Richard Fleming Shearer Scotland India

Biography of Richard Fleming Shearer

Corporal Richard Fleming Shearer of the Intelligence Corps was born in Glasgow in 1908. He graduated MA (Hons) from the University in 1931.

Shearer enlisted in the Intelligence Corps on 7 July 1941. He had previously worked as a schoolteacher and spoke French and German. On 21 August he joined 2 Company at the Intelligence Corps Depot for initial training and was afterwards selected for Y-Service. He was posted to 6 Intelligence School at Beaumanor on 31 March 1942 for specialist training.

Shearer embarked for India on 30 September 1942 and arrived on 7 December in the rank of corporal. On 18 December he was posted to 51 Wireless Intelligence Section, which was attached to 112 Special Wireless Section and under the control of 'A' Indian Special Wireless Group. Shearer passed his First Class test for the trade of Clerk, Special Intelligence Duties on 5 April.

On 19 May 1943, Shearer was posted to 54 WIS, attached to 115 SWS. He was posted to the Wireless Experimental Centre at New Delhi on 24 September 1943.

Shearer was accidentally drowned on 4 November 1944 while on leave and swimming from a beach at Muttom in southern India.

[Additional information supplied by Mr John Condon and the Intelligence Corps Archives]

Summary

Richard Fleming Shearer
Born 30 March 1908, Glasgow, Scotland.
Died 4 November 1944.
GU Degree: MA, 1931; Arts,
University Link: Graduate
Father's Details: James Shearer; Joiner
War Service: Corporal, Intelligence Corps
Grave / Memorial: Madras War Cemetery, Chennai, India
View Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
Record last updated: 26th Feb 2013

Country Associations

Scotland Scotland
Place of Birth

India India, Kerala, Muttom
Place of Death

University Connections

University Roles

  • Graduate

WWII Roll of Honour