Can anyone help me? Shown below is the detail of my Great Uncle Harry who is laid to rest in Ranville War Cemetery. I am wondering if anyone visiting the area or maybe planning a visit in the near future would be incredibly kind and take a photo or two for me? Finally, if anyone can tell me anything about him? I'm a complete novice at this therefore, any help would be greatly appreciated! Name: Harry Pepper Service No: 2020030 Died: 16/7/1944 Age 29 Regiment: Royal Engineers/274 Field Coy Your help would be greatly appreciated. Best regards, Mark.
Mark, some basic Background info to start you off. 274 Field Company Royal Engineers 2nd Line Territorial Army Engineer Company From To Division 03-Sep-1939 06-Aug-1940 9 (Highland) Infantry Division - UK based, converted to 51 Highland Infantry Division post 51 HID return from Dunkirk 07-Aug-1940 31-Aug-1945 51 (Highland) Infantry Division From To Notes 07-Aug-1940 16-Jun-1942 United Kingdom 16-Jun-1942 11-Aug-1942 At Sea 12-Aug-1942 08-Jul-1943 Middle East Egypt, Libya and Tunisia 08-Jul-1943 10-Jul-1943 At Sea 10-Jul-1943 07-Nov-1943 Mediterranean Sicily and Italy 07-Nov-1943 26-Nov-1943 At Sea 26-Nov-1943 02-Jun-1944 United Kingdom 02-Jun-1944 07-Jun-1944 At Sea 07-Jun-1944 31-Aug-1945 North West Europe Normandy, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany. This will allow you to search at Divisional level as well as Field Company Level, and should provide more information.
Following is the make up of the 51st Division, so that you can see who the Coy. fought alongside. 51ST (HIGHLAND) INFANTRY DIVISION [6th June 1944] 2 Derbyshire Yeomanry [recce] 1/7 Bn Middlesex Regiment (machine gun) 126 Field Regiment RA 127 Field Regiment RA 128 Field Regiment RA 61 Anti-tank Regiment RA 40 LAA Regiment RA 274 Field Company RE 275 Field Company RE 276 Field Company RE 239 Field Park Company RE 16 Bridging Platoon RE 51st (Highland) Infantry Division Signals 152 Infantry Brigade 2 Bn Seaforth Highlanders 5 Bn Seaforth Highlanders 5 Bn Cameron Highlanders 153 Infantry Brigade 5 Bn Black Watch 1 Bn Gordon Highlanders 5/7 Bn Gordon Highlanders 154 Infantry Brigade 1 Bn Black Watch 7 Bn Black Watch 7 Bn Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
And finally, my info on where the Division was at the time of the casualty. Actions along the river Odon 10th-18th July HQ I Corps 51 Highland Division 2 Canadian Division HQ XII Corps 43 Wessex Division 15 Scottish Division 53 Welsh Diviison HQ XXX Corps 49 West Riding Division 59 Staffordshire Division 50 Northumbrian Divison
I was advised that you needed consent from the next of kin, please tell me more? Thanks for your response.
Not too sure how this is going to look when copied into a post, but it should be the casualties for 274 Field Coy, in date order with links to the CWGC. ? 30SMITHA2077870274 FIELD COY10-May-41 25OGILVIEEJ2077707274 FIELD COY16-Oct-42 28ROBERTSONJC2003857274 FIELD COY23-Oct-42 22NESSP2765490274 FIELD COY26-Oct-42 34TOMSETTHE1882019274 FIELD COY27-Oct-42 35WATSONP2118775274 FIELD COY11-Dec-42 13HUGHESLJ2073286274 FIELD COY12-Dec-42 6CARRWP2145408274 FIELD COY14-Dec-42 21MICHIEJ2074318274 FIELD COY14-Dec-42 23NORTHL1951508274 FIELD COY18-Dec-42 3BARNETTJA1867786274 FIELD COY16-Jan-43 37WILLOXTR2070860274 FIELD COY21-Jan-43 17KANEJJ1908101274 FIELD COY16-Feb-43 19LIDDELLJI1877847274 FIELD COY11-Mar-43 14JEWELLGH2018920274 FIELD COY12-Mar-43 20LIPMAND1889221274 FIELD COY16-Mar-43 7COWIEADB2078416274 FIELD COY22-Mar-43 9DONALDSONAW2074617274 FIELD COY26-Mar-43 18KEENANP220971274 FIELD COY6-Apr-43 31SMITHG2077859274 FIELD COY6-Apr-43 16JONESJ2146118274 FIELD COY15-May-43 36WILLIAMSONA2115965274 FIELD COY20-May-43 15JOHNSTONJS2097349274 FIELD COY15-Jul-43 12HARDINGJA262527274 FIELD COY21-Jun-44 39YOUNGJT2126890274 FIELD COY23-Jun-44 32STEVENSKE1948953274 FIELD COY30-Jun-44 24NURDENSE2138553274 FIELD COY7-Jul-44 5CAMERONJD14402747274 FIELD COY16-Jul-44 27PEPPERH2020030274 FIELD COY16-Jul-44 8CUMINERC2885163274 FIELD COY19-Oct-44 38WRIGHTS2157153274 FIELD COY29-Oct-44 1AITONM14436984274 FIELD COY18-Nov-44 26PECKJE1876255274 FIELD COY24-Nov-44 29SHACKLETONRA228886274 FIELD COY15-Feb-45 11GRAHAMS1942323274 FIELD COY24-Feb-45 4BUNTINGJ2074450274 FIELD COY3-Mar-45 33SUTERJH323954274 FIELD COY27-Mar-45 2ARMSTRONGGR2074624274 FIELD COY1-May-45 10FRANCEL2002119274 FIELD COY1-Jan-46
Yes, the link works, thats brilliant. Apparently, another member has told me that I don't need permission from the next of kin to apply for his service records? Is that correct? I would love to find out a little more about him, as I said I'm a complete novice. Thankyou once again for your help.
HE would have seen a hell of a lot if action in a field Coy RE.It would be interesting to see the casualty list for the wounded? For that would give a true picture of the action they took part in Cheers Sapper
Yes, the link works, thats brilliant. Apparently, another member has told me that I don't need permission from the next of kin to apply for his service records? Is that correct? I would love to find out a little more about him, as I said I'm a complete novice. Thankyou once again for your help. If the person has been dead for more than 25 years you don't need it. Regards Andy
Hi , Harry Pepper was my Grandad , it’s the same one as the service number my late Nanna gave me is the same Mandy Pepper
welcome to the forum waxwing has not been on the forum for many years I have sent them a private message perhaps they will reply apply for his service records Get a copy of military service records You have his date of birth and his service number you will need to pay £30 the cert below can be used as proof of death Download certificate SAPPER HARRY PEPPER Service Number: 2020030 Regiment & Unit/Ship Royal Engineers 274 Field Coy. Date of Death Died 16 July 1944 Age 29 years old Buried or commemorated at RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY II. E. 3. France Country of ServiceUnited Kingdom Additional InfoSon of William Thomas Pepper and Daisy Pepper, of Leicester; husband of Ada Annie Pepper, of Leicester. Personal InscriptionIN THE GARDEN OF MEMORY WE MEET EVERY DAY. LOVED AND REMEMBERED ALWAYS
Mandy, as suggested above, if you are interested in tracing your grandad's service then follow the link to get his official records. In the meantime: To help with some of the jargon: X lists (Service Records) | WW2Talk Abbreviations in Service Records (UK/ Army/ WWII) : For ref. | WW2Talk Also: Photograph of the final resting place of Pepper, Harry - The War Graves Photographic Project (twgpp.org)
Mandy As stated above, However I see from the casualty card above that Harry joined 274 (H) Field Company on 8/7/44 which suggests that he was a battle reinforcement i.e. he was left out of the original invasion forces then sent to France to replace battle casualties. I also note that he spent some time in hospital and, indeed, the casualty card records the was discharged from hospital on 14/7/44, two days before his death. I have the War Diary for 274 (H) Field Company. I have looked at the list of soldiers, as at 1/7/44, whose return to the Company was requested, and Harry is not mentioned. I have also looked at the entry for the 16 July 1944 and sadly there is no mention of Harry's death, nor of that of Spr. Cameron shown on the same date. That being said, it is rare for Other Ranks to be named in War Diaries, other than a mention on the lines of "2 x Sappers killed". For information below is a transcription of the diary entries from 8/7/44 (date he left UK for France) to 16/7/44 which will give you some idea of the situation. Also bear in mind this was at the time of the intense battle for Caen - 8/7/44 - 0330 – Very heavy barrage opening the assault on CAEN. 0830 – 2 Secs. No.2 Platoon completing drainage, concreting of shower baths floor for bath unit at water point 118372. 1 sec. No.3 Platoon continue to maintain and operate water point at 118372. 0930 - O.C. to platoon tasks and 154 Bde H.Q. 1045 – I.O.to L.O. at 154 Bde H.Q. re minefields. 1100 - 2 secs. No.1 Platoon complete laying of hardcore on track from 113721 – 132726, and commence collecting and laying of hardcore on track from 132721 – 132726. 1330 – O.C. and Lt. Ford recce area 108734. 1400 – I.O to I.O.R.E. re minefield records. 275 Fd. Coy. take over track from 132721 – 132726 from 2 secs. No1 Platoon. T.D.9, No.1 Platoon, 2 secs. No.3 Platoon and 1 sec. No.2 Platoon commence work on dug-outs for DIV. Tac. H.Q. at 108734. O.C. with platoons at work. 2330 – Platoons cease work and return to Coy location. 9/7/44 - 0830 – 1 sec. No.3 Platoon continue to maintain and operate water point at 118372. No.1 Platoon, 2 secs each of Nos.2 and 3 Platoons completing dug-outs for DIV. Tac. H.Q. at LE BAS de RANVILLE 108734. 1 Platoon 275 Fd. Coy. R.E. under command for this task. 1 sec. No.2 Platoon still in area 132723. 0930 – O.C. with platoons on job at DIV Tac. H.Q. 1000 – 1 sec. No.2 Platoon in support of 154 Bde move to 112723. 1400 – O.C. to platoons on job at DIV Tac. H.Q. 1830 – O.C. attends C.R.E’s conference. 2000 – Platoons report DIV Tac H.Q. completed. 2200 – All officers and Sgts attend O.C.’s conference. General:- Slight enemy air activity from 0130 - 0145 hrs. 10/7/44 – 0830 – 1 sec. No.3 Platoon continue to maintain and operate water point at 118372. 1 sec. No.2 Platoon still in support of 154 Bde at 112723. Platoons preparing demolition stores for special assault task i.e. destruction of 12 chimneys in factory area COLOMBELLES. 0930 - O.C. to conference at 153 Bde. H.Q. 2000 – All officers and Sgts attend O.C.’s conference. 1 sec. No.2 Platoon lay mines in area 123710. Tac. H.Q., No.1 Platoon, 2 secs of each of No.2 and 3 Platoons move to rear assembly area at RANVILLE and await orders to move forward to destroy the chimneys at the factory at COLOMBELLES. General:- 1 year ago today since leading elements of the Company landed on Cape Passsero, SOUTHERN SICILY. 11/7/44 - 0800 – Special task is cancelled – infantry unable to take objectives to allow Sappers to carry out their task. No.1 Platoon and 2 secs No.3 Platoon acting as “back-stop” infantry in RANVILLE area. 1 sec. No.3 Platoon continue to maintain and operate water point at 118372. 1000 – 2 secs. No.2 Platoon return to location to unload stores, repack explosives in their cartons and return to R.A.S.C. Also return any stores drawn from 239 Fd. Pk. Coy. R.E. 1500 – O.C. visits location and returns to RANVILLE area 105741. 2030 – No.1 Platoon, 2secs. No.3 Platoon and Tac H.Q. cease to act as infantry and return to Coy. Location 100789. 12/7/44 - 1 sec. No.3 Platoon continue to maintain and operate water point at 118372. 1 sec. No.2 Platoon still in area 112732 in support of 154 Bde. No work on hand, platoons resting. 1000 – O.C. to 154 Bde H.Q. and water point. 1400 – Recce Officer recces bridge site at 079728 and track to LONGUEVAL. O.C. to 154 Bde. H.Q. 13/7/44 – 1 sec. No.3 Platoon continue to maintain and operate water point at 118372. 1 sec. No.2 Platoon still in area 112732 in support of 154 Bde. 0930 – O.C. and Lt. Stone met Chief Engineer and C.R.E. at PEGASUS BRIDGE. Recce made of area 079728 for possible bridge site and also proposed route from 111737 to 110730 to 111717. 1030 – No.1 Platoon take over operation of quarry at 109736 and maintaining and improving track from Bailey Bridge to154 Bde. H.Q. at 103732 from 276 Fd. Coy.R.E. 1400 – O.C. and Lt. Ford recce proposed route from 111737 to 110730 and 1 sec. mark same with pegs. 14/7/44 - 0800 – 2 secs. No.1 Platoon operating quarry at 109736. With T.D.9 widening tank track route and laying 250 yds hardcore on wheeled track from Bailey Bridge to 154 Bde H.Q. at 103732. No.3 Platoon with T.D.6 making tank route from 111737 to 110730. 2 secs. No.2 Platoon widening strengthening exit from proposed bridge 079728. 1200 – O.C. to 154 Bde. H.Q. 1400 – O.C. to various platoon tasks. I.O. recces roads and tracks in area LONGUEVAL – STE HONORINE. 1830 – O.C. attends C.R.E’s conference. 2330 – 1 sec. No.2 Platoon lay 720 yds single dannert wire in area 1071. General:- Flying bomb passes over the area at 0900 hrs, flying in a SOUTHERLY direction over CAEN. Enemy puts up heavy barrage in attempts to destroy it. 15/7/44 - 0800 – 2 secs. No.1 Platoon operating quarry at 109736 and completing laying of hardcore on track from Bailey Bridge to 154 Bde H.Q. at 109736. No.3 Platoon completing tank track from 111737 to 110730. 2 secs. No.2 Platoon completing strengthening of exits from proposed bridge at 079728. 0930 – O.C. to various platoon tasks. 1300 – Enemy shelling OUISTREHAM – COLLEVILLE ROAD. 1500 – O.C. visits various platoon tasks. No.1 Platoon recce and mark proposed track to CHARDONERETTE. 1930 – Lt. Shackleton contacts C.O., 7 B.W. and makes arrangements re covering parties and carrying party for the night job. 2000 – O.C. to CHARDONERETTE re minelifting. 2200 – O.C. leaves location with Company on minelifting job. 2330 – No.1 Platoon lifting minebelt 266 from 093712 to 090714. Nos.2 and 3 Platoons lifting minebelt No. 264 from 110715 - 102713. 16/7/44 - 0430 – O.C. and platoons return to location. 1 sec. No.1 Platoon continue to operate quarry at 109736. 1100 – All officers attend O.C’s conference. 1130 – O.C. attends C.R.E’s conference. 1400 – All officers attend O.C’s conference. No.1 Platoon marking tracked and wheeled routes “Briar” by means of long A.I. pickets, from Bailey Bridge to 154 Bde H.Q. at 103732. Widening track at 102730 and marking route from 154 Bde H.Q. at 103732 to main road 103714. Lt. Stone recces gaps in minefields in LONGUEVAL area and with 1 sec. No.2 Platoon lifts minebelt “A” and 275. 1130 – No.3 Platoon marking tracked route holly with long A.I. pickets. Bullldozing track from 111731 to 111717. 1600 – O.C. to 154 Bde H.Q. and platoon tasks. 2330 – No.1 Platoon gapping minebelts at 090715, 092712 and 092709 (Gap Nos. 2A, 3 and 4). 1 sec. No.2 Platoon gapping minebelts at 085717, 085716 and 092721 (Gap Nos. 1, 2 and 2B). 2 secs. No.2 Platoon gapping minebelts at 097704 and 098706 (Gap Nos. 5 and 6). No.3 Platoon gapping minebelts at 100707 – 103713 (Gap Nos. 7 and 8). All platoons wire sides of gaps with triple strand barbed wire. You will see from the above that from 15/7/44, as well as track preparation & marking, the Company was engaged in lifting / gapping minefields; the latter tasks being extremely risky and it is possible that he may have been killed whilst carrying out those tasks. Hope this fills out a bit of the background in which he lost his life. Steve W
Hi Steve Thank you so much for sending all that . There is no one left to ask about my Grandad as my dad passed away over 20 years ago . I do have a picture of his grave as my Nanna went to visit once years ago Thanks again Mandy
