Aston, All Saints Church - part 1
Harry Allcock - D/SSX25649
Harry Allcock was the youngest child of son of John Alfred Allcock and Eliza (nee Wardley) of Eden Grove, Swallownest. His birth was registered in Rotherham in the first quarter of 1920.
He was an Able Seaman on the Light Cruiser H.M.S. Gloucester. On 13 May 1941 Gloucester was deployed with forces of the Mediterranean Fleet in support of reinforcement convoys to the Crete garrison. Seven days later the Germans invaded Crete and Gloucester formed part of a naval force acting against German military transports to the island. On 22 May 1941 while in the Kithera Channel, about 14 miles north of Crete, Gloucester was attacked by German Stuke dive bombers. It was hit by three bombs which caused internal explosions and major flooding. Major fires broke out and could not be controlled. Disabled ship had therefore to be abandoned. German aircraft flew low over the water and machine-gunned survivors. Another ship in the force, HMS Fiji was ordered to withdraw because of the continuing air attacks but left rafts and boats for survivors. The 82 survivors were rescued the following day by the Germans and spent four years as prisoners of war. Able Seaman Allcock was amongst the 723 men who lost their lives and he is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval memorial, he was 21 years old.
He was an Able Seaman on the Light Cruiser H.M.S. Gloucester. On 13 May 1941 Gloucester was deployed with forces of the Mediterranean Fleet in support of reinforcement convoys to the Crete garrison. Seven days later the Germans invaded Crete and Gloucester formed part of a naval force acting against German military transports to the island. On 22 May 1941 while in the Kithera Channel, about 14 miles north of Crete, Gloucester was attacked by German Stuke dive bombers. It was hit by three bombs which caused internal explosions and major flooding. Major fires broke out and could not be controlled. Disabled ship had therefore to be abandoned. German aircraft flew low over the water and machine-gunned survivors. Another ship in the force, HMS Fiji was ordered to withdraw because of the continuing air attacks but left rafts and boats for survivors. The 82 survivors were rescued the following day by the Germans and spent four years as prisoners of war. Able Seaman Allcock was amongst the 723 men who lost their lives and he is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval memorial, he was 21 years old.
Bert Bradder - 4755807
Bert Bradder born is Devonport, Devon in late 1913, named Bertie, he was the child of Charles Bradder and Beatrice Rosina (nee Ferrett). The family later moved to Yorkshire where Charles was a miner.
Bert enlisted in the Army and was a Private in the 1st Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment, service number 4755807. The battalion went to India in April 1942 and was part of the 2nd Infantry Division. In mid 1944 the division fought in the crucial Battle of Kohima in northeast India for 4 April to 22 June. This marked the limit of the Japanese
expansion and stopped their conquest of India. Bert Bradder died on 13 May 1944, aged 30 years old. He is buried in Kohima War Cemetery, and left a wife, who he had
married in Rotherham in 1935 and four children.
Bert enlisted in the Army and was a Private in the 1st Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment, service number 4755807. The battalion went to India in April 1942 and was part of the 2nd Infantry Division. In mid 1944 the division fought in the crucial Battle of Kohima in northeast India for 4 April to 22 June. This marked the limit of the Japanese
expansion and stopped their conquest of India. Bert Bradder died on 13 May 1944, aged 30 years old. He is buried in Kohima War Cemetery, and left a wife, who he had
married in Rotherham in 1935 and four children.
John Victor Clarke - 4532741
John Victor Clarke was born in Cutthorpe, Chesterfield in the first quarter of 1909, to John Richard Clarke and his wife of 10 years, Elizabeth (nee Bradbury). His father was a coal miner and lived with his family (John Victor, was his fourth child) at No 11 Blocks, Cutthorpe, Chesterfield. His marriage was registered in Rother Valley Registration District in 1939, and he lived with his wife at 13 Springfield Avenue, Aughton Estate, Swallownest.
He enlisted as a Private in the 2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), service number 4532741. 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.
Private John Victor Clarke died on 24 March 1941, aged 32, and now lies in Keren War Cemetery.
He enlisted as a Private in the 2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), service number 4532741. 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.
Private John Victor Clarke died on 24 March 1941, aged 32, and now lies in Keren War Cemetery.
Jean Copley - W/152132
Jean Copley was the first child of Alban Ernest and Kittie (nee Whysall), born in Rotherham in late 1921. She was educated at Aston Council, later going to work for a milk roundsman.
She joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service in 1942, and was a Private with service number W/152132. In 1943 she was in Great Yarmouth when it was subject to an air raid. It was a daylight low-level attack by eighteen Focke-Wolf 190’s of II/SKG 10 at 0845 hours on 11 May 1943. This was a frontal attack out of the sun and early morning mist. The raiders crossing the coast just north of Britannia Pier and attacking the northern part of the town and exiting over the Winterton area. The raid was only detected about one minute before the attack. Fourteen 500 kg high explosive bombs fell in various scattered residential areas in the north of the town. A squad of girls had been
exercising that morning and had just marched back to their billet at Whitfield House, a large hostel at No.8, North Drive, when it received a direct hit from a HE bomb. Jean Copley was among the 26 ATS girls that lost their lived. The raid was the worst of the war on Great Yarmouth with a total of 49 people killed and 41 injured.
Jean Copley was 21 years old and was buried in Aston-Cum-Aughton Cemetery on Saturday 15 May 1943.
Notes
The full list of ATS casualties was:
Private Bernadette BELL - W/157912
L/Cpl Molly CARTER - W/118566
Private Jean COPLEY - W/152132
Private Louisa FARNES - W/157028
Private Dorothy FAWKES - W/91160
Corporal Margaret GALBRAITH - W/121432
Private Kathleen GAUNT - W/189807
Private Lilian GRIMMER - W/206615
L/Corpl Eileen HUNT - W/180944
Private Nora JAMES - W/119369
Private May JOHNSON - W/113897
Private Jessica LEWIS - W/128285
Corporal Enis Gertrude LINE - W/150659
Private Elizabeth MACKAY - W/64368
L/Corpl Anna MACLEOD - W/171933
Private Vera MANN - W/154541
Private Louisa MAXWELL - W/216628
Private Jane McCAULAY - W/240452
Private Ivy MOORE - W/113978
Private Roma PEARSON - W/38649
Private Jean SCOUGALL - W/121454
Private Jessie SHARP - W/178338
Private Marjorie SUTTON - W/129269
Private Doris TRAVERS - W/113878
Private Viola WELLS - W/18246
Private Doris WIMBUSH - W/35004
The site is now occupied by the swimming pool of the Burlington Palm Hotel. In 1994 a memorial plaque recording the tragedy and listing the names of those who lost their lives was unveiled at the hotel by Lady Soames, youngest daughter of wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
She joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service in 1942, and was a Private with service number W/152132. In 1943 she was in Great Yarmouth when it was subject to an air raid. It was a daylight low-level attack by eighteen Focke-Wolf 190’s of II/SKG 10 at 0845 hours on 11 May 1943. This was a frontal attack out of the sun and early morning mist. The raiders crossing the coast just north of Britannia Pier and attacking the northern part of the town and exiting over the Winterton area. The raid was only detected about one minute before the attack. Fourteen 500 kg high explosive bombs fell in various scattered residential areas in the north of the town. A squad of girls had been
exercising that morning and had just marched back to their billet at Whitfield House, a large hostel at No.8, North Drive, when it received a direct hit from a HE bomb. Jean Copley was among the 26 ATS girls that lost their lived. The raid was the worst of the war on Great Yarmouth with a total of 49 people killed and 41 injured.
Jean Copley was 21 years old and was buried in Aston-Cum-Aughton Cemetery on Saturday 15 May 1943.
Notes
The full list of ATS casualties was:
Private Bernadette BELL - W/157912
L/Cpl Molly CARTER - W/118566
Private Jean COPLEY - W/152132
Private Louisa FARNES - W/157028
Private Dorothy FAWKES - W/91160
Corporal Margaret GALBRAITH - W/121432
Private Kathleen GAUNT - W/189807
Private Lilian GRIMMER - W/206615
L/Corpl Eileen HUNT - W/180944
Private Nora JAMES - W/119369
Private May JOHNSON - W/113897
Private Jessica LEWIS - W/128285
Corporal Enis Gertrude LINE - W/150659
Private Elizabeth MACKAY - W/64368
L/Corpl Anna MACLEOD - W/171933
Private Vera MANN - W/154541
Private Louisa MAXWELL - W/216628
Private Jane McCAULAY - W/240452
Private Ivy MOORE - W/113978
Private Roma PEARSON - W/38649
Private Jean SCOUGALL - W/121454
Private Jessie SHARP - W/178338
Private Marjorie SUTTON - W/129269
Private Doris TRAVERS - W/113878
Private Viola WELLS - W/18246
Private Doris WIMBUSH - W/35004
The site is now occupied by the swimming pool of the Burlington Palm Hotel. In 1994 a memorial plaque recording the tragedy and listing the names of those who lost their lives was unveiled at the hotel by Lady Soames, youngest daughter of wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
Jack Chadburn - 4751615
Jack Chadburn was born in Sheffield on 10 May 1916 to coal miner Richard Chadburn and his wife Ruth (nee Mellor). Jack was the fifth of nine children to the couple who lived at 2 Henshaws Cottages, Chapel Street, Woodhouse, Sheffield, later living at 18 Mauncer Crescent, Stradbroke Rd, Woodhouse, Sheffield. He was educated at Woodhouse Council School and later employed at Henry Boot & Sons, Woodhouse Mill Wood Works. Jack was married in 1938 and lived at 11 Springwood Avenue, Aughton.
Jack enlisted in 1939, and was a Private in 6th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, service number 4751615. He was posted overseas in January 1943 and was reported killed in an accident in North Africa on 28 August 1943, three months after the cessation of hostilities. He was 27 years old and now lies in Massicault War Cemetery, which is about 25 kilometres south-west of Tunis in Tunisia.
Jack enlisted in 1939, and was a Private in 6th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, service number 4751615. He was posted overseas in January 1943 and was reported killed in an accident in North Africa on 28 August 1943, three months after the cessation of hostilities. He was 27 years old and now lies in Massicault War Cemetery, which is about 25 kilometres south-west of Tunis in Tunisia.
Harry Dunn - C/JX 129256
Harry Dunn was born in Worksop in the third quarter of 1911, the second child of Henry John Dunn and his wife of two years Edith Emily (nee Cousins). His mother later lived at 4 Aston Terrace, Swallownest. He was married in Kent in 1936 and a son was born in Medway, Kent a couple of years later.
Harry became a Petty Officer in the Royal Navy and was serving on submarines. On 8 April 1940 he was serving on HMS Sterlet when it left for a patrol in the Skagerrak, Norway. Four days later the boat signalled that it had unsuccessfully attacked a Convoy of 3 Merchant ships and a Destroyer. The following day it was assigned a new patrol area and on the 18th torpedoed the German Gunnery Ship Brummer, causing serious damage and later sank. At once the German escorts counter attacked with repeated depth charge attacks. The submarine was never heard from again and it is probable that the attacks by the German anti submarine trawlers UJ-125, UJ-126 and UJ-128 caused the loss of the boat in the Skaggerak south of Larvik, Norway in postion 58º55'N, 10º10'E. Another possibility was that HMS Sterlet might have hit a mine while returning to base.
Harry Dunn was 28 years old and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. A daughter was born a few months after Harry was lost.
Harry became a Petty Officer in the Royal Navy and was serving on submarines. On 8 April 1940 he was serving on HMS Sterlet when it left for a patrol in the Skagerrak, Norway. Four days later the boat signalled that it had unsuccessfully attacked a Convoy of 3 Merchant ships and a Destroyer. The following day it was assigned a new patrol area and on the 18th torpedoed the German Gunnery Ship Brummer, causing serious damage and later sank. At once the German escorts counter attacked with repeated depth charge attacks. The submarine was never heard from again and it is probable that the attacks by the German anti submarine trawlers UJ-125, UJ-126 and UJ-128 caused the loss of the boat in the Skaggerak south of Larvik, Norway in postion 58º55'N, 10º10'E. Another possibility was that HMS Sterlet might have hit a mine while returning to base.
Harry Dunn was 28 years old and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. A daughter was born a few months after Harry was lost.
Stanley Fletcher
Stanley Fletcher was born in Rotherham in the last quarter of 1925, the son of Harold Fletcher and Eliza (nee Timmins). He lived at 103 Worksop Road, Swallownest.
Stanley joined the Merchant Navy and died on 16 October 1944 at Tilbury Seamans Hospital, Essex aged 19 years old.
Stanley joined the Merchant Navy and died on 16 October 1944 at Tilbury Seamans Hospital, Essex aged 19 years old.
William Edward Glasby - 946543
William Edward Glasby was born in Rotherham in the second quarter of 1919. he was the first of four children born to Albert Glasby and Agnes (nee Winks) who had married in 1918. His mother died in 1936.
He was a Gunner in the Royal Artillery with 125 Anti-Tank Regiment, service number 946543. The regiment had been formed about a year when in March 1941 they embarked on the P&O ship Strathaird for Middle East. However they returned to port after 10 days for repairs to the ship. As transportation was in such short supply the regiment were disembarked and their deployment cancelled. They were employed fire watching in Glasgow and then moved to Liverpool to aid in Civil Defence. On 28 October 1941 they set off from Avonmouth on the S.S. Oronsay and sailed for Halifax, Nova Scotia which they reached 11 days later. Straight away they transferred to the US troop ship Dickman and set off again travelling via Trinidad, where they were not allowed shore leave, and arriving in Cape Town, South Africa on 9 December. The war in the far east had commenced a couple of days earlier with the Japanese attacks whilst the men were still on ship. After 6 weeks on ship they were finally allowed four days shore leave in in the warmth of The Cape. They were soon on the move again crossing the Indian Ocean and arriving in Bombay, India two days after Christmas. After spending time in India they were embarked on C.P.R. liner Empress of Asia on 23 January heading further east. They didn’t know where they were going but the ships course looked like it was Australia until a sudden change in direction suggested Singapore. But Singapore was under threat from the Japanese invasion of the Malaya Peninsula. To supplement the anti-aircraft weapon every available machine gun was put into use to defend against possible low level air attack. The first air attack came on 4 February 1942, but the ship suffered no hits. The following day there were fresh attack and this time the ship received major damage which resulted in the order to abandon ship. Thankfully being close to land there was only one dead from the regiment. They had lost their equipment, belongings, some had lost clothes and most their shoes. The unit was given spare clothes and poor rifles and asked to take part in the battle for Singapore, but on 15th February Singapore surrendered and 125
Anti-Tank Regiment joined 80,000 other commonwealth troops falling into captivity.
William Glasby died after just ten months in captivity, on 28 December 1942. He was 23 years old and now lies in Kanchanaburi War Cemetery in Thailand (then known as
Siam), which is 129 kilometres North-West of Bangkok. The cemetery is close to the site of 'Kanburi', the prisoner of war base camp through which most of the prisoners passed on their way to other camps along the ‘railway of death’.
He was a Gunner in the Royal Artillery with 125 Anti-Tank Regiment, service number 946543. The regiment had been formed about a year when in March 1941 they embarked on the P&O ship Strathaird for Middle East. However they returned to port after 10 days for repairs to the ship. As transportation was in such short supply the regiment were disembarked and their deployment cancelled. They were employed fire watching in Glasgow and then moved to Liverpool to aid in Civil Defence. On 28 October 1941 they set off from Avonmouth on the S.S. Oronsay and sailed for Halifax, Nova Scotia which they reached 11 days later. Straight away they transferred to the US troop ship Dickman and set off again travelling via Trinidad, where they were not allowed shore leave, and arriving in Cape Town, South Africa on 9 December. The war in the far east had commenced a couple of days earlier with the Japanese attacks whilst the men were still on ship. After 6 weeks on ship they were finally allowed four days shore leave in in the warmth of The Cape. They were soon on the move again crossing the Indian Ocean and arriving in Bombay, India two days after Christmas. After spending time in India they were embarked on C.P.R. liner Empress of Asia on 23 January heading further east. They didn’t know where they were going but the ships course looked like it was Australia until a sudden change in direction suggested Singapore. But Singapore was under threat from the Japanese invasion of the Malaya Peninsula. To supplement the anti-aircraft weapon every available machine gun was put into use to defend against possible low level air attack. The first air attack came on 4 February 1942, but the ship suffered no hits. The following day there were fresh attack and this time the ship received major damage which resulted in the order to abandon ship. Thankfully being close to land there was only one dead from the regiment. They had lost their equipment, belongings, some had lost clothes and most their shoes. The unit was given spare clothes and poor rifles and asked to take part in the battle for Singapore, but on 15th February Singapore surrendered and 125
Anti-Tank Regiment joined 80,000 other commonwealth troops falling into captivity.
William Glasby died after just ten months in captivity, on 28 December 1942. He was 23 years old and now lies in Kanchanaburi War Cemetery in Thailand (then known as
Siam), which is 129 kilometres North-West of Bangkok. The cemetery is close to the site of 'Kanburi', the prisoner of war base camp through which most of the prisoners passed on their way to other camps along the ‘railway of death’.
Frank Guest - 1684645
Frank Guest was the first child of Frank Turner Guest and Mary Emma (nee Newell). He was born in Rotherham on 5 May 1923 and had a younger brother and sister. The family lived at 20 Turnshaw Ave, Aughton.
Frank was a Flight Sergeant (Air Bomber), service number 1684645 with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 514 Squadron flying in Avro Lancaster heavy bomber aircraft. He was stationed at RAF Waterbeach, which had been built on farmland at Windfold, north of Waterbeach village and adjacent to the A10 trunk road five miles outside Cambridge. On 11 December 1944, 150 Lancasters of No 3 Group were tasked on a daylight raid with attacking Osterfeld in Germany, 98 aircraft to target the railway yards and 52 aircraft on the benzol plant. Frank and his fellow crew member were flying in a Lancaster with serial number NG350 and squadron marking of JI-C, this aircraft was only delivered to the squadron on 19 November 1944 and with 11 flying hours this was its first key operation. The crew however are on their fifth mission following operations on 29 November to Neuss, then 2 December to Dortmund, 6th December to Merseburg and 8 December to Duisburg. Although their navigator was an experienced airman, already having served with 10 Squadron and won a Distinguished Flying Cross. Airborne at 0833 from Waterbeach the aircraft was hit by Flak and fell into a built up area of Sterkrade, destroying several houses, the only aircraft lost. Frank was killed, aged 21, with the rest of the crew and are all buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Kleve, Germany.
Note
Other members of the crew were:
F/O E Hill – Pilot - 185478
Sgt N A Readman - F/Eng. - 2221251
F/O R C A Cowles - Nav. - 156559
Sgt C E Atter - W/Op. - 1817884
Sgt J H Balman - Mid/Upper - 1852397
Sgt A G Bowen - R/Gunner - 1877102
Frank was a Flight Sergeant (Air Bomber), service number 1684645 with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 514 Squadron flying in Avro Lancaster heavy bomber aircraft. He was stationed at RAF Waterbeach, which had been built on farmland at Windfold, north of Waterbeach village and adjacent to the A10 trunk road five miles outside Cambridge. On 11 December 1944, 150 Lancasters of No 3 Group were tasked on a daylight raid with attacking Osterfeld in Germany, 98 aircraft to target the railway yards and 52 aircraft on the benzol plant. Frank and his fellow crew member were flying in a Lancaster with serial number NG350 and squadron marking of JI-C, this aircraft was only delivered to the squadron on 19 November 1944 and with 11 flying hours this was its first key operation. The crew however are on their fifth mission following operations on 29 November to Neuss, then 2 December to Dortmund, 6th December to Merseburg and 8 December to Duisburg. Although their navigator was an experienced airman, already having served with 10 Squadron and won a Distinguished Flying Cross. Airborne at 0833 from Waterbeach the aircraft was hit by Flak and fell into a built up area of Sterkrade, destroying several houses, the only aircraft lost. Frank was killed, aged 21, with the rest of the crew and are all buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Kleve, Germany.
Note
Other members of the crew were:
F/O E Hill – Pilot - 185478
Sgt N A Readman - F/Eng. - 2221251
F/O R C A Cowles - Nav. - 156559
Sgt C E Atter - W/Op. - 1817884
Sgt J H Balman - Mid/Upper - 1852397
Sgt A G Bowen - R/Gunner - 1877102
George Henry Hunt - 14292480
George Henry Hunt was the third child born to colliery labourer Willie Hunt and his wife of 6 years Sarah Hannah (nee Beresford). He was born in 1910 in Dinnington, location of the family’s home at 9 Clumbes Terrace, New Street, Dinnington. After leaving school he was employed at E Armstrong & Son (Builders), Aston. He lived with his wife at 35 Sheldon Grove, Lodge Lane, Aston.
He enlisted in the army in September 1942, and was a Private in the 1st Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), service number 14292480. The ‘Dukes’ fought in the Tunisian Campaign at the culmination of the war in North Africa. As part of First Army’s 1st Infantry Division it fought in the Battle of Medjez Plain, as well as the Battle of Djebel bou Aoukaz. The town of Djebel was taken on 27 April 1943, but was re-taken by German forces three days later after heavy fighting. On the 5 May, the British forces re-took the town from the Germans. George Henry Hunt died the following day on 6 May 1943, aged 32, a week before the cessation of hostilities. He is buried in Massicault War Cemetery in Tunisia, which is about 25 kilometres south-west of Tunis.
He enlisted in the army in September 1942, and was a Private in the 1st Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment), service number 14292480. The ‘Dukes’ fought in the Tunisian Campaign at the culmination of the war in North Africa. As part of First Army’s 1st Infantry Division it fought in the Battle of Medjez Plain, as well as the Battle of Djebel bou Aoukaz. The town of Djebel was taken on 27 April 1943, but was re-taken by German forces three days later after heavy fighting. On the 5 May, the British forces re-took the town from the Germans. George Henry Hunt died the following day on 6 May 1943, aged 32, a week before the cessation of hostilities. He is buried in Massicault War Cemetery in Tunisia, which is about 25 kilometres south-west of Tunis.
Eric Hardy - 4755630
Eric Hardy was born in Chesterfield in the second quarter of 1913. His father William Godfrey Hardy was a coal miner filler and lived with his wife of five years at 14 Back Lane South Street New Whittington Nr Chesterfield. Eric’s parents later lived at The Beeches, Worksop Road, Swallownest.
Eric Hardy joined the 2nd Wing, Glider Pilot Regiment, Army Air Corps where he was a Serjeant, service number 4755630. He is reported to have been killed in a flying accident in Devon on 31 May 1945, aged 32 years old. He is buried in Aston-Cum-Aughton Cemetery, and left a widow and two children.
Eric Hardy joined the 2nd Wing, Glider Pilot Regiment, Army Air Corps where he was a Serjeant, service number 4755630. He is reported to have been killed in a flying accident in Devon on 31 May 1945, aged 32 years old. He is buried in Aston-Cum-Aughton Cemetery, and left a widow and two children.
George Francis Johnson - P/MX 124965
MTB 5001
George Francis Johnson was the son of George Johnson and Gertrude (nee Farrington). George was in the Army and George Francis was born overseas.
He enlisted in the Royal Navy and became a Petty Officer Motor Mechanic on motor
torpedo boats. On the dark moonless night of 6/7 April 1945 the conditions were ideal for a surprise attack. With, the war was drawing to a close six German E-Boats sped from the Hook of Holland towards the Humber Estuary to make a final gesture of defiance in what would be the last naval in coastal waters. The striking force was detected off the Humber estuary by the radar of the frigate Cubitt which along with HMS Rutherford fired upon the E-boats fired upon them. HMS Cubitt then directed MTB’s 5001 and 781 to intercept the German boats. As 5001 steered west into the darkness, he sighted the enemy in column at right angles across his bows. MTB 781 just missed ramming the nearest E-boat and passing close astern, raked the enemy with gunfire. 5001 broke through the enemy's line, exchanging fire with E-boats to port and starboard before turning to engage at close range. Although badly damaged, the German boats returned fire, hitting MTB 5001, which caught fire and blew up, causing casualties. MTB 781 then skilfully manoeuvred bow-on in order to avoid the flames of the wreck, and 5001’s commander and his surviving crew were able to step aboard. George Francis Johnson died as a result of the sinking, he is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. He was 23 years old and his wife gave birth to their first child, a daughter, a few months later.
Notes
The other casualties of MTB 5001 were:
Able Seaman Albert W Gough - D/JX 306983, Died Of Wounds
Able Seaman Robert W Hooker - P/JX 327207, Died Of Wounds
The fleeing E-boats of the German 2nd Schnellboot Flotilla were intercepted by 22nd MTB Flotilla, who had been directed onto them by a radar equipped Wellington
aircraft. The E-Boats were in the following order: S174 (Lieut Stohwasser), S176 (Lieut Stockfleth), S177 (Lieut Bosenuik), S209 (Lieut Neugebaum), S210 (Lieut
Wiesheit) and S221 (Lieut Schneider), the action resulted in two of them being sunk.
He enlisted in the Royal Navy and became a Petty Officer Motor Mechanic on motor
torpedo boats. On the dark moonless night of 6/7 April 1945 the conditions were ideal for a surprise attack. With, the war was drawing to a close six German E-Boats sped from the Hook of Holland towards the Humber Estuary to make a final gesture of defiance in what would be the last naval in coastal waters. The striking force was detected off the Humber estuary by the radar of the frigate Cubitt which along with HMS Rutherford fired upon the E-boats fired upon them. HMS Cubitt then directed MTB’s 5001 and 781 to intercept the German boats. As 5001 steered west into the darkness, he sighted the enemy in column at right angles across his bows. MTB 781 just missed ramming the nearest E-boat and passing close astern, raked the enemy with gunfire. 5001 broke through the enemy's line, exchanging fire with E-boats to port and starboard before turning to engage at close range. Although badly damaged, the German boats returned fire, hitting MTB 5001, which caught fire and blew up, causing casualties. MTB 781 then skilfully manoeuvred bow-on in order to avoid the flames of the wreck, and 5001’s commander and his surviving crew were able to step aboard. George Francis Johnson died as a result of the sinking, he is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. He was 23 years old and his wife gave birth to their first child, a daughter, a few months later.
Notes
The other casualties of MTB 5001 were:
Able Seaman Albert W Gough - D/JX 306983, Died Of Wounds
Able Seaman Robert W Hooker - P/JX 327207, Died Of Wounds
The fleeing E-boats of the German 2nd Schnellboot Flotilla were intercepted by 22nd MTB Flotilla, who had been directed onto them by a radar equipped Wellington
aircraft. The E-Boats were in the following order: S174 (Lieut Stohwasser), S176 (Lieut Stockfleth), S177 (Lieut Bosenuik), S209 (Lieut Neugebaum), S210 (Lieut
Wiesheit) and S221 (Lieut Schneider), the action resulted in two of them being sunk.
Thomas Johnson - T/2765655
Joseph Jones - 3247402
Joseph Jones was born in Rotherham in 1921 to William Ewart Jones and Rosetta (nee Goldsborough) of 11 Falconer Road, Woodhouse Mill. After leaving school he was employed at Treeton Colliery.
Jospeh enlisted in the Army in 1939 and joined the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), service number 3247402. He later transferred to 6th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders which went to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force. As part of the 17th Infantry Brigade the Seaforth’s moved into Belgium on 11 May 1940 to counter the
German advance. They were almost constantly on the move, Brussels, Vimy, Seclin and then Ypres on 26th. On 27 May the battalion was involved in hard fighting and were withdrawn from the railway line south of Zillebeke to the west bank of the Ypres–Comines Canal. It was on this day that Joseph Jones died, aged 19, he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial.
Jospeh enlisted in the Army in 1939 and joined the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), service number 3247402. He later transferred to 6th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders which went to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force. As part of the 17th Infantry Brigade the Seaforth’s moved into Belgium on 11 May 1940 to counter the
German advance. They were almost constantly on the move, Brussels, Vimy, Seclin and then Ypres on 26th. On 27 May the battalion was involved in hard fighting and were withdrawn from the railway line south of Zillebeke to the west bank of the Ypres–Comines Canal. It was on this day that Joseph Jones died, aged 19, he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial.