BICKERTON, William Henry

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Rank: 
Trooper (later Sergeant)
Unit / Base: 
1 Commando
Prior Police Service: 
Staffordshire Police
Regiment/Corps: 
Royal Armoured Corps
Service: 
Army
Service Number: 
14241784
Service Record: 
WO422 / Apv000203708
Born: 
Tuesday, May 11, 1920
Birthplace: 
Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire
Died : 
Friday, January 6, 1995
Place died or last resided: 
Brixham, Devon
Age: 
74
Medals: 1939/45 Star; Africa Star; France and Germany Star; Burma Star; War Medal.
In 1939 William Henry Bickerton was a Police Constable at the Police Station, High Street, West Bromwich. He volunteered for the commandos enlisting 23 July 1942 joining the 2nd Police Intake at the Commando Depot (Commando Basic Training Centre), Achnacarry.
24.09.1942 posted to No.1 Commando.
08.11.1942 disembarked with No.1 Commando in North Africa (Operation Torch)
08.05.1943 disembarked UK.
01.06.1943 left the commando and posted 57th Training Regiment, RAC.
Later postings
22.12.1943 posted to Special Training School (STS) 54 (Signals Section Course).
02.02.1944 attached to STS54.
20.04.1944 Corporal, No.3 Special Force (SF), Staff Signals Section.
06.08.1944 embarked for North West Europe.
28.05.1945 disembarked UK.
31.05.1945 posted to ME129 and struck off strength 21 Army Group.
08.07.1945 embarked for India.
27.08.1945 Acting Sergeant posted ME81 in India. 
23.02.1946 W/S Sergeant, ME81; later attached Force 136 and RAC Depot (India Command).
05.07.1946 Struck off Strength RAC Depot, Class 'B' Release.
26.07.1946 posted W/T Reserve.
 
Sources
The 1939 Register covering West Bromwich, Staffordshire.
Service Record / National Archives file WO422.
WW2 Medal Cards.
 
Notes
He served in the RAF Reserve from 8 April 1941 to 12 September 1941 leaving at his own request.
 
Additional content: 
'North Africa - Operation Torch'
Police Volunteers
Archive pages : 
No 1 Commando

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