Do any of our members live in London, moreso over towards Mile End, Bow, Limehouse or Bromley by Bow? I have a name photo I require from the City of London and Tower Hamlets Cemetery. His grave is now lost, along with all his shipmates, but he is now named on the Screen Wall that has been erected to commemorate all of the War casulaties lying therein. His name is George Frank Wortley and his name is to be found on Screen Wall. C.W.D. Coll. grave Panel 6 He, along with several of his shipmates, was killed when their ship was bombed on the first night of the Blitz while berthed up on the Thames.
From my photo collection Third Officer WORTLEY, GEORGE FRANK Died 07/09/1940 Aged 24 S.S. Bennevis (Leith) Merchant Navy
UK, Merchant Seamen Deaths, 1939 -1953 Name: George Frank Wortley Age: 24 Birth Date: abt 1916 Birth Place: Grimsby, England Death Date: 7 Sep 1940 Death Place: London Dock TD UK and Ireland, Find A Grave Index, 1300s-Current Name: Third Officer George Frank Wortley Death Date: 7 Sep 1940 Cemetery: City of London Cemetery and Crematorium Burial or Cremation Place: Newham, London Borough of Newham, Greater London, England https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/24345458 George Frank Wortley was a service casualty of WW2. George was born in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, the son of George and Florence Wortley (nee Coulling). He was also a brother to Florence Wortley. George served in the Merchant Navy in WW2 as a Third Officer aboard the S.S. Bennevis which was bombed in an enemy air raid while berthed in the West India Docks in London. George was one of the nine casualties and although they are listed in the burial register at Tower Hamlets cemetery, it is unclear if there were burials as there are no grave numbers listed for any of the crew. They are however commemorated on the bronze panels at the cemetery that commemorate all the WW2 casualties. Although many of them are classed as civilian casualties (CWD), members of the Merchant Navy and Home Guard for example, who died "in the face of the enemy" usually have war grave status, and as such are considered to be military war casualties. At the time of his passing George was 24 years of age.
Didn't know you were local. One of my daughter's best friends lives in one of the towers on the old hospital site just north of the cemetary, and I pass there often. All the best Andreas
I am down and about there quite often (along with most of the rest of London inner bits and pieces) As you know loads of history in the area stretching down to the docks
These show the mess the cemetery was left in due to the bombing during WW2. The chapels were destroyed along with many graves
I have posted this before in the Mem thread but put it here Tower Hamlets (Bow Cemetery) Cemetery Civilian Memorial