John A Montgomery, was born 1 November 1920 in the Parish of St. Stephens, Newcastle. He was a bricklayer before joining the Border Regiment 11 December 1941. John volunteered for the airborne forces 23 November 1943. After completing selection tests and training at Hardwick Hall he was posted to RAF Ringway for parachute training.

John was successfully trained on Course 97. This course ran from 3 to 15 January 1944. 12 officers and 253 ORs were trained on Course 97. 

John's Jump instructor noted this about his performance "Good performer, reliable pupil, morale, and reaction good."

He then became a member of A Coy 2 Platoon 7 Para Bn. John saw service in Normandy, Ardennes and the Rhine Crossing. 22 August 1944 he was "reported as missing".

On 18 August 1945 he returned to The Border Regiment, where he stayed until leaving the army 26 April 1946.