Youngest Brit to die in WWII to be given proper resting place

Interesting one...

Youngest Brit to die in WWII to be given proper resting place « Deadline Press & Picture Agency

HE was one of hundreds of thousands of young men killed fighting the Nazi menace during the Second World War – perhaps even the youngest.
Slain aged just 15 by German bombers aboard a merchant navy ship, Reginald Earnshaw has lain in an unmarked grave in his adopted hometown of Edinburgh for decades.
But now, thanks to the efforts of one of the men who served with him aboard the SS North Devon, the young sailor who died fighting for his country will finally receive a fitting headstone.
And new research has even shown that he might have lied about his age to join the war effort – making him the youngest British casualty of the Second World War.
86-year-old Alf Tubb served alongside Reginald as a machine gunner, and tried in vain to save his friend when the ship was attacked by German bombers en route to Tyneside on 6 July 1941.
Six sailors died in the attack, but the memory of his young friend drove Alf to chase down details about his life.
Alf, who was only 18 himself while aboard the vessel, said: “He was a cheerful lad, and we used to chat in the saloon of the ship.”
“After we were attacked, my last memory of Reggie is seeing him carried off the vessel when we docked at Immingham – he’d been cooked by boiling steam.
“During the attack he was trapped in his cabin, I tried desperately to get to him but the steam was like a scalding wall.
“That image has stayed with me forever, so the most important thing to me now is that he gets a fitting headstone.
“I am glad that after all these years the sacrifice of such a young man – my pal – will be properly marked.”
Decades after the war, Alf’s quest to uncover more information about his friend revealed that although originally from Dewsbury, in Yorkshire, Reginald lived in the busy port area of Granton in the Capital.
Research also revealed that although Reginald supplied his date of birth as 2 February 1926 when enlisting, there is no-one in Dewsbury with his name born on that day.
However a Reginald Earnshaw was born on exactly the same date a year earlier, which would make the brave seaman the youngest Brit to die in the Second World War.
Alf added: “I knew he had to have a grave somewhere because I saw his body being carried off the ship – but when I found his resting place in Edinburgh there was just a bare patch of earth.
“This is the culmination of a quest, of a sort, and now his proper granite headstone will be there for ever more for this lad who gave his life.”
Further details about Reginald’s life are sparse, and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission is appealing for any next of kin to contact them.
The fitting of Reginald’s granite headstone will take place in a ceremony at the Comely Bank cemetery in Edinburgh on July 6, which his friend Alf will attend.

Alf, who served with British forces as far afield as North Africa, Italy and the Arctic during the war, added: “I remembered him partially because he was so young.”
“I don’t think he enjoyed the sea life too much – I remember him saying that he was looking forward to going back home to see his mum.
“He was a slim, cheerful lad, with a shock of blonde hair – almost white, in fact.”
Describing the attack that claimed Reggie’s life, he said: “I could tell that we were about to be attacked, so I went on watch ten minutes early to get my eyes used to the darkness.
“We were bombed twice – I know I shot down one of them but it turned into absolute chaos and I was blown off my post.
“Men were diving into the sea, and the ship was listing badly, I thought we might sink.
“Somebody told me that Reggie was still in his cabin above the engine, and I went to try and get him out, but the steam was just too hot.”
“I’d heard that during the first world war troops used to pee on towels, and put it over their faces to protect against gas.
“I tried that with the steam but it didn’t help at all – you just couldn’t breathe because of the heat.”
Ranald Leask, a spokesman for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, said: “The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is delighted that it can finally mark Reginald’s grave with a headstone.
“We are indebted to Alf Tubbs whose tireless and selfless efforts will mean his friend and shipmate will receive a fitting and lasting tribute to his sacrifice.”

 

He's too young to be in the saloon!!

RIP

 

perhaps even the youngest.
Slain aged just 15 by German bombers aboard a merchant navy ship, Reginald Earnshaw has lain in an unmarked grave in his adopted hometown of Edinburgh for decades.


tragic....but the youngest known is Galley Boy Raymond Victor Steed, who was killed - aged 14 - on 26th April 1943, when his ship ( the SS Empire Morn) hit a mine. He's buried in Ben M'Sik Cemetery, Casablanca and his next-door neighbour in there is Field Marshall Sir Claude Auchinleck who died, aged 96, in 1981 (Auchinleck could be classified as the "oldest serving soldier" at death, as Field marshalls never retire).

dave.

 

Graham, It is good to see he will finally get proper recognition. A follow up pic of headstone would be great.

Cheers
Paul

 

More info on "Youngest and Oldest deaths" here in WW2 MN:

Memorial to youngest and oldest seamen killed

 

tragic....but the youngest known is Galley Boy Raymond Victor Steed, who was killed - aged 14 - on 26th April 1943, when his ship ( the SS Empire Morn) hit a mine. He's buried in Ben M'Sik Cemetery, Casablanca and his next-door neighbour in there is Field Marshall Sir Claude Auchinleck who died, aged 96, in 1981 (Auchinleck could be classified as the "oldest serving soldier" at death, as Field marshalls never retire).
dave.

Hello Dave,
Not quite true I am afraid. Raymond Steed was until very recently thought to be the youngest. It has now come to light that Reginald Earnshaw was just 14 years and 152 days old when he died. Members of the Mercantile Marine forum have also been helping to track this young boy's service and have had contact with the CWGC.

SS North Devon for Roger & Ray Buck - Mercantile Marine

I and some of those from that forum hope to be present at Comley Bank cemetary in Edinburgh on Monday 6th July for the unvailing of Reginald's headstone. One more of many, finally commemorated after all these years. Least We Forget.

I will get a photograph of the headstone and post it.

Regards
Hugh

 

Thanks for all this...good to hear ! I will try to get along for the 6th July event, that'd be nice to attend. Hugh - can you please PM with details of time etc ??? Many thanks indeed.

 

Sadly I did not manage to get to this event this morning due to a clashing appointment, but it has received some very decent coverage in the local meeja so far...

* BBC Scotland TV at lunchtime carried a 1:45 mins piece including short interview with Alf Tubbs - story with video is here (includes shot of wreath from Hugh and colleagues, almost at the end) - I liked the involvement of the sea cadets, too

BBC NEWS | UK | Scotland | Edinburgh, East and Fife | War grave unveiled for WWII boy

* Scottish TV has it on their website but no video, may be on evening bulletin

Memorial to one of Britain's youngest fallen servicemen unveiled | Edinburgh and East | STV News

* Scotsman has story

Youngest war casualty Reggie gets a headstone 68 years on - Scotsman.com News

* 'Edinburgh Evening News' ditto, and most of p.13 of the hard copy

Youngest war casualty Reggie gets a headstone 68 years on - Edinburgh Evening News

* and Yorkshire Post, because of local connection

WWII cabin boy remembered 68 years after death - Yorkshire Post

* there is a short item on Press Association, which may get picked up by many of the new regionals

The Press Association: Teen WWII hero memorial unveiled

Nice work chaps !

 

Nice to see the recognition after all these years.

Regards
Tom

 

Graham, Too bad you didn't get there. Great to see he finally gets the recognition he deserves.

Cheers
Paul

 

Sorry you couldn't make it Graham, but thanks for putting up some links. It was a poignant occasion with about 80 to 100 people in attendance. Alf Tubb, Royal Artillery Maritime Regiment - DEMS gunner and friend of Reginald was present and paid a fitting tribute to his friend. The link below has more of the narrative.

Scottish war hero honoured

 

Great work, Hugh and Alf ! It was clearly a very nice event.

Sorry to be thick (I've been away !) but...who are Tiscali TV??? Was that some kind of video you produced yourselves, or did they have a crew there ?

 

No idea Graham - that piece I found on the Net. There were many press photographers present but I only saw one TV crew, obviously there must have been others there as well.

We went back to St Ninian's Church Hall for a cuppa afterwards and met Alf and others associated with the unveiling ceremony.

Regards
Hugh