Stavne cemetery at Trondheim, Norway

HMS "Glowworm":


Bull, William F
Able seaman
P/SSX 22301
RN
10/4/1940
Age 20


Fain, Arthur Robert
Chief Engine Room Artificer
P/MX 56842
RN
8/4/1940
Age 43


Hucker, Ernest A
Leading Signalman
P/JX 132913
RN
22/4/1940
Age 27

View attachment 66197
King, Frederick
Able seaman
P/SSX 20368
RN
12/4/1940
Age 20
(Note headstone made from marble)


Knight, William E
Petty officer Stoker
P/KX 93969
RN
9/4/1940
Age unknown

View attachment 66199
Metcalf, John J
Ordinary seaman
P/JX 169495
RN
8/4/1940
Age unknown

View attachment 66200
Palfreyman, Charles
Able seaman
P/SSX 21715
RN
10/4/1940
Age 23

HMS "Glowworm" was a Class G destroyer, which on 8th April 1940 (the day before the German invasion of Norway and Denmark) encountered German destroyers transporting troops for landings in Trondheim. She engaged the heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper and a firefight followed. The two ships eventually collided, breaking Glowworm's bow off, upon which she quickly sunk, taking 109 of her crew with her. 40 British sailors were saved, but several (7 buried at Stavne) later died of their wounds.

 

HMS "Gurkha":


Morgan, David Nathan Bunce
Surgeon lieutenant
RNVR
9/4/1940
Age 24


Palmer, Cyril
Ordinary seaman
D/MD/X 2777
RNVR
10/4/1940
Age unknown



Parker, Frederick George
Able seaman
D/J 85624
RN
10/4/1940
Age unkown

HMS Gurkha was a tribal class destroyer. She was sunk after an aerial attack outside Bergen in the first stage of the Norwegian campaign. 9 of her crew died in the sinking.

HMS "Furious":

View attachment 66204
Brown, James Robert
Sub-lieutenant (A)
RNVR
6/5/1944
Age 21


Grant, John Austin
Sub-lieutenant (A)
RNVR
6/5/1944
Age 23

View attachment 66206
Pullen, David Leonard
Sub-lieutenant (A)
RNVR
6/5/1944
Age 20

HMS Furious was a cruiser built during WW1. She made several attacks on Tirpitz and other targets in Norway during the first half of 1944. The crew members buried at Stavne all died on 6th May 1944.

 

HMS "Glowworm":

View attachment 67753
Bull

View attachment 67754
Fain

View attachment 67755
Hucker

View attachment 67756
King
(Note headstone made from marble)

View attachment 67757
Knight

View attachment 67758
Metcalf

View attachment 67759
Palfreyman

HMS "Glowworm" was a Class G destroyer, which on 8th April 1940 (the day before the German invasion of Norway and Denmark) encountered German destroyers transporting troops for landings in Trondheim. She engaged the heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper and a firefight followed. The two ships eventually collided, breaking Glowworm's bow off, upon which she quickly sunk, taking 109 of her crew with her. 40 British sailors were saved, but several (7 buried at Stavne) later died of their wounds.

Hi Stormy i have a young chap from H.M.S Gloworm remembered in one of my local cemeterys unfortunately his body was one of those that was never recovered.

Matthew Bowes remembered in Harrington (St.Mary) Churchyard Cumbria.


CWGC :: Casualty Details

 

Stromy , a great thread, thank you.

From the officer who shot him down.



A bit more on Claude Senton and the loss of his crew, the guncrews mistook the Sunderland for a catalina , no Catalinas lost in this area on this date , only George Holly's 422 crew.

This is from 423 ORB ref. Air27/832. 192828.
(Only that which deals with 921 is quoted.)
"Intercepted W/T message "SOS" followed by long dash14.20 position 6558N,0357S. 2nd Pilot sighted what appeared to be a large puff of smoke or splash 10/15 miles north.
A/C closed to investigate and front gunner sighted a visual wakemade by U-Boat 10/15 miles bearing northerly on course 035 speed 12 knots. A/C at 2000 ft. then closed to attack passing unknown wreckage on the port side.
U-Boat openned fire immediately with fairly heavy but inaccurate flak. A/C used evasive tactics and dove to attack U-Boat from port to starboard - stick dropped short 5 D.C's. released , No.6 failed to release. Last plume observed to be 30-40 feet short of the hull. U-Boat turned to starboard as D.C's. exploded and about one and half minutes later submerged.Nothing further was seen. No damage or casualties to A/C or crew.
A/C jettisoned last DC .
14.55 Circled over wreckage seen in the run in and it appeared to be that of an aircraft - whitish grey in colour and wing like in shape and was amid oil or fuel slick.
Captain came off patrol and S/C base".

Claude Senton, George Holly his skipper.



I was really delighted to see Stormy's photos of the cemetery and of Claude's headstone, poor lad.

George Holly had previously served with 423 RCAF at Lough Erne, some of the lads who flew with him there went on to fly with Al Bishop until they sank and were in turn shot down by 489 SE of Iceland.
On the day they were shot down a friend had loaned GH "his best cap" ....years later reflecting on the loss of GH and his crew he said "I never did get it back".
( It is highly likely that the other lads in the photo are from Holly's crew but I don't know who is who , sorry.)

24th May 1944. DV 990. 422 Sq. Shot down by U-921.
(Below all RAF.)
Sgt. P.D. Andew.
Sgt. D.J. Harvey.
F/O G.B. Gingell.
F/S. L.W. Guggiari.
(Below RCAF members of the crew)
F/L. Edgar W. Beattie.
W/O James C. Burke.
W/O2 Keith M.G. Fleming.
F/O Thomas E. Frair.
F/O George E. Holley.
P/O. John H. Hamilton.
Sgt. John C. Seeley.
P/O Claude Senton.


422 Faces

Some more additional info on members of the crew. The gent who set this site up , John Picken , his grandfather (Gerry fellows) flew with 423 RCAF).

 

With the posts above, History starts to "Come Alive".

Excellent reading.

Regards
Tom

 

Many thanks to Deacs and James S for the very interesting additional information provided.

 

Burials from various ships, RN and RNVR:


Baldwin, Kenneth George
Petty Off Airman
FAA/FX 78406
RN
26/4/1940
Age 27
HMS Glorious was an aircraft carrier. On the day of Baldwin's death, during the Norwegian campaign, she was participating in air operations off the Norwegian coast. Could Baldwin have been a pilot ? HMS Glorious was sunk by Scarnhorst and Gneisenau on 8th June with great loss of life.


Davies, John Anthony
Sub-lieutenant (A)
RNVR
11/8/1944
Age 23
HMS Indefatigable, an aircraft carrier, participated in several raids on the Tirpitz in Norwegian waters in 1944.

View attachment 66242
Kimber, Henry Charles
Petty Off Airman
FX/76386
RN
9/9/1940
Age 24
HMS Sparrowhawk: No relevant info found on this ship (?)

View attachment 66243
Turner,Harry
Signalman
P/JX 152677
RN
30/4/1940
Age unknown
HMS Bittern was a destroyer which was sunk in the harbour of Narvik on 30th April 1940.

 

Stormy here is a link to all the deaths from the Gloworm if you trawl down the page you will notice your chaps died of wounds later on in the week.

Royal Navy casualties, killed and died, April 1940

 

Thank you very much. A very appropriate complement to my Navy "knowledge" which is on a wiki-search level.

 

SS Deptford:


Holliday, Walter James
Marine
PO/X 212310
Royal Marines
13/12/1939
Age 51


Thomson, Quintin Angus
First Engineer
Merchant Navy
13/12/1939
Age 48

SS Deptford was a cargo steamer and was sunk in the Arctic Atlantic on 13th December 1939 by German u-boat U-38. 32 died, 5 survived.

SS Oil Pioneer:

View attachment 66256
Henderson, Leonard
Pumpman
Merchant Navy
8/6/1940
Age 48

SS Oil Pioneer was shelled by heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper and torpedoed by destroyer on 8th June 1940 300 miles west of Narvik and sunk. 20 died.

SS Empire Howard:


Pirie, George Alexander
Able seaman
Merchant Navy
16/4/1942
Age 27

SS Empire Howard was a cargo steamer and was torpedoed by U-403 and sunk on 16th April 1942 in the Arctic Atlantic. 24 died.

RNVR and RNZVR, ships not specified:

View attachment 66258
Bennett, David Robert
Sub-lieutenant (A)
RNVR
11/8/1944
Age unknown

View attachment 66259
Glennie, Michael Aubrey
Sub-lieutenant (A)
RNVR
12/9/1944
Age 19


Shaw, Raymond Martin
Lieutenant (A)
RNZNVR
26/10/1944
Age 26

 

RAF graves part three K - R

View attachment 67565
Mackid, John Goodsir of Canada DFC
Flt ltn / Pilot
14042
RAF
28/4/1942
Age 28



Flt Lt Mackid's DFC citaion.

Viewing Page 395 of Issue 35430

Mackid

Distinguished Flying Cross.

Flight Lieutenant John Goodsir MACKID
(41042), No. 97 Squadron.
In December, 1941, Squadron .Leader
Sherwood and Flight Lieutenant Mackid participated
as leaders of formations of aircraft,
in a daylight attack on the battle cruisers
Gneisenau and Scharnhorst at Brest. Extremely
heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire
and opposition from enemy fighters was
encountered but, although Squadron Leader
Sherwood's aircraft was hit several times by
shellfire, he skilfully kept his formation
together and finally an accurate run was
made over the target. Flight Lieutenant
Mackid admirably supported Squadron
Leader Sherwood and pressed home a
successful' attack with great determination.
Throughout the operation, which demanded
a high degree of skill and courage, both these
officers played a conspicuous part and contributed
materially to the success obtained.

 

The graves of the unidentified:
(Photos of four graves from 27/12/1941 have already been posted.)





View attachment 66336





View attachment 66339

View attachment 66340





View attachment 66343













View attachment 66350







View attachment 66354

 

Handley Page Hampden I 50 Sqdn RAF AE 369 VN
Shot down by flak while dropping smoke bombs in the landing area. Sgt.Leonard Frank Redfern (KIA) buried at Stavne Cemetery, Trondheim. Sgt.Denis Herbert Roberts(KIA). Sgt.Leonard Reginald Brockett(KIA). Sgt.Alexander Valentine William Sherwin(KIA) The crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Bristol Blenheim IV 110 Sqdn RAF Z7442 VE
Sgt.Norman Kaby(KIA, the pilot's body was later recovered and he is buried at Stavne Cemetery in Trondheim) Sgt.Robert Charles Davis RNZAF(age 25 KIA) Sgt.Norman Coatesworth(KIA)

Bristol Beaufighter 235 Sqdn RAF IC T4765 LA-T
Took off from Dyce,Aberdeenshire. The aircraft was shot down by an Me 109 off coast of Norway. It was last seen to spin into the water from 300 feet. Both P/O William Halstead Hughes and Sgt Clifford Frederick Myhill rest in Stavne Cemetery, Trondheim.

The above are from http://tihlde.org/~ktsorens/flyvrak/oldeide.html

254 Sqn Blenheim IV Z6081 QY- Op:? Base: Dyce T/o time: ?

F/O J W Roche RAAF 402191 +
P/O D A Halsall 62669 +
Sgt F H Silk 634877 +

Lost without trace. P/O Halsall rests in Stavne Cemetery, Trondheim while both F/O Roche ans Sgt Silk are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
RAF CCL Vol 1 1939-1941 Ross McNeill

 

407817 Sergeant BANNEAR, Ronald Kenneth

Source:
NAA : A705, 163/90/364.


Aircraft Type: Hudson
Serial number: FH 427
Radio call sign:
Unit: 48 Sqn RAF

Summary:
Hudson FH 427 of 48 Sqn RAF took off at 1401 hours on 10 August 1942 from Lossiemouth, Scotland, to carry out a ‘North Bert’ patrol which was extended northwards. The ETA of FH 427 back at Base was 2000 hours. No message was received from the aircraft after take off and it did not return to base.

Crew:
RAAF 400838 PO Watts, G.R., Captain (Pilot).
RCAF Sgt G.R.Ash, Navigator.
RAAF 407648 Sgt J.E.Ramsey, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner.
RAAF 407817 Sgt R.K.Bannear, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner.

PO Watts (RAAF) body was recovered near Vigra Island on 18 August 1942 and was buried in Stavne cemetery, Trondheim, Norway. The remaining missing crew members were recorded as having no known grave.
http://www.awm.gov.au/catalogue/research_centre/pdf/rc09125z017_1.pdf

 

419538 Flying Officer REDFORD, Norman Louis

Source:
AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 166/35/378 Micro Film No 463 OAFH
Commonwealth War Graves records.

Aircraft Type: Mosquito
Serial number: HP 967
Radio call sign:
Unit: ATTD 235 SQN RAF

Summary:
On 4th November 1944, Mosquito HP967 crashed when carrying out operational mission against shipping in the Kihn Harbour, Norway. The aircraft carried out an attack and on turning away dived suddenly and steeply and crashed on the Island of Storgen, about 30 miles south of Vaagso, Norway. The aircraft exploded and a Pilot who flew low over the wreckage stated that both the crew must have been killed.

Crew:
RNZAF FO Powell, H L Captain (Pilot)
RAAF 419538 FO Redford, N L (Navigator)

Both the crew are buried in the Trondheim (Stavne) Cemetery, Norway. Trondheim is on the west coast of Norway, approx 300kms north of Oslo.
http://www.awm.gov.au/catalogue/research_centre/pdf/rc09125z007_1.pdf

 

Commandos' graves:


View attachment 67643
Povey, Harold Thomas Andrew
Lance Serjant
3309768
Black Watch / Royal Highlanders
27/12/1941
Age 29

It seems highly likely that on of the four unidentified from 27th Dec 1941 was Povey. I guess nobody could decide what unidentified -headstone could be replaced by Povey's, so now this cemetery contains 155 graves but 156 headstones.

It must have been determined that L/Sjt. Povey was one of the unknowns, some time after 2005, as the data I have from that date is:

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 12. Column 2.
Cemetery: BROOKWOOD MEMORIAL

(is this a granite headstone? Perhaps it may explain the few granite stones; they are used to replace weathered stones when necessary. Perhaps it is more suited to the climate)

 

....

(is this a granite headstone? Perhaps it may explain the few granite stones; they are used to replace weathered stones when necessary. Perhaps it is more suited to the climate)

No, I believe it to be sandstone, too. Different colour due to angle vs sun. Please see extensive explanation on VM.

 

It must have been determined that L/Sjt. Povey was one of the unknowns, some time after 2005, as the data I have from that date is:

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 12. Column 2.
Cemetery: BROOKWOOD MEMORIAL

(is this a granite headstone? Perhaps it may explain the few granite stones; they are used to replace weathered stones when necessary. Perhaps it is more suited to the climate)

hello Geoff
he is still on the Brookwood Memorial
regards
Clive

 

Hi Stormy i have a young chap from H.M.S Gloworm remembered in one of my local cemeterys unfortunately his body was one of those that was never recovered.

Matthew Bowes remembered in Harrington (St.Mary) Churchyard Cumbria.
CWGC :: Casualty Details

Michael (and Stormy):

I reckon the stonemason has incorrectly inscribed the date of death of Mr Joseph Bowes (father of Matthew) on the headstone as February 26th 1933. The correct year of the death of Mr Joseph Bowes (Snr) seems to have been in 1953 when he was 71. As the headstone states Mrs Ada Bowes died in 1927.

On 14 October 1939 A.B. Matthew Bowes had survived the sinking of HMS Royal Oak in Scapa Flow. His photograph appeared in the newspaper the following week. Matthew's father, Joseph Bowes (Snr.), was also interviewed by 'The Whitehaven News' at the time. This would have been impossible if he had died in 1933.

The sinking of the 'Royal Oak' by German U-Boat U-47 (commanded by Günther Prien) was one of the most significant events of the early months of the war. I was wondering what had happened to Matthew Bowes after surviving the 'Royal Oak' sinking and I came across your photograph of the headstone.

Matthew's brother, Gunner Joseph Bowes (Jnr), was another WW2 casualty and is listed by the CWGC. He is buried at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand. It would seem Joseph (Jnr.) died while being forced to work as a POW on the Burma - Siam railway. The family home was at The Oval, Salterbeck, Workington, Cumberland, which is not mentioned on the CWGC citations for either Matthew Bowes or Joseph William Bowes.

CWGC citation for Gunner Joseph William Bowes:

CWGC :: Casualty Details

 

Hi see i wonder what happened there then.