DOUGLAS SIDNEY THORPE
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Born: 3rd January 1922, Felixstowe, Suffolk.
Died: 15th January 1943; age 21; KiA in North Africa.
Residence: 33, Queen’s Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk.
Religion: CofE.
Rank: Gunner; Service Number: 906927.
Regiment: Royal Horse Artillery, 5th Battalion.
Body exhumed, identified and reburied on 7th June 1944.
Grave Reference:
7.G.5.
Libya.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Charles Edward & Grace Florence Thorpe, of Felixstowe.
Nephew of JAMES GODFREY TEBBIT.
Father: Charles Edward Thorpe, born 1878, Islington, London. A Fish Merchant and an Army pensioner – R.H.A.
Mother: Grace Florence Thorpe (nee Tebbitt), born 1887, Herne Hill, London.
Douglas was educated at Ipswich School and then articled to a Chartered Accountant. He joined the army in 1939, and later attended the R.A. Cadets’ course at Aberdeen University.
Douglas is also remembered on the Ipswich School Chapel war memorial, and the Roll of Honour at the University of Aberdeen and their Roll of Remembrance – published 1952. And in the Roll of Honour for Chartered Accountants of England & Wales and of the Articled Clerks.
On the 11th July 1945, a stained glass window was unveiled at St. John the Baptist Church, Felixstowe, Suffolk. The window, made by James Powell Whitefriars Glass Ltd., depicts the disciple St. Peter with an inscription in memory of Douglas at the bottom.
Royal Horse Artillery, 5th Battalion, fought in the Fall of France, as part of 3 Corps, losing E and F troops in the process. When it was reorganised, CC Battery was created out of G and K Batteries. The Regiment then served in the UK until it sailed to the Middle East as part of the 8th Support Group of the 8th Armoured Division. Upon arrival, the Regiment supported units of the 1st Army Tank Brigade until the end of August 1942. It served with the 8th Armoured Brigade from El Alamein to Libya and Tunisia, when the Brigade took over from the 22nd Armoured Brigade in the 7th Armoured Division, while it re-equipped in November 1942. The Regiment then remained with the 7th Armoured Division after the return of the 22nd Armoured Brigade in February 1943 and served with it until the end of the war.
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