Fusilier Ronald T Rowlands

Ronald Thomas Rowlands, son of Thomas and Emma Rowlands of Toll End, Satfforshire, enlisted into Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

He volunteered for airborne forces and qualified as a military parachutist on course 46 which ran at RAF Ringway from 11 to 24 January 1943. The course consisted of 5 officers and 17 other ranks, the course report notes ‘The course was upset by delays, attachments, a fatality and by the returning to unit of 2 unsuitable officers. Despite this, pupils were cheerful and worked well throughout the course jumping without hesitation following the fatality.’ The course instructors’ report reads ‘Fus Rowlandson [sic] Fearless, efficient jumper. Would make good NCO.’

Fusilier Rowlands was posted to B Company, The 6th (Royal Welch) Parachute Battalion in North Africa.

He was killed, aged 20 years old, when transport ship HMS Abdiel carrying the 6th Parachute Battalion struck a landmine in Taranto Harbour on 10 September 1943 killing over 50 members of the Battalion. He is recorded as lost at sea and was commemorated on memorial in the Free Church at Taranto. Fusilier Rowlandson is also commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing at Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey.