Sergeant John Harris

John Harris from Gloucester enlisted into the General Service Corps.

He volunteered for airborne forces, qualifying as a military parachutist on Course 192, which ran at RAF Ringway from 28 January to 25 February 1946. The course instructors’ report states ‘Pte Harris: Very good performer, cheerful. Good worker.’

Private Harris was initially posted to a Reserve Battalion.

Sergeant Harris then went on to serve in The Parachute Regiment I.T.C., the Training and Holding Battalion, the 3rd Battalion (3 PARA) and the Depot.

A keen physical training instructor, he excelled at all sports, especially rugby football and boxing.

Sgt John Harris died, aged 26 years on 25th March, 1954, as a result of injuries sustained at rugby football whilst representing Airborne Forces Depot.

He is now buried at Aldershot Military Cemetery.

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