Balby War Memorial

Discussion in 'War Cemeteries & War Memorial Research' started by JRCowie, Oct 28, 2010.

  1. JRCowie

    JRCowie Member

    Hi All

    Bit of an unusual request - Balby (South Yorkshire) has a War Memorial for WW1 Casualties but as yet nothing at all for casualties of WW2.

    I have found a few names for WW2 including:-

    Thomas Arthur Ellis - SS Roxby, Merchant Navy.
    Ernest Kenneth Gilvray - Royal Armoured Corps.
    George Maw - HMS Phoebe, Royal Navy.
    Edward Pinkney - West Yorkshire Regiment.
    Cyril Homes - Royal Artillery.
    Walter Edward Garrod - Pilot, RAF

    Can anyone please advise how I can add to this list - SDGW is fine for WW1 but does anything exist for WW2?

    Please Advise

    Regards

    John
     
  2. Jedburgh22

    Jedburgh22 Very Senior Member

    If you contact the Commonwealth War Graves Commission they may be able to run an advanced search of their database for you - worth a try
     
  3. JRCowie

    JRCowie Member

    Certainly worth a try - will keep you advised.

    Regards

    John
     
  4. Oldman

    Oldman Very Senior Member

    John
    Try your local paper for there archives, the local libraryand the local history/geneolical group.
    Also try the local schools and see if they have any info on old boys or memorials
    even the local council may be able to help.

    Good luck with the search.
     
  5. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

  6. JRCowie

    JRCowie Member

    Hi Oldman

    Not a pleasant opening? - thanks for the suggestions, a number of old Balby schools have already closed, including my first school - I have contacted the remaining ones, the local library, churches, History Groups all say - Wonderful Idea, but no information - Balby is one of the areas of Doncaster on the decline, very few old residents left - I have even contacted Old Folks Homes but no joy there either.

    This project may take more time than I thought......

    Regards

    John
     
  7. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Hi All

    Bit of an unusual request - Balby (South Yorkshire) has a War Memorial for WW1 Casualties but as yet nothing at all for casualties of WW2.

    I have found a few names for WW2 including:-

    Thomas Arthur Ellis - SS Roxby, Merchant Navy.
    Ernest Kenneth Gilvray - Royal Armoured Corps.
    George Maw - HMS Phoebe, Royal Navy.
    Edward Pinkney - West Yorkshire Regiment.
    Cyril Homes - Royal Artillery.
    Walter Edward Garrod - Pilot, RAF

    Can anyone please advise how I can add to this list - SDGW is fine for WW1 but does anything exist for WW2?

    Please Advise

    Regards

    John

    John if you can identify or narrow down the cwgc entries and post them here, perhaps there is hope for some more information.

    I have equivalent disc for WW2 from N&M Press, but you'd need to tell me which regimental no.s to look for.

    RAF, MN and RA casualties have been dealt with successfully on here; it simplY requires a little more data - squadron, unit, dates.

    Perhaps separate threads for casualties in particular branches in the relevant sub-forums (war in air, war at sea, RA) would also be beneficial to attracting attention from those in the know?

    Regards
    Diane
     
  8. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

    001 , AIRD, ARC, 574456, - , 19/02/1946, ROYAL AIR FORCE
    002 , ANSLOW, H, D/MX 54846, HMS MAIDSTONE , 31/10/1943, ROYAL NAVY
    003 , ARMIT, JS, D/SSX 35800, HM MGB 637 , 12/09/1944, ROYAL NAVY
    004 , BAKER, AF, 4690779, 157 BTY, 53 LT AA REGT , 23/03/1943, ROYAL ARTILLERY
    005 , BALE, F, 4616957, 1ST BN , 05/04/1945, WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT (PRINCE OF WALES'S OWN)
    006 , BANKS, S, 4746291, 2ND BN , 25/05/1941, YORK AND LANCASTER REGIMENT
    007 , BARR, C, 1014834, - , 13/11/1940, ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE
    008 , BONSOR, JA, 14371337, 1ST BN , 10/08/1945, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE REGIMENT
    009 , BOYD, JR, 1984018, - , 03/05/1945, ROYAL ENGINEERS
    010 , BOYER, JH, C/MX 96735, HMS ASSEGAI , 26/01/1943, ROYAL NAVY
    011 , BRAY, C, 1461297, 221 BTY, 91 HAA REGT , 27/05/1941, ROYAL ARTILLERY
    012 , BRISTOW, W, P/MX 70724, HMS MEDWAY , 30/06/1942, ROYAL NAVY
    013 , CHAPMAN, AS, 1434611, 50 SQDN , 10/08/1944, ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE
    014 , CLAYTON, JM, 4592961, 1ST BN , 14/07/1943, KING'S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY
    015 , CLOVER, A, 1458798, 170 BY, 57 LT AA REGT , 02/02/1942 - - 20/05/1942, ROYAL ARTILLERY
    016 , COCKHILL, H, P/JX 137762, HMS EXPRESS , 01/09/1940, ROYAL NAVY
    017 , COLLINGWOOD, CN, 1595173, 428 SQDN , 05/12/1944, ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE
    018 , DAVIES, LE, 5620311, 12TH AIRBORNE BN , 24/08/1944, DEVONSHIRE REGIMENT
    019 , DAVIS, EK, 318456, 'B' SQN QUEEN'S OWN YORKSHIRE DRAGOONS , 06/11/1942, ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS
    020 , DIXON, CJ, 1106166, - , 13/07/1941, ROYAL AIR FORCE
    021 , EARNSHAW, A, 319301, 3RD COUNTY OF LONDON YEOMANRY SHARPSHOOTERS , 17/07/1943, ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS
    022 , ELLIS, TA, -, SS ROXBY WEST HARTLEPOOL , 07/11/1942, MERCHANT NAVY
    023 , FIELDING, HNW, 265866, 1ST BN , 31/01/1944, DUKE OF WELLINGTON'S (WEST RIDING REGIMENT)
    024 , FRENCH, PH, 173135, 619 SQDN , 21/04/1944, ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE
    025 , GANNON, CW, 1982538, - , 09/12/1942, ROYAL ENGINEERS
    026 , GARROD, WE, 181569, - , 01/02/1946, ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE
    027 , GILLVRAY, EK, 14367612, 4TH REGT , 12/07/1944, RECONNAISSANCE CORPS, R.A.C.
    028 , GLASSWELL, FW, 3325093, 5/7TH BN , 05/11/1944, GORDON HIGHLANDERS
    029 , GRADY, J, 1076548, 115 SQDN , 23/03/1944, ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE
    030 , GREAVES, CR, 2764302, 1ST BN , 08/08/1944, BLACK WATCH (ROYAL HIGHLANDERS)
    031 , HADMAN, E, 4547462, 1ST LOTHIANS AND BORDER HORSE , 21/11/1944, ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS
    032 , HALLAM, W, 14637277, 9TH THE QUEEN'S OWN YORKSHIRE DRAGOONS BN , 18/05/1944, KING'S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY
    033 , HARESIGN, H, 14546078, 6TH BN , 18/06/1944, DUKE OF WELLINGTON'S (WEST RIDING REGIMENT)
    034 , HATLIFF, J, P/MX 77888, HMML 916 , 08/11/1944, ROYAL NAVY
    035 , HOLMES, C, 1732009, 89 BTY, 35 LT AA REGT , 03/03/1943, ROYAL ARTILLERY
    036 , HOUSLEY, TW, 4544407, 2ND BN , 19/07/1942, WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT (PRINCE OF WALES'S OWN)
    037 , HOWE, K, 4748936, 6TH BN , 13/10/1944, YORK AND LANCASTER REGIMENT
    038 , JACKSON, A, 318397, 'B' COY QUEEN'S OWN YORKSHIRE DRAGOONS , 02/11/1942, ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS
    039 , JAMESON, GW, 1458006, 157 BTY, 53 LT AA REGT , 23/03/1943, ROYAL ARTILLERY
    040 , JEWELL, RA, D/MX 56854, HMS VALIANT , 28/07/1940, ROYAL NAVY
    041 , JOHNSON, S, 7392407, - , 29/04/1945, PIONEER CORPS
    042 , JONES, J, 656792, 104 SQDN , 09/05/1943, ROYAL AIR FORCE
    043 , LOUGHLAND, RH, P/JX 207165, HMS ALYNBANK , 11/09/1943, ROYAL NAVY
    044 , MAIDENS, C, 14677297, 5TH BN , 03/08/1944, DORSETSHIRE REGIMENT
    045 , MARRIOTT, W, D/SSX 17621, HMS MAHRATTA , 25/02/1944, ROYAL NAVY
    046 , MAW, G, C/JX 319969, HMS PHOEBE , 23/10/1942, ROYAL NAVY
    047 , MELLOR, W, 14240695, 931 CONSTR AND REPAIR COY , 31/10/1945, ROYAL ENGINEERS
    048 , MIDDLETON, FG, 3532803, 2ND BN , 22/05/1940, MANCHESTER REGIMENT
    049 , MULLINS, FWK, D/MX 75350, HMS BENBOW , 15/08/1943, ROYAL NAVY
    050 , NEEDHAM, RFC, T/10703179, 18 WATER TANK COY , 07/01/1943, ROYAL ARMY SERVICE CORPS
    051 , NORTROP, A, -, - , 09/05/1941, CIVILIAN WAR DEAD
    052 , NORTROP, A, -, - , 09/05/1941, CIVILIAN WAR DEAD
    053 , O'DOWD, MG, 229508, 154 RLY OPERATING COY , 16/01/1944, ROYAL ENGINEERS
    054 , PACEY, A, 10602231, 2/4TH BN , 09/09/1943, KING'S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY
    055 , PARKER, JD, -, SS DAFILA LIVERPOOL , 18/03/1943, MERCHANT NAVY
    056 , PETTIT, GW, 7934531, 5TH , 21/08/1944, ROYAL TANK REGIMENT, R.A.C.
    057 , PINKNEY, E, 4538228, 2ND BN , 09/06/1942, WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT (PRINCE OF WALES'S OWN)
    058 , PRICE, J, 331173, 1ST BN , 24/03/1945, BLACK WATCH (ROYAL HIGHLANDERS)
    059 , PROUDMAN, AL, 163553, - , 09/12/1947, ROYAL ARMY SERVICE CORPS
    060 , ROBINSON, LH, 1590995, - , 20/01/1944, ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE
    061 , SANDERSON, L, P/KX 155993, HMS QUORN , 03/08/1944, ROYAL NAVY
    062 , SCOTT, R, 86339, - , 05/05/1941, ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE
    063 , SHIMMIN, WE, 14355305, 2ND BN , 24/04/1944, DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY
    064 , SHIMWELL, HB, 2204168, 428 RCAF SQDN , 03/11/1943, ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE
    065 , SOUTH, A, P/K 126811, HM SUBMARINE P615 , 18/04/1943, ROYAL NAVY
    066 , TEBBS, G, 2123838, 1014 PORT OPERATING COY , 09/04/1945, ROYAL ENGINEERS
    067 , TERRY, GH, 1571233, 5TH BN , 20/04/1945, KING'S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS
    068 , THOMPSON, G, 4690817, HQ 53 LT AA REGT , 27/05/1940 - - 02/06/1940, ROYAL ARTILLERY
    069 , TYLER, G, 4398652, 6TH BN , 13/01/1943, ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS
    070 , WILKINSON, WJC, -, SS EAST WALES CARDIFF , 16/12/1942, MERCHANT NAVY
    071 , WILLIAMS, W, 4757737, 1ST BN , 04/05/1944, LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT
    072 , WOODS, J, 940148, 9 SQDN , 28/09/1940, ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE
    073 , WRIGHT, A, P/JX 363674, HMS VALKYRIE , 06/10/1942, ROYAL NAVY
     
    dbf likes this.
  9. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Good post Phil,

    John,
    Try enquiring about this chap on this sub-forum
    http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/recce/

    Better still, war diary seems to already be here, courtesy of SmudgerJnr
    http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/recce/29624-4th-reconnaissance-regiment-war-diaries.html

    Trooper ERNEST KENNETH GILLVRAY 14367612, 4th Regt., Reconnaissance Corps, R.A.C. who died age 20 on 12 July 1944
    Son of Ernest and Elise May Gillvray, of Balby, Doncaster, Yorkshire.
    Remembered with honour FOIANO DELLA CHIANA WAR CEMETERY
    Grave/Memorial Reference: II. F. 8.
    CWGC :: Casualty Details
     
  10. JRCowie

    JRCowie Member

    Thanks Phil

    This is amazing - the time and effort is mind blowing - Thank you so much.
    If Ok with you I will present these names to the incumbent at St John's - this amount of work deserves a proper ending - and a Memorial for WW2 casualties needs to be created.

    How did you do this? - I am really stunned but very very grateful.

    Regards

    John
     
  11. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

    LINK

    John, Geoff posted the link to his wonderful search engine in one of the earlier posts. from there simply put 'Balby' in the 'including' section and off you go.

    Phil

    ps, this will only include casualties for whom the CWGC recorded the next of Kin details for, and wont be all of the casualties. For eg. Geoff's search engine revealed 228 casualties for my home town. This rose to 298 when adding those from the local main cenotaph, and is now at 377 after researching various school war memorials and works memorials as well as searching through the local newspaper archives.
     
  12. JRCowie

    JRCowie Member

    Hi Phil

    Thanks for your reply - easy when you know how - all I have to do now is find out how to "create" a War Memorial to commemorate these men. I have written to the British Legion as a starting point - do you agree this is my best option?

    Incidentally the War Memorial, WW1 only, in Balby was unveilled by George H Wyatt VC, later a Doncaster Policeman.
     
  13. Oldman

    Oldman Very Senior Member

    John
    Glad you are on your way, nice of England Phil to do a run on Geoffs search engine for you, the hard work now starts in getting all details together.
    You may want to insert a few lines in your local paper/free newspaper asking information and also broaching the idea of a WW11 war memorial, see what this turns up.
    Start talking to your Local council representative about what you are doing and seek his help in getting the idea moving.
     
  14. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    First on Phils list.....

    Sgt. Alan Ronald Cameron Aird
    CWGC :: Casualty Details

    19 February 1946
    54 OTU
    Mosquito NF30 NT558

    The aircraft was on a cross country navigation sortie from its base at East Moor, routed to Daventry, Ely, Driffield and the returning to East Moor. It was seen at 1500 feet having broken cloud and then it reentered cloud while banked at a steep angle. It spun out of cloud and crashed 300 yards north of Pitsford Church, Northhants after the pilot lost control when he could not regain a normal flying attitude in cloud.

    The navigator - F/S. William Arthur Graves was also killed in this crash.CWGC :: Casualty Details

    'Final Landing' - Colin Cummings
     
  15. JRCowie

    JRCowie Member

    Thanks Peter

    Very much appreciated, this is the very first of 73 stories of Balby in World War 2.
    Lets see where this takes us...

    Thanks again

    John
     
  16. JRCowie

    JRCowie Member

    Hi Oldman

    I have a meeting on 06 December 2010 to discuss the very same

    Will post outcome

    Regards

    John
     
  17. Oldman

    Oldman Very Senior Member

    John
    Let us know how you get on with your meeting
     
  18. JRCowie

    JRCowie Member

    Meeting postponed - albeit at short notice - to next Wednesday at 19:30

    Again will keep all informed

    Regards

    John
     
  19. JRCowie

    JRCowie Member

    Hi All

    After a delayed meeting with Father Brian - we have a plan of action - and there is space to add names on either side of the existing War Memorial - What I need to do and I should have done this already - is check for other Memorials within the Parish - there are 2 other churches St Peters (Warmsworth) and St James - there is also a cemetery on Guest Lane which I didn't know existed. Once I have checked to make sure we have no duplications a Faculty has to be applied for - funding and grants to be applied for which is the exiting bit - But things are now moving forward - will keep you updated.

    John
     
  20. JRCowie

    JRCowie Member

    UPDATE

    St Peter's in Warmsworth/Balby - No Memorials at all.
    St James' - Balby - WW1 Memorial only - nothing again for WW2

    What is going on?
     

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