Major Andrew A K Pope

Andrew Alec Kyrle Pope was the son of Commander Rowland Pope and Agnes Pope, of Much Marcle, Herefordshire. He had two brothers; Michael, who served as a Rear Admiral in the Royal Navy and Ernle later Vice Admiral Sir Ernle Pope, KCB, Commander Allied Naval Forces Southern Europe, 1974-76.

He began military service after gaining a Territorial Army Commission as 2nd Lieutenant, posted to 2nd Battalion, The King's Shropshire Light Infantry (KSLI) before transferring to 1st Battalion shortly before Christmas 1938.

As the outbreak of war approached, he joined the Regular Army in early September the following year and embarked for Europe from Southampton as part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in late September 1939. During the German attacks on North-west Europe and France in 1940, Andrew Pope was seriously wounded in France on 21 May 1940. He was evacuated to the UK, but recovered sufficiently to be posted to the Infantry Training Centre of the KSLI shortly afterwards.

He became a Lieutenant on New Year's Day, 1941 and was posted back to 1st Battalion, later that month. In mid-February, he was attached to 30th (Surrey Searchlight Regiment), Royal Artillery and had spells with HQ 3rd Infantry Bridage and Ordnance Field Park, Royal Army Ordnance Corps in the early Summer, 1941.

In July that year transferred again, posted to HQ 1st  Division and General Staff Officer Grade III (GSO3). He was promoted to Temporary Captain in October 1941 and subsequently began his Airborne career, posted to HQ 1st Airborne Division as GSO3.

In early 1943 he was promoted to Temporary Major, before becoming a full Captain and Temporary Major in April 1943, posted to HQ 3rd Parachute Brigade as Brigade Major in late-May 1943, and was appointed Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General (DAAQG) the following February.

Pope emplaned for the D-Day landings of Op Overlord on 5 June 1944, from an airfield at Down Ampney, Gloucestershire. He parachuted into Normandy the following morning, and was reported Missing and Killed In Action later the same day.

Major Pope died on 6 June 1944, aged 25 years old. He is now buried at St Vaast-en-Auge Churchyard, Normandy.