Private Douglas V Rushton

Private Douglas Rushton served with Airborne Forces as part of 8th (Midlands) Parachute Battalion, and was killed in the Normandy campaign.

Douglas Vincent Rushton, husband of Gladys Lilian Rushton, of Penkhull, Stoke-on-Trent, joined The Parachute Regiment after transferring from The Berkshire Regiment.

He completed Parachute Course 50 at RAF Ringway in late February 1943, and was subsequently posted to HQ Company of 8th (Midlands) Parachute Battalion. In June 1944, he took part in the Normandy campaign, following the D-Day landings on 5-6 June 1944.

Private Rushton died on 16 June 1944, aged 20 years old. He is now buried at Ranville War Cemetery, Normandy.

Headstone photograph courtesy of Harvey Grenville.