Harwich Maritime Museum is appealing for the public’s help to find out more information about a heroic Dovercourt submarine captain who sunk U-boats during the Second World War.
After leaving Dovercourt High School he joined the Merchant Navy, mostly serving with the United Baltic Steamship Line.
While on leave in 1932 , he joined the Royal Naval Reserve as a midshipman and undertook various training courses.
In 1937 he began training in submarines and was made a navigating officer on HMS Ursula.
When the war broke he married his sweetheart and local girl Kathleen.
Mr Piper was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) in December 1939.
In 1941 he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and joined HMS Unbeaten where he won two bars to his DSC, one of which was for sinking a German U-boat.
In August 1942, he was given command of his own submarine.
HMS Upspring completed 14 patrols, and for this Captain Piper was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).
He was also awarded the Reserve Decoration in 1944.
Towards the end of the war, his experience saw him lecture in the US on submarine operations and he was made Lt Commander in March 1945.
Harwich Maritime Museum is now appealing for anyone with more information about Captain Piper to come forward.
Curator John Goodchild said: “Captain Piper was an extraordinary man.
“He not only survived the war but undertook an unusually high number of operations against a backdrop of many of his fellow officers and submariners being killed.
“Apart from showing leadership skills he certainly demonstrated commitment, courage, discipline, respect, integrity and loyalty, these being core values of a Royal Naval officer.
“This was done working in submarines which created increased pressure and responsibility.”
The DSC and the DSO are among the top six military medals in the UK.
If you know anything of Peter or his family, contact Mr Goodchild at good@goodchild.ndo.co.uk
https://www.harwichandmanningtreestandard.co.uk/news/25265283.know-ww2-dovercourt-captain-sank-u-boats/