Rotherham Grammar School - Moorgate - Panel 5
Wilfred Eric Haslam - 657450
Wilfred Eric Haslam was born in Sheffield
in the first quarter of 1919, only child of Herbert Haslam and his wife of
three years Jennie (nee Murr). After the couple had married in Sheffield they
later went to live at the Central Club, Nelson St, Rotherham.
Wilfred went to work at the steel company Hadfield Ltd after his education at Rotherham Grammar School.
He joined the Royal Artillery in December 1939, later transferred into Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 657450, gaining wings as a navigator in 1942. He became a Flight Sergeant flying on Lancasters from RAF Grimsby. On the night of 18th/19th October 1943 Bomber Command planned a bombing raid on Hannover of 360 Lancasters. Wilfred’s aircraft Lancaster, serial number DV159 was a Mk.III which was delivered to 100 Squadron on 31 May 1943, and on that night was airborne at 17:49 carrying the squadron marking of HW-J. The aircraft crashed at Bruntorf, 5 km NNW of Lemgo, killing all seven crew on board. It was one of 18 Lancasters lost on the raid, one of the Lancasters lost on the Hannover raid was the 5,000th Bomber Command aircraft lost on operations since the start of the war. By the end of this night, the bombers had flown approximately 144,500 sorties - 90 per cent of them by night - and lost 5,004 aircraft - 4,365 by night and 639 by day - over enemy territory, crashed in the sea or shot down over England by German Intruders or 'friendly' defences.
Flight Sergeant Haslam and the rest of the crew of DV159 were all initially buried at Bruntorf but have been subsequently re-interred in the Hannover War Cemetery, Wilfred Eric Haslam was 24 years old.
He joined the Royal Artillery in December 1939, later transferred into Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 657450, gaining wings as a navigator in 1942. He became a Flight Sergeant flying on Lancasters from RAF Grimsby. On the night of 18th/19th October 1943 Bomber Command planned a bombing raid on Hannover of 360 Lancasters. Wilfred’s aircraft Lancaster, serial number DV159 was a Mk.III which was delivered to 100 Squadron on 31 May 1943, and on that night was airborne at 17:49 carrying the squadron marking of HW-J. The aircraft crashed at Bruntorf, 5 km NNW of Lemgo, killing all seven crew on board. It was one of 18 Lancasters lost on the raid, one of the Lancasters lost on the Hannover raid was the 5,000th Bomber Command aircraft lost on operations since the start of the war. By the end of this night, the bombers had flown approximately 144,500 sorties - 90 per cent of them by night - and lost 5,004 aircraft - 4,365 by night and 639 by day - over enemy territory, crashed in the sea or shot down over England by German Intruders or 'friendly' defences.
Flight Sergeant Haslam and the rest of the crew of DV159 were all initially buried at Bruntorf but have been subsequently re-interred in the Hannover War Cemetery, Wilfred Eric Haslam was 24 years old.
John Hawkridge - 1473344
© IWM (CNA 475) Bostons of 114 Squadron
John Hawkridge was born on 18 March 1923 in Masbro, Rotherham, first child of Sydney Hawkridge and Sarah Jane (nee Ruding). He was educated at Rotherham Grammar School on Moorgate and later employed at ‘The Mount’ on Alma Road.
John enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1473344, at Cardington in 1941. He became a Flight Sergeant and after training as a navigator / air bomber in Southern Rhodesia he joined 114 Squadron. The squadron were in North Africa from late 1942 and then onto Italywhere they moved bases a number of times. By February 1945 they were based at Falconara and were flying the Douglas Boston aircraft. On 24 February 1945 his aircraft, a Boston mk IV serial number BZ552 went missing on a night intruder mission in northern Italy. It is it not known the reason that the aircraft crash in the vicinity of Aquileia. John Hawkridge was 21 years old and now lies in Udine War Cemetery.
Note
Other casualties, who are also buried in the Udine WarCemetery were:
207110V Capt (Pilot) Frederick George Pratt - SAAF
1566738 F/Sgt (W.Op./Air Gnr.) Walter Loynd Whitehead - RAFVR
John enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1473344, at Cardington in 1941. He became a Flight Sergeant and after training as a navigator / air bomber in Southern Rhodesia he joined 114 Squadron. The squadron were in North Africa from late 1942 and then onto Italywhere they moved bases a number of times. By February 1945 they were based at Falconara and were flying the Douglas Boston aircraft. On 24 February 1945 his aircraft, a Boston mk IV serial number BZ552 went missing on a night intruder mission in northern Italy. It is it not known the reason that the aircraft crash in the vicinity of Aquileia. John Hawkridge was 21 years old and now lies in Udine War Cemetery.
Note
Other casualties, who are also buried in the Udine WarCemetery were:
207110V Capt (Pilot) Frederick George Pratt - SAAF
1566738 F/Sgt (W.Op./Air Gnr.) Walter Loynd Whitehead - RAFVR
Ronald Cecil Inett - 4694965
Ronald Cecil Inett was born in Rotherham in the first quarter of 1922 to Frederick Inett and Edith Hannah (nee Smith). Latterly they lived at 11 Park Terrace, Thrybergh.
Ronald enlisted in the army, initially with King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry service number 4694965, later joining the 1st King’s Dragoon Guards, Royal Armoured Corps. On 15 January 1943 the advance resumed with The King's Dragoon Guards acting as flank guard to another 'left hook' past Tripoli to cut off the retreating enemy. The rough nature of the ground made slow going, but a German rearguard was encountered near Beni Yulid, where the regiment took over the lead, and three Stukas killed four men of 'C' Squadron, wounding seven more. On 19 January Ronald was killed, believed to be during an air attack on the headquarters in the western desert along with three other comrades. Ronald was 21 years old and has no known grave, but is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial. |
Sidney Keyworth - 14569510
Sidney Keyworth was born on 21 June 1923 in Rotherham to George Keyworth and Elsie (nee Evers) who
had married three years previously. Sidney was educated
at Ferham Road
Council School
and Rotherham Grammar School
before being employed by Owen & Dyson Ltd. He lived with his parents at 24 Garden St,
Masbro prior to his marriage in the second quarter of 1943 when his home became
that of his wife’s family at 38 Deepdale
Road, Kimberworth.
Sidney enlisted in the Army in March 1943, service number 14569510, and was a Sapper with 591 Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers. He received his parachute training at Ringway on course 77. On 24 March 1945 the allies put together the largest airborne armada of the war for the Rhine crossing operation. The airlift consisted of 541 transport aircraft containing airborne troops, and a further 1,050 troop-carriers towing 1,350 gliders. The 17th Airborne Division consisted of 9,387 personnel, who were transported in 836 C-47 Skytrain transports, 72 C-46 Commando transports, and more than 900 Waco CG-4A gliders. The 6th Airborne Division consisted of 7,220 personnel transported by 42 Douglas C-54 and 752 C-47 Dakota transport aircraft, as well as 420 Airspeed Horsa and General Aircraft Hamilcar gliders. This immense armada stretched more than 200 miles in the sky and took 2 hours and 37 minutes to pass any given point, and was protected by some 2,153 Allied fighters from the U.S. Ninth Air Force and the Royal Air Force. The 591st were to take part in both the parachute drop and glider-borne attack. Sidney Keyworth was killed on 24 March 1945, it is most likely that he was on board one of the six glider that the units personnel were spread over as it was these that suffered most casualties. Sidney was 21 years old and is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. |
John Kirk - D/JX 349494
HMS Bramble
John Kirk was born in Scunthorpe on 23 December 1923, his birth being registered in the first quarter of 1924 in the district of Glanford Brigg. He was the second child of Alfred Kirk and his wife of two years Alice (nee Smith). By 1939 the family had moved to Rotherham and were living at Sunny Bank, School Hill, Whiston at which time John was a builder's apprentice.
He was an Ordinary Seaman, service number D/JX 349494, on the Halcyon Class Minesweeper HMS Bramble. On 22 December Bramble left Loch Ewe in north-west Scotland as part of the Russian bound convoy JW51B. The convoy of 14 merchant ships and escorts sailed into the middle of the arctic winter darkness meeting heavy gales on 28 and 29 December that caused the ships of the convoy to lose station. Bramble with her up-to-date radar was detached to search for five ships that were believed to be straggling. On the 30 December the convoy was sighted by the German submarine U-354. The Germans sent out the armoured ship Lutzow and the cruiser Admiral Hipper plus destroyers. In the darkness, whilst still 15 miles astern of the convoy Bramble stumbled on the Admiral Hipper with two destroyers. Although no match for this vastly superior
force, with their much heavier guns, the Bramble immediately engaged them, firing her guns as quickly as she could. The Hipper returned fire, the brave minesweeper sustained severe damage and many casualties. The German observer reported what seemed to be an act of defiance, with the Bramble still firing her four inch guns, and a few rounds from the Oerlikons, right at her enemy. However, Bramble was overwhelmed and sinking. The Hipper turned away and gave orders to the destroyer Friedrich Eckholdt to finish off the minesweeper. HMS Bramble reported missing on 8 January 1943, after the convoy had reached its destination with all the merchantmen still safe. It was Bramble’s 13th trip in convoy to Russia and it transpired that the ship had been lost with all hands on 31 December 1942. John Kirk, aged 18 years old is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
He was an Ordinary Seaman, service number D/JX 349494, on the Halcyon Class Minesweeper HMS Bramble. On 22 December Bramble left Loch Ewe in north-west Scotland as part of the Russian bound convoy JW51B. The convoy of 14 merchant ships and escorts sailed into the middle of the arctic winter darkness meeting heavy gales on 28 and 29 December that caused the ships of the convoy to lose station. Bramble with her up-to-date radar was detached to search for five ships that were believed to be straggling. On the 30 December the convoy was sighted by the German submarine U-354. The Germans sent out the armoured ship Lutzow and the cruiser Admiral Hipper plus destroyers. In the darkness, whilst still 15 miles astern of the convoy Bramble stumbled on the Admiral Hipper with two destroyers. Although no match for this vastly superior
force, with their much heavier guns, the Bramble immediately engaged them, firing her guns as quickly as she could. The Hipper returned fire, the brave minesweeper sustained severe damage and many casualties. The German observer reported what seemed to be an act of defiance, with the Bramble still firing her four inch guns, and a few rounds from the Oerlikons, right at her enemy. However, Bramble was overwhelmed and sinking. The Hipper turned away and gave orders to the destroyer Friedrich Eckholdt to finish off the minesweeper. HMS Bramble reported missing on 8 January 1943, after the convoy had reached its destination with all the merchantmen still safe. It was Bramble’s 13th trip in convoy to Russia and it transpired that the ship had been lost with all hands on 31 December 1942. John Kirk, aged 18 years old is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval 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.
John Herbert McGlade - 2203660
John Herbert McGlade was born in Rotherham
on 22 November 1924, only child of Ernest James McGlade and his wife of one
year Mabel (nee Mollekin). The family lived at “Ngong”, Stag Lane, Rotherham,
and John was a member of the choir of St Cuthberts Church, Herringthorpe. After
being educated at Rotherham
Grammar School he was
employed at John Brown & Co.
John enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on 8 June 1943, service number 2203660. He was a Sergeant and after training was posted to 420 Squadron, a Royal Canadian Air Force squadron within 6 Group. Two nights after D-Day Bomber Command sent a for of 337 aircraft - 195 Halifaxes, 122 Lancasters, 20 Mosquitos – to attacked railway targets at Achères, Juvisy, Massey Palaiseau and Versailles. On 7 June Sgt McGlade was part of the crew of Halifax serial number NA505 which had squadron markings of PT-J. The four engined heavy bomber was airborne at 23:03 from Tholthorpe, near York to attack the railyards at Achères. The targets were mostly more distant from the battle front than those recently attacked and German night fighters had more time to intercept the bomber forces resulting in 17 Lancasters and 11 Halifaxes being lost, 8.3 per cent of the forces involved. Aircraft NA505 was shot down by a night-fighter on 8 June, crashing at Ronchois (Seine-Maritime), 14 km E of Neufchatel-en-Bray.
Although some of the crew were buried in the churchyard at Poix-de-la-Somme, the others including John Herbert McGlade, aged 19 were commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
John enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on 8 June 1943, service number 2203660. He was a Sergeant and after training was posted to 420 Squadron, a Royal Canadian Air Force squadron within 6 Group. Two nights after D-Day Bomber Command sent a for of 337 aircraft - 195 Halifaxes, 122 Lancasters, 20 Mosquitos – to attacked railway targets at Achères, Juvisy, Massey Palaiseau and Versailles. On 7 June Sgt McGlade was part of the crew of Halifax serial number NA505 which had squadron markings of PT-J. The four engined heavy bomber was airborne at 23:03 from Tholthorpe, near York to attack the railyards at Achères. The targets were mostly more distant from the battle front than those recently attacked and German night fighters had more time to intercept the bomber forces resulting in 17 Lancasters and 11 Halifaxes being lost, 8.3 per cent of the forces involved. Aircraft NA505 was shot down by a night-fighter on 8 June, crashing at Ronchois (Seine-Maritime), 14 km E of Neufchatel-en-Bray.
Although some of the crew were buried in the churchyard at Poix-de-la-Somme, the others including John Herbert McGlade, aged 19 were commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Anthony Talbot Myers - 1550503
Anthony Talbot Myers was born in Rotherham
in the first quarter of 1920, the second child of Edgar Myers and Eleanor Mabel
(nee Jobson). His father was a policeman and lived at 95 Broom Lane, Rotherham,
and died in 1938.
Anthony enlisted in the Army, service number 1550503 and was a Gunner in the Royal Artillery. His grave bears the inscription that he ‘fought valiantly in the Battle of Britain 1940’. He was part of the Officer Cadet Training Unit, and was killed in a road accident in Radnorshire, Wales on 10 August 1941. He was 21 years old and was buried in Whiston (St. Mary Magdelene) Churchyard.
Anthony enlisted in the Army, service number 1550503 and was a Gunner in the Royal Artillery. His grave bears the inscription that he ‘fought valiantly in the Battle of Britain 1940’. He was part of the Officer Cadet Training Unit, and was killed in a road accident in Radnorshire, Wales on 10 August 1941. He was 21 years old and was buried in Whiston (St. Mary Magdelene) Churchyard.