Private James W Slater

James 'Jim' Slater, started his service in the war as a Firewatcher, at the age of 16. He would be placed on top of the South London Press Building in the Elephant and Castle, Southwark, London, (where he was born), and report on any fires starting as a result of the German bombing raids. Later, he enlisted in the newly formed Home Guard.

On the 4 November 1943, Jim enlisted into the Army and after basic Infantry training was posted to the Kings Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC), on 15 December 1943. Jim then volunteered for Airborne Forces. He was parachute jump trained at RAF Ringway on Course number 116, which ran from 13 to 29 May 1944. His instructor noted this about Jim's performance: "Good worker. Keen. Good performer."

Jim was then posted to the 7th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, who by then were pushing eastwards from Benouville. He was held by the Airborne Forces Holding Unit for 17 days and finally reached 7th Battalion The Parachute Regiment on 17 August 1944, at Le Bas De Ranville.

On arrival, he was posted to C Company. His platoon Sgt was 27-year-old Alexander Blakeway. Soon after his arrival Jim was involved in actions around Putot-En-Auge. Then a smaller engagement in Bonnemont on the 20 August. By the 22 August the Battalion were on the high ground overlooking Pont L’Eveque.

On the next day, C Company were ordered to probe into the town in a convoy of jeeps, but were engaged by heavy gunfire, disabling the first jeep that tried to cross the river. It was therefore decided to carry out the patrols on foot. Sgt Blakeway led Jim and another soldier, 20-year-old Pte. James Roy O’Brien, into the town, heading towards the railway station. 

The German forces had pulled out of the town, but were closely observing the area. When they spotted Sgt Blakeway's patrol they fired mortars onto their position. Alex Blakeway was killed immediately, Jim and James O’Brien were seriously wounded. The war diary for that day states “Cleared town as far as railway station. 1 NCO killed, 2 other ranks wounded”. James died at a first aid post later that day.

Jim crawled into a doorway and tried to place a field dressing on himself but passed out from pain, loss of blood and shock. He had been hit in the face, abdomen, groin and most seriously his right calf muscle had been almost removed. He later remembers being taken to a first aid post, but had been given Morphine so he was not fully conscious until on a boat heading back to the UK. For Jim to return to A1 fitness, it would take almost 18 months.

James and Alex are both buried in Ranville Cemetery, James in VA Q 1, Alex in 111A F S

Jim Slater's war lasted seven days.

Whilst recovering, Jim was attached to 1st Parachute Brigade where he joined the MT section and was eventually demobbed on 29 October 1947
On 30 October 1947, the very next day, he enlisted into the newly formed 21 SAS, where he stayed until 1963, mainly as an instructor teaching laying and planting of explosives and especially the art of placing IEDs.

Jim unfortunately died at the young age of 44, from an undiagnosed congenital heart impairment.