Wath - Part 3
Cyril Humphreys - 14710777
Cyril Humphreys was born in Rotherham
on 9 July 1923 to John Thomas Humphreys and Rose Anne (nee Chambers) and
resided at 5 Common Lane,
Wath.
He enlisted in the Army, service number 14710777, he was a Private in 1/4th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. The battalion was part of the 146th Infantry Brigade, along with 4th Battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment and The Hallamshire Battalion, The York and Lancaster Regiment. The brigade reported to the ‘Polar Bears’, The 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division were to be involved in the liberation of Le Havre during the Normandy Campaign. Towards the end of August the Hallamshire’s remained in reserve while 4 Lincolns and 1/4 KOYLI proceeded with the clearing of the Quilleboeuf peninsular. On 3 September 1/4 KOYLI now moved forward on the left of 4 Lincolns, both battalions were patrolling forward to discover the location and extent of the Le Havre defences.
Cyril died on 3 September 1944, aged 21 and was buried in Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre.
He enlisted in the Army, service number 14710777, he was a Private in 1/4th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. The battalion was part of the 146th Infantry Brigade, along with 4th Battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment and The Hallamshire Battalion, The York and Lancaster Regiment. The brigade reported to the ‘Polar Bears’, The 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division were to be involved in the liberation of Le Havre during the Normandy Campaign. Towards the end of August the Hallamshire’s remained in reserve while 4 Lincolns and 1/4 KOYLI proceeded with the clearing of the Quilleboeuf peninsular. On 3 September 1/4 KOYLI now moved forward on the left of 4 Lincolns, both battalions were patrolling forward to discover the location and extent of the Le Havre defences.
Cyril died on 3 September 1944, aged 21 and was buried in Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre.
Albert Fawley Ingman - T/244983
Albert Fawley Ingman was born in the first quarter of 1908
in Rotherham to miner Francis Ingman and his
wife of 16 years, Ellen Ada (nee Fawley). Frank and his family, 11 by 1911
lived at 238 Nash Row, Wath Upon Dearne.
Albert enlisted in the Army, service number T/244983, and was a Driver in the Royal Army Service Corps. He died on 14 March 1942, aged 34, his death being registered in Wakefield, and he was buried in Wath Upon Dearne Cemetery.
Albert enlisted in the Army, service number T/244983, and was a Driver in the Royal Army Service Corps. He died on 14 March 1942, aged 34, his death being registered in Wakefield, and he was buried in Wath Upon Dearne Cemetery.
Harold McEvoy - 4758288
Harold McEvoy in late 1919 in Rotherham,
first child of coal miner Edgar McEvoy and his wife Kate Swallow (nee Golicher).
Kate’s first husband had died during the first world war and she had then
married her cousin Edgar.
He joined the Army, service number 4758288, he was a Private in 5th Battalion, Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment). Along with the 4th Green Howards, the 5th Battalion were part of 50th Division’s 150th Brigade. The 50th Division was involved with the BEFs initial advance into Belgium in response to the German assault on the west. However they were swiftly re-tasked to defend the open right flank at Arras following the breakthrough at Sedan. The 4th Green Howards was to defend bridges over the River Scarpe whilst the 5th Green Howards was involved in defending Arras itself. Following the abortive British counter-attack both battalions withdrew through closing German forces and retreated first to Lille and eventually to the Dunkirk perimeter. Elements of the 5th Green Howards formed a cordon on the Mole and were the last formed British infantry unit to Embark.
On their return to the UK the battalions concentrated first in Cheshire to recuperate and then were dispatched to the south-west of England to help man the invasion defences initially as part of V Corps under Lieutenant-General Montgomery. Over the winter period the battalions trained extensively and received their issue of tropical kit. In April 1941 the two battalions were dispatched to the Middle East from Liverpool via the Cape. The battalions had a period of acclimatisation and training in the Nile Delta before embarking with the rest of the division to undertake the defence of Cyprus. In November the division moved from Cyprus to Palestine. Most of the 50th Division then deployed to Iraq and Persia, however the 150th Brigade was instead dispatched to the Western Desert. It gained important experience and training in operating in desert conditions before being rejoined by the rest of the division in February 1942. The 50th Division was put into the line against Rommel's German-Italian forces taking its position in the Gazala Line defences between the 1st South African Division and the Free French Brigade in a series of fortified defensive positions known as 'boxes'. 150th Brigade was given responsibility for a Box at Got el Ualeb, a position isolated from any mutual support.
He died on 15 May 1942, aged 22, and was buried in Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya.
He joined the Army, service number 4758288, he was a Private in 5th Battalion, Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment). Along with the 4th Green Howards, the 5th Battalion were part of 50th Division’s 150th Brigade. The 50th Division was involved with the BEFs initial advance into Belgium in response to the German assault on the west. However they were swiftly re-tasked to defend the open right flank at Arras following the breakthrough at Sedan. The 4th Green Howards was to defend bridges over the River Scarpe whilst the 5th Green Howards was involved in defending Arras itself. Following the abortive British counter-attack both battalions withdrew through closing German forces and retreated first to Lille and eventually to the Dunkirk perimeter. Elements of the 5th Green Howards formed a cordon on the Mole and were the last formed British infantry unit to Embark.
On their return to the UK the battalions concentrated first in Cheshire to recuperate and then were dispatched to the south-west of England to help man the invasion defences initially as part of V Corps under Lieutenant-General Montgomery. Over the winter period the battalions trained extensively and received their issue of tropical kit. In April 1941 the two battalions were dispatched to the Middle East from Liverpool via the Cape. The battalions had a period of acclimatisation and training in the Nile Delta before embarking with the rest of the division to undertake the defence of Cyprus. In November the division moved from Cyprus to Palestine. Most of the 50th Division then deployed to Iraq and Persia, however the 150th Brigade was instead dispatched to the Western Desert. It gained important experience and training in operating in desert conditions before being rejoined by the rest of the division in February 1942. The 50th Division was put into the line against Rommel's German-Italian forces taking its position in the Gazala Line defences between the 1st South African Division and the Free French Brigade in a series of fortified defensive positions known as 'boxes'. 150th Brigade was given responsibility for a Box at Got el Ualeb, a position isolated from any mutual support.
He died on 15 May 1942, aged 22, and was buried in Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya.
Howard Slater Lambert - 2593018
Howard Slater Lambert was born in Doncaster
in the third quarter of 1913, he was the second child of coal miner Joseph Lambert
and his wife of four year Harriet Charlotte (nee Smith).
Howard joined the Army, service number 2593018, and was a Signalman in the Royal Corps of Signals. He died on 12 October 1940, registered in Surrey North Western, aged 27 and was buried in Mexborough Cemetery.
Howard joined the Army, service number 2593018, and was a Signalman in the Royal Corps of Signals. He died on 12 October 1940, registered in Surrey North Western, aged 27 and was buried in Mexborough Cemetery.
David Dalton Needham - 14333199
David Dalton Needham was born in Doncaster
in the second quarter of 1924 to coal miner Dalton Needham and Mable Elsie Stone,
who later lived at 8 Coronation
Road, Wath-upon-Dearne.
He enlisted in the Army, service number 14333199, and was a Gunner in the Royal Artillery. After the end of the Second World War Gunner Needham was stationed in British control Palestine. During this time there was unrest in the area as group fought for control of the area and freedom from the British Mandate. The King David Hotel bombing was an attack carried out by the militant right-wing Zionist underground organization, the Irgun, on the King David Hotel in Jerusalem on 22 July 1946. 91 people were killed and 46 were injured, with some of the deaths and injuries occurring in the road outside the hotel and in adjacent buildings. The hotel was the site of the central offices of the British Mandatory authorities of Palestine, the Secretariat of the Government of Palestine and Headquarters of the British Forces in Palestine and Transjordan. The attack was the deadliest directed at the British during the Mandate era (1920–1948) and more people were killed than by any bombing carried out in the subsequent Arab-Israeli conflict. The event was described by British authorities, major international publications including the New York Times, and academics as a terrorist attack aimed at civilians. The New York Times linked the Haganah paramilitary group to the Irgun attacks. Irgunists planted a bomb in the basement of the main building of the hotel, under the wing which housed the Mandate Secretariat and part of the British military headquarters. Telephoned warnings were sent, but not, at least directly or through the route expected by the Irgun, to the British authorities. No evacuation was carried out. The ensuing explosion caused the collapse of the western half of the southern wing of the hotel. Controversy has arisen over the timing and adequacy of these warnings and the reasons why the hotel was not evacuated. David was one of those who died on 22 July 1946, aged 22 and is buried in Ramleh War Cemetery. His family received news of his death first via the local press, some 24 hours before official notification. |
Douglas Parsons - 2079434
Douglas Parsons was born in New Zealand, arrived in England with his parents in 1932. Thomas William & Agnes Parson, Refton, Racecourse Road, Swinton. He was employed by Baker & Bessemers Ltd, Kilnhurst.
He enlisted in the Army in September 1939, service number 2079434, and was a Sapper with 580 Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers. He was posted overseas and was involved in the Greek Campaign. The Germans invaded Greece in April 1941 following a failed attempt by the Italians. The Germans swiftly advanced and over-ran the Country. Douglas Parsons died between 28 April and 16 July 1941, aged 20 and is buried in Phaleron War Cemetery.
He enlisted in the Army in September 1939, service number 2079434, and was a Sapper with 580 Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers. He was posted overseas and was involved in the Greek Campaign. The Germans invaded Greece in April 1941 following a failed attempt by the Italians. The Germans swiftly advanced and over-ran the Country. Douglas Parsons died between 28 April and 16 July 1941, aged 20 and is buried in Phaleron War Cemetery.
Jospeh Pearce - 1520837
Joseph
Pearce was born in Barnsley in the second
quarter of 1919, the son of William Pearce and Mary (nee Hall). His
parents were originally from Staffordshire, were they had married in late
1909. They moved to Yorkshire soon afterwards and lived at 17 Cottage
Villa, Hunningley Lane,
Stairfoot near Barnsley. William Pearce was a
coal miner and worked at Darfield Main.
Joseph Pearce enlisted in the Army, service number 1520837, and became a Lance Bombardier in 2 Battery, 1 Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery. The unit was part of the British Expeditionary Force in France and Belgium trying to stop the advance of the Germans through the low countries. Airey Neave, later well known for escaping from Colditz, was a troop commander with the unit retired from Arras and took up position 2 kms south of Calais on 19 May 1940 and held up the advance of 1 Panzer Division south of Calais; the searchlight gunners gave a good account of themselves before destroying their equipment and joining the Green Jackets as infantrymen. The gunners of the searchlight and anti-aircraft regiments fought bravely in this and many other isolated actions, their contribution is little known.
Joseph Pearce died between 25 and 26 May 1940, aged 21 and is commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial.
Joseph Pearce enlisted in the Army, service number 1520837, and became a Lance Bombardier in 2 Battery, 1 Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery. The unit was part of the British Expeditionary Force in France and Belgium trying to stop the advance of the Germans through the low countries. Airey Neave, later well known for escaping from Colditz, was a troop commander with the unit retired from Arras and took up position 2 kms south of Calais on 19 May 1940 and held up the advance of 1 Panzer Division south of Calais; the searchlight gunners gave a good account of themselves before destroying their equipment and joining the Green Jackets as infantrymen. The gunners of the searchlight and anti-aircraft regiments fought bravely in this and many other isolated actions, their contribution is little known.
Joseph Pearce died between 25 and 26 May 1940, aged 21 and is commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial.
Jim Pearson
Jim Pearson was born in Rotherham in the second quarter of 1921 to coal miner Alfred and his wife Emma (nee Coggin). The couple had married in Kilnhurst on 1 August 1897, and by 1911 were living at 32 Victoria Road, Winterwell, West Melton. Jim was the couple’s youngest child of at least twelve children that Emma gave birth to.
Jim enlisted in the Army and was a Bombardier, service number 1468433, in 180 (M) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment of the Royal Artillery. He died in an accident in Scotland on 5 October 1943. His death was registered in Irvine, Ayrshire, and he was buried in Wath-Upon-Dearne Cemetery, he was 22 years old.
Jim enlisted in the Army and was a Bombardier, service number 1468433, in 180 (M) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment of the Royal Artillery. He died in an accident in Scotland on 5 October 1943. His death was registered in Irvine, Ayrshire, and he was buried in Wath-Upon-Dearne Cemetery, he was 22 years old.
Edgar James Pike - 14566154
Edgar James Pike was born in the first quarter of 1925 in Rotherham, second child of William James Henry Pike and Alice (nee Jones) who had married in Mansfield in late 1919.
He enlisted in the Army and was a Private in the 1st Battalion, The London Scottish (The Gordon Highlanders), service number 14566154. The battalion was part of
56th Infantry Division’s 167th (London) Infantry Brigade and was heavily involved in the Italian Campaign. It was given some respite in the early part of 1944 before returning in July and taking part in the battles along the Gothic Line. In April 1945 the battalion was involved in the Battle of the Argenta Gap, and Edgar James Pike died on 17 April 1945. He was 20 years old and is buried in Ravenna War Cemetery.
He enlisted in the Army and was a Private in the 1st Battalion, The London Scottish (The Gordon Highlanders), service number 14566154. The battalion was part of
56th Infantry Division’s 167th (London) Infantry Brigade and was heavily involved in the Italian Campaign. It was given some respite in the early part of 1944 before returning in July and taking part in the battles along the Gothic Line. In April 1945 the battalion was involved in the Battle of the Argenta Gap, and Edgar James Pike died on 17 April 1945. He was 20 years old and is buried in Ravenna War Cemetery.
Joseph Pearce - 1520837
Joseph Pearce was born in Barnsley in the second quarter of 1919, the son of William Pearce and Mary (nee Hall). His parents were originally from Staffordshire, were they had married in late 1909. They moved to Yorkshire soon afterwards and lived at 17 Cottage Villa, Hunningley Lane, Stairfoot, Barnsley. William Pearce was a coal miner and worked at Darfield Main.
Joseph Pearce enlisted in the Army, service number 1520837, and became a Lance Bombardier in 2 Battery, 1 Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery. The unit was part of the British Expeditionary Force in France and Belgium trying to stop the advance of the Germans through the low countries. Airey Neave, later well known for escaping from Colditz, was a troop commander with the unit retired from Arras and took up position 2 kms south of Calais on 19 May 1940 and held up the advance of 1 Panzer Division south of Calais; the searchlight gunners gave a good account of themselves before destroying their equipment and joining the Green Jackets as infantrymen. The
gunners of the searchlight and anti-aircraft regiments fought bravely in this and many other isolated actions, their contribution is little known.
Joseph Pearce died between 25 and 26 May 1940, aged 21 and is commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial.
Joseph Pearce enlisted in the Army, service number 1520837, and became a Lance Bombardier in 2 Battery, 1 Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery. The unit was part of the British Expeditionary Force in France and Belgium trying to stop the advance of the Germans through the low countries. Airey Neave, later well known for escaping from Colditz, was a troop commander with the unit retired from Arras and took up position 2 kms south of Calais on 19 May 1940 and held up the advance of 1 Panzer Division south of Calais; the searchlight gunners gave a good account of themselves before destroying their equipment and joining the Green Jackets as infantrymen. The
gunners of the searchlight and anti-aircraft regiments fought bravely in this and many other isolated actions, their contribution is little known.
Joseph Pearce died between 25 and 26 May 1940, aged 21 and is commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial.
Bruce Rawlinson - 3320165
Bruce Rawlinson was born in Rotherham
on 20 March 1917, to Walter Rawlinson and Edith Alice (nee Guest).
He enlisted in the Army, service number 3320165, a Private in the 13th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. He died on 8 January 1941 in Fakenham Registration District, Norfolk, aged 23 and is buried in Wath-Upon Dearne Cemetery. Note Bruce Rawlinson was the cousin of Walter Rawlinson (see below) |
Walter Rawlinson - T/10704738
Walter Rawlinson was born in Rotherham
in the final months of 1911, second child of James Rawlinson and his wife of 3
years, Amelia (nee White). James was a coal miner and lived with his family at 17 Orchard Place, West
Melton. Walter was married in 1933 to Muriel (nee Bramall), the couple had two
children, lived at 76 Oak Road,
Wath.
Walter joined the Army, service number T/10704738, he was a Private 487 General Transport Company, Royal Army Service Corps. He died on 13 October 1944, over a year after the end of hostilities in North Africa, and was buried in Dely Ibrahim War Cemetery, Algeria.
Note
Walter Rawlinson was the cousin of Bruce Rawlinson (see above)
Walter joined the Army, service number T/10704738, he was a Private 487 General Transport Company, Royal Army Service Corps. He died on 13 October 1944, over a year after the end of hostilities in North Africa, and was buried in Dely Ibrahim War Cemetery, Algeria.
Note
Walter Rawlinson was the cousin of Bruce Rawlinson (see above)
Eva Jane Shepherd - W/146248
Eva Jane Shepherd was born in Rotherham in the second quarter of 1921, to miner Richard Shepherd and his wife of sixteen years Sarah (nee Barker). The family lived at 33 Firth Road, West Melton.
Eva joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service, service number W/146248. She died in hospital in Yorkshire, and her death registered in Rotherham. Eva Jane Shepherd was 24 years old and was buried in Brampton Bierlow (Christ Church) Churchyard.
Eva joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service, service number W/146248. She died in hospital in Yorkshire, and her death registered in Rotherham. Eva Jane Shepherd was 24 years old and was buried in Brampton Bierlow (Christ Church) Churchyard.
Kenneth Sickler - 7371189
Kenneth Sickler’s birth was registered in Rotherham in the second quarter of 1917. He was the second child to William Henry Sickler and Anne Elizabeth (nee Wright). He resided at 27 Burman Road, Wath.
Kenneth joined the Royal Army Medical Corps where he was a Private with service number 7371189. In 1942 he was on board the hospital ship HMS Aquileia in the Mediterranean. On 10 May 1942 Aquileia was was bombed and set afire by German aircraft and sank off Alexandria, Egypt. Kenneth Sickler was killed in the attack, he is remembered on the Alamein Memorial aged 25. Notes The Ramb IV was originally built as a cargo ship at Monfalcone by the Re-United Yards of the Adriatic (Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico, CRDA) as a banana boat for Regia Azienda Monopolio Banane (Govt), Genoa in 1937 for transporting refrigerated bananas from Somaliland and Eritrea in Italian East Africa. Her keel was laid 14 January 1937, the ship was launched 7 June 1937, and completed 27 October 1937. She was 3,676 Gross tons, diesel powered, 116.8 meters in length, 15.2 meters in beam, with twin screws and a cruising speed of 17-18.5 knots. The Ramb IV was converted into a hospital ship for service during WWII by the Italian Royal Navy's Red Sea Flotilla at the Eritrean port of Massawa, and and she was re-named Aquileia. The ship was to be used for transporting Italian wounded from the Port of Massawa back to Italy. However, this proved to be not possible due to British control of the Suez Canal. When the Port of Massawa fell on 10 April 1941, the British captured the ship off of Aden and pressed it into service where she operated in the Red Sea and later in the Mediterranean. On 10 May 1942, while en-route from Tobruk to Alexandria, the Aquileia was attacked and bombed by German JU-88 aircraft and damaged. Fire resulting from the bombing broke out onboard the ship and she had to be abandoned. HMS Kipling was dispatched to assist the ship and placed a fire fighting party on board the ship to assist ship's crew combat the fire. The ship was abandoned and was later sunk by Royal Navy ships at position 31.17N 29.23E in approximately 400 meters of water off the coast of what is now Sidi Krier. The ship was carrying 360 staff and wounded patients when attacked. 155 wounded men and 10 crew members were lost. |
William Turton - 7958946
William Turton was born in Rotherham
in the second quarter of 1923, first child of John William Turton and his wife
of one year, Mary (nee Race). William was married in Rother Valley District in early
1944 to Joan (nee Darwin)
and lived at 109 Oak Road,
Wath.
William enlisted in the Army, service number 7958946, and became a Lance Corporal in 9th Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps. After much preparation and training the main fighting forced of 9RTR sailed for France thirteen days after D-Day embarking from Portsmouth on the 19 June 1944. The 9th fought many fierce actions in France around Caen including Operation Epsom on the 26 June and Operation Charnwood on the 8 July.
On 10 July Operation Jupiter was launched by the Second Army's VIII Corps on 10 July 1944. The objective of the attack was to capture the villages of Baron-sur-Odon, Fontaine-Étoupefour, Chateau de Fontaine and recapture Hill 112. Following the capture of these objectives the Corps would then capture Éterville and the village of Maltot and the ground up to the River Orne. Tanks from the 4th Armoured Brigade, supported by infantry, would then advance through the captured ground and secure several further villages to the west of the River Orne. The 9th RTR were to attack on Maltot area and Pt 112. William Turton was part of troop A for the attack on Maltot.
In the morning B Squadron attacked Chateau de Fontaine from just south of Verson. Attack was successful and was exploited to the high ground 500 yards beyond. C Squadron then attacked Eterville and all went well. About 11:00 hours A Squadron formed up with 7th Dorsets to pass through these positions and capture Maltot. The tanks reached the orchards surrounding the village and the Infantry entered. At this stage every . thing seemed to go wrong. The tanks were caught in a murderous cross fire from beyond the river on their right and from woods and the reverse slope of 112, the latter being the objective of 7 RTR who failed to take it. Very heavy mortar fire came down and the inevitable counter attack with tanks came in. The Dorsets were reduced to company strength and at this stage only four tanks out of eighteen were left to fight. These joined up with B Squadron who succeeded in holding the general line Chateau de Fontaine and Eterville. About 18:00 C Squadron attacked Maltot with a fresh set of Infantry ‑ as before the outskirts of the village were reached ‑ but no further progress could be made. This was a disastrous day for A Squadron, about three‑quarters of the Squadron had lost their tanks and were trying to get back one way or another. The Padre and our own ambulances made repeated attempts to get forward to the Squadron and succeeded in picking up about 12 men, but the position was impossible. Later in the day when C Squadron attacked there must have been a good number of our men still about the area who would have come under our own artillery barrage. For days we tried to reach the place to recover the tanks and see what was left but it was not until 8th August that we were finally able to do so.
William Turton was reported missing 10 July 1944, but it was not until 8 August that his body was recovered. He was 21 years old and is buried in Bayeux War Cemetery.
William enlisted in the Army, service number 7958946, and became a Lance Corporal in 9th Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps. After much preparation and training the main fighting forced of 9RTR sailed for France thirteen days after D-Day embarking from Portsmouth on the 19 June 1944. The 9th fought many fierce actions in France around Caen including Operation Epsom on the 26 June and Operation Charnwood on the 8 July.
On 10 July Operation Jupiter was launched by the Second Army's VIII Corps on 10 July 1944. The objective of the attack was to capture the villages of Baron-sur-Odon, Fontaine-Étoupefour, Chateau de Fontaine and recapture Hill 112. Following the capture of these objectives the Corps would then capture Éterville and the village of Maltot and the ground up to the River Orne. Tanks from the 4th Armoured Brigade, supported by infantry, would then advance through the captured ground and secure several further villages to the west of the River Orne. The 9th RTR were to attack on Maltot area and Pt 112. William Turton was part of troop A for the attack on Maltot.
In the morning B Squadron attacked Chateau de Fontaine from just south of Verson. Attack was successful and was exploited to the high ground 500 yards beyond. C Squadron then attacked Eterville and all went well. About 11:00 hours A Squadron formed up with 7th Dorsets to pass through these positions and capture Maltot. The tanks reached the orchards surrounding the village and the Infantry entered. At this stage every . thing seemed to go wrong. The tanks were caught in a murderous cross fire from beyond the river on their right and from woods and the reverse slope of 112, the latter being the objective of 7 RTR who failed to take it. Very heavy mortar fire came down and the inevitable counter attack with tanks came in. The Dorsets were reduced to company strength and at this stage only four tanks out of eighteen were left to fight. These joined up with B Squadron who succeeded in holding the general line Chateau de Fontaine and Eterville. About 18:00 C Squadron attacked Maltot with a fresh set of Infantry ‑ as before the outskirts of the village were reached ‑ but no further progress could be made. This was a disastrous day for A Squadron, about three‑quarters of the Squadron had lost their tanks and were trying to get back one way or another. The Padre and our own ambulances made repeated attempts to get forward to the Squadron and succeeded in picking up about 12 men, but the position was impossible. Later in the day when C Squadron attacked there must have been a good number of our men still about the area who would have come under our own artillery barrage. For days we tried to reach the place to recover the tanks and see what was left but it was not until 8th August that we were finally able to do so.
William Turton was reported missing 10 July 1944, but it was not until 8 August that his body was recovered. He was 21 years old and is buried in Bayeux War Cemetery.
Thomas Waterhouse - 4626966
Thomas Waterhouse was the son of Joseph Waterhouse and Annie
F. M. (nee Everett), he was born in Rotherham in mid 1922.
He joined the Army, service number4626966, and was a Private in the 1st Battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). The 'Dukes' next fought in North Africa, fighting with distinction in a number of actions and gaining several Battle Honours. They were part of the V Corps within the First Army, and in particular the 3rd Infantry Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division. They fought at the Battle of Medjez Plain, as well as the Battle of Djebel bou Aoukaz, taking the town on 27 April 1943. The town however, was re-taken by German forces on the 30 April, after heavy fighting. On the 5 May, the British forces re-took the town from the Germans.
Thomas died on 6 May 1943, one week before the German surrender in North Africa, he was 20 years old and is buried in Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery.
He joined the Army, service number4626966, and was a Private in the 1st Battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). The 'Dukes' next fought in North Africa, fighting with distinction in a number of actions and gaining several Battle Honours. They were part of the V Corps within the First Army, and in particular the 3rd Infantry Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division. They fought at the Battle of Medjez Plain, as well as the Battle of Djebel bou Aoukaz, taking the town on 27 April 1943. The town however, was re-taken by German forces on the 30 April, after heavy fighting. On the 5 May, the British forces re-took the town from the Germans.
Thomas died on 6 May 1943, one week before the German surrender in North Africa, he was 20 years old and is buried in Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery.
William Richard Wroot - 1086195
Dick joined the Army, service number 1086195, having failed
to get in the RAF because his eye sight wasn’t good enough. He was a Gunner in
the 4th Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery and was sent to North Africa in the first half of 1941. They board ship
in Liverpool and sailed for Egypt
via South Africa, as it was
too dangerous to sail via the Mediterranean.
He was part of F troop which were equipped with 25 pounder guns and morris
tractors. The 4th RHA were part of the 7th Support Group,
7th Armoured Division within the Eight Army’s XXX Corps. In mid
November 1941 Operation Crusader was set up to relieve the siege of Tobruk. 7th
Armoured had planned its attack northward to Tobruk to start at 08:30 on 21
November. However, at 07:45 patrols reported the arrival from the southeast of
a mass of enemy armour, some 200 tanks in all. 7th Armoured Brigade, together
with a battery of field artillery turned to meet this threat leaving the four
companies of infantry and the artillery of the Support Group to carry through
the attack to the north in anticipation of being reinforced by 5th South
African Infantry Brigade which had been detached from the 1st South African
Division at Bir el Gubi facing the Ariete Division and was heading north to
join them. Without armoured support the northward attack by the Support Group
failed and by the end of the day, 7th Armoured Brigade had lost all but 28 of
its 160 tanks and were relying by that time mainly on the artillery of the
Support Group to hold the enemy at arm's length. The South African brigade
meanwhile were dug in southeast of Bir el Haiad but had the German armour
between them and Sidi Rezegh. However, by the evening of 21 November, 4th
Armoured was 8 miles south east of Sidi Rezegh and 22nd Armoured Brigade were
in contact with the German armour at Bir el Haiad, some 12 miles southwest of
Sidi Rezegh.
Overnight Rommel once again split his forces with 21st Panzer taking up a defensive position alongside the Afrika Division between Sidi Rezegh and Tobruk and 15th Panzer moving 15 miles west to Gasr el Arid to prepare for a battle of manoeuvre which General Cruewell believed would favour the Afrika Korps. This presented a clear opportunity for a breakthrough to Tobruk with the whole of 7th Armoured Division concentrated and facing only the weakened 21st Panzer. However, XXX Corps commander Norrie, aware that 7th Armoured division was down to 200 tanks decided on caution. Instead, in the early afternoon Rommel attacked Sidi Rezegh with 21st Panzer and captured the airfield. However, 21st Panzer, despite being considerably weaker in armour, proved superior in its combined arms tactics, pushing 7th Armoured Division back with a further 50 tanks lost (mainly from 22nd Brigade). The fighting at Sidi Rezegh continued through 22 November, with South African Division's 5th Brigade by that time engaged to the south of the airfield. An attempt to recapture it failed and the Axis counter-offensive began to gain momentum. 7th Armoured Brigade withdrew with all but four of their 150 tanks out of commission or destroyed. In four days the Eighth Army had lost 530 tanks against Axis losses of about 100.
Dick was wounded at the beginning of December, he was hit by shrapnel on the side of the temple and he never regained consciousness. He died on 9 December 1941, aged 24, and after and initial battlefield grave he was later buried in Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery.
Overnight Rommel once again split his forces with 21st Panzer taking up a defensive position alongside the Afrika Division between Sidi Rezegh and Tobruk and 15th Panzer moving 15 miles west to Gasr el Arid to prepare for a battle of manoeuvre which General Cruewell believed would favour the Afrika Korps. This presented a clear opportunity for a breakthrough to Tobruk with the whole of 7th Armoured Division concentrated and facing only the weakened 21st Panzer. However, XXX Corps commander Norrie, aware that 7th Armoured division was down to 200 tanks decided on caution. Instead, in the early afternoon Rommel attacked Sidi Rezegh with 21st Panzer and captured the airfield. However, 21st Panzer, despite being considerably weaker in armour, proved superior in its combined arms tactics, pushing 7th Armoured Division back with a further 50 tanks lost (mainly from 22nd Brigade). The fighting at Sidi Rezegh continued through 22 November, with South African Division's 5th Brigade by that time engaged to the south of the airfield. An attempt to recapture it failed and the Axis counter-offensive began to gain momentum. 7th Armoured Brigade withdrew with all but four of their 150 tanks out of commission or destroyed. In four days the Eighth Army had lost 530 tanks against Axis losses of about 100.
Dick was wounded at the beginning of December, he was hit by shrapnel on the side of the temple and he never regained consciousness. He died on 9 December 1941, aged 24, and after and initial battlefield grave he was later buried in Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery.