John Laverty was born on the 26 March 1916, in Liverpool. John's family believe that he was actually born in 1920. Reasons for him lying about his age are unknown. His father, also called John, was listed as his next of kin. 

He enlisted into the South Wales Borderers on the 8 November 1939, at the Regimental Depot in Brecon, Wales, but his service was deferred until the 15 November 1939.

Upon completion of his training he was posted to the 11th Holding battalion on the 14 March 1940.

On the 5 June 1940 John was posted to the 4th Battalion, The Monmouthshire Regiment, and was then promoted to unpaid Lance Corporal on the 21 December 1940, and paid Lance Corporal on the 7 March 1941.

John attended a 3” Mortar Course M.4, at Southern Command, Mortar Training School at Woolacombe, 13 – 25 March 1941, and obtained the classification: ‘Capable of exercising Recruits or trained soldiers’.

He was one of the earliest volunteers, when the decision was made to expand the Parachute Force from one battalion to an entire Brigade, and was posted to the 3rd Parachute Battalion, at Hardwick Hall on the 6 November 1941.

John qualified as an Army Parachutists at RAF. Ringway, on the 18 December 1941.

He probably served in the Mortar Detachment for A-Company, 3rd Parachute Battalion, and with them he embarked to North Africa 9 November 1942 and took part in Operation ‘Torch’. He served in the subsequent Tunisia campaign to defeat the Axis Forces there, but suffered a gunshot wound to the left thigh on the 6 January 1943. He was evacuated from the front line to a Medical facility, and from their he was taken back to England 24 January 1943, for further medical treatment. John was eventually discharged from hospital 23 November 1943

He was discharged from the Army (due to his war wounds), on the 24 December 1943. His total service with the Army was 4 years and 41 days. 

Military History Sheet.

Country.                              From:                    To:                          Years & Days.

Home.                                  08. 11. 39.           08. 11. 39.           1 Day.

Home.                                  15. 11. 39.           07. 11. 42.           2 Years & 358 Days.

North Africa.                      08. 11. 42.           03. 02. 43.           88 Days.

Home.                                  04. 02. 43.           24. 12. 43.           324 Days.

Written and researched by Robert Hilton. Service records and image of medals kindly supplied by Daniel Burke (grandson of John Laverty)