The son of Herbert Henry and Mabel Pollard (later Davis) he married Mary Oxley in 1932. His father Herbert and Grandfather Henry William were all local builders owning Messrs H.W Pollard & Sons. Their office being on Monmouth Street, Bridgwater. In 2021 the business closed after 160 years trading.
Henry was the Mayor of Bridgwater 7 times.
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spaxton Patrol | Patrol member | 22 Jan 1941 | 02 Mar 1944 |
| Mobile Construction Unit 77 | SOE Agent | 05 Aug 1944 | 11 Jan 1946 |
Taunton School 1918-1924
Master builder
In 1939 he was an ARP Demolition Squad. He left Auxiliary Units later in the war.
He was commissioned 2nd March 1944 and joined Corps of Royal Engineers as 2nd Lieutenant 306811. He was posted to 680 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers, a line of communication general construction unit composed of building trade specialists.
Cyril went on to join SOE 30 June 1944 as an Officer in the Properties Section. He served with Mobile Construction Unit 77, the construction wing of SOE. Their work included building SOE’s wireless transmitters and receivers. He was signed off and returned to Royal Engineers 10 Jan 1946. His SOE reference states: This Officer has a sound technical and practical knowledge of the building trade, is a capable administrator and carries out his duties in a competent manner. Possesses a marked ability in handling men and is a good mixer.
In 1957 he attended a screening of “Ill Met by Moonlight” to hear his Wellington born and educated brother-in-law David Oxley, talk about playing SOE Agent Billy Moss in the film, which recounts the true story of the capture of a German General by SOE on Crete. Dirk Bogarde played the starring role.
TNA ref WO199/3390&1
SOE file at HS9/1200/4 accessed by Philip Tomaselli via David Coppin
1939 Register
Medal card
Chris Perry
SOE Wireless Facilities construction
Taunto No Courier 25 Apr 1957