Ron Perry volunteered for the Army on his 18th birthday in 1941. He joined the 70th Rifles Brigade (Young soldiers). He progressed from private to corporal in the Rifles where he was classed as an A1 shot. He took part in small arms training at Bisley. 

In 1943 Ron volunteered for the Parachute Regiment and took part in specific parachute training at Hardwick Hall and Ringway, Manchester (course 77) On qualification, he joined the 7th Parachute battalion. Initially, he was in 'C' Company but in the months before D Day he was moved to Intelligence and on D Day he was in Headquarter Company as part of the machine gun platoon.  Ron took part in the Battle of Normandy before returning to the UK with the 7th Parachute Battalion in September 1944.

Ron stayed with the 7th Parachute Battalion taking part in the Ardennes Campaign, The River Maas, The Rhine Crossing, the March through Germany to Wismar. Ron went to India, Singapore, Indonesia, Siam (Thailand) before finishing in Palestine and returning to the UK in November 1946. 

Ron joined The Reserves 16 February 1947. He was a very early member of what is now Known as The Parachute Regimental Association, as his membership number was 28. 

Medals awarded:

1939/45 Star

France Germany Star

Defence Medal

1935/45 Medal

GSM with clasps for SE Asia and Palestine

Normandy Campaign Medal (commemorative)

In addition, he has

2015 Legion d’Honneur (France)

Albert Medal for Service in Ardennes (Belgium)

Please see his service records and other supporting for further details