James William Duplock, born in July 1920, enlisted into the Green Howards before volunteering for airborne forces.He joined the 11th Parachute Battalion, which was raised from volunteers in the Middle East at Kabrit in Egypt. Private Duplock aged 22 was among those who undertook their parachute training at Ramat David on course 45, from 1 to 12 June 1943.

Pte Duplock jumped into Arnhem on 18 September 1944 and was later taken a PoW and sent to Stalag 12A at Limburg, Germany.