Warrant Officer Class 1 Charles A Ainger MBE

Charles Arthur Ainger enlisted into The Suffolk Regiment on the 15 December 1931. [1]

In 1941 he was promoted acting CSM whilst serving as an instructor with the Cambridge University OTC and became war subs: CSM after the required period of acting rank.

He volunteered for Airborne Forces and transferred to the Army Air Corps on 29 Oct 1942 as a CSM, and was sent to Hardwick Hall on the 2 November 1942, For his pre parachute, and battle school training and testing. He was then sent on Parachute Course No. 37, at RAF Ringway, 12 to 27 November 1942. [2] This course had 155 participants, of which 138 successfully passed. Despite the 'unfavourable' weather conditions at the time. 

He was posted to the 4th Parachute Bn in which he served from 1942 until 1948 when the Bn was disbanded. He was made RSM of the 4th Bn on 9 June 1944 and saw active service with the Bn: North Africa, Operation ‘SLAPSTICK’ – the seaborne landing at the port of Taranto in Italy, in September 1943, Italy, South of France and Greece and after the war in Palestine.

He jumped from A/C No. 90 on Operation ‘DRAGOON’, on the 15 August 1944, but landed approx. 20 km’s N-E of the DZ.

Charles also took part in Operation ‘MANNA’, the parachute and airborne operation in Greece 12th October 1944.

On 1 Feb: 1948 he was posted to 17th Parachute Regt (TA) as the RSM. He served with the 17th Battalion as RSM from 1948 to 1956, taking over from RSM J Steward.  [3]

He was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal 14th December 1949.

He was the RSM. for the 17th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment when they were presented with their Colours on the 4 October 1952, at Brancepath Castle, by HRH The Princess Royal.

Awarded the MBE: Warrant Officer Class I (acting) Charles Arthur Ainger. The Suffolk Regiment (attached The Parachute Regiment) to be Ordinary Member of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order, London Gazette, 1st January 1953.

NOTES:

[1] Para Regt Transfer & Enlistment Book 01, page 57.

[2] RAF Ringway Parachute Course Report. November 1942.

[3] Mentioned in many of the Pegasus Journals for these years.

SERVICE HISTORY

1931

Enlisted into The Suffolk Regiment on the 15 December 1931.

1941

Promoted acting CSM, instructor with the Cambridge University OTC.

1942

Volunteered for Airborne Forces and transferred to the Army Air Corps on 29th Oct.

Arrived Hardwick Hall 2nd November 1942, pre parachute, and battle school training and testing.

Parachute Course No. 37, at RAF Ringway, 12 to 27 November 1942. 

He was posted to the 4th Parachute Bn in which he served from 1942 until 1948.

RSM of the 4th Parachute Bn, 9 June 1944.

1948

1 Feb posted to 17th Parachute Regt (TA) as the RSM.

17th Battalion RSM from 1948 to 1956.

1949

He was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal 14th December 1949.

1953

Awarded the MBE: London Gazette,  1 January 1953.