Monte Cassino. A keen sportsman, he represented his Division at rugby. From 21/10/45 to 30/4/46 he served in Palestine until his demob on 30/7/46.
In civilian life he worked as a mechanical engineer mainly at AWRE Aldermaston. He was married with one son.
Service History
- 1942 5th (Scottish) Parachute Battalion (Sergeant)