Peter Ratcliffe

For other people named the British Army officer and author, see the British doctor and biologist and 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.

After the conflict Ratcliffe was himself commissioned as an officer.

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

Books

• Eye of the Storm: 25 Years in Action with the SAS
• The Little Book of the SAS