The Wartime Memories Project - The Second World War

Those who Served - Surnames beginning with P.

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World War 2 Two II WW2 WWII 1939 1945

Asst.Cook J. R. Pinkerton .     Naval Auxiliary Personnel HMS Forfar

Assistant Cook Pinkerton survived the sinking of HMS Forfar, he was one of the crew members who had remained with the ship under the T124X agreement when she had transferred to Royal Naval Command.




Sgt. Robert Pinkerton .     Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve No. 99 Squadron   from Edinburgh, Scotland

(d.21st Oct 1941)

Robert Pinkerton was the elder son of Robert and Agnes Pinkerton. His father was a solicitor having offices both in Edinburgh and Perth. Robert attended Sedburgh School with his younger brother. After entering wartime service at RAF Padgate, he was mustered as an air gunner and posted to No. 99 Squadron, which was based at RAF Waterbeach in Cambridgeshire. There, he was assigned to a Wellington bomber, which went missing whilst on a bombing mission over Antwerp. The aircraft and the crew (all sergeants) were never found. His younger brother Alexander Carrick Pinkerton died during the same week on war operations. He was a second lieutenant in the Durham Light Infantry.




Cpl. George L. Pinkley .     US Army Co. L, 71st Infantry Regiment   from Gibson City, Illinois, USA

Cpl. Pinkley was wounded and captured in France during early autumn 1944. He was a POW in Stalag IV-B.




Ldg Wren. Gertrude Lilian Lauretta "Laurie" Pinkney .     Womens Royal Naval Service HMS Collingwood   from Got Abington, Cambs

Laurie Pinkney and friends

Laurie Pinkney served in HMS Collingwood.




Pte. Alfred Jack Pinnell .     British Army 2nd Btn. Seaforth Highlanders   from Conholt Park, Andover

(d.10th Aug 1944)

Alfred Jack Pinnell, was my father in laws wife's Great Uncle, I came across him when researching the family tree. Not unusual for me to find another casualty of war during my research but what struck me was that the marriage entry for Alfred was in the Jul-Sept Quarter of 1944 and that he died on 10th of August 1944. Perhaps he married his sweetheart before going away?




Frederick J. Pinnell .     Army Royal Army Service Corps. (d.17th July 1941)

One of my grandfathers' cousins, Frederick J. Pinnell, served with the Royal Army Service Corps during the Second World War. He was killed in action on 17th July 1941, and is buried in the Suda Bay War Cemetry, Crete. So I persume he was killed in the defence of Crete, though my grandfather heard he was killed whilst trying to escape from an Italian POW camp, though this was just a rumour.




Frederick J. Pinnell .     Army Royal Army Service Corps. (d.17th July 1941)

One of my grandfathers' cousins, Frederick J. Pinnell, served with the Royal Army Service Corps during the Second World War. He was killed in action on 17th July 1941, and is buried in the Suda Bay War Cemetry, Crete. So I persume he was killed in the defence of Crete, though my grandfather heard he was killed whilst trying to escape from an Italian POW camp, though this was just a rumour.




Rifleman. Frederick Charles Pinner .     British Army Rifle Brigade   from 23 Cymon Street, Bethnal Green, London

Fred Pinner joined the Tower Hamlet Riffles in 1938 and was called up in early September 1939. He was trained as a Signaller. This is his story:

In September 1939, I was moved from London to Lincolnshire to become part of Motorized Infantry, January 1940. I was then moved down to Wellingborough to be billeted out with a local family and carried out training schemes around Cambridgeshire. I trained as a signaller. (Signaller’s are employed as radio/ telephone operators, relaying messages for field commanders at front line Army units) Then back to Wellingborough to prepare for embarkation in Liverpool to Egypt in early November, arriving in Port Said on New Year’s Day, 1941.

When our vehicles arrived we became 9BN Rifle Brigade and joined 22nd Guards Brigade in the first sweep up to Agedabia to relieve 2RB in the first attack by Rommel and withdrawal back to Egypt. Part of our company were cut off at Dernia but managed to break out and get to Tobruk before it was surrounded, those of us in 9BN were later taken dock side and boarded the ’Water Hen’ an Australian destroyer to Alexandria and then by road back to Beni Yusef camp in Cairo where the battalion was then encamped.

Later in October/November we took part in the 2nd sweep up the desert to relieve Tobruk and then on to Benghazi area to take up positions and prepare for further advance. Once again we came under attack and set up a defence line we called 'Knightsbridge', but came under bomb attack and had to make a quick withdrawal. It was during this move that our wireless car broke down at night and three of us were left stranded. The following morning as we were making tea we saw a British truck approach us and we thought we were alright. But it was a truck taken by a German Patrol. Captured we were taken POW’s eventually arriving at PG65 in the Bari area of Italy July 1942.

We occupied our time with reading paperbacks sent from back home, there were never enough to go round, so we swapped books with other lads. We played chess and bridge with sets sent out by the Red Cross, As well as food parcels, which were shared by four men, we were generally sent practical items that we could use straight away, things like musical instruments or games. We also received food parcels from Canada, which were generous. This led to bartering things that we were not going to need with the Italian Guards. Tins of coffee could be exchanged for several loaves of bread as coffee was in great demand by the Italians, even though they were as hungry as we were. When our troops invaded Sicily during July/August 1943 our camp was cleared and we moved to a few different camps along the way ending up at camp around Northern Italy, (Campo F.57) which was taken over by German Guards when Italy surrendered.

At this time Prisoners of War came from many different camps in Italy. This led to a lot of confusion; the German Guards were not aware which camp we came from and as our compounds were only divided by low wire fences we were able to look about us and see if we recognised anyone we knew from other camps. I was able to spot my boyhood friend and fellow ‘Tower Hamlets Rifles‘, Bill Dean. I made a quick jump over the fence and joined his lot and we stayed together for the rest of the war.

In my case it was to a place called Freiberg (Saxony) to work in a forced labour camp, lead mine, until the end of the war. On arrival we were asked our jobs before the war. Bill Dean was a carpenter and although I was an apprentice compositor, I thought that I could manage a bit of woodwork, so I said carpenter as well. Our German Guards could not speak much English and we could not speak much German so we were asked if we had anyone amongst us who could speak German. We did not, however, we did have a couple of Jewish lads and they spoke Yiddish, It was suggested that as the root of the language was similar that they would be able to understand one another. One Jewish lad then became the interpreter (Übersetzer) and another organised work parties. This meant that the only two lads who never worked in the lead mine were Jewish. Everyone was given the same work clothes so it was impossible to distinguish what nationality anyone was until we tried to converse. Bill Dean and I were set to a workshop making ladders. The following diary written at the time tells part of what happened between then and my landing back home in England.

Fred Pinner’s War Diary, April to May 1945

Saturday 14th April 1945 Move from Freiberg by train to Dresden. Spent the night in open coal truck in Dresden.

Sunday, 15th April Move from Dresden by train to Pirna, spent the night in same trucks in sidings - no food all day.

Monday 16th April Move from Pirna to Konigstein - 15 kilometres march, had rations in the evening. 400grms of bread and meat. Halt near Konigstein Castle.

Tuesday 17th April Remain in camp for the day, rations today 400grms of bread, meat, coffee and sugar.

Wednesday 18th April Still in camp, will possibly stay here for a while. Rations short owing to theft, today we get 333grms of bread, two days issue of meat coffee and sugar.

Thursday 19th April Still in camp, last day of rations from Pirna, rations today 333grms of bread, coffee and sugar.

Harold, Bill and me take a walk to nearby village in search of food, with exception of a few remarks over the allied bombing, we were treated well by civilians that we conversed with and procured potatoes, eggs and bread. Also a smoke. Pirna bombed today.

Friday 20th April Still in camp today, Jack, Don and Jack go out for food with good results, they were also well met by the Germans.

Saturday 20th April Move from Konigstein to Hellersdorf, are split up on arrival over various farms. After a few days, I find work building a summer house about 5 kilometers away and cannot find time to keep a daily log. Our camp rations have been cut down due to the fact that we are no longer on the march but many of us, in fact most of us, have ventured out of camp and secured other food.

By bartering clothes, (in some cases had given to us), I had done alright for food through working, for which our sole wages are food and cigarettes at the end of the work. I was given 200 cigarettes for working in addition to the few we have been given every day. Sunday finishes the week with rumors of a separate peace or rather capitulation of Germany to British and American forces.

Monday 30th April There are further rumors today of Germany’s capitulation and although we cannot get confirmation, the attitude of the civilians seems to support it. There is also talk of a repatriation scheme to get us away in the next few days. Tuesdays ‘griff’ says that we will move on Thursday.

Felt rather queer in the evening and could not go to work for Wednesday. Bill deputised for me at work today. We heard that ‘Hitler’ and ‘Mussolini’ are dead and that another Government has taken over Germany. This news is confirmed later on in the day.

Thursday, Bill again went to work in my place, no news today of moving. No further developments on Friday. Saturday went to work myself. Very heavy artillery fire near here.

Sunday finds us with better weather. We have managed to get food and cigarettes all week.

Monday 7th May Were told immediately we arrived at work that the Russians were very near and expected here by Wednesday. Artillery fire is very close. We learn on arrival at the camp that we move tomorrow.

Tuesday 8th May Moved off this morning at 7oclock to Teplitz among columns of German soldiers, on the way to hand ourselves over to Anglo-American Forces. This proves to be the most hectic nerve racking day I have experienced since being POW. Until sunset the area and road through which we were marching was continually bombed and strafed causing us to lose several comrades. The Russians planes could hardly be blamed for this owing to lack of orders in the marching columns which made it impossible to distinguish from the air. When we were within five kilometres from Teplitz, the Russian spearhead had already come in from the West and the North and occupied the town. There is no sign of the rest of the F.57 lads and we decide to take shelter in a farmhouse and later go through to Teplitz. On the road we meet a German soldier who thinks he can take us through to American lines and after walking a few kilometres to Bilin, we are offered a lift on a truck but the road is now packed with vehicles, civilians and Germans trying to get through to American lines and after consideration we decide to stay the night and meet the Russians next morning. We managed to find a sheltered spot and lay-us-down for the night.

Wednesday 9th May We awake at dawn and after a little reconnaissance we find two cars loaded with food, tobacco, cigars, cigarettes and all odds and ends that had been dumped the night previous by SS troops. After this we decide to stay a while, have a good feed and move off to Chemintz in the car we have succeeded to get going. We move off about 5 o'clock in the evening passing the Russian columns entering Teplitz but find that the road which is the only pass through the mountain range has been blown up and owing to Russian transport coming through continually, allows only through traffic to Teplitz. We decide to return to our rendezvous and try again first light tomorrow. On our return we go to a house to have some coffee, cooked for supper and hear the news that the Capitulation terms have been concluded between the German and Allied Forces and something of the celebrations going on back home.

Thursday 10th May Awake at first light and quick meal, are on our way again but find that the road is still blocked so decide to make our way South to Karlsbad where the Americans are supposed to be. Passing endless columns of POW civilians and German soldiers going through to Karlsbad. We arrive at Komotau to have our car taken from us by the Russians, who are commandeering all means of transport. We find billets in a library adjoining a flat that has been vacated where we are able to do our cooking. At present we have more food than we can eat and out of the seven of us, four have stomach troubles. Our policy is to stay here a few days and watch for a further development that will take us on our way home.

Friday 11th May We are given notice to quit our flat today but have already secured other billets with some German women who are cooking and looking after us. Our only task now is to secure food for all of us which although yet is not difficult, will probably be in a few days’ time owing to lack of organisation. Food is where you find it!

Saturday 12 May End

August 4th 2014 Today is the anniversary of the ‘First World War’ and I am sat with my daughter I have discovered that she has rescued this Diary from the oblivion of the loft during a recent move and I am allowed to finish the above Diary, from Saturday 12th May to the safe arrival back home to Bethnal Green.

So now Back to Saturday 12th May 1945 During our search for food the seven of us came across a First Aid Post that was set up by a Scot. He had two lads that he had being caring for and then explained to us that a coach would be coming later that day to get them to a Repatriation Centre and suggested that we also wait there and join them for the first stop back home. By the evening we had arrived to join lads from all around camps in Germany. We spent the night there and by midday about 50 or so various types of vehicles had been found and the whole column went on its way to where the nearest American Forces were based. After being provided with clean clothes and an introduction to American cooking we were taken to an airfield where about 30 ‘Dakotas’ were lined up ready to take us in groups of 20 to land in Belgium, Those of us who were English were taken to Hotels to stay overnight and in the morning to another airfield locally. Then in small groups of a dozen or so boarded ‘Lancaster’ aircraft that were returning to England from their duties in Europe and landed us safely back home to the welcome ‘Green Fields’ of England.




Doreen Eva Pinney .     Royal Air Force 75 Squardron

My nan Doreen Eva Pinney, served at R.A.F Feltwell during WW11 from the years 1940 to 1943 in the MT section (Motor Transport)as a driver her service number is 2002699. she drove a small van and the ambulance but mainly took the men out to the field to collect their aircraft before the raids and also waited for them to come back. Her oppo (mate) was called "Rocky" Parker however the Rocky was her nickname and my grand mother can not remember her first name.

My grandmother has a few stories of her time. I shall give you an example; my gran remembers one late afternoon when the crews were back she remembers a lone German fighter swooped down on the field circled the airfield twice and then waggled his wings then flew off back home this pilot never shot up the planes or the field which surprised my nan and her oppo Rocky. In fact my nan was so impressed that she thought he was a cheeky little begger and she hoped he would make it home safe, as she has told me before that not every German was a Nazi!




ERA4. Harry Pinnock .     Royal Navy HMS Penelope   from Wolverhampton

(d.18th Feb 1944)

I didn't know my Uncle Harry, but I learnt about him from my mother, his sister. Harry Pinnock was an engineer who volunteered at the outbreak of war. He did his naval training at The Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. Harry served as an ERA4 on HMS Penelope and he died when the ship was lost on 18th of February 1944.




Roman John Pioter .     United States Army 823rd Tank Destoyer Btn (d.25th December 1944)

My uncle, Roman John Pioter, was killed in action on 25th Decmber 1944. His buddy was Fred Hahn who came by after the war to visit my grandparents. Does anyone know about my uncle?




Lt. Arthur Victor Piper .     British Army Royal Engineers   from Forest Hill, London

My father Vic Piper was employed as a carpenter/joiner before the war began and so was chosen to help train men in bridge building. As he died in 1954 when I was only 20 months old I only know a little of his army background from my mother.

He enlisted into the Royal Engineers, embodied Territorial Army on the 22/11/1939 and was later made a serjeant and then appointed to an emergency commission as 2nd Lieutenant on 1/10/1944. He was stationed at Clitheroe for a time and in Folkestone. Whilst stationed at Clitheroe I believe he was involved in entertaining the troops and that is when he met the opera singer Kathleen Ferrier and they became good friends. My father invited her to our home to meet my mother where she gave an impromptu performance to their friends and her voice could apparently be heard all down the street!

He was promoted War Substantive Lieutenant on 1/4/1945 having trained in 172 Class at 140th Officer Cadet Training Unit and on the 12/4/1945 was sent out to India to help with the bridge building etc there, returning on the 31/10/1945. I believe he was very unwell for a while in India, suffering from an unknown illness. From the many letters of condolence received by my mother after his death, from those who had served with him I understand he was very well liked and respected with a wicked sense of humour. I believe he kept the troops amused on the ships taking them to and from India.




Gnr. Jack Albert Piper .     British Army Royal Artillery   from Wembley, Middlesex

My Uncle, Gunner Jack Piper, was a wood sawyer in the Royal Artillery. He had a fine voice and played the double bass. He performed in "Stars in Battledress" (an offshoot of ENSA) during WW2. I am looking for more information about "Stars in Battledress", particularly of photographs of their performances and locations of places where they performed. Any information would be gratefully received.




JC Piper .     British Army

JC Piper served with the British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch.

Update: The Wartime Memories Project is no longer in contact with Dan , his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.




Sgt. P. M. Piper .     97 Squadron




Flt.Sgt. William Thomas "Pip" Piper .     Royal Air Force Novic Flt. 433 Sqn.   from Abbertillery

My grandfather Flight Sergeant William Thomas Piper flew with the Novic Crew in 433 Squadron based at Skipton upon Swale. The crew completed a tour of missions with the pilot and navigator receiving a DFC and the rest of the crew were Mentioned in Dispatches.

He joined the RAF at the start of the war in 1939 and was there until the end of the war. He is still in contact with 2 members of his crew from the Royal Canadian Air Force. Needless to say we are very proud of our grandfather and all those who gave so much for peace and freedom.




Flt.Sgt. William Thomas "Pip" Piper .     Royal Canadian Air Force 433 Squadron

My grandfather William "Pip" Piper flew with the Novick crew 433 (Porcupine) Squadron. He always had fond memories of his Canadian crew mates and at 94 is still going strong although the recent loss of his wife of 65 years has been painful.

He always has a funny story about Bill Novick flying the plane like he was driving a lorry but I know he has the utmost respect for him and has often said he flew Bill Novick and what a gentleman he is and still practising as a doctor .Amazing man!




F/Sgt. William Melvin Pipher .     Royal Canadian Air Force 142 sqn.   from Newmarket

(d.26th March 1942)




Roy Piquette .     RCAF




Sister Barbara Pirie .     Queen Alexandras Imperial Military Nursing Service   from Surbiton, Surrey

(d.12th Feb 1944)




Wiliam John Pirrie .     British Army Seaforth Highlanders

My granddad, William John Pierre, was born 1914 at 58 Innes Street, Inverness.

He joined the Seaforth Highlanders was a Japanese prisoner of war. He got the Burma Cross which he never received, so he told us. I would be so greatful to find out more.




PFC. George Paul Pisano .     United States Army 242nd Infantry Regiment   from Chicago, IL

George Pisano was my father. He passed away in the mid-1960s when I was a child. According to my mother, he never spoke about his time in the service. I'm researching to find out more about him and what he experienced as a POW while imprisoned in Stalag 4b Muhlberg Sachsen 51 13 in 1944-1945. There was a box of letters, pictures and medals that were a part of him that were lost after our move from IL to California. While researching online, I found out that all his military records except for a final paycheck and discharge certificate were burned in a fire, according to military records, so I don't know what medals he had been awarded. I would like to have copies of whatever medals or commendations he may have received and would appreciate suggestions on how I might be able to accomplish this.




Pfc. John T. "Vincent" Pisano .     US Army 2nd Battalion, HQ Co., Anti-Tank 334th Inf. Regmt   from Brooklyn, NY, USA

Homburg, Germany, 1945. Pfc. John J. Pisano,  Jr. at left. Cpl. William R.  Haskin at right




Pte. Douglas Bernard Pistell .     British Army Queens Regiment   from Salisbury

My dad Douglas Pistell was a prisoner of war in Poland Stalag XXA for 5rs. As said many times before on here he never spoke about it. I know no more of his war years other than this. No photos or letters where he was captured. I'm sure he must have been on the long march but is a guess. As both my parents have passed away I fear I may have left it too long to find much out. I do know his P.O.W. No was 13038.If anyone could give me any Info I would be so grateful.

He may have been serving with the 2nd/6th Battalion, Queens East Surrey Regiment which had to surrender along with the 51st Highland Division when surrounded at St. Valery. But that is only one probability as there were many battalions of both the East and West Surreys.




Flight Sergeant D J Pitcher .     RAF 59 Squadron




Pte. Donald Edward Pitcher .     British Army 68th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, 200th Bty. Royal Artillery   from South Zeal, Devon

(d.17th February 1943)

Donald Pitcher was born in Farnham, Surrey in the January to March Quarter of 1921. He was the son of Percival John Pitcher and of Ellen Adelaide Pitcher, of South Zeal.

He served as a Gunner with 200th Battery, 68th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment of the Royal Artillery. Donald died on 17th February, 1943, aged 22, and is buried in Heliopolis War Cemetery in Egypt. The inscription on his grave reads: We Shall Remember Him As He Was, A Dear Son And A Good Brave Lad. Mother.

Donald's name is displayed on the War Memorial in South Tawton Parish Church and in the Victory Hall at South Zeal, Devon.




Flt/Sgt. Henry Robert Pitcher DFM..     Royal Air Force 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron   from 104 Uplands Road, Crouch End, Hornsey, London

Flt/Sgt Henry Robert Pitcher DFM flew with 44 Squadron as a rear gunner in Lancaster in R for Robert PB417 and completed 32 operations. Their last was Operation Gomorrah on the 24th of July 1943 - destination Hamburg, Germany. The take off time was not logged by operations but I think this was 5.30 am.




F/O. Henry Robert Pitcher DFM..     Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron

My father Henry Robert Pitcher DFM RAFVR was a rear gunner in a Lancaster during 1944. R for Robert by my investigation.




Able Sea. Henry George Pitcher .     Royal Navy HMS Mauritius   from London

Henry Pitcher served aboard HMS Mauritius from 11th of April 1943 to 30th of August 1944.




L/Cpl Joseph Pitcher .     Army Royal Engineers (d.17 June 1940)

I am doing some family research and I am trying to trace what happened to my mother's cousin, Joseph Pitcher from Preston, Lancashire born in January 1918. My mother remembers very little of his service history but thought that he died at Dunkirk aged 21.

I have searched the CWGC website and found a record for a L/Cpl Joseph Pitcher, 1894169 in the Royal Engineers who died on 17 June 1940 and is buried at the Pornic War Cemetery. Unfortunately his age is given as unknown and there is no next of kin listed so I am not entirely certain if this is him or not.

It says on the CWGC site that many of the soldiers buried there were on the 'Lancastria'

I am a bit of a novice at researching army history. Is there any way of finding out any more information to confirm his identity and where and what he had been doing prior to his death. Many thanks for any help anyone can provide.





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