Parkagte - Ashwood Road WMC
ALLOTT, R
BATES, E
HOWITT, L
PURDY, Rph
BATES, E
HOWITT, L
PURDY, Rph
Additional Details
Robert Allott (1436806)
Royal Air Force - Central Gunnery School
1 April 1944, aged 20
Martinet aircraft crashed into North Sea
Runnymede Memorial
Ernest Bates (1132044)
Royal Artillery - 61 Heavy Regiment
17 December 1944, aged 32
Died in Italy
Ravenna War Cemetery
Leonard Howitt (4741931)
York and Lancaster Regiment - 1st Battalion
9 June 1942, aged 35
Died on Active Service in India
Kirkee War Cemetery
Ralph Purdy (D/SKX 19)
Royal Navy - HMS Tynedale
12 December 1943, aged 23
Lost when vessel sunk in the Mediterranean
Plymouth Naval Memorial
Royal Air Force - Central Gunnery School
1 April 1944, aged 20
Martinet aircraft crashed into North Sea
Runnymede Memorial
Ernest Bates (1132044)
Royal Artillery - 61 Heavy Regiment
17 December 1944, aged 32
Died in Italy
Ravenna War Cemetery
Leonard Howitt (4741931)
York and Lancaster Regiment - 1st Battalion
9 June 1942, aged 35
Died on Active Service in India
Kirkee War Cemetery
Ralph Purdy (D/SKX 19)
Royal Navy - HMS Tynedale
12 December 1943, aged 23
Lost when vessel sunk in the Mediterranean
Plymouth Naval Memorial
Robert Allott - 1436806
Miles Martinet
Robert Allott was born in Rotherham in the second quarter of 1923, first child of Thomas Allott and Ellen Marjorie (nee Spragg), who had married in Rotherham 18 months previously.
Robert enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1436806, and he became a Sergeant. On 1 April 1944 he boarded Miles Martinet I serial number MS725 of the Central Gunnery School at RAF Catfoss, Yorkshire. A short time later the aircraft stalled on a turn and spun into sea 1 mile north of Skipsea, Yorkshire. The pilot and target towing operator (Allott) where both killed. Sgt Robert Allott was 20 years old and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Note
The other crew member was Leading Aircraftman A W S Stickler– 1135109 his body was washed ashore at Bridlington on 18 May 1944.
Robert enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1436806, and he became a Sergeant. On 1 April 1944 he boarded Miles Martinet I serial number MS725 of the Central Gunnery School at RAF Catfoss, Yorkshire. A short time later the aircraft stalled on a turn and spun into sea 1 mile north of Skipsea, Yorkshire. The pilot and target towing operator (Allott) where both killed. Sgt Robert Allott was 20 years old and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Note
The other crew member was Leading Aircraftman A W S Stickler– 1135109 his body was washed ashore at Bridlington on 18 May 1944.
Ernest Bates - 1132004
Ernest Bates was the fourth child of coal miner Harry Bates and his wife Susannah (nee Priest). He was born in Rotherhamin the second quarter of 1912 to the couple who lived at 71 Victoria Road, Rawmarsh. He was educated at Netherfield Lane Council School, and after leaving school was employed by Parkgate Iron & Steel Works Ltd. In late 1936 he was married in Rotherham to Edith Coucom and lived at 106 Victoria Road, although his wife died in 1942.
Ernest enlisted in the Army in 1941, service number 1132004, and was a Gunner with 61 Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery. He died in Italy on 17 December 1944, aged 32 and is buried in Ravenna War Cemetery.
Ernest enlisted in the Army in 1941, service number 1132004, and was a Gunner with 61 Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery. He died in Italy on 17 December 1944, aged 32 and is buried in Ravenna War Cemetery.
Leonard Howitt - 4741931
Leonard Howitt was born in Rotherhamin late 1907, the third child of Herbert Howitt and Emily (nee Smedley). The family lived at 119 Queen Street, Swinton where his father was a grocer. Leonard joined the Territorial Army in 1923 and transferred to the regular Army in 1926. After completing his service he was employed at Kilnhurst Colliery. He was married in Rotherham in late 1931 and lived at 30 Beartree Road, Parkgate, a son was born 1941. He was the Treasurer of Parkgate National Football Club.
Called up as a reservist at the outbreak of war, and became a Lance Corporal in 1st battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, service number 4741931. He served in France,Norway and India. He died on active service inIndia on 9 June 1942, aged 34 and is buried in Kirkee War Cemetery. The cemetery was created to receive Second World War graves from the western and central parts of India where their permanent maintenance could not be assured.
Called up as a reservist at the outbreak of war, and became a Lance Corporal in 1st battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, service number 4741931. He served in France,Norway and India. He died on active service inIndia on 9 June 1942, aged 34 and is buried in Kirkee War Cemetery. The cemetery was created to receive Second World War graves from the western and central parts of India where their permanent maintenance could not be assured.
Ralph Purdy - D/SKX 19
Ralph Purdy was born on 2 October 1920 in Parkgate, Rotherham, tenth of eleven children, all boys, born to John James Purdy and Clara (nee Woodcock). As a boy he attended Ashwood Road Council School. He joined the Royal Navy in September 1940, service number D/SKX 19. He was married in Rotherhamon 21 February 1943,
and lived at 30 Holmes Lane, Masbro.
Ralph was a Leading Stoker on H.M.S. Tynedale a Hunt class destroyer built in Goven, Glasgow and launched in June 1940. The ships main duty in 1943 was convoy escort, particularly in the Mediterranean. On 11 December 1943 the ship was part of the escort for Convoy KMS 34 from Philippeville, Algeria. The next day it was hit by a
Gnat acoustic torpedo from the German submarine U-593 in position 37.10N, 06.05E in the Gulf of Bougie at 06:00. Hit amidships on the port side by a single torpedo,
the ship broke in two but the stem section remained afloat long enough for some survivors to be rescued by the H.M. Indian Sloop Hyderabad and the tug Hengist. Others survivors were found six hours later in the water, totalling 82 in all. The official casualty list shows the 73 names of those who died, including Ralph Purdy who was 23 years old, he is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
and lived at 30 Holmes Lane, Masbro.
Ralph was a Leading Stoker on H.M.S. Tynedale a Hunt class destroyer built in Goven, Glasgow and launched in June 1940. The ships main duty in 1943 was convoy escort, particularly in the Mediterranean. On 11 December 1943 the ship was part of the escort for Convoy KMS 34 from Philippeville, Algeria. The next day it was hit by a
Gnat acoustic torpedo from the German submarine U-593 in position 37.10N, 06.05E in the Gulf of Bougie at 06:00. Hit amidships on the port side by a single torpedo,
the ship broke in two but the stem section remained afloat long enough for some survivors to be rescued by the H.M. Indian Sloop Hyderabad and the tug Hengist. Others survivors were found six hours later in the water, totalling 82 in all. The official casualty list shows the 73 names of those who died, including Ralph Purdy who was 23 years old, he is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Note
The U-boat was then chased by several escort vessels, but managed to sink H.M.S. Holcombe with another Gnat at 14:45 hours. At 00.30 hours on 13 December the U-boat was attacked by the Wellington aircraft MP816 of 36 Squadron whilst northeast of Bone, Algeria during a Swamp Operation. The aircraft approached the U-boat after a radar contact but the Leigh Light failed and it was hit in the port wing and tail plane by very accurate anti-aircraft fire. The rear gunner fired 600 rounds at the U-boat and a sighting report was made by the aircraft which landed safely at Bone. U-593 was forced to surface in the operations which lasted 32 hours and was then scuttled by its crew, who ironically were all rescued.
HMS Tynedale had encountered U-593 once before. On 27 March 1942 the Tynedale was part of the escort on Operation Chariot, H.M.S. Campbeltown’s attack on the dock at St Nazaire, France. Tynedale carried out gun attack on U-593 which crash dived. The submarine was subject to a depth charge attack after which it partially surfaced and then was engaged by main armament. The submarine heeled over and disappeared, but it had not been sunk and remained submerged for five-and-a-half hours until it was safe to return to the surface. It then sent a message to the German Command of its latest action at sea, but the message was so delayed and garbled that Operation Chariot continued undetected. This action by H.M.S. Tynedale prevented the U-boat from warning the St Nazaire garrison and helped the operation succeed.
The U-boat was then chased by several escort vessels, but managed to sink H.M.S. Holcombe with another Gnat at 14:45 hours. At 00.30 hours on 13 December the U-boat was attacked by the Wellington aircraft MP816 of 36 Squadron whilst northeast of Bone, Algeria during a Swamp Operation. The aircraft approached the U-boat after a radar contact but the Leigh Light failed and it was hit in the port wing and tail plane by very accurate anti-aircraft fire. The rear gunner fired 600 rounds at the U-boat and a sighting report was made by the aircraft which landed safely at Bone. U-593 was forced to surface in the operations which lasted 32 hours and was then scuttled by its crew, who ironically were all rescued.
HMS Tynedale had encountered U-593 once before. On 27 March 1942 the Tynedale was part of the escort on Operation Chariot, H.M.S. Campbeltown’s attack on the dock at St Nazaire, France. Tynedale carried out gun attack on U-593 which crash dived. The submarine was subject to a depth charge attack after which it partially surfaced and then was engaged by main armament. The submarine heeled over and disappeared, but it had not been sunk and remained submerged for five-and-a-half hours until it was safe to return to the surface. It then sent a message to the German Command of its latest action at sea, but the message was so delayed and garbled that Operation Chariot continued undetected. This action by H.M.S. Tynedale prevented the U-boat from warning the St Nazaire garrison and helped the operation succeed.