Folks, I was in Bangor New Cemetry today looking for the grave of an Airman killed in the Belfast Blitz however I found another headstone which has me interested. BARRY JOHN STUBBINGS Ox & Bucks Light Infantry. Number 5392025. He died on 14th March 1942 and his headstone says he was only 16 Years Old. I guess he was involved in some sort of Home Defence because of his age. Can anyone give me any assistance in finding out anything about this young boy?? I find it shocking that after WW1 there were still children allowed into the military in the Second World War. Hope you can help.
Unfortunately, the Chronicle doesn't mention him. It's a wide field to choose from: 1st, 5th and 70th Bns were all in NI at that time. 70th Bn is the most likely as that was a young soldiers battalion. In Feb 42 it was at Donaghadee.
Remember also that WWII was still an era when men/boys lied about their age so they could join up. While I don't know the details of this particular man I was curious a few years ago, when visiting the Jerusalem War Cemetery in Normandy (just north of Tilly-sur-Seulles) as to why there were so many flowers placed around one particular grave; I can't remember the name but the man/lad/boy was of a similar age and had been, I believe, in the Durham Light Infantry.
Remember also that WWII was still an era when men/boys lied about their age so they could join up. While I don't know the details of this particular man I was curious a few years ago, when visiting the Jerusalem War Cemetery in Normandy (just north of Tilly-sur-Seulles) as to why there were so many flowers placed around one particular grave; I can't remember the name but the man/lad/boy was of a similar age and had been, I believe, in the Durham Light Infantry. 14429036 Pte Jack Banks 8thDLI Jim
In his book Pegasus Bridge, Stephen Ambrose says more than a dozen members of D Company, Ox and Bucks, had lied about their age to enlist.
Hi All, He's not the only one a 16 year old Para died at Normandy believe to be the youngest serving soldier killed in WW2... In Memory of Private ROBERT EDWARD JOHNS 14434704, 13th (2/4th Bn. The South Lancashire Regt.) Bn., The Parachute Regiment, A.A.C. who died age 16 on 23 July 1944 Son of William Henry and Daisy Nellie Johns, of Stamshaw, Portsmouth. Remembered with honour RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY..
70th Battalion sounds interesting and with Donaghadee just up the road about 6 miles away that sounds about right. I was both surprised and saddened to see that kids were still joining the army in WW2 after the shambles of boy soldiers in WW1. Thanks guys.
I think Niccar (A forum member who sadly passed away last year) joined the Army when he was 17 in 1943 and went straight to Africa (Algiers) after finishing his basic-He lied about his age.