Warrant Officer Class 2 Walter Beard

Walter Beard enlisted into The Parachute Regiment in 1964 and Passed out of P Company on 17 December 1964 with 279 Platoon in 1964.

During his service he served with the 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) in Northern Ireland and Malaya.

In 1965 he went to Borneo as a member of B Company, 2 PARA and fought at the Battle of Plaman Mapu on 27 April 1965.

He was posted to as an instructor to Parachute Regiment Element, NCO's Tactical Wing, Brecon from 1976 for two years before returning to 2 PARA in 1978.

Sergeant Major ‘Wally’ Beard went to Northern Ireland again in 1979 with Medium Machine Gun Platoon, 2 PARA.

He was killed on 27 August 1979 at Warrenpoint, Northern Ireland by the second bomb detonated by the IRA that day. Members of the MMG Pln had arrived after an earlier explosion assist the wounded and dead.

Sgt Major Beard is buried in Allum Lane Cememtery Borehamwood.

In 2001 his name was added to Borehamwood War Memorial.