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John 'Spanner' McDonald joined 1 PARA in 1977. He successfully passed his parachute jump instruction in June 1978. 

After a parachuting accident in 1980, he was medically discharged back to civvy street.  John still keeps in touch with his mates from the Army and can be seen slogging his way over Brecon, and the Lake District most weekends.

 

Private John McDonald

Service History

Operations

Article

Northern Ireland (Operation Banner)
A brief honeymoon as peace keepers between two warring communities locked in civil unrest descended into a virtual civil war ...

Article

Hong Kong
The emergency deployment was authorised in order to provide the resident Gurkha battalion with some much-needed respite, and ...
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Media

Photos

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Ptes John McDonald and Jon Crow (right), c1977.
Ptes John McDonald and Jon Crow (right), c1977.
Back to Ireland to see my old mates in 1 Para
Back to Ireland to see my old mates in 1 Para
The Greatest view of Brecon
The Greatest view of Brecon
The Summit at 886m Pen Y Fan
The Summit at 886m Pen Y Fan
Me and that's what I call a bergan. Why were they so heavy?
Me and that's what I call a bergan. Why were they so heavy?
The first Top for 'The Fan' dance Corn Du at 873m
The first Top for 'The Fan' dance Corn Du at 873m
All three peaks - 'The Fan' in the middle
All three peaks - 'The Fan' in the middle
'The Fan' - A legend of a mountain in the Regt
'The Fan' - A legend of a mountain in the Regt
Parachute training " RED ON GREEN ON "
Parachute training " RED ON GREEN ON "
After a Depot " Beasting" Training
After a Depot " Beasting" Training
The Fan at 886m
The Fan at 886m
Ptes John Mcdonald and Greg Allen, 1 PARA, late 1970s.
Ptes John Mcdonald and Greg Allen, 1 PARA, late 1970s.
The start and end of 'The Fan' dance
The start and end of 'The Fan' dance
The first sight of 'the Fan' - "Its a long way to go"
The first sight of 'the Fan' - "Its a long way to go"
Brutal training during P Company
Brutal training during P Company
The Sign outside my house
The Sign outside my house
Pte John Mcdonald. My mum's favourite photo.
Pte John Mcdonald. My mum's favourite photo.
Not even half way up The Fan - " Great view "
Not even half way up The Fan - " Great view "
I still love dinning out
I still love dinning out
Men of 1 PARA prepare for a parachute drop
Men of 1 PARA prepare for a parachute drop
Brecon Beacons training
Brecon Beacons training
Tony Blythe and John Mcdonald
Tony Blythe and John Mcdonald
At the queens Aldershot. My famous leaving do.
At the queens Aldershot. My famous leaving do.
View down the Roman road halfway up 'The Fan'
View down the Roman road halfway up 'The Fan'
John 'Spanner' McDonald and Greg Allen, 1 PARA, South Cerney, c1979.
John 'Spanner' McDonald and Greg Allen, 1 PARA, South Cerney, c1979.
Still going "all the way"
Still going "all the way"

Group photos

The passing out photo " We all have one"
The passing out photo " We all have one"
Junior Para Coy Pegasus Gymnastic Team 1977
Junior Para Coy Pegasus Gymnastic Team 1977

Solo photos

John McDonald
John McDonald

Letters and Cards

John McDonald
John McDonald