Parachute Regimental Association
Aldershot Branch
On 22 June 1940 Prime Minister Winston Churchill wrote a minute to the British Chiefs of Staff directing the setting up of a Corps of Parachute soldiers. Number 2 Commando began parachute training at Ringway near Manchester the following month.
By 1944 the 1st Allied Airborne Corps, which included the American 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions had become a formidable Force
The British Units involved were
1st Airlanding Brigade
1st Bn The Border Regiment.
2nd Bn The South Staffordshire Regiment.
2nd Bn Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
1st Bn Royal Ulster Rifles
7th Bn King’s Own Scottish Borderers
1st Airlanding Light Battery RA:
1st Airlanding AT Battery RA
9th Field Coy RE
1st Airlanding Recce Sqn:
1st Airlanding Bde Gp Coy RASC
181st Field Ambulance
4th Parachute Brigade
156th Parachute Bn:
10th Parachute Bn:
11th Parachute Bn:
1st Parachute Brigade
1st Bn Parachute Regiment:
2nd Bn Parachute Regiment:
3rd Bn Parachute Regiment:
4th Parachute Bn: 1
17th Bn Parachute Regiment:
1st Parachute Sqn RE:
16th Parachute Field Ambulance
B’ Coy, 13th Bn Parachute Regiment:
1st Royal Dragoons {armoured cars}
2nd Bn KRRC {motor bn}
1st Airborne Division
1st Parachute Brigade
2nd Parachute Brigade
3rd Parachute Brigade
4th Parachute Brigade
1st Airlanding Brigade
Attached Units:
1st Polish Independent Para Brigade
1st Wing Glider Pilot Regiment
2nd Wing Glider Pilot Regiment
Glider Pilot Regiment
The Current members of the Aldershot PRA represent Airborne Units picked from All branches of the British Army
