Hugh Short

He enlisted in the 2/5th. Battalion, a Territorial Army unit formed as the 5th Battalion split in two, part of the rapid expansion in the late 1930s. He attended the annual camp between 13 and 27 Aug 1939. His unit was embodied on 28 Aug 1939, shortly before war was declared. 

He was posted to Auxiliary Units, Glamorgan Area at Bridgend on 19 Sep 1942, his record recording him joining the Scout Section. He was attached to 9 AA Division for a week, the 284 (F) Company, Pioneer Corps, likely for pay and rations. As Auxiliary Units Scout Sections were being reduced in size, he was posted to 4th Battalion, The Welch Regiment on 20 Apr 1943.

He joined 1 SAS on 15 Apr 1944. This is a couple of months later than most other men joining from Auxiliary Units. This may mean that he did not attend the London recruitment event in January 1944. 

He was dropped in France on the night of 22/23 June 1944 as part of Operation Houndsworth. In the same plane was Trooper Maguire, another former Auxiliary Units man. He remained there until flown back on 8 September.

He returned to Europe on 27 March 1945 as part of Operation Archway. He served in the HQ troop for this operation. On 21 Apr 1945 he was admitted to 86 General Hospital. After a 1 month stay he was discharged to 32 Reinforcement Holding Unit but managed to get the SAS to take him back on strength 2 days later and returned to the UK, rejoining 1 SAS at Hylands House. He remained there, not taking part in Operation Apostle in Norway. On 3 Nov 1945 he was discharged to 21 Holding Battalion, The Welch Regiment as the SAS was being wound up. He was released from the army on 23 Mar 1946.