Private Leonard John Freestone transferred from the Middlesex Regiment and completed his parachute training on Course 1 (Advanced) at RAF Ringway in January 1942. Pte Freestone then joined the 1st Parachute Battalion and saw service in North Africa and Italy.

Later he took part in Operation Market Garden with the Machine Gun Platoon, Support Company.  He successfully swam across the Rhine to return to allied lines at the end of the battle.