Lance Corporal Victor Thorn BSC (Hons) PGD PGC

Victor Thorn, known as Nobby to his friends, served in 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment (2 PARA), from 1970 until 1975 and served in Northern Ireland (four tours), Denmark, Malaysia, Turkey and the Emirates with the Battalion.

He began service in the Battalion with No 1 Platoon, A company, before moving to Signals Platoon, C company in 1972 where he remained until leaving the regiment. He was a qualified Regimental Signals Instructor, had completed the Junior NCO's course and was promoted to Lance Corporal.

Whilst with the Regiment he married Susan and had one daughter Victoria (Sgt Wally Beard became Victoria's Godfather - Wally subsequently died at Warren Point). Other friends of Thorn's at that time, were 'Shoulders' Smith (who later died in South Africa, possibly of bone cancer), Brian Brown (also killed by a bomb in 1979), Willy Williamson and Frank Neaves.

In 1975 Thorn transfered to the Royal Military Police. He served with Ace Mobile Force (AMF) in Northern Norway and then requested a transfer back to Northern Ireland. There he served with 176 (Londonderry), 177 (Special Attachment) and 174 (Portadown and Armagh). He left the army in 1977 and joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

He initially served with A Section Springfield Road. His skipper was Noel McConkey who was subsequently severely injured by a car bomb. Thorn was then transfered to Andersonstown in 1979, and transferred again to B Division, Special Patrol Group. During this time apart from the annual riot events he also experienced the hunger strike at first hand.

In 1982, Thorn left the RUC and returned to England where he did a variety of jobs: private investigator, bodyguard, military advisor and operations manager for a security company. In 1993 Thorn gained an HNC in Computing, and went on to study for a degreee in Business Information Management. After getting a good degree he was asked to stay and be a part-time lecturer at Southampton Institute (now Southampton Solent University). He was appointed a full time lecturer there in 2000.

Since that time he has completed a Post Graduate Certificate and Diploma. During his spare time he acts in independent film productions (www.victor.d.thorn.com), enjoys motorcycling, mountain biking and computer games. Having retired from Solent University Victor now works part time as a funeral celebrant. He lives in Gosport with his wife, he is an active member of the Airborne Riders and tries to get to Arnhem with them most years..