Private Peter O W Ely

Peter Oliver William Ely was the son of Alfred (Jack) John and Ethel Kate (Pearce) Ely, of Highworth, Wiltshire, he enlisted in the General Service Corps and served with The Hampshire Regiment before volunteering for the airborne forces. His service records state he transferred to the AAC 5 April 1944. Before this he was a builders labourer. He was well known and well liked by local people, and had something of a reputation of being a poacher and country side lover. He also played football and was a good amateur boxer, especially when he served in the Army. Peter was educated at Highworth and Kingsdown Schools and before he joined the Army he served with The Home Guard. 

Private Ely successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway on course number 114 from 1 to 12 May 1944. His course report stated “Keen and reliable pupil, good performer, high morale”. He was posted to 7th (Light Infantry) Battalion the Parachute Regiment and took part in Operation Overlord (D Day landings).

Records state that Peter left for NW Europe on 8 August 1944. Just 2 days later Pte Ely was killed in action on 10 August 1944, aged 19, and is commemorated on the Bayeux Memorial to the missing. On this day there were 3 fatal casualties listed. Pte Peter Ely, Pte AL Burden (commemorated on The Bayeux Memorial) and Pte JD Webster (buried at Ranville). It is possible that they were part of a patrol that was ambushed or blown up by a shell or mine in the Breville area. Records state that on 11 August 1944 at 0330hrs, a patrol was machine gunned at close range. Lt Howard and 4 other ranks were missing. Peter's service records state that he was reported as missing 10 August, 'believed wounded, now presumed died of wounds'.

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