236947 Lt. Arthur Victor Piper British Army Royal Engineers from:Forest Hill, London My father Vic Piper was employed as a carpenter/joiner before the war began and so was chosen to help train men in bridge building. As he died in 1954 when I was only 20 months old I only know a little of his army background from my mother.
He enlisted into the Royal Engineers, embodied Territorial Army on the 22/11/1939 and was later made a serjeant and then appointed to an emergency commission as 2nd Lieutenant on 1/10/1944. He was stationed at Clitheroe for a time and in Folkestone. Whilst stationed at Clitheroe I believe he was involved in entertaining the troops and that is when he met the opera singer Kathleen Ferrier and they became good friends. My father invited her to our home to meet my mother where she gave an impromptu performance to their friends and her voice could apparently be heard all down the street!
He was promoted War Substantive Lieutenant on 1/4/1945 having trained in 172 Class at 140th Officer Cadet Training Unit and on the 12/4/1945 was sent out to India to help with the bridge building etc there, returning on the 31/10/1945. I believe he was very unwell for a while in India, suffering from an unknown illness.
From the many letters of condolence received by my mother after his death, from those who had served with him I understand he was very well liked and respected with a wicked sense of humour. I believe he kept the troops amused on the ships taking them to and from India.
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