Members of Course B170, 19 July 1945.

My dad is William Walter Harrigan front row 4th from the left front row he joined up from Royal West Kents and was 3 months short of his 18th birthday having lied about his age. Was MIA for 6 weeks escaping a German held Hospital near Arnhem and was made Lance Corporal on passing his Para course.He was sent to knarsborough in Yorkshire to recouperate before going back to action soon after and not demobbed until after emergencies in Palastine and Cyrus with a stint seconded to the SAS in between.

Whilst in Cyprus had The rebel leader General Grivas in his sights but not allowed to take the shot as he was wanted alive. Rare for Billy Harrigan as he was known to say much until my mum died. He boxed and when only a middleweight and lacking anyone bigger was put in to fight a very tall and heavier opponent and was forced to knock out the Guards Heavyweight in Palastine but was disqualified due to a low blow then following up with an uppercut to the jaw as his opponent bent over. He told me he was trained to win and fight dirty but did get in trouble for this breach of the rules.