Memories of the War - Roper, Reginald Herbert

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posted on 2024-06-05, 19:35 authored by Their Finest Hour Project Team

Father: Roper Reginald Herbert

His war: Served as a Gunner with the 57th Light Anti-Aircraft Regt., Royal Artillery, Jan-Jun 40-46

RE: Transcript

Went missing in North Africa in February 1942. Part of the British Eighth Army in Libya. Was with a tank - the crew of the tank was forced to abandon the vehicle. He stayed behind to look after them. Arabs (Libyans) looked after him until he was able to reach Allied lines and rejoin the British Army.

Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM), Mentioned in Dispatches. Photocopy front of Pages 29, 61 & 65 is mentioned - 5th Light Anti-Aircraft book.

Lost Medals - they were sold at auction because the money was needed. The man who bought the medals phoned their daughter, Margaret Payne, to check that the medals hadn't been stolen, and Margaret and her husband (son-in-law) bought back the medals.

History

Item list and details

1. One set of two folders 2. Frame of photo 3. Book 4. King and order 5. Separate document

Person the story/items relate to

Roper, Reginald Herbert

Person who shared the story/items

Margery Christine Payne

Relationship between the subject of the story and its contributor

Father

Type of submission

Shared at University of Plymouth, Plymouth on 15 November 2023.

Record ID

111154 | PLY025

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CC BY 4.0

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