I have recently been fortunate to acquire the medals and associated documents relating to the above named. Kenneth Fowler was born on the 4th March 1917 in Burnley, Lancashire. He enlisted in the army on 17 June 1940 and those sharp eyed enough will note from his number that he originally enlisted in the Royal Artillery. As a pipe fitter/blacksmith it was perhaps natural that a transfer to the RE occurred. From his "Red Book", we know that he transferred on the 5th October 1940. As yet, the date he was posted to 77th Assault Squadron is un know but from his "Soldier's Service Book" it is apparent that he undertook a course of "S mines" and "Teller"on the 1 May 1944, presumably in preparation for the D-Day landings? The testimonial from Capt J.K Tarling is of great interest as it clearly refers to Sgt Fowler as having been a "demolition NCO and Troop Sjt since June 1943". I now need to discover which troop he served with and I hope the War diary may assist ( on order from Andy). The attached photo shows the medals and other items relating to Sgt Fowler. I understand from the family that the flag was obtained in the Goch area and subsequently embroidered by him in between actions. The field glasses were apparently taken from a German tank commander. Although I am still at an early stage of researching Sgt Fowler, I am most fortunate to have made contact with his family who are providing me with a great deal of information regarding his service. Further updates will be made to this post in future.
The flag embroidered by Sgt Fowler with the names of the places he saw action. The 79th Armoured Division badge is also embroidered on to the flag and is not simply sown on.
Sjt Fowler's medals. Following WW2, he re-enlisted in the RE and amongst other postings, he served in Malaya. According to his family, "They then went to Singapore where he was in charge of the drinking water supply based I think in the North of the Island near the Causeway."
The testimonial from Capt Tarling and the info from the Soldier's Book mean that Kenneth Fowler was a dem NCO (with rank of Corporal) since June 1943, and therefore part of an AVRE crew since that date. As you noted, his training on German mines fits with his role as dem NCO and the impeding invasion. He then became L sjt on 6 Aug 44, which means he probably took command of an AVRE from that date onwards, and later of an LVT. He must later have been promoted to (at least) Acting Serjeant in order to hold the position of Tp Sjt as stated by Capt Tarling, although this is not mentioned in the Soldier's Book. I would also be very interested in knowing in which Troop(s) he served, because I unfortunately have no info on him at all... Michel
For info England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007 Name: Kenneth Fowler Death Age: 60 Birth Date: 4 Mar 1917 Registration Date: Apr 1977 [May 1977] [Jun 1977] Registration Quarter: Apr-May-Jun Registration district: Wrexham Inferred County: Clwyd Volume: 30 Page: 0481 Kenneth Fowler 1917– BIRTH 4 MAR 1917 • Burnley, Lancashire DEATH Unknown (See above) Spouse: Father: Oscar Fowler Mother: Ada Brogden Children: Birth: 04/03/1917 Burnley Lancashire England Death: Residence: 1939 Lancashire Lancashire England TD 1939 England and Wales Register Name: Kenneth Fowler Gender: Male Marital status: Married Birth Date: 4 Mar 1917 Residence Year: 1939 Address: West Pasture Cottage Residence Place: Barrowford, Lancashire, England Occupation: Gas Fitter Burnley Gorp Heavy Wor Schedule Number: 4 Sub Schedule Number: 1 Enumeration District: NTNG Registration district: 472A-3. Maybe his marriage England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916-2005 Name: Kenneth Fowler Registration Date: Oct 1938 [Nov 1938] [Dec 1938] Registration Quarter: Oct-Nov-Dec Registration district: Nelson Inferred County: Lancashire Spouse: Mary Houghton Volume Number: 8e Page Number: 376 Offspring: Barbara J Fowler Apr 1940 Apr-May-Jun Nelson Lancashire Michael M Fowler Apr 1947 Apr-May-Jun Nelson Lancashire
Thank you for all your replies. Kenneth's family have informed me that he married Mary Houghton prior to WW2 but the marriage didn't survive the conflict. On a happier note, he married Sinda Martha Frieda Juliana Reich a German citizen in Scleswig Holstein on 16th July 1949. Amongst his papers there is a copy of a poem that was copied by him from a blackboard in a bombed out school on Walchern Island. The unknown poet being a Marine Commando.