Sergeant John F Wallace

Sergeant ‘Ian’ John Ferguson Wallace from Frome Somerset, served in A and C (Patrols) Company, 2 PARA.

He was a professional in the fullest sense, a first class soldier thoroughly dedicated to his job and the training of his men.

Sgt Wallace was commanding a patrol from C (Patrol) Company on 24 May 1973, at Cullaville, near Crossmaglen, Sgt Wallace, aged 31 years, was killed in a terrorist explosion. He was clearing the area outside a suspect house, with a sapper search team, when a booby trap in the house was detonated remotely by terrorists on the border.

Sgt Wallace had joined the Royal Highland Fusiliers in 1959 and served in Aden, Malta, and BAOR, mainly with the Signals Platoon. He joined 2 PARA in 1964 and served in C (Patrol) and A Companies, including tours in Borneo, Bahrain and the Caribbean.

Sgt Wallace is buried at Aldershot Military Cemetery.

If you are part of Sgt Walace's family and would like to complete this biography, you can apply to the curator to do so. To do this you will need to become a member of ParaData and select the 'friend or family member' option on the registration form. If you would like to find out more about becoming a member please visit our registration page.

Members of ParaData can submit their material by clicking on the 'add your info' button below.