John Campbell Slight

Born in Portsmouth in 1906, he joined the 9th Battalion DLI in 1929 as a Second Lieutenant. In 1940, he fought and was wounded during the retreat to Dunkirk. At Gazala in North Africa on 15 June 1942, whilst second in command of 9 DLI, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his leadership and bravery.

As 9 DLI tried to escape down the coast road to Tobruk, a strong German force held up the retreat. Major Slight immediately led a successful attack under heavy fire, took 30 prisoners and re-opened the road. On 27 June, at Mersa Matruh, he was wounded and captured. He remained a POW until 1945.

After the war, he took command of 9 DLI at Gateshead and oversaw its change to the 17th Battalion The Parachute Regiment.

John Slight died in 1974, aged 69.