Clifton, St James Church - Part 1
Jack Lacy Abson - 950317
Wellington
Jack Lacy Abson was born in Louth, Lincolnshirein the first quarter of 1919, only child to John Corker Abson, of Rotherham and Mary Ann (nee Lacy) of Lincolnshire.
He joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 950317, becoming a Sergeant. He flew in Vickers Wellington bomber aircraft with 37 Squadron. On the night of 25/26 June 1941 he was part of the crew of New Zealander Sgt I G Medwin. Their Wellington mk IC, with serial number DV522, was airborne between 00:01 – 00:45 from a desert airfield LG09 (25 miles South-West of Mersa Matruh in Egypt). Their mission was in support of British & Commonwealth forces which were being force back to El Alamein by Rommel’s Afrika Korps. The aircraft was attacked by a fighter which fired one long burst and started a fire. The crew were ordered to prepare to bail out, but Sgt Abson misheard and jumped. The others stayed with the aircraft, which was belly-landed in the desert, both pilots receiving head injuries. The crew walked to British lines and was picked up after 3 hours by a forward army patrol. Sgt Jack Abson was initially reported as missing and then the following year was post ‘Previously Reported Missing, Now Presumed Killed in Action’. His body was never located and he is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial, aged 23.
He joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 950317, becoming a Sergeant. He flew in Vickers Wellington bomber aircraft with 37 Squadron. On the night of 25/26 June 1941 he was part of the crew of New Zealander Sgt I G Medwin. Their Wellington mk IC, with serial number DV522, was airborne between 00:01 – 00:45 from a desert airfield LG09 (25 miles South-West of Mersa Matruh in Egypt). Their mission was in support of British & Commonwealth forces which were being force back to El Alamein by Rommel’s Afrika Korps. The aircraft was attacked by a fighter which fired one long burst and started a fire. The crew were ordered to prepare to bail out, but Sgt Abson misheard and jumped. The others stayed with the aircraft, which was belly-landed in the desert, both pilots receiving head injuries. The crew walked to British lines and was picked up after 3 hours by a forward army patrol. Sgt Jack Abson was initially reported as missing and then the following year was post ‘Previously Reported Missing, Now Presumed Killed in Action’. His body was never located and he is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial, aged 23.
Leonard Ayres - 1505092
Leonard Ayres was born in 1922 in Rotherham, youngest of three children of Albert Ayres and Ethel May (nee Howard) of 10 South Crescent, East Dene, Rotherham.
He was in the Royal Air Force as a Sergeant (Air Gunner) with 61 Squadron. On 6 December 1944 he was mid-upper gunner on Avro Lancaster ME725 with squadron markings of QR-G. The aircraft was airborne from Skellingthorpe at 16:39 on a No 5 Group attack on Germany to Giessen town centre and railway yards. There were 255 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos involved in the attack, of which eight Lancasters were lost. Ayres’ aircraft was attacked by a night fighter over the target at about 8,000 feet, receiving cannon fire in the area of the wireless operator and mid-upper gunner positions. It is believed that a Messerschmitt Bf 110 piloted by Dieter Erichsen was responsible for the attack. The Lancaster aircraft crashed north-east of the target area just outside the village of Ilschhausen at 20:35. Five of the crew baled out to become prisoners of war. Sgt Leonard Ayres, aged 22, was one of two fatalities, both of whom were still in the aircraft when it crashed. Their bodied were taken to the local fire station and buried the next day in the local cemetery at Hachborn. After the war his coffin was moved to the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery and he now lies in Hanover War Cemetery.
Note
The other crew were:
F/O Clarence Armfield Donnelly RAAF (Pilot) – 421844 – POW
F/Lt Jacob Herbert Vincent RAAF (Navigator) – 413696 - POW
F/Sgt Ronald Gerald Devereaux Brock (Bombardier) – 1286271 - POW
Sgt Albert Henry Steers (Flight Engineer) – 1819122– killed
F/Sgt Francis Douglas Green RAAF (Radio Operator) – 432170 - POW
Sgt J. Thomas Kerrigan (Tail Gunner) - 1537753 - POW
He was in the Royal Air Force as a Sergeant (Air Gunner) with 61 Squadron. On 6 December 1944 he was mid-upper gunner on Avro Lancaster ME725 with squadron markings of QR-G. The aircraft was airborne from Skellingthorpe at 16:39 on a No 5 Group attack on Germany to Giessen town centre and railway yards. There were 255 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos involved in the attack, of which eight Lancasters were lost. Ayres’ aircraft was attacked by a night fighter over the target at about 8,000 feet, receiving cannon fire in the area of the wireless operator and mid-upper gunner positions. It is believed that a Messerschmitt Bf 110 piloted by Dieter Erichsen was responsible for the attack. The Lancaster aircraft crashed north-east of the target area just outside the village of Ilschhausen at 20:35. Five of the crew baled out to become prisoners of war. Sgt Leonard Ayres, aged 22, was one of two fatalities, both of whom were still in the aircraft when it crashed. Their bodied were taken to the local fire station and buried the next day in the local cemetery at Hachborn. After the war his coffin was moved to the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery and he now lies in Hanover War Cemetery.
Note
The other crew were:
F/O Clarence Armfield Donnelly RAAF (Pilot) – 421844 – POW
F/Lt Jacob Herbert Vincent RAAF (Navigator) – 413696 - POW
F/Sgt Ronald Gerald Devereaux Brock (Bombardier) – 1286271 - POW
Sgt Albert Henry Steers (Flight Engineer) – 1819122– killed
F/Sgt Francis Douglas Green RAAF (Radio Operator) – 432170 - POW
Sgt J. Thomas Kerrigan (Tail Gunner) - 1537753 - POW
Alfred Ball - 1041562
Alfred Ball was born in Rotherham in 1900, second child of miner Abraham Ball and Catherine (nee Briscoe), who were both originally from Shropshire. The family initially lived in Parkgate, Rotherham at 90 Ashwood Road, before moving a few years later to 123 Frederick Street, Rotherham. Alfred was married in Rotherham in 1929 and
lived at 3 Middle Place, East Dene. Although he was employed at Silverwood Colliery, Alfred was called up as a reservist in August 1939 and served in the Royal Artillery. He previously had 21 years service of peace time service in the Army, service number 1041562.
On the 9 January 1942 an Avro Manchester aircraft from 61 Squadron has taken off from its base in Rutland at North Luffenham on a raid to Cherbourg, France. While outbound the starboard engine caught fire and the heavily laden aircraft began to lose height. (The two-engined Avro Manchester was soon replaced in service because of persistant engine problems by the Avro Lancester.) The pilot was reluctant to jettison the bomb load for fear of injuring people on the ground, but as a precaution he ordered six of his crew to bale out. The two pilots then tried to make an emergency landing but in the pitch black conditions they failed to see a line of trees and the aircraft crashed 0620 at Wiltshire Close near Tidworth Garrison, Wiltshire, killing them both. Amongst those attending the scene to assist in the rescue operation were local
farmers and the crew of the Bulford Camp Military Fire Tender, which included Sergeant Alfred Ball. Unfortunately whilst tackling the fire, part of the bomb load exploded killing 6 and injuring a further 4 individuals. Sergeant Ball was one of those killed, he was 42 years old, and a funeral service was held at St James Church, Clifton and burial on Wednesday 14 January 1942 at Moorgate Cemetery.
Note
The two pilots killed were:
Pilot Officer Douglas Spencer Matthews DFM – 45522 – RAF, 61 Sqdn
P/O. Thomas Ivor Ravenhill Wilson - 63816 – RAFVR, 61 Sqdn (the Second Pilot on his first operation).
The others killed on the ground were:
Frederick Thomas Baker , local farmer of Home Farm, South Tidworth, died in Tidworth Military Hospital from injuries received
2nd Lieutenant Christopher Carey – 217970 – Royal Armoured Corps
Trooper William McCaldon – 7937398 – Royal Armoured Corps
Serjeant Archibald Carmichael Morrison – 553578 – Royal Armoured Corps
Leading Aircraftman James Slater – 985894 - RAFVR
The crew from the aircraft that baled out and survived were:
F/O. C A. Giles - Nav.
Sgt. Lorimer - 1st W/Op
Sgt. Fryer - 2nd W/Op.
P/O. S P. Walsh - 1st A/G
Sgt. J. Brown - 2nd A/G
P/O. Lancaster - Regional Control Officer
lived at 3 Middle Place, East Dene. Although he was employed at Silverwood Colliery, Alfred was called up as a reservist in August 1939 and served in the Royal Artillery. He previously had 21 years service of peace time service in the Army, service number 1041562.
On the 9 January 1942 an Avro Manchester aircraft from 61 Squadron has taken off from its base in Rutland at North Luffenham on a raid to Cherbourg, France. While outbound the starboard engine caught fire and the heavily laden aircraft began to lose height. (The two-engined Avro Manchester was soon replaced in service because of persistant engine problems by the Avro Lancester.) The pilot was reluctant to jettison the bomb load for fear of injuring people on the ground, but as a precaution he ordered six of his crew to bale out. The two pilots then tried to make an emergency landing but in the pitch black conditions they failed to see a line of trees and the aircraft crashed 0620 at Wiltshire Close near Tidworth Garrison, Wiltshire, killing them both. Amongst those attending the scene to assist in the rescue operation were local
farmers and the crew of the Bulford Camp Military Fire Tender, which included Sergeant Alfred Ball. Unfortunately whilst tackling the fire, part of the bomb load exploded killing 6 and injuring a further 4 individuals. Sergeant Ball was one of those killed, he was 42 years old, and a funeral service was held at St James Church, Clifton and burial on Wednesday 14 January 1942 at Moorgate Cemetery.
Note
The two pilots killed were:
Pilot Officer Douglas Spencer Matthews DFM – 45522 – RAF, 61 Sqdn
P/O. Thomas Ivor Ravenhill Wilson - 63816 – RAFVR, 61 Sqdn (the Second Pilot on his first operation).
The others killed on the ground were:
Frederick Thomas Baker , local farmer of Home Farm, South Tidworth, died in Tidworth Military Hospital from injuries received
2nd Lieutenant Christopher Carey – 217970 – Royal Armoured Corps
Trooper William McCaldon – 7937398 – Royal Armoured Corps
Serjeant Archibald Carmichael Morrison – 553578 – Royal Armoured Corps
Leading Aircraftman James Slater – 985894 - RAFVR
The crew from the aircraft that baled out and survived were:
F/O. C A. Giles - Nav.
Sgt. Lorimer - 1st W/Op
Sgt. Fryer - 2nd W/Op.
P/O. S P. Walsh - 1st A/G
Sgt. J. Brown - 2nd A/G
P/O. Lancaster - Regional Control Officer
Frederick Vincent Beale - PO/X 108058
James Wilfred Bott - 1765035
James Wilfred Bott was born in Rotherham in the first quarter of 1921, the first of three children of Frederick Bott and his wife of one year Elsie Coucom. The family lived at 13 Cambridge Crescent, Rotherham. James was educated at Spurley Hey Council School and later employed at Parkgate Iron & Steel Works.
James enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in May 1942, service number 1765035, and attained the rank of Flight Sergeant. He served as a Flight Engineer with 7 Squadron of the Pathfinder Force. On the night of 22/23 April 1944 he was part of the crew of Avro Lancaster serial number ND592 with squadron marking of MG-J that was one of a force of 181aircraft sent to bomb the railway yards in Laon, France. The aircraft was delivered to the squadron in February 1944 and had a total of 126 hours before it was lost. Lancaster ND592 was airborne at 21:24 on 22 April from Oakington, it was shot down by a night-fighter and crashed and exploded at Maizy (Aisne), a village on the south bank of the Aisne approximately 28 km SSE of Laon. Flt Sgt Bott and the rest of the seven man crew were killed. James was 22 years old and is buried in Maizy Churchyard.
Notes
The other crew members were:
P/O Percy Ronald Aslett – Pilot - 54222
P/O Hugh Boys Cooper – Navigator - 172104
F/S Thomas Horton – Air Bomber - 1545049
Sgt Laurence Alfred Scott – Wireless Operator - 1382694
Sgt Francis William Ingham – Air Gunner - 2216043
P/O Leon Francis George Noakes DFC – Air Gunner - 171457
The Lancaster was claimed shot down at 23:32 by Uffz. Konrad Beyer of 1/NJG4 from a height of 2.800 m.
James enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in May 1942, service number 1765035, and attained the rank of Flight Sergeant. He served as a Flight Engineer with 7 Squadron of the Pathfinder Force. On the night of 22/23 April 1944 he was part of the crew of Avro Lancaster serial number ND592 with squadron marking of MG-J that was one of a force of 181aircraft sent to bomb the railway yards in Laon, France. The aircraft was delivered to the squadron in February 1944 and had a total of 126 hours before it was lost. Lancaster ND592 was airborne at 21:24 on 22 April from Oakington, it was shot down by a night-fighter and crashed and exploded at Maizy (Aisne), a village on the south bank of the Aisne approximately 28 km SSE of Laon. Flt Sgt Bott and the rest of the seven man crew were killed. James was 22 years old and is buried in Maizy Churchyard.
Notes
The other crew members were:
P/O Percy Ronald Aslett – Pilot - 54222
P/O Hugh Boys Cooper – Navigator - 172104
F/S Thomas Horton – Air Bomber - 1545049
Sgt Laurence Alfred Scott – Wireless Operator - 1382694
Sgt Francis William Ingham – Air Gunner - 2216043
P/O Leon Francis George Noakes DFC – Air Gunner - 171457
The Lancaster was claimed shot down at 23:32 by Uffz. Konrad Beyer of 1/NJG4 from a height of 2.800 m.
Cave Bradford - 117332
James Burnett Bradford - 35219
James Burnett Bradford was born in Rotherham in 1906, a year after his parents, Ethel (nee Burnett) and William James Bradford, married in Doncaster. His parents lived at Gerard Road, Rotherham where a sister was born a couple of years later and then came brother Cave Bradford in 1914. James was educated at Mrs Wood’s School, Wath-Upon-Dearne, and at Wantage School. His father was a trained solicitor
and JP who became Borough Coroner of Rotherham. James was articled to his father in 1923 and to the Town Clerk in 1927, and was admitted a solicitor in 1928. He was a reserve chairman of the Unemployment Assistance Board and Assistant Deputy Coroner for the Borough. He was a keen rugby football enthusiast and took part in the affairs of the Rotherham Rugby Union Club, particularly in its early
days. He was well known in local Masonic Circles, having held several offices in the Fitzwilliam Lodge of Freemasons. James was married in 1931 and lived at Low Farm, Dalton Magna with he wife and three children.
James served as an officer in Territorial Army before War. He was an officer, service number 3521in the 5th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment prior to its conversion into an Anti-Aircraft Unit, and subsequently was largely responsible for the formation of the 126th light Anti-Aircraft Battery. He later served as a Major in 3 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. He died on 2 November 1942 following an operation. He was 36 years old and was buried in Gibraltar (North Front) Cemetery.
Note
His younger brother Cave was killed in Sicily on 13 July 1943.
and JP who became Borough Coroner of Rotherham. James was articled to his father in 1923 and to the Town Clerk in 1927, and was admitted a solicitor in 1928. He was a reserve chairman of the Unemployment Assistance Board and Assistant Deputy Coroner for the Borough. He was a keen rugby football enthusiast and took part in the affairs of the Rotherham Rugby Union Club, particularly in its early
days. He was well known in local Masonic Circles, having held several offices in the Fitzwilliam Lodge of Freemasons. James was married in 1931 and lived at Low Farm, Dalton Magna with he wife and three children.
James served as an officer in Territorial Army before War. He was an officer, service number 3521in the 5th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment prior to its conversion into an Anti-Aircraft Unit, and subsequently was largely responsible for the formation of the 126th light Anti-Aircraft Battery. He later served as a Major in 3 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. He died on 2 November 1942 following an operation. He was 36 years old and was buried in Gibraltar (North Front) Cemetery.
Note
His younger brother Cave was killed in Sicily on 13 July 1943.