Maurice Harry Curtis enlisted with The General Service Corps 15 March 1945. He was the son of Stephen Victor and Doris Maud Curtis of Harrietsham. 

After joining The Parachute Regiment, it is believed that he joined The 3rd Parachute Battalion. His transfer and enlistment ledger entry states that he died whilst on 'LIAP leave' on 4 October 1947, aged just 20 years. This was potentially when he was on leave from operations in Palestine. LIAP leave stands for 'Leave In Addition to Python'. It was a British Army scheme used during and after World War II that allowed soldiers serving long overseas tours to return to the UK for a temporary break before resuming their foreign service.

After some research of the Airborne Assault archives, a Pte. Curtis 14917713, who successfully passed parachute jump instruction at RAF Ringway on Course B184 (2-29 November 1945) was found. The instructor noted that this pupil was "Good cheerful type, quick on the uptake".

Maurice was laid to rest in the Harrietsham (St John The Baptist) churchyard, Row F, Grave 40. 

Images and information kindly supplied by R Hilton