Bill Purrett from Rickmansworth - REME - 1946/47 in Hemer

Dear all,
I know this is a long shot, but I am searching for people
that served with my grandfather in Hemer in 1945-1947.

My late grandfather's name was William "Bill" Purrett (born in 1920).
Bill lived and was born in Rickmansworth before the war and returned there again in 1947.
He was a mechanic and served in the REME (Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers)
as a Sergeant.

I already was able to gather some info on his life after the war,
but I am hoping that someone knew him personally during the war
or the short period of time that he spent in Hemer after the war.

He was supposed to have lived in a street called Merkische Strasse.
I might be wrong about that though.

I am aware of the fact that anyone who knew him personally back then,
must be at least 90 years old.
One never knows, perhaps I am lucky.

Many thanks in advance!

With best wishes
Eric

I doubt if anyone on here would have know him Eric,but i`m sure someone will point you in the right direction to find out more.
Good luck in your search

Gordon. wrote:

I doubt if anyone on here would have know him Eric,but i`m sure someone will point you in the right direction to find out more.
Good luck in your search

Thanks for your fast reply.
I am sure that nobody knew him personally,
but perhaps someone here knows somebody that knew somebody ...

Thanks for the good luck wishes!

rickycarpenter wrote:

Dear all,
I know this is a long shot, but I am searching for people
that served with my grandfather in Hemer in 1945-1947.

My late grandfather's name was William "Bill" Purrett (born in 1920).
Bill lived and was born in Rickmansworth before the war and returned there again in 1947.
He was a mechanic and served in the REME (Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers)
as a Sergeant.

I already was able to gather some info on his life after the war,
but I am hoping that someone knew him personally during the war
or the short period of time that he spent in Hemer after the war.

He was supposed to have lived in a street called Merkische Strasse.
I might be wrong about that though.

I am aware of the fact that anyone who knew him personally back then,
must be at least 90 years old.
One never knows, perhaps I am lucky.

Many thanks in advance!

With best wishes
Eric

Hi Eric
Do you have any idea of which unit your Grandfather was with as here are the units up to Oct 46 you will see the Belgium Army then took over
http://baor-locations.co.uk/Hemer.aspx
Could he have been 1st Corps District REME Workshop to the north of Iserlohn the unit disbanded in July 47 and close to Märkische Strasse
Best regards
Steve

http://britisharmyiniserlohn.blogspot.com/

Hi Steve,
many thanks for your reply, as well.

I can't answer your questions for sure.
The only person who might have known was Bill's late wife.
Sad but true: She died in 2007.
Bill on the other hand already died in 1971 - only beeing 51 years of age.
Then again: My father's mother also died in 2007 - so there is noone left to ask.

All I really know was that he was a machanic specialized in repairing
cars and (perhaps also) motorbikes.

He learned his profession before the war as an apprentice in 1934 or 1935
and he was a member of the Territorial Army and was one of the first
to be called up for service when war broke out in 1939.

He was posted to Germany (already had joined REME at that point),
when Arnhem was invaded.

And as I wrote before: He left Germany in 1947.
Which would fit him being a member of the "1st Coprs District REME Workshop".

As far as I know he didn't live in an army's barrack.
We were told he rented a flat iny my aunt's house on "Märkische Straße".
That's how he must have met my grandmother.

One very dumb question:
Somewhere I have some old photos showing my grandfather in his uniform.
Is it possible that some of the signs indicating his military rank also should give
hints, which unit he was part of?

THANKS:
This is much more information than I thought I'd get anyway.

Best regards
Eric

Eric
My avatar is the formation "White Spear" badge for 1st Corps then 1st Corps District from May 45 until disbandment Jun 47 if he is wearing a Polar Bear then 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division who were next door in Hemer until disbandment Oct 46
http://www.polar-bear-association.org.uk/
All the best
Steve

Eric

Steve is our resident expert on the early days of BAOR especially the Iserlohn area

However you might try RHQ REME for help (will pm you contact details separately)

A REME DDay veteran has just written a book on his experiences so there is still a chance you might find some information about your father's wartime serviceremer

Many thanks so far!
Still haven't managed to find the old photos of my grandfather.
I have to ask my father, where he keeps them.
Will post the info as soon as I have find it, though I don't think
that one can identify the badges on his uniform.

Would love to read that book!

I will get back to you all.

Best regards
Eric

Eric

This forum loves a challenge!

If you flick back through the forum archives you would be surprised at the amount of accurate info which can be unearthed by the sleuths here present

Do hope therefore you are able to located the photo of your late grandfather in uniform