William Edgar Geer

This story and photos are are shared by the Trust with kind permission from Kevin Pumphrey, grandson of William Edgar Geer

My Grandfather was born in Birmingham to the Geer family. He had quite a few sisters & brothers. He was the eldest. He was a gilder in the jewellery quarter (he was putting gold leaf onto objects).

He met my Nan, Winnie Philpott & they "started courting", my Nan's words, not mine. They got married on 15 Feb 1936.

William and Winnie on their wedding day

 

My Aunt Barbara was born in January 1938 & then my Mom, Judith, on 7 August 1941. They all lived in Selly Oak in Birmingham. Next door were my Nan's Mom & Dad. My Nan stayed in this house until 1980.

My grandad was a keen gardener & attended church every Sunday without fail! He also helped to look after his siblings & parents.

After getting married he got a job as a furniture removal driver before the war. It was a trade in demand during the war due to the bombings.

He was conscripted into the Army in 1943 & was put into the Royal Artillery. He did his training in Church Stretton. The barracks is now a primary school which I've visit. He quickly rose through the ranks to the rank of Lance Sergeant in the Royal Artillery. Because he could drive he was transferred to the 97th Anti-Tank Regiment, RA & had his own crew. They were all part of the 15th Scottish Divison & entered France via the Mulberry Harbour on 12 June 1944. Him & his crew all stayed together until they were killed on a farm whilst shelling the Germans. 6 of them, including my Grandfather, were killed in the battle for Hill 112. They all remain buried close to each other in Banneville-La-Campagne War Cemetery near Caen.

My Nan never remarried. She only visited his grave once & said "she couldnt go again." She always told me she had part of him still here through his girls. Her hobbies were gardening, her 2 grand children & ballroom dancing.

I grew up with the legacy of my grandad & was very close to my Nan & Aunt Barbara. My Nan passed away in 1997. Barbara died a few years ago & I hope her, Nan & Grandad are all together waiting for me & Mom. I visited his grave in 2014 for the 70th Anniversary & again last week, 27 May 2024.

The photo of him was taken 3 days before D-Day. He was my inspiration to join the Army.