Harry Gilbert, son of Harry and Mary Gilbert of Stoke-on-Trent enlisted into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and volunteered for The Parachute Regiment when the 8th (Midlands) Parachute Battalion was formed from the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
He undertook parachute jump training course 51 which ran at RAF Ringway from 15 to 27 February 1943. This was a standard course of eight descents comprising three balloon descents, including one at night, and five aircraft descents. The instructors’ report reads: ‘Very hard worker. Good performer.’
Private Gilbert took part in the D-Day landings to Normandy with C Company on 6 June 1944.
He was killed in action on 21 August 1944 and is now buried in Ranville War Cemetery.
Updated by Wendy George
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