Remembering Today....Rothwell War Memorial

My wife has family that live near Rothwell and so I had a good look at this thread. This included a look at the Rothwell War Memorial link that Jonathan posted and I noticed that there are quite a few WWII casualties where the is 'no further information'. I looked at a few of the names randomly on Geoff's search engine and found this:

Name: PARKIN, FRANK
Initials: F
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: The Parachute Regiment, A.A.C.
Unit Text: 156th Bn.
Age: 20
Date of Death: 18/09/1944
Service No: 14579663
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Parkin, of Rothwell, Yorkshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 29. A. 3.
Cemetery: ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY

There may be others that we could assist the site organisers with!

Best,

Steve.

Thought I'd bump this up for you Steve - JB appears to have done most of the work so far

 

Not definitely but likely going off the map...

Dennis Taylor

Name: TAYLOR, DENNIS
Initials: D
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flight Sergeant (Air Bomber)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 166 Sqdn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: 23/02/1945
Service No: 1670564
Additional information: Son of George Mann Taylor and Edith Taylor, of Methley, Yorkshire; nephew of Mrs. M. Taylor, of Methley.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 8. G. 12-16.
Cemetery: DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY

Details of the above loss....

23-24 February 1945

166 Squadron
Lancaster III ND506 AS-L2
Op. Pforzheim

The aircraft took of from Kirmington at 1540 hrs. (No further details as to its loss)

Crew.

F/O. E L. Ellis +
Sgt. R C. Finlayson. pow
F/O. J W. Rae. pow
F/S. D. Taylor +
F/S. D W. Eastcott +
Sgt. A G. Chapman +
Sgt. R. Richards +

Extract 'Bomber Command Losses' Vol.6 - W R. Chorley

 

Thanks Peter.

 

If anyone wants to take on a little project you maybe interested in the following:

A chap was recently added to the Memorial before the service and was mentioned by the vicar during the service last month. His name is Pte Lewis Lunn and according to the family died in Caen, France on 12th August 1944. Something tells me he may have been a Royal Engineer.



A quick look on CWGC didn't return him - Any thoughts?

 

Name: Lewis Lunn
Given Initials: L
Rank: Private
Death Date: 12 Aug 1944
Number: 2764146
Birth Place: Leeds
Residence: Leeds
Branch at Enlistment: Infantry
Theatre of War: Western Europe Campaign, 1944/45
Regiment at Death: South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales' Volunteers)
Branch at Death: Infantry

I Think Phil can help with this one given the Regiment.

 

From the CWGC..


Name: LUNN, LEWIS
Initials: L
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: South Lancashire Regiment
Unit Text: 1st Bn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: 12/08/1944
Service No: 2764146
Additional information: Son of Joseph and Ethel Lunn, of Rothwell, Yorkshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: VIII. A. 9.
Cemetery: ST. CHARLES DE PERCY WAR CEMETERY

 

Well done JB !

I've got the units war diary: I'll do a page for him later, incase the family do a search-Dunno how you found him but I couldn't last month

 

I think he may have died of wounds from some earlier fighting (perhaps at a FDS or CCS ?)- certainly not at Caen. He's buried in a cemetery at St. Charles De Percy which is 13 miles north west of La Bistière, Saint-Germain-du-Crioult where the battalion was on 6th August.

Here's the 1st Bn, South Lancs war diary for the day he died:

 

Hi Andy

Just spotted your thread, at Carnoustie this year as in recent years more and more people of all ages are turning up.Quite a few serving in the forces were wearing the full uniforms as well.

Keith

 

I sent an email to Carol at Wakefield FHS and received a reply the other day asking to thank everyone who took part in identifying the men. The names list should be updated soon.

JB

 

Well done mate

 

Hello Andy,

I completely missed your 'Bump' of this thread on the 13th, but noticed that it had popped up again today. I did look at a few more of the names a while back and got nowhere - I think Jonathan had bagged those that could be ascertained. Anyway, trying a different tack just now I found this one... Please note the place of burial - should have been easily traceable by the locals.

On the Rothwell list as Alfred Dungey.

Name: DUNGEY, ERNEST CLEMENT
Initials: E C
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Signalman
Regiment/Service: Royal Corps of Signals
Age: 40
Date of Death: 17/04/1945
Service No: 2368242
Additional information: Son of Henry Charles and Emily Sarah Dungey; husband of Edith Dungey, of Rothwell.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave 928.
Cemetery: ROTHWELL CEMETERY, Yorkshire

 

On the Rothwell list as Norman Jackson.

Name: JACKSON, LEONARD
Initials: L
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Gunner
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 88 Field Regt.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 29/04/1943
Service No: 1115069
Additional information: Son of Ernest and Hilda Jackson, of Rothwell, Yorkshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 2. F. 38.
Cemetery: KANCHANABURI WAR CEMETERY

 

Found these eleven servicemen as well, which are not on the Wakefieldfhs.org.uk/Rothwell/RothwellWarMemorial.html listing. Those found include a couple from Rothwell Haigh, but I have included them as one is buried at Rothwell Cemetery and another has an MiD - thought that added more interest. You will also notice that the last named has a DCM.

Name: CAUNT, WILLIAM HENRY
Initials: W H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sapper
Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
Age: 28
Date of Death: 05/09/1943
Service No: 76040
Additional information: Son of Harry and Edith Mary Caunt; husband of Margaret Caunt, of Rothwell, Yorkshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: V. C. 34.
Cemetery: SALERNO WAR CEMETERY

Name: COWELL, KENNETH
Initials: K
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Corporal
Regiment/Service: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
Age: 32
Date of Death: 31/10/1946
Service No: 4622932
Additional information: Son of William and Sarah Elizabeth Cowell; husband of Hilda Cowell, of Rothwell Haigh.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave 702.
Cemetery:ROTHWELL CEMETERY, Yorkshire

Name: FIRTH, WILLIAM ALFRED
Initials: W A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: York and Lancaster Regiment
Unit Text: 6th Bn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 09/12/1944
Service No: 4758456
Additional information: Son of Claude and Lily Firth, of Rothwell, Yorkshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: III. G. 4.
Cemetery: FAENZA WAR CEMETERY

Name: GRAVES, HENRY
Initials: H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Able Seaman
Regiment/Service: Royal Navy
Unit Text: H.M.S. Avenger
Age: 24
Date of Death: 15/11/1942
Service No: C/JX 224096
Additional information: Son of William and Ida Graves, of Rothwell, Yorkshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 54, 1.
Memorial: CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL

Name:HODGSON, DAVID JOHN
Initials: DJ
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Guardsman
Regiment/Service: Grenadier Guards
Unit Text: 6th Bn.
Age: 25
Date of Death: 22/09/1943
Service No: 2617379
Additional information: Son of Jabez and Edith Hodgson; husband of Rosealin Hodgson, of Rothwell, Yorkshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. C. 12.
Cemetery: SALERNO WAR CEMETERY

Name: HUNT, RAYMOND
Initials: R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Gordon Highlanders
Unit Text: 1st Bn. The London Scottish
Age: 27
Date of Death: 19/09/1944
Service No: 3193184
Additional information: Son of Fred and Mona Hunt; husband of Nellie Hunt, of Rothwell, Yorkshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: XVII, G, 10.#
Cemetery: CORIANO RIDGE WAR CEMETERY

Name: JEWELL, FRANCIS DOUGLAS
Initials: F D
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flight Sergeant (Nav.)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 50 Sqdn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: 20/05/1944
Service No: 1506251
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. John William Jewell, of Rothwell.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave 339.
Cemetery: ROTHWELL CEMETERY, Yorkshire

Name: NUTTALL, RONALD BAINBRIDGE
Initials: R B
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Fusilier
Regiment/Service: Lancashire Fusiliers
Unit Text: 1 15th Bn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: between 28/05/1940 and 29/05/1940
Service No: 3452389
Additional information: Son of Ronald Atkinson Nuttall and Miriam Nuttall, of Rothwell Haigh, Yorkshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Row A. Grave 10.
Cemetery: WARNETON (WAASTEN) COMMUNAL CEMETERY

Name: PROCTER, LESLIE
Initials: L
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Driver
Regiment/Service: Royal Army Service Corps
Age: 24
Date of Death: 10/04/1941
Service No: 77812
Additional information: Son of Harry and Rhoda Procter; husband of Lucy Procter, of Rothwell, Yorkshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 2. G. 9.
Cemetery: KNIGHTSBRIDGE WAR CEMETERY, ACROMA

Name: SMITH, ALAN
Initials: A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: York and Lancaster Regiment
Unit Text: 6th Bn.
Age: 28
Date of Death: 30/03/1943
Service No: 4756477
Awards: Mentioned in Despatches
Additional information: Son of Robert and Maud Smith, of Rothwell, Yorkshire; husband of Kathleen Smith, of Rothwell Haigh, Yorkshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 1. D. 15.
Cemetery: TABARKA RAS RAJEL WAR CEMETERY

Name: WHEELWRIGHT, HAROLD W.
Initials: H W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Royal Army Service Corps
Unit Text: 25 Tank Bde. Coy.
Age: 26
Date of Death: 21/02/1943
Service No: 229172
Awards: D C M
Additional information: Son of Alfred Pearson Wheelwright and Lily Wheelwright; husband of May Wheelwright, of Rothwell, Yorkshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 10. H. 6.
Cemetery: MEDJEZ-EL-BAB WAR CEMETERY

 

Thats a very fine bit of research Steve that will hopefully find it's way onto the Wakefield FHS site. Great work.

 

Thanks for that Jonathan. Will you be contacting Carol at the Wakefield FHS again. If so, there are still six names that we still don't have CWGC details for and I wondered if she has any information that could assist us further, like other intials, wife or parents names, etc. The names are:

William Boulton
Billy Cooper
John Dalton
Christopher Tiffany
Fred Ward
Harry Wilkinson

Best,

Steve.

 

Will you be contacting Carol at the Wakefield FHS again. If so, there are still six names that we still don't have CWGC details for and I wondered if she has any information that could assist us further, like other intials, wife or parents names, etc.

I've sent the email Steve and i'll report back if and when she replies. I might as well take a look at the remaining names you have listed myself on ancestry and see what I can find. I'll also ask Mark (BFBSM) if he fancies having a go. He likes this kind of research.

JB.

 

Well done Steve.

I've checked for the two citations and neither are listed online at the National Archives. I'll have a look in my DCM book later.

A

 

50th (Northumbrian) Division connection:

Two of the 'identified' men named on the Rothwell WWII Memorial Roll were with the 50th (Northumbrian) Division. There is also one further possible. Regarding the two definites:

Denis Hughes

Name: HUGHES, DENIS
Initials: D
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Serjeant
Regiment/Service: Royal Marines
Unit Text: No. 47 R.M. Commando.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 06/06/1944
Service No: EX/1222
Additional information: Son of Thomas and Fanny Hughes; husband of Betty Hughes, of Rothwell, Yorkshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: X. L. 6.
Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY

Sergeant Hughes died on D-Day.

No. 47 R.M. Commando were under command of 231st Infantry Brigade, 50 Div, for the purpose of capturing Port-En-Bessin; which formed the right hand boundary of the British sector, and was considered vital, both, to the security of XXX Corps right flank and an effective link up with the US 1st Infantry Division.

The plan was for No. 47 R.M. Commando to land at Le Hamel at 10 am on D-Day behind 231st Infantry Brigade, and make an 8 mile forced march to and capture, Port-En-Bessin.

It landed on time but unfortunately three LCA's were sunk on the run-in and 70 men were missing before assembly at Le Hamel. Quite a number turned up later, but had lost all of their equipment; and so equipped themselves with captured German weapons. As Le Hamel had not been cleared the RM's put in an attack on a position held by a full company of enemy troops, losing 40 men as casualties in the process and capturing 60 prisoners, before setting off for Port-En-Bessin.

By nightfall they had fought their way to and were situated at Escures just south of Port-En-Bessin.

No. 47 R.M. Commando lost 22 men KIA on D-Day.

Harry Ward

Name: WARD, HARRY
Initials: H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment)
Unit Text: 7th Bn.
Age: 27
Date of Death: 28/08/1944
Service No: 4689141
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. A. 5.
Cemetery: ST. DESIR WAR CEMETERY

Private Ward was with the 7th Bn Green Howards, 69th Infantry Brigade, 50 Div. The 28 August 1944 is notable as the day that XXX Corps forced a crossing of the River Seine at Vernon and 50 Div were ordered to advance over towards the Amiens area. The following day the 'gallop' through northern France and Belgium began.

The 7th Bn Green Howards lost 2 men KIA that day.

For the most part those buried in the St. Desir War Cemetery died in the final stages of the Normandy campaign, in pursuit of the German forces towards the Seine.

Best,

Steve.

 

And further to Message # 34, another - number twelve - not on the original Wakefield FHS list.

Name: WILLIAMS, JOB
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Gunner
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 122 Field Regt.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 28/11/1943
Service No: 955796
Additional information: Son of Thomas and Mary Williams, of Rothwell, Yorkshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 6. B. 13.
Cemetery: CHUNGKAI WAR CEMETERY

Please note the place of burial. This man was probably forced by the Japanese to work on the infamous Burma-Siam railway and died there.