James Patrick Carten was originally enlisted into 2nd/4th Battalion, The South Lancashire Regiment, which was turned over to airborne duties in May 1943 to form part of the 5th Parachute Brigade of the 6th Airborne Division, and redesignated as the 13th (Lancashire) Parachute Battalion.Pte Carten attended Parachute Training Course Number 72 at RAF Ringway, which ran from 12 to 23 July 1943, and then served with the 13th Para Bn until 12 October 1943 when he returned to The South Lancashire Regiment.