1572596 Sjt Kenneth FOWLER, 77th Assault Squadron Royal Engineers

Discussion in 'Royal Engineers' started by mark abbott, Feb 27, 2020.

  1. mark abbott

    mark abbott Junior Member

    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.
     

    Attached Files:

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  2. mark abbott

    mark abbott Junior Member

    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.
     

    Attached Files:

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  3. mark abbott

    mark abbott Junior Member

    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."
     

    Attached Files:

  4. 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
     
  5. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    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
     
    Last edited: Feb 29, 2020
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  6. mark abbott

    mark abbott Junior Member

    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.
    [​IMG]
    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.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Mar 6, 2020
  7. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Post deleted at request of OP

    TD
     
    Last edited: Mar 6, 2020
  8. mark abbott

    mark abbott Junior Member

    Thanks TD
     

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