Raymond Rogers worked for the MoD after the war as a civilian employee in the vehicle workshops, initially at Bovington Camp, and later in Singapore for 5 years. While at Bovington he had the honour of showing Princess Elizabeth around during her visit on 5th February 1949. He told his children that she said "Thank you very much Mr Rogers. That was very interesting!"
His daughter recalls living in the bungalow in Wool and running to shelter at the bottom of the garden whenever the sirens went off. It was sold when the family moved to Singapore.
In Jan 1952 he sailed to Singapore on the SS Empire Windrush. He returns 16/1/1957 visiting 48 Cranbrook Road Parkston Poole, occupation civil servant on MV Clytoneus.
He was a keen dancer and the photo shows him at a dance in Singapore with his wife.
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wool Patrol | Patrol member | 20 Jan 1943 | 03 Dec 1944 |
Motor vehicle fitter
Among the items left to his daughter was a Home Guard lapel badge, suggesting he may have been in the regular Home Guard prior to joining Auxiliary Units.
He never spoke about his time in Auxiliary Units and said little more about his work after the war. It is unclear if even his wife knew what he was doing when he went out on duty.
What he did mention, more than once, was that he had enjoyed a coffee in a local cafe with Lawrence of Arabia, who lived nearby at Cloud's Hill, Bovington, until his untimely death. Lawrence knew all about fighting behind enemy lines from his First World War experience and perhaps the meeting may have inspired Raymond to join Auxiliary Units.
He was awarded the Imperial Service Medal on 7 February 1969 in the MOD (Army) division.
National Archives WO199/3391
Jean Rogers
www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/44784/supplement/1408/data.pdf