Kenneth William Swatheridge

Known as Ken he was originally notified of compulsory conscription. He attended the recruiting office in Portsmouth but adamantly refused recruitment as he had signed the official secrets act on “special duties”. So could not say why he should not be called up. Weeks later he was officially told by post that he was exempt for the duration of emergency and sure enough as soon as Hitler went into Russia, Ken was called for the military service! That’s when his Father, Bill, took his place as he was too old for national military service. The nominal roll says discharged 20 Jan 1944 medically unfit, this perhaps relates to his father, Bill.

Ken served with 1st SAS from 1944 as well as the Parachute Regiment.