Hawkinge Cemetery, Kent - Battle of Britain casualties.

Discussion in 'War Cemeteries & War Memorial Research' started by nicks, Jul 14, 2010.

  1. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    Whilst in Hawkinge, Kent I took some time to visit the cemetery and photograph the graves of RAF aircrew that lost their lives during the Battle of Britain. I have combined these with photographs of Luftwaffe aircrew kindly provided by Dovermarine and quotes from Men of the Battle of Britain (RAF) and ATB Battle of Britain (Luftwaffe), as a small tribute to all of those that fell during the battle 70 years ago.

    Friday, July 19

    ARTHUR CHARLES HAMILTON


    78543 PO Air Gunner British 141 Squadron

    Hamilton, of North Harrow, Middlesex, joined the RAF in March 1940 and was commissioned as a direct-entry Air Gunner. With training completed, he joined 141 Squadron at Turnhouse in May. The squadron moved south to West Mailing on July 12 1940. He was in one of nine Defiants which were attacked off Dover by Bf 109s of III/JG 51 on July 19. Hamilton's pilot, Flying Officer I D G Donald, was killed in the aircraft and Hamilton baled out but drowned in the sea. Their Defiant, L 7009, crashed at Elmsvale Road, Dover. Hamilton was 28 and is buried in Folkestone New Cemetery, Kent. He may have had some family connection with Southern Rhodesia and there is a 141 Squadron memorial plaque in the hall of Churchill School, Causeway, Zimbabwe.

    APO 15.3.40 PO 4.5.40

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2017
  2. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    Monday, August 12

    1/ JG26

    Messerschmitt Bf 109E-1. Shot down over Ashford by British fighters. Exploded over Standard Hill Farm, Elham 08.30am. Oblt Butterweck killed. Aircraft a write-off.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2017
  3. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    Thursday, August 15

    JAMES THOMAS JOHNSTON

    43037 PO Pilot Canadian 151 Squadron

    Johnston joined the RAF on a short service commission in January 1939. After completing his flying training at 2 FTS, Brize Norton, Johnston was posted direct to J51 Squadron at Martlesham Heath on July 13 1940. Having bypassed OTU, he was converted on the Station Flight Master by Barry Sutton of 56 Squadron, then non-operational, sick.

    On August 15 Johnston was shot down by Bf 109s and crashed into the Channel off Dymchurch, in Hurricane P 3941. He was picked up, dead, he was 26 years old and is buried in Folkestone New Cemetery. Kent.

    APO 23.3.39 PO 13.7.40

    [​IMG]

    10/ LG1

    Junkers Ju87B. Shot down by fighters during operations over Channel near Folkestone 5.30pm. Uffz Weber and Uffz Kraus killed.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Then: Scene of the Stuka crash, Shorncliffe Crescent, Folkstone

    [​IMG]

    Now: Google Earth comparison.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2017
  4. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    Sunday, August 18

    2/ KG1

    Heinkel He111H-3. Shot down by 65 Sqn Spitfires and attacked by other British fighters following attack on Biggin Hill 1.30pm. Crash landed at Snargate near Dymchurch. Uffz Gericke died of injuries in Rye Hospital. Lt Ahrens, Oberfw Katzmarski, Uffz Scheider and Flgr Natzke captured. Aircraft V4+GK a write-off.

    [​IMG]


    6/ ZG26

    Messerscmitt Bf110C. Damaged in combat with 56 Sqn Hurricanes over S.E. England and finally shot down in sea off Folkestone by P.O Goodman of 1 Sqn 1.45pm. Uffz Wollin killed, Fw Strange captured. Aircraft lost.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2017
  5. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    Monday, August 26

    MARMADUKE RIDLEY

    565201 Sgt Pilot British 616 Squadron

    Ridley, of Benwell, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, was educated at Atkinson Road Junior Technical School. He joined the RAF in January 1931 as an Aircraft Apprentice and passed out in December 1933 as a Fitter, Aero Engines. He later applied for pilot training and was selected. He joined 616 Squadron at Leconfield in early 1940. Over Dunkirk on May 28, his Spitfire was badly damaged in what was the squadron's first real action of the war and he suffered a head wound. On August 26 1940 Ridley was shot down and killed in combat over Dover, possibly by Hauptmann Fozo of 4/JG 51. He was 24 years old and is buried in Folkestone New Cemetery, Kent.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2017
  6. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    Wednesday, August 28

    CHARLES EDWARD JOHNSON

    79241 PO Air Gunner British 264 Squadron

    Born on July 11 1905, Johnson was educated at Brentwood School. After leaving, he went to a tailoring college and was subsequently employed as a travelling cutter and fitter by Hector Powe, the tailors. He lived in Nottingham. Johnson and his younger brother, Louis, volunteered for aircrew duties soon after the outbreak of war and were both accepted for direct-entry commissioned air gunners.Charles Johnson joined 264 Squadron at Kirton-in-Lindsey in mid-August 1940. He was gunner in Defiant L 7026, shot down in combat with Bf 109s of JG 26 over Thanet on August 28. The aircraft crashed in flames on Sillibourne Farm, Hinxhill. Both Johnson and the pilot, Pilot Officer P L Kenner were killed.It was Johnson's first operational sortie.He is buried in Folkestone New Cemetery, Kent. Louis Johnson went on to bombers, survived three tours of operations and ended the war as a Squadron Leader DFC and Bar. He died in 1990, aged 80.

    PO 27.7.40

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2017
  7. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    Thursday, August 29

    HARRY RAYMOND HAMILTON

    39316 FL Pilot Canadian 85 Squadron

    Hamilton, of Kings County, New Brunswick, joined the RAF on short service commission in October 1936. He was posted to 3 FTS, Grantham on January 11 1937 and joined 46 Squadron at Digby on August 7. In early 1940 Hamilton was with 611 Squadron and was posted to 85 Squadron at Debden on May 25, as a Flight Commander. On July 30 he shared in the destruction of a Bf 110, on August 18 he claimed a Bf 110 destroyed and shared a He 111 and on the 29th he destroyed a Bf 109 and was then himself shot down and killed, over Winchelsea. Hamilton's Hurricane, V6623, crashed near the ruins of Camber Castle. He was 23 years old and is buried in Folkestone New Cemetery, Kent.

    APO 21.12.36 PO 12.10.37 FO 12.5.39 FL 12.5.40

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2017
  8. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    Sunday, September 1

    9/ KG76

    Dornier Do17Z (3369). Shot down by Sgt Allard of 85 Sqn during bombing sortie to Gravesend. Crashed at Dungeness Point, Kent 4.00pm. Gefr Spiess killed, Uffz Maasen bailed out wounded and captured with Oberfw Illg and Fw Woehner. Aircraft F1+AT a write-off.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2017
  9. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    Monday, September 2

    CHARLES ANTHONY WOODS-SCAWEN

    40778 PO Pilot British 43 Squadron
    Woods-Scawen was born in Karachi, India on February 18 1918 and returned to England in 1924. He was educated at the Salesian College, Farnborough and joined the RAF on a short service commission in March 1938. He was posted to 6 FTS, Netheravon on May 21 and joined 43 Squadron at Tangmere on December 17.

    Over Dunkirk on May 31 1940, Woods-Scawen's Hurricane, L 1592, was damaged in combat with Bf 109s. He returned to Tangmere with a rapidly-overheating engine and made a belly-landing. On June 1 he damaged a Bf 109. Woods-Scawen baled out over France on the 7th, after a combat near Dieppe, in which he shot down a Bf 109. He landed in German-held territory and had walked twenty miles before falling in with a retreating British column. Evacuated from Cherbourg, Wood-Scawen arrived back at Tangmere eight days after he took off.


    On August 8 he claimed a Bf 110 destroyed and three Ju 87s probably destroyed ten miles south of the Isle of Wight but his own aircraft was damaged and he landed back at Tangmere with slight shell splinter wounds in the legs. On the 12th Woods-Scawen damaged a He 111, and on the 13th he destroyed two Ju 88s over Petworth but was himself shot down by return fire and baled out, unhurt.His Hurricane, R 4102, crashed and burned out on Northend Farm, Milland, near Midhurst.

    Woods-Scawen claimed a He 111 destroyed on the 15th and two Ju 87s on the 16th. On this day he was shot down by a Bf 109 off the Sussex coast and baled out, slightly injured. His Hurricane, N 2621, crashed near Parkhurst, Isle of Wight. Woods-Scawen claimed a Bf 109 destroyed on August 30. He was shot down in combat with Bf 109s on September 2 and baled out too low and was killed His Hurricane, V 7420, crashed at Fryland, near Ivychurch. He is buried in Folkestone New Cemetery, Kent. Woods-Scawen was awarded the DFC (6.9.40). Younger brother of P P Woods-Scawen.

    APO 7.5.38 P07.4.39

    DFC Citation

    http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/34940/pages/5407
    Viewing Page 5408 of Issue 34940


    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2017
  10. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    Wednesday, September 11

    HARRY DAVIES EDWARDS

    41837 PO Pilot Canadian 92 Squadron

    Edwards, of Winnipeg, joined the RAF on a short service commission in January 1939. He was posted in May to 13 FTS, Drem and with training completed, he went to 92 Squadron at Tangmere in October 1939. Edwards was in action over France and Dunkirk in May 1940. On the 23rd he claimed a Ju 88 destroyed and probably two Bf 109s and a Bf 1 10, on the 24th he got another probable Bf 109 and on June 2 he claimed a He 111 destroyed. On July 4 Edwards shared in the destruction of a He 111. He was shot down and killed in combat with Bf 109s on September 11 1940. His Spitfire, P 9464, crashed into a wood at Evegate Manor Farm, Smeeth. The wreck was not discovered until October 7. Edwards was 24. He is buried in Folkestone New Cemetery, Kent.

    APO 1.4.39 PO 21.10.39

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2017
  11. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    Friday, September 20

    HOWARD PERRY HILL

    41847 Pilot New Zealander 92 Squadron

    [FONT=&quot]Born in Christchurch on April 17 1920. Hill was at Marlborough College from 1932 to 1936. He applied for an RAF short commission in 1938 and after being; provisionally accepted, he sailed for the UK on December 16 in the RMS Rangitata. On January 24 1939 Hill went to 13 E&RFTS. White Waltham to begin his flying training He moved to 13 FTS. Drem on April 17.On completion of the course, Hill was posted to 8 Air Observers' School, Evanton on October staff pilot. Two weeks later he joined the newly-reformed 92 Squadron at Tangmere, then equipped with Blenheims but these were replaced by Spitfires in March 1940. On July 26 Hill shared in the destruction of a Ju 88, on September 15 he shot down two He 111s and shared a Do 17, on the 18th destroyed a Ju 88 and on the 19th shared a probable Ju 88 and damaged another. North of Dungeness on September 20 1940 the squadron was attacked from above and behind by Bf 109s of JG 51. Hill was in the rear section and one of the first to be attacked. He was shot down in flames by Major Molders and crashed into high tree tops at West Hougham. Kent. The Spitfire. X 4417 remained undiscovered for a month. Hill is buried in Folkestone Cemetery and his name appears on the reredos in St George's Chapel of Remembrance at Biggin Hill.

    APO 1.4.39 PO 21.10.39

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2017
  12. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    Saturday, October 5

    1/Erprobung Gruppe 210

    Messerschmitt Bf 110D-3 (3383). Crashed at Millbank Place near Ashford at 1130am during fighter combat over England. Fw Duensnig and Fw Krappatsch both killed. Aircraft S9+GH a write-off.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2017
  13. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    Last edited: Jul 21, 2017
  14. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    Tuesday, October 22
    2/ JG26

    Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 (1124) shot down F.O Coke of 257 Sqn in combat over the Channel 4.30pm. Broke up in mid air, bulk of aircraft crashed in the sea off Littlestone Golf Links. Uffz Arp killed. Aircraft 10+ lost.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2017
    Drew5233 likes this.
  15. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    Some general views of the cemetery.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2017
    Gage likes this.
  16. ChrisC

    ChrisC Junior Member

    Nice one.

    I was a volunteer at the museum there in the late 1980s and more than once escorted people down the road to this cemetery. Including at least one German veteran (I am a German speaker so got the job) who was very emotional. He'd known one or two of them. All he could say was 'Sie waren meine Freunde' (They were my friends).
     
  17. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    Chris

    I also visited the museum that day, very good and well worth a visit. Although a return visit is required as there is just too much to take in during one visit.
     
  18. Gage

    Gage The Battle of Barking Creek

    Humbling. Exceptional work, thanks Nick.
     
  19. nicks

    nicks Very Senior Member

    I have added the following, as the headstone gives the date of death as the 12/07/1940, which is within the official dates of the Battle of Britain. However it would appear that Gefr Franz Martinek had died a week earlier, his body being recovered on the 12/07/1940.The headstone of Gefr Franz Burger is also included who died in the same incident.

    Friday, July 5

    8/KG1

    Heinkel He 111H-3. Engaged on armed shipping reconnaissance sortie and shot down by Spitfires of No. 65 Squadron (Flying Officer G.V.Proudman, Sergeant J.R. Kilner and Pilot Officer K.G. Hart) and crashed off shore at Lydden Spout near Folkstone, Kent. 5.57 am. Oberfw H. frischmuth and Uffz G. Wagner both captured injured. Uffz R. Marcklovitz, Gefr F. Burger and Gefr. F. Martinek Killed. Aircraft V4+GS wrecked.
    The body of the Bordmechaniker Franz Burger, was recovered from the sea off Dover the same day; that of the gunner Franz Martinek, being washed ashore one week later. Both are buried at Hawkinge Cemetery.

    ATB The Blitz Then & Now Vol 1

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2017
    CL1 likes this.
  20. [FONT=&quot]Sunday, September 1[/FONT]

    [FONT=&quot]9/ KG76[/FONT]

    [FONT=&quot]Dornier Do17Z (3369). Shot down by Sgt Allard of 85 Sqn during bombing sortie to Gravesend. Crashed at Dungeness Point, Kent 4.00pm. Gefr Spiess killed, Uffz Maasen bailed out wounded and captured with Oberfw Illg and Fw Woehner. Aircraft F1+AT a write-off.[/FONT]

    [FONT=&quot][/FONT]

    Good work on the Hawkinge cemetery but I wondered if you could tell me where you got your reference for Allard shooting down Do 17Z #3369. I had this as shot down by Sgt Howes of 85 Sqn (who was on patrol with Allard at that time). My memory is that Howes attacked and shot down the rear aircraft of a small formation and Allard went after another aircraft. This info is from the BoB Museum at Hawkinge which unfortunately we have to try and commit to memory due to their paranoia about pencils, paper, cameras, etc.

    Regards,

    Jonathan S
     

Share This Page