Roy Burr was born in Essex but lived for much of his life in Kingswood near Bristol. He served with The Royal Sussex Regiment before transferring to the airborne forces 18 January 1945. 

He passed his parachute jump instruction at RAF Ringway, Course B152. This course ran between 6 and 21 February 1945. His instructor noted that Roy was "Quiet, rather nervous at first. Confidence increasing. Good". This course consisted of 40 Officers and 141 Other Ranks (O.Rs) of reinforcements

The comments on this course also state that : "Approximately 70% of the pupils were 21 years of age or younger and for the most part had had very little military training". On 25 March 1945 he took part in Op. Varsity, The Rhine Crossing. The largest one day airborne assault in history.

The 22nd Independent Parachute Company was disbanded in July 1946. Roy transferred back to The Royal Sussex Regiment 1 April 1947. 

In later years Roy was a keen member of The Bristol Normandy Veterans.  Roy said during an interview with photographer Robin Savage, who took his portrait image: “But when you got your red beret and your wings…it was great. It’s still an honour to wear it.”

Roy sadly passed away, aged 99 on 17 February 2026.