Hello Everyone, I have in my collection 8 letters written to a Pte A.F. Vernon of the AMPC. The letters were retrieved from a greatcoat by a local after a column of lorry's was shot at by fighter aircraft at Wijtschate (Lindenhoek). I would like to find out more about the incident and what happened to Pte Vernon. Regards Koen
42 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps (AMPC) | The National Archives Reference: WO 167/1278 Description: 42 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps (AMPC) Date: 1940 Mar., Apr., June Held by: The National Archives, Kew Legal status: Public Record(s) Closure status: Open Document, Open Description Access conditions: Open Immediately AUXILIARY MILITARY PIONEER CORPS [Allocated Title] TD Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps, May 1940 From this site - Pioneer Corps, 42 Coy, France (World War Two) - RootsChat.Com In outline: 13 Nov 39 Arrived France Nov 39 Located TEMPLENEUVE* – Part of ‘X’ Force (alongside 40 & 41 Coys) extending the MAGINOT Line 1 Mar 40 Located LA MADELAINE** working on the defence line North and East of LILLE, TURCOING and ROUBAIX 12 Mar 40 2Lt A A G Tulloch – tos 19 May 40 Ordered to return to DUNKIRK 25 May 40 Evacuated to UK 18 Jun 40 Located WESTCLIFFE and reforming. (War diary) *probably Templeuve south east of Lille **North of Lille
I believe his initials are AJ. Possibly Alfred James Vernon dob 28/3/1918 died 1999, Sunderland. Again possibly married Hilda Rosher 1946. In 1939 the family are at 9 Thomas Husband Street, Houghton Le Spring (as per letter). James Weldrake Vernon & Evelyn with (presumably) children William H Closed record Leslie Closed record Edmund Evelyn Amelia Closed record James was ARP and William H 11 Coy DLI James W Vernon married Evelyn Stokes Q2 1917 Gateshead.
Thanks everyone. The initials are indeed A J. In the letters he received from his parents and brothers he is called Alfie so there is a good chance his name is Alfred Vernon. Two of his brothers served with D Coy 11th Bn DLI, Pte William Hector and Pte Joe.
The same lady who found the letters also retrieved the wooden back half of a Morris Commercial CS8. The planks are still in there original paint scheme and have a artillery marking painted on it.
England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2000 Name: Alfred James Vernon Death Age: 81 Birth Date: 28 Mar 1918 Registration Date: Nov 1999 Registration district: Sunderland Inferred County: Tyne and Wear Register Number: D59E District and Subdistrict: 0581D Probable birth details England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2007 Name: Alfred J Vernon Registration Date: Apr-May-Jun 1918 Registration district: Gateshead Inferred County: Tyne & Wear Re-registration Year: 1918 Mother's Maiden Name: Stokes Volume Number: 10a Page Number: 1679 TD
1939 REGISTER TRANSCRIPTION Vernon Household (10 People) 9 Thomas Husband Street, Hetton U.D., Durham NAME DOB OCCUPATION James Weldrake Vernon 06 Jun 1895 Motor Driver Evelyn Vernon 18 Nov 1893 Domestic Duties Unpaid William H Vernon 29 Oct 1919 Labourer General Travelling Showman Sorry, this record is officially closed. Leslie Vernon 31 Jul 1923 Wagging Man Below Sorry, this record is officially closed. Edmund Vernon 15 Nov 1927 At School Evelyn Gallagher (Vernon) 23 Jul 1932 At School Amelia Wilde (Vernon) 30 Jul 1934 At School Sorry, this record is officially closed.
Anyone have any idea what sort of occuption that was ?? - something to do with a coal mine?? - it doesnt appear on this site which purports to be Durham based mining terms - Durham Mining Museum - Mining Occupations TD
Sorry, TD, it's our old friend 'transcription error'. Here's the original: Wonder what Wiilliam H Vernon did?