Our Glorious Dead - Research for fundraising book

Thanks to everyone who has contributed information to date. Just to give you a feel of the theme, here are the details of a few records that I have nearly finalised.


In Memory of
Private HORACE ABRAM

250963, Royal Army Ordnance Corps
who died age 31
on 01 January 1943
Son of George William and Martha Abram; husband of Freda Abram, of Widnes, Lancashire.
Remembered with honour
BENGHAZI WAR CEMETERY

Born between January and March 1911, to parents George and Martha ,who originally from Letheringsett, in Norfolk had moved to Widnes sometime between 1901 and 1911. The Family remained settled in Widnes and Horace eventually married his wife Freda (Maiden name unknown)

Horace’s date of enlistment and early military career is not known, but serving with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in the North Africa campaign it is likely that he saw action in Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt in support of Montgomery’s Eighth Army.

The War in Libya ended in July 1942, but it was not until May 1943 that the war in North Africa finished, paving the way for the move into Sicily and Mainland Europe.

Horace was killed on the 1st January 1943 in circumstances unknown and is laid to rest in the Commonwealth War Graces Cemetery on the outskirts of Benghazi, Libya

Horace’s’ wife Freda sadly died in July 1998 aged 84



In Memory of
Private FRANK DONALD ALEXANDER

39382, 7 Armd. Div. Workshops, Royal Army Ordnance Corps
who died age 30
on 09 December 1941
Son of Robert Alexander and of Susan Alexander, of Widnes, Lancashire.
Remembered with honour
HELIOPOLIS WAR CEMETERY

Born in the Union of South Africa it has not been possible to trace any personal details relating to Frank D Alexander or his next of kin

Serving with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, Frank was attached to the 7th Armoured Division. It is possible that he trained at the trained at the RAOC Depot, Hilsea Barracks in Portsmouth before embarking for North Africa where the 7th Armoured Division fought between 1939 and 1942 when it was sent to Rangoon Burma.

During its time in Africa, the 7th Armoured Division took part in a series of border raids along the frontier and the counter attack at Sidi Barrani, in November that year, where large numbers of Italian prisoners were taken. Then in January 1941, it took part in the successful capture of Tobruk and Bardia and culminating with the action at Beda Fomm, in February 1941, when the retreating Italians were held by a small force while the rest of the 7th Armoured Division caught up causing the surrender of over 25,000 Italians. This campaign effectively destroyed the Italian Army in North Africa.

When the Deutsche Afrika Korps and Italians attacked in April 1941 the Division was refitting in the Nile Delta, but was soon back in the Western Desert. In May 1941, the Brigade took part in Operation Brevity and later in Operation Battleaxe, in an attempt to lift the siege of Tobruk, but suffered heavy loses in tanks and men. In November 1941, the Brigade as part of 7th Armoured Division took part in Operation Crusader and particularly the bloody battles around Sidi Rezegh and Rommel's Raid, where it was nearly wiped out

Frank D Alexander was killed on the 9th December 1941 and is buried at the Heliopolis War Cemetery Near Cairo in Egypt.

The Motto of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps “Sua tela tonanti” but commonly translated as "To the Warrior his Arms"



In Memory of
Sergeant HAROLD BASNETT

1054927, 77 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 22
on 07 September 1943
Son of Sydney Harold and Marion Basnett, of Widnes, Lancashire.
Remembered with honour
DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY

Born in early 1921 to Parents Sydney Harold and Marion (nee Moore) Basnett, Harold ‘s Father Sydney is thought to have originated from the Farnworth area of Widnes, living originally at 10 Hughes Street, whilst his mother Marion is though to have spent her early years in Blackpool despite being born in Widnes.

Sydney and Marion are thought to have married in 1912 at West Derby and eventually moved to 31 Eleanor Street. Harold’s Father was mobilised with the Royal Artillery Regiment on the 16th May 1916 initially posted at Fort Brocklhurst, Gosport before being demobilised on Christmas day 1919. Gunner S.H. Basnett returned to Widnes and resided at number 12 Parsonage Road

Harold is listed as serving with 77 Squadron as a member of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and dependant on the date at which he enlisted have been based in and around Yorkshire.

In July 1938 the Squadron returned to Yorkshire as part of 4 Group, Bomber Command, where it was to remain throughout World War II except for a brief detachment from May to October 1942 to Coastal Command in Devon.

The Air Ministry selected 4 Group to specialise in night bombing operations. In November 1938 the squadron was reequipped with Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mk III twin engine medium bombers, and from November 1939 the Mk V version, until April 1942 when remaining Bomber Command Whitley squadrons were transferred to Coastal Command.

During this period the squadron was based at Driffield (July 1938 – August 1940), Linton-on-Ouse (August 1940 - October 1940), Topcliffe (October 1940 - September 1941), and Leeming (September 1941 - May 1942). Before the fall of France some squadron aircraft were temporarily based there.

Whilst at Driffield on 14 August 1940 the airfield was attacked by Junkers 88 aircraft of the Luftwaffe and 12 Whitley bombers of 77 and 102 Squadrons were destroyed. Thirteen airmen and soldiers were killed.

In the Bomber Command Order of Battle for the 9th January 1942 the squadron had
17 Whitley Mk V aircraft on "unit charge". Soon after this the strength was expanded
to 27 aircraft.

During the early part of the year 1942, prior to transfer to Coastal Command in May , the squadron lost 11 aircraft, 4 of which crashed and one ditched. The casualties were 43 aircrew killed or missing believed dead and 5 taken prisoners of war. Targets included St Nazaire, Emden,Rostock and Wilhelmshaven. 3 aircraft were lost in one raid on Wilhelmshaven.

The Squadron temporarily joined 19 Group, Coastal Command, together with its Whitley aircraft, at Chivenor airfield in Devon on 6th May 1942. The operations carried out consisted of convoy escorts, antisubmarine patrols and shipping strikes off South West England. The Squadron returned to Bomber Command in October 1942. During the attachment 6 aircraft were lost on operations and the casualties suffered were 27 aircrew either killed or missing believed dead and 7 taken prisoners of war. Although one DFC was awarded in October this was probably mainly in respect of earlier operations with Bomber Command.
The Squadron moved to Elvington airfield, just outside York, and commenced intensive training on Halifax II aircraft in October 1942 but was not declared operational until the end of January 1943. In December 1942 following the loss of Wing Commander Embling the squadron received the unique distinction of having an air gunner, Wing Commander Arthur Ernest ("Lofty") Lowe, RAF, appointed as its commanding officer.

The squadron's first raid using the Halifax was against Lorient, France, on the 4th
February 1943, this was followed by several raids mainly on similar targets in France.
The first losses did not occur until 10th March 1943 when two aircraft were lost on a
raid on Munich, and another on 29th March 1943 on Berlin. However now the "Battle of the Ruhr" commenced and during April, May and June 1943 , 19 aircraft went missing on operations and 2 were lost in take-off accidents, aircrew casualties amounted to 122 killed or missing believed dead and 22 taken prisoners of war. At the time of the Bomber Command Order of Battle on 4th March 1943 the Squadron had 18 Halifax Mk2 aircraft on unit charge. So that during this battle, over a period of three months, the Squadron lost about as many aircraft and crews as its established strength.

During a comparative lull in operations 3 aircraft were lost in July. However during August and September 1943 attacks recommenced on various cities including Berlin and Nuremberg and during these two months the Squadron lost, on operations, 21 aircraft, casualties amounted to 119 killed or missing believed dead and 32 taken prisoners of war, three aircrew evaded capture and returned to the UK. Again within two months the Squadron had lost on operations almost the equivalent of its normal establishment in aircraft and aircrew.

Sadly Flight Serjeant Harold Basnett was was not to return from operations over Germany on the night of the 7th December 1943, and aged 22 was listed as Killed in action.

Flight Sergeant Harold Basnett is now laid to rest in the Dunbarch War Cemetery in Germany along side many of his RAF comrades


In Memory of
Second Officer EDWIN GEORGE BEESLEY

M.V. Abosso (Liverpool), Merchant Navy
who died age 28
on 29 October 1942
Son of Edwin and Edith Beesley, of Widnes, Lancashire.
Remembered with honour
TOWER HILL MEMORIAL

Born in the early second half of 1914, Edwin George Beesley was the son on Edwin T Beesley and Edith H Speakman who married in 1911. It is not believed that Edwin’s Parents originated from the Widnes area but are now to have been living there at the time of Edwins death in 1942

Edwin Jnr joined he Merchant Navy and served upon the M.V. Abosso as second Officer, serving under Master Capt Reginald William Tate. The Abosso was a British Merchant Navy ship owned by the Edler Dempster Line, which was requisitioned by the British Government as a HM Transport during the Second World War. The Abosso was a twin-screw motor ship of length 461 feet, and beam 65 feet with a maximum draft of 37 feet. The vessel was powered by two Burmeister & Wain eight-cylinder, two-stroke single acting trunk piston oil engines, built under license by J. & G. Kincaid of Greenock, to give a combined output of 7200 SHP, and a service speed of 15 knots. Passenger accommodation was divided into three classes, the largest being 1st class with 251 berths, 74 berths for 2nd class, and 32 berths for 3rd class.

After being requisitioned by the British Government, the Abosso was deployed as a troop carrying ship ferrying troops between Liverpool and Cape Town, South Africa.

On the 29 Oct, 1942 at 22.13 CET, about 589 nautical miles (1,091 kilometres) north of Lagens Field, Azores Islands (position 48.30N/28.50W) U-575 (Kptlt. Gunther Heydemann) fired four torpedoes at the unescorted ABOSSO, but only one of them hit. At 22:28 a second torpedo hit the ship and she sank at 23:05 CET. On 2nd November survivors were rescued by the sloop HMS BIDEFORD. Among the passengers was also a Dutch submarine crew (34 men from the submarines K-IX, K-X and K-XII), which was on the way to England to man the Dutch submarine Haai (ex HMS Varne (P-66), under construction). Their commander Lt-Cdr H.C.J. Coumou protested after he learned that the speed of the ship was only 14.5 knots and that she will make the journey unescorted. His protests were disregarded

This was the second time that the Abosso had been attacked as on 24 May 1941 she sustained slight damage when attacked by a Focke Wulf Condor.

The Abosso had been on its way from Cape Town to Liverpool, when she was attacked. There were only 31 survivors including five Dutch members of the 33 Netherlands Royal Navy and one female passenger out of the ten women on board. Three of the four Royal Navy men on board survived. All survivors were in lifeboat No 5, the only lifeboat with survivors that didn't capsize. In all, a total of 168 crew and 193 passengers were lost (=361). Among the passengers were 44 newly trained pilots from the No 23 Service Flying Training School, X Flight, Advanced Training Squadron, at Heany, Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia. Pilot Officer William B. Thomson of Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, was the only survivor from this pilot-graduating course. Survivors were picked up from the freezing Atlantic 36 hours later when an Australian Navy Lieutenant on board the sloop, HMS Bideford, which was escorting a troop convoy proceeding to North Africa as part of Operation 'Torch', sighted their lifeboat. The sloop put them ashore at Gibraltar three days later

Second Officer Edwin George Beesley is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London., and remembered on the Merchant Navy Memorial Liverpool.

On the Alamein Memorial are inscribed the names of 19 RAF men lost on the Abosso. Others are commemorated on memorials in various countries including Singapore (21) and one name on the Australian War Memorial. (The U-575 was sunk on March 13, 1944, with the loss of 18 crewmembers. There were 37 survivors)




In Memory of
Leading Stoker PATRICK BENNETT

D/SKX 1222, H.M.S. Newfoundland, Royal Navy
who died age 25
on 14 March 1947
Son of James and Martha Bennett, of Widnes; husband of Josephine Bennett, of Widnes.
Remembered with honour
WIDNES CEMETERY

Born in 1921 to Parents James and Martha Hannah (Nee Illidge), the family settled in Widnes before Patrick was born, and it is believed that his mother originated from Runcorn.

It is not known in which year Patrick joined the Royal Navy, but is listed as serving on the H.M.S. Newfoundland, a CEYLON-Class cruiser ordered from Swan Hunter, Newcastle on Tyne under 1939 Estimates and was laid down on 9th November 1939. The ship was launched on 19th December 1941 by Mrs Ernest Bevin, wife of the Minister of Labour, and was the first RN ship to carry this name. Build was completed on 31st December 1942 and she was adopted by the civil community of Wolverhampton in place of HM Cruiser CURACOA which had sunk in a tragic collision with RMS QUEEN MARY on 2nd October 1942. This ship has also a significant association with the colony whose name she bore. The community of the colony had provided £100,000 by public subscription towards the cost of her build. Apart from visit in May 1944 the ship did not visit the colony again but her activities were always of interest to Newfoundlanders.

Early in 1943 the ship became Flagship of the 15th Cruiser Squadron, Mediterranean and during the Sicily Campaign was torpedoed on the 23rd July 1943 by the German submarine U407, commanded by Kptlt. Ernst-Ulrich Brüller. From 18th Dec, 1941 - 14 th Jan, 1944.The submarine in question was in commission from 18th Dec, 1941 – 19th Sep, 1944. She was dispatched on the 19th Sept, 1944 in the Mediterranean south of Milos, in position 36.27N, 24.33E, by depth charges from the.British destroyers HMS Troubridge and HMS Terpsichore and the Polish destroyer Garland. 5 dead and 48 survivors.

After limping to Malta, where temporary repairs were carried out, Newfoundland crossed the Atlantic, steering by her propellers only as the steering gear had been damaged beyond use when torpedoed at Sicily, she eventually arrived at Boston Navy Yard where major repairs to her stern were undertaken. Following her return to Britain in 1944 the ship re-commissioned and sailed to the Far East. Whilst the ship was at Alexandria an explosion occurred in the port torpedo tubes, she suffered casualties and severe damage. The repairs delayed her arrival in the Far East to join the newly formed British Pacific Fleet.

The offensive against the Japanese occupied territories had been unleashed and as VE day was being celebrated in Europe HMS Newfoundland was supporting the landings by the 6th Australian Division at Wewak in New Guinea. Five days later the capture of the Wewak Peninsula and Airfield was effected. On the 14/15th June, as part of a Royal Naval Task Group, sea and air strikes were carried out on the Japanese Naval Base of Truk in the Caroline Islands .

On 6th July HMS Newfoundland left the forward base of Manus in the Admiralty Islands with other ships of the British Pacific Fleet to take part in the Anglo American attack on the mainland of Japan. These operations had been planned to prempt the invasion of the Japanese mainland on the 1st November 1945.

During this period, until the Japanese surrender, following the dropping of the Atomic Bombs, the ship was at sea continuously for 52 days, escorting the Aircraft Carriers, whose planes were attacking Japan on a daily basis, resisting air attacks, bombarding shore targets and finally putting a landing party of Royal Marines and Seaman ashore to take over the Naval Base at Yokosuka. The final chapter was being present in Tokyo Bay when the Instrument of Surrender was signed aboard the USS Missouri on the 2 September 1945.

A post victory voyage was undertaken around South Island, New Zealand, November 1945. The scenery in Milford Sound was a highpoint. The ship visited Bluff, Port Chalmers, Dunedin and Christchurch and received a warm welcome.

On our return to Sydney the ship was refitted on Cocktoo Island over Christmas 1945 to February 1946. Working up trials took place off Jervis Bay, Australia.

The next major undertaking was to, participate in the urgent task of repatriating British and Commonwealth Prisoners of War. This involved voyages to New Guinea and the Admiralty Islands, culminating in the repatriation of 100 personnel from Manus in March 1946. On the return voyage to Sydney a cyclone off the Great Barrier Reef caused injury to several crew members and her commander was killed, washed against 'A' turret causing him head injuries, whilst the commander and members of the crew were engaged in securing the anchor chains on the foredeck.

On the 9th March 1946 the ship left Sydney for Yokohama, Japan, Shanghai and Hong Kong. In late May 1946, HMS Newfoundland with Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser sailed up the Yangstze to Nanking with HMS Hogue as escort. The first Royal Navy ships to do so since before September 1939.

Unfortunately the ship ran aground on a mud bank on 27th May 1946, causing a one day delay. Refloated on the 28th May 1946 she was joined by HMS Lagos. The result of the grounding was a spell in Taokoo Dock, Hong Kong to repair damaged plates forward. A typhoon in this period June 1946 caused some damage to external fittings on the ship.

There followed voyages to Yokohama and Kure. Hakodate, Shimizu and Enoshima were visited. During this period the ships cpmpany were able to visit the devastated site of Hiroshima.

Before leaving for home we were flagship for Rear Admiral Soirreau during exercises with the 6th Cruiser Squadron of the northern coast of Japan. The voyage home was by way of Singapore, Batavia, Penang, Trincomalee, Aden and Port Said. This included the sinking, by gunfire, of a Japanese cruiser towed out of Singapore into the Malacca Straits.

The ship eventually arriving back to Devonport from Gibraltar in December 1946.

Since first commissioning the ship had visited all five continents and in the seven months to the end of hostilities had steamed 48,000 miles and had visited places as far apart as Scapa Flow and New Zealand which lie almost on opposite sides of the world

In January 1947 the H.M.S Newfoundland was reduced to reserve status, and later on the 10th March 1947 was Deployed as Tender to HMS RALEIGH for training of Stoker ratings.

Having survived the War Leading Stoker Patrick Bennett, died of illness aged 25 and is now buried in Widnes Cemetery.




In Memory of
Private LESLIE BENNETT

1800958, 259 Coy., Pioneer Corps
who died age 22
on 24 September 1943
Son of James Gilliat Bennett and Ethel Bennett, of Widnes, Lancashire.
Remembered with honour
CATANIA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY


Born in the early part of 1921 it is believed that Leslie’s father James originated from Widnes spending his early years living at 32 Fredrick St, whilst his Mother Ethel (nee Marsh) originated from the Bolton Area. Leslie’s parents married in 1920, with Leslie arriving a year later.

Private Leslie Bennett’s service number indicates that he started his military service with the Royal Artillery (Field, Coastal & Anti-Aircraft), before joining the Pioneer Corps sometime prior to 1943, serving with 259 Company.

The Royal Pioneer Corps was raised on 17 October 1939 as the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps. It was renamed the Pioneer Corps on 22 November 1940. In September 1939, a number of infantry and cavalry reservists were formed into Works Labour Companies. These, in October 1939 became the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps (AMPC), and a Labour Directorate was created to control labour matters. On 22 November 1940 the name was changed from the AMPC to the Pioneer Corps. In addition to UK troops, Pioneers were enlisted from the Commonwealth and included Swazis, Basutos, Buchuanas, East and West Africans, Mauritians, Rodriguais and Seychellois, Sinhalese, Indians of all classes, Cypriots and Maltese. Syrians, Palestines and Arabs also joined the Corps.

in NW Europe, Free French, Dutch and Belgian Companies of Pioneers were formed. They performed a wide variety of tasks in all theatres of war. These tasks ranging from handling all types of stores, laying prefabricated track on the beaches and stretcher-bearing. They also worked under Engineer supervision on the construction of the Mulberry Harbour and laid the Pipe Line Under the Ocean (PLUTO), constructed airfields, roads and erected bridges.

Hardly known today is the fact that many thousands of Germans and Austrians joined the Pioneer Corps to assist the Allied war efforts and liberation of their home countries. These were mainly Jews and political opponents of the Nazi Regime who had fled to Britain while it was still possible. These men - often dubbed "The King's Most Loyal Enemy Aliens" - later moved on to serve in fighting units like the Royal Fusiliers, Royal Tank Corps and even with the RAF. (No 10 Command and the 2 Pathfinder Parachute Companies) were all Germans. Many were commissioned into all three services.

Companies (Squadrons) established with Beach Groups took part in the assaults in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and North East Europe.

Worldwide, wherever labour was required to keep the military machine in operation, including control and administration of civilian labour in support of the Forces, Pioneers played their part with distinction. When called upon the Corps took its place alongside the infantry - in France etc. Wherever Pioneers served commanders paid tribute to their work and contribution to final victory. During the war there was practically no task that was not performed by Pioneers. The Corps handled all kinds and types of stores and ammunition, built camps, airfields and fortifications, cleared rubble and demolished roadblocks, built roads, railways and bridges, loaded and unloaded ships, trains and planes, constructed aircraft pens against enemy bombing and a host of other jobs.

It is true to say that there was no British theatre of war in the world where Pioneers were not to be found. In November 1942 Pioneers made their first amphibious landing in North Africa with the First Army and earned a great name during the six months campaign. One Company went into the line as infantry for three weeks and acquitted itself with great credit

On 10 July 1943, following the successful conclusion of the north African campaign in mid May, a combined allied force of 160,000 Commonwealth and American troops invaded Sicily as a prelude to the assault on mainland Italy. The invasion took place in winds of near gale proportions making the landings difficult, but the weather conditions threw the defenders off guard and made possible a tactical surprise. After landing, the Allies intended to strike for dominating ground in the east-central part of the island and then to take Messina on the strait between Sicily and Italy.

After recovering from their initial surprise, the German forces in Sicily succeeded in blocking the most direct route to Messina by concentrating against the British Eighth Army in the vicinity of Catania.

Thereupon Patton sent a mobile provisional corps under Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Keyes to the northwest, which cut the island in two, captured Palermo by 22 July, and broke the morale of the Italian garrison of 275,000 men on the island. The American forces were now in a position to attack from the west to break the deadlock opposite the British. When the Seventh Army drove eastward across the island, the Germans began to withdraw across the Strait of Messina to Italy. Despite attacks by Allied aircraft, they were able to evacuate some 60,000 troops.

On 17 August 1943 American patrols pushed into Messina, and the campaign reached a successful conclusion. Axis losses in the campaign were around 167,000 killed, wounded, and captured, including some 10,000 German casualties. Allied losses were 31,158.

Sadly Private Leslie Bennett was one of those casualties, although he did not die until over 5 weeks after the battle finished. The circumstances of Private Leslie Bennett’s death are not known. He is now remembered in the Catania War Cemetery in Scilly.



Regards
Phil

 

Hi,

THOMAS TEMPLE Seaman LT/JX 257105 Royal Naval Patrol Service H.M. Trawler William Stephen 25th October 1943 LOWESTOFT NAVAL MEMORIAL Panel 12, Column 1.


For info on HMT William Stephen see my website:

index

Alex

 

Hi,

THOMAS TEMPLE Seaman LT/JX 257105 Royal Naval Patrol Service H.M. Trawler William Stephen 25th October 1943 LOWESTOFT NAVAL MEMORIAL Panel 12, Column 1.


For info on HMT William Stephen see my website:

index

Alex

Excellent, Thanks Alex

Phil

 

Hi Phil,

No problem. As you can see from the site I haven't added any updates since 2006. I made the site as a result of a query from a friend at work. His uncle was onboard the trawler when it was torpedoed by the E-boat. This is all the info I could find about the trawler. On looking at the site last night I see I have spelt Thomas Temple's name wrong. I'll have to go in and correct that.

I'm working on a similar Roll of Honour for a local school and it looks like we are researching different men who served on the same ships/units/squadrons. There are 44 names for WWI and 72 names for WWII.

For example I have a Sqn Ldr David Douglas Pryde DFC who served with 77 Squadron from November 1937 until his death on 9 June 1942. So he would have served at the same time as your Sgt Harold Basnett.

Regards,

Alex

 

Hi Phil,

No problem. As you can see from the site I haven't added any updates since 2006. I made the site as a result of a query from a friend at work. His uncle was onboard the trawler when it was torpedoed by the E-boat. This is all the info I could find about the trawler. On looking at the site last night I see I have spelt Thomas Temple's name wrong. I'll have to go in and correct that.

I'm working on a similar Roll of Honour for a local school and it looks like we are researching different men who served on the same ships/units/squadrons. There are 44 names for WWI and 72 names for WWII.

For example I have a Sqn Ldr David Douglas Pryde DFC who served with 77 Squadron from November 1937 until his death on 9 June 1942. So he would have served at the same time as your Sgt Harold Basnett.

Regards,

Alex

Seems Very likely Alex, so more than Happy to share information. Let me know a list of the names you think you have links to and as and when I finalise the details for the individuals i'll send you a copy.

 

JAMES EDWARD HUGHES Private 3775808 Hampshire Regiment 1/4th Battalion 12th October 1943 MINTURNO WAR CEMETERY V. D. 22. Born Lancs, Residence Lancs, Theatre Italy




This is from The Royal Hampshire Regiment 1918-1954 by David Scott Daniell.
Sorry not the best but I'm scannerless I took these with book resting on my lap.
I wonder if Pte Hughes was one of those who drowned when a boat capsized?



Thanks for this Owen, whilst not for certain, it would seem very probable that Pvte Hughes dies in this action. I will cross reference it with any other information that I find, but certainly looks favourite

Thanks again.
Phil

 

Hi Phil,

ARTHUR JOHNSON Able Seaman D/JX 335236 Royal Navy H.M.S. President III 29th October 1942 PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL Panel 65, Column 3.

Arthur was a DEMS gunner on board the MV Abosso. So he was onboard the same time as Second Officer EDWIN GEORGE BEESLEY.

HMS President III was a land based admin depot for DEMS gunners. Other names on your list for HMS President III include,

Thomas Boscoe Able Seaman D/JX191757, SS Panama
William Hosker Able Seaman P/JX226036, SS La Carriere

I can't find out anything for Frank Burgess Able Seaman D/JX391736.

Hope this helps.

Alex

 

Hi Phil,

ARTHUR JOHNSON Able Seaman D/JX 335236 Royal Navy H.M.S. President III 29th October 1942 PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL Panel 65, Column 3.

Arthur was a DEMS gunner on board the MV Abosso. So he was onboard the same time as Second Officer EDWIN GEORGE BEESLEY.

HMS President III was a land based admin depot for DEMS gunners. Other names on your list for HMS President III include,

Thomas Boscoe Able Seaman D/JX191757, SS Panama
William Hosker Able Seaman P/JX226036, SS La Carriere

I can't find out anything for Frank Burgess Able Seaman D/JX391736.

Hope this helps.

Alex


Thanks Alex, Info added to database

 

Phil

I am making no promises but I am off to Holland/Germany in April 2009 so have added your chaps from Hanover,Groesbeek and Mook to my lists as we will be visiting these cemeteries at some point during our trip!

I have also added your chap at Brookwood to a long list I am going to be doing soon for others on the forum, and I will check my pics of Runnymede although I am sure there is someone on here who has all the panels photographed (cant remember how though!)
Also if I get the time, do you want the chaps from Tower Hill?

Regards
Andy

 

Phil

I am making no promises but I am off to Holland/Germany in April 2009 so have added your chaps from Hanover,Groesbeek and Mook to my lists as we will be visiting these cemeteries at some point during our trip!

I have also added your chap at Brookwood to a long list I am going to be doing soon for others on the forum, and I will check my pics of Runnymede although I am sure there is someone on here who has all the panels photographed (cant remember how though!)
Also if I get the time, do you want the chaps from Tower Hill?

Regards
Andy

Andy, Thanks for your help, I am aiming to add either a grave or memorial photograph for each individual, so any that you get would be of great help.

Phil

 

Hi Phil,

JAMES WILLIAM KENNY Stoker LT/KX 12111 Royal Naval Patrol Service H.M. Drifter Boy Andrew. 9th November 1941 LOWESTOFT NAVAL MEMORIAL Panel 7. Column 1.

Below is what I have on a local lad who was on HM Drifter Boy Andrew.

Watson, Thomas Butters (22) Pittenweem
Able Seaman, LT/JX 185351 HM Drifter Boy Andrew 09 Nov 1941


Thomas was a fisherman before he joined the Royal Naval Patrol Service. He served onboard HM Drifter Boy Andrew. Built in 1918 she was originally named Sunburst and served with the Royal Navy during WWI. In 1940 she was renamed Boy Andrew and used as an Admiralty Drifter.


On 9 November 1941 Boy Andrew was heading East along a swept channel in the Firth of Forth. Sailing along the same channel was the steamship St Rognvald. The steamship was gradually overtaking Boy Andrew at a lateral distance of about 100 feet. With the St Rognvald on her starboard quarter Boy Andrew suddenly swerved to starboard and both ships collided. Boy Andrew sank with the loss of her skipper George F Ball and 11 crewmen. This included two brothers, Frederick and Robert Goodwin from Edinburgh.

Son of Thomas and Jessie Watson; husband of Johnina R. Watson, of Cellardyke, Fife. He was only married for two months.


Able Seaman Thomas Butters Watson has no known grave and is commemorated on the Lowestoft Naval Memorial panel 6 column 1 and on the Pittenweem War Memorial.


The National Archives has a file on this collision, TS32/479

Hope this helps.

Alex

 

Hi Phil,

JAMES WILLIAM KENNY Stoker LT/KX 12111 Royal Naval Patrol Service H.M. Drifter Boy Andrew. 9th November 1941 LOWESTOFT NAVAL MEMORIAL Panel 7. Column 1.

Below is what I have on a local lad who was on HM Drifter Boy Andrew.

Watson, Thomas Butters (22) Pittenweem
Able Seaman, LT/JX 185351 HM Drifter Boy Andrew 09 Nov 1941


Thomas was a fisherman before he joined the Royal Naval Patrol Service. He served onboard HM Drifter Boy Andrew. Built in 1918 she was originally named Sunburst and served with the Royal Navy during WWI. In 1940 she was renamed Boy Andrew and used as an Admiralty Drifter.


On 9 November 1941 Boy Andrew was heading East along a swept channel in the Firth of Forth. Sailing along the same channel was the steamship St Rognvald. The steamship was gradually overtaking Boy Andrew at a lateral distance of about 100 feet. With the St Rognvald on her starboard quarter Boy Andrew suddenly swerved to starboard and both ships collided. Boy Andrew sank with the loss of her skipper George F Ball and 11 crewmen. This included two brothers, Frederick and Robert Goodwin from Edinburgh.

Son of Thomas and Jessie Watson; husband of Johnina R. Watson, of Cellardyke, Fife. He was only married for two months.


Able Seaman Thomas Butters Watson has no known grave and is commemorated on the Lowestoft Naval Memorial panel 6 column 1 and on the Pittenweem War Memorial.


The National Archives has a file on this collision, TS32/479

Hope this helps.

Alex

Cheers Alex. If you send me a list of any other individuals who match such as Basnett & Kenny, I will send you what I find.

Phil

 

28 in draft form 200 to go........ Just thought i'd post a few more snippets.


In Memory of
Private JOHN ALWYN BLISS

4132369, 2nd Bn., Cheshire Regiment
who died age 28
on 18 June 1944
Son of David Charles and Martha Ann Bliss; husband of Bertha Bliss, of Widnes, Lancashire.
Remembered with honour
BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY

Born in Widnes Lancs between October and December 1915, John Alwyn Bliss is believed to be the son of David Charles and Martha Ann (nee Crook) Bliss who had married in 1905 at Abergavenny, Monmouthshire .

Enlisted into the Cheshire regiment after the start of the Second World War, Private Bliss served with the 2nd Battalion. At the start of the war the 2nd Battalion was mobilised and sent to France where it joined the I Corps and was attached to the 1st Division with the British Expeditionary Force, followed later by the 4th and 7th Battalions. After a period on the Maginot Line, they all took part in the gruelling withdrawal from the River. Dyle to the coast and were brought off from the Dunkirk beaches by the Royal Navy

February 1941 saw the Battalion leave I Corps and 1st Division and join the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division. It remained attached to this Division for the rest of the War.

After Dunkirk the 2nd Battalion was part of the Garrison of the Gazala Line in North Africa 1942, which was successfully defended till the German armour attacked it from the rear. But by skilful and determined action, most of the troops fought their way back to the Alamein Line protecting Egypt.

After Alamein, where the 6th Battalion was also engaged, the 2nd Battalion took part in the attacks of the successive positions held by the Germans in their withdrawal along the coast. As the war progressed from Noth Africa towards the European mainland the 2nd Battalion and 7th Battalion took part in the assault landings in Sicily in 1943. The British forces played the key role on the Eastern flank and had hard fighting in difficult and minestrewn country.

After Sicily, the 2nd Battalion, still in the 50th Division, came home and took part in the assault landing on D Day on the 6th June, 1944. They took part in the stubborn fighting in the Bocage to establish and extend the British bridgehead, followed by the pursuit of the Germans to the River Waal.

As part of Operation Overlord the 50th Infantry Division landed on Gold Beech. Gold Beach was the extreme right landing area of the British and Commonwealth landings on D-Day 6th June 1944. The 50th (Northumbrian) Division came ashore here between Le Hamel and Ver-sur-Mer. Attached to them would be elements of 79th (Armoured) Division.

The beach was divided into two further landing areas for D Day; 231st Brigade would come in on Jig Sector at Le Hamel/Asnelles, and 69th Brigade at King Sector in front of Ver sur Mer.

The pre-invasion bombardment had done its job, and on King Beach the 4/7th Dragoon Guards Duplex Drive Shermans came in at 0725, followed by the LCTs carrying the specialist tanks. LCAs carrying 5th East Yorks and 6th Green Howards were in the next wave, with 7th Green Howards in reserve who were to come in once the beach was secure and push inland. Fire support would follow in the form of Sextons of 86th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery.

On Jig Beach, Brigadier Stanier's 231st Brigade had also successfully landed, and were already pushing inland towards their objectives, with one part of the advance heading into Arromanches, to secure this village so that the vital Mulberry Harbour could be built. This phase of the plan was complete by the close of 6th June, and 2nd Devonshires had also pushed on to secure the Longues Battery

The 2nd Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment as part of the 69th Infantry Brigade landed in 5 waves during the 6th June. At 06:50 (H+20) the first Vickers Machine Gun Platoons of ‘B’ Company came ashore from landing crafts 1153/G66 LSI (L) and 1153/G65 LSI (L). They where followed at 07:15 (H+45) by further Machine Gun Platoons and the first of the 13 Hy Mortar Platoon aboard landing craft 1153/G65 LSI (L).

Further Landings of the 2nd Battalion took place at 07:30, 08:00, 08:30 and 11:00, which saw the remainder of the Machine Gun and Mortar Platoons along with Handcarts, Motor Cycles, Trailers, Jeeps and Bedford 3 ton GS Lorries, which would support the battalions movement of the beach and the creation of a British Bridgehead.

The Battle for Normandy took place from the 6th June 1944 until the 21st August 1944 , with the Battalion involved in the breakout from the Normandy Beaches as part of Operation Perch (9th June t0 14th June 1944) and Operation Epsom (25th June to 30th June 1944).

It is possible that Private Bliss was injured during the battle around the Villers-Bocage region and died later of his wounds. Private Bliss is Listed as being killed on the 18th June and is buried in the Bayeux War Cemetery in Normandy

Dependant on the length of Private Bliss’s Military Service it is likely that he was awarded the Africa Star , Italy Star and France and Germany star. Most members of the battalion were also entitled to the 1939-45 War Medal and many the Defence Medal

The 2nd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment serving as part of the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division saw action at the following battles:

Ypres (26th - 28th May 1940)
Comines (26th - 28th May 1940)
Gazala (1942)
Mersa Matruh (1942)
El Alamein (1942)
Mareth (1943)
Akarit (1943)
Enfidaville (1943)
Sicily (9th - 12th July 1943)
Normandy landings (6th June 1944)
Nederijn (17th - 27th September 1944)

Post Normandy they took part pursuit of the Germans to the River Waal. At this point the 50th Division was disbanded and the 2nd Battalion came home.



In Memory of
Private RICHARD BRADSHAW

5674117, 2/5th Bn., The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
who died age 22
on 14 May 1941
Son of George and Mary Bradshaw, of Widnes, Lancashire.
Remembered with honour
DUNKIRK MEMORIAL

Richard Bradshaw was born in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire between April and June 1919 to Parents George and Mary (Nee Loveridge) Bradshaw. The Family including older Brother Abraham moved from Wolverhampton to Widnes some after Richards Birth in 1919.

Originally Enlisted in the Somerset Light Infantry, Richard Transferred to the 2/5th Battalion of the Queens Royal Regiment (West Surrey) becoming part of the 35th Infranty Brigade.

44 Home Counties Division which included 131 Queen’s Brigade, 1st/5th, 1st/6th and 1st/7th Battalions, went to France on 3rd April 1940. They were followed later in the month by 35th infantry Brigade which included 2nd/5th, 2nd/6th and 2nd/7th Battalions.

The Germans launched their ‘Blitzkrieg’ on 10th May 1940 , 131 Brigade, after some heavy fighting on the Escaut and near La Bassée, carried out a fighting withdrawal through Dunkirk. The Naval Commander-in-Chief wrote that ‘the bearing, good order and discipline of the Queen’s was an example and inspiration to all of us in the Royal Navy’.

35 Infantry Brigade including 1/5th Battalion which was only half trained and half equipped, with no proper anti-tank weapons and no artillery, was evacuated through Cherbourg after being overrun by the main German armoured thrust. Its position had been hopeless from the start and the fact that the battalions came home, largely intact, is a lasting tribute to the spirit of The Queen’s.

The Evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from France started on the 26th May and lasted until the 4th June 1940, with a total of 338,226 men successfully being brought across the channel. However 30,000 British soldiers where left behind either dead or wounded and a further 34,000 British Soldiers captured, one of which was Private Richard Bradshaw who is recorded as having died on the 14th May 1941, most likely as a POW.

Private RICHARD BRADSHAW, having no know grave is remembered on the Dunkirk Memorial

After Dunkirk in the reorganisation of the Army, 35 Brigade became 169 Queen’s Brigade of 56 London Division and for two years took part in the defence of the Kent and Sussex Coasts. In the summer of 1942 both 44th and 56 Divisions were ordered overseas to the Middle East, where the former joined the 8th Army in North Africa, while 56 Division was deployed in north Iraq. In Egypt, 131 Brigade tenaciously held the Alam Halfa ridge area in the defeat of the main German offensive against the El Alamein position. Subsequently it fought, but at some cost, on the southern front at El Alamein. After this battle, 44 Division was broken up and the Brigade became the Lorried Infantry Brigade of 7th Armoured Division (The Desert Rats).

Sadly Richards Older brother Abraham Bradshaw was also killed during the second World War in 1944 serving with the 1st Battalion of the Irish Guards.




In Memory of
Marine JAMES MICHAEL BURKE

PO/X115910, No. 48 R.M. Commando., Royal Marines
who died age 20
on 12 July 1944
Son of James and Winefred Burke, of Widnes, Lancashire.
Remembered with honour
RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY

Born James Michael Burke in approx 1924, the origins of James’s family could not be traced, although it is possible that his father also named James was originally from Widnes, and that the family moved back to Widnes after James Michael’s birth, Possibly from London.

48 Commando was created in March 1944, and it is likely that James joined at this point, enlisting at Portsmouth, Hampshire. The Battalion sized unit would have immediately started training for the planned invasion of mainland Europe at Normandy in what was to be come known as Operation Overlord.

The overall Objective of "Operation Overlord" for those troops landing on Juno beach was to form a link between Juno and the adjacent beaches of Sword and Gold; cut the Caen to Bayeux road, and seize Caen-Carpiquet airport (west of Caen).

The detailed Objective for 48 Commando No.48 (Royal Marine) led by Commando, Lieutenant-Colonel J. C. Moulton was to land at Saint Aubin-sur-Mer before swinging east to attack and capture the strongpoint at Langrune-sur-Mer; while 41 Commando who were to land at Lion-sur-Mer on Sword beach and had a similar strongpoint to capture, would proceed west. After completion of their appointed tasks the two Commando units were to meet, and the gap between Juno and Sword beaches would be closed. "Juno" beach was the codename given to the 10 kilometre (6 mile) stretch of Normandy invasion coastline on which 48 Commando were to land. The beach was divided into two designated assault sectors by Allied command -"Mike" between Graye-sur-Mer and Courseulles to the west, and "Nan" between Courseulles and Saint Aubin in the east. The landing beach at Saint Aubin was designated "Nan Red".

A fortnight before D-Day, 48 Commando were stationed at a sealed camp in Swaythling, near Southampton. At 17:00 on the afternoon of 5th June 1944 48 Commando departed Warsash on the River Hamble. Overnight they crossed the Channel, arriving off Juno beach at Saint Aubin the following morning. The crossing had been quite rough, with a heavy swell, and many of the Commandos experienced seasickness. H-Hour was set for 07:45 but strong currents, reefs and submerged German obstacles delayed the landing until approximately 08:10. As the Marines neared the coast, naval ships bombarded the shore defences in a deafening barrage of shell fire.

Viewing the Normandy coast from their Landing Craft, the Commandos' plan was to land on the beach just to the right of the church spire in Saint Aubin (towards Bernieres). The tide was rising and on approaching the beach some Landing Craft became caught in German sea defences, constructed of spiked metal stakes with mines attached - approximately 30% of the Landing Craft were damaged or destroyed. Some Commandos decided to wade ashore from their stricken landing craft but, weighed down with 100lb packs, they were tragically swept away and drowned under the weight of their equipment.

It was planned that the Canadian 8th Infantry Brigade, the North Shore Regiment would land first, secure the beach-head and be followed ashore by 48 Commando. The forces had been briefed that there would be two exits from the beach but discovered that in reality there was only one. Canadian tanks of the 10th Armoured Regiment (better known as the Fort Gary Horse -formerly a Cavalry unit) experienced great difficulty manoeuvring on the soft sand. In the confusion and melee, as the tanks advanced up the beach with turret lids down they even ran over Commandos and other troops lying injured on the beach. Wanting to protect the casualties, a senior Commando Officer who was clearly angered by what he was witnessing, pulled the pin from an anti-tank grenade and hurled it at a Canadian tank.

Extreme resistance was encountered from the soldiers of the German 716th Infantry Division who were afforded excellent observation and firing positions from the seafront houses they had commandeered. With little cover from the D-D floating tanks (many of which had sunk before coming ashore), 48 Commando had to "rush" the sea wall, but the Marines were under fire all the way up the beach. In securing the Beach Head, the first wave of Canadian Troops and the Commandos suffered very high casualties. The battle to advance to Objective was also to prove incredibly fierce. Leaving the beach behind them, the Commandos dumped surplus kit in the garden of a house directly off the beach. In close quarter, house-to-house fighting, they moved through the centre of the village, encountering streets blocked with thick meshes of barbed wire. Saint Aubin was fnally overcome and occupied by the Allies after three hours of fierce fighting

The objective was for 48 Commando to move east and attack Langrune-sur-Mer, while 41 Comando who had landed at Lion-sur-Mer on Sword beach and had a similar strongpoint to capture, would proceed west. The two Commando units were to meet after completion of their respective tasks, and the gap between Juno and Sword beaches would be closed. If German tanks had exploited that gap, both Juno and Sword beach-heads could have been wiped out.

Naval ships off the coast were requested by the Commandos to cease their support after one salvo of shells fell among one of the Commando Sections, killing the Officer and one Marine and wounding several others. Safe from friendly fire, the Commandos were then able to proceed onwards towards Langrune

Of the two roads from Saint Aubin to Langrune, the coastal road was well covered by German fire, and therefore the Commandos proceeded along the inland road -Route de Langrune. (At the time, the coastal railway line ran alongside).
Arriving near Langrune church at 11:00 on 6th June, a German sniper was firing on the Marines from his position high up in the church tower. 48 Commando entered a neighbouring house, sprinted upstairs, and returned fire from an upstairs window.

As daylight dwindled, the attack on the strongpoint was suspended, and the Commandos were called back to the inland boundaries of Langrune to prepare for an expected German counter-attack. A roll-call late that evening revealed the tragic statistic that of the 440 Marines from 48 Commando who had left England, their strength, having successfully taken Saint Aubin, had now been reduced to 223.

During the night, important discussions took place between 48 Commando Intelligence Officer, Lieutenant Smedley and the Mayor of Langrune.

The following morning (7th June), as the anticipated counter-attack during the night had not occurred, the attack on the Langrune strongpoint resumed. German defences protected the centre of the town. Reinforced concrete barriers (6 feet high and 5 feet deep) had been erected at the end of each access road. The occupying German troops had also constructed a network of trenches, tunnels and "manholes" behind the seafront, in which they could hide. (This place in Langrune is now known as "Place de 6 Juin").

After further hard fighting, the operation to take the Langrune strongpoint was brought to a conclusion by early/mid-afternoon. In capturing Langrune and securing the strongpoint, 48 Commando took prisoner 35 German troops who had been holding the coastal town, and several others were killed.

Later that same day, as the Commandos prepared to move on, Saint Aubin-sur-Mer was handed back to French control. Those who had bravely lost their lives in action were buried by their comrades in the garden of the house that had been used on D-Day morning to dump surplus equipment.

On 8th June, having secured Langrune, 48 Commando moved onto Douvres-la- Deliverande. Three days later on 11th June, orders were received for them to proceed to Pegasus Bridge (which spans the Caen Canal near Ouistreham) where they were to assist the Parachute Regiment from 6th British Airborne in efforts to hold this strategic point.

After being rested and reinforced the Brigade less No.41 Commando, moved south to the Douvre Radar Station. This fortified position was the primary Luftwaffe radar station in the area. It was covered with gun pits, mine fields, tunnels, bunkers, five 5cm anti-tank guns, a 7.5cm field gun, and a ring of barbed wire twenty foot in height. The Brigade was to isolate the station which would allow other Allied forces to pass by and advance on Caen.

After securing the perimeter at the Douvre Radar Station, 46, 47 and 48 RM Commando were sent to support the Canadians and Airborne divisions under the command of Major General Gale. The Brigade would remain in the Orne area until mid August while British Second Army launched a series of assaults on Caen.

Sadly after surviving the D Day landings on the 6th June 1944 and the subsequent breakout from the Bridgehead, Marine James Michael Burke was killed on the 12th July 1944, aged 20. at a time when the Brigade were carrying out Sercurity details in and around Normandy. Marine J.M. Burke is Remembered with honour at RANVILLE WAR CEMETERYI, NORMANDY






Phil

 

hi philengland, im researching my grand father pte j a bliss of the cheshire regt ww2, ive done extensive research & obtained numerous books so if i can be of help just ask, one of the books i obtained was the the history of the cheshire regt in the 2nd world war 1949 ( priceless for its accounts of my grandfathers movements ) in june il be actualy going over on the 65th anniversary of d day and hope to meet someone who may of known him.

 

Englandphil
I am astounded at the immensity of your project in cataloguing your fallen from Widnes and only wish I could be of some assistance however - knowing what a stickler you are for the actual facts - I - being the nit picker that I am - would refer you to your entry of - Pte Frank Donald Alexander RAOC of the 7th Armoured div - your state that the 7th Armoured went to Rangoon Burma -

Not quite the case as only 7th Armoured BRIGADE went there for a few months and the 7th Armoured DIVISION with 4th Armoured bde - stayed in the Mid East until they were joined later in Tunisia I think it was -then 7th Armoured DIVISION went home leaving 7th Armoured BRIGADE in Italy
Cheers

 

Tom, thanks for the correction, and I have updated my records accordingly.

Another look through my data suggests that the RAOC divisional workshops did not go with the Division to Italy, but came back to the UK

 

Hi Andy,

I have been working my way though the many posts made when I was out of the country. Came across your offering the possibility of having war grave photographs. Thanks to kind friends, I have photographs of headstones of nearly all of our chaps who rest forever in Italian soil - in Africa just a few.

Perhaps you may have some in these war cemeteries:

Algeria: Bone. Tunisia: Medjez-el-Bab, Oued Zarga, and Tabarka Ras Rejal.

Cheers, Gerry

 

WILLIAM MICHAEL BLADEN Sergeant 1510804 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 40 Squadron 15th to 16th August 1943 NAPLES WAR CEMETER Coll. grave III. N. 10.

I am currently serving with NATO in Naples ...do you require a photo of this headstone?

Thanks

Barry

 

Hi
I've just come across your forum by googling my Grandfathers name. This is him:

ERIC CANK Stocker 1st Class D/KX 151731 Royal Navy H.M.S. Itchen, 23rd September 1943 PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL Panel 82, Column 1

He was a stoker not a stocker!

I never got to meet him as he was killed a few months before my Mum was born leaving my Gran to bring her up by herself.
We've tried a few times in the past to research his naval history but have never got very far. Its fantastic to see his name listed but was wondering would anyone have any info/pictures etc about him or the ship he was on?

Thanks