Rotherham Grammar School - Moorgate - Panel 7
Ralph Steer - 118461
Ralph Steer was born in Rotherham
in the first quarter of 1921, he was the first of four children born to Ernest
Steer and Lily (nee Stubbs). The couple who had married in 1919 latterly lived 146 Sheffield Rd, Rotherham. Ralph was educated at Rotherham Grammar School
and was then employed by Midland Iron Co Ltd. Ralph was not married but was
engaged to be married.
Ralph enlisted in the Army in 1941, service number 118461. He was a Gunner in the Royal Artillery, being with 10 Field Regiment, and served three years in India. The 10 Field Regiment were part of the 2nd Infantry Division within Bill Slim’s Fourteenth ‘Forgotten’ Army which was the force that liberated Burma. The equipment of the 10th was the Priest, a 105mm Self Propelled Gun, and the 25 pounder. Ralph Steer died on 6 March 1945 as the 2nd Infantry Division was on the approach to Mandalay. He as 24 years old and is buried in Taukkyan War Cemetery. |
Philip Newbould Smith - 1575329
Philip Newbould Smith was born in Rotherham in the second quarter of 1921, first child of Frederick James Smith and Dorothy Mary (nee Bool) who had married almost exactly one year before. The couple had two further children and lived at ‘Lindale’, Doncaster Road, Thrybergh, Rotherham. Philip was educated at Rotherham Grammar School, and then was employed by his fathers business J Smith & Sons, drapers of 8-10 Rawmarsh Hill, Parkgate.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in March 1941, service number 1575329. he received his training as a navigator in Canada and was then posted to Bomber Command’s 207 Squadron. The squadron flew the Avro Lancaster heavy bomber and was based at Spilsby, Lincolnshire. Philip flew on 16 operational sorties with the squadron, his last being on the night of 7/8 July 1944. In an effort to stem the attacks on London by the German V-1 flying bombs a raid was carried on flying-bomb storage dump in a group of tunnels (formerly used for growing mushrooms) at St Leu d'Esserent. The effort was mainly by aircraft from No 5 Group but with some Pathfinders also, and consisted of 208 Lancasters and 13 Mosquitos. Also that night, just over a month after D-Day a force of 123 Lancasters and 5 Mosquitos carried out an accurate raid on the railway yards at Vaires, and 106 aircraft were on a diversionary sweep almost to the coast of Holland. Flight Sergeant Philip Smith was part of the crew of Lancasterserial number LM218 marked with EM-N, it was airborne from Spilsby at 22:47 on 7 July. The bomber force was intercepted by German night fighter which resulted in 29 Lancasters and 2 Mosquitos being lost on the operation. LM218 was one of five 207 Squadron Lancasters lost on this operation, it crashed at approximately 01:15 about 2km south west of Aumale, near Haudricourt (Seine-Maritime). Philip Newbould Smith was one of five crew members killed in the crash, he was 23 years old and is buried in Haudricourt Communal Cemetery.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in March 1941, service number 1575329. he received his training as a navigator in Canada and was then posted to Bomber Command’s 207 Squadron. The squadron flew the Avro Lancaster heavy bomber and was based at Spilsby, Lincolnshire. Philip flew on 16 operational sorties with the squadron, his last being on the night of 7/8 July 1944. In an effort to stem the attacks on London by the German V-1 flying bombs a raid was carried on flying-bomb storage dump in a group of tunnels (formerly used for growing mushrooms) at St Leu d'Esserent. The effort was mainly by aircraft from No 5 Group but with some Pathfinders also, and consisted of 208 Lancasters and 13 Mosquitos. Also that night, just over a month after D-Day a force of 123 Lancasters and 5 Mosquitos carried out an accurate raid on the railway yards at Vaires, and 106 aircraft were on a diversionary sweep almost to the coast of Holland. Flight Sergeant Philip Smith was part of the crew of Lancasterserial number LM218 marked with EM-N, it was airborne from Spilsby at 22:47 on 7 July. The bomber force was intercepted by German night fighter which resulted in 29 Lancasters and 2 Mosquitos being lost on the operation. LM218 was one of five 207 Squadron Lancasters lost on this operation, it crashed at approximately 01:15 about 2km south west of Aumale, near Haudricourt (Seine-Maritime). Philip Newbould Smith was one of five crew members killed in the crash, he was 23 years old and is buried in Haudricourt Communal Cemetery.
Notes
The other crew members were: P/O Kenneth Arthur Boyce 179322 (pilot) aged 23 - KIA Sgt Joseph Fear 2216622 (flight engineer) - KIA F/S Alan Nichol Sgt John R Parkinson Sgt Albert Laurie Sayers 1866235 (air gunner) aged 19 - KIA F/S Alan Cameron Sutherland RCAF R/196444 (air gunner) aged 27 - KIA Flight Sergeant Sutherland RCAF was an American from Joliet, Illinois. Flight Sergeant Alan Nichol and Sgt John Parkinson, managed to evade capture with the help of French helpers. On 10th July 1999 a memorial was unveiled close to where his aircraft crashed. John Parkinson was among 207 Squadron Association members present at the ceremony. Earlier, much of the village was present at a service to commemorate the crew - and all who gave their lives - followed by a wreath laying at the cemetery. |
Geoffrey Symonds - 1456322
Geoffrey Symonds was born in Chesterfield in the last quarter of 1922, second of seven children born to Reginald Symonds and his wife of three years Annie (nee Birley). The family moved to Rotherham in the 1930’s and lived at 256 Badsley Moor Lane, Clifton. He was employed by Montague Burton, High Street, Rotherham.
Geoffrey enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1941, service number 1456322, and became an air gunner with the rank of Warrant Officer. He spent two years as an instructor and was undertaking his training with 1667 Heavy Conversion Unit for operational duties when he was killed on 15 October 1944. On this day he was the rear gunner, part of the crew of a Handley Page Halifax mk V with serial number DK116 and unit marking of GG-Z. The aircraft took off from Sandtoft, which is situated between Doncaster and Scunthorpe, at 17:45 on a night cross-country training flight. While flying at 12,000 feet, the port inner caught fire and the crew were unable to quell, or control, the flames as they spread towards the fuselage. Three managed to bale out from the stricken aircraft but four of the crew stayed with the aircraft as the rear gunner who had difficulty in escaping from his turret. The Halifax smashed into the heavily wooded Copreston Fell on Glendhu Hill in Kielder Forest (official records show the site as 55.10N 02.40W and the time of the crash as 22:30). Geoffrey Symonds was 21 years old when he died, and was buried in Rotherham (Moorgate) Cemetery. Notes The other crew members were: P/O Herbert George Haddrell 184184 (pilot) – aged 30 – killed Sgt John Nielsen 1583156 (flight engineer) – aged 21 – killed F/S John Mahoney 1800604 (navigator) – baled out (injured) Sgt Reid (wireless operator) – baled out Sgt Hammond (air gunner) - baled out W/O Maurice Frederick James 1443034 (wireless operator) - aged 22 - killed F/S Mahoney’s injuries were relatively slight and he later joined 170 Squadron. On 7-8 March 1945, he was killed when his Lancaster failed to return from Dessau. To this day there are still substantial amounts of debris at the crash site. |
George Rolling Taylor - 1236706
George Rolling Taylor was born in Rotherham
in Q4 1921, he was the second of three children of George R Taylor and Grace
(nee Andrews) who had married in 1917.
George enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1236706 and became a pilot with the rank of Sergeant. After training he was posted to Bomber Command’s 427 (Royal Canadian Air Force) Squadron based at Croft in North Yorkshire. He flew a number of missions with the squadron, including on 2 January 1943 when six Wellington from 427 Squadron have the distinction of making the first operation under 6 Group’s control, they departed base at between 17:47 and 18:00, returning at between 22:48 and 23:06. The crews were over the ‘garden’ from between 500 to 700 feet, sowing six 1,500lb mines and dropped them at 52:48N-04:41E and 52:41N-04:34E. Unfortunately Sgt G. Taylor and crew, flying Wellington III Z-1604 coded ZL-U, returned without mining at 22:34, as they could not find the pinpoint due to poor weather. Thirteen days later they were sent to Lorient flying Wellington III Z-1676 coded ZL-S, it was noted that they landed at Tangmere on return due to poor weather at base. On the night of 13/14 February the crew were again sent to Lorient, the aircraft was hit by flak, although not serious Sgt Taylor still elected to land at Ramsbury on return. On 26 February 1943 George was pilot of Wellington mk III serial number BK268 with squadron code of ZL-C which was airborne from Croft at 18:48 on a mission to Cologne. That night 427 aircraft – 145 Lancasters, 126 Wellingtons, 106 Halifaxes, 46 Stirlings and 4 Mosquitoes were sent on the raid in which most of the bombs fell on the south-west of the city. On return in the early hours of 27 February Taylor’s aircraft crashed near RAF Woolfox Lodge, Rutland. Eye witnesses state that one of the engines was on fire prior to the crash, which killed five of the six crew. George was 21 years old when he died, and was buried in Kimberworth (St Thomas) Churchyard. |
Herbert Owen Wood - 7914094
Herbert Owen Wood was the second child of Alfred Moses Wood
and Amy (nee Owen), and his birth was registered in the city of Durham in the last
quarter of 1912. The couple had married at St Mary’s Beeston, Leeds
on 16 Aug 1909, when Alfred was a stationer and Amy was a tailoress. In 1911
the couple were living with Alfred’s parents at Woodline House, New Brancepeth,
Durham when Alfred
was employed as a Co-operative stores drapery manager. The family moved to
Yorkshire and lived at 218
Wickersley Road, Rotherham.
Herbert was educated at Rotherham and Doncaster
Grammar Schools, and was subsequently employed
in Huddersfield by Co-operative Wholesale
Services. Herbert's marriage was registered in Halifax in the second quarter of 1939.
Herbert enlisted in the Army, service number 7914094 and became a Corporal in the Royal Armoured Corps. He died of heat stroke on 2 October 1943 whilst serving in Palestine. He was 31 years of age and is buried in Khayat Beach War Cemetery, which is 5 kilometres south-west of Haifa, Israel.
Herbert enlisted in the Army, service number 7914094 and became a Corporal in the Royal Armoured Corps. He died of heat stroke on 2 October 1943 whilst serving in Palestine. He was 31 years of age and is buried in Khayat Beach War Cemetery, which is 5 kilometres south-west of Haifa, Israel.
Arnold Weldon - 51330
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 |
John Wressell - 186672
John Wressell was born in Rotherham in the first quarter of
1919, he was the third child of Nicholas Wressell and Lucy (nee Walker) who had married in
1911. His father died in 1936, but he lived with his mother at 3 Poplar Grove,
Ravenfield.
John enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in April 1940, service number 186672. By 1945 he was a Flying Officer serving as a navigator with 78 Operational Training Unit in Egypt. 78 O.T.U. was formed at Ein Shemer in Egypt from a nucleus provided by No 3 (C) O.T.U. in the UK on 1 February 1944 to train General Reconnaissance crews in the use of ASV and the Leigh Light. On 4 May 1945 the aircraft John was flying in had engine trouble and crashed. John was taken to the Naval Hospital in Alexandria but died the following day. John was 26 years old and now lies in Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery.
John enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in April 1940, service number 186672. By 1945 he was a Flying Officer serving as a navigator with 78 Operational Training Unit in Egypt. 78 O.T.U. was formed at Ein Shemer in Egypt from a nucleus provided by No 3 (C) O.T.U. in the UK on 1 February 1944 to train General Reconnaissance crews in the use of ASV and the Leigh Light. On 4 May 1945 the aircraft John was flying in had engine trouble and crashed. John was taken to the Naval Hospital in Alexandria but died the following day. John was 26 years old and now lies in Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery.
Gilbert Wheeler Whittles
Gilbert Wheeler Whittles was born in Rotherham
in the last quarter of 1924. He was the second child of James Raymond Whittles
and Annie Waller (nee Simpson) who had married in 1919 in Dewsbury.
Gilbert enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1836276 and trained as an air gunner with Bomber Command. After training he was posted to serve with 44 Squadron which was based at Dunholme Lodge in Lincolnshire. On the night of 26/27 April 1944 when Bomber Command’s effort totalled 1,060 aircraft, were three major targets. Gilbert tail gunner on a Lancaster, one of 206 Lanc’s plus another 11 Mosquitoes sent to attack Schweinfurt. Gilbert’s aircraft, serial number LL920 was a Mk.1 and was only delivered to 44 Squadron in April, it was coded KM-V and was airborne at 21:39. The aircraft, which was on its first mission, collided in the air with a 57 Squadron Lancaster (serial Number ME730), both aircraft crashing near Oberkirchen. All seven crew on LL920 were killed and there was just one survivor from the eight man crew of the other aircraft. Including these two there were 21 Lancasters lost on the Scheinfurt mission, and additionally the raid was considered a failure. Sergeant Gilbert Wheeler Whittles was just 19 years old and has been re-interred in the Durnbach War Cemetery.
Gilbert enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1836276 and trained as an air gunner with Bomber Command. After training he was posted to serve with 44 Squadron which was based at Dunholme Lodge in Lincolnshire. On the night of 26/27 April 1944 when Bomber Command’s effort totalled 1,060 aircraft, were three major targets. Gilbert tail gunner on a Lancaster, one of 206 Lanc’s plus another 11 Mosquitoes sent to attack Schweinfurt. Gilbert’s aircraft, serial number LL920 was a Mk.1 and was only delivered to 44 Squadron in April, it was coded KM-V and was airborne at 21:39. The aircraft, which was on its first mission, collided in the air with a 57 Squadron Lancaster (serial Number ME730), both aircraft crashing near Oberkirchen. All seven crew on LL920 were killed and there was just one survivor from the eight man crew of the other aircraft. Including these two there were 21 Lancasters lost on the Scheinfurt mission, and additionally the raid was considered a failure. Sergeant Gilbert Wheeler Whittles was just 19 years old and has been re-interred in the Durnbach War Cemetery.
Dennis Wilson - 1074972
Dennis Wilson was born in Rotherham in the fourth quarter of 1922 to James Wilson and Sarah Ann Wilson (nee Hughes) of Top Field Lane, Dalton Parva. After leaving Rotherham Grammar School he worked at Rotherham Forge & Rolling Mills.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1940 and received wings in December 1941 after initial training in America and Canada. He was a Sergeant, service number 1074972, and training as a pilot. On 2 September 1942 he was pilot of 14 Operational Training Unit Handley Page Hampden mk I serial number L4162 with identification “O” on a night training flight. It took off from Cottesmore and came down at 22:05 near Thistleton, 7 miles north north east of Oakham killing Wilson and the other three crew member who were all from the Royal Canadian Air Force. Dennis Wilson was 19 years old and was buried on 7 September 1942 in Dalton (Holy Trinity) New Churchyard. |