Sapper John Pughe 2123345

Discussion in 'Royal Engineers' started by johnpughe1959, Mar 23, 2011.

  1. johnpughe1959

    johnpughe1959 Junior Member

    Hello all,
    searching for any information on my grandfather sapper John Pughe 2123345 R E. ENLISTED 1940 Served North Africa 8th Army some record of 55th field copany(may be during D-Day)De-mobbed 1946/7
    John Pughe:poppy:
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Do you know when he enlisted in 1940-I'm wondering if he went to France.

    Cheers
    Andy
     
  3. Mike L

    Mike L Very Senior Member

    Hi John and welcome.
    A few RE experts (and veterans) on the forum, sure someone who can help will be along soon.
    Good luck.
     
  4. johnpughe1959

    johnpughe1959 Junior Member

    He enlisted 1941,not 1940(sorry)an served in North Africa,EL Alamein-Sicily,Salerno-D-Day-France-Germany Remagan -Holland(Venlo)
    Regards John
     
  5. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    No probs, if you know what units he was with I would seriously consider getting copies of the units war diaries through his service. They will give you the most information.

    Cheers
    Andy
     
    johnpughe1959 likes this.
  6. johnpughe1959

    johnpughe1959 Junior Member

    I remember one minefield he encounted was called "The Devils Garden",and that some mine cases were made from wood and possibly some form of bakelite not sure.
    Regards John.

    http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=413&p
     
  7. johnpughe1959

    johnpughe1959 Junior Member

    Hello a few pictures of sapper John Pughe 2123345 :poppy:
     

    Attached Files:

  8. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Great pics - especially the first one ;)

    Was he always in the Engineers? The cap badge in the 2nd pic doesn't look RE to me.

    Andy
     
  9. johnpughe1959

    johnpughe1959 Junior Member

    Hi Andy,as far I can recall he was only in the Royal Engineers,but attatched to many units.He may have worn another soldiers cap for the sitting .First picture was more than likely taken in UK. 2nd and 3rd may be Africa or Sicily,not sure will have to ask my uncle.
    Regards John.
     
  10. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    The first one is early in the war or even pre WW2 hence my week-My interest in WW2 stops around June 1940 :D
     
  11. airborne medic

    airborne medic Very Senior Member

    I take it you do not have his service record??
     
  12. johnpughe1959

    johnpughe1959 Junior Member

    Does any one have info about Venlo,Holland. My grandfather was there, not sure of dates.Asi have said ,he was in the 55th field reg,but all i can find is the 71th 72nd 73 rd and 503 field companiesR.E.and 277 corps field park company R.E.
    Where was the 55th, or is it possible that he was transferred to one of the other corps.
    He told me of the starvation and hunger of the local people.Children would beg for food. Many soldiers giving them their rations,thinking of their own children back home.
    Regards John
    .
     
  13. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Field Regiments are Artillery mate, Engineers are Field Companies. As Airborne Medic says, do you have his service records?

    Regards
    Andy
     
  14. Oldman

    Oldman Very Senior Member

    55 Field Company RE Regular 3 Sept 39 Catterick Camp Mobilized 3 Sept 39 as GHQ unit. Sent to Norway 4 April 1940 (Serving Andalsnes and Namsos) withdrawing 3 June 1940.
    Assigned 55 Infantry Division 18 Jul 1940 relieved 22 Jan 1943 no other information available
     
  15. johnpughe1959

    johnpughe1959 Junior Member

    As,info put on forum is from old notes and photographs,some mine some my uncles.His service record is still somewhere in my house,and i am searching through many boxe's and old suitcases of old family papers.
    If i do not find his record soon ,will apply for a copy.
    Most of what I recount is from memory,my grandfather lived with us untill he died in 1984 aged only 73 .I remember with much affection his talks.

    Regards John.
     
  16. RemeDesertRat

    RemeDesertRat Very Senior Member

    Hello a few pictures of sapper John Pughe 2123345 :poppy:

    Mmmm! that wall and railings look familiar!! :)
    Wonder if some enterprising local set himself up as photographer to the British Army!! :D

    Dads photo is captioned: Cairo
     

    Attached Files:

    johnpughe1959 likes this.
  17. BFBSM

    BFBSM Very Senior Member

    Mmmm! that wall and railings look familiar!! :)
    Wonder if some enterprising local set himself up as photographer to the British Army!! :D

    Dads photo is captioned: Cairo

    Think you must be right.

    Looks like the same wall in my grandfather's photo.
    Harrywithamate.jpg
     
  18. johnpughe1959

    johnpughe1959 Junior Member

    I must agree ,the railings and wall are the same,so are the socks.Have you a date for the picture?
    Regards John.
     
  19. johnpughe1959

    johnpughe1959 Junior Member

    Wonderful pictures,how many more out there.What is location?

    Thank you,RemeDesertRatand BFBSM.

    Regards John.
     
  20. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    BFBSM's is the same. Its got that same chip missing in the wall. Quite remarkable and well spotted.
     

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