Rawmarsh & Parkgate - Panel 4
James Lowe - FAA/SFX 2352
James Lowe was the son of James Lowe and Mary (nee Parton), born in Middlesborough in 1921. The family later moved to Rotherham and lived at 14 Stewarts Rd, Rawmarsh. He was educated at Haugh Road Modern School where he became school swimming champion. James was known by the nickname of Paddy and after leaving school he was employed as a Bricklayer.
He enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1941 and was an Air Mechanic 1st Class, service number FAA/SFX 2352. In 1942 he was serving on HMS Avenger. The Avenger was a 9,000 ton escort aircraft carrier, which had been commissioned on 2 March 1942. Originally launched as a passenger-cargo ship in 1940 and completed in mid 1941, it was purchased just weeks later by the US Navy for conversion. It was involved in the November 1942 operation ‘Torch’ landings in North
Africa providing fighter cover from its on-board complement of Sea Hurricanes. On 10 November Avenger
transferred her remaining serviceable four Sea Hurricanes to HMS Argus. It entered the newly occupied Port of Algiers for engine repairs. Avenger was ready for sea again by the 12th, leaving Algiers early in the morning to form up with
convoy MKF 1(Y). This convoy comprised of vessels that had taken part in the landings. This convoy reached Gibraltar Harbour on the morning of 14 November then the convoy came under attack 45 nautical miles south of Cape Santa Maria, Portugal. Shortly after 03:05 on the morning of the 15th, the convoy escort commander ordering an immediate turn to starboard, detecting a U-Boat in the area. U-155 was at that moment preparing to fire torpedoes, and was forced to fire from a considerably longer distance that originally planned. The submarines commander fired two torpedoes at this longer range, and a third shortly after as the range closed. The first ship hit was the USS Almaack, she was hit as she steadied on the new heading, and moments later a second ship, the HMTS Ettrick the third torpedo struck HMS Avenger port side amidships at 03:20 (GMT). This was a catastrophic hit for Avenger, the resulting explosion ripped through her Bomb Room and ignited the munitions stored there; the ship literally had her guts torn out by the resulting secondary explosions. The centre section of the ship gone her bow and stern sections rose in the air as her back broke; HMS Avenger sank in under 5 minutes with only 12 survivors.The position of the sinking was 36.15N 07.45W, west of Gibraltar, taking with her Avenger's
Commanding Officer, 67 Officers and 446 ratings. James Lowe was 20 years old when he died and is remembered on the Fleet Air Arm’s Lee-On-Solent Memorial to almost 2,000 men of that service who died during the Second World War and who have no known grave.
He enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1941 and was an Air Mechanic 1st Class, service number FAA/SFX 2352. In 1942 he was serving on HMS Avenger. The Avenger was a 9,000 ton escort aircraft carrier, which had been commissioned on 2 March 1942. Originally launched as a passenger-cargo ship in 1940 and completed in mid 1941, it was purchased just weeks later by the US Navy for conversion. It was involved in the November 1942 operation ‘Torch’ landings in North
Africa providing fighter cover from its on-board complement of Sea Hurricanes. On 10 November Avenger
transferred her remaining serviceable four Sea Hurricanes to HMS Argus. It entered the newly occupied Port of Algiers for engine repairs. Avenger was ready for sea again by the 12th, leaving Algiers early in the morning to form up with
convoy MKF 1(Y). This convoy comprised of vessels that had taken part in the landings. This convoy reached Gibraltar Harbour on the morning of 14 November then the convoy came under attack 45 nautical miles south of Cape Santa Maria, Portugal. Shortly after 03:05 on the morning of the 15th, the convoy escort commander ordering an immediate turn to starboard, detecting a U-Boat in the area. U-155 was at that moment preparing to fire torpedoes, and was forced to fire from a considerably longer distance that originally planned. The submarines commander fired two torpedoes at this longer range, and a third shortly after as the range closed. The first ship hit was the USS Almaack, she was hit as she steadied on the new heading, and moments later a second ship, the HMTS Ettrick the third torpedo struck HMS Avenger port side amidships at 03:20 (GMT). This was a catastrophic hit for Avenger, the resulting explosion ripped through her Bomb Room and ignited the munitions stored there; the ship literally had her guts torn out by the resulting secondary explosions. The centre section of the ship gone her bow and stern sections rose in the air as her back broke; HMS Avenger sank in under 5 minutes with only 12 survivors.The position of the sinking was 36.15N 07.45W, west of Gibraltar, taking with her Avenger's
Commanding Officer, 67 Officers and 446 ratings. James Lowe was 20 years old when he died and is remembered on the Fleet Air Arm’s Lee-On-Solent Memorial to almost 2,000 men of that service who died during the Second World War and who have no known grave.
Joseph Mapplebeck - T/66644
Joseph Mapplebeck was born in Rotherham in 1920 to Joseph Mapplebeck and Emily (nee Wright). Prior to enlisting in the Army he was employed Manvers Main Colliery. He was married in 1940 to May (nee Attree), and lived at 26 Osberton St, Rawmarsh. The couple had two children, one of which was born after he was sent to the Far East.
Joseph enlisted in the Army in 1937, service number T/66644, and became a Driver in the Royal Army Service Corps, attached to the Royal Artillery. He service with the British Expeditionary Force and saw action at Calais and Dunkirk in 1940, before being posted to the Far East. He was one of the tens of thousands that fell into captivity when Singapore was captured. On 9 October 1942 he was within a party known as Java 1 and sent from Singapore to Kuching on the island of Borneo. He was later moved to Labuan and is reported to have died there on 11 December 1944, aged 24 and is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial.
Joseph enlisted in the Army in 1937, service number T/66644, and became a Driver in the Royal Army Service Corps, attached to the Royal Artillery. He service with the British Expeditionary Force and saw action at Calais and Dunkirk in 1940, before being posted to the Far East. He was one of the tens of thousands that fell into captivity when Singapore was captured. On 9 October 1942 he was within a party known as Java 1 and sent from Singapore to Kuching on the island of Borneo. He was later moved to Labuan and is reported to have died there on 11 December 1944, aged 24 and is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial.
Frederick William Morgan - 1326603
Frederick William Morgan was born in Parkgate, Rotherham in the last quarter of 1910, second child of John Morgan and his wife of 6 years, Alice Ellen (nee Small). The following year the family had moved to 68 Broughton Road, Skipton where his family ran a fish and chip shop. However the family moved back to the Rotherham area, and lived at 41 Rockcliffe Rd, Rawmarsh. Frederick was educated at Rotherham Grammar School and was then employed as a civil clerk at Rotherham Express.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in December 1940 and was an Aircraftman 2nd Class, service number 1326603. He was reported killed on active service on 24 February 1941, his death being registered in Grantham, Lincolnshire. He was 30 years old and was buried in Rawmarsh (Haugh Road) Cemetery.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in December 1940 and was an Aircraftman 2nd Class, service number 1326603. He was reported killed on active service on 24 February 1941, his death being registered in Grantham, Lincolnshire. He was 30 years old and was buried in Rawmarsh (Haugh Road) Cemetery.
Ralph Purdy - D/SKX 19
Ralph Purdy was born on 2 October 1920 in Parkgate, Rotherham, tenth of eleven children, all boys, born to John James Purdy and Clara (nee Woodcock). As a boy he attended Ashwood Road Council School. He joined the Royal Navy in September 1940, service number D/SKX 19. He was married in Rotherhamon 21 February 1943, and lived at 30 Holmes Lane, Masbro.
Ralph was a Leading Stoker on H.M.S. Tynedale a Hunt class destroyer built in Goven, Glasgow and launched in
June 1940. The ships main duty in 1943 was convoy escort, particularly in the Mediterranean. On 11 December 1943 the ship was part of the escort for Convoy KMS 34 from Philippeville, Algeria. The next day it was hit by a Gnat acoustic torpedo from the German submarine U-593 in position 37.10N, 06.05E in the Gulf of Bougie at 06:00. Hit amidships on the port side by a single torpedo, the ship broke in two but the stem section remained afloat long enough for some survivors to be rescued by the H.M. Indian Sloop Hyderabad and the tug Hengist. Others survivors were found six hours later in the water, totalling 82 in all. The official casualty list shows the 73 names of those who died,
including Ralph Purdy who was 23 years old, he is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Note
The U-boat was then chased by several escort vessels, but managed to sink H.M.S. Holcombe with another Gnat at 14:45 hours. At 00.30 hours on 13 December the U-boat was attacked by the Wellington aircraft MP816 of 36 Squadron whilst northeast of Bone, Algeria during a Swamp Operation. The aircraft approached the U-boat after a radar contact but the Leigh Light failed and it was hit in the port wing and tail plane by very accurate anti-aircraft fire. The rear gunner fired 600 rounds at the U-boat and a sighting report was made by the aircraft which landed safely at Bone. U-593 was forced to surface in the operations which lasted 32 hours and was then scuttled by its crew, who ironically were all rescued.
HMS Tynedale had encountered U-593 once before. On 27 March 1942 the Tynedale was part of the escort on Operation Chariot, H.M.S. Campbeltown’s attack on the dock at St Nazaire, France. Tynedale carried out gun attack on U-593 which crash dived. The submarine was subject to a depth charge attack after which it partially surfaced and then was engaged by main armament. The submarine heeled over and disappeared, but it had not been sunk and remained submerged for five-and-a-half hours until it was safe to return to the surface. It then sent a message to the German Command of its latest action at sea, but the message was so delayed and garbled that Operation Chariot continued undetected. This action by H.M.S. Tynedale prevented the U-boat from warning the St Nazaire garrison and helped the operation succeed.
Ralph was a Leading Stoker on H.M.S. Tynedale a Hunt class destroyer built in Goven, Glasgow and launched in
June 1940. The ships main duty in 1943 was convoy escort, particularly in the Mediterranean. On 11 December 1943 the ship was part of the escort for Convoy KMS 34 from Philippeville, Algeria. The next day it was hit by a Gnat acoustic torpedo from the German submarine U-593 in position 37.10N, 06.05E in the Gulf of Bougie at 06:00. Hit amidships on the port side by a single torpedo, the ship broke in two but the stem section remained afloat long enough for some survivors to be rescued by the H.M. Indian Sloop Hyderabad and the tug Hengist. Others survivors were found six hours later in the water, totalling 82 in all. The official casualty list shows the 73 names of those who died,
including Ralph Purdy who was 23 years old, he is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Note
The U-boat was then chased by several escort vessels, but managed to sink H.M.S. Holcombe with another Gnat at 14:45 hours. At 00.30 hours on 13 December the U-boat was attacked by the Wellington aircraft MP816 of 36 Squadron whilst northeast of Bone, Algeria during a Swamp Operation. The aircraft approached the U-boat after a radar contact but the Leigh Light failed and it was hit in the port wing and tail plane by very accurate anti-aircraft fire. The rear gunner fired 600 rounds at the U-boat and a sighting report was made by the aircraft which landed safely at Bone. U-593 was forced to surface in the operations which lasted 32 hours and was then scuttled by its crew, who ironically were all rescued.
HMS Tynedale had encountered U-593 once before. On 27 March 1942 the Tynedale was part of the escort on Operation Chariot, H.M.S. Campbeltown’s attack on the dock at St Nazaire, France. Tynedale carried out gun attack on U-593 which crash dived. The submarine was subject to a depth charge attack after which it partially surfaced and then was engaged by main armament. The submarine heeled over and disappeared, but it had not been sunk and remained submerged for five-and-a-half hours until it was safe to return to the surface. It then sent a message to the German Command of its latest action at sea, but the message was so delayed and garbled that Operation Chariot continued undetected. This action by H.M.S. Tynedale prevented the U-boat from warning the St Nazaire garrison and helped the operation succeed.
Edward Lloyd George Ratcliffe
Edward Lloyd George Ratcliffe was the oldest of eight children born on 17 January 1913 to Herbert Edward Ratcliffe and Elizabeth (nee Horton) of
154 Victoria St, Parkgate. He was married in Pontypridd, Glamorgan in the second quarter of 1939 and lived with his wife at 11 Clark St, Treorchy, Glamorganshire. Prior to enlisting he was employed by the County Police.
He enlisted in 1939 and served in France with the Coldstream Guards, after returning from Dunkirk he moved to the Military Police before
transferring to the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Initially a Sergeant with service number 657065, he was commissioned on 13 March 1942 and became a Pilot Officer, service number 118621. on 1 October 1942 he was promoted to Flying Officer and was operational with 15 Squadron flying as Navigator on bombing missions to Germany. His squadron flew as part of the crew of the four-engined heavy bomber, the Short Stirling. He took part in the first 1,000 bomber raid to Cologne on 30/31 May 1942. Took off on 19 February 1943 from Bourn, Cambridgeshire at 17:50 in Stirling III BF457 LS-B for an operation against Wilhelmshaven; crashed with loss of the complete crew at 21:00 at Ameland, some 5 km East of Buren in an area known locally as the Nijlandsrijd, after being shot down by Oberleutnant Hans Joachim Jabs of IV./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1.
Edward Lloyd George Ratcliffe was 30 years old and was buried in Ameland (nes) General Cemetery.
154 Victoria St, Parkgate. He was married in Pontypridd, Glamorgan in the second quarter of 1939 and lived with his wife at 11 Clark St, Treorchy, Glamorganshire. Prior to enlisting he was employed by the County Police.
He enlisted in 1939 and served in France with the Coldstream Guards, after returning from Dunkirk he moved to the Military Police before
transferring to the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Initially a Sergeant with service number 657065, he was commissioned on 13 March 1942 and became a Pilot Officer, service number 118621. on 1 October 1942 he was promoted to Flying Officer and was operational with 15 Squadron flying as Navigator on bombing missions to Germany. His squadron flew as part of the crew of the four-engined heavy bomber, the Short Stirling. He took part in the first 1,000 bomber raid to Cologne on 30/31 May 1942. Took off on 19 February 1943 from Bourn, Cambridgeshire at 17:50 in Stirling III BF457 LS-B for an operation against Wilhelmshaven; crashed with loss of the complete crew at 21:00 at Ameland, some 5 km East of Buren in an area known locally as the Nijlandsrijd, after being shot down by Oberleutnant Hans Joachim Jabs of IV./Nachtjagdgeschwader 1.
Edward Lloyd George Ratcliffe was 30 years old and was buried in Ameland (nes) General Cemetery.