Ron Atkinson served in the Lancashire Fusiliers prior to volunteering for airborne forces in the Middle East. He joined 156 Parachute Battalion and qualified as a parachutist at Kabrit.Ron served with 6 Platoon, B Coy, during the Battle of Arnhem. He was shot through the neck on Tuesday 19 September as he attempted to assist a wounded comrade during a company attack on German positions on the Dreijensweg, Ooosterbeek.

He was subsequently taken PoW and eventually held in Camp XIB Fallingbostel.