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War memories of three family members

online resource
posted on 2024-06-05, 20:02 authored by Their Finest Hour Project Team

Harold Dyment (RND/JX335826), also known as Sonny, was born in Buckley, Flintshire in 1923. He served on MV Tuscan Star in Merchant Navy. He was killed in action because of a torpedo attack by 4109 (Captain Heinrich Bleichrodt) on 6 September 1942, aged nineteen years. He was killed in bunk. His parents never got over it and became alcoholic. His name is on a cenotaph in Buckley.

George Pierce (service no. 632691) enlisted in RAF at the age of around seventeen years. He was from Northorp, Flintshire. He was an engineer and went to South Africa. He travelled on boat via Madeira. He had kippers and two bits of bread and butter for Christmas dinner. He married in 1955 and had two children. There are photos of his dog tags but no medals as he would not apply for them. His wife lived in the same house all her life. George wanted to stay in South Africa but came back in 1947. He worked for de Havilland after the war.

John William Pickering, called Jack in his family, was born in Coventry in 1942. He was the only one of three brothers fit for service. He came out of the war as an invalid. He has a kit bag: P/MX117652 and also the buttons of his uniform. He used to write in different coloured ink to let his family know where he was. His 21st birthday was spent in America. He was in the Royal Navy and has handkerchief, badges and telegram. He was almost washed overboard while in service. He married Dolly and had a son who died young. His service records show all the ships he worked on from 1942 to 1946. He came back to flint and worked as a carpenter. He had arthritis, alopecia and PTSD. He died at the age of 48 years. He received the Italian Star, Victory Medal, Atlantic Medal. He served in Orlando.

History

Item list and details

1. Photo of George Pierce in uniform 2. Manual of seamanship with navy tags 3. JW Pickering service badge 4. JW Pickering medals 5. JW Pickering ID 6. Two embroidered handkerchiefs 7. Two photos of JW Pickering in uniform 8. JW Pickering kitbag, shackles, buttons of uniform 9. JW Pickering uniform badge 10. Ship K347 for JW Pickering- photo 11. Four photos of JW Pickering 12. JW Pickering death certificate 13. Medals and story Harold Dyment

Person the story/items relate to

Harold Dyment, George Pierce, John William Pickering

Person who shared the story/items

Roy Jarrel Pierce

Relationship between the subject of the story and its contributor

Harold was the contributor's father-in-law's elder brother. George was the contributor's father. John was the contributor's uncle.

Type of submission

Shared at Liverpool Central Library, Merseyside on 2 March 2024.

Record ID

119659 | LIV018