Laughton - Panel rightside
Andrew Horsfield - D/KX 103875
Andrew Horsfield was the second of three children, all sons, born to George Charles Horsfield and Ivy May (nee Andrew). His birth was registered in the Wortley registration district in the second quarter of 1920. The family later lived at 22 Crescent End, Thurcroft.
He enlisted in the Royal Navy and was a Stoker 1st Class, service number D/KX 103875. In 1942 he was on board the light cruiser HMS Edinburgh, which on 25 April sailed to Murmansk in Russia with steel plates for repair of the damaged cruiser HMS Trinidad. Whilst in Murmansk it was loaded with gold bullion for payment of war materials sent to Russia from Britain. HMS Edinburgh left Murmansk on 29 April and joined up with convoy QP11 the following day. Taking position ahead of the body of ships Edinburgh was twice attacked by German submarine U456. The first attack failed but on the second attempt two torpedoes struck on the starboard side. One hit
amidships and the other blew away the stern structure including the rudder. Although the ship was able to use the port shafts, steering by engines was impracticable because of the prevailing weather conditions. Little progress was made and a towing attempt by HMS Forester failed when the tow broke HMS Foresight was then taken in tow by the damaged cruiser which proved much more successful until both destroyers had to be detached to refuel. On 1 May after making slow progress eastwards other RN ships and a Russian tug arrived but an attempt to tow again failed. Despite the significant damage the main armament could still be used in Local Control. The following day the ship engaged German destroyers making torpedo attacks and hit Schoemann which was abandoned by her crew and subsequently sank. One of the torpedoes fired by the German destroyer Z24 hit the ship on the port side amidships abreast the hangar. Further major damage amidships sealed her fate as it was unlikely that the structure could remain intact. As salvage was clearly impracticable the ship had to be abandoned. Of the ships complement 790 men of the 847 on board were taken off by HM Minesweepers Harrier and Gossamer before HMS Foresight was ordered to sink the ship by torpedo. The final casualty list recorded that 78 men were killed and 43 wounded. Andrew Horsfield was one of those lost on 2 May 1942 and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Notes
At the time of Edinburgh's sinking she was carrying a 4.5 ton consignment of gold bullion. The 465 gold ingots, carried in ninety-three wooden boxes, were being transported in the armoured bomb-rooms situated on the starboard side of the vessel, not far from the original torpedo's impact point. At the time, the estimated worth of the bullion was somewhere in the region of £1.5 million.
In the late 1970s the British Government was becoming increasingly anxious to recover the gold. This was not only because it would provide further valuable revenue for the Treasury, but because there was also a growing fear of the wreck being pirated by unscrupulous salvagers, or, worse, salvaged by the Soviet Union, in whose waters
it lay.
In the early 1980s, a company called Jessop Marine, run by a seasoned diver from Yorkshire, won the contract for the salvage rights to the wreck of the Edinburgh. In April 1981, the survey ship Dammtor began searching for the wreck in the Barents Sea and after only ten days, they discovered the ship's final resting place at an approximate position of 72°N, 35°E, at a depth of 800 feet. Using specialist camera equipment, the Dammtor took detailed film of the wreck, which allowed them to carefully plan the salvage operation. Later that year, on 30 August, the dive-support vessel Stephaniturm journeyed to the site, and salvage operations began in earnest. Several divers were injured during the operation, but on 15 September 1981, a diver finally penetrated the bomb room and recovered a bar of gold. On 7 October, bad weather finally forced
the suspension of diving operations, but by that time, 431 of 465 ingots had been recovered.
A further 29 bars were recovered in a subsequent operation in 1986, bringing the total to 460, leaving five unaccounted for.
Andrew’s older brother George Clement Horsfield died at El Alamein on 4 November 1942.
He enlisted in the Royal Navy and was a Stoker 1st Class, service number D/KX 103875. In 1942 he was on board the light cruiser HMS Edinburgh, which on 25 April sailed to Murmansk in Russia with steel plates for repair of the damaged cruiser HMS Trinidad. Whilst in Murmansk it was loaded with gold bullion for payment of war materials sent to Russia from Britain. HMS Edinburgh left Murmansk on 29 April and joined up with convoy QP11 the following day. Taking position ahead of the body of ships Edinburgh was twice attacked by German submarine U456. The first attack failed but on the second attempt two torpedoes struck on the starboard side. One hit
amidships and the other blew away the stern structure including the rudder. Although the ship was able to use the port shafts, steering by engines was impracticable because of the prevailing weather conditions. Little progress was made and a towing attempt by HMS Forester failed when the tow broke HMS Foresight was then taken in tow by the damaged cruiser which proved much more successful until both destroyers had to be detached to refuel. On 1 May after making slow progress eastwards other RN ships and a Russian tug arrived but an attempt to tow again failed. Despite the significant damage the main armament could still be used in Local Control. The following day the ship engaged German destroyers making torpedo attacks and hit Schoemann which was abandoned by her crew and subsequently sank. One of the torpedoes fired by the German destroyer Z24 hit the ship on the port side amidships abreast the hangar. Further major damage amidships sealed her fate as it was unlikely that the structure could remain intact. As salvage was clearly impracticable the ship had to be abandoned. Of the ships complement 790 men of the 847 on board were taken off by HM Minesweepers Harrier and Gossamer before HMS Foresight was ordered to sink the ship by torpedo. The final casualty list recorded that 78 men were killed and 43 wounded. Andrew Horsfield was one of those lost on 2 May 1942 and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Notes
At the time of Edinburgh's sinking she was carrying a 4.5 ton consignment of gold bullion. The 465 gold ingots, carried in ninety-three wooden boxes, were being transported in the armoured bomb-rooms situated on the starboard side of the vessel, not far from the original torpedo's impact point. At the time, the estimated worth of the bullion was somewhere in the region of £1.5 million.
In the late 1970s the British Government was becoming increasingly anxious to recover the gold. This was not only because it would provide further valuable revenue for the Treasury, but because there was also a growing fear of the wreck being pirated by unscrupulous salvagers, or, worse, salvaged by the Soviet Union, in whose waters
it lay.
In the early 1980s, a company called Jessop Marine, run by a seasoned diver from Yorkshire, won the contract for the salvage rights to the wreck of the Edinburgh. In April 1981, the survey ship Dammtor began searching for the wreck in the Barents Sea and after only ten days, they discovered the ship's final resting place at an approximate position of 72°N, 35°E, at a depth of 800 feet. Using specialist camera equipment, the Dammtor took detailed film of the wreck, which allowed them to carefully plan the salvage operation. Later that year, on 30 August, the dive-support vessel Stephaniturm journeyed to the site, and salvage operations began in earnest. Several divers were injured during the operation, but on 15 September 1981, a diver finally penetrated the bomb room and recovered a bar of gold. On 7 October, bad weather finally forced
the suspension of diving operations, but by that time, 431 of 465 ingots had been recovered.
A further 29 bars were recovered in a subsequent operation in 1986, bringing the total to 460, leaving five unaccounted for.
Andrew’s older brother George Clement Horsfield died at El Alamein on 4 November 1942.
George Clement Horsfield - 7883328
George Clement Horsfield was born in the second quarter of 1915, the first child of George Charles Horsfield and Ivy May (nee Andrew) who had married a couple of years earlier. His birth was registered in the Wortley registration district, although the couple moved to 22 Crescent End, Thurcroft later.
George joined the Army and was a Serjeant in 1st Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps, service number 7883328. 1RTR was involved in the Battle of El Alamein (actually the Second Battle of El Alamein), which was a major turning point not only in the North African Campaign, but in the Britain’s war. The first battle at El Alamein was when the Rommel’s advance into Egypt was initially stopped. The latter battle commenced on 23 October 1942 and lasted for 14 days and left the Axis forces in full retreat. George Clement Horsfield was killed on 4 November 1942, aged 27 and is buried in the El Alamein War Cemetery.
Notes
George’s younger brother Andrew was lost when his ship sank in the Barents Sea six months previously.
George joined the Army and was a Serjeant in 1st Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps, service number 7883328. 1RTR was involved in the Battle of El Alamein (actually the Second Battle of El Alamein), which was a major turning point not only in the North African Campaign, but in the Britain’s war. The first battle at El Alamein was when the Rommel’s advance into Egypt was initially stopped. The latter battle commenced on 23 October 1942 and lasted for 14 days and left the Axis forces in full retreat. George Clement Horsfield was killed on 4 November 1942, aged 27 and is buried in the El Alamein War Cemetery.
Notes
George’s younger brother Andrew was lost when his ship sank in the Barents Sea six months previously.
James Leslie Johnson - 4542825
James Leslie Johnson, known as Leslie was the second child of miner Samson Johnson and Mathelia Newcombe, although because of the death in infancy of their first child he was their oldest surviving child. Leslie was born on 2 August 1915 and christened in Laughton on 1 September 1915. The family originally lived at 24 Monksbridge Road, Laughton and later at 12 Waverley Avenue, Thurcroft. He was married in the second quarter of 1938 in Bradford.
Leslie joined the Army, and became a Gunner in the Royal Artillery, 2 Maritime Regiment, service number 4542825. The maritime regiment provided gunners onto merchant ships that
had been armed with deck mounted guns. In 1944 he was a gunner on board the Greek Steam merchant Peleus. It was on route from Algiers to Buenos Aires via Freetown. It called in Freetown, Sierra Leone on 8 March, it was in ballast for its outward trip sailing independently. On 13 March 1944 the Peleus was spotted by the German submarine U-852, which was en route to her patrol area in the Indian Ocean. U-852 tracked her until nightfall then closed with her target on the surface and fired two torpedoes at close range at 19:40 hours. Peleus was hit, the first exploding in the number two hold, the second just aft in the number three hold. She quickly broke up, sinking in three minutes about 500
miles north of Ascension Island, all that was left of her was flotsam, including several life-rafts, and the survivors of her crew, perhaps half their number. The submarine took two men aboard for interrogation, having established her name and details, he returned them to their raft. The captain of the U-boat decided he must hide the evidence of his action by destroying the debris, including the life-rafts (and, by implication, the men on them). For the next five hours, until 1 a.m. on the 14th, U-852 moved around the debris field, firing with her guns, small arms and grenades. Despite these efforts, not all the wreckage was destroyed, and four of the crew survived, though one, died later. James Leslie Johnson, aged 28 was lost and is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Notes
The three surviving member of the Peleus crew were found adrift after 38 days by the Portuguese vessel Alexandre Silva and taken to Portuguese West Africa. The incident was reported to British naval authorities, and affidavits taken from the three men.
Whilst on the same patrol U-852 sank another ship in the South Atlantic and continued on her patrol into the Indian Ocean. On 30 April 1944, U-852 was in the Indian Ocean when she was spotted and attacked by a Vickers Wellington bomber flying from Aden. Damaged by aerial depth charges and unable to dive, she made for the
Somaliland coast. On 2 May under attack by six bombers the Captain was forced to beach his ship on a coral reef. Seven men were lost in the engagement, the
remainder fled ashore. Fifty-eight were captured by Somaliland Camel Corps and local militia. A British boarding party examined the wrecked U-boat and retrieved the boats war diary, which proved crucial in framing the Allied case against the Captain and his men. At the end of the war, in October 1945, five members of her crew were tried as war criminals and convicted. Three, the Captain, the 2nd Watch Officer and the Boat’s Doctor were executed, and two others were imprisoned. The executions were carried out on Luneberg Heath on 30 November 1945. Captain Eck was the only U-boat commander to be shot after the war for this type of murder, but there were other similar incidents of atrocities carried out by U-boats.
Leslie joined the Army, and became a Gunner in the Royal Artillery, 2 Maritime Regiment, service number 4542825. The maritime regiment provided gunners onto merchant ships that
had been armed with deck mounted guns. In 1944 he was a gunner on board the Greek Steam merchant Peleus. It was on route from Algiers to Buenos Aires via Freetown. It called in Freetown, Sierra Leone on 8 March, it was in ballast for its outward trip sailing independently. On 13 March 1944 the Peleus was spotted by the German submarine U-852, which was en route to her patrol area in the Indian Ocean. U-852 tracked her until nightfall then closed with her target on the surface and fired two torpedoes at close range at 19:40 hours. Peleus was hit, the first exploding in the number two hold, the second just aft in the number three hold. She quickly broke up, sinking in three minutes about 500
miles north of Ascension Island, all that was left of her was flotsam, including several life-rafts, and the survivors of her crew, perhaps half their number. The submarine took two men aboard for interrogation, having established her name and details, he returned them to their raft. The captain of the U-boat decided he must hide the evidence of his action by destroying the debris, including the life-rafts (and, by implication, the men on them). For the next five hours, until 1 a.m. on the 14th, U-852 moved around the debris field, firing with her guns, small arms and grenades. Despite these efforts, not all the wreckage was destroyed, and four of the crew survived, though one, died later. James Leslie Johnson, aged 28 was lost and is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Notes
The three surviving member of the Peleus crew were found adrift after 38 days by the Portuguese vessel Alexandre Silva and taken to Portuguese West Africa. The incident was reported to British naval authorities, and affidavits taken from the three men.
Whilst on the same patrol U-852 sank another ship in the South Atlantic and continued on her patrol into the Indian Ocean. On 30 April 1944, U-852 was in the Indian Ocean when she was spotted and attacked by a Vickers Wellington bomber flying from Aden. Damaged by aerial depth charges and unable to dive, she made for the
Somaliland coast. On 2 May under attack by six bombers the Captain was forced to beach his ship on a coral reef. Seven men were lost in the engagement, the
remainder fled ashore. Fifty-eight were captured by Somaliland Camel Corps and local militia. A British boarding party examined the wrecked U-boat and retrieved the boats war diary, which proved crucial in framing the Allied case against the Captain and his men. At the end of the war, in October 1945, five members of her crew were tried as war criminals and convicted. Three, the Captain, the 2nd Watch Officer and the Boat’s Doctor were executed, and two others were imprisoned. The executions were carried out on Luneberg Heath on 30 November 1945. Captain Eck was the only U-boat commander to be shot after the war for this type of murder, but there were other similar incidents of atrocities carried out by U-boats.
Christopher Walter Kelly - 1623691
Christopher Walter Kelly was born on 24 February 1923, his birth being registered in Sheffield, the name city as his parents were married the year before. The couple Christopher and Edith A (nee Etheridge) had a daughter a couple of years later and had moved Thurcroft living at to 106 Katherine Street. Christopher Walter was educated at Thurcroft Council School, and after leaving school was employed at Steel Peach & Tozer. He was a keen sportsman and was a member of Thurcroft Colliery Cricket Club and also Rotherham YMCA Football Club.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1942, service number 1623691, and was a Leading Aircraftman. He went to Canada on the Empire Air Training Scheme where he trained at No.31 Air Navigation School which was located in Goderich, Ontario. He was killed in a flying accident on 16 August 1943 after an aircraft spun into the ground, caught fire and exploded on a runway. He was 20 years old and was buried in Goderich (Maitland) Cemetery. A memorial service held at SS Simon & Jude Church on Sunday 22 August 1943.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1942, service number 1623691, and was a Leading Aircraftman. He went to Canada on the Empire Air Training Scheme where he trained at No.31 Air Navigation School which was located in Goderich, Ontario. He was killed in a flying accident on 16 August 1943 after an aircraft spun into the ground, caught fire and exploded on a runway. He was 20 years old and was buried in Goderich (Maitland) Cemetery. A memorial service held at SS Simon & Jude Church on Sunday 22 August 1943.
John Thomas Kennedy - 4748070
John Thomas Kennedy was born in Rotherham in the first quarter of 1920. he was baptised in Laughton on 10 March 1920. He was the only child of miner Walter Kennedy and Frances Mabel (nee Dooley) who had married in Worksop in 1919, and lived at 55 Granville Street, Laughton Common. His mother died on 24 February 1920, although his father did re-marry a couple of years later and the couple had three children. John was married in early 1942 in the Rother Valley registration district.
He enlisted in the Army, and became a Serjeant with 6th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, service number 4748070. The battalion part of 46 Infantry Division’s 138th Infantry Brigade, which went to North Africa in January 1943 for the finale of the campaign. It was next involved in the campaign in Italy when it landed at Salerno in September 1943. He was killed on 16 October 1943, at the time that the battalion saw action at the Volturno Crossing. John Thomas Kennedy was 23 years old and is buried in Minturno War Cemetery.
He enlisted in the Army, and became a Serjeant with 6th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, service number 4748070. The battalion part of 46 Infantry Division’s 138th Infantry Brigade, which went to North Africa in January 1943 for the finale of the campaign. It was next involved in the campaign in Italy when it landed at Salerno in September 1943. He was killed on 16 October 1943, at the time that the battalion saw action at the Volturno Crossing. John Thomas Kennedy was 23 years old and is buried in Minturno War Cemetery.
William Melanchon Lowndes - 7378649
William Melanchon Lowndes was born in the third quarter of 1915, and registered in Worksop registration district. He was the third child of coal miner Albert Edward Lowndes and Louisa Rodger who had married in Barnsley in 1908.
William enlisted in the Army, service number 7378649, and was a Private in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He died in India on 6 July 1942 and is now buried in Gauhati War Cemetery in the state of Assam in North East India.
William enlisted in the Army, service number 7378649, and was a Private in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He died in India on 6 July 1942 and is now buried in Gauhati War Cemetery in the state of Assam in North East India.
Samuel Marples - 4913171
Samuel Marples was born on 24 November 1914, first child of coal miner Samuel Marples and Alice (nee Cox). His birth was registered in Rotherham and he was baptised at Laughton on 16 December 1914 by the couple who had also married in Laughton on 5 July 1913. The family originally lived at 61 Granville Street, but later moved to 31 St John’s Road, Laughton. Samuel was married in Lichfield, Staffordshire late in 1939, the couple who lived in Bird Street, Lichfield had two daughters in 1940 and 1942.
Samuel enlisted in the Army, service number 4913171, in September, 1932, and joined the 1st Battalion in February, 1935. He served with that Battalion until the termination of his service in 1935, and rejoined the I.T.C. at Whittington Barracks on the outbreak of war. He was later posted to the 2/6th Battalion, being attached to the regimental depot in 1943 and had attained the rank of Serjeant. Samuel was a very fine footballer, and played as a back. He was a member of the 1st Battalion team which was so wonderfully successful in the Battalion's last two seasons at Aldershot before the war. He was admitted to hospital in October1943 and died on 29 July 1944, his death being registered in Staffordshire at Bilston. Samuel was 29 years old, and his funeral will took place on Friday 4 August at St. Michael's Church, Lichfield, at 2.30 p.m. The service included full military honours, and the band of the regiment played. He was buried in Lichfield (St Michael) Churchyard. |
George Alfred Pearson - 13034621
George Alfred Pearson was born in Sheffield in the third quarter of 1913, first child of James Henry Pearson and Annie Elizabeth (nee Herring). Later the couple lived at
26 Green Arbour Lane, Thurcroft He was married in Rotherham in 1935, and the couple had four children and lived at 1 Granville Street, Laughton Common.
George enlisted in the Army, service number 13034621, and was a Sapper in the Royal Engineers, 1048 Port Operating Company. He died on 3 August 1944, one of eleven men from the unit that died that day. He was 31 years old and is buried in La Delivrande War Cemetery, Douvres, which is about 8 miles north of the strategic town of Caen in Normandy, France.
26 Green Arbour Lane, Thurcroft He was married in Rotherham in 1935, and the couple had four children and lived at 1 Granville Street, Laughton Common.
George enlisted in the Army, service number 13034621, and was a Sapper in the Royal Engineers, 1048 Port Operating Company. He died on 3 August 1944, one of eleven men from the unit that died that day. He was 31 years old and is buried in La Delivrande War Cemetery, Douvres, which is about 8 miles north of the strategic town of Caen in Normandy, France.
Wilfred Rushby - 7368051
Wilfred Rushby was born in Sheffield in the second quarter of 1918, the son of colliery fitter labourer William Rushby and his wife of ten years Mary Elizabeth (nee White). The family originally lived at 110 Industry Road, Darnall, Sheffield, although they later lived at 16 St John’s Road.
Wilfred enlisted in the Army, service number 7368051. He had the rank of Craftsman in Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He served in the Middle East with his unit the 340 Engineer Equipment Workshop. He died on 12 November 1944 and is buried in Beirut War Cemetery.
Notes
In 1922 Syria and Lebanon became French mandated territory and after the fall of France in 1940, the two countries, under the control of the Vichy French, were a potential base for the Axis powers. The Germans infiltrated Syrian May 1941 posing a threat to the Suez Canal and the Allied positions in the Middle East. In an attempt to neutralise this threat, the Allies, including a contingent of Free French forces, advanced into both countries from Palestine on 8 June 1941. The campaign lasted until 11 July, when the Vichy French asked for an armistice. Subsequently the French Mandate was superseded by an agreement which made Lebanon an independent state from 1 January 1944.
Wilfred enlisted in the Army, service number 7368051. He had the rank of Craftsman in Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He served in the Middle East with his unit the 340 Engineer Equipment Workshop. He died on 12 November 1944 and is buried in Beirut War Cemetery.
Notes
In 1922 Syria and Lebanon became French mandated territory and after the fall of France in 1940, the two countries, under the control of the Vichy French, were a potential base for the Axis powers. The Germans infiltrated Syrian May 1941 posing a threat to the Suez Canal and the Allied positions in the Middle East. In an attempt to neutralise this threat, the Allies, including a contingent of Free French forces, advanced into both countries from Palestine on 8 June 1941. The campaign lasted until 11 July, when the Vichy French asked for an armistice. Subsequently the French Mandate was superseded by an agreement which made Lebanon an independent state from 1 January 1944.
Arnold Weldon - 544436
Arnold Weldon was the son of Bernard Weldon and Alice (nee Cresswell), born in Rotherham in the last quarter of 1918. He was the oldest of four children, attending Rotherham Grammar School on Moorgate and was nicknamed ‘Bish’. He lived at 5 The Crescent, Thurcroft.
He joined the Royal Air Force and became an air gunner with the rank of Sergeant, service number 544436, serving with Bomber Command’s 150 Squadron flying in the Vickers Wellington medium bomber. On 2 September 1941 he was award a Distinguished Flying Medal. He was commission in February 1943 when he became a Pilot officer, service number 51330, and in August of that year was promoted again to Flying Officer. By late 1943 he was serving with 101 Squadron. The squadron flew the Avro Lancaster heavy bomber from Ludford Magna in Lincolnshire. On the night of 2nd/3rd December 1943 his aircraft serial number LM363 with squadron markings of
SR-P was airborne at 16:41 bound deep into Germany. Their target for the night was the Big City (Berlin), along with 424 other Lancasters, 18 Mosquitos and 15
Halifaxes they were to continue the Battle of Berlin. There were no major diversions and the bombers took an absolutely direct route across the North Sea and Holland and then on to Berlin. Incorrectly forecast winds scattered the bomber stream and the Germans identified Berlin as the target 19 minutes before Zero Hour enabling many fighters to intercept the bombers. Weldon was an eighth member of the crew in this special ABC Lancaster with radio counter measures. LM363 crashed near Diepholz killing all on board, it was one of three from the squadron lost on that night Arnold Weldon died on 2 December 1943, aged 25 years old and is now buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery.
He joined the Royal Air Force and became an air gunner with the rank of Sergeant, service number 544436, serving with Bomber Command’s 150 Squadron flying in the Vickers Wellington medium bomber. On 2 September 1941 he was award a Distinguished Flying Medal. He was commission in February 1943 when he became a Pilot officer, service number 51330, and in August of that year was promoted again to Flying Officer. By late 1943 he was serving with 101 Squadron. The squadron flew the Avro Lancaster heavy bomber from Ludford Magna in Lincolnshire. On the night of 2nd/3rd December 1943 his aircraft serial number LM363 with squadron markings of
SR-P was airborne at 16:41 bound deep into Germany. Their target for the night was the Big City (Berlin), along with 424 other Lancasters, 18 Mosquitos and 15
Halifaxes they were to continue the Battle of Berlin. There were no major diversions and the bombers took an absolutely direct route across the North Sea and Holland and then on to Berlin. Incorrectly forecast winds scattered the bomber stream and the Germans identified Berlin as the target 19 minutes before Zero Hour enabling many fighters to intercept the bombers. Weldon was an eighth member of the crew in this special ABC Lancaster with radio counter measures. LM363 crashed near Diepholz killing all on board, it was one of three from the squadron lost on that night Arnold Weldon died on 2 December 1943, aged 25 years old and is now buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery.
Note Commonwealth War Graves Commission shows his age as 32. Previous missions with 101 Squadron are: Aircraft Date Target Airborne Return LM 363 18 Nov 43 Berlin 17:05 20:35 Abandoned at 19:04 at 53 02N 04 23E, where bomb load 1x4000lb and 12x30lb jettisoned. Rear and upper turrets U/S. LM363 22 Nov 43 Berlin 16:55 23:10 DV268 23 Nov 43 Berlin 17:00 23:40 JB128 26 Nov 43 Stuttgart 17:05 00:40 Other crew member killed on aircraft LM363 were: G.A.J.Frazer-Hollins DFC Sgt C.H.Mortimer F/O J.W.F.Deane F/O H.Tiller Sgt H.W.Witham Sgt E.Heap DFM Sgt J.J.Kelly USAAF |
Edward Wilde - 1451051
Lancaster DS669 after a previous mishap
Edward Wilde was the second child of Robert Wilde and Eliza (nee Beevers), born on 12 August 1921 in Rotherham. The family lived at 28 Charles St, Thurcroft.
Edward joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1451051 and trained as a navigator. He was a Flight Sergeant with 514 Squadron at Waterbeach in Cambrideshire. On the night of 22/23 April 1944 Bomber Command carried out three major air raids, 181 aircraft were sent to Laon railway yards in Picardy, France; 255 bombers were despatched to Brunswick, Germany and 596 aircraft targeted Düsseldorf. Additionally 74 aircraft were also involved in diversionary and other missions. Edward Wilde was on board Avro Lancaster Mk II serial number DS669, with squadron markings of JI-D. As the aircraft sat on the runway at Waterbeach awaiting despatch to Düsseldorf, it was one of 323 Lancasters, 254 Halifaxes and 19 Mosquitos bound for the city, and was airborne at 23:16 on 22 April. It was believed that it was hit by flak (or may have collided with another Squadron Lancaster DS828) crashing in the target area at Ecke Rethel and Schubert-strasse. All the crew were killed and the funerals were held on 25 and 26 April in the Nordfriedhof. After the war six remains of six of the crew (including Flt Sgt Wilde, who was 23 when he died) were re-interred in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, the other is listed the Runnymede Memorial.
Notes
Other crew members of Lancaster DS669 were:
P/O John Douglas Harrison - 54541 (pilot) aged 24
Sgt Ronald William Norris - 1801492 (flight engineer)
F/S Roy Nixon Kirkpatrick RCAF – J/87621 (air bomber) aged 21
Sgt Frederick Desmond Nash – 1610167 (wireless operator / air gunner) aged 22
Sgt William Wilson – 1544912 (air gunner) aged 20
Sgt Anthony George Buttling – 1891917 (air gunner)
DS669 was a Mk II Lancaster. The Mk II was the only version of the Lancaster not to be powered by Rolls Royce Merlin engines. Instead, it used Bristol Hercules radial air cooled engines. The aim was to provide an alternative source of Lancasters in case the supply of Merlin engines failed. British production was seen as vulnerable to German bombing, while there were worries that American production (by Packard) would be diverted or stopped if American entered the war. The new model was produced by Armstrong Whitworth, with work beginning in March 1942. Ironically, while Rolls Royce was free from serious attack, the Armstrong Whitworth factory was itself bombed in June 1942, delaying the appearance of the Mk II. The Mk II suffered from two limitations compared to the Mk I, it had an unexpectedly low service ceiling forcing it to bomb from a lower level. It also could only carry 14,000 lbs of bombs, compared to the 18,000 of the Mk I.
After tests were complete, the Mk II was issued to No 115 Squadron, in No. 5 Group. Despite the altitude problems, the Lancaster Mk II was a welcome improvement on their Wellingtons. In service the Mk II was slightly more robust than the Mk I, lacking the extensive liquid cooling systems needed by the Merlins, although at the lower altitude this would be put to the test.
DS669 was involved in an incident a year earlier when on a mission to Cologne a bomb from a higher flying bomber hit the tail end of the Lancaster and knocked the rear turret clean off, complete with the air gunner who was killed.
Edward joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1451051 and trained as a navigator. He was a Flight Sergeant with 514 Squadron at Waterbeach in Cambrideshire. On the night of 22/23 April 1944 Bomber Command carried out three major air raids, 181 aircraft were sent to Laon railway yards in Picardy, France; 255 bombers were despatched to Brunswick, Germany and 596 aircraft targeted Düsseldorf. Additionally 74 aircraft were also involved in diversionary and other missions. Edward Wilde was on board Avro Lancaster Mk II serial number DS669, with squadron markings of JI-D. As the aircraft sat on the runway at Waterbeach awaiting despatch to Düsseldorf, it was one of 323 Lancasters, 254 Halifaxes and 19 Mosquitos bound for the city, and was airborne at 23:16 on 22 April. It was believed that it was hit by flak (or may have collided with another Squadron Lancaster DS828) crashing in the target area at Ecke Rethel and Schubert-strasse. All the crew were killed and the funerals were held on 25 and 26 April in the Nordfriedhof. After the war six remains of six of the crew (including Flt Sgt Wilde, who was 23 when he died) were re-interred in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, the other is listed the Runnymede Memorial.
Notes
Other crew members of Lancaster DS669 were:
P/O John Douglas Harrison - 54541 (pilot) aged 24
Sgt Ronald William Norris - 1801492 (flight engineer)
F/S Roy Nixon Kirkpatrick RCAF – J/87621 (air bomber) aged 21
Sgt Frederick Desmond Nash – 1610167 (wireless operator / air gunner) aged 22
Sgt William Wilson – 1544912 (air gunner) aged 20
Sgt Anthony George Buttling – 1891917 (air gunner)
DS669 was a Mk II Lancaster. The Mk II was the only version of the Lancaster not to be powered by Rolls Royce Merlin engines. Instead, it used Bristol Hercules radial air cooled engines. The aim was to provide an alternative source of Lancasters in case the supply of Merlin engines failed. British production was seen as vulnerable to German bombing, while there were worries that American production (by Packard) would be diverted or stopped if American entered the war. The new model was produced by Armstrong Whitworth, with work beginning in March 1942. Ironically, while Rolls Royce was free from serious attack, the Armstrong Whitworth factory was itself bombed in June 1942, delaying the appearance of the Mk II. The Mk II suffered from two limitations compared to the Mk I, it had an unexpectedly low service ceiling forcing it to bomb from a lower level. It also could only carry 14,000 lbs of bombs, compared to the 18,000 of the Mk I.
After tests were complete, the Mk II was issued to No 115 Squadron, in No. 5 Group. Despite the altitude problems, the Lancaster Mk II was a welcome improvement on their Wellingtons. In service the Mk II was slightly more robust than the Mk I, lacking the extensive liquid cooling systems needed by the Merlins, although at the lower altitude this would be put to the test.
DS669 was involved in an incident a year earlier when on a mission to Cologne a bomb from a higher flying bomber hit the tail end of the Lancaster and knocked the rear turret clean off, complete with the air gunner who was killed.
George Woodcock - 5383484
George Woodcock was born in Bolton in the third quarter of 1914, first child to John Woodcock and Mary Teresa (nee Hinton) who had married the year before. The couple had a further six children, only the last was born in Yorkshire after they had moved in 1926. The family lived at 54 South St, Thurcroft. After leaving school George was employed at Thurcroft Colliery.
He enlisted in the Army and was a Private in 1st Battalion, Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Regiment. The Regiment went to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force and in the retreat to Dunkirk took part in the defence of the Ypres – Commines Canal. They were eventually evacuated from Dunkirk. The 1st Ox & Bucks landed in Normandy on 23 June 1944 as part of the 71st Infantry Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. After holding the line the 1st Ox & Bucks first major engagement with the enemy during the battle for Caen was the successful attack to capture the village of Cahier and a nearby mill. On the night of 16 July, the 1 Ox & Bucks was called on to make the attack without artillery or tank support, the regiment suffered 52 casualties killed including George Woodcock. He was 29 years old and was buried in Brouay War Cemetery.
He enlisted in the Army and was a Private in 1st Battalion, Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Regiment. The Regiment went to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force and in the retreat to Dunkirk took part in the defence of the Ypres – Commines Canal. They were eventually evacuated from Dunkirk. The 1st Ox & Bucks landed in Normandy on 23 June 1944 as part of the 71st Infantry Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. After holding the line the 1st Ox & Bucks first major engagement with the enemy during the battle for Caen was the successful attack to capture the village of Cahier and a nearby mill. On the night of 16 July, the 1 Ox & Bucks was called on to make the attack without artillery or tank support, the regiment suffered 52 casualties killed including George Woodcock. He was 29 years old and was buried in Brouay War Cemetery.
Cyril Woodward - 1047540
Cyril Woodward was born in 1923, his birth registered in Worksop in the first quarter. He was the first child of mine labourer George Woodward and Lily (nee Adams) who had married the year before, and lived at Hangman’s Lane, Laughton Common.
Cyril was an Aircraftman 2nd Class, service number 1047540 in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and served with 757 Defence Regiment at Nutts Corner, County Antrim.
Cyril died, aged 18, on active service on 21 October 1941 and was buried in Laughton-En-Le-Morthen (All Saints) Churchyard on 25 October 1941.
Cyril was an Aircraftman 2nd Class, service number 1047540 in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and served with 757 Defence Regiment at Nutts Corner, County Antrim.
Cyril died, aged 18, on active service on 21 October 1941 and was buried in Laughton-En-Le-Morthen (All Saints) Churchyard on 25 October 1941.