Brampton Bierlow - part 1
George Cyril Ankers - 581136
George Cyril Ankers was born in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire in the second quarter of 1916, first child of George Ankers and Ann (nee Ward). Cyril attended
Wath Grammar School and York Training College, and was then employed by Mr A P L Maude (solicitors), Wath. His parents were to live at 15 Wath Rd, Brampton Bierlow.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force in June 1939, service number 581136, and was a Sergeant (Observer) with 82 Squadron. On 13 August 1940 twelve Blenheim Bombers of 82 Squadron, without fighter escort, were ordered on a daylight mission to attack the airfield at Aalborg West in Jutland, where it was thought 50 Junkers Ju 88s were massing ready for Eagle Day (the invasion of Britain), together with the troop carriers, Junkers Ju 52s. This was the limit of the Blenheims operational range, their loads were to be four x 250lb HE and eight x 25lb Splinter Bombs, to disable parked aircraft. On route, one bomber had to turn back due to fuel problems while the remaining eleven aircraft pressed on. When crossing the Danish west coast near Søndervig flying at 8,000 feet in a clear blue sky they were spotted by a German observation post and the flak at Aalborgwas alerted. What was not known to British Intelligence was that in addition to the planes already reported, there were also Messerschmitt Me 109E. Eight Bf 109E fighters of 5/JG 77 based on Aalborg East airfield were scrambled at 12:05 hours. The attack on the airfield started at approximately 12:15 and all eleven
Blenheim aircraft were lost to flak and fighters within 20 minutes.
Cyril Ankers was one of the three man crew of R3904, with squadron codes of UX-F, airborne 0840 from Watton, Norfolk the aircraft was hit by flak over the target and the pilot tried desperately to stay with the rest of the A flight when he was attacked by fighters. The pilot was hit in his left shoulder and was aware that both the Observer Sgt. Cyril Ankers and the Air Gunner had been hit and were either wounded or killed. He called for them to get out and opened the escape hatch over his head, and was sucked out by the airstream. The aircraft crashed north of Kongstedgård farm east of Aabybro. The pilot landed by parachute not far from the crash site where he was met by the local farmer Niels Vad. The pilot’s first question was: What time is it ? Shortly after a German motorcycle with sidecar arrived and took him away. The next day he was sent to Germany together with those other survivors who were not wounded. They were loaded in a JU 52 and taken to an airfield near Hamburg. At the airfield they were moved to a truck and taken to Dulag Luft near Frankfurt. He was then sent to Offlag IX A/H Schloss Spangenberg from where he was later moved to Stalag Luft III Sagan.
Sgt G C Ankers, aged 24 and the Air Gunner were laid to rest in Vadum Cemetery on 16 August 1940. These burials were two of the twenty No.82 Sqdn airmen killed on this operation. Vadum is a village in northern Jutland, Denmark approximately 7 kilometres north of the port of Aalborg on the north side of the Lim Fjord.
Wath Grammar School and York Training College, and was then employed by Mr A P L Maude (solicitors), Wath. His parents were to live at 15 Wath Rd, Brampton Bierlow.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force in June 1939, service number 581136, and was a Sergeant (Observer) with 82 Squadron. On 13 August 1940 twelve Blenheim Bombers of 82 Squadron, without fighter escort, were ordered on a daylight mission to attack the airfield at Aalborg West in Jutland, where it was thought 50 Junkers Ju 88s were massing ready for Eagle Day (the invasion of Britain), together with the troop carriers, Junkers Ju 52s. This was the limit of the Blenheims operational range, their loads were to be four x 250lb HE and eight x 25lb Splinter Bombs, to disable parked aircraft. On route, one bomber had to turn back due to fuel problems while the remaining eleven aircraft pressed on. When crossing the Danish west coast near Søndervig flying at 8,000 feet in a clear blue sky they were spotted by a German observation post and the flak at Aalborgwas alerted. What was not known to British Intelligence was that in addition to the planes already reported, there were also Messerschmitt Me 109E. Eight Bf 109E fighters of 5/JG 77 based on Aalborg East airfield were scrambled at 12:05 hours. The attack on the airfield started at approximately 12:15 and all eleven
Blenheim aircraft were lost to flak and fighters within 20 minutes.
Cyril Ankers was one of the three man crew of R3904, with squadron codes of UX-F, airborne 0840 from Watton, Norfolk the aircraft was hit by flak over the target and the pilot tried desperately to stay with the rest of the A flight when he was attacked by fighters. The pilot was hit in his left shoulder and was aware that both the Observer Sgt. Cyril Ankers and the Air Gunner had been hit and were either wounded or killed. He called for them to get out and opened the escape hatch over his head, and was sucked out by the airstream. The aircraft crashed north of Kongstedgård farm east of Aabybro. The pilot landed by parachute not far from the crash site where he was met by the local farmer Niels Vad. The pilot’s first question was: What time is it ? Shortly after a German motorcycle with sidecar arrived and took him away. The next day he was sent to Germany together with those other survivors who were not wounded. They were loaded in a JU 52 and taken to an airfield near Hamburg. At the airfield they were moved to a truck and taken to Dulag Luft near Frankfurt. He was then sent to Offlag IX A/H Schloss Spangenberg from where he was later moved to Stalag Luft III Sagan.
Sgt G C Ankers, aged 24 and the Air Gunner were laid to rest in Vadum Cemetery on 16 August 1940. These burials were two of the twenty No.82 Sqdn airmen killed on this operation. Vadum is a village in northern Jutland, Denmark approximately 7 kilometres north of the port of Aalborg on the north side of the Lim Fjord.
Notes
The following aircraft were also lost this day from 82 squadron: R2772 UX-T Flown by Sgt. D. Blair - all 3 crew taken as p.o.w.'s. R3800 UX-X. Flown by Fl/Lt. T.E. Syms - pilot and observer p.o.w.'s and the air gunner killed. R3802 UX-A. Flown by Fl/Lt. R.A.G. Ellen - pilot and observer p.o.w.'s and the air gunner killed. R3821 UX-N. Flown by P/O. E.R. Hale - all crew killed. R3829 UX-S. Flown by Sq/Ldr. R.N. Wardle - Pilot p.o.w. and the other 2 crew members killed. R3913 UX-M. Flown by C.W. Wigley - all crew killed. R1827 UX-H. Flown by Sq/Ldr. N.C. Jones - pilot and observer killed and the air gunner p.o.w. T1889 UX-L. Flown by Sgt. J.E. Oates - all crew p.o.w.'s. T1933 UX-C. Flown by P/O. D.A.J. Parfitt - all crew killed. T1934 UX-R. Flown by W/Cmdr. E.C. de V Lart D.S.O. (2) - all crew killed. The BF109 pilots of Gruppe II./JG77 made 15 claims for aircraft shot down on that day: Ofw. R.Menge 12:18 Ofw. R.Menge 12:20 Gfr. H.Esser 12:20 Ofw. R.Menge 12:21 Fw. W.Petermann 12:22 Gfr.R. Schmidt 12:22 Uffz. H.Fröse 12:23 Ofw. R.Menge 12:24 Oblt. E.Friedrich 12:24 Uffz. H.Eissler 12:24 Fw. W.Petermann 12:24 Oblt. E.Friedrich 12:30 Uffz. H.Eissler 12:30 Uffz. H.Fröse 12:31 Gfr. R.Schmidt 12:35 In Addition flak made four claims at 12:16,12:17,12:18 and 12:18. |
Eric Bell - 2764458
Albert David Brookes - FX/605894
Albert David Brookes was the first child of Frederick Brooks and Jessie
(nee Hanby), his birth being registered in Rotherham in the second quarter of 1922. He lived at 4 Knollbeck Lane, Brampton.
Albert enlisted in the Royal Navy, service number FX/605894 and became a Leading Airman. He was a trainee at the land base HMS Seaborn, one of the most interesting training schools under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan - No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. October 1944 was a bad month for prangs and
forced landings for the base. On 22 October 1944 there was a serious accident involving two Ansons flown by Pilot Officer J. N. Richardson, in Anson 11233, and Flying Officer G. Freese, in Anson 7146. There was a mid-air collision between these two aircraft and both of them crashed eight miles south west of Digby, Nova Scotia. All six persons in the two aircraft were killed, both pilots and also four trainees, including Albert Brooks who was 22 years old and now lies in Yarmouth (Mountain) Cemetery.
Note The other trainee casualties were:
Leading Airman FX/606923 John Bennett
Leading Airman FX/605203 Raymond Edgar Stanier
Leading Airman FX/614771 Henry Taylor
(nee Hanby), his birth being registered in Rotherham in the second quarter of 1922. He lived at 4 Knollbeck Lane, Brampton.
Albert enlisted in the Royal Navy, service number FX/605894 and became a Leading Airman. He was a trainee at the land base HMS Seaborn, one of the most interesting training schools under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan - No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. October 1944 was a bad month for prangs and
forced landings for the base. On 22 October 1944 there was a serious accident involving two Ansons flown by Pilot Officer J. N. Richardson, in Anson 11233, and Flying Officer G. Freese, in Anson 7146. There was a mid-air collision between these two aircraft and both of them crashed eight miles south west of Digby, Nova Scotia. All six persons in the two aircraft were killed, both pilots and also four trainees, including Albert Brooks who was 22 years old and now lies in Yarmouth (Mountain) Cemetery.
Note The other trainee casualties were:
Leading Airman FX/606923 John Bennett
Leading Airman FX/605203 Raymond Edgar Stanier
Leading Airman FX/614771 Henry Taylor
Jack Kenneth Buckley - 14262236
Jack Kenneth Buckley was the third child of William Ernest Buckley, who was a Shop Assistant Draper and his wife of 14 years Harriet (nee Duke ). The couple originally lived at 19 Cooperative St, West Melton and later moved to ‘The Manse’ West Melton. He attended Cambridge University and gained a B.A. Honours.
He enlisted in the army, service number 14262236, and was a Trooper with the Royal Armoured Corps. He died in Aldershot Hospital on 19 December 1943, aged 20 and was buried in West Melton Congregational Chapelyard.
He enlisted in the army, service number 14262236, and was a Trooper with the Royal Armoured Corps. He died in Aldershot Hospital on 19 December 1943, aged 20 and was buried in West Melton Congregational Chapelyard.
John Chapman - 4749934
John Chapman was born on 20 March 1918 in Rotherham to Charles Chapman and his wife of 9 years Beatrice (nee Braithwaite). In 1911 Charles worked on the railways and lived with this family at 3 Winterwell Rd, West Melton Yorkshire, although by 10 April 1918 when John was baptised at Brampton Christchurch the family lived at 210 Barnsley Road, Wath. Later they were to live at 50 Winterwell Rd, West Melton. After leaving school John was employed at Swinton Goods Yard.
He enlisted in 1940 and was a Private with 1st battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, service number 4749934. He died on 29 March 1943 of gunshot wounds in Egypt and had served in the Middle East just over a year prior to death. He was 25 years old and was buried in Fayid War Cemetery, Egypt, which is just west of the Suez Canal.
He enlisted in 1940 and was a Private with 1st battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, service number 4749934. He died on 29 March 1943 of gunshot wounds in Egypt and had served in the Middle East just over a year prior to death. He was 25 years old and was buried in Fayid War Cemetery, Egypt, which is just west of the Suez Canal.
Edward Crosland - 4745657
Edward Crosland was born in Dewsbury in the third quarter of 1915 to Hirst Crosland, who was a labourer in a quarry, and his wife of 10 years
Margaret Ethel (nee Barraclough). The family lived at 42 Jackson Lane, Morley, Leeds and later at 5 Webster's Yard, Banks Hill, Morley, Leeds. Edward’s father was killed towards the of the First World War on 9 September 1918. Edward resided at 4 Dearne Road.
Edward joined the Army in the Royal Artillery, service number 4745657, he was a Bombardier in the Royal Indian Artillery, 31 Battery, 11 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment. He died in hospital in India on 13 October 1944, aged 29 and is buried in Calcutta (Bhowanipore) Cemetery.
Margaret Ethel (nee Barraclough). The family lived at 42 Jackson Lane, Morley, Leeds and later at 5 Webster's Yard, Banks Hill, Morley, Leeds. Edward’s father was killed towards the of the First World War on 9 September 1918. Edward resided at 4 Dearne Road.
Edward joined the Army in the Royal Artillery, service number 4745657, he was a Bombardier in the Royal Indian Artillery, 31 Battery, 11 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment. He died in hospital in India on 13 October 1944, aged 29 and is buried in Calcutta (Bhowanipore) Cemetery.
Edward Crossley - 973446
Edward Crossley was born in Rotherham in the second quarter of 1918 to colliery joiner John William Crossley and Martha (nee Wood). The Crossley’s lived at 24 Chapel Avenue, Brampton having previously lived at 5 Longley Terrace, Worsbro Dale, Nr Barnsley. Edward worked at Cortonwood Colliery before going into the forces.
Edward became an Aircraftman 2nd Class in 266 Squadron Royal Air Force, service number 973446. The squadron were based a number of different bases in August 1940, Eastchurch on 12th, Hornchurch 14th and at Wittering later in the month. On 13 August, the day that Hitler had originally designated 'Alder Tag' (Eagle Day) for the invasion of Britain, the weather was mainly fair with early morning mist and slight drizzle in places and some cloud in the Channel. Eighty-four German bombers set out to bomb Eastchurch aerodrome in Kent, fifty of the aircraft got through and did considerable damage. Five Blenheim aircraft and all six Spitfires of 266 Squadron were total wrecked. Twelve people were killed with a further 26 badly injured. The airfield was rendered totally unserviceable, hence 266 Squadron’s move to Hornchurch. Edward was reported as ‘Died Of Wounds Received On Active Service’ on 14 August 1940, aged 22. He was buried in Brampton Bierlow (Christ Church) Churchyard on Sunday 18 August 1940. |
George Thompson Cutler - 4745819
George Thompson Cutler was born in Rotherham in the final months of 1919. He was the second child of George Henry Cutler and his wife Rhoda, who had married in Pontefract four years before. George latterly lived at Gate House, Wath Road, Wombwell, having previously resided in Brampton.
George joined the Army, and was a Gunner in the Royal Artilley, service number 4745819. His unit was 189 Battery., 67 Anti-Aircraft Regiment which by 1944 were in India/Burma part of IV Corps. In 1944 the Japanese sought to disrupt Allied attacks into Burma by launching an attack of their own, codenamed U-Go, against Imphal. This resulted in the epic Battle of Imphal. The IV Corps was surrounded by Japanese forces but eventually defeated their attackers. Supplies and reinforcements were flown in to help the besieged troops, while casualties and non-combatants were flown out. The siege ended on 22 June, when troops from IV Corps met the relieving forces from XXXIII Corps north of Imphal. From then until the monsoon ended later in the year, formations from IV Corps (the 5th Indian Division and the newly arrived 11th East African Division) cleared the Japanese from east of the Chindwin, and established several bridgeheads across the river. In November 1944, as the rains ended, Fourteenth Army prepared to make a decisive attack into Central Burma. In preparation for the offensive, several divisions were organised as motorised and air-portable formations. From October 1944 to early 19445 George’s 67 AA Regiment served as infantry.
George died in India on 22 November 1944, aged 25 years old and is buried in Imphal War Cemetery.
George joined the Army, and was a Gunner in the Royal Artilley, service number 4745819. His unit was 189 Battery., 67 Anti-Aircraft Regiment which by 1944 were in India/Burma part of IV Corps. In 1944 the Japanese sought to disrupt Allied attacks into Burma by launching an attack of their own, codenamed U-Go, against Imphal. This resulted in the epic Battle of Imphal. The IV Corps was surrounded by Japanese forces but eventually defeated their attackers. Supplies and reinforcements were flown in to help the besieged troops, while casualties and non-combatants were flown out. The siege ended on 22 June, when troops from IV Corps met the relieving forces from XXXIII Corps north of Imphal. From then until the monsoon ended later in the year, formations from IV Corps (the 5th Indian Division and the newly arrived 11th East African Division) cleared the Japanese from east of the Chindwin, and established several bridgeheads across the river. In November 1944, as the rains ended, Fourteenth Army prepared to make a decisive attack into Central Burma. In preparation for the offensive, several divisions were organised as motorised and air-portable formations. From October 1944 to early 19445 George’s 67 AA Regiment served as infantry.
George died in India on 22 November 1944, aged 25 years old and is buried in Imphal War Cemetery.
Albert Dove - D/KX 80472
Albert Dove was born in the last quarter of 1911, his birth being registered in Rotherham. His father, a coal miner, George Henry Dove had married Mary Elizabeth (nee Martin) early in 1911. Initially the couple lived with Mary’s parents at 21 Tingle Bridge, Hemingfield. Albert was married in Rotherham in the second quarter of 1935, he lived with his wife and daughter, who was born in 1938, at 6 York St, West Melton, Rotherham.
He enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1930, service number D/KX 80472, and became a Petty Officer Stoker. He had served on HMS Rodney, but by 1940 he was serving on HMS Glorious. Glorious was a Courageous-class cruiser completed in late 1916. After serving in the First World War it was paid off, but was rebuilt as an aircraft carrier during the 1920’s. In WWII she supported operations in Norway in May and June 1940. As part of the withdrawal 20 RAF fighters had flown on for transport to the UK, in addition to her fighters and 5 torpedo bombers of the Fleet Air Arm, HMS Glorious then departed for the UK. On 8 June 1940 she sailed independently with the destroyer escorts, HMS Acasta and HMS Ardent for Scapa Flow. Glorious reduced speed to 17 knots and, in an attempt to confuse enemy submarines, commenced zigzag. By 16:00 Glorious was in the fourth degree of readiness, i.e. at cruising stations, steaming at 17 knots on 12 of her 18 boilers. No aircraft were ranged on deck, nor were any in the air. Ardent and Acasta were disposed two cables (440 meters) on either bow. None of the ships were fitted with radar and the carrier had no lookout in her crow's nest. The sea was calm, with wind force 2-3 (approximately 6.5 knots) from the northwest, sea temperature 34°F (I°C), visibility unlimited. Two strange ships were sighted on the western horizon shortly after 16:00. Ardent was ordered to close and identify them, and a pipe was made for five Swordfish to be ranged on the flight deck. Action Stations sounded about 16:20. The two ships were the German battlecruisers Gneisenau and Scharnhorst who had sighted smoke on the eastern horizon at 15:46, and altered course to close the enemy. By 16:36 Gneisenau was making 30.5 knots and Scharnhorst was making 29 knots. Scharnhorst initially in the leading position, opened fire on Glorious at 16:32, range 28,600 yards (over 16 miles) and Gneisenau opened fire at 16:46. In accordance with instructions from Glorious, Ardent closed the enemy ships flashing a challenge on her searchlight and was fired on. Ardent withdrew, firing torpedoes, one of which was seen to pass close ahead of the Scharnhorst. Both destroyers made smoke to screen the Glorious. This smoke was effective enough to force the Germans to cease fire from about 16:58 to 17:20. Glorious received her first hit at 16:38 from Scharnhorst's third salvo. The 11 inch shell penetrated the flight deck and burst in the upper hangar starting a large fire. Splinters pierced a boiler casing and smoke entered air intakes. This caused a temporary drop in steam pressure from two boilers, but pressure was built up again as the smoke cleared. Further hits were obtained after 17:20 as the carrier once again became visible through the smoke of the screening destroyers. At 16:56, just before the Germans ceased fire due to screening smoke, a hit on the homing beacon wrecked the bridge, killing the captain and almost all of the bridge personnel. The Executive Officer assumed command of the ship. About 17:20 a hit in the centre engine room shook the whole ship, which thereafter began to lose speed, developed a starboard list, and commence a slow circle to port. The Germans ceased fire at about 17:40, and Glorious sank at about 18:10.
Albert Dove was lost on 8 June 1940, aged 28 and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
He enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1930, service number D/KX 80472, and became a Petty Officer Stoker. He had served on HMS Rodney, but by 1940 he was serving on HMS Glorious. Glorious was a Courageous-class cruiser completed in late 1916. After serving in the First World War it was paid off, but was rebuilt as an aircraft carrier during the 1920’s. In WWII she supported operations in Norway in May and June 1940. As part of the withdrawal 20 RAF fighters had flown on for transport to the UK, in addition to her fighters and 5 torpedo bombers of the Fleet Air Arm, HMS Glorious then departed for the UK. On 8 June 1940 she sailed independently with the destroyer escorts, HMS Acasta and HMS Ardent for Scapa Flow. Glorious reduced speed to 17 knots and, in an attempt to confuse enemy submarines, commenced zigzag. By 16:00 Glorious was in the fourth degree of readiness, i.e. at cruising stations, steaming at 17 knots on 12 of her 18 boilers. No aircraft were ranged on deck, nor were any in the air. Ardent and Acasta were disposed two cables (440 meters) on either bow. None of the ships were fitted with radar and the carrier had no lookout in her crow's nest. The sea was calm, with wind force 2-3 (approximately 6.5 knots) from the northwest, sea temperature 34°F (I°C), visibility unlimited. Two strange ships were sighted on the western horizon shortly after 16:00. Ardent was ordered to close and identify them, and a pipe was made for five Swordfish to be ranged on the flight deck. Action Stations sounded about 16:20. The two ships were the German battlecruisers Gneisenau and Scharnhorst who had sighted smoke on the eastern horizon at 15:46, and altered course to close the enemy. By 16:36 Gneisenau was making 30.5 knots and Scharnhorst was making 29 knots. Scharnhorst initially in the leading position, opened fire on Glorious at 16:32, range 28,600 yards (over 16 miles) and Gneisenau opened fire at 16:46. In accordance with instructions from Glorious, Ardent closed the enemy ships flashing a challenge on her searchlight and was fired on. Ardent withdrew, firing torpedoes, one of which was seen to pass close ahead of the Scharnhorst. Both destroyers made smoke to screen the Glorious. This smoke was effective enough to force the Germans to cease fire from about 16:58 to 17:20. Glorious received her first hit at 16:38 from Scharnhorst's third salvo. The 11 inch shell penetrated the flight deck and burst in the upper hangar starting a large fire. Splinters pierced a boiler casing and smoke entered air intakes. This caused a temporary drop in steam pressure from two boilers, but pressure was built up again as the smoke cleared. Further hits were obtained after 17:20 as the carrier once again became visible through the smoke of the screening destroyers. At 16:56, just before the Germans ceased fire due to screening smoke, a hit on the homing beacon wrecked the bridge, killing the captain and almost all of the bridge personnel. The Executive Officer assumed command of the ship. About 17:20 a hit in the centre engine room shook the whole ship, which thereafter began to lose speed, developed a starboard list, and commence a slow circle to port. The Germans ceased fire at about 17:40, and Glorious sank at about 18:10.
Albert Dove was lost on 8 June 1940, aged 28 and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.