Andrew McManus enlisted into the General Service Corps before volunteering for airborne forces.He qualified as a military parachutist after attending course 190 which ran at RAF Ringway from 5 January to 21 February 1946. The course report reads: 'Keen and hard working. A good N.C.O and parachutist.'

Pte ‘Andy’ McManus was posted to Holding/Reserve Battalion at Piddlehinton, before joining the 1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, in Palestine.