The Wartime Memories Project - The Second War

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239887 2nd Lt. Alan Berriman British Army 2nd/5th Btn. Durham Light Infantry from:Fence Houses, Co. Durham Alan Berriman was my father. Born in 1912 in Fence Houses, Co. Durham, he was a partner in the family building company and was also an accomplished amateur classical violinist who had won many prizes. He joined the ranks of 2nd/5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (55th Searchlight Regiment), a Territorial Army Unit, in May 1939 and was commissioned as a 2nd/Lt with effect from 2nd September 1939. In June 1940 he was posted to 65th Searchlight (Essex) Regiment, and in December 1940 to 30th Searchlight (Surrey) Regiment. Up to January 1943 when 30th Searchlight Regiment embarked for French North Africa he saw active service with Anti-Aircraft Command throughout England. In French North Africa his service included appointment as Adjutant of 30th Searchlight Regiment and then as a Staff Captain at HQ, North Africa District. Early in 1945 he was appointed as a Staff Captain at Allied Force Headquarters in Italy, and in March was posted as second in command of 323 Independent Field Searchlight Light Battery in the north of Italy when the final thrust was being made against the German forces. As an Acting Major he commanded the battery for a period when it formed part of the army of occupation in Austria. For his work with the Czechoslovakian forces while in North Africa he was awarded the Czechoslovakian Medal of Military Merit, First Class. After the war Alan Berriman returned to head the family building company. He re-joined the Territorial Army as an officer with the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, and was actively involved with several community organisations as well as performing in many classical music programmes. He died in 1972. Geoffrey Berriman Add to this record.  Related Content: Italian Campaign Can you help us to add to our records? Add a record to our website. The names and stories on this website have been submitted by their relatives and friends. If your relations are not listed please add their names so that others can read about them Did you or your relatives live through the Second World War? Do you have any photos, newspaper clippings, postcards or letters from that period? Have you researched the names on your local or war memorial? Were you or your relative evacuated? Did an air raid affect your area? If so please let us know. Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice. Contact us. Celebrate your own Family History Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Secomd World War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc. Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages.

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