Private Daniel R Hurley

Private Daniel Hurley served with Airborne Forces as part of 9th (Essex) Parachute Battalion during the Second World War, and died during the Normandy campaign.

Daniel Roderick Hurley, known to friends as 'Roddy', was the son of Daniel Joseph and Ann Hurley, of Cardiff. He initially served with an infantry regiment before transferring to Airborne Forces.

Pte Hurley completed Parachute Course 79 at RAF Ringway in early September 1943 and joined 9th (Essex) Parachute Battalion. On 5-6 June 1944, Pte Hurley took part in the D-Day landings to Normandy, during Op Overlord.

Men of the 9th Battalion were tasked with the assault on Merville Battery. During the landing, many missed the intended DZs and only around 150 of the intended force of 400 arrived the RV point. Whilst the Battery was taken as intended prior the planned naval bombardment the assault itself resulted in heavy casualties amongst the men of the 9th Battalion.

Private Hurley died on 7 June 1944, aged 19 years old. He is now buried at Ranville War Cemetery, Normandy.

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