Ronald Disley Tindell came from Bromley in Kent. His service records state that he was a 'Clerk' before he enlisted with the 387/97 Kent Yeomanry, Royal Regiment of Artillery of the Territorial Army on 8 May 1939 at the age of 18 years and 11 months. He completed 15 days at an annual camp before being 'Embodied' on 2 September 1939.

The following years saw him on active service in North Africa, Sicily, mainland Italy and North East Europe as a member of the 1^st Airlanding Light Regiment of the newly created 1^st Airborne Division. Ronald's regiment was then sent to France on 13 August 1944 to prepare for numerous possible operations. These eventually petered out owing to cancellations or postponements. On 14 September 1944 the regiment was briefed for Op. Market.

For this operation the Light Regiment would field 3 batteries, each of 2 troops, each of 4 guns a total of 24, of which 20 would see action. The majority of these units were concentrated in the Oosterbeek area about 2 to 3 miles away from Arnhem. WO2 Ronald Tindell is recorded as being part of Number 1 Battery, which was part of the 'seabourne echelon'. 

Summary of service:

Enlisted on 8 May 1939 into 387/97 Kent Yeomanry, Royal Regiment of Artillery

2 September 1939 joined the 388th Battery, 143rd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

10 September 1940 posted to 63rd Medium Regiment, RA.

20 February 1941 posted to 458th (Independent) Light Battery, RA.

27 February 1942 re-designated No 1 Air Landing, Light Battery, RA.

13 September 1942 appointed Substantive Rank BQMS.

13 February 1943 posted to No 1 Battery, 1st AirLanding Light Regiment, RA.

Saw service in N Africa (May - July 1943), Sicily (July 1943), Operation Slapstick, Italy (September - December 1943), Operation Market Garden, Nijmegen, Holland (September 1944), Norway (1945). Post War on 1 October 1945 he embarked for service with The Middle Eastern Force, possibly to assist with the peacekeeping in  Palestine. 1 April 1946 Ronald returned to the UK and was discharged from regular Army service on 18 April 1946. He then joined The TA Reserves 18 June 1946 and was awarded the Efficiency Medal (TA)

He returned to his civilian life working in insurance in London, married Ruth Watkinson. They had 2 sons. Nicholas & Jeremy. Ronald sadly died at the age of 76 in 1996.

Profile created with service records and information kindly donated by Jeremy Tindell (son) and the book 'Target Mike One' An Illustrated History of The 1st Airlanding Light Regiment RA 1942-45 North Africa-Italy-Arnhem-Norway. by D. Truesdale, M. Cornelissen and Bob Gerritsen.