John Perrett

John Perrett was originally from Takely, Essex and worked with a large insurance company in the City.
He was conscripted at the aged 20 years in 1940. On his medical he was told that he had flat feet and was appointed Sergeant in the Pioneer Corps stationed at Clacton.
Applied many times over the next 2 years for OCTU, and was finally was posted to Essex Regiment at Leiston . It was during his time at Leiston that he met his future wife, whom he kept in touch with by letters, and married after the war.
Commissioned as Second Lieutenant and attached to Oxford and Bucks Regiment, and during this time was seconded to Highland Light Infantry in Scotland to train men in mountain climbing in preparation for an anticipated attack. (All this from a man designated to have flat feet).

Next posting was to Suffolk Regiment (now East Anglian Regiment) and attached to 21st Army Group to command an Anti-tank platoon of 6 vehicles armed with 6 lb anti-tank guns. Sent to Normandy just 20 days after D-Day, and because of heavy casualties was instantly promoted to Captain on setting foot on foreign soil. The initial push was to capture Caen, and from then to advance Eastwards to Bremen. During this time, hospitalized twice, not as a direct result of injuries, but blood poisoning. (Four years after the war, shrapnel splinters were discovered in spine)

After the victory in Europe, sent to America to be kitted out for service in Japan, but fate intervened with the dropping of the A bomb and later H bomb so was not sent.

However, the Army had not finished with him and sent him to Palestine to play an active role in the settlements there. On occasion, he had to survey the Haifa Police Headquarters, and reported that it was indefensible. He was ignored, and 3 weeks later building was attacked and completely destroyed.

It was during this time that John and two fellow officers were confirmed in St George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem.

On returning to UK, the pressure was applied to sign on, as there were on 12 serving Officers left in Regiment, and peacetime was far from peaceful!

Through John’s civilian contacts, and a bit of lobbying of two MP’s and leading establishment figures, he was released within 3 days.

Returned to City life in Insurance, married, etc. and after retirement was asked to set up the present Museum with volunteer labour and brought it up to standard that we see today. (Note to Editor:- There is probably another very good story here as well!)

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