John A Rowley joined the army as a Junior Leader in the Grenadier Guards.

Whilst serving as a Junior Leader Major John Head, his Company Commander arranged for a few members to attend a parachute course at Abingdon less the night descent. On passing out from the Junior Leaders I commenced Basic Training.

Towards the end of basic training John spoke with CSM Frank Smith, then CSM of the Parachute Company. He arranged for John to start the next hardening course which I passed and passed the subsequent parachute course with P Company. John served with the parachute company until January 1966.