Reg Curtis, No. 2 Commando, 11th SAS, 1st Parachute Battalion:

 Reg Curtis, No. 2 Commando, 11th SAS, 1st Parachute Battalion:


Reg Curtis fought through France and Belgium to Dunkirk as a Grenadier Guardsman before volunteering in 1940 to join No. 2 Commando and become one of Britain’s first paratroopers.

 He took part in experimental parachute training as a member of the 11th SAS Battalion, later to become the 1st Parachute Battalion, the founding battalion of The Parachute Regiment.

 In 1942/3 he fought with 1st Para as part of the 1st Parachute Brigade in Tunisia, where they earned the name ‘Red Devils’ from the enemy. He was part of the group who held the Primosole Bridge in Sicily in 1943. 

He was badly wounded trying to reach the Arnhem Bridge during the Battle of Arnhem in 1944 and after the battle had his right leg amputated. 

He was one of the few members of the original 1st Parachute Battalion to survive the war and when he passed away in 2016 was the last man standing from the small group who remained close-knit for the rest of their lives and called themselves No. 2 Commando, 11th SAS, 1st Parachute Battalion.

For the perfect gift to anyone interested in WWII military history and the creation of Britain’s Airborne Forces Reg’s book ‘The Memory Endures’ is now available at £12.95 plus p&p.

 Copies may be reserved and mailed worldwide. Details at: pilotspublishing.co.uk/the-memory-endures. 

Reg’s book is published by his family in his memory and all profits go to the Reg Curtis Fund to Support Our Paras, administered by Support Our Paras, The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces Charity, providing mobility equipment and disability conversion of vehicles, remedial courses to assist those recovering from wounds, vocational courses to help soldiers transition into civilian life, and more.

 It was Reg's wish to support soldiers who may be experiencing circumstances similar to his own, following the amputation of his leg after the Battle of Arnhem. 

The amount raised so far is shown here: justgiving.com/campaign/RegCurtis.

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