Bernard Hill joined the 1st Airborne Division during the Second World War. Bernard went to Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire for his airborne battle school training, airborne forces selection and preparation training for parachute jump instruction.

His parachute jump training took place at RAF Ringway. Bernard successfully passed this training on Course 30 which ran between 5 and 13 of October 1942.  He represented the Army in boxing. 

Bernard took part in Operation Market Garden as a member of A Platoon, 250 Light Company RASC.

The group photo of men returning home from Op. Market Garden would suggest he and fellow survivors were flown back to Brussels in September 1944.