therefore astonished to learn that he had in fact applied to join the

British equivalent of those same German units. His Commanding

Ofcer, while permitting the transfer, quipped that he would be OK as:

“I can’t imagine any sensible person choosing you to be a

parachutist—you ought to keep your feet rmly on the ground.”

Despite this scepticism, Frost passed his interview and, after intensive

training, was posted to the 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment. The

remark would prove prophetic, however, as his rst parachute course

ended with Frost injuring himself. Records note that on Course No. 2

(18–30 November 1941), both Lt-Colonel Flavell MC, (commanding

ofcer of the 2nd Battalion), and his adjutant, Captain Frost, sustained

injuries on their second descent from the training balloon and were

unable to complete the programme.

Frost’s knee was badly injured and required surgery, with doctors

informing him he would need a month to recover. Undeterred, by mid-

January he was already attempting to rejoin

his men. The Scottish C Company had been

earmarked for the forthcoming Bruneval

Raid, but Frost had to confess that he had still

not completed his parachute training. Since

C Company was due to move imminently

to Tilshead on Salisbury Plain, there was

debate over who would lead them. Philip

Teichman, commander of B Company, was

already parachute-qualied and prepared

to accompany the Scots if required. Frost, however, was given an

ultimatum: if he could qualify within a week, he could command C

Company himself.

As a safeguard, Teichman was dispatched with an advance party to

Tilshead in case Frost failed. At that time, trainees were required to

complete six qualifying jumps, but with only six Whitley aircraft available

to the entire Parachute Training School, meeting that requirement was

far from straightforward.

Fortunately, Frost managed to complete his second parachute course

British paratrooper jumping form a static

balloon in 1941.