The Wartime Memories Project - The Second War

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242120 Brig. Dougal Campbell McPherson MBE, MID. British Army Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers from:Barton Regis, Gloucester My grandfather, Dougal McPherson, joined RAOC in the First World War as an engineer serving in the BEF in France where he was mentioned in despatches. Working between the wars as an engineer/Ports & Lighthouses Alexandria, where my father was born, he later went to work as a mining engineer in Brazil (gold extraction) Morro Velho. After the sudden early death of my grandmother leaving my grandfather with three very young children, the house was sold in Brazil and he came back to the UK. A chance encounter, recalled by my godfather Brigadier Douglas Henchley (later serving in REME under my grandfather), in Whitehall with a former RAOC colleague called my grandfather back into service. The aim: the foundations of the new Corps, REME. He rejoined the Army in 1936 as a Major. He served in France at the outbreak of war in 1939 at HQ Division returning, with promotion to Lt Colonel, in the 8th Corps in March '40 and as Colonel in August 1940. He was posted to HQ Western Command as DDOS (E) at Chester in June '41. Moving later, promoted to Brigadier, in 1941 he became the first DDMO at the War Office, REME Directorate and later moved through Germany in action at the close of the War. Taken from The War Office, ME Directorate (G O Bell 1942) when my grandfather was serving as the first DDMO: "Brigadier D C McPherson came in from Western Command to head (Org) and to become the first (Ops) - and he remained in post until the end of General Rowcroft's tour of duty. "Mac" was a quiet, unassuming man who served Mass at Westminster Cathedral every morning at 6 a.m. before coming in to the Office. Always approachable, always helpful, he did an excellent job on the foundations so ably laid by his predecessor..." en route to Hamburg 1945   Grandfather inspecting Greenwich Barracks   REME officers in conference Elspeth McPherson Add to this record.  Related Content: Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 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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