First black D-Day paratrooper inspires lead character in new Call of Duty

THE Brit who was the first black paratrooper to land in the D-Day invasion has inspired one of the lead characters in the next Call of Duty game.

Call of Duty: Vanguard, out in November, centres on the “birth of the special forces” in the Second World War.

Sgt. Arthur Kingsley is based on Sidney Cornell, who won the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his bravery.

Born in Portsmouth to an African American father, he was dropped behind German lines the night before D-Day.

Sidney, of B Company, 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion, was injured four times in five weeks of constant action, much of it delivering messages in a hail of bombs and machine gun fire.

His citation stated: “Very many acts of gallantry have been performed by members of the battalion, but for sustained courage nothing surpasses Cornell’s effort."

He was promoted to sergeant but died in a bridge explosion the following year.