Paul Edward Hatchman enlisted into the Royal Signals in Bristol in January 1971. He volunteered for airborne forces, completing P Coy in March 1972, and was posted to 216 Parachute Signal Squadron.He completed three tours in Northern Ireland, firstly in 1972 attached to 1 PARA, when he was injured in a bomb blast whilst on guard duty. He sustained a broken jaw and lacerated face. Pte Hatchman served in Northern Ireland attached to 3 PARA in 1974 and D Coy 3 PARA in 1975.

Cpl Hatchman served with 614 Tactical Air Control Party in Belize in 1978 and was attached to 1 PARA whilst in Fort Campbell USA with the 101st Airborne.