Remembering the Real-Life Heroics of Irish-Born British Actor Richard Todd

(Richard Todd)

Out of all his box office successes, Irish-born British actor, Richard Todd, is perhaps best known for starring in those inspired by the Second World War.

(Here, Richard can be seen playing Corporal Lachlan “Lachie” MacLachlan — “the Scot” — alongside his Hollywood co-star and future US President, Ronald Reagan, in their 1949 Second World War drama — “The Hasty Heart”.)

Lesser known, however, is the real-life role he played while in the service of one of his country’s most revered and venerated institutions:

The elite and illustrious British Parachute Regiment.

Commissioned into the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in early 1941, Richard went on to become one of their regimental signals instructors; but, owing to his strong desire to serve in a combat capacity, jumped — quite literally — at the opportunity to volunteer for the 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion in the spring of 1943.

(Richard photographed shortly after completing his jump course for the 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion in November 1943.)

In December of that year, he and his cadre were told to “prepare for active service” — the latter of which, following months of intense training and thorough war gaming, came ultimately on the eve of June 6th, 1944, with the Allied…