BAILEY, TREVOR CURTIS, Fourth Engineer Officer, Merchant Navy, S.S. Katha (Glasgow) BAILEY. CHARLES ROY, Sapper, 14423497, Royal Engineers, 221 Field Coy. BRADSHAW, ABRAHAM, Guardsman, 2720540, Irish Guards, 1st Battalion BRADSHAW, RICHARD, Private, 5674117, The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey),2/5th Battalion. CUMMINS, PATRICK, Sergeant, 3650169, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 1st Battalion, CUMMINS, THOMAS, Private, 3649622, South Lancashire Regiment, 1st Battalion CUMMINS, TIMOTHY, Gunner, 1104827, Royal Artillery, 8 Medium Regiment DENNETT, FRANCIS JOSEPH, Lance Corporal, 3652971, King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster), 6th battalion DENNETT, LEONARD, Fusilier, 3713527, Lancashire Fusiliers, 1/8th Battalion GALLAGHER, JOSEPH OSMOND, Aircraftman 2nd Class, 1654379, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve GALLAGHER, VINCENT, Flight Sergeant, 1621052, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 49 Squadron TOBIN, JOHN PATRICK, Lance Corporal, 3658407, Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment), 7th Battalion TOBIN, MARTIN PATRICK, Sergeant, 1312182, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 432 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron SHARRATT, JAMES ENOCH, Warrant Officer Class II (B.S.M.), 1070673, Royal Artillery 27 Field Regt. SHARRATT, WILLIAM ALBERT, Lance Bombardier, 967119, Royal Artillery, 19 Field Regiment WILKINSON, DENIS, Leading Aircraftman, 1437738, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve WILKINSON, G, Driver, 14914139, Royal Corps of Signals, Palestine Command Signals Further reaserch has now led to the identification of 8 sets of brothers who from Widnes were killed during WW2
Englandphil Its not unusual a couple of years ago I was at Cassino war cemetery and there was five brothers all buried in the same row in the Canadian sector, Often the Cwgc does not actually mention that their brothers fought and died. I wondered if it was a part of the registration process that the families mentioned when they filled out the forms sent to them. Hows the Widnes project progressing? Oldman
Englandphil Its not unusual a couple of years ago I was at Cassino war cemetery and there was five brothers all buried in the same row in the Canadian sector, Often the Cwgc does not actually mention that their brothers fought and died. I wondered if it was a part of the registration process that the families mentioned when they filled out the forms sent to them. Hows the Widnes project progressing? Oldman Its a slow old job, it doesnt help as keeping finding addition names, as I access more and more information. Will get there though. P
I've found about 8 pairs of brothers amongst Portsmouth's war dead so far, out of just over 800 I have analysed. From what I can tell it was a pretty simsple career path in a naval town like Portsmouth to join the Navy if your father was in the Navy - thats exactly what my great-uncle did. I have also found two sets of father and son who were killed in action. Cosmo Arnold, Sub Lieutenant, HMS Claverhouse, 23/11/1940 (son) Thomas Arnold Engineer Commander, RN (father) Edward Usmar, Petty Officer, HMS Barham, 25/11/1941 Harry Usmar, Petty Officer, HMS Royal Oak, 14/10/1939 Arthur Venables, Flying Officer, 78 Squadron, 05/09/1045 Guy Venables, Flying Officer, 78 Squadron, 05/09/1945 George Keel, Sergeant (W. Op.), 235 Squadron, 09/10/1940 Ronald Keel, Private, 4th Bn Kings Shropshire LI, 16/10/1944 John Brister, Flight Sergeant, 271 Squadron, 19/12/1942 William Brister, Sergeant, Unknown RAF, 01/09/1943 Arthur Buck, Mechanician 2nd Class, HMS Hood, 24/05/1941 Herbert Buck, Petty Officer Stoker, HMS Hood, 24/05/1941 Charles Crosby, Petty Officer, HMS Osprey, 06/05/1942 (father) Charles Crosby, Ordinary Seaman, HMS Barham, 25/11/1941 (son) Douglas Donachie, Gunner, 88 Heavy 88 Regt RA, 03/03/1944 Eric Donachie, Gunner, 3 Heavy AA Regt RA, 12/09/1944 Arthur Dudman, Leading Stoker, HMS Hartland, 08/11/1942 Caleb Dudman, Mechanician 1st Class, HMS Hood, 24/05/1941 Albert Farns, Sergeant, 82 Squadron, 04/08/1941 Ernest Farns, Engine Room Artificer 4th Class, HMS Fleur de Lys, 14/10/1941
If you search on this or other forums, I'm sure the Venables brothers have recently been discussed as being the 2 man crew of a Dakota that crashed shortly after take off with 20 or so PoW's if I recall correctly. It was unusual to have them both on the same aircraft but as it was after VE Day, I suppose it was acceptable.
If you search on this or other forums, I'm sure the Venables brothers have recently been discussed as being the 2 man crew of a Dakota that crashed shortly after take off with 20 or so PoW's if I recall correctly. It was unusual to have them both on the same aircraft but as it was after VE Day, I suppose it was acceptable. Hi Kevin, you may well find that was me - I've been researching them recently, and also 78 Squadron are working on their Squadron history for their 95th anniversary next year.
Two brothers from 43 Recce on the same day Trooper HENRY HERBERT EASON 4807242 Who died age 31 on 24 June 1944 At sea Derry Cunihy hit mine Son of Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Eason, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire. BAYEUX MEMORIAL Panel 4. Trooper ARTHUR ERNEST EASON 14660229 Who died age 19 on 24 June 1944 At sea Derry Cunihy hit mine Son of Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Eason, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire. BAYEUX MEMORIAL Panel 4. Cheers Paul
Here are two who died very Tragically Gnr. NYE Edwin William 6098482 11th R.H.A. Age 27 Son of Henry Lewis Nye and Harriet Nye. Husband of Olive Ann Nye of Dalston.London. D.O.D. Given 16/4/42 Buried Sfax War Cemetery Gnr.NYE Frederick James 2065465 11th R.H.A. Age 21 Son of Henry Lewis Nye and Harriet Nye of Burnt Oak,Edgeware. Middlesex. D.O.D. Given 14/11/42 Remembered on the El Alamein Memorial Both brothers died at Sea as P.O.W. Frederick James died on the Scillin. Edwin William died on the Ariosto. 15/2/42. His remains were washed ashore two months later and as stated he is buried at Sfax. The discovery of his remains on 16/4/42 were reported by the American Ambassador. I wonder if the Family ever knew the Circumstances of Death.
Brian, That has to be one of the most tragic cases. As you state, one would wonder about the family ever knowing about the circumstances; but thanks to your efforts with FOI and research, the truth is now out. Regards, D
Diane from my own experiences I doubt if they were told. Perhaps in this case it was better if they didn't know. It is only in recent years that C.W.G.C. have given Family Details for both of the Brothers. In my older copy of the Registers only Frederick James's Family details are given and he is said to have died:- 31/10/42 to 14/11/42.
When I'm processing my list of names of Portsmouth war dead, if i notice that 2 or more casualties with the same surname come from the same area I go and have a look at the electoral roll/street directories etc just to check, I've found a few family connections this way. Of course it helps if their parents names are on their entry too. Interestingly, I found a Naval rating who was desribed as 'represented England at Rugby Football' but could find no trace of him playing Rugby for England...
A number of the 8 sets that I have identified from Widnes did not have exactly the same next of kin listed, and in some cases, only one brother had the NOK listed, so like James, it was only further research that actually identified them as being related. Im starting to wonder if this was std practice, so that the fact that they where related didnt show itself so easily
