Some CWG Photos from Liverpool.

Toxteth Park cmtry, Liverpool.

Talk about "On your doorstep." I can see this cemetery from the end of my road ... no exaggeration ...



This is the oldest (municipal) cemetery in Liverpool. After the local church yards where full up, three cemeteries where opened around the city in the mid 1800's, all where privately owned, until Toxteth Park was opened by the city counsel in 1856.

I often walk the dog there also. I've noticed cwg's in Toxteth cem, but most appeared 1914-1918, as is the screen wall, with no memorial for 1939-1945. And what with no requests for any info or photographs, never really thought about having a 'proper' look ... Until, yesterday ... After searching the CWGC website I found 45 cwg's (WWII) in Toxteth cem. Mainly RAF, RAFVR, RA & Naval.

I photographed as many as possible, before the rain came down ...... I've nearly finished compiling a list for y'all, which I shall try and post later today ... If anyone wants to have a look-see for any cwg's that may interest them ... cwgtoxtethpark

 

Toxteth Park, Liverpool. _ (CWG Photographs)

I'll start by listing all those who served in the RAF & AAF.

BALL, James Henry.
Leading Aircraftman, RAF (AAF) 920 Balloon Sqdn.
No:854513 - Died:30th January 1943 - Age:43


BOUSFIELD, Edward Ronald.
Sergeant (Pilot), RAF, 50 Sqdn.
No:971237 - Died:19th July 1941


CAVE, Francis Neville.
Sergeant (Pilot), RAF
No:1067025 - Died:4th Aug 1941 - Age:19


ELSTON, Harold William.
Leading Aircraftman, RAF
No:1528584 - Died:7th March 1947 - Age:33


HOPE, Arthur Christian.
Flight Sergeant (Air Gnr.), RAF
No:2210185 - Died:16th April 1945 - Age:23


LEVER, Thomas Leonard.
Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.) RAF
No:979838 - Died:30th April 1941
(Photograph not available)

McCANN, George.
Sergeant, RAF
No:3010802 - Died:07/08/1945 - Age:20


ROBINSON, William Ernest.
Flying Officer, RAF
134972 - Died:01/04/1945 - Age:26


THOMPSON, Alan Copland.
Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.) RAF
1196328 - Died:27/03/1942
View attachment 21643

 

HALL, Daniel. D.S.M
Chief Petty Officer, Royal Navy (HMS Achates)
C/J 105339 - Died:24th April 1945 - Age:38


Battle of the Barents Sea.
On 31 December 1942, HMS Achates was on escort duty protecting the Russian convoy JW-51B en route from Loch Ewe to Murmansk when she was sunk in the Barents Sea.

The German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper, pocket battleship Lutzow and six large destroyers had been ordered to attack and destroy the convoy. Despite being heavily outgunned the escort, under the command of Captain R. St. Vincent Sherbrooke, beat off the attack and not one merchant vessel was lost.

At 11:15, HMS Achates was laying smoke to protect the convoy when she was hit by gunfire from the Adml Hipper, killing the commanding officer, Lt Cdr Johns, and forty crew. The First Lieutenant, Lt L. E. Peyton-Jones, took over command and, despite having sustained severe damage in the shelling, HMS Achates continued her smoke screen operation. At 13:30 she went down 135nm ESE of Bear Island (Norway). 113 seamen were lost and 80 were rescued.

For their actions during the battle, seven members of HMS "Achates" crew, including: Chief Petty Officer Daniel Hall, where awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

 

Good work matey...I'd rep ya but I'm sold out

 

Thanks Andy ... I just happened to notice the DSM after the guys name while I was re-naming the photos. Info wasn't too difficult to find, just 'Googled' the name of the ship.

I've found another one that is proving a bit more difficult Also from Toxteth Park Cemetery:

GELLER, John Gerard. DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal)
Volunteer, 85th County of Lancaster (Liverpool) Bn. Home Guard.
DoD: 22nd November 1940
Age: 50.


I've been unable to find any further info for J.G. Geller ??? Is it correct that the "DCM" is only a step down from the "VC" ?? I suspect that he may have been awarded the DCM during WWI, but seeing how once awarded, you are entitled to have the "DCM" initials after your name it's proving difficult to pin a specific date on. I've tried the "London Gazette" but the name draws a blank ... Because he was a volunteer with the Home Guard at the time, there is no record of his military service number. Also emailed the "Liverpool Kings Reg." will let you know of any developments.

CWGC.Geller

 

BS,Good work that man. I think your gonna get to Anfield and StHelens before me, Currently confined to barracks due to Swine Flu and on holiday after that so no idea when I am gonna get there.

Have some rep..

Kev


PS before you joined I did a few at Anfield and St Helens for Spidge and ABE, so if you wanna keep all the Liverpool ones together you might wanna search fro them and cross post them here. Try searching on Northwest or something...

 

5520504 - Sergeant
L. HOWARD.
Wireless Op/Air Gunner
RAF
8th July 1940
Aged 18
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/../attachments/war-grave-photographs/18683d1248790402t-some-cwg-photos-liverpool-ford-litherland-028-jpg

7-8 July 1940

83 Squadron
Hampden I L4066 OL-
Op: Frankfurt

Took off Scampton. Crashed between Great Holland and Frinton, 3 miles northeast of Clacton, Essex. Three of the crew were killed in the crash but Sgt. Howard survived but died soon afterwards from his injuries.

 

Do you have any V.C pictures from the local cemeteries as these may intrest some forum members.

 

BOUSFIELD, Edward Ronald.
Sergeant (Pilot), RAF, 50 Sqdn.
No:971237 - Died:19th July 1941

19 July 1941

50 Squadron
Hampden I AD897 VN-
Training.

Crashed 1100 hrs, inverted, between Lindholme and Finningley after getting into difficulties while practicing formation flying.

 

LEVER, Thomas Leonard.
Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.) RAF
No:979838 - Died:30th April 1941
(Photograph not available)
30 April 1941

11 OTU
Wellington IC T2905
Training.

Took off from Bassingbourn for a night navigation flight but while flying at 2,000 ft and off course flew into a barrage balloon cable and crashed 2150 hrs into St.Andrews Park, Bristol.

 

THOMPSON, Alan Copland.
Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.) RAF
1196328 - Died:27/03/1942

Spelling should be Thomson.

27 March 1942

21 OTU
Wellington IC N2800
Training

Took off Moreton-in-Marsh for a night navigation exercise. Crashed with an engine on fire between the hamlet of Dorn and Aston Magna about 2 miles north west of the airfield.

 

Excellent work Peter ... The info you've provided on these chaps really helps fill in the gaps, and answer some questions I have been pondering. Thanks mate. reps on the way.

Izzy ... I've searched for any VC cwg's around Liverpool, but have yet to find any ... still looking.

Kev ... Don't worry mate, I'll get there for both of us.

On my way now to Anfield and possibly West Derby.

 

Anfield Cemetery, Liverpool.

As promised, here are 'most' of the cwg that have been requested .....

For Andy:
Serjeant WILLIAM GEOFFREY WALKER
2581834, 2nd Wing, Glider Pilot Regiment, A.A.C.
who died age 24
on 04 April 1944

Unable to locate G.R. Edwards (RWF) will try again.
Can find no record of a Davenport (AAC) on the 'CWGC website' or in the section of the cemetery you've listed ???

 

Anfield Cemetery, Liverpool.

For Donnie:
Corporal ARTHUR HARROP
3775550, 2nd Bn., The King's Regiment (Liverpool)
who died age 28
on 06 April 1946

Unfortunately Donnie, the headstone is rather worn. But the grave is very well tended.

 

Anfield Cemetery, Liverpool.

As promised, here are 'most' of the cwg that have been requested .....

For Andy:
Serjeant WILLIAM GEOFFREY WALKER
2581834, 2nd Wing, Glider Pilot Regiment, A.A.C.
who died age 24
on 04 April 1944
View attachment 18843 View attachment 18844
Unable to locate G.R. Edwards (RWF) will try again.
Can find no record of a Davenport (AAC) on the 'CWGC website' or in the section of the cemetery you've listed ???







4 April 1944

1 HGSU
Horsa I LG999

This glider was being towed by Stirling IV LJ842 No.196 Squadron engaged in a large glider exercise code named 'Exercise Dreme' The towing aircraft descended through cloud and hit a tree and 15 minutes later stalled, possibly because the port outer engine had failed, and crashed.

The gliders occupants were two glider pilots and members of No.3 Platoon 'A' Company. 7th (Airborne) Battalion The Kings Own Scottish Borderers. All (27) were killed.

Sgt. William Geoffrey Walker (24) was the Co-pilot of LG999.

 

Again, excellent background work Peter. I have a few RAF chaps from Anfield if you're interested ??

 

Anfield Cemetery, Liverpool.

Requested by Phil:
Private HENRY JOHN COOKSLEY
3657498, South Lancashire Regiment
who died age 26
on 19 February 1942



Private JOHN THOMAS MAGEE
3652036, Royal Pioneer Corps
who died on 18 November 1947
age 33


Private EDWARD CROASDALE
3662119, South Lancashire Regiment
who died on 11 November 1942 age 31

View attachment 21707


Private JOSEPH ARTHUR GOMPERTZ
3663178, 1st Bn., South Lancashire Regiment
who died
on 13 June 1945



Private HERBERT WATKIN
3765771, 30th Bn., South Lancashire Regiment
who died on 26 June 1942




Private WILLIAM HENRY ROBERTS
D/29565, 6th (H.D.) Bn., South Lancashire Regiment
who died
on 08 April 1941


Still to come: G.H. Hollis

 

West Derby Cemetery, Liverpool.

As requested by Phil & Andy:

Sergeant THOMAS A. JOYCE
3653210, 1st Wing, Glider Pilot Regiment, A.A.C.
who died age 25
on 17 September 1944




Lance Sergeant JOHN WILLIAM DEWSNAP.
D/29866, 30th Bn., South LancashireRegiment
who died age 45
on 23 July 1942



Gunner JACK ELLISON.
1699506, 432 By., 61 (5th Bn. The South Lancashire Regt.) Searchlight Regt., Royal Artillery
who died age 32
on 29 September 1944



Private FREDERICK JAMES KELLY
D/31194, 6th (H.D.) Bn., South Lancashire Regiment
who diedage 46
on 10 March 1940
Also served in the 1914-18 War.
View attachment 21977

 

Sergeant THOMAS A. JOYCE
3653210, 1st Wing, Glider Pilot Regiment, A.A.C.
who died age 25
on 17 September 1944
271 Squadron

Horsa HS101

The pilot (Sgt. Joyce) cast off the tow in cloud and during the subsequent forced landing, the glider struck HT cables and crashed at Bessels Leigh, near, Abingdon, Oxfordshire.

 

GELLER, John Gerard. DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal)
Volunteer, 85th County of Lancaster (Liverpool) Bn. Home Guard.
DoD: 22nd November 1940
Age: 50.

I've been unable to find any further info for J.G. Geller ??? Is it correct that the "DCM" is only a step down from the "VC" ?? I suspect that he may have been awarded the DCM during WWI, but seeing how once awarded, you are entitled to have the "DCM" initials after your name it's proving difficult to pin a specific date on. I've tried the "London Gazette" but the name draws a blank ... Because he was a volunteer with the Home Guard at the time, there is no record of his military service number. Also emailed the "Liverpool Kings Reg." will let you know of any developments.

An update Re: J.G. GELLER DCM.

Just received an email back from the "Liverpool Kings Reg."

Regimental Sergeant Major, 22383 J.G. Geller served with the Liverpool King's Regiment during the First World War, where he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

His citation in the "London Gazette" reads:
22383 R.S.M. J.G. Geller, L'pool R. (Liverpool).
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack. In the temporary absence of his C.O., he moved Battalion headquarters three times under heavy shell fire, maintaining great presence of mind and setting an example to all. When finally wounded, he tried to remain to report to his C.O., but had to be evacuated through loss of blood. He behaved splendidly.
Many thanks to Peter Donnelly of the Kings Own Museum for providing the above information.