Major Allen james Maule Parry

6th Airborne Division - 3rd Parachute Brigade - 9th Parachute Battalion - A Coy

Sword Beach

Major Parry jumped with the Battalion on 6th June 1944 in Normandy and on 24th March 1945 over the Rhine. He has taken part in every action fought by the Battalion in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, and has never deviated from the highest standards of leadership and courage. During the assault on the SALLENELLES battery on 6th June 1944, although wounded in the leg early in the fight, he led his party with skill and determination against considerable odds so that their task of destroying the enemy guns was completely successful. He then organised the withdrawing of the Battalion from the battery, only handing over command, when no longer able to walk. Evacuated to England, he soon rejoined the Battalion and as Second in Command during a prolonged period of intense shelling and mortaring, he displayed a steady courage and cheerfulness as he went about among the men, which was of inestimable value. Since then he has commanded a Company with unflagging devotion to duty, leading his men in action with calmness and skill and at all times setting a fine example of the first-class regimental officer.

(Source: Military Medal)