This week, we’re celebrating the lives of black Paratroopers who helped earn The Parachute Regiments reputation through their actions.
Sgt Sidney Cornell was one of only a handful of black men that parachuted into Normandy 76 years ago.

He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in February 1945 for his actions in Normandy. His citation states that ‘his courage and many wounds have made him a well-known and admired character throughout not only his own battalion but also the whole
brigade.’

Sgt Cornell served with B Coy, 7thParachute Battalion and after jumping in behind enemy lines in Normandy, he fought in the Allied actions across North West Europe in 1944-45. He saw action in the Ardennes during the winter

fighting and on 24 Mar 1945 jumped under fire during the Rhine Crossing on Op VARSITY. Sgt Cornell described in his citation as a ‘truly magnificent parachutist’ died on 7 Apr 1945 in an Op to secure a river crossing at Neustadt. #BlackHistoryMonth