Hello all, I'm researching my local war memorial (Brompton-on-Swale, near Richmond North Yorkshire) and one of those commemorated in Sapper Harold Lyth. He and (it seems) 4 others of the 19th Bomb Disposal Company died in a single incident. Those who died on 23 April 1941 were: 3311879 Sapper William James Gibson, 19 Bomb Disposal Company, RE 2197682 Sergeant Stanley Edward Gray, 19 Bomb Disposal Company, RE 1864049 Sapper Harold Lyth, 19 Bomb Disposal Company, RE (and on following day from wounds?) 2127226 Sapper William McShane, 19 Bomb Disposal Company, RE 2129069 Sapper Joseph Smith,19 Bomb Disposal Company, RE See: http://www.royalengineersbombdisposal-eod.org.uk/23_april_1941.html I also see that 19 BD Co, were formed in Bedford in Oct 1940 under Major L P Hodgkinson. Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal Officers Club - Bomb Disposal History but I don't know where they had men in April 1941 I guess that knowing what bombing raids happened around those nights would also help. I do know that 22/23rd April was the Portland Square raid on Plymouth (where 70 civilians died), but not too sure what else was happening. Is there a list of air raids anywhere? Thanks as always Pete
You might want to nudge Clive (CL1) he's got a full set of those books. I can't get to mine but I'm sure he'd be happy to have a look. I would work back from the 23rd April as the bomb(s) may have been there for a day or so before being worked on. Regards Andy
Pete, Plymouth is where you need to look. Name: William J Gibson Death Registration Month/Year: 1941 Age at death (estimated): 23 Registration district: Plymouth Inferred County: Devonshire Name: Stanley E Gray Death Registration Month/Year: 1941 Age at death (estimated): 24 Registration district: Plymouth Inferred County: Devonshire Name: Harold Lyth Death Registration Month/Year: 1941 Age at death (estimated): 35 Registration district: Plymouth Inferred County: Devonshire Name: William Mcshane Death Registration Month/Year: 1941 Age at death (estimated): 21 Registration district: Plymouth Inferred County: Devonshire Name: Joseph Smith Death Registration Month/Year: 1941 Age at death (estimated): 21 Registration district: Plymouth Inferred County: Devonshire I have recently researched a member of 7 Bomb Disposal Coy who was killed in Plymouth in the March 1941, the men of the Bomb Disposal Coys where all volunteers, and once enlisted had to serve a minimum of 6 months before they could opt for transfer. Here is the Army ROH for Harold Lyth Name: Harold Lyth Given Initials: H Rank: Sapper Death Date: 23 Apr 1941 Number: 1864049 Residence: Leeds Regiment at Enlistment: Royal Engineers Branch at Enlistment: Other Corps Theatre of War: United Kingdom Regiment at Death: Royal Engineers Branch at Death: Other Corps I found the following very good background info Plymouth, Second World WarX |X Plymouth Blitz (April 1941)
Some background info on Harold Lyth Born early 1907 Name: Harold Lyth Year of Registration: 1907 Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar District: Scarborough County: Yorkshire - East Riding, Yorkshire - North Riding, North Yorkshire Married 1927 Name: Harold Lyth Spouse Name Edith Mary Appleton Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1927 Registration district: Bedale Registration county (inferred): Yorkshire - North Riding Children Name: Edith M Lyth (Died in infancy) Mother: Appleton Birth: Jan Feb Mar 1928 - Bedale, Yorkshire Name: Joy Lyth Mother: Appleton Birth: Jul Aug Sep 1930 - Richmond Y, Yorkshire Name: Peter Lyth Mother: Appleton Birth: Apr May Jun 1932 - Richmond Y., Yorkshire Name: June Lyth Mother: Appleton Birth: Jul Aug Sep 1935 - Richmond Y, Yorkshire Name: Patricia Lyth Mother: Appleton Birth: Oct Nov Dec 1939 - Richmond Y, Yorkshire Sadly the wide appears to have died at an early age too Name: Edith M Lyth Death Registration Month/Year: 1954 Age at death (estimated): 42 Registration district: Northallerton Inferred County: Yorkshire North Riding 1911 Census showing Harold Lyth Person: LYTH, Harold Address: 21 Windsor Street York ARNOLD, Arthur Goodwin Head Married M 35 1876 Carriage Trimmer Yorks Scarborough ARNOLD, Lillian H M Wife Married 9 years F 34 1877 Yorks Middlesboro ARNOLD, William Henry Son M 8 1903 Yorks Scarborough ARNOLD, Dorothy Daughter F 5 1906 Yorks York LYTH, William Father In Law Widower M 83 1828 Retired Butcher Yorks Scarborough LYTH, Harold Nephew M 4 1907 Yorks Scarborough
Thanks very much for taking the trouble to find out all this information Phil. I have just spoken to my parents as the children (Joy, Peter, June & Pat) are all about their age and from Richmond, and it turns out they know them all really very well - in fact I went to school with two of the grandchildren (children of Pat). Finally, I think that must be another Edith Lyth you have found, because our Edith's grave is actually next to Harolds and she lived until the age of 95. There is a picture of both here (I thought it was nice that they posted a picture of both graves). http://www.royalengineersbombdisposa...pril_1941.html Cheers Pete
I have found this link which clearly indicates there were heavy raids. Perhaps the fact that 5 Bomb Disposal chaps lost their lives was simply overshadowed by the terrible loss at Portland Square? Plymouth, Second World War | Plymouth Blitz (April 1941)
Only thing I can add on the men killed in this BD incident was that they were killed by a Delayed Action catagory 'A' bomb. Believe that was the only information mentioned the war diary. Will check my source later. Chris
Hi Pete, Might be worth trying to contact Forum member 'Fossil' (another Pete), as he was involved in preparing/updating a BD roll of honour and collating different incidents. He may have more on specifics, citations etc.: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-grave-photographs/12713-royal-engineers-bomb-disposal-roll-honour.html ~A
Pete, It appears that Sapper Lyth was with 185 BD Section. 185 Section were from No 19 BD Coy but had moved from Hartford to Plymouth on the 15th April to help out No 7 BD Coy. It appears from the war diaries of both those Companies that there were two separate fatal incidents in Plymouth on the same day. Gray, Lyle and Gibson of 185 Section were killed by a different bomb to Smith and McShane of 189 Section. Below are the relevant pages from the war diaries WO 166/4010 and WO 166/3999.
Thanks you so much Chris. I will pass this information on to the BD roll of honour site and Fossil etc.
