Harold Herbert Raven, son of Frederick Stanley and Martha Biggs, enlisted into the Hampshire Regiment, transferred to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and then volunteered for airborne forces.
Private Raven undertook parachute training on course 59 at RAF Ringway from 5 to 16 April 1943. His course report states that he was nervous at start but improved beyond all expectations, worked and jumped well. He was posted to B Company 6th Battalion (10th Bn The Royal Welch Fusiliers) The Parachute Regiment.
He took part in the amphibious landings in Italy in September 1943, on board a mine layer, HMS Abdiel. Unfortunately, HMS Abdiel struck a mine in Taranto Harbour causing significant casualties and loss of life, including Pte Raven.
Pte Raven died at sea on 10 September 1943 aged 25.
He is commemorated on the Cassino Memorial.
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By Rod Gibson
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