RSM Albert Pope Military Timeline

Birth

1910

Albert Pope was born 5 April 1910 in Bolton. His mother was called Harriet Pope, and his father, James Pope.

Joined the Army at 17 years-old.

1927

Albert Pope joined the Army in October 1927 at 17 years-old. He enlisted for 7 years full time.

Left the Army and had first child

1934

Albert Pope left the Army and worked as a Cotton Operative and a Gardener during his 5 years in the Army Reserve. During this year, his son Donald Pope was born.

Called back up at the outbreak of WWII

1939

Due to the outbreak of WWII, Army reserves were called back up. After 12 years service he had risen to the position of Drum Major.

Appointed Acting Warrant Officer Class 2 and second child is born

1940

Pope was appointed Acting Warrant Officer Class 2, soon to be granted the rank of Company Sergeant Major. Pope’s daughter is born on 12 December 1940 as bombs dropped outside the window over Manchester, and Albert Pope was away at war. His second child was named Violet Pope.

Battalion converted to a glider-bourne unit

1942

Pope was serving with the 1st Battalion of the The Boarder Regiment when it was converted into a glider-bourne unit.

Promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major

1943

As a company Sergeant Major, he participated in the airborne landings in Sicily, where his glider landed in the sea. Pope was promoted to RSM after RSM Gardener was killed in Sicily. RSM is a Warrant Officer Class I.

Battle of Arnhem

Sep 17, 1944

Pope flew in a Horsa Glider On 17 September 1944, to the Battle of Arnhem, Holland, as part of Operation Market Garden.

Pope died of his wounds

Sep 22, 1944

On 22 September 1944, Pope died of his wounds whilst at the Tafelberg Hotel which was used as a hospital to treat soldiers during the battle. He was initially buried outside the hotel but he now rests in the Airborne Cemetery in Oesterbeck.