Swinton - Panel Right
John Mawer - 988997
John Mawer was born in Rotherham
in the fourth quarter of 1920, son of Harry Mawer and Clarissa (nee Hulley). He
was married in the third quarter of 1942 to Ivy Doreen (nee Hawley) in Holy Trinity
Church, Darlington.
The couple had a son in the fourth quarter of 1943 and lived at 73 Orchard Road, Darlington.
John Mawer enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 988997, and attained the rank of Sergeant with 104 Squadron. The squadron were based in Italy in mid 1944. On 12 May 1944 he was wireless operator on Wellington MF238 code F which was airborne at 11:42 from the large airbase at Foggia Main to attack Porto Ferrajo to prevent enemy off loading of war supplies.
The crew was a part of a continuous bombing operation on the German held Island of Elba, which had been bombed constantly for the past three days. After bombing the target the aircraft started back from Elba to home base at approximately 03:00. Suddenly a German Junker 88 plunged right for them, the attack disabled the Wellington. The enemy aircraft attacked again, then the third time and also a fourth. All panel instruments and tail assembly were shot away, a large hole was shot through the port wing and the portside of the aircraft was ripped wide open. In one of these attacks, the bomb bay doors were torn away. The rear gunner of Wellington retaliated with bursts of machine gun fire with each successive attack, but the extent of the damage to the JU-88 is unknown. Instantly following the final attack, MF238 went into a spin from a height of 10,000 feet down to 5,000 feet before the pilot was able to head his ship out into the open sea. Within ten minutes from the start of the spin the ship had crashed into the sea, with all members alive and still at their posts. Whether some of the men were killed instantaneously from the force of the crash never can be determined. The nose of the plane hit the water first. The pilot struggled from the submerged cockpit in time to see the inflated dinghy drifting away from the wreckage, he helped the bomb aimer who could not swim. The pilot was faced with the problem of sustaining the life of his friend or of sacrificing the dinghy, the lesser of which would leave all to perish together. He exhorted the bomb aimer to keep his head above the water until he could retrieve the now distant dinghy. Both men could hear shouts of the rear gunner and thought him to be in no immediate danger. There was no sign of the other crew members. The pilot retrieved the dinghy whilst the bomb aimer shouting: "For God's sake! Hurry up! I can't last!" as he clung to the wreckage of the plane. By the time the pilot had retrieved the small craft and headed back to the aid of his friend the bomber aircraft had plunged to the bottom of the sea, bearing with it the other crew members, but the bomb aimer was safe. At sunrise, the two survivors stripped their bodies free of damp clothing to warm up. At 06:00, a B-25 spotted the dinghy with the two survivors and radioed for assistance. The First Emergency Rescue Squadron received the word and their PBY, promptly took off from the Aspretto Sea Plane Base, Ajaccio, Corsica. Their orders were to search for a B-25 whose crew was circling the dinghy. Enemy aircraft hovered in the vicinity. The PBY, escorted by two P-38's, finally reached the dinghy, landed and taxied right up to the weary men, and assisted them into the ship and took off for their home base at 17:00.
John Mawer was 23 years old when he died on 13 May 1944, he is commemorated on the Malta Memorial.
Notes
Rescued:
Flying Officer Frederick E Sturmy J-29765, Pilot, RAF, Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada
Flying Officer Peter E Gooch 150395, ,Bombardier, RAF, Darnley, Birch Barn Way, White Hills, North Hampton, England
Missing:
Flying Officer Robert Mc Gill, Navigator, RAF, Paisley, Ontario, Canada
Wireless Operator John Mawer, Yorkshire, England
Rear Gunner Reg Banner, Birmingham, England
Details of the rescue mission
Date of Mission: 13 May 1944
Place of Mission: 41057' North 11011' East
Aircraft No 858
Crew by name rank and position:
Pardue, L. J Lt Col Pilot
Murray, T. F 2nd Lt Co-Pilot
Lonedale, J. K. 2nd Lt Navigator
Dillard Jack S/Sgt Engineer
Welling, Frank M/Sgt Ass't Engineer
Feinsinger, J Cpl Radio Operator
Whittamore, C. T. Cpl Crew Chief
Mc Donald, W. E Sgt Radar Operator
Wargo, J. Jr. Cpl Surgical Technician
Pilots Narative Summary Of Rescue Missions:
By Lieutenant Colonel, Littleton J Pardue, Pilot and Commanding Officer, 1st Emergency Rescue Squadron.
Airborne from Ajaccio 14:30 from standby patrol. Checking with Blacktop" at 4,000 feet over Cape Corse at 15:15 hours. Vectored 160 degrees at 15:22, five miles east of Bastia, altitude 2,000 feet. Vecotred 360 degrees at 15:52. At 16:02 hours position four miles south of Monte Cristo, vectored 110 degrees, heard aircraft giving fix over dinghy. At 16:08 vectored 120 degrees. At 16:15 vectored 180 degrees, At 16:20 vectored, 100 degrees. At 16:24 hours B-25 sighted at 2,000 feet. At 41057’ North 11011’ East, dinghy with two occupants beneath him. Fighter cover had not arrived so requested B-25 to stand by due to no Fighter cover while open sea landing was made. B-25 could not standby due to fuel shortage. Dropped smoke flair alongside dinghy. Landed in sea at 16:32. Transferred survivors to aircraft without incident. Fighter cover arrived 16:32 (2 P-38's), destroyed dinghy and airborne at 16:50. Survivors treated for shook, wrapped in blankets. Received permission from "Blacktop" to proceed to base 17:00 hours. Received permission and returned escorted by two P39's. Landed at Ajaccio at 18:10.
John Mawer enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 988997, and attained the rank of Sergeant with 104 Squadron. The squadron were based in Italy in mid 1944. On 12 May 1944 he was wireless operator on Wellington MF238 code F which was airborne at 11:42 from the large airbase at Foggia Main to attack Porto Ferrajo to prevent enemy off loading of war supplies.
The crew was a part of a continuous bombing operation on the German held Island of Elba, which had been bombed constantly for the past three days. After bombing the target the aircraft started back from Elba to home base at approximately 03:00. Suddenly a German Junker 88 plunged right for them, the attack disabled the Wellington. The enemy aircraft attacked again, then the third time and also a fourth. All panel instruments and tail assembly were shot away, a large hole was shot through the port wing and the portside of the aircraft was ripped wide open. In one of these attacks, the bomb bay doors were torn away. The rear gunner of Wellington retaliated with bursts of machine gun fire with each successive attack, but the extent of the damage to the JU-88 is unknown. Instantly following the final attack, MF238 went into a spin from a height of 10,000 feet down to 5,000 feet before the pilot was able to head his ship out into the open sea. Within ten minutes from the start of the spin the ship had crashed into the sea, with all members alive and still at their posts. Whether some of the men were killed instantaneously from the force of the crash never can be determined. The nose of the plane hit the water first. The pilot struggled from the submerged cockpit in time to see the inflated dinghy drifting away from the wreckage, he helped the bomb aimer who could not swim. The pilot was faced with the problem of sustaining the life of his friend or of sacrificing the dinghy, the lesser of which would leave all to perish together. He exhorted the bomb aimer to keep his head above the water until he could retrieve the now distant dinghy. Both men could hear shouts of the rear gunner and thought him to be in no immediate danger. There was no sign of the other crew members. The pilot retrieved the dinghy whilst the bomb aimer shouting: "For God's sake! Hurry up! I can't last!" as he clung to the wreckage of the plane. By the time the pilot had retrieved the small craft and headed back to the aid of his friend the bomber aircraft had plunged to the bottom of the sea, bearing with it the other crew members, but the bomb aimer was safe. At sunrise, the two survivors stripped their bodies free of damp clothing to warm up. At 06:00, a B-25 spotted the dinghy with the two survivors and radioed for assistance. The First Emergency Rescue Squadron received the word and their PBY, promptly took off from the Aspretto Sea Plane Base, Ajaccio, Corsica. Their orders were to search for a B-25 whose crew was circling the dinghy. Enemy aircraft hovered in the vicinity. The PBY, escorted by two P-38's, finally reached the dinghy, landed and taxied right up to the weary men, and assisted them into the ship and took off for their home base at 17:00.
John Mawer was 23 years old when he died on 13 May 1944, he is commemorated on the Malta Memorial.
Notes
Rescued:
Flying Officer Frederick E Sturmy J-29765, Pilot, RAF, Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada
Flying Officer Peter E Gooch 150395, ,Bombardier, RAF, Darnley, Birch Barn Way, White Hills, North Hampton, England
Missing:
Flying Officer Robert Mc Gill, Navigator, RAF, Paisley, Ontario, Canada
Wireless Operator John Mawer, Yorkshire, England
Rear Gunner Reg Banner, Birmingham, England
Details of the rescue mission
Date of Mission: 13 May 1944
Place of Mission: 41057' North 11011' East
Aircraft No 858
Crew by name rank and position:
Pardue, L. J Lt Col Pilot
Murray, T. F 2nd Lt Co-Pilot
Lonedale, J. K. 2nd Lt Navigator
Dillard Jack S/Sgt Engineer
Welling, Frank M/Sgt Ass't Engineer
Feinsinger, J Cpl Radio Operator
Whittamore, C. T. Cpl Crew Chief
Mc Donald, W. E Sgt Radar Operator
Wargo, J. Jr. Cpl Surgical Technician
Pilots Narative Summary Of Rescue Missions:
By Lieutenant Colonel, Littleton J Pardue, Pilot and Commanding Officer, 1st Emergency Rescue Squadron.
Airborne from Ajaccio 14:30 from standby patrol. Checking with Blacktop" at 4,000 feet over Cape Corse at 15:15 hours. Vectored 160 degrees at 15:22, five miles east of Bastia, altitude 2,000 feet. Vecotred 360 degrees at 15:52. At 16:02 hours position four miles south of Monte Cristo, vectored 110 degrees, heard aircraft giving fix over dinghy. At 16:08 vectored 120 degrees. At 16:15 vectored 180 degrees, At 16:20 vectored, 100 degrees. At 16:24 hours B-25 sighted at 2,000 feet. At 41057’ North 11011’ East, dinghy with two occupants beneath him. Fighter cover had not arrived so requested B-25 to stand by due to no Fighter cover while open sea landing was made. B-25 could not standby due to fuel shortage. Dropped smoke flair alongside dinghy. Landed in sea at 16:32. Transferred survivors to aircraft without incident. Fighter cover arrived 16:32 (2 P-38's), destroyed dinghy and airborne at 16:50. Survivors treated for shook, wrapped in blankets. Received permission from "Blacktop" to proceed to base 17:00 hours. Received permission and returned escorted by two P39's. Landed at Ajaccio at 18:10.
Douglas Parsons - 2079434
Douglas Parsons was born in New Zealand, arrived in England with his parents in 1932. Thomas William & Agnes Parson, Refton, Racecourse Road, Swinton. He was employed by Baker & Bessemers Ltd, Kilnhurst.
He enlisted in the Army in September 1939, service number 2079434, and was a Sapper with 580 Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers. He was posted overseas and was involved in the Greek Campaign. The Germans invaded Greece in April 1941 following a failed attempt by the Italians. The Germans swiftly advanced and over-ran the Country. Douglas Parsons died between 28 April and 16 July 1941, aged 20 and is buried in Phaleron War Cemetery.
He enlisted in the Army in September 1939, service number 2079434, and was a Sapper with 580 Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers. He was posted overseas and was involved in the Greek Campaign. The Germans invaded Greece in April 1941 following a failed attempt by the Italians. The Germans swiftly advanced and over-ran the Country. Douglas Parsons died between 28 April and 16 July 1941, aged 20 and is buried in Phaleron War Cemetery.
Alice Metcalf - W/137255
Alice Metcalf was born in Rotherham
in the second quarter of 1924, daughter of Ernest Metcalf and Gladys Mary (nee
Schofield) who had married in 1920. The family lived at 85 Brookfield Avenue, Swinton, and Alice was educated at Swinton Bridge
Girls School.
She enlisted in the Auxiliary Territorial Service in March 1942,service number W/137255. She was a Private and served with 537 Battery, 155 (M) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. Alice is reported to have died of appendicitis in a hospital in London on 8 September 1943. Her death was registered in Bromley, Kent, she was 19 years old.
She enlisted in the Auxiliary Territorial Service in March 1942,service number W/137255. She was a Private and served with 537 Battery, 155 (M) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. Alice is reported to have died of appendicitis in a hospital in London on 8 September 1943. Her death was registered in Bromley, Kent, she was 19 years old.
William Phillips - 955477
William Phillips was born on 15 July 1918, the son of William
Phillips and Ellen (nee Dale). He was married to Mary Ashton (nee Sharpley) in
the second quarter of 1942 and lived at The Farm, 32 Church St, Swinton. A son was born to
the couple in 1943.
William enlisted in the Army in 1939, service number 955477, and became a Lance Serjeant in 257 Battery, 65 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. He served in North Africa & Italy and was wounded, returning home blind. He died of the effects of the war at Montague Hospital Mexborough on 5 June 1946, aged 27 and was buried in Swinton (St Margaret) Churchyard.
William enlisted in the Army in 1939, service number 955477, and became a Lance Serjeant in 257 Battery, 65 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. He served in North Africa & Italy and was wounded, returning home blind. He died of the effects of the war at Montague Hospital Mexborough on 5 June 1946, aged 27 and was buried in Swinton (St Margaret) Churchyard.
Samuel Purcell - 2324964
Samuel Purcell was born in Wath, Rotherham
in the first months of 1902, son of Samuel Purcell and Rebecca (nee Hall).
Samuel senior was a coal miner and lived with his of wife of 11 years at 171 Doncaster Road,
Wath. Samuel was married in Rotherham in late
1923 to Frances Maud Hallatt, and the couple who lived at 77 Fitzwilliam Street, Swinton had four
children.
Samuel joined the Army, service number 2324964, and was a Driver with 107 Army Field Company, Royal Engineers. He went France and Belgium with the British Expeditionary Force, and during May 1940 when the German’s launched their blitzkrieg the BEF fell back to Dunkirk. Operation Dynamo, the evacuation from Dunkirk ran from 27 May to 4 June. On 29 May 1940 the naval forces lost a number of warships and also some civilian vessels. Most noticeable was the destroyer HMS Wakeful which was loaded with 640 soldiers, which was sunk by an E-boat with the loss of all but one of the soldiers.
Samuel was lost during the Dunkirk evacuation on 29 May 1940, aged 38 and is commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial.
Samuel joined the Army, service number 2324964, and was a Driver with 107 Army Field Company, Royal Engineers. He went France and Belgium with the British Expeditionary Force, and during May 1940 when the German’s launched their blitzkrieg the BEF fell back to Dunkirk. Operation Dynamo, the evacuation from Dunkirk ran from 27 May to 4 June. On 29 May 1940 the naval forces lost a number of warships and also some civilian vessels. Most noticeable was the destroyer HMS Wakeful which was loaded with 640 soldiers, which was sunk by an E-boat with the loss of all but one of the soldiers.
Samuel was lost during the Dunkirk evacuation on 29 May 1940, aged 38 and is commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial.
George Wilfred Pycroft - 1919967
George Wilfred Pycroft, known as Wilfred, was born in the final
months of 1916, first child of Frederick Pycroft and his wife of two years,
Emily (Beaumont).
His brother Ronald was born in1918 and the family lived at 21 Queen St, Swinton, but his father died
in the Royal Hospital,
Sheffield when he was just nine years old.
Wilfred was educated at Fitwilliam
Council School
and after leaving school was employed at Manvers Main Colliery as a joiner. In
1941 he married Marjorie (nee Burdon) in 1941, and a son was born in 1943.
Wilfred joined the Army in 1940, service number 1919967, and was a Sapper with 686 General Construction Company, Royal Engineers. He died in Algeria on 6 September 1943, a few months after the German surrender in North Africa. He was 27 years old and is buried in Dely Ibrahim War Cemetery.
Note
His younger brother and only sibling, Ronald was killed in 1940 (see below)
Wilfred joined the Army in 1940, service number 1919967, and was a Sapper with 686 General Construction Company, Royal Engineers. He died in Algeria on 6 September 1943, a few months after the German surrender in North Africa. He was 27 years old and is buried in Dely Ibrahim War Cemetery.
Note
His younger brother and only sibling, Ronald was killed in 1940 (see below)
Ronald Pycroft - 940529
Ronald Pycroft was born in Rotherham in the third quarter of
1918 to Frederick Pycroft and Emily (nee Beaumont)
of 21 Queen St,
Swinton. Ronald was the second child of he couple, his brother George Wilfred was born in 1916, but their father died in a Sheffield hospital in 1926. After leaving Fitzwilliam
Council School he worked for the
railways with LNER.
Ronald enlisted in the Royal Air Force in 1939, service number 940529, he was an Aircraftman 2nd Class. He was injured in an air raid on London on 20 September 1940, he was taken to the Royal Free Hospital, but succumbed to his injuries. Ronald was 22 years old when he died, and was buried in Swinton (St. Margaret) Churchyard on 28 September 1940.
Notes
His older brother and only sibling died in 1943.
Ronald enlisted in the Royal Air Force in 1939, service number 940529, he was an Aircraftman 2nd Class. He was injured in an air raid on London on 20 September 1940, he was taken to the Royal Free Hospital, but succumbed to his injuries. Ronald was 22 years old when he died, and was buried in Swinton (St. Margaret) Churchyard on 28 September 1940.
Notes
His older brother and only sibling died in 1943.
20 September was during the battle of Britain period, and reports from the 19th and 20th September are shown below:
Thursday 19 September 1940
Weather: Showery.
Day: Reduced activity, attacks mainly over Thames Estuary and East London.
Night: Raids on London and Merseyside.
Enemy action by day
Enemy activity was on a much reduced scale. There were no major attacks, but a considerable number of single enemy aircraft reconnaissance missions were made over South East England, South Wales and the Liverpool area, and also over convoys. It has been noticed that raids often appeared to originate in the Liverpool area without having been previously plotted. Furthermore raids are sometimes lost some 60 miles North of Milford Haven. During the day our fighters destroyed four enemy aircraft (plus one probable) and a Ju88 force landed complete with bombs and crew undamaged at Oaklington.
South and East
At 0950 hours a raid crossed the coast at Beachy Head flew North over London to as far as the Sutton Bridge area and was shot down near Newmarket at 1050 hours.
At 1045 hours one raid which flew to Harwich and North West inland was intercepted and shot down near a convoy off Orfordness.
At 1442 hours a raid appeared 60 miles South of Tangmere crossed the coast there and went North to Kenley, Northolt and the Wittering area, thence to Peterborough. Fighters followed this enemy aircraft, which was a Ju88 and which force landed intact at Oaklington, east of Peterborough, owing to engine trouble.
Throughout the day many single reconnaissances were active in the Kent and Sussex areas, two of which were destroyed by our fighters (plus one probable).
South West and West
In the morning two raids were plotted in the Liverpool area.
At 1930 hours, two raids appeared in the Liverpool area and at that time ten enemy aircraft were off the coast of Wales approaching Liverpool. The tracks of these raids appeared to have been completely lost between South West and North Wales.
At 2005 hours 13 raids, each of one single aircraft, came from the North West corner of the Cherbourg Peninsular and went inland from the Needles to Selsey Bill.
By night
At 1956 hours London received the "red" warning as raids commenced to come from the mouth of the Scheldt. They were flying at about 20,000 feet straight up the Thames Estuary to the London area.
At 2100 hours there were about six raids operating over London. A similar number of raids was in the Isle of Wight area, in Kent and in Wales, making a total of some 30 enemy aircraft inland with many more on their way.
At 2130 hours enemy aircraft were still crossing the coast in fair numbers, but only in the sector between the Isle of Wight and Harwich. The Wales area was clearing and enemy aircraft were going South to Devon and Somerset and at 2200 hours the West Country was practically clear and enemy activity was confined to Kent, London and the Thames Estuary, off the Suffolk and possibly the Sussex Coasts. During the night considerable enemy activity occurred in the East Anglian area.
At 0023 hours it was reported that a Dornier had crashed near Kenley as a result of AA fire.
Statistics
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours, 19th September 1940
Blenheim - 51
Spitfire - 211
Hurricane - 364
Defiant - 21
Gladiator - 7
Total - 654
Patrols: Own
During the night of 18th/19th September - 63 patrols involving 65 sorties.
During the day of 19th September - 108 patrols involving 237 sorties.
Enemy
It is estimated that about 275 enemy aircraft operated over Great Britain during the night 18th/19th September and 70 during the day of 19th September.
Balloons:
No report.
Aerodromes:
No report.
Home Security Reports
General Summary
Date: 19th September 1940
Enemy bombing activity on the 19th September was not so intensive as of recent days, but bombs were dropped in the London area and in Surrey, Sussex, Kent and Essex. A number of casualties were reported but damage was not severe.
During the night of September 19th/20th, London was again the centre of attack and there are reports of varying damage to buildings and communications. Bombs were also dropped in Cheshire, Lancashire and Lincolnshire.
Detailed Summary
RAF Stations
Scampton: Three craters were reported on the landing ground as a result of bombing at 0050 hours.
Lyneham: Two HE and on oil IB were dropped at 1610 hours resulting on a direct hit on one hangar. Eight civilian casualties reported.
Chivenor: Twenty-five IB were dropped at 2010 hours but damage, if any, not known.
London Area
Edmonton: Major damage reported on the night of the 18th/19th September. An unexploded bomb is suspected at De La Rue, Thomas & Co's factories, necessitating all production being stopped.
Battersea: The windows of the Projectile & Engineering Co of Acre Street, have been shattered and production held up in three shops.
Willesden: Bombing took place at 2156 hours on the 19th September and George Kent Ltd of the North Circular Road was hit but there was no damage to production machinery. However, and unexploded bomb is suspected in the East Wing.
Tottenham: It is reported that at 2250 hours on the 19th September, an HE struck an escape hatch of a public trench shelter situated in Lordship Lane. Reports so far suggest about 60 casualties.
Walthamstow & Hackney: These areas were machine-gunned at a low altitude at about 1455 hours on 19th September. No casualties nor damage reported.
It is reported that there are two unexploded bombs in the quadrangle of the War Office, a fire on the roof of the Foreign Office and a burst main at the Scottish Office. The two latter incidents have been dealt with satisfactorily.
As a result of HE bombing at 0219 hours on 20th September, Whitehall is blocked from Parliament Square to Whitehall Place.
Elsewhere
Liverpool: HE & IB were scattered over a wide area in the City on the night of 18th/19th September, causing damage to a church, private property, shops, gas, electricity and water mains. Fire was caused on the roof of the Electricity Power Station but it was extinguished and no interruption of supply was sustained. An unexploded bomb is reported in the Automatic Telephone Company's factory which necessitated sending 800 workers home.
Birkenhead: HE & IB damaged railway sheds and tracks near Morpeth Docks. A barge loaded with steel billets was sunk and a hydraulic main fractured.
Southend: HE were dropped at 1000 hours and seven houses were wrecked and several damaged. Electric, water & gas mains were fractured, the latter catching fire.
Tilbury Fort: Damage was done to the Military Quarters at 1025 hours but no details are available.
Lewisham: A parachute mine is reported to have been dropped at 0240 hours on the 20th September, in the grounds of the Ladywell Institution and evacuation of some 900 people is involved.
Friday 20 September 1940
Weather: Fair with bright periods, showery.
Day: One major fighter sweep towards London, otherwise reconnaissance only.
Night: Raids concentrated on London.
Enemy action by day
One major attack at 1100 hours by a force of about 100 enemy aircraft, consisting mostly of fighters, was made on East Kent with apparently London as the final objective. The attack was broken up and casualties were inflicted. Reconnaissance flights round the Coasts were also carried out.
During operations, four enemy aircraft were destroyed (plus one probable and two damaged).
Our losses amounted to seven aircraft, four pilots killed or missing.
North and North East Coast
One raid was plotted off the Aberdeenshire Coast in the afternoon.
East Coast
A reconnaissance aircraft off East Anglia reported on a convoy at 1600 hours.
South East Coast
From 0600 hours to 1030 hours enemy aircraft made reconnaissance in the Estuary, round North Foreland, Dover and westwards to Beachy Head.
At 1040 hours enemy aircraft started to mass in the Calais area. At 1100 hours a formation of 20+ aircraft at 15,000 feet apparently led in by a single aircraft at 21,000 feet, flew inland at Dungeness. Other formations of from 12+ to 30+ aircraft crossed the coast at Dover, Lympne and Deal, between 1100 and 1110 hours. One raid flew up the Estuary without crossing the coast.
The enemy aircraft converged on East London and the attack reached Biggin Hill, Kenley, the Inner Thames Estuary and Hornchurch. 20 Squadrons were detailed to meet the attack while four Squadrons were patrolling. The enemy turned back at 1135 hours.
Between 1300 and 1700 hours, various reconnaissances were made in the Straits and in the Kent and Sussex areas, penetrating in some cases inland up to 10 miles. Throughout the day observation balloons were flying over long range guns on the French Coast.
South and West
From 0600 to 1500 hours slight activity by single aircraft took place as far West as the Lizard. Three small raids were plotted off Anglesey in the late afternoon but they did not threaten Liverpool.
By night
At 1950 hours London Central received a 'red' warning. This was occasioned by raids of single aircraft from Le Havre crossing the coast between Beachy Head and Selsey Bill. Activity was on a very much smaller scale than on the previous night.
From 2100 to 2300 hours enemy aircraft started to approach in fair numbers from Cherbourg/Calais/Ostend entering this country over Shoreham and Dungeness and North of the Thames Estuary. The number of enemy aircraft operating soon diminished and at midnight the country was clear; London was given the 'all clear' signal at 0014 hours.
Minelaying activity was fairly certain off the North East Coast, St Abb's Head to the Tees, also from the Humber to the Norfolk coast as far as Cromer.
At 0100 hours a further stream of enemy aircraft started to come over Beachy Head and Dungeness from Dieppe, and London Central received a 'red' warning at 0119 hours.
Statistics
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours, 20th September 1940
Blenheim - 55
Spitfire - 237
Hurricane - 391
Defiant - 21
Gladiator - 7
Total - 711
Patrols: Own
During the night of 19th/20th September - 12 patrols involving 16 sorties.
During the day of 20th September - 124 patrols involving 540 sorties.
Enemy
It is estimated that about 200 enemy aircraft operated over or near our coasts during the night 19th/20th September and 150 during the day of 20th September.
Home Security Reports
General Summary
Date: 20th September 1940
Enemy activity again appeared to be on a reduced scale but the London area was penetrated by a few aircraft.
Counties in the South received some attention but very little material damage is reported save for road blockages. However, it is interesting to note that in nearly every case bombing was in the vicinity of major or minor railways.
London districts were again visited after nightfall and several serious fires were started in the South of the City including dock areas.
Detailed Summary
RAF Stations
Kirton: HE were dropped on the landing ground at 0213 hours. No damage reported.
Biggin Hill: IB were dropped at 2250 hours but the resulting fires were soon extinguished.
Sudbury: Bombs were dropped at 1019 hours near the RAF Wireless Station but no damage was reported.
Heston: A large explosion was reported at 2300 hours on the 19th, possible caused by a mine but confirmation of damage is not to hand. At 1210 hours on the 20th, an HE bomb exploded killing 6 men of the BD Section RE and further UxBs were discovered near All Tools Factory and Firestone Tyre & Rubber Factory. Both factories have been evacuated.
London Area
Southwark: HE & IB were dropped at 2145 hours resulting in damage to telephone, gas and water mains.
The railway bridge collapsed blocking Gt Suffolk Street and Pocock Street. Holborn Viaduct Station and St Paul's Southern Railway Station have been closed. Fire reported at HM Stationery Office.
Bermondsey: Major damage reported and fires from Dock Head to London Bridge, including Kitchen's Wharf, Shad Thames.
Camberwell: A land mine exploded at Waterloo Square, Lomond Grove, damaging a block of flats where many casualties are reported.
Lambeth Palace: It has now been reported that the Palace has been damaged by HE.
The following firms are known to have been affected by the fires:
Spillers Ltd, Mill Street
Hay's Wharf
Scott's Wharf
Mark Brown's Wharf, Tooley Street
Kitchen's Wharf, Shad Thames
Yardleys, Braddon Street
Talbot & Lugg, Tower Bridge Road.
Elsewhere
Brighton: HE were dropped at 1155 hours near the viaduct on the Lewes Road. Eleven persons were killed and several injured. Water supply will be affected for a short time.
Hastings: Several small fires were quickly dealt with and caused no damage. An unexploded bomb has stopped railway service between Hastings and Rye.
Thames Board Milles: Suspected unexploded bomb resulted in the evacuation of the works and the main railway line has been closed.
Skinningrove: It is reported that full production has now been resumed but the estimated loss of production, up to 0600 hours on the 20th, is - Pig-iron 460 tons and Finished Steel 1150 tons.
Thursday 19 September 1940
Weather: Showery.
Day: Reduced activity, attacks mainly over Thames Estuary and East London.
Night: Raids on London and Merseyside.
Enemy action by day
Enemy activity was on a much reduced scale. There were no major attacks, but a considerable number of single enemy aircraft reconnaissance missions were made over South East England, South Wales and the Liverpool area, and also over convoys. It has been noticed that raids often appeared to originate in the Liverpool area without having been previously plotted. Furthermore raids are sometimes lost some 60 miles North of Milford Haven. During the day our fighters destroyed four enemy aircraft (plus one probable) and a Ju88 force landed complete with bombs and crew undamaged at Oaklington.
South and East
At 0950 hours a raid crossed the coast at Beachy Head flew North over London to as far as the Sutton Bridge area and was shot down near Newmarket at 1050 hours.
At 1045 hours one raid which flew to Harwich and North West inland was intercepted and shot down near a convoy off Orfordness.
At 1442 hours a raid appeared 60 miles South of Tangmere crossed the coast there and went North to Kenley, Northolt and the Wittering area, thence to Peterborough. Fighters followed this enemy aircraft, which was a Ju88 and which force landed intact at Oaklington, east of Peterborough, owing to engine trouble.
Throughout the day many single reconnaissances were active in the Kent and Sussex areas, two of which were destroyed by our fighters (plus one probable).
South West and West
In the morning two raids were plotted in the Liverpool area.
At 1930 hours, two raids appeared in the Liverpool area and at that time ten enemy aircraft were off the coast of Wales approaching Liverpool. The tracks of these raids appeared to have been completely lost between South West and North Wales.
At 2005 hours 13 raids, each of one single aircraft, came from the North West corner of the Cherbourg Peninsular and went inland from the Needles to Selsey Bill.
By night
At 1956 hours London received the "red" warning as raids commenced to come from the mouth of the Scheldt. They were flying at about 20,000 feet straight up the Thames Estuary to the London area.
At 2100 hours there were about six raids operating over London. A similar number of raids was in the Isle of Wight area, in Kent and in Wales, making a total of some 30 enemy aircraft inland with many more on their way.
At 2130 hours enemy aircraft were still crossing the coast in fair numbers, but only in the sector between the Isle of Wight and Harwich. The Wales area was clearing and enemy aircraft were going South to Devon and Somerset and at 2200 hours the West Country was practically clear and enemy activity was confined to Kent, London and the Thames Estuary, off the Suffolk and possibly the Sussex Coasts. During the night considerable enemy activity occurred in the East Anglian area.
At 0023 hours it was reported that a Dornier had crashed near Kenley as a result of AA fire.
Statistics
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours, 19th September 1940
Blenheim - 51
Spitfire - 211
Hurricane - 364
Defiant - 21
Gladiator - 7
Total - 654
Patrols: Own
During the night of 18th/19th September - 63 patrols involving 65 sorties.
During the day of 19th September - 108 patrols involving 237 sorties.
Enemy
It is estimated that about 275 enemy aircraft operated over Great Britain during the night 18th/19th September and 70 during the day of 19th September.
Balloons:
No report.
Aerodromes:
No report.
Home Security Reports
General Summary
Date: 19th September 1940
Enemy bombing activity on the 19th September was not so intensive as of recent days, but bombs were dropped in the London area and in Surrey, Sussex, Kent and Essex. A number of casualties were reported but damage was not severe.
During the night of September 19th/20th, London was again the centre of attack and there are reports of varying damage to buildings and communications. Bombs were also dropped in Cheshire, Lancashire and Lincolnshire.
Detailed Summary
RAF Stations
Scampton: Three craters were reported on the landing ground as a result of bombing at 0050 hours.
Lyneham: Two HE and on oil IB were dropped at 1610 hours resulting on a direct hit on one hangar. Eight civilian casualties reported.
Chivenor: Twenty-five IB were dropped at 2010 hours but damage, if any, not known.
London Area
Edmonton: Major damage reported on the night of the 18th/19th September. An unexploded bomb is suspected at De La Rue, Thomas & Co's factories, necessitating all production being stopped.
Battersea: The windows of the Projectile & Engineering Co of Acre Street, have been shattered and production held up in three shops.
Willesden: Bombing took place at 2156 hours on the 19th September and George Kent Ltd of the North Circular Road was hit but there was no damage to production machinery. However, and unexploded bomb is suspected in the East Wing.
Tottenham: It is reported that at 2250 hours on the 19th September, an HE struck an escape hatch of a public trench shelter situated in Lordship Lane. Reports so far suggest about 60 casualties.
Walthamstow & Hackney: These areas were machine-gunned at a low altitude at about 1455 hours on 19th September. No casualties nor damage reported.
It is reported that there are two unexploded bombs in the quadrangle of the War Office, a fire on the roof of the Foreign Office and a burst main at the Scottish Office. The two latter incidents have been dealt with satisfactorily.
As a result of HE bombing at 0219 hours on 20th September, Whitehall is blocked from Parliament Square to Whitehall Place.
Elsewhere
Liverpool: HE & IB were scattered over a wide area in the City on the night of 18th/19th September, causing damage to a church, private property, shops, gas, electricity and water mains. Fire was caused on the roof of the Electricity Power Station but it was extinguished and no interruption of supply was sustained. An unexploded bomb is reported in the Automatic Telephone Company's factory which necessitated sending 800 workers home.
Birkenhead: HE & IB damaged railway sheds and tracks near Morpeth Docks. A barge loaded with steel billets was sunk and a hydraulic main fractured.
Southend: HE were dropped at 1000 hours and seven houses were wrecked and several damaged. Electric, water & gas mains were fractured, the latter catching fire.
Tilbury Fort: Damage was done to the Military Quarters at 1025 hours but no details are available.
Lewisham: A parachute mine is reported to have been dropped at 0240 hours on the 20th September, in the grounds of the Ladywell Institution and evacuation of some 900 people is involved.
Friday 20 September 1940
Weather: Fair with bright periods, showery.
Day: One major fighter sweep towards London, otherwise reconnaissance only.
Night: Raids concentrated on London.
Enemy action by day
One major attack at 1100 hours by a force of about 100 enemy aircraft, consisting mostly of fighters, was made on East Kent with apparently London as the final objective. The attack was broken up and casualties were inflicted. Reconnaissance flights round the Coasts were also carried out.
During operations, four enemy aircraft were destroyed (plus one probable and two damaged).
Our losses amounted to seven aircraft, four pilots killed or missing.
North and North East Coast
One raid was plotted off the Aberdeenshire Coast in the afternoon.
East Coast
A reconnaissance aircraft off East Anglia reported on a convoy at 1600 hours.
South East Coast
From 0600 hours to 1030 hours enemy aircraft made reconnaissance in the Estuary, round North Foreland, Dover and westwards to Beachy Head.
At 1040 hours enemy aircraft started to mass in the Calais area. At 1100 hours a formation of 20+ aircraft at 15,000 feet apparently led in by a single aircraft at 21,000 feet, flew inland at Dungeness. Other formations of from 12+ to 30+ aircraft crossed the coast at Dover, Lympne and Deal, between 1100 and 1110 hours. One raid flew up the Estuary without crossing the coast.
The enemy aircraft converged on East London and the attack reached Biggin Hill, Kenley, the Inner Thames Estuary and Hornchurch. 20 Squadrons were detailed to meet the attack while four Squadrons were patrolling. The enemy turned back at 1135 hours.
Between 1300 and 1700 hours, various reconnaissances were made in the Straits and in the Kent and Sussex areas, penetrating in some cases inland up to 10 miles. Throughout the day observation balloons were flying over long range guns on the French Coast.
South and West
From 0600 to 1500 hours slight activity by single aircraft took place as far West as the Lizard. Three small raids were plotted off Anglesey in the late afternoon but they did not threaten Liverpool.
By night
At 1950 hours London Central received a 'red' warning. This was occasioned by raids of single aircraft from Le Havre crossing the coast between Beachy Head and Selsey Bill. Activity was on a very much smaller scale than on the previous night.
From 2100 to 2300 hours enemy aircraft started to approach in fair numbers from Cherbourg/Calais/Ostend entering this country over Shoreham and Dungeness and North of the Thames Estuary. The number of enemy aircraft operating soon diminished and at midnight the country was clear; London was given the 'all clear' signal at 0014 hours.
Minelaying activity was fairly certain off the North East Coast, St Abb's Head to the Tees, also from the Humber to the Norfolk coast as far as Cromer.
At 0100 hours a further stream of enemy aircraft started to come over Beachy Head and Dungeness from Dieppe, and London Central received a 'red' warning at 0119 hours.
Statistics
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours, 20th September 1940
Blenheim - 55
Spitfire - 237
Hurricane - 391
Defiant - 21
Gladiator - 7
Total - 711
Patrols: Own
During the night of 19th/20th September - 12 patrols involving 16 sorties.
During the day of 20th September - 124 patrols involving 540 sorties.
Enemy
It is estimated that about 200 enemy aircraft operated over or near our coasts during the night 19th/20th September and 150 during the day of 20th September.
Home Security Reports
General Summary
Date: 20th September 1940
Enemy activity again appeared to be on a reduced scale but the London area was penetrated by a few aircraft.
Counties in the South received some attention but very little material damage is reported save for road blockages. However, it is interesting to note that in nearly every case bombing was in the vicinity of major or minor railways.
London districts were again visited after nightfall and several serious fires were started in the South of the City including dock areas.
Detailed Summary
RAF Stations
Kirton: HE were dropped on the landing ground at 0213 hours. No damage reported.
Biggin Hill: IB were dropped at 2250 hours but the resulting fires were soon extinguished.
Sudbury: Bombs were dropped at 1019 hours near the RAF Wireless Station but no damage was reported.
Heston: A large explosion was reported at 2300 hours on the 19th, possible caused by a mine but confirmation of damage is not to hand. At 1210 hours on the 20th, an HE bomb exploded killing 6 men of the BD Section RE and further UxBs were discovered near All Tools Factory and Firestone Tyre & Rubber Factory. Both factories have been evacuated.
London Area
Southwark: HE & IB were dropped at 2145 hours resulting in damage to telephone, gas and water mains.
The railway bridge collapsed blocking Gt Suffolk Street and Pocock Street. Holborn Viaduct Station and St Paul's Southern Railway Station have been closed. Fire reported at HM Stationery Office.
Bermondsey: Major damage reported and fires from Dock Head to London Bridge, including Kitchen's Wharf, Shad Thames.
Camberwell: A land mine exploded at Waterloo Square, Lomond Grove, damaging a block of flats where many casualties are reported.
Lambeth Palace: It has now been reported that the Palace has been damaged by HE.
The following firms are known to have been affected by the fires:
Spillers Ltd, Mill Street
Hay's Wharf
Scott's Wharf
Mark Brown's Wharf, Tooley Street
Kitchen's Wharf, Shad Thames
Yardleys, Braddon Street
Talbot & Lugg, Tower Bridge Road.
Elsewhere
Brighton: HE were dropped at 1155 hours near the viaduct on the Lewes Road. Eleven persons were killed and several injured. Water supply will be affected for a short time.
Hastings: Several small fires were quickly dealt with and caused no damage. An unexploded bomb has stopped railway service between Hastings and Rye.
Thames Board Milles: Suspected unexploded bomb resulted in the evacuation of the works and the main railway line has been closed.
Skinningrove: It is reported that full production has now been resumed but the estimated loss of production, up to 0600 hours on the 20th, is - Pig-iron 460 tons and Finished Steel 1150 tons.
Stanley Thomas Sands
Stanley Thomas Sands was born on 19 March 1912, his birth was registered in Barnsley as Thomas Stanley Sands. His parents coal miner Thomas Sands and Alice (nee Mattocks) had married in Barnsley in 1907 and by 1911 were living at 49 Bartholomew Street, Wombwell. Stanley was their third, of six children. He was married in the first quarter of 1941, the marriage registered in the Rother Valley registration district. He lived with his wife and son, who was born in 1943, at 49 Brookfield Avenue, Swinton.
Stanley joined the Merchant Navy when was 15 years old and transferred to Royal Engineers at the outbreak of war, and then transferred back to Merchant Navy in 1941. He was a Fierman and Trimmer on the Reynolds a 5,113 ton steam ship registered in London. The Reynolds left New York on 27 August 1942 as part of convoy NG300 and arrived in Guantanamo, Cuba on 3 September and then sailed on with Convoy GAT2 to Trinidad, where it arrived on 10 September 1942. It had a cargo of military stores and its ultimate destination was Karachi, India. It sailed via Durban in South Africa and was sailing unescorted. At 17:18 on 31 October 1942, the Reynolds was hit by two torpedoes from U-504 about 210 miles east of Durban. She was hit amidships and in the stern, capsized and sank within seconds at 30.02S, 35.02E. The Germans questioned the few survivors and they told them that the ship was the Reynolds en route from Durban to India with general cargo. However, no survivors were ever found and it was first assumed that the ship had been sunk by a raider in about 29°S/41°E.
Stanley Thomas Sands was 30 years old and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial.
Stanley joined the Merchant Navy when was 15 years old and transferred to Royal Engineers at the outbreak of war, and then transferred back to Merchant Navy in 1941. He was a Fierman and Trimmer on the Reynolds a 5,113 ton steam ship registered in London. The Reynolds left New York on 27 August 1942 as part of convoy NG300 and arrived in Guantanamo, Cuba on 3 September and then sailed on with Convoy GAT2 to Trinidad, where it arrived on 10 September 1942. It had a cargo of military stores and its ultimate destination was Karachi, India. It sailed via Durban in South Africa and was sailing unescorted. At 17:18 on 31 October 1942, the Reynolds was hit by two torpedoes from U-504 about 210 miles east of Durban. She was hit amidships and in the stern, capsized and sank within seconds at 30.02S, 35.02E. The Germans questioned the few survivors and they told them that the ship was the Reynolds en route from Durban to India with general cargo. However, no survivors were ever found and it was first assumed that the ship had been sunk by a raider in about 29°S/41°E.
Stanley Thomas Sands was 30 years old and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial.
Wilfred James Simms - 14680789
Wilfred James Simms was born in Rotherham in the third quarter of 1917 Samuel Simms and Jane (nee Spencer). He was married to Violet (nee Whitehouse) in 1940 and a daughter was born a couple of years later.
Wilfred joined the Army, service number 14680789, and became a Corporal with 7th Battalion, Green Howards. The unit, part of 50th Northumbrian Division’s 69th Infantry Brigade came ashore in Normandy of D-day, 6 June 1944. It then got involved in the long Normandy Campaign, and in particular the battle for Caen. Wilfred died on 7 July 1944, aged 27 and is buried in Hottot-Les-Bagues War Cemetery. In the London Gazette of 22 March 1945 was published the notice of mentioned in despatches, ‘The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe: 14680789 Corpl. (actg.) W. J. Simms.’ |
William Speight - D/JX 565496
William Speight was born in Rotherham in the third quarter
of 1925, to William Speight and his wife of 17 years, Florence (nee Coupland). The couple who
married in Mansfield
were later to live at 55
Brookfield Ave, Swinton.
William Speight joined the Royal Navy, service number D/JX 565496, and was an Able Seaman. He was serving on the Halcyon-class minesweeper HMS Hussar. As the Allied armies advanced following the invasion of Normandy, the Hussar along with Britomart, Jason and Salamander were assigned to the 1st Minesweeping Flotilla (1MF) clearing Axis minefields north of Normandy to open additional ports to supply the advance. On the afternoon of 27 August 1944, they were sweeping off Cap d'Antifer in preparation for the battleship Warspite and monitors Erebus and Roberts to engage Le Havre coastal artillery delaying the advance of Canadian troops. The headquarters officer assigning the minesweeping project to 1MF neglected to inform the Flag Officer British Assault Area, who was responsible for defending the invasion beaches from E-boats operating out of Le Havre. 1MF was observed on a southwesterly leg of the minesweeping operation and assumed to be German ships proceeding to attack Allied shipping off the invasion beaches. The Admiral's staff requested No. 263 Squadron RAF and No. 266 Squadron RAF to attack the presumed enemy ships. The squadrons responded with 16 Typhoons armed with 20 mm cannon and High Explosive "60 lb" RP-3 unguided rockets. RAF pilots identified 1MF as apparently friendly shipping, but upon questioning their orders were told the Royal Navy had no ships in the area. In a well-executed attack out of the sun at 13:30, the Typhoons sank Hussar and Britomart; and Salamander was damaged far beyond economical repair and written off as a constructive total loss. Eighty-six British sailors were killed and 124 more were injured. 1MF identified the Typhoons as friendly, and poor visibility into the sun prevented early recognition of the impending "friendly fire".
William died on 27 August 1944, aged 19 years old, and is commemorated on Plymouth Naval Memorial.
William Speight joined the Royal Navy, service number D/JX 565496, and was an Able Seaman. He was serving on the Halcyon-class minesweeper HMS Hussar. As the Allied armies advanced following the invasion of Normandy, the Hussar along with Britomart, Jason and Salamander were assigned to the 1st Minesweeping Flotilla (1MF) clearing Axis minefields north of Normandy to open additional ports to supply the advance. On the afternoon of 27 August 1944, they were sweeping off Cap d'Antifer in preparation for the battleship Warspite and monitors Erebus and Roberts to engage Le Havre coastal artillery delaying the advance of Canadian troops. The headquarters officer assigning the minesweeping project to 1MF neglected to inform the Flag Officer British Assault Area, who was responsible for defending the invasion beaches from E-boats operating out of Le Havre. 1MF was observed on a southwesterly leg of the minesweeping operation and assumed to be German ships proceeding to attack Allied shipping off the invasion beaches. The Admiral's staff requested No. 263 Squadron RAF and No. 266 Squadron RAF to attack the presumed enemy ships. The squadrons responded with 16 Typhoons armed with 20 mm cannon and High Explosive "60 lb" RP-3 unguided rockets. RAF pilots identified 1MF as apparently friendly shipping, but upon questioning their orders were told the Royal Navy had no ships in the area. In a well-executed attack out of the sun at 13:30, the Typhoons sank Hussar and Britomart; and Salamander was damaged far beyond economical repair and written off as a constructive total loss. Eighty-six British sailors were killed and 124 more were injured. 1MF identified the Typhoons as friendly, and poor visibility into the sun prevented early recognition of the impending "friendly fire".
William died on 27 August 1944, aged 19 years old, and is commemorated on Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Wilfrid Trevor Taylor - 200654
Wilfrid Trevor Taylor was born in Rotherham
in the final months of 1919 to butcher Charles Willie Taylor and Lilian Mary Dormand.
His parents later moved to 50 High
St, Heckmondwike, where Wilfrid was a member of Heckmondwike
Tennis and Swimming Club. After leaving school Wilfrid was educated at Leeds University.
He was grandson of late Mr Edward V & Mrs Taylor of 150 Gilberthorpe St, Rotherham, and also
the nephew of Mr Arthur Hopkins, Oval
Rd, Rotherham. In
1943 Wilfrid’s two of his brother F/O P N Taylor & L/Cpl G D Taylor were
also serving in the forces, his third brother A D Taylor was in the ATC and was
awaiting his entry into the RAF.
Wilfrid joined the Army in 1940, service number 200654, and was a Lieutenant in 11 L. of C. Sigs., Royal Corps of Signals. His appointment to 2nd Lieutenant from Cadet was confirmed on 2 August 1941. Wilfrid was reported to have been killed in action on 12 April 1943, aged 23. He was buried in Bone War Cemetery, Annaba, Algeria. Bone was occupied by Allied forces on 12 November 1942 and became important as a supply port, and for its airfield. The 70th General Hospital was there during the early months of 1943.
Wilfrid joined the Army in 1940, service number 200654, and was a Lieutenant in 11 L. of C. Sigs., Royal Corps of Signals. His appointment to 2nd Lieutenant from Cadet was confirmed on 2 August 1941. Wilfrid was reported to have been killed in action on 12 April 1943, aged 23. He was buried in Bone War Cemetery, Annaba, Algeria. Bone was occupied by Allied forces on 12 November 1942 and became important as a supply port, and for its airfield. The 70th General Hospital was there during the early months of 1943.
Stanley Viccars - D/JX 141371
Stanley Viccars was born in Rotherham
in the second quarter of 1918 the son of May Viccars, and the stepson of James
Hodgson. He was educated at Fitzwilliam
Council School,
before joining the Royal Navy in 1934.
Stanley Viccars, service number D/JX 141371, was an Able Seaman 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.
Stanley Viccars died on 8 June 1940, aged 22 and is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Stanley Viccars, service number D/JX 141371, was an Able Seaman 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.
Stanley Viccars died on 8 June 1940, aged 22 and is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.