Based at Kiwi Barracks, Bulford Camp, Salisbury, the 9th (Eastern and Home Counties) Parachute Battalion was formed in November 1942, by the conversion of the 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment, a hostilities-only unit raised in late 1940, to parachute duties.

[7] On 23 April 9th Parachute Battalion and the brigade were transferred to the newly formed 6th Airborne Division.

[10][12] Airborne soldiers were expected to fight against superior numbers of the enemy, armed with heavy weapons, including artillery and tanks.

Military exercises included capturing and holding airborne bridgeheads, road or rail bridges and coastal fortifications.

[3] The first combat action by the 9th Parachute Battalion, was in Operation Tonga, part of the Normandy landings.

The battalion's primary objective was the Merville Gun Battery, which was in a position to threaten the British landings at Sword Beach.

[15] Although seriously understrength after a disastrous parachute drop, the battalion silenced the battery but was reduced in strength to 65 men.

[19] Over the following days the 9th Parachute Battalion fought off a number of attacks by the German 346th Infantry Division.

On 8 June Lieutenant Colonel Otway was wounded by an artillery shell; eventually on 19 July 1944 he was evacuated, never returning to active service.

The 9th Parachute Battalion remained in the front line carrying out patrols and sniping and fought off numerous attacks up to 16 August.

Moved back to mainland Europe, on 26 December, they established a blocking position along the River Meuse.

On 29 December they attacked leading German units and the 3rd Parachute Brigade was given responsibility for capturing Rochefort.

Led by Lieutenant Colonel Crookenden, they crossed 500 yards (460 m) of open land and secured the village capturing 200 prisoners.

[26][27] In October 1945, the 6th Airborne Division was sent to the British Mandate of Palestine on internal security duties, the 3rd Parachute Brigade being based in the Lydda district, which included Tel Aviv.