Whiston - St Mary Magdalene Churchyard, The Green
RAYMOND ARTHUR WILLOUGHBY
GEORGE ERNEST KNIGHT GEORGE EDWARD STONES WALTER HOPKINSON FRED MIDDLETON JOHN REGINALD ROBERTS JOHN KIRK NORMAN PEARSON HARRY FITZMAURICE RONALD COUSINS LESLIE LITTLEWOOD KENNETH WILFRED GREGORY KENNETH EMENY VICTOR WELLS ALONZO HEMSWORTH BRIAN WIBBERLEY ALBERT SHAW ROBERT FOSTER ALBERT EDWARD LINCOLN SYDNEY SAMUEL HARRISON SYDNEY RODGERS WILLIAM HENRY LYTHALL ARTHUR SHEARD MALCOLM HEAD DIED OHMS 1949 EUNICE MARKINSON JESSIE HILL KILLED IN AIR RAID |
Additional Details
Raymond Arthur Willoughby (T/66209)
Royal Army Service Corps 29 December 1943, aged 23 Died in Scotland Whiston (St Mary Magdelene) Churchyard George Ernest Knight (7890031) Royal Armoured Corps - 1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry 19 May 1940, aged 19 Killed in action with the British Expeditionary Force Tongre-Notre Dame Communal Cemetery George Edward Stones (14569145) Durham Light Infantry - 6th Bn. 10 September 1944, aged 19 Died of wounds in Belgium Leopoldsburg War Cemetery Walter Hopkinson (4345250) East Yorkshire Regiment - 2nd Bn. 30 May 1940, aged 22 Killed in action at Dunkirk De Panne Communal Cemetery Fred Middleton (1570036) Royal Artillery - 202 Bty., 17 Coast Regiment 3 - 4 May 1943, aged 32 Died of wounds in Austria whilst a prisoner of war Klagenfurt War Cemetery John Reginald Roberts (2135923) Royal Engineers - 42 Assault Sqn. 28 November 1943, aged 32 Died in the UK Whiston (St Mary Magdelene) Churchyard John Kirk (D/JX 349494) Royal Navy - H.M.S. Bramble 31 December 1942 Lost when vessel sunk in the Barents Sea Plymouth Naval Memorial Norman Pearson (14661111) York and Lancaster Regiment - The Hallamshire Bn 27 June 1944, aged 19 Killed in action during the Normandy Campaign St Manvieu War Cemetery, Cheux Harry Fitzmaurice (14637637) West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) - 1st Bn. 12 July 1944, aged 24 Died in Burma Rangoon Memorial Ronald Cousins (13061759) Corps of Military Police 28 March 1943, aged 27 Died in a motor accident near Taunton Whiston (St Mary Magdelene) Churchyard Leslie Littlewood (992167) Royal Air Force - 61 Sqdn. 11 November 1942, aged 23 Lancaster aircraft lost on return from a mission to lay sea mines Whiston (St Mary Magdelene) Churchyard Distinguished Flying Medal Kenneth Wilfred Gregory (1001728) Royal Air Force - 6 Sqdn. 5 July 1941, aged 19 Lost en-route to the Middle East on SS Anselm sunk off West Africa Runnymede Memorial Kenneth Emeny (1438270) Royal Air Force - 77 Sqdn. 21 January 1944, aged 24 Halifax aircraft lost on a mission to Germany Runnymede Memorial |
Victor Wells (1113723)
Royal Air Force - 12 Sqdn. 30 May 1943, aged 27 Lancaster aircraft lost on a mission to Germany Reichswald Forest War Cemetery Alonzo Hemsworth (1923169) Royal Engineers - 278 Field Coy. 23 February 1941, aged 23 Died in Essex Whiston (St Mary Magdelene) Churchyard Brian Wibberley (4534940) West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) - 2nd Bn. 21 March 1941, aged 30 Died in North Africa Keren War Cemetery Albert Shaw (965348) Royal Artillery - 128 Field Regiment 30 April 1943, aged 25 Killed in action in Tunisia during the North African Campaign Enfidaville War Cemetery Robert Foster (4855494) Leicestershire Regiment - 1st Bn. 3 September 1940, aged 28 Died in Rotherham Wickersley (St Alban) Churchyard Albert Edward Lincoln (14613008) York and Lancaster Regiment - 1st Bn. 3 June 1944, aged 20 Killed in action in the Italian Campaign Beach Head War Cemetery, Anzio Sydney Samuel Harrison (169576) Royal Army Service Corps 25 September 1940, aged 23 Died in the UK Brookwood Military Cemetery Sydney Rodgers (P/JX 419119) Royal Navy - H.M.S. Penelope 18 February 1944, aged 18 Lost when vessel sunk in the Mediterranean Portsmouth Naval Memorial William Henry Lythall (14534405) Royal Scots Fusiliers - 6th Bn. 3 July 1944, aged 19 Killed in action during the Normandy Campaign Ryes War Cemetery, Bazenville Arthur Sheard (4685953) Royal Engineers - 170 Tunnelling Coy. 22 - 23 May 1940, aged 35 Died at Dunkirk Dunkirk Memorial Malcolm John Head (22060262) RAPC 22 December 1948, aged 18 Died in Leicestershire Eunice Markinson Civilian War Dead 13 December 1940, aged 23 Killed in an air raid on Sheffield Jessie Hill Civilian War Dead 12 December 1940, aged 15 Killed in an air raid on Sheffield |
Raymond Arthur Willoughby - T/66209
Raymond Arthur Willoughby was born in Rotherham in the second quarter of 1921, the third of four children of Douglas Willoughby and Caroline Alice (nee Jeffries). The family lived at 2 Reresby Crescent, Whiston.
Raymond enlisted in the Army, service number T/66209, and was a Lance Corporal in the Royal Army Service Corps. He died in Scotland on 29 December 1943, his death being registered in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire. He was 22 years old and was buried in Whiston (St Mary Magdalene) Churchyard.
Raymond enlisted in the Army, service number T/66209, and was a Lance Corporal in the Royal Army Service Corps. He died in Scotland on 29 December 1943, his death being registered in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire. He was 22 years old and was buried in Whiston (St Mary Magdalene) Churchyard.
George Ernest Knight - 7890031
George Ernest Knight was born in Rotherham in the third quarter of 1920. He was the first child of Stanley George Knight and Rosa Ellen (nee Prime), a sister was born two years later. George was just 11 years old when his mother died a month before Christmas 1932, when the family lived at The Elders, Clifton Grove. His
bus driver father was re-married in 1935 to Hilda Moran and a step-sister to George was born three years later. The family moved to live at 14 Pleasley Road, Whiston. George enlisted in the Army and joined the Royal Armoured Corps. He was a Trooper, service number 7890031, with 1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry. His unit went to France and Belgium as part of the British Expeditionary Force in 1939. The German invasion of France and the Low Countries began on 10 May 1940, and as they pushed through the Ardennes it looked as though they would cut off the B.E.F. in Belgium. The Yeomanry part of the 1st Light Armoured Reconnaissance Brigade operated the Mk VI tank, which had a .50 machine gun as its main armament, and also the Universal Carrier. On 18 May 1940 the unit was in the vicinity of Ath and had been ordered to hold the line of the River Dendre until mid-day. At 08:00 the next day the German’s attacked along the entire front, and the line was held until the desired time. The enemy had managed to cross bridges in Ath that had not been destroyed and forced the regiment to withdraw. The regiments‘A’ squadron took most of the attack, although the Ath to Tournai road was kept open for their withdrawal. The war diary records that 6 men were killed, 3 wounded, 1 missing and 2 prisoners. One of those killed was George, aged just 19 years old. Trooper George Ernest Knight is buried in Tongre-Notre Dame Communal Cemetery, Belgium. He is the only Commonwealth casualty in this cemetery, in the small village of Tongre-Notre Dame, which is south of Ath and about 10 miles from the French border. George Ernest Knight is shown as Knights on the birth register, his parents marriage is also shown as Knights, however on Commonwealth War Graves Commission he is shown as Knight.
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George Edward Stones - 14569145
George Edward Stones was born in Rotherham on 15 February 1925, second child of Albert Edward Stones and Minnie (nee Moorwood). 5 Melrose Cottages, Whiston.
George enlisted in the Army, service number 14569145 and was a Corporal with 6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He is reported to have died of wounds on 10 September 1944, aged 19 years old and is buried in Leopoldsburg War Cemetery, Belgium.
George enlisted in the Army, service number 14569145 and was a Corporal with 6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He is reported to have died of wounds on 10 September 1944, aged 19 years old and is buried in Leopoldsburg War Cemetery, Belgium.
Walter Hopkinson - 4345250
Walter Hopkinson was the son of coal miner John Henry Hopkinson and his wife of 9 years Hannah (nee Yeardley) of Brook Cottages, Whiston. His birth was registered in Rotherham in the first quarter of 1917. His father died when he was six year old, and later his mother moved to 21 Gulthwaite Crescent, Whiston. Walter was educated at Whiston Council School and later employed Mr C Boyd (Bricklayer) in Rotherham.
Walter enlisted in the Army in 1939, service number 4345250, and was a Private with 2nd Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment. The regiment went to France in 1939 with the British Expeditionary Force, which later moved into Belgium. When the Germans invasion on the western front started on 10th May 1940 the B.E.F. started to withdraw. The 2nd East Yorkshire moved north towards the sea in the final two weeks of May from Erembodogen on the 17th, though Warcoing, Wattrelos, Noordschote. On 30 May they took over a position on the Yser Canal, between Furnes and Nieuport from a unit of 4th Division. Having lost much of their equipment on the way they was a shortage of tools to enable them to dig in properly. Almost immediately they were under enemy mortar fire which resulted in a number of casualties.
Walter Hopkinson was reported as missing to his family back home, and it was not until the following year that he was presumed to have died on 30 May 1940. A memorial service held at Whiston Parish Church Sunday 31 August 1941. He was 22 years old and now lies in De Panne Communal Cemetery, Belgium, which is situated about 1 mile from the French border along beach from Dunkirk.
Walter enlisted in the Army in 1939, service number 4345250, and was a Private with 2nd Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment. The regiment went to France in 1939 with the British Expeditionary Force, which later moved into Belgium. When the Germans invasion on the western front started on 10th May 1940 the B.E.F. started to withdraw. The 2nd East Yorkshire moved north towards the sea in the final two weeks of May from Erembodogen on the 17th, though Warcoing, Wattrelos, Noordschote. On 30 May they took over a position on the Yser Canal, between Furnes and Nieuport from a unit of 4th Division. Having lost much of their equipment on the way they was a shortage of tools to enable them to dig in properly. Almost immediately they were under enemy mortar fire which resulted in a number of casualties.
Walter Hopkinson was reported as missing to his family back home, and it was not until the following year that he was presumed to have died on 30 May 1940. A memorial service held at Whiston Parish Church Sunday 31 August 1941. He was 22 years old and now lies in De Panne Communal Cemetery, Belgium, which is situated about 1 mile from the French border along beach from Dunkirk.
Fred Middleton (1570036)
Fred Middleton was born in Rotherham in the third quarter of 1913. He was the youngest child of colliery weigh clerk William Henry Middleton and Annie Elizabeth (nee
Smith). The family lived at The Hollies, Whiston. His mother died in early 1945, a few months before Fred, and his father died on 9 June 1945.
Fred joined the Army, service number 1570036, and became a Lance Bombardier in the Royal Artillery. His unit was the 202 Battery, 17 Coast Regiment which was formed from the Tobruk Garrison in September 1941. He is believed to have been taken prisoner in Tobruk in 1942 and sent to a prison camp in Austria. He was given PoW number 39188 at Stalag 317 in Markt-Porgau, otherwise Sankt Johann Im Pongau (about 30 miles south of Salzburg).
Fred died on either 3 or 4 May 1945, just as the war was coming to a close and around the time that German guards in the camp were withdrawn. He was 32 years old and now lies in Klagenfurt War Cemetery, which is the only Commonwealth Cemetery in Austria.
Smith). The family lived at The Hollies, Whiston. His mother died in early 1945, a few months before Fred, and his father died on 9 June 1945.
Fred joined the Army, service number 1570036, and became a Lance Bombardier in the Royal Artillery. His unit was the 202 Battery, 17 Coast Regiment which was formed from the Tobruk Garrison in September 1941. He is believed to have been taken prisoner in Tobruk in 1942 and sent to a prison camp in Austria. He was given PoW number 39188 at Stalag 317 in Markt-Porgau, otherwise Sankt Johann Im Pongau (about 30 miles south of Salzburg).
Fred died on either 3 or 4 May 1945, just as the war was coming to a close and around the time that German guards in the camp were withdrawn. He was 32 years old and now lies in Klagenfurt War Cemetery, which is the only Commonwealth Cemetery in Austria.
John Reginald Roberts - 2135923
John Reginald Roberts was born in Rotherham in late 1911 to John Roberts and his wife Mary Hannah (nee Ellis) of Bar View, Whiston. He was nicknamed Reg. He was married in Rotherham in 1933, and lived at 27 Guilthwaite Crescent with his wife and three children. Prior to enlisting in 1940 he was employed by Knowles & Cockerill, Rotherham.
He joined the Army, service number 2135923, with the Royal Engineers. He was a Lance Corporal in 42 Assault Squadron. He was killed in an accident in the Blyth Registration District of Suffolk on 28 November 1943. John Reginald Roberts was buried in Whiston (St Mary Magdalene) Churchyard, he was 32 years old.
He joined the Army, service number 2135923, with the Royal Engineers. He was a Lance Corporal in 42 Assault Squadron. He was killed in an accident in the Blyth Registration District of Suffolk on 28 November 1943. John Reginald Roberts was buried in Whiston (St Mary Magdalene) Churchyard, he was 32 years old.
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.
Norman Pearson - 14661111
Norman Pearson was born in 24 April 1925 in Rotherham to George Pearson and Frances
Amelia (nee Smith– known as Hill). His parents lived at 19 Park Avenue, Whiston.
Norman joined the Army, service number 14661111, and was a Private in The Hallamshire Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment. The regiment were follow-up troops after the initial Normandy landings. They were bussed from their camp through the cheering crowds of Lewes to Newhaven for embarkation on infantry landing ships, one had been holed in the landings 3 days before. Most of the Hallamshires were put ashore at Ver-Sur-Mer and then cautiously proceeded
up to the village of Rucqueville. The battalion, part of 49th Division had been landed to relieve the assault division which had been fighting for several days. On 12 June the Hallamshires relieved
the 7th Green Howards in some woods and orchards to the west of Lucelles 2 miles inland. The Hallamshires' first battle was at the village of Audrieu. Then Hallamshire Battalion was moved up to prepare for an attack on Fontenay-Le-Pesnel. The Hallamshires looked down a hill and a slope upwards of about 1,000 yards to Tessel Wood. At 2.45 a.m. on the morning of 25 June they
lined up to white tape for what was known as 'the Forming Up Place', for a 'H' hour of 3 a.m. The
darkness changed into thick fog as it became light with visibility down to 5 yards. The fog added to the confusion of battle and made the artillery sound strange because of the way it distorted sound waves. The Germans also used rockets equipped with sirens which added to the terror and confusion. Later the fog was clearing and visibility was then about now 80 yards. The 25 June 1944 became a long and bloody day for the Hallamshires. The Germans concentrated shell and mortar fire on the battalion positions. Direct hits destroyed the mortar platoon carriers and killed many men. Ambulances were knocked out so that eventually there was no transport to evacuate the wounded. The Hallamshires suffered 123 casualties. The Normandy countryside gave the Germans good cover. Bocage country consisted of high hedgerows. This was familiar ground to the German army and they were able to create enfilading traps for advancing Allied infantry. The Hallamshires' next role in this battle was to move forward, seize and hold the high ground south of Tessel Wood. They were able to take up their position just before first light on 27 June. Vendes was only 300 yards away and heavily defended. On the right the Germans also held the line of the road Vendes-Barbe Farm-Petite Farm-Juvigny in strength. The Hallamshires were in a deadly position to be in and the battalion was subjected to an intense period of battle stress. Mortars, shells and rockets rained down in regular phases throughout the day. Movement between slit trenches was risky, with snipers and machine gunners opening up.
It was on 27 June 1944 that Norman Pearson died aged just 19 years old. He now lies in St. Manvieu War Cemetery, Cheux which is about 10 miles west of Caen.
Amelia (nee Smith– known as Hill). His parents lived at 19 Park Avenue, Whiston.
Norman joined the Army, service number 14661111, and was a Private in The Hallamshire Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment. The regiment were follow-up troops after the initial Normandy landings. They were bussed from their camp through the cheering crowds of Lewes to Newhaven for embarkation on infantry landing ships, one had been holed in the landings 3 days before. Most of the Hallamshires were put ashore at Ver-Sur-Mer and then cautiously proceeded
up to the village of Rucqueville. The battalion, part of 49th Division had been landed to relieve the assault division which had been fighting for several days. On 12 June the Hallamshires relieved
the 7th Green Howards in some woods and orchards to the west of Lucelles 2 miles inland. The Hallamshires' first battle was at the village of Audrieu. Then Hallamshire Battalion was moved up to prepare for an attack on Fontenay-Le-Pesnel. The Hallamshires looked down a hill and a slope upwards of about 1,000 yards to Tessel Wood. At 2.45 a.m. on the morning of 25 June they
lined up to white tape for what was known as 'the Forming Up Place', for a 'H' hour of 3 a.m. The
darkness changed into thick fog as it became light with visibility down to 5 yards. The fog added to the confusion of battle and made the artillery sound strange because of the way it distorted sound waves. The Germans also used rockets equipped with sirens which added to the terror and confusion. Later the fog was clearing and visibility was then about now 80 yards. The 25 June 1944 became a long and bloody day for the Hallamshires. The Germans concentrated shell and mortar fire on the battalion positions. Direct hits destroyed the mortar platoon carriers and killed many men. Ambulances were knocked out so that eventually there was no transport to evacuate the wounded. The Hallamshires suffered 123 casualties. The Normandy countryside gave the Germans good cover. Bocage country consisted of high hedgerows. This was familiar ground to the German army and they were able to create enfilading traps for advancing Allied infantry. The Hallamshires' next role in this battle was to move forward, seize and hold the high ground south of Tessel Wood. They were able to take up their position just before first light on 27 June. Vendes was only 300 yards away and heavily defended. On the right the Germans also held the line of the road Vendes-Barbe Farm-Petite Farm-Juvigny in strength. The Hallamshires were in a deadly position to be in and the battalion was subjected to an intense period of battle stress. Mortars, shells and rockets rained down in regular phases throughout the day. Movement between slit trenches was risky, with snipers and machine gunners opening up.
It was on 27 June 1944 that Norman Pearson died aged just 19 years old. He now lies in St. Manvieu War Cemetery, Cheux which is about 10 miles west of Caen.
Harry Fitzmaurice - 14637637
Harry Fitzmaurice was born in Rotherham in the second quarter of 1920, first child of Cyril Victor Fitzmaurice and Gladys (nee Mellors) of “Ivydene”, Whiston, who had
married the year previously. He was married in Rotherham in the second quarter of 1943.
Harry enlisted in the Army, 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), service number 14637637. The battalion was arrived Rangoonon 29 January 1942 and was under the command of 17th Indian Division between 5 February 1942 and 1 August 1944. In 1944, the Japanese launched a major invasion of India. During
the long Battle of Imphal (the capital of the state of Manipur in north-east India) between 8 March and 3 July, 17th Division was cut off by the Japanese 33rd Division at Tiddim. The 23rd Indian Infantry Division came to the aid of 17th Division. The two divisions, supplied by parachute drops from Allied aircraft, successfully fought its way out of encirclement at Tiddim and made their way back to the Imphal plain, which they reached on 4 April. In July, the Japanese were broken by heavy casualties and starvation, and retreated.
Private Harry Fitzmaurice died on 12 July 1944, aged 24 and is commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial. The memorial bears the names of almost 27,000 men of the Commonwealth land forces who died during the campaigns in Burma and who have no known grave.
married the year previously. He was married in Rotherham in the second quarter of 1943.
Harry enlisted in the Army, 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), service number 14637637. The battalion was arrived Rangoonon 29 January 1942 and was under the command of 17th Indian Division between 5 February 1942 and 1 August 1944. In 1944, the Japanese launched a major invasion of India. During
the long Battle of Imphal (the capital of the state of Manipur in north-east India) between 8 March and 3 July, 17th Division was cut off by the Japanese 33rd Division at Tiddim. The 23rd Indian Infantry Division came to the aid of 17th Division. The two divisions, supplied by parachute drops from Allied aircraft, successfully fought its way out of encirclement at Tiddim and made their way back to the Imphal plain, which they reached on 4 April. In July, the Japanese were broken by heavy casualties and starvation, and retreated.
Private Harry Fitzmaurice died on 12 July 1944, aged 24 and is commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial. The memorial bears the names of almost 27,000 men of the Commonwealth land forces who died during the campaigns in Burma and who have no known grave.
Ronald Cousins - 13061759
Ronald Cousins was born in the third quarter of 1915 to Joseph Henry Cousins and Nellie Widdeson. His parents had married in 1908 and lived at 4 Ordnance Terrace, Holmes with Ronald and his older brother. His father was a Blacksmith making iron work for railway wagons. Ronald was married in the last part of 1938, a son was born the following year, and lived at 31 Sandringham Avenue, Whiston.
Ronald enlisted in the Army in August 1940, service number 13061759 and was initially a Private in the Pioneer Corps, later he moved to the Corps of Military Police. He died of a cerebral haemorrhage on 28 March 1943, the day after being involved in a motor cycle accident at Huish Episcopi, Somerset. He was 27 years of age and was buried in Whiston (St Mary Magdalene) Churchyard. |
Leslie Littlewood - 992167
Leslie Littlewood was born on 29 April 1919 first child of Herbert Littlewood and Eliza (nee Owen), his birth being registered in Sheffield. As a child he attended Firth Park Grammar School. Later the family were to live at 11 Reresby Crescent, Whiston.
He joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 992167 and became a Sergeant (Air Gunner) with 408 Squadron (RCAF). The squadron was based at Syerston in Nottinghamshire in the second half of 1941 and flew the Handley Page Hampden bomber. Leslie won a Distinguished Flying Medal in March 1942 following his completion of a “tour” of operations, which was awarded "for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations". He went on later to service with 61 Squadron, who were also based as Syerston. The Squadron flew the then new Avro Lancaster heavy bomber. On 10 November 1942 Leslie and his six fellow crew members were on board Lancaster W4244 with squadron markings of QR-F on a “Gardening” (laying of sea mines) mission. Airborne at 1730 from Syerston the mining area was codenamed “Elderberry”, which was in the Bay of Biscay off the French town of Bayonne. The aircraft encountered extremely poor visibility on return and following a misjudged approach to Exeter, crashed at Diamonds Farm, Clyst Honiton, Devon killing all on board.
Leslie Littlewood was 23 years old when he died on 11 November 1942. A funeral service held at the Methodist Church followed by interment at Whiston Churchyard on 16 November 1942.
Notes
He is also remembered on the memorials of Firth Park Grammar School and Grimesthorpe Wesleyan Reform Church.
Other crew members killed were:
131110 Pilot Officer (Pilot) Paul Campbell DFM
1312943 Sergeant (Observer) Ernest Humphries Corbett DFM
960546 Sergeant (Flt. Engr.) John Leslie Jackson
657816 Sergeant (Obs.) Frank Charles Bunclark DFM
1268257 Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.) Cyril Hugh Coakley DFM
1585069 Sergeant (Air Gnr.) Eric Edward Bartholomew
He joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 992167 and became a Sergeant (Air Gunner) with 408 Squadron (RCAF). The squadron was based at Syerston in Nottinghamshire in the second half of 1941 and flew the Handley Page Hampden bomber. Leslie won a Distinguished Flying Medal in March 1942 following his completion of a “tour” of operations, which was awarded "for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations". He went on later to service with 61 Squadron, who were also based as Syerston. The Squadron flew the then new Avro Lancaster heavy bomber. On 10 November 1942 Leslie and his six fellow crew members were on board Lancaster W4244 with squadron markings of QR-F on a “Gardening” (laying of sea mines) mission. Airborne at 1730 from Syerston the mining area was codenamed “Elderberry”, which was in the Bay of Biscay off the French town of Bayonne. The aircraft encountered extremely poor visibility on return and following a misjudged approach to Exeter, crashed at Diamonds Farm, Clyst Honiton, Devon killing all on board.
Leslie Littlewood was 23 years old when he died on 11 November 1942. A funeral service held at the Methodist Church followed by interment at Whiston Churchyard on 16 November 1942.
Notes
He is also remembered on the memorials of Firth Park Grammar School and Grimesthorpe Wesleyan Reform Church.
Other crew members killed were:
131110 Pilot Officer (Pilot) Paul Campbell DFM
1312943 Sergeant (Observer) Ernest Humphries Corbett DFM
960546 Sergeant (Flt. Engr.) John Leslie Jackson
657816 Sergeant (Obs.) Frank Charles Bunclark DFM
1268257 Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.) Cyril Hugh Coakley DFM
1585069 Sergeant (Air Gnr.) Eric Edward Bartholomew
The citation for his DFM read:
Littlewood, Leslie 992167 Sergeant, 408 (RCAF) Squadron
This wireless operator/air gunner has completed 32 sorties involving 200 hours flying of which 100 hours have been carried out in his present squadron. Details of sorties flown by him in his present squadron are shown below. On one occasion, his aircraft was attacked by two night fighters whilst held in a concentration of searchlights. In combination with all other members of the crew, he succeeded in beating off the attack thereby assisting to save the aircraft and all of the remainder of the crew. On all
occasions, this N.C.O. has been a hard and constant worker and his skill as a wireless operator has greatly contributed to the successful operational flights.
27 January 1942
Details of the sorties flown with 408 Squadron
17/18th August 1941 Mine laying, Frisian Islands
22/23rd August 1941 Mannheim
25/26th August 1941 Mannheim
28/29th August 1941 Ostend
29/30th August 1941 Frankfurt
22nd September 1941 Mazingarbe
1/2nd October 1941 Karlsruhe
10/11th October 1941 Essen
12/13th October 1941 Intruder operation
16/17th October 1941 Duisberg
20/21 October 1941 Bremen
31st October 1941 Hamburg
4/5th November 1941 Mining, Kiel
7/8th November 1941 Intruder operation
23/24th November 1941 Lorient
7/8th December 1941 Aachen
Littlewood, Leslie 992167 Sergeant, 408 (RCAF) Squadron
This wireless operator/air gunner has completed 32 sorties involving 200 hours flying of which 100 hours have been carried out in his present squadron. Details of sorties flown by him in his present squadron are shown below. On one occasion, his aircraft was attacked by two night fighters whilst held in a concentration of searchlights. In combination with all other members of the crew, he succeeded in beating off the attack thereby assisting to save the aircraft and all of the remainder of the crew. On all
occasions, this N.C.O. has been a hard and constant worker and his skill as a wireless operator has greatly contributed to the successful operational flights.
27 January 1942
Details of the sorties flown with 408 Squadron
17/18th August 1941 Mine laying, Frisian Islands
22/23rd August 1941 Mannheim
25/26th August 1941 Mannheim
28/29th August 1941 Ostend
29/30th August 1941 Frankfurt
22nd September 1941 Mazingarbe
1/2nd October 1941 Karlsruhe
10/11th October 1941 Essen
12/13th October 1941 Intruder operation
16/17th October 1941 Duisberg
20/21 October 1941 Bremen
31st October 1941 Hamburg
4/5th November 1941 Mining, Kiel
7/8th November 1941 Intruder operation
23/24th November 1941 Lorient
7/8th December 1941 Aachen
Kenneth Wilfred Gregory - 1001728
Kenneth Wilfred Gregory was born 6 December 1920 in Rotherham to Wilfred Gregory and Ethel May (nee Goodwin) who had married in Smallburgh District, Norfolk two years previously. The couple who lived at 4 Upper Whiston Lane, Gulthwaite, Whiston had twin sons in 1923 and later two daughters.
Kenneth enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1001728, and was an Aircraftman 2nd Class. He was aboard the troopship SS Anselm which was part of the Middle East Troop Convoy WS9B and was carrying over 1,200 Service personnel. The WS series convoys, all convoys from the UK to the Middle East, ran regularly between June 1940 and August 1943. The convoy was carrying RAF personnel for Takoradi, Gold Coast (now Ghana) and other Service personnel for the Middle East.
In the morning of 5 Jul, 1941, U-96 was pursuing a convoy contact report from a Condor aircraft through fog about 300 miles north of the Azores, when she came upon a curious formation of six vessels, which was WS9B. The attack on SS Anselm, recorded in the Monthly Anti-submarine Report for September, 1941, states that, immediately preceding the attack, HMS Challenger and SS Anselm were in line ahead and were being screened by HMS Lavender and HMS Petunia. HMS Starwort, who’s Asdic (anti-submarine detection equipment) was out of order, was stationed astern. The escorts had been keeping listening watch in thick fog, but at 03:50 the fog cleared and both ships commenced transmitting. At this time, HMS Lavender and HMS Petunia took up screening positions on either bow of HMS Challenger and commenced a zigzag on a course just east of south at a speed of 11 knots.
U-96 observed several shadows coming towards her through the morning mist and dived to make an underwater attack. At 08:28 (German Summer Time, GMT + 2 hours) she fired a spread of four torpedoes at the SS Anselm, which she identified as a large merchant vessel, and then watched as one of the torpedoes struck the SS Anselm amidships on the port side. The explosion observed by the U-boat was so great that she believed she had hit a munitions room.
An eyewitness aboard SS Anselm, who at the time of the attack was keeping fit by running around the deck, recounted that from the moment of impact it was a nightmare. ‘The alarm sounded. By instinct we headed for the lifeboat station. I witnessed chaos and panic beyond anything I could imagine. Despair and hopelessness was written in everyone’s face. I heard screams and howls from guys trapped down below. I watched guys fighting each other, seemingly for no reason at all.
All the lifeboats got away with the exception of No 6, which was damaged by the explosion. By skilful manoeuvring, the destroyer Challenger nosed her bow in towards Anselm’s port quarter, catching Servicemen dropping from the stern, and in this manner rescued 60 men. The SS Anselm settled rapidly by the head and sank 22 minutes after being hit. The master, 93 crew members, three gunners and 965 service personnel were picked up by the survey ship and other ships. The survivors were later transferred to another ship and landed at Freetown. Unfortunately 254 men, including 175 RAF personnel, lost their lives, but it is probable that many of these were
killed by the explosion of the torpedo which struck the ship immediately below the accommodation space.
Kenneth Wilfred Gregory was one of those lost with the ship on 5 July 1941, he was 19 years old and is commemorated in the Runnymede Memorial.
Notes
U-96 was sunk in the submarine pens in Wilhelmshaven, when they were attacked by the US Army Air Force on 30 March 1945, with no loss to the crew.
The Anselm was built in 1935 by William Denny & Bros Ltd, Dumbarton for Booth Steamship Co Ltd (Booth Line), Liverpool for operation as a passenger liner. The vessel was 5,954 tons (Gross) and was designed for 40 first class, 106 third class and 80 crew before he conversion in 1940 to a troopship for up to 500 troops.
Kenneth enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1001728, and was an Aircraftman 2nd Class. He was aboard the troopship SS Anselm which was part of the Middle East Troop Convoy WS9B and was carrying over 1,200 Service personnel. The WS series convoys, all convoys from the UK to the Middle East, ran regularly between June 1940 and August 1943. The convoy was carrying RAF personnel for Takoradi, Gold Coast (now Ghana) and other Service personnel for the Middle East.
In the morning of 5 Jul, 1941, U-96 was pursuing a convoy contact report from a Condor aircraft through fog about 300 miles north of the Azores, when she came upon a curious formation of six vessels, which was WS9B. The attack on SS Anselm, recorded in the Monthly Anti-submarine Report for September, 1941, states that, immediately preceding the attack, HMS Challenger and SS Anselm were in line ahead and were being screened by HMS Lavender and HMS Petunia. HMS Starwort, who’s Asdic (anti-submarine detection equipment) was out of order, was stationed astern. The escorts had been keeping listening watch in thick fog, but at 03:50 the fog cleared and both ships commenced transmitting. At this time, HMS Lavender and HMS Petunia took up screening positions on either bow of HMS Challenger and commenced a zigzag on a course just east of south at a speed of 11 knots.
U-96 observed several shadows coming towards her through the morning mist and dived to make an underwater attack. At 08:28 (German Summer Time, GMT + 2 hours) she fired a spread of four torpedoes at the SS Anselm, which she identified as a large merchant vessel, and then watched as one of the torpedoes struck the SS Anselm amidships on the port side. The explosion observed by the U-boat was so great that she believed she had hit a munitions room.
An eyewitness aboard SS Anselm, who at the time of the attack was keeping fit by running around the deck, recounted that from the moment of impact it was a nightmare. ‘The alarm sounded. By instinct we headed for the lifeboat station. I witnessed chaos and panic beyond anything I could imagine. Despair and hopelessness was written in everyone’s face. I heard screams and howls from guys trapped down below. I watched guys fighting each other, seemingly for no reason at all.
All the lifeboats got away with the exception of No 6, which was damaged by the explosion. By skilful manoeuvring, the destroyer Challenger nosed her bow in towards Anselm’s port quarter, catching Servicemen dropping from the stern, and in this manner rescued 60 men. The SS Anselm settled rapidly by the head and sank 22 minutes after being hit. The master, 93 crew members, three gunners and 965 service personnel were picked up by the survey ship and other ships. The survivors were later transferred to another ship and landed at Freetown. Unfortunately 254 men, including 175 RAF personnel, lost their lives, but it is probable that many of these were
killed by the explosion of the torpedo which struck the ship immediately below the accommodation space.
Kenneth Wilfred Gregory was one of those lost with the ship on 5 July 1941, he was 19 years old and is commemorated in the Runnymede Memorial.
Notes
U-96 was sunk in the submarine pens in Wilhelmshaven, when they were attacked by the US Army Air Force on 30 March 1945, with no loss to the crew.
The Anselm was built in 1935 by William Denny & Bros Ltd, Dumbarton for Booth Steamship Co Ltd (Booth Line), Liverpool for operation as a passenger liner. The vessel was 5,954 tons (Gross) and was designed for 40 first class, 106 third class and 80 crew before he conversion in 1940 to a troopship for up to 500 troops.
Kenneth Emeny - 1438270
Kenneth Emeny was born at Born 45 Manderville St, Darnall, Sheffield in the fourth quarter of 1919, to Louise William Samuel Emeny and his wife of 12 years Kate Eliza (nee Bagshaw). His father who was originally from Leytonstone, Essex was employed as a Railway Waggon & Carriage Wheel Chipper. When Kenneth was 13 years old his mother died. His father re-married later the same year to Nellie Smith. The family lived at 2 The Crescent, Turner Lane, Whiston.
Kenneth joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and became a Sergeant, service number 1438270. By late 1943 he was serving with Bomber Command’s 77 squadron having previously flow in Wellington’s with Coastal Command. On the night of 20-21 January 1944 Bomber Command sent a force of 769 aircraft - 495 Lancasters, 264 Halifaxes, 10 Mosquitos to Berlin. The Battle of Berlin as the air raids would be known had been going since November. Sergeant Emeny was mid-upper gunner in Handley Page Halifax serial number HR946 with squadron markings of KN-X. The aircraft was airborne from Elvington near York at 16:37 and joined the stream of bombers which had an approach route taking them in a wide swing to the north. The German controllers managed to feed his fighters into the bomber stream early and the fighters scored steadily until the force was well on the way home. The bomb load of HR946 was 1 x 2000 lb HC, 2 x 500 lb cluster incendiaries, 270 x 4lb incendiaries, 90 x 4lb ‘X’ type incendiaries and 24 x 30lb incendiaries. The aircraft was reported to have crashed at 19:30 at Berlin-Falkenberg, Rieselfelder, although the cause of the crash is not know it is likely to have been as a result of anti-aircraft fire. Kenneth Emeny was killed along with six others from the eight man crew, he was 24 years old.
Despite investigations after the war by the RAF’s Missing Research and Enquiry Service the location of the graves of the crew could not be located, and they were all commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Notes
The other crew of the aircraft which included a second pilot was:
F/L V.H.Surplice DFC - Killed
Sgt L.Ashton (2nd pilot) - Killed
Sgt A.A.Timson - Killed
Sgt J.L.Duffy DFM - PoW
Sgt H.P.Hopkins - Killed
Sgt T.King DFM - Killed
F/S B.H.Stevens RAAF - Killed
The same crew with the exception of the 2nd Pilot flew on three other missions
11/11/43 – Cannes - Halifax II D472 “V” with Sgt E N Bailey as 2nd pilot
22/11/43- Berlin- Halifax II JB919 “X” there was no 2nd Pilot – the aircraft returned early due to loss of oil pressure and unable to climb.
25/11/43 – Frankfurt -Halifax II LL126 “W” with F/Lt D A Thompson as 2nd pilot the aircraft was hit by flak over target.
Kenneth joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and became a Sergeant, service number 1438270. By late 1943 he was serving with Bomber Command’s 77 squadron having previously flow in Wellington’s with Coastal Command. On the night of 20-21 January 1944 Bomber Command sent a force of 769 aircraft - 495 Lancasters, 264 Halifaxes, 10 Mosquitos to Berlin. The Battle of Berlin as the air raids would be known had been going since November. Sergeant Emeny was mid-upper gunner in Handley Page Halifax serial number HR946 with squadron markings of KN-X. The aircraft was airborne from Elvington near York at 16:37 and joined the stream of bombers which had an approach route taking them in a wide swing to the north. The German controllers managed to feed his fighters into the bomber stream early and the fighters scored steadily until the force was well on the way home. The bomb load of HR946 was 1 x 2000 lb HC, 2 x 500 lb cluster incendiaries, 270 x 4lb incendiaries, 90 x 4lb ‘X’ type incendiaries and 24 x 30lb incendiaries. The aircraft was reported to have crashed at 19:30 at Berlin-Falkenberg, Rieselfelder, although the cause of the crash is not know it is likely to have been as a result of anti-aircraft fire. Kenneth Emeny was killed along with six others from the eight man crew, he was 24 years old.
Despite investigations after the war by the RAF’s Missing Research and Enquiry Service the location of the graves of the crew could not be located, and they were all commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Notes
The other crew of the aircraft which included a second pilot was:
F/L V.H.Surplice DFC - Killed
Sgt L.Ashton (2nd pilot) - Killed
Sgt A.A.Timson - Killed
Sgt J.L.Duffy DFM - PoW
Sgt H.P.Hopkins - Killed
Sgt T.King DFM - Killed
F/S B.H.Stevens RAAF - Killed
The same crew with the exception of the 2nd Pilot flew on three other missions
11/11/43 – Cannes - Halifax II D472 “V” with Sgt E N Bailey as 2nd pilot
22/11/43- Berlin- Halifax II JB919 “X” there was no 2nd Pilot – the aircraft returned early due to loss of oil pressure and unable to climb.
25/11/43 – Frankfurt -Halifax II LL126 “W” with F/Lt D A Thompson as 2nd pilot the aircraft was hit by flak over target.
Victor Wells - 1113723
Victor Wells was born in 1916 to James Wells and Alice Kate (nee Sherren). He was married in the last part of 1937 in Sheffield, and a daughter was born a year later. The
family which lived at 61 Sandringham Avenue, Whiston was added to by a son in 1942.
Victor joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and became a Sergeant (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner), with service number 1113723. His final training posting was with 1662 Conversion Unit, and was with Flight Lieutenant Goudge’s crew which was posted to 12 Squadron of Bomber Command on 16 May 1943. The squadron was based at Wickenby in Lincolnshire, and flew the Avro Lancaster aircraft. On 29 May the crew were scheduled for their first mission, one of 15 aircraft from the squadron tasked for operations that night. The weather forecast was fair to cloudy, visibility was poor at first improving to very good for the mission to Wupperal in the Ruhr Valley. The attack that night was with 719 aircraft - 292 Lancasters, 185 Halifaxes, 118 Stirlings, 113 Wellingtons. Victor Wells and the rest of the crew were airborne at 22:56 from Wickenby in an almost new Lancaster with only 14 hours on the air frame. The aircraft serial number ED996, with squadron markings of GZ-J had a bomb load of 1 x 4000lb. High Capacity bomb (known as a Cookie), 570 x 4lb. incendiaries 30 x 4lb. "X" incendiaries and 48 x 30 lb. incendiaries. The Lancaster crashed in the Hansasstrasse at Muhlheim-Speldorf, although the cause has not been established.
Victor Wells, aged 27 was killed along with five other members of the crew. They were buried in the Nordfriedhof at Dusseldorf on 31 May 1943, and then subsequently re-interred in the Reichswald War Cemetery.
Note
The other members of the crew were:
F/L I.P.C. Goudge (Pilot - Capt)
Sgt J. Gorton (Navigator)
Sgt R S Richmond (Bomb Aimer)
Sgt A E Graham (Flight Engineer)
Sgt N M Hatch (Mid Upper Gunner)
Sgt J Hardman (Rear Gunner)
family which lived at 61 Sandringham Avenue, Whiston was added to by a son in 1942.
Victor joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and became a Sergeant (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner), with service number 1113723. His final training posting was with 1662 Conversion Unit, and was with Flight Lieutenant Goudge’s crew which was posted to 12 Squadron of Bomber Command on 16 May 1943. The squadron was based at Wickenby in Lincolnshire, and flew the Avro Lancaster aircraft. On 29 May the crew were scheduled for their first mission, one of 15 aircraft from the squadron tasked for operations that night. The weather forecast was fair to cloudy, visibility was poor at first improving to very good for the mission to Wupperal in the Ruhr Valley. The attack that night was with 719 aircraft - 292 Lancasters, 185 Halifaxes, 118 Stirlings, 113 Wellingtons. Victor Wells and the rest of the crew were airborne at 22:56 from Wickenby in an almost new Lancaster with only 14 hours on the air frame. The aircraft serial number ED996, with squadron markings of GZ-J had a bomb load of 1 x 4000lb. High Capacity bomb (known as a Cookie), 570 x 4lb. incendiaries 30 x 4lb. "X" incendiaries and 48 x 30 lb. incendiaries. The Lancaster crashed in the Hansasstrasse at Muhlheim-Speldorf, although the cause has not been established.
Victor Wells, aged 27 was killed along with five other members of the crew. They were buried in the Nordfriedhof at Dusseldorf on 31 May 1943, and then subsequently re-interred in the Reichswald War Cemetery.
Note
The other members of the crew were:
F/L I.P.C. Goudge (Pilot - Capt)
Sgt J. Gorton (Navigator)
Sgt R S Richmond (Bomb Aimer)
Sgt A E Graham (Flight Engineer)
Sgt N M Hatch (Mid Upper Gunner)
Sgt J Hardman (Rear Gunner)
Olonzo Hemsworth - 1923169
Alonzo Hemsworth was born in Rotherham in the second quarter of 1917 to Alonzo Hemsworth and Alice May (nee Orgill) of 79 Sandringham Avenue, Whiston.
He enlisted in the Army and was a Sapper in 278 Field Company, Royal Engineers, serial number 1923169. On 23 February 1943 Sapper Hemsworth and another sapper were working in a minefield at Wakering Stairs, when a landmine exploded killing Olonzo Hemsworth and injuring the other sapper who was taken to Shoebury Military Hospital. (Wakering Stairs is on the shoreline of Essex east of Southend-on-Sea.)
Olonzo Hemsworth was 20 years old and is buried in Whiston (St Mary Magdalene) Churchyard.
He enlisted in the Army and was a Sapper in 278 Field Company, Royal Engineers, serial number 1923169. On 23 February 1943 Sapper Hemsworth and another sapper were working in a minefield at Wakering Stairs, when a landmine exploded killing Olonzo Hemsworth and injuring the other sapper who was taken to Shoebury Military Hospital. (Wakering Stairs is on the shoreline of Essex east of Southend-on-Sea.)
Olonzo Hemsworth was 20 years old and is buried in Whiston (St Mary Magdalene) Churchyard.
Brian Wibberley - 4534940
Brian Wibberley’s birth was registered in Gainsborough in early 1911, fourth child of Arthur Wibberley and Emma (nee Doxey).
He enlisted as a Private in the 2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), service number 4534940. At the start of 1941 the 2nd West Yorks were part of British and Commonwealth forces in the Sudan. These forces joined with others from Kenya and British Somaliland to enjoin in battle the Italian Colonial Army in the East African Campaign. The Battle of Keren was fought in the Italian colony of Eritrea from 5 February to 1 April 1941. Keren was a of strategic importance to both the
Italian and the British forces, the road and railway routes through Keren were the key to access the city of Asmara (colonial capital of Eritrea) and the Red Sea port of Massawa. The first two battles were indecisive, but the third battle commencing on 15 March was conclusive and despite significant losses on both sides the town was captured by the British.
Brian died on 24 March 1941, aged 30, and now lies in Keren War Cemetery.
Note
John Victor Clarke (see Aston) from the same battalion was killed on the same day.
He enlisted as a Private in the 2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), service number 4534940. At the start of 1941 the 2nd West Yorks were part of British and Commonwealth forces in the Sudan. These forces joined with others from Kenya and British Somaliland to enjoin in battle the Italian Colonial Army in the East African Campaign. The Battle of Keren was fought in the Italian colony of Eritrea from 5 February to 1 April 1941. Keren was a of strategic importance to both the
Italian and the British forces, the road and railway routes through Keren were the key to access the city of Asmara (colonial capital of Eritrea) and the Red Sea port of Massawa. The first two battles were indecisive, but the third battle commencing on 15 March was conclusive and despite significant losses on both sides the town was captured by the British.
Brian died on 24 March 1941, aged 30, and now lies in Keren War Cemetery.
Note
John Victor Clarke (see Aston) from the same battalion was killed on the same day.
Albert Shaw - 965348
Albert Shaw was born in late 1917 to Albert Shaw and Dora Beatrice (nee Whitehead) of 16 Park Avenue, Whiston. He was educated at Whiston Council School and later employed as a gardener at Thrybergh. His mother died in 1931 when Albert was 13 years old. He was married in Rotherham in the second quarter of 1941 and lived at 301 Canklow Road, Rotherham.
Albert enlisted in 1939 in the Army, service number 965348 and was a Bombardier in the Royal Artillery. He was a member of 128 Field Regiment which was part of the 51st Highland Division and went to North Africa in mid- 1942. Their first action was the second Battle of El Alamein in October and November 1942. The 51st Divison was involved in the Battle of Wadi Akarit in early April 1943 and then in the push on to Enfidaville. Albert Shaw was reported killed in action on 30 April 1943, aged 25 and now lies in Enfidaville War Cemetery, Tunisia.
Albert enlisted in 1939 in the Army, service number 965348 and was a Bombardier in the Royal Artillery. He was a member of 128 Field Regiment which was part of the 51st Highland Division and went to North Africa in mid- 1942. Their first action was the second Battle of El Alamein in October and November 1942. The 51st Divison was involved in the Battle of Wadi Akarit in early April 1943 and then in the push on to Enfidaville. Albert Shaw was reported killed in action on 30 April 1943, aged 25 and now lies in Enfidaville War Cemetery, Tunisia.
Robert Foster - 4855494
Robert Foster’s birth was registered in Doncaster in 1912, the fifth child of Silson Foster and Mary Annie (nee Thorpe), who lived at Stone House Newington near Bawtry. He was educated at Maltby Craggs School and after leaving school joined the Army and served 12 years, eight of which were in India, before he was recalled up as a
reservist. He had also worked at Edlington Colliery. He was married in 1937 in Rotherham and a daughter was born a couple of years later and the family lived at 27 Brecks Crescent, Listerdale.
By 1940 he was a Corporal, service number 4855494, with 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Robert Foster died in Rotherham on 3 September 1940, aged
28 and was buried in Wickersley (St Alban) Churchyard.
reservist. He had also worked at Edlington Colliery. He was married in 1937 in Rotherham and a daughter was born a couple of years later and the family lived at 27 Brecks Crescent, Listerdale.
By 1940 he was a Corporal, service number 4855494, with 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Robert Foster died in Rotherham on 3 September 1940, aged
28 and was buried in Wickersley (St Alban) Churchyard.
Albert Edward Lincoln - 14613008
Albert Edward Lincoln was the first child of three born to Abraham Lincoln and Edith (nee Page). Albert’s birth was registered in Chesterfield in late 1923. The couple later moved to live at 2 Morthern Cottages, Thurcroft.
Albert enlisted in the Army and was a Private in the 1st Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment. The 1st Yorks and Lancs were in Italy in 1944 and formed part 5th
Infantry Division’s 15th Infantry Brigade, they were reinforcements within the US VI Corps. As part of Operation Diadem they were involved in the Anzio breakout and the push on Rome. Albert Edward Lincoln died on 3 June 1944, one of 16 casualties from the battalion that day. He was 20 years old and now lies in the Beach Head War
Cemetery, Anzio.
Albert enlisted in the Army and was a Private in the 1st Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment. The 1st Yorks and Lancs were in Italy in 1944 and formed part 5th
Infantry Division’s 15th Infantry Brigade, they were reinforcements within the US VI Corps. As part of Operation Diadem they were involved in the Anzio breakout and the push on Rome. Albert Edward Lincoln died on 3 June 1944, one of 16 casualties from the battalion that day. He was 20 years old and now lies in the Beach Head War
Cemetery, Anzio.
Sydney Samuel Harrison - 169576
Sydney Samuel Harrison was born in Rotherham in 1917, the only child of coal miner Arthur Sydney Harrison and his wife of 4 years Isabel Maryanne Charlotte Greaves (nee Griffin). His mother who was had been widowed was a professional pianist prior to her second marriage, she died on 24 June 1940 three months before Sydney.
His family lived at 1 Hungerhills Lane, Whiston.
Samuel was a Driver in the Royal Army Service Corps, service number 169576. He died in the United Kingdom (possibly in Northern Ireland) on 25 September 1940. It was reported that he was killed by enemy action (possibly an air raid as it was during the Battle of Britain). He was buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey.
His family lived at 1 Hungerhills Lane, Whiston.
Samuel was a Driver in the Royal Army Service Corps, service number 169576. He died in the United Kingdom (possibly in Northern Ireland) on 25 September 1940. It was reported that he was killed by enemy action (possibly an air raid as it was during the Battle of Britain). He was buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey.
Sydney Rogers - P/JX 419119
HMS Penelope
Sydney Rodgers was born in Rotherham on 22 February 1925, first child to Arthur Rodgers and his wife of two years Sarah Anne (nee Guest). The couple had a further two children (daughter and son) and lived at 69 Reresby Road, Whiston.
Sydney was enlisted in the Royal Navy as an Able Seaman, service number P/JX 419119, and service on board the Light Cruiser HMS Penelope. In January 1944 the Penelope was deployed with the 15th Cruiser Squadron to support the landings at Anzio, Italy. After carrying out shore bombardments, the ship was on its way back to Naples to replenish with ammunition. On 18 February 1944, the Penelope was struck by an acoustic torpedo in position 40º55'N, 13º25'E, by the German submarine U-410. The remarkable point of the attack by U-410 is that the cruiser was making 26 knots when hit. As far as can be ascertained, this is a unique case in the history of submarine attacks in all of WWII, no other ship running at such speed was ever successfully attacked. The torpedo struck her in the after engine room and was followed, 16 minutes later, by a second one which hit in the after boiler room, causing her immediate sinking. Of the crew 415, including the captain went down with the ship. Able Seaman Rodgers was not one of the 206 survivors, he was just 4 days short of his 19th birthday and is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Note
U-410 was sunk 22 days later at 12:00 on 11 March, 1944 in its French base of Toulonin position 43.07N, 05.55W, by US bombs.
Sydney was enlisted in the Royal Navy as an Able Seaman, service number P/JX 419119, and service on board the Light Cruiser HMS Penelope. In January 1944 the Penelope was deployed with the 15th Cruiser Squadron to support the landings at Anzio, Italy. After carrying out shore bombardments, the ship was on its way back to Naples to replenish with ammunition. On 18 February 1944, the Penelope was struck by an acoustic torpedo in position 40º55'N, 13º25'E, by the German submarine U-410. The remarkable point of the attack by U-410 is that the cruiser was making 26 knots when hit. As far as can be ascertained, this is a unique case in the history of submarine attacks in all of WWII, no other ship running at such speed was ever successfully attacked. The torpedo struck her in the after engine room and was followed, 16 minutes later, by a second one which hit in the after boiler room, causing her immediate sinking. Of the crew 415, including the captain went down with the ship. Able Seaman Rodgers was not one of the 206 survivors, he was just 4 days short of his 19th birthday and is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Note
U-410 was sunk 22 days later at 12:00 on 11 March, 1944 in its French base of Toulonin position 43.07N, 05.55W, by US bombs.
William Henry Lythall - 14534405
William Henry Lythall was the son of John William Lythall and May (nee Taylor), his birth being registered in Rotherham in the third quarter of 1924. The family lived
at 34 Sydney St, Rotherham and later at 29 Worrygoose Lane, Rotherham. Bill was employed Steel Peach & Tozer Ltd, also by Mr Allan C Egglestone (decorator), Wellgate, Rotherham. He enlisted in the Army in January 1943, and was a Fusiler with 6th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, service number 14534405. The 6RSF were part of 15th Scottish Division’s 44th Brigade and landed in Normandy on D-Day+18, the 24 June 1944. They were straight into action a couple of days later in ‘Operation Epsom’ which was a flanking attack intended to take the pivotal Normandy city of Caen, the attack was also known as the First Battle of the Odon. The Scottish battalions lead the way supported by the tanks, had battled their way through the bocage as far as Cheux by nightfall and the following morning (27th) had advanced through Mondrainville, and surprised the Germans troops guarding the bridge over the Odon river at Tourmeauville. This route became known as the ‘Scottish Corridor’. When all the battalions of the 15th Scottish Division had been committed to the battle and the exhausted Scotsmen had advanced as far as Baron. Up until the 2 July the 15th Division set about securing the right hand side of the Scottish corridor in preparation for the expected counter-attack. William Lythall died on 3 July 1944, aged 19 and now lies in Ryes War Cemetery, Bazenville in Normandy. |
Arthur Sheard - 4685953
Arthur Sheard was the third child of miner George Sheard and his wife of of of 5 years Elizabeth Ann (nee Wilson). He was born in early 1905 in Stanley, Wakefield which was the family’s home until they moved to Rotherham in about 1908. They lived at Brookside, Whiston. Arthur’s mother died in 1922 when he was 17 years old. Arthur was
married in Rotherham in 1932.
Arthur enlisted in the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, service number 4685953 and later he transferred to the Royal Engineers where was a Corporal in 170 Tunnelling Company. He went to France with the British Expediationary Force in 1939. The BEF advanced into Belguim in 1940 and was outflanked by the German attack through the Ardennes. Arthur was reported to have died on either 22 or 23 May 1940, aged 35 and is listed on the Dunkirk Memorial.
married in Rotherham in 1932.
Arthur enlisted in the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, service number 4685953 and later he transferred to the Royal Engineers where was a Corporal in 170 Tunnelling Company. He went to France with the British Expediationary Force in 1939. The BEF advanced into Belguim in 1940 and was outflanked by the German attack through the Ardennes. Arthur was reported to have died on either 22 or 23 May 1940, aged 35 and is listed on the Dunkirk Memorial.
Malcolm John Head - 22060262
Malcolm Head was born in Sheffield on 18 April 1930 to Percival Head and Ida G Bassindale.
He served in the Royal Army Pay C, service number 22060262. He died on 22 December 1948, aged 18, his death being registered in Market Bosworth, Leicestershire.
Note
Malcolm Head died outside the years that are usually defined as being with the Second World War.
He is listed on the Armed Forces Memorial
He served in the Royal Army Pay C, service number 22060262. He died on 22 December 1948, aged 18, his death being registered in Market Bosworth, Leicestershire.
Note
Malcolm Head died outside the years that are usually defined as being with the Second World War.
He is listed on the Armed Forces Memorial
Eunice Markinson
Eunice Markinson was born in Rotherham in late 1917, fourth child of engine driver Arthur Markinson and his wife of 6 years May Elizabeth (nee Daughtry). The family lived at 25 Guilthwaite Crescent, Whiston when Arthur died in 1937.
On the night of 12/13 December 1940 the German air force targeted Sheffield as the major steel making city in the UK. Over 300 aircraft dropped high explosives and incendiaries over a period of 9 hours. During the darkness The Moor was mistaken for Attercliffe Road and many bombs hit the city centre rather than the steel works. Eunice had taken refuge in the Porter Street shelter when it received a direct hit during the night causing a number of casualties.
Eunice Markinson was killed on 13 December, aged 23.
Note
Other casualties that night were:
Edith Charles – 12 December – aged 51 (see Additional Casualties – C)
Jessie Hill – 12 December – aged 15 (see Whiston)
Ernest Peace – 12 December – aged 33 (see Additional Casualties – P)
Ezra Peace – 12 December – aged 49 (see Additional Casualties – P)
Sylvia Matthewman – 13 December – aged 18 (see Additional Casualties – M)
Other people killed in the Porter Street shelter were:
Olive Burt, age 33, of 125 The Moor, wife of T C Burt
Ernest Patrick Gould, age 67, of 71 Porter Street
Marjorie Jones, age 28. Daughter of Oscar and Helen Mary Jones, of 58, Wake Road
Harry Latham, age 41. Husband of Alice Latham. of 98. Devonshire Road, Bolton, Lancashire
Kenneth Lithman, age 16; of 33. Jessell Street
James Mason, age 17. Home Guard. Son of James Arthur and Harriet Emma Mason, of 83, ldsworth Road, Firth Park
David Robert Bruce Middleton, age 68, of 15, Chatfield Road, Woodseats
Oliver Robert Moffatt, age 41, of Green Bank, Manchester Road, Burnley
Maurice Parkin, age 42, husband of Florence A Parkin, of 107 Sellars Street
Elsie May Roberts, age 21. Daughter of Harry and Elsie May Roberts, of 680, Abbeydale Road
Connie Stratton, age 28, daughter of Arthur Benjamin and Clara Stratton. of 30 Bartlett Road, Southey Green. Injured December 13 1940, at Porter Street shelter; died 20 December 1940, at Royal Hospital.
On the night of 12/13 December 1940 the German air force targeted Sheffield as the major steel making city in the UK. Over 300 aircraft dropped high explosives and incendiaries over a period of 9 hours. During the darkness The Moor was mistaken for Attercliffe Road and many bombs hit the city centre rather than the steel works. Eunice had taken refuge in the Porter Street shelter when it received a direct hit during the night causing a number of casualties.
Eunice Markinson was killed on 13 December, aged 23.
Note
Other casualties that night were:
Edith Charles – 12 December – aged 51 (see Additional Casualties – C)
Jessie Hill – 12 December – aged 15 (see Whiston)
Ernest Peace – 12 December – aged 33 (see Additional Casualties – P)
Ezra Peace – 12 December – aged 49 (see Additional Casualties – P)
Sylvia Matthewman – 13 December – aged 18 (see Additional Casualties – M)
Other people killed in the Porter Street shelter were:
Olive Burt, age 33, of 125 The Moor, wife of T C Burt
Ernest Patrick Gould, age 67, of 71 Porter Street
Marjorie Jones, age 28. Daughter of Oscar and Helen Mary Jones, of 58, Wake Road
Harry Latham, age 41. Husband of Alice Latham. of 98. Devonshire Road, Bolton, Lancashire
Kenneth Lithman, age 16; of 33. Jessell Street
James Mason, age 17. Home Guard. Son of James Arthur and Harriet Emma Mason, of 83, ldsworth Road, Firth Park
David Robert Bruce Middleton, age 68, of 15, Chatfield Road, Woodseats
Oliver Robert Moffatt, age 41, of Green Bank, Manchester Road, Burnley
Maurice Parkin, age 42, husband of Florence A Parkin, of 107 Sellars Street
Elsie May Roberts, age 21. Daughter of Harry and Elsie May Roberts, of 680, Abbeydale Road
Connie Stratton, age 28, daughter of Arthur Benjamin and Clara Stratton. of 30 Bartlett Road, Southey Green. Injured December 13 1940, at Porter Street shelter; died 20 December 1940, at Royal Hospital.
Jessie Hill
Bombs that fell in the Pitsmoor area
Jessie Hill was born in Rotherham in the second quarter of 1925 to coal miner Robert Hill and his wife of 5 years Millicent (nee Brown) of 18 Guilthwaite Crescent, Whiston.
On the night of Thursday 12 December 1940 the German Luftwaffe carried out a major attack on Sheffield, which they codenamed Operation Crucible. It was a cold clear night with almost a full moon when the first of about 300 aircraft, flying from airfields in the occupied countries of Europe, dropped their first bombs about 7pm. Over the next nine hours up to 4am some 350 tons of high explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped on the city.
Jessie hill was killed on 12 December at 65 Ellesmere Road, Sheffield in the Pitsmoor area of the city, she was just 15 years old.
Notes
Other casualties from 65 Ellesmere Road were:
Beatrice Hawksworth, aged 26
Elias Jarvis, aged 28
James McLardy, aged 60
Percival Smith, aged 25
Other casualties that night were:
Edith Charles – 12 December – aged 51 (see Additional Casualties – C)
Ernest Peace – 12 December – aged 33 (see Additional Casualties – P)
Ezra Peace – 12 December – aged 49 (see Additional Casualties – P)
Eunice Markinson – 13 December – aged 23 (see Whiston)
Sylvia Matthewman – 13 December – aged 18 (see Additional Casualties – M)
On the night of Thursday 12 December 1940 the German Luftwaffe carried out a major attack on Sheffield, which they codenamed Operation Crucible. It was a cold clear night with almost a full moon when the first of about 300 aircraft, flying from airfields in the occupied countries of Europe, dropped their first bombs about 7pm. Over the next nine hours up to 4am some 350 tons of high explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped on the city.
Jessie hill was killed on 12 December at 65 Ellesmere Road, Sheffield in the Pitsmoor area of the city, she was just 15 years old.
Notes
Other casualties from 65 Ellesmere Road were:
Beatrice Hawksworth, aged 26
Elias Jarvis, aged 28
James McLardy, aged 60
Percival Smith, aged 25
Other casualties that night were:
Edith Charles – 12 December – aged 51 (see Additional Casualties – C)
Ernest Peace – 12 December – aged 33 (see Additional Casualties – P)
Ezra Peace – 12 December – aged 49 (see Additional Casualties – P)
Eunice Markinson – 13 December – aged 23 (see Whiston)
Sylvia Matthewman – 13 December – aged 18 (see Additional Casualties – M)