Peter Ratcliffe

This article is about the British Army officer and author. For the British doctor and biologist, see Peter J. Ratcliffe.
Peter Ratcliffe
Nickname(s) Billy
Born Salford, Greater Manchester,
England
Service/branch British Army
Rank Major
Unit Special Air Service,
Parachute Regiment
Battles/wars The Troubles
Dhofar Rebellion
Falklands War
Gulf War
Awards Distinguished Conduct Medal
Mentioned in Despatches
Other work Author

Major Peter Ratcliffe DCM is an author and former member of the Special Air Service (SAS).

Peter Ratcliffe came originally from Salford, Greater Manchester. As a boy, he joined the 1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (1 PARA) before and eventually going on to pass the SAS selection course. Upon joining the regiment, he was posted to 18 (Mobility) Troop D Squadron.

During his time in the SAS he was to deploy into a number of theatre and operations including the Dhofar Rebellion in Oman, the Falklands War and Operation Granby in the Gulf. During the 1991 Gulf War, Ratcliffe was the Regimental Sergeant Major and deployed in Iraq to relieve the Officer Commanding A Squadron (one of the few times where an enlisted man has formally relieved a commissioned officer). He subsequently led the squadron on a raid on a communication site known as "Victor Two" for which he was awarded the DCM.

Apart from writing books himself Ratcliffe has appeared in books by Andy McNab, Chris Ryan, Peter 'Yorkie' Crossland[1] and Cameron Spence.[2]

Books

References