Ratcliffe joined the British Army's Parachute Regiment in January 1970 as private 24180996. He served with the 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment on Operation Banner in Northern Ireland in 1971–72, before transferring to the Special Air Service Regiment in 1972. He was attached to the 22 SAS, seeing service with its 18 (Mobility) Troop, 'D' Squadron.
During the latter conflict, Ratcliffe was the Regimental Sergeant Major of 22 SAS,[2] and received an order to assume command of its 'A' Squadron in a highly unusual circumstance of a non-commissioned officer replacing an officer in a command position. He subsequently led the squadron on a raid behind enemy lines against an Iraqi Army communications facility code-named by the British "Victor Two", for which he was afterwards awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry in action.[3][4]
Ratcliffe received a commission in 1992,[5] and was promoted to captain in 1994.[6] After completing his career as a training officer with 23 Special Air Service Regiment, he retired from the British Army after almost thirty years' service with the rank of major in 1997.[7][8]
Post-military activities
Ratcliffe published a memoir of his military career entitled Eye of the Storm in 2000. He has been critical of other published works by former SAS personnel, specifically "Andy McNab" and "Chris Ryan", claiming that they have damaged the reputation of the regiment by fabricating elements of their war experiences in published works for monetary gain.[9]
Ratcliffe has also publicly voiced concern about the provision of post traumatic stress support by the British Government to former soldiers of the British Army, following a number of high-profile suicides by former SAS soldiers after their military service careers.[10]
Publications
Eye of the Storm: 25 Years in Action with the SAS (2000).[11]
