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Roll Call Acting Captain John Alcock – 1997

John Alcock served with Airborne Forces in the 1950s and 1960s.

John initially joined the Army in the late 1930s, serving in the Coldstream Guards during the Second World War. He was part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) sent to France early in the War and in 1940, he formed part of the rearguard action assisting the retreat from the beaches at Dunkirk. John Alcock was awarded a Mention in Despatches in 1945, and later the French Croix de Guerre in 1945.

John progressed through the ranks to become a Senior NCO, joining the Parachute Regiment in the 1950s. In 1956, appointed as the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of The 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (3 PARA), RSM Alcock took part in drop at Suez on Op Musketeer. He was eventually awarded a commission as a Lieutenant Quartermaster in 1958, and was appointed Captain in 1961.

John Alcock died in 1997.

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Decorations

Thumbnail image of Mention in Despatches1945 Mention in Despatches
1949 Croix de Guerre

Listed Operations

01/12/1955 – 01/12/1956 Cyprus (EOKA Campaign)
05/11/1956 – 11/11/1956 Suez (Operation Musketeer)
11/11/1942 – 31/05/1943 North Africa (Operation Torch)
09/09/1943 – 01/05/1945 Italy
06/12/1962 – 30/05/1966 Borneo
1967 – 01/11/1967 Aden
08/05/1945 – 01/11/1945 Norway (Operation Doomsday)

Airborne Forces service history

1944-1947 , (Warrant Officer Class 2)
1947-1958 , (Warrant Officer Class 1)
1956 Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM), The 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (3 PARA), (Warrant Officer Class 1)
1958-1961 , (Lieutenant)
1961 , (Captain)