WO2 Gilbert Crampton Powell
British Army 9th Btn. Middlesex Regt
from:Wealdstone, Harrow Middlesex
My father Gilbert Powell joined up as a "Terrier" on 10/06/31 in the 9th Btn Middlesex Regiment and by 1937 he had attained the rank of Lance Sergeant. He was called out for military service on 08/10/38 and transferred to the Royal Artillery. He joined 60th Searchlight Regiment RA on 01/11/38. After various courses he was posted to 4 Anti-Aircraft 'Z' Regiment on 19/02/42. He was promoted WO2 (Battery Sergeant Major) on 21/12/42. His last posting was to 41 Regimental Holding Unit on 06/07/45 and was released to the reserve 06/01/46.
Most of the letters to my mother were sent from Birkenhead during his time with the AA Regiments and I remember him telling me of the rocket system that was in use at the time, (An example can be found in the Firepower museum).
