Have You a Tiger In Your Family?

Rank : Lieutenant Colonel

Army Number : 52081

Unit : 2nd Bn, 1st Bn, 2/5th Bn, Royal 5th (TA)

Biography :

Educated at Uppingham School and RMC Sandhurst, Peter Upcher was commissioned into the Supplementary Reserve on 6.6.1931. Commissioned into The Leicestershire Regiment 2nd Lt. on 3.2.1933, and posted to 2nd Bn in Londonderry. Promoted Lieutenant 3.2.1936. He was a fine games player and did much towards the success of the Battalion rugger and cricket teams, both as a player and organiser, when they were at their peak in the 1930s. He was also passionately fond of golf, being a single handicap player. In 1938 he was seconded to the Camel Corps in the Sudan Defence Force with whom he served in the Eretrian Campaign and Western Desert. Mentioned in Despatches in recognition of his service in the Sudan Camel Corps in the Middle East, 1.5.1942 to 22.10.1942 (L.G. 24.6.1943), he returned to UK in early 1944 and rejoined 1st Bn, and was with it when it reached France in July 1944 and served as a Company Commander in North-West Europe. He was awarded the D.S.O. for his actions at Merxplas, Belgium, 30 Sep 1944 (L.G. 1.3.1945). He was the last Commanding Officer of 2/5th Bn in Italy and Trieste from 29.11.1945 to 5.1946, when it disbanded. Served 1st Bn in Germany (2IC from 30.10.46) from Oct 46-Feb 47. From June 1947 to Apr 1948 he commanded 17 Primary Training Centre, Glen Parva Barracks, and was then GSO 2 HQ North Midland District from Jun 1948 to Sep 1949. He was the first Regular CO of 5th Bn (TA) Sep 1949 until 1.8.1952. Served Sudan Defence Force from Dec 52-Sep 54, and in HQ Battalion British Support Unit SHAPE from Oct 54-Nov 56. He retired from the Army on 30.3.57, and became Regimental Secretary and Chairman The Royal Tigers' Association for 14 years, 1957-71. He was a Deputy Lieutenant of Leicestershire 2.5.1962-26.10.1972 and Commandant of the Leicestershire and Rutland Cadet Force 1957-62. In addition to these duties he was largely responsible for incorporating the Regiment into The Royal Anglian Regiment and stood in for Major-General Kendrew as Colonel the Royal Leicestershire Regiment when the latter was appointed Governor of Western Australia in 1963. He was Deputy Colonel The Royal Anglian Regiment 1964-65. On handing over his job as Regimental Secretary he undertook the research required for producing the first part of the History of the Army Rugby Union from its inception up to the 2nd World War including the Army Cup Competition; this entailed many months of travel and hard work before he finished it shortly before his death. It is a lasting tribute to him. In 1946 he married Rona, the widow of Major G G B Anderson, of the Regiment (KIA in Crete in May 1941; see Record Serial No. 1092). He was the brother-in-law of Lt Col J H Marriott MC of the Regiment. He died in 1980, aged 71 years. He has a memorial plaque in the Regimental Chapel of Leicester Cathedral. His uniforms are in the collection of Leicester City Museums Service.

Further information:

OBITUARY

Peter Upcher was commissioned into the Leicestershire Regiment in 1933 and joind the 2nd Battalion in Londonderry. He was older than the normal Sandhurst entry having started in the Legal Profession in Manchester before deciding that the law was not for him.

He was a fine games player and did much towards the success of the Battalion rugger and cricket teams, both as a player and organiser, when they were at their peak in the 1930s. He was also passionately fond of golf, being a single handicap player.

In 1938 he was seconded to the Camel Corps in the Sudan Defence Force with whom he served in the Eritrean Campaign and Western Desert.

He subsequently commanded the 2/5th Battalion in Austria until they were disbanded and had the distinction of becoming the first Regular Officer to Command the 5th Battalion, the Royal Leicesatershire Regiment TA.

On his retirement in 1957 he took over the duties of Regimental Secretary, a post to be held for 14 years. During this period he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Leicestershire and Commandant of the Leicestershire and Rutland Cadet Force and Chairman of the Royal Tigers' Association.

There was no doubt he had a tremendous task ensuring that the affairs of the Regiment were properly looked after and he did his utmost to save the 'Tigers' when it became evident that the 4th Battalion was likely to be disbanded.

He had a profound knowledge of Regimental affairs and was equally well known and liked by by both the Regular and TA Battalions. Nothing was ever too much trouble to him concerning the Regiment and he was always ready to give his help and advice to anyone seeking it.

Throught the many years spent in Leicester he was furtunate in having the able support of his wife Rona who never spared herself in assisting at the various functions and events in which he was so frequently involved.

He will be sadly missed by his many friends and to Rona and his family we extend our deepest sympathy.

A.L.N.

MOD Letter 6th April 1981 - Military Service Record:

Granted Regular Commission Royal Leicestershire Regiment - 3.2.33
Served 2nd Bn - Feb 33 - Jan 38
Served with Sudan Defence Force - Jan 38 - Dec 43
Served 1st Bn Royal Leicestershire Regiment (2 i/c 5.2.45, OC from 22.5.45) - Jan 44 - Jul 45
Commanded 2/5 Leicester CMF - Nov 45 - May 46
Served 1st Bn Leicester BAOR (2 i/c from 30.10.46, OC from 8.2.47) - Oct 46 - Feb 47
OC 17 PTC Depot Leicester - Jul 47 - Apr 48
GSO 2 HQ North Midland District - Jun 48 - Sep 49
Served 5th Bn Leicester (TA) - Sep 49 - Aug 52
Served Sudan Defence Force - Dec 52 - Sep 54
Served HQ Battalion British Support Unit SHAPE - Oct 54 - Nov 56
Retired - 30.3.57
Appointed to a TA/General List Commission for duties with ACF - 26.6.57
Served as County Cadet Commandant Leicester and Rutland ACF - 26.6.57 - 1.11.62
Deputy Lieutanant of the County of Leicester - 2.5.62
Resigned his TA/Gen List Commission and granted Hon Rank of Colonel - 1.11.62
Deputy Colonel Royal Leicestershire Regiment - 1.10.63
Acting Colonel Royal Anglian Regiment - 1.9.64

The appointment of Deputy Colonel and later acting Colonel shown above were made during the absence of Major-General Sir Douglas Kendrew in Australia.

There is no cessession date for the later appointment although it is known that Major General JMK Spurling CB, CBE, DSO was appointed Deputy Colonel Royal Anglian Regiment on 1 August 1965.

JE Treble

This web page was last updated by MKG on 30.3.2020.

Date of Birth : 30.3.1909

Place of Birth : Altrincham, Cheshire

Date of Death : 29.4.1980

Place of Death : Norwich, Norfolk

Civil Occupation : Regimental Secretary

Period of Service : 1931-57

Conflicts : WW2

Places Served : UK, North Africa, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Italy