Those who Served
Pte. Robert Peacock . British Army Cameron Highlanders from Clydebank) Robert Peacock was my Great Uncle and was part of the sacrificial rearguard action at Dunkirk by the 51st Highland Division. He was captured and became a POW. According to his own testimony he escaped 6 times but was caught.
Having known this man I have no reasons to doubt his evidence. All I know is that he was imprisoned in Stalag IXc but ended in the salt mines of Silesia.
It is important to me personally to trace his war history as he never talked about it much. Any help would be much appreciated.
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Sgt. Roger "Pluto" Peacock . Royal Air Force 40 Sqd. from Liverpool) (d. ) Roger Peacock was born in Liverpool on January 1, 1920. He joined the RAF in 1937 and was trained to be a wireless operator and a gunner on a Blenheim Bomber. His plane was shot down on July 26th, 1940 during an air raid near Wilhelmshaven in north-west Germany. He was taken prisoner and spent five years in German POW camps:Oberursel-Barth-Sagan-Heydekrug-Fallingbostel. He took part in the "Long March" before returning to Britain after liberation.
After two years in hospital he became a teacher. After his retirement he adopted the pen name "Richard Passmore" and wrote three autobiographical works published by Thomas Harmsworth Publishing London: "Blenheim Boy"(1981),
"Moving Tent" about his time as a POW(1982)and "Thursday is Missing" about his childhood and youth in Liverpool(1984). He died in 1996.
After being discharged from hospital in 1947 he returned to Germany on a bicycle tour. During his stay at the youth hostel here in Osnabrueck he met a young man living in the neighbourhood, who invited him to get to know his family. This was the beginning of a lifelong friendship. |
Pte. Alfred Edward "Knocker" Peak . British Army 2nd Btn. Beds and Herts Regiment from London) My dad, Alfred Peak fought for his unit as a boxer. My dad was a regular soldier who joined up in Colchester barracks. He used to tell us about his army days. I would dearly love to find out about his boxing and where he served. After the war my dad threw his medals into the river Ooze in Bedford. He met up with his brother Billy who was serving in the Royal Norfolk's on a beach when some stukas came down and shot the 1st and 2nd lines. My dad saw his brother killed and tried to bury him. He was at Monte Cassino where he got shot. He was also taken prisoner by the Italians for about 39 days.
I have my dads cap badge and also my grandads who was in the Beds and Herts in WW1. If anyone has any information I would really appreciate it, sadly my dad is no longer with us so we can't ask; I would dearly love to be able to tell my grandsons about their Great Granddad as they are very interested.
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Flt.Sgt. James Peak . Royal Air Force 102 Sqd from Hendon, Middx) (d.26th Feb 1943) |
Able Seaman. A. Pearce . Royal Navy HMS Forfar Able Seaman Pearce was listed amongst the survivors brought ashore from HMS Forfar. |
Sgt. Cyril Victor Pearce . RAF Volunteer Reserve 500 Squadron (d.7th July 1941 ) My uncle was killed on 7th July 1941 at Burnham Market. We understand that he was the air gunner in a Blenheim which was shot down. Having looked at various pieces of history,the pilot was listed as A. Leeson, but Cyril is not mentioned in any of the references made. He is buried at Harrow (Pinner) New Cemetery.
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Flt Sgt Ernest R Pearce . RAF I am trying to trace the wife or children of Flt Sgt. Ernest R Pearce who was a wireless operator air gunner.
I knew him very well when he was in the R.A.F as he was my Mother's younger brother and spent all his leaves with us. He was my Hero!
I have details of his last flight from Skipton on Swale when he was shot
down and eventually taken P.O.W to Stalag Luft 3.
I remember him getting married to Hilda (in fact have the certificate)
but very little since. I feel there may be children out there who are my
cousins or even Hilda. I do know Ernest died but not where or when. So
anyone with ANY info at all I would be very grateful. |
Osman Parker "Ommy" Pearce . British Army Royal Artillery My father Osman Parker Pearce MBE, LLB; recently passed away. He joined the Artillery in Newcastle at the onset of the war. He fought in the desert and advanced then retreated through Greece. Finally he was captured in Tobruk and taken to Italy. The Italians were relatively pleasant. From here they were serially sent to Germany in cattle trucks. He spoke little of his time in POW, just to say that without the Red Cross parcels he would not have survived. He said the Russians were treated the worst. His 'job' was a tin basher. He avoided anything to do with food because it provoked fights. He studied and completed his accountancy exams by post whilst there, afterwards becoming a solicitor. In an interview for his American grandson, he said that his greatest achievements in life were surviving as a POW and being awarded an MBE. I visited the camp site and museum a week ago. I do not think it was a time my father wished to remember. Throughout his life he would avoid arguments. Nothing perhaps was worth the anguish. He had dealt with things so much more extreme the pettiness of life did not come onto the same scale. He never said a word against the Germans. He may have told my mother more, but not his three children. He hoped for better for us and did not instil any prejudice. |
Gunner Reginald Ernest Pearce . British Army 50th Battalion Scottish Rifles(Cameroons) from Fulham. London) My ex-Wife and I are researching our family trees, as it is possible we may have already been related before our Marriage. She has found some references to her Father, Reg Pearce who was a gunner with the 50th. Battalion Scottish Rifles(Cameroons). There is also a reference to his being part of No. 284 Battery (AAKAAK), based at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. The unit had a pet cat. Every time she detected the sounds of the enemy bombers, long before the crew did, she would find her safe spot, but it was the signal for the lads to be ready, well in advance, of the enemy squadrons. One Italian squadron got a real pasting, and,having thus decided that discretion was the better part of valour, just dropped their bombs and fled, and, to this day, the waters of Great Yarmouth's Harboursmouth are still host to a whole collection of unexploded bombs, that. if moved, would wreck the whole of the town if they were to go off. Reg was also aboard the SS "Strathmore", and sailed to Port Said in 1945, being posted to Cairo and Alexandra, at the same time as my own Father, Will Osborne, who was with the REME Dance Orchestra out there. He returned in 1946 aboard the SS "Caroloinen"(Caroliner?). If anyone has any information, or any stories about Reg please do email and we can both enjoy sharing some history about our two families. Thanks in Advance. |
PO Stanley James Pearmain . from Hoadley Rd, Cambridge) |
Tpr. Arthur Edward "Archie" Pearman . British Army Recce from Sheerness) |
Albert Pearson . Army Leicestershire Regiment My late father, Albert Pearson was a prisoner in Stalag IVB, prisoner number 227929. He arrived there via camp 66, Capua, Italy.
He was in the Leicestershire Regiment, number 4868471, captured in North Africa early in 1943.
He spoke very little about his time in the camps, but he did say they woke one morning to find the German guards gone, and lots of Russians on
horseback. He and two others then spent some time roaming around the area, spending some time in a railway station. On one occasion a local family with several daughters offered them shelter, my Dad felt this was to try to protect themselves from the Russians. They declined the offer, also fearful of the Russians. They were later rounded up by the Americans and brought back to England. I'm not sure how.
I would be very interested if any one knew him or could fill in some of the missing information. Thank you. |
John Henry Pearson . Bevin Boy from Tallington, Lincolnshire) My Grandad, John Pearson, known today as Granddad Jack, was born in 1920 in Deeping St Nicholas in Lincolnshire. He was called up to be a Bevin Boy during WWII. All we are aware off is, he was based up in Nottinghamshire, he was based at three collieries, Cresell, Morton and TeversalL (please excuse the spelling) We as a family do not know more than this as Granddad does not give up his past that easily. |
Pte. Laurence Pearson . British Army from Birkinhead) Laurence Pearson was born in Birkinhead in 1926 and served in the 'Desert Rats' during the 2nd World War. Larry married his sweetheart Catherine Kitty Steenson in 1945 when he was allowed one days leave from the army. |
Tech Sgt. Ray Sidney Pearson . Royal Air Force 192 Squadron from Honiton Rd, Coventry) My brother and I were in Coventry during the Blitz in 1940 and 1941. Ray joined the RAF in 1941 and after training in Terrill Texas and Ontario Canada qualified as Air Bomber. He actually passed as a pilot but developed a phobia about flying the aircraft so did extra training to be an air bomber. He arrived to 424 Squadron at Topcliffe and took part in approximate 19 raids including 'gardening- laying mines' until Mar 5th 1943 when he reported sick with a painful lump in the groin. He had an operation for a hernia and was off flying until April 21st. When he returned from leave he found that 424 Squadron had left for North Africa and No 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit had arrived At Topcliffe.
Ray then did a mad thing, he volunteered for the secret 192 Squadron at Feltwell (see Espionage in the Ether by W and J Rees). These guys did all sort of things with RADAR and Wireless some of which involved arriving over the target before the bomber streams and hanging about after the raid had finished. Rays career at flying finished after the raid on Hamburg 27th July 1943 when the German defences were baffled by the anti Radar action with 'Window' and misdirection of their fighters by wireless and Hamburg was destroyed. It was Ray's last raid of his tour and he refused to fly any more. He was transferred to the Royal Signals. After the war he went to reunions and one of his comrades told me 'They should have given him a medal, not thrown him out. He brought the plane back three times'. And this was inspite of his phobia about flying the aircraft! A condition not unknown in commercial flying. |
Spr. Richard Pearson Croix de Guerre . British Army Royal Engineers from Liverpool) (d. ) I would be grateful if anyone could help me find out more about the Croix de Guerre medal. I have the Supplement to the London Gazette 16th January 1947 which lists this award to my father, Spr Richard Pearson. I do not know his unit, etc only the details as stated in the London Gazette. I would love to know the circumstances in which it was won. |
Sergeant Ernest Montague John Pease . RAF VR 106 Squadron (d.2nd January 1944) Lancaster JB642 bomber with the 106 Squadron on operation to Berlin, lost on the 2nd of January 1944. JB642 was one of two No.106 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. Airborne 0020 2nd January 1944 from Metheringham. Outbound, crashed at Hoya, a town straddling the Weser, 14 km SSW of Verden. Those killed are buried in Hannover War Cemetery.
At 18, Sgt Withington was amongst the youngest to die on air operations in Bomber Command. P/O F.H.Garnett KIA Sgt D.McLean KIA F/S T.J.Thomas KIA Sgt E.M.J.Pease KIA Sgt E.Edge KIA Sgt J.A.Withington KIA Sgt A.A.E.Elsworthy PoW was interned in Camps 4B/L3, PoW No.269841. |
Sergeant Ernest Montague John Pease . RAF VR 106 Squadron (d.2nd January 1944) Lancaster JB642 bomber with the 106 Squadron on operation to Berlin, lost on the 2nd of January 1944. JB642 was one of two No.106 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. Airborne 0020 2nd January 1944 from Metheringham. Outbound, crashed at Hoya, a town straddling the Weser, 14 km SSW of Verden. Those killed are buried in Hannover War Cemetery.
At 18, Sgt Withington was amongst the youngest to die on air operations in Bomber Command. P/O F.H.Garnett KIA Sgt D.McLean KIA F/S T.J.Thomas KIA Sgt E.M.J.Pease KIA Sgt E.Edge KIA Sgt J.A.Withington KIA Sgt A.A.E.Elsworthy PoW was interned in Camps 4B/L3, PoW No.269841. |
W/O George Peasgood . Royal Air Force 550 Sqd. (d.21st Jan 1944) I have been doing some research and it seems that my second cousin, George Peasgood, was a pilot in 550 Squadron, flying from North Killingholme. He died in January 1944. He is buried in Holland at Venray War Cemetery along with his crewmates - F/S W.P.Morris RCAF,
- F/S S.J.Richards,
- Sgt S.J.L.Jones,
- Sgt P.P.Clarkin
. One man, Sgt S.Sykes survived and was taken POW. |
G. Peck . Royal Canadian Air Force pilot 419 Sqd. |
James Peck . Royal Air Force I am trying to find a James Peck that flew in the secret missions out of Tempsford in 1943/44. He would be my Grandfather but we know nothing about him other than his name and that he flew out of Tempsford and would have died in 1943 or 1944. I can only find one James Peck listed in the Commonwealth War records that flew in the RAF, he was a sergeant from Nova Scotia and was killed on the 20th March 1944 and is buried at Brookwood in Surrey.
Can anyone confirm if James Peck did indeed fly out of Tempsford on any secret missions?
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Jesse Gene Peck . US Navy USS Boise Jesse Gene Peck served on USS Boise. I believe he was a gunner's mate. |
Sergeant J S Peckham . RAF 59 Squadron |
Vince Max Pederson . RAF RAF Lindholme from Denmark) I am inquiring about a Danish man in RAF by name of Vince Max Pederson stationed at RAF Lindholme 1941/2 My mother had Christmas card from him 1942 I was 9yrs old at time. He had escaped from Denmark,and he often came to see us and go about with my elder brother in Maltby, Rotherham. He was so happy the weekends he visited us, then all ceased. Does anyone know what happened to him? |
Ord. Seaman J. G. Pegg . Royal Navy HMS Forfar Pegg is listed as one of the survivors when the Forfar was sunk. |
Frank Pelham . British Army C Squadron Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry from Walthamstow) My Grandad, Frank Pelham, was a Desert Rat Tank Driver and mechanic with the Notts Sherwood Rangers. I have several of his papers including a letter of congratulations on the birth of my auntie from Philis Mcgrath at the Old Comrades and Welfare Association, his pay & service book, a copy of his standing orders book for drivers, and a copy of the "8th Armoured Bridge" book.
I'm desperatly seeking any photos that may be in circulation, if anyone can help I would greatly appreciate it. I'd like to make contact with anyone who may have served alongside my grandad in WW2
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PO A E Pemberton . Royal Navy HMS Nelson After the recent death of my mother-in-law, I found a silver cigarette case,which had the following inscription: A.E.Pemberton P.O. P/J 110609 "H.M.S. Nelson" 1939-1944. This seemed to be a strange object to find, because no-one in the family has any naval connections.If anyone could shed any light on the case, or a member of the family knows anything I would be most grateful. The case has what looks like a naval badge on the front. There is also a photograph of two men in navy white uniforms inside. My mother-in-law was from Leicester |
Millicent Byrom Penman . Women's Land Army from Lanarkshire) My aunt Millicent Byrom Penman was in the Womens Land Army during the last war. She came from Lanarkshire in Scotland. If anyone remembers her I would love to hear from you, thank you. |
Maud Penn . Women's Land Army My dad Alan Aldred died recently. He was called up for service in the Second World War and met a landgirl from Sunderland called Maud Penn. My Dad was taken ill and went back to his home in Bedfordshire to recover. Maud wrote to my Dad but his mother did not deliver the letters to him, therefore Maud must have thought that Dad did not wish to keep in touch, which could not have been further from the truth.
I have since found several letters that Dad wrote about Maud. 50 years after he first met Maud, Dad wrote a letter stating how he had never forgotten her and how he had been trying to trace her for years.
Maud may have married, and there is a chance that she may no longer be alive. However, I feel that for Dad, I would like to see if I could trace Maud Penn or any of her family. My Dad was married to my mum for 52 years, but I know that he never forgot Maud.
If anyone remembers Maud, please contact me. I would love to find her so that I could pass Dad's message on to her, which he had tried to deliver himself for years without success.
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Pte. Harold "Penny" Pennington . British Army East Lancashire Regiment from Wallflower Cottage, Slyne, Lancaster) My grandad Harold Pennington lived in Slyne, Lancaster and was called up in 1939. He enlisted with the East Lancashire Regiment and saw action in Dunkirk. He then joined C Squadron, 6 Troop, 53rd Reconnainsance Regiment as a driver, mechanic, group D,class II based at Maidstone, Kent.
He then saw action in France and Belgium with the 53rd Welsh Division. On the 7th September 1944 he was listed missing in action after he and his comrades were sent to capture a German general and 500 men who had offered to surrender. I have a letter sent to his father from HQ dated Wednesday 29th September 1944 confirming this information.
He was sent to Stalag XIIA, Limburg and on the 26th September sent to Stalag VIIA, Moosburg. His P.O.W number,87517.
There is a letter sent to a Ken Williams, Shrewsbury address who may have been captured at the same time but sent to Stalag IVB, Muehlberg.
Grandad was returned to this country on the 13th May 1945 and joined the 62nd TRG Reconnaissance Regiment.
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