Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Sergeant R. G. Jarrett, The Parachute Regiment

General Service 1962, 2 clasps, Radfan, Northern Ireland (23896366 Pte. R. Jarrett, Para.); South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (23896366 Sgt R G Jarrett Para); Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (23896366 Cpl R G Jarrett Para) mounted for wear, good very fine (lot) £3000-4000

Ex D.N.W. 27 June 2007.

Robert George Jarrett was born on 22 September 1943, and enlisted into the Parachute Regiment in London on 5 January 1962, being posted to the 3rd Battalion after a period of training. The following details of his subsequent career are taken from Jarrett’s own resumé:

‘March 1964 - The battalion was posted to Bahrain for a year. In April that year we were sent to Aden. From there we travelled north into the Radfan mountains to quell a rebellion by the Quteibi tribe. The tribe was fiercely independent and were very competent adversaries. For the resulting action against the tribe we were awarded the GSM with the Radfan Clasp.

April 1965 - Served with the battalion in British Guyana, South America, in an internal security role prior to the country’s independence.

1968-1971 - Served as a demonstration parachutist with the famous Parachute Regiment Free Fall Team, ‘The Red Devils’. By this time I was a corporal. Served a tour of N Ireland in 1969 with 1 Para. This was during the winter layoff from skydiving demonstrations and displays. Whilst with the team I attended various foreign parachute courses. I have been awarded the following foreign parachute wings: American, French, Norwegian.

1971-1975 - Served as a test parachutist with the Joint Services Free-fall Trials Team (JSFTT) at the Joint Air Transport Establishment (JATE). The team consisted of representatives from the SAS, the Parachute Regiment and the RAF. The team task was to carry out trials and test all types of parachuting methods and associated equipment. Whilst with the team I jumped from as high as 35,000 feet and as low as 350 feet. I have jumped onto and into land, sea, dense jungle, deep snow. I was promoted to sergeant whilst in this job.

1975-1983 - Returned to 3 Para after a long absence. I was demoted from Sgt to Cpl due to over establishment. I was promoted within 18 months. Whilst with 3 Para I served with the battalion in Germany whilst I was awarded my LSGC medal by the Colonel Commandant HRH Prince Charles. I served 3 more tours in N Ireland. My service with 3 Para culminated with the Falklands conflict. My specific role was that of landing site commander (helicopters) for the Battalion. We were awarded the S Atlantic medal with Rosette for this operation.

1983-1984 - I returned to the JSFTT for my last year of service. During that time I went to Kenya with A Squadron 22 SAS. The Kenyan Air Force had attempted to overthrow the legitimate government of that country. I finally left the Army on 4 January 1984. I was offered an extension of service for a further three years.’

Sold with original photograph of the recipient with an anti-aircraft gun taken during the Falkland’s campaign; his original JSFTT 1971 cloth para badge; his Territorial Army (TA) and Reservist Instruction Book; various copy documents, including Certificate of Service (first two pages only), farewell certificate, School of Infantry qualification certificate, Aviation Medicine Training Centre HALO Para course certificate, RAC Parachutist Certificate and Competitor’s Licence, final page of his Para log book showing a total of 585 free-fall descents, and his personal typed resumé of his service career. Together with ‘Red Devils’ helmet and goggles; a booklet: Aide Memoire for Northern Ireland Operations; one other original and six copied photographs relating to the recipient; cloth sergeant’s stripes; cloth Para badge and Parachute Regiment metal cap badge.