Thurcroft
Additional Information
Herbert Abrahams (D/JX 135969)
Royal Navy - H.M.Sub. Tigris 10 March 1943, aged 28 Lost when submarine was sunk in the Mediterranean Plymouth Naval Memorial British Empire Medal Wilfred Archer (7264819) Royal Army Medical Corps - 11 Field Ambulance 31 May - 2 June 1940, aged 20 Killed in France Dunkirk Memorial Frank Allcroft (4747404) Coldstream Guards - 2nd Bn. 30 May 1940, aged 21 Died in France Dunkirk Memorial Ernest Barber (4692798) King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry - 1st Bn. 10 June 1940, aged 21 Accident in Scotland Thurcroft Cemetery Alec Frank Clayton Merchant Navy - SS Caleb Sprague 31 January 1944, aged 26 Lost when vessel sunk in the Channel Thurcroft Cemetery Basil Drake (581325) Royal Air Force - 42 Sqdn. 22 December 1940, aged 20 Beaufort aircraft lost in training Runnymede Memorial Percy Fox (4540501) West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) - 1st Bn. 16 January 1944, aged 24 Died in Burma Rangoon War Cemetery Jesse Few (614026) Royal Air Force - 97 Sqdn. 24 November 1941, aged 21 Manchester aircraft crashed on a training flight Rotherham (Masbrough) Cemetery Andrew Horsfield (D/KX 103875) Royal Navy - H.M.S. Edinburgh 1 May 1942, aged 22 Lost when vessel sunk in the Barents Sea Plymouth Naval Memorial Reginald Thomas Cutts (4857376) Leicestershire Regiment - 1st Bn. 2 January 1942, aged 25 Killed in action in the Far East Taiping War Cemetery |
George Clement Horsfield (7883328)
Royal Tank Regiment, R.A.C. - 1st 4 November 1942, aged 27 Killed in action in the Middle East El Alamein War Cemetery James Leslie Johnson (4542825) Royal Artillery - Maritime AA - Steamship Peleus 13 March 1944, aged 28 Lost when ship was sunk Portsmouth Naval Memorial George Johnson (7901738) Royal Armoured Corps - The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards) 16 September 1944, aged 25 Died in Italy Coriano Ridge War Cemetery Christopher Walter Kelly (1623691) Royal Air Force 16 August 1943, aged 20 Accident in Canada Goderich (Maitland) Cemetery George Alfred Pearson (13034621) Royal Engineers - 1048 Port Operating Coy 3 August 1944, aged 31 Killed in action during the Normandy Campaign La Delivrande War Cemetery, Douvres George Robinson (2667271) Coldstream Guards - 5th Bn. 21 April 1945, aged 20 Died of wounds in Germany, less than 3 weeks before VE Day Becklingen War Cemetery Edward Wilde (1451051) Royal Air Force - 514 Sqdn. 23 April 1944, aged 23 Lancaster aircraft lost on a mission to Germany Reichswald Forest War Cemetery Arnold Weldon (51330) Royal Air Force - 101 Sqdn. 2 - 3 December 1943, aged 32 Lancaster aircraft lost on a mission to Germany Rheinberg War Cemetery Distinguished Flying Medal George Woodcock (5383484) Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry - 1st Bn. 16 July 1944, aged 29 Killed in action during the Normandy Campaign Brouay War Cemetery |
Herbert Abrahams - D/JX 135969
HMS Tigris
Herbert Abrahams was born in Mansfield in the third quarter of 1915. He was the son of William Abrahams and Mary (nee Shipman).
He enlisted in the Royal Navy, service number D/JX 135969, before the war and was awarded the B.E.M. whilst serving on the destroyer HMS Hunter in 1937. The ship struck a mine that killed eight members of the crew. By 1943 he had transferred to the submarine service and was serving on HMS Tigris. The submarine left Malta on 18 February 1943 to patrol off Naples. She was last sighted at 07:30 on 24 February, 39 miles from Capri. On the morning of the 27th, the German submarine chaser UJ-2210, escorting a convoy six miles south east of Capri, made contact with a submarine and carried out three depth charge attacks, the third attack brought oil to the surface and the contact was noted to be stationary. A fourth attack of fifteen depth charges brought a huge bubble of air to the surface. On 6 March, Tigris was ordered to Algiers but there was no reply to this signal. She failed to return to Algiers on 10 March 1943 and was declared overdue on that date. Tigris was most likely the submarine sunk on 27 February by UJ-2210. Herbert Abrahams was 28 years old when the submarine was lost and he is listed on the Plymouth Naval memorial. His date of death is listed as 10 March 1943, the date the submarine became overdue.
He enlisted in the Royal Navy, service number D/JX 135969, before the war and was awarded the B.E.M. whilst serving on the destroyer HMS Hunter in 1937. The ship struck a mine that killed eight members of the crew. By 1943 he had transferred to the submarine service and was serving on HMS Tigris. The submarine left Malta on 18 February 1943 to patrol off Naples. She was last sighted at 07:30 on 24 February, 39 miles from Capri. On the morning of the 27th, the German submarine chaser UJ-2210, escorting a convoy six miles south east of Capri, made contact with a submarine and carried out three depth charge attacks, the third attack brought oil to the surface and the contact was noted to be stationary. A fourth attack of fifteen depth charges brought a huge bubble of air to the surface. On 6 March, Tigris was ordered to Algiers but there was no reply to this signal. She failed to return to Algiers on 10 March 1943 and was declared overdue on that date. Tigris was most likely the submarine sunk on 27 February by UJ-2210. Herbert Abrahams was 28 years old when the submarine was lost and he is listed on the Plymouth Naval memorial. His date of death is listed as 10 March 1943, the date the submarine became overdue.
Note
The London Gazette 12 November 1937 announced the following: The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the Award of the Medal of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, to the undermentioned for gallant and distinguished services rendered when H.M.S. Hunter was 'mined off Almeria on the coast of Spain on the 13th May 1937' For Gallantry. Lieutenant Patrick Noel Humphreys, R.N. James Smail, Petty Officer, O.N. D/J 85547. For Meritorious Service. James Frank Collings, Able Seaman, "O.N. D/JX. 136346 Ernest Thomas, Able Seaman, O.N. D/SSX. 15572 Herbert Abrahams, Able Seaman, O.N. - D/JX. 135969 An explosion caused by the mining occurred underneath the Stoker Petty Officers' and Torpedomen's Mess Decks. To reach the ratings on these mess decks, this party had to jump down 8 feet, the ladder being blown away, into 3 feet of oil fuel and on to a deck which might not have been intact. During this period they remained in imminent risk of falling through the shattered deck into the water and oil fuel. Moreover, they were under the impression that the ship was about to founder. Their exertions to save life consisted in dragging living and dead men from under wreckage and out of the oil fuel and passing them up on deck. This operation lasted from 5 to 10 minutes. The rescued were in very severe danger from having, swallowed oil fuel and had they been left would undoubtedly have died. Others were severely burnt and immersion of their wounds in oil fuel, if prolonged, would undoubtedly have caused death. |
Note
The London Gazette 12 November 1937 announced the following: The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the Award of the Medal of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, to the undermentioned for gallant and distinguished services rendered when H.M.S. Hunter was 'mined off Almeria on the coast of Spain on the 13th May 1937' For Gallantry. Lieutenant Patrick Noel Humphreys, R.N. James Smail, Petty Officer, O.N. D/J 85547. For Meritorious Service. James Frank Collings, Able Seaman, "O.N. D/JX. 136346 Ernest Thomas, Able Seaman, O.N. D/SSX. 15572 Herbert Abrahams, Able Seaman, O.N. - D/JX. 135969 An explosion caused by the mining occurred underneath the Stoker Petty Officers' and Torpedomen's Mess Decks. To reach the ratings on these mess decks, this party had to jump down 8 feet, the ladder being blown away, into 3 feet of oil fuel and on to a deck which might not have been intact. During this period they remained in imminent risk of falling through the shattered deck into the water and oil fuel. Moreover, they were under the impression that the ship was about to founder. Their exertions to save life consisted in dragging living and dead men from under wreckage and out of the oil fuel and passing them up on deck. This operation lasted from 5 to 10 minutes. The rescued were in very severe danger from having, swallowed oil fuel and had they been left would undoubtedly have died. Others were severely burnt and immersion of their wounds in oil fuel, if prolonged, would undoubtedly have caused death. HMS Hunter Mined The destroyer patrolled Spanish waters during the Spanish Civil War, enforcing the edicts of the Non-Intervention Committee (the ship enforced the arms blockade imposed on both sides by Britain and France). Hunter struck a mine south of Almeria, Spain on the afternoon of 13 May 1937. She suffered severe damage, with a heavy list, her radio wrecked and the bow flooded. Eight of her complement were killed and 24 wounded. The ship was towed clear of the minefield by the Republican destroyer Lázaga. The mine had been laid several weeks earlier by two ex-German Spanish Nationalist E-boats, the Falange and the Requeté. Hunter was towed to Almeria by Hyperion, where she arrived in the early hours of 14 May. The light cruiser Arethusa towed her to Gibraltar, where she was temporarily repaired from 15 May to 18 August. Hunter was towed to Malta for permanent repairs in August 1937, but they were not completed until 10 November 1938. The ship was assigned to the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla once her repairs were finished and she was given a brief overhaul in Malta between 24 June and 4 July 1939. Hunter was sent to Plymouth for a more thorough refit in mid-August 1939 that lasted through 27 August. |
Wilfred Archer - 7264819
Wilfred Archer was born in the third quarter of 1920 in Chesterfield. His parents, Wilfred Archer and Elizabeth (nee Swain) had married in 1913, they later moved to 2 Laughton Road, Thurcroft.
Wilfred enlisted in the Army and was a Private in the Royal Army Medical Corps, service number 7264819. He went to France and Belgium with the British Expeditionary Force, and was part of 11th Field Ambulance. His death is recorded as being between 31 may and 2 June 1940, during the time of the Dunkirk evacuation. Wilfred was 20 years old and is listed on the Dunkirk Memorial. |
Frank Allcroft - 4747404
Frank Allcroft was born in Rotherham in the third quarter of 1918. His parents John Allcroft and Mary (nee Bell) were married in married in Worksop in 1901 and lived at 22a Carlton Road Worksop, before moving to Rotherham in 1914. John was the fourth son of the couple who later lived at 1 Sawnmoor Avenue, Thurcroft. His mother died in 1925.
Frank enlisted in the Army, service number 4747404, and was originally a member of the York and Lancaster Regiment. He later transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards with the rank of Guardsman. The 2nd Coldstreams went to France as part of the 1st Guards Brigade in September 1939 and occupied a defensive position just to the west of the Belgium frontier. From then until the Spring was the period of the so-called "Phoney War". On 10th May 1940 the German offensive arrived and the Battalion moved forward into Belgium and took up a position to the east of Brussels. On 17 May the Battalion received orders to withdraw and thus began a fortnight of moving back from position to position. Eventually they received orders to move to Dunkirk and take up a position as part of the rearguard to cover the evacuation. The war diary records the latter part of May 1940 as follows:
22 May - This day passed peacefully, and orders were received for a further withdrawal, No.s 1 and 2 Companies were ordered to withdraw from the river line to the line
of the main PECQ - TOURNAI road.
23 May - Heavy ground mist early: visibility not more than 40 yards. At 02:00 hours the withdrawal began in the order: No.s 4, 3, 2, and 1 Companies with the carriers, holding a rearguard position. The route of withdrawal was Road Junction 881409 - HELVA 859418 - LEERS 8340 -LA BOUISSON 819412. This time the march was only a short one of 6 miles back to the “prepared” position made by the B.E.F. during the previous winter. Our sector was between LEERS and ROUBAIX.
The Battalion Line extended from inclusive the bend in the Canal at 827417. By the evening the Germans were in contact with No. 2 Company.
24 May - By now the Battalion had dug itself in and Royal Engineers stores were again arriving. At dawn each Forward Company was ordered to send out a Platoon, about 600 yards to act as a temporary outpost.
No. 4 Company's had no adventures
No. 3 Company’s commander mistook some Germans for a part of his own Patrol was captured, the rest of the Patrol getting back safely.
No. 2 Company’s was, after advancing some 400 yards, got caught in German machine gun cross fire and suffered heavy casualties.
25 May - This day passed quietly. There was a little shelling on our Right Front.
26 May - This was an uneventful day for us.
27 May - Another peaceful day as far as the enemy was concerned, but at 1615 hours it was learned that we were to withdraw again.
28 May - The Battalion was to withdraw to HONDSCHOOTE South East of DUNKERQUE. For the first stage to MARIEBOURG the Route was Road Junction 808416 - Road Junction 788398 - Crossroads 773408 - CROIX LAROCHE 7239 - Road Junction 723393- Road Junction 703398 - Road Junction 707401 - Crossroads
702399 - Crossroads 683392 - Road Junction 675385 - VERLINGGHAM 6541 -
PERENCHIES 6340 - HOUPLINES 5943 - LABIZET 5745 - PLOEGSTEERT 5747 - ROMAIN 5447 - NEUVE EGLISE 5349 -MARIEBOURG 251 - DRANOUTRE WOOD at 5053.
The prospects of rest on reaching MARIEBOURG were so poor that the march was continued to a little wood on the reverse slope of the ridge South of LOCRE.
We lay up in this wood till 14:00 hours and enjoyed an excellent meal from one of the many ration dumps left by the Royal Army Service Corps.
The roads were now choked by the French Army as opposed to Belgian refugees, but whereas it had been possible to direct the Belgian refugees off the road, it was not possible to do anything with the French troops. The one o’clock news this day told of the submission of the Belgian Army which provided the first explanation of our
withdrawal. At 1400 hours the Battalion continued its withdrawal toward DUNKERQUE via DRANOUTRE and LOCRE, where a very heavy thunderstorm broke, whose
noise entirely drowned that of the German Artillery, and again soaked the men to the skin.
That evening after POPERINGHE the roads became emptier.
The Battalion was collected North West of POPERINGHE on the PROVEN ROAD at about 447644.
Then towards dusk we embussed in 3-ton lorries and moved off about 21:00 hours for the final stage to HONDSCHOOTE.
29 May - We debussed again at one o’clock on the morning at REXPOEDE 3572 whence the Battalion marched via KILLEM reaching HONDSCHOOTE before daylight.
At dawn the Battalion began to assemble under the Commanding Officer. It now became apparent that about six of our convoy of lorries had been sent on into DUNKIRK instead of to HONDSCHOOTE.
This resulted in the Battalion being without at least 3 rifle Platoons, all the Signallers, mortars, Intelligence and the R.S.M. Subsequently it proved impossible to find any of these men in the confusion of DUNKIRK.
By 13:30 hours the Battalion was in its position, 2200 yards long, facing South-South-East. In our array No. 1 Company was on the right covering a small bridge 328780, then came No. 3 Company. No. 2 Company and No. 4 Company covering the main bridge 348728. Battalion H.Q. was on the road in rear of No. 4 Company near the windmill at KROMMELHOECK. A” and “B” Echelons personnel having destroyed their vehicles was formed into a Company. This Unit was employed directly under Division to hold HOUTHEM Bridge about 392804 (?) away on our Left.
There was appalling confusion on the roads due to the complete lack of control of French columns who were lined up three deep and the lack of organisation on the
perimeter at DUNKERQUE. All day long exhausted British and French troops poured across our bridges and back the remaining 10 miles to the sea, while enemy bombers passed overhead to deal with the situation on the beaches.
30 May - This day passed quite peacefully except for intermittent shelling. The stream of British and French soldiers grew less.
No vehicles were allowed to cross the line of the LA BASSEE Canal and the far bank appeared to be solid with abandoned motors, all either burning or burnt out.
At 09:00 hours “A” and “B” Echelon had been relieved at their bridge and had withdrawn to Division H.Q. on the beach, but at 1700 hours instead of embarking for England, they were sent back to join the Battalion, which was so very short of men owing to the incident mentioned above, and to the fact that the Battalion front was a
mile long.
The sluice gates were opened and the country flooded from the sea. Many of the roads were under water and it was difficult to find one’s way across the country as the dykes and canals were undistinguishable.
Frank Allcroft was reported ‘killed in action’ on 30 May 1940, aged 21 and is commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial.
Frank enlisted in the Army, service number 4747404, and was originally a member of the York and Lancaster Regiment. He later transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards with the rank of Guardsman. The 2nd Coldstreams went to France as part of the 1st Guards Brigade in September 1939 and occupied a defensive position just to the west of the Belgium frontier. From then until the Spring was the period of the so-called "Phoney War". On 10th May 1940 the German offensive arrived and the Battalion moved forward into Belgium and took up a position to the east of Brussels. On 17 May the Battalion received orders to withdraw and thus began a fortnight of moving back from position to position. Eventually they received orders to move to Dunkirk and take up a position as part of the rearguard to cover the evacuation. The war diary records the latter part of May 1940 as follows:
22 May - This day passed peacefully, and orders were received for a further withdrawal, No.s 1 and 2 Companies were ordered to withdraw from the river line to the line
of the main PECQ - TOURNAI road.
23 May - Heavy ground mist early: visibility not more than 40 yards. At 02:00 hours the withdrawal began in the order: No.s 4, 3, 2, and 1 Companies with the carriers, holding a rearguard position. The route of withdrawal was Road Junction 881409 - HELVA 859418 - LEERS 8340 -LA BOUISSON 819412. This time the march was only a short one of 6 miles back to the “prepared” position made by the B.E.F. during the previous winter. Our sector was between LEERS and ROUBAIX.
The Battalion Line extended from inclusive the bend in the Canal at 827417. By the evening the Germans were in contact with No. 2 Company.
24 May - By now the Battalion had dug itself in and Royal Engineers stores were again arriving. At dawn each Forward Company was ordered to send out a Platoon, about 600 yards to act as a temporary outpost.
No. 4 Company's had no adventures
No. 3 Company’s commander mistook some Germans for a part of his own Patrol was captured, the rest of the Patrol getting back safely.
No. 2 Company’s was, after advancing some 400 yards, got caught in German machine gun cross fire and suffered heavy casualties.
25 May - This day passed quietly. There was a little shelling on our Right Front.
26 May - This was an uneventful day for us.
27 May - Another peaceful day as far as the enemy was concerned, but at 1615 hours it was learned that we were to withdraw again.
28 May - The Battalion was to withdraw to HONDSCHOOTE South East of DUNKERQUE. For the first stage to MARIEBOURG the Route was Road Junction 808416 - Road Junction 788398 - Crossroads 773408 - CROIX LAROCHE 7239 - Road Junction 723393- Road Junction 703398 - Road Junction 707401 - Crossroads
702399 - Crossroads 683392 - Road Junction 675385 - VERLINGGHAM 6541 -
PERENCHIES 6340 - HOUPLINES 5943 - LABIZET 5745 - PLOEGSTEERT 5747 - ROMAIN 5447 - NEUVE EGLISE 5349 -MARIEBOURG 251 - DRANOUTRE WOOD at 5053.
The prospects of rest on reaching MARIEBOURG were so poor that the march was continued to a little wood on the reverse slope of the ridge South of LOCRE.
We lay up in this wood till 14:00 hours and enjoyed an excellent meal from one of the many ration dumps left by the Royal Army Service Corps.
The roads were now choked by the French Army as opposed to Belgian refugees, but whereas it had been possible to direct the Belgian refugees off the road, it was not possible to do anything with the French troops. The one o’clock news this day told of the submission of the Belgian Army which provided the first explanation of our
withdrawal. At 1400 hours the Battalion continued its withdrawal toward DUNKERQUE via DRANOUTRE and LOCRE, where a very heavy thunderstorm broke, whose
noise entirely drowned that of the German Artillery, and again soaked the men to the skin.
That evening after POPERINGHE the roads became emptier.
The Battalion was collected North West of POPERINGHE on the PROVEN ROAD at about 447644.
Then towards dusk we embussed in 3-ton lorries and moved off about 21:00 hours for the final stage to HONDSCHOOTE.
29 May - We debussed again at one o’clock on the morning at REXPOEDE 3572 whence the Battalion marched via KILLEM reaching HONDSCHOOTE before daylight.
At dawn the Battalion began to assemble under the Commanding Officer. It now became apparent that about six of our convoy of lorries had been sent on into DUNKIRK instead of to HONDSCHOOTE.
This resulted in the Battalion being without at least 3 rifle Platoons, all the Signallers, mortars, Intelligence and the R.S.M. Subsequently it proved impossible to find any of these men in the confusion of DUNKIRK.
By 13:30 hours the Battalion was in its position, 2200 yards long, facing South-South-East. In our array No. 1 Company was on the right covering a small bridge 328780, then came No. 3 Company. No. 2 Company and No. 4 Company covering the main bridge 348728. Battalion H.Q. was on the road in rear of No. 4 Company near the windmill at KROMMELHOECK. A” and “B” Echelons personnel having destroyed their vehicles was formed into a Company. This Unit was employed directly under Division to hold HOUTHEM Bridge about 392804 (?) away on our Left.
There was appalling confusion on the roads due to the complete lack of control of French columns who were lined up three deep and the lack of organisation on the
perimeter at DUNKERQUE. All day long exhausted British and French troops poured across our bridges and back the remaining 10 miles to the sea, while enemy bombers passed overhead to deal with the situation on the beaches.
30 May - This day passed quite peacefully except for intermittent shelling. The stream of British and French soldiers grew less.
No vehicles were allowed to cross the line of the LA BASSEE Canal and the far bank appeared to be solid with abandoned motors, all either burning or burnt out.
At 09:00 hours “A” and “B” Echelon had been relieved at their bridge and had withdrawn to Division H.Q. on the beach, but at 1700 hours instead of embarking for England, they were sent back to join the Battalion, which was so very short of men owing to the incident mentioned above, and to the fact that the Battalion front was a
mile long.
The sluice gates were opened and the country flooded from the sea. Many of the roads were under water and it was difficult to find one’s way across the country as the dykes and canals were undistinguishable.
Frank Allcroft was reported ‘killed in action’ on 30 May 1940, aged 21 and is commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial.
Ernest Barber - 4692798
Ernest Barber was born in Stoke-on-Trent in the first quarter of 1919, youngest child of coal miner Herbert Barber and his wife of sixteen years Martha (nee Paskin).
The couple who originated from Staffordshire lived later at 3 Charles St, Thurcroft.
Ernest enlisted in the Army, service number 4692798, and was a Private in the 1st Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He was killed in an accident in Scotland, his death being registered in Peebles. He was 21 years old and was buried in Thurcroft Cemetery.
The couple who originated from Staffordshire lived later at 3 Charles St, Thurcroft.
Ernest enlisted in the Army, service number 4692798, and was a Private in the 1st Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He was killed in an accident in Scotland, his death being registered in Peebles. He was 21 years old and was buried in Thurcroft Cemetery.
Alec Frank Clayton
Caleb Sprague on the Tower Hill Memorial
Alec Frank Clayton was the third of four children born to Amos Clayton and Olive (nee Booth), his birth being registered in Doncaster in the first quarter of 1918.
He was in the Merchant Navy and in early 1944 was a Fireman and Trimmer on the steam ship Caleb Sprague (London). The 1943 built Caleb Sprague was 250ft long and displaced 1,813 tons. On 30 January 1944 it formed part of
convoy CW243 sailing from Southend to St Helen’s Roads, a safe anchorage in the Solent. The convoy consisted on 10 merchantmen and 7 escorts. The Caleb Sprague was carrying a cargo of 2,500 tons of steel and timber to Newport. The convoy would be passing through the infamous E-boat alley, a popular hunting ground of German Schnellboot (fast attack boats) out of Calais. The first day passed uneventfully as the convoy steamed at 7 knots along the south coast. Late into the day a Sunderland of coastal command spotted a U-boat on the surface but it soon submerged and nothing more was reported. On into the night the convoy pressed slowly passing Beachy Head. The three Tree class armed trawlers Walnut, Pine and Blackthorn in the front of the convoy on mine-sweeping duties clearing the path for the merchant vessels behind. Leading the port column of vessels was the Fleet Auxiliary HMS Haslemere commanded by the convoy commodore. Tailing the port column of merchant vessels was HMT Lorraine and behind the starboard column HMT Rehearo, finally tailing the convoy was the destroyer HMS Albrighton.
At 01:45 a radar operator on the Sussex shore spotted 10 new plots on his screen headed straight for the convoy plodding along at 7 knots. The new blips on his radar were headed for the convoy at 40 knots and it could mean only one thing. A pack of E-boats was hunting and had found the convoy. The civilian radar operator then made a fatal mistake of following procedure to the letter and went to find a senior naval officer to give him permission to make a plain language transmission to warn the convoy. All the time the E-boats closed in on the convoy. The E-boats had lain waiting in the channel with their engines turned off and watching for the lights and listening for the transmission of the convoy proceeding down the channel. When they confirmed their target they started their engines and raced towards the convoy at 40 knots, splitting into two groups they encircled the convoy and began to fire torpedoes at the advancing merchant vessels. One group of E-boats attacked the centre of the convoy and in the ensuing melee the Caleb Sprague was hit and sunk by the S-138 from the 5th S-Boote Flotilla. Another merchantman was sunk and one of the escort ships was also hit and was to sink later. The E-boats seemed content with their 3 ‘kills’ and left as quickly as they had arrived. The convoy stayed on high alert and began to ‘hug the coast’ to try and avoid a further anticipated attack from the E-boats. Alec Clayton died on 31 January 1944, one of 22 men lost from the compliment of 37 on board Caleb Sprague. He was 26 years old and now lies in Thurcroft Cemetery.
He was in the Merchant Navy and in early 1944 was a Fireman and Trimmer on the steam ship Caleb Sprague (London). The 1943 built Caleb Sprague was 250ft long and displaced 1,813 tons. On 30 January 1944 it formed part of
convoy CW243 sailing from Southend to St Helen’s Roads, a safe anchorage in the Solent. The convoy consisted on 10 merchantmen and 7 escorts. The Caleb Sprague was carrying a cargo of 2,500 tons of steel and timber to Newport. The convoy would be passing through the infamous E-boat alley, a popular hunting ground of German Schnellboot (fast attack boats) out of Calais. The first day passed uneventfully as the convoy steamed at 7 knots along the south coast. Late into the day a Sunderland of coastal command spotted a U-boat on the surface but it soon submerged and nothing more was reported. On into the night the convoy pressed slowly passing Beachy Head. The three Tree class armed trawlers Walnut, Pine and Blackthorn in the front of the convoy on mine-sweeping duties clearing the path for the merchant vessels behind. Leading the port column of vessels was the Fleet Auxiliary HMS Haslemere commanded by the convoy commodore. Tailing the port column of merchant vessels was HMT Lorraine and behind the starboard column HMT Rehearo, finally tailing the convoy was the destroyer HMS Albrighton.
At 01:45 a radar operator on the Sussex shore spotted 10 new plots on his screen headed straight for the convoy plodding along at 7 knots. The new blips on his radar were headed for the convoy at 40 knots and it could mean only one thing. A pack of E-boats was hunting and had found the convoy. The civilian radar operator then made a fatal mistake of following procedure to the letter and went to find a senior naval officer to give him permission to make a plain language transmission to warn the convoy. All the time the E-boats closed in on the convoy. The E-boats had lain waiting in the channel with their engines turned off and watching for the lights and listening for the transmission of the convoy proceeding down the channel. When they confirmed their target they started their engines and raced towards the convoy at 40 knots, splitting into two groups they encircled the convoy and began to fire torpedoes at the advancing merchant vessels. One group of E-boats attacked the centre of the convoy and in the ensuing melee the Caleb Sprague was hit and sunk by the S-138 from the 5th S-Boote Flotilla. Another merchantman was sunk and one of the escort ships was also hit and was to sink later. The E-boats seemed content with their 3 ‘kills’ and left as quickly as they had arrived. The convoy stayed on high alert and began to ‘hug the coast’ to try and avoid a further anticipated attack from the E-boats. Alec Clayton died on 31 January 1944, one of 22 men lost from the compliment of 37 on board Caleb Sprague. He was 26 years old and now lies in Thurcroft Cemetery.
Basil Drake - 581325
© IWM (CH 2772) A 42 Squadron Bristol Beaufort Mk I, in this instance N1172 'AW-S'
Basil Drake was the only child of Herbert Harry Drake and Violet (nee Copley), his birth was registered in Rotherham in the second quarter of 1920. The family lived at 1 West St, Thurcroft.
Basil enlisted in the Royal Air Force and became a Sergeant, service number 581325. He served with 42 Squadron of Coastal Command, which from April 1940 operated the Bristol Beaufort I. In June 1940 the squadron moved to Wick, Caithness in northern Scotland. On 22 December 1940 he was on board Beaufort L9890 coded AW-L which was sent on practice bombing mission from Wick. Coastal watchers heard a violent explosion at sea 3 miles east of Freswick Bay at 02:25. A motor lifeboat was sent to search at 03:30 but found nothing until coming across an open parachute with harness at 09:00 and it returned to shore at 12:00. A further parachute, clothing scraps, and aircraft pieces were later found strewn along the beach where they had been washed ashore. They were identified as from L9890 and it is presumed that the aircraft suffered a petrol fire soon after take-off which was at 02:20. The crew, including Basil Drake aged 20, were all lost and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Note
Other crew members were:
F/L James Alan Richardson RAF, 37575, aged 29
Sgt Wilfred Richard James Little RAF, 539889, aged 23
Sgt Roy Frederick Henry RAF, 627041, aged 19
Basil enlisted in the Royal Air Force and became a Sergeant, service number 581325. He served with 42 Squadron of Coastal Command, which from April 1940 operated the Bristol Beaufort I. In June 1940 the squadron moved to Wick, Caithness in northern Scotland. On 22 December 1940 he was on board Beaufort L9890 coded AW-L which was sent on practice bombing mission from Wick. Coastal watchers heard a violent explosion at sea 3 miles east of Freswick Bay at 02:25. A motor lifeboat was sent to search at 03:30 but found nothing until coming across an open parachute with harness at 09:00 and it returned to shore at 12:00. A further parachute, clothing scraps, and aircraft pieces were later found strewn along the beach where they had been washed ashore. They were identified as from L9890 and it is presumed that the aircraft suffered a petrol fire soon after take-off which was at 02:20. The crew, including Basil Drake aged 20, were all lost and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Note
Other crew members were:
F/L James Alan Richardson RAF, 37575, aged 29
Sgt Wilfred Richard James Little RAF, 539889, aged 23
Sgt Roy Frederick Henry RAF, 627041, aged 19
Percy Fox - 4540501
Percy Fox was born in the third quarter of 1919 to labourer John Fox and his wife of 7 years Rose (nee Court) and lived at 31 Arbour Drive, Thurcroft.
He enlisted in the Army and was a Private in 1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), service number 4540501. The battalion began the war in India and arrived in Rangoon, Burma on 29 January 1942 and were under the command of 17th Indian Division from 5 February 1942. Percy Fox died on 16 January 1944, aged 24 and is buried in Rangoon War Cemetery.
Note
As Rangoon fell to the Japanese in early 1942 and was not recaptured until mid-1945 it would appear that Percy Fox was captured and died as a prisoner of war.
He enlisted in the Army and was a Private in 1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own), service number 4540501. The battalion began the war in India and arrived in Rangoon, Burma on 29 January 1942 and were under the command of 17th Indian Division from 5 February 1942. Percy Fox died on 16 January 1944, aged 24 and is buried in Rangoon War Cemetery.
Note
As Rangoon fell to the Japanese in early 1942 and was not recaptured until mid-1945 it would appear that Percy Fox was captured and died as a prisoner of war.
Jesse Few - 614026
Avro Manchester
Jesse Few was the son of Jesse Few and Mabel E (nee Clay), his birth was registered in Rotherham in the third quarter of 1920. Jesse was the third of six children who lived at 43 School Road, Thurcroft. He was educated at Thurcroft Council School, and after leaving school worked for Mr Willoughby (butchers) of Thurcroft.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force in 1939, service number 614026. After training he qualified as an air gunner with the rank of Sergeant, and served with 97 Squadron. The squadron had been formed in February 1941 at Waddington and moved to Coningsby the following month, Jesse Few joined the squadron with the rest of his crew some months later. On the night of 15/16 November 1941 Jesse was part of the crew of Avro Manchester bomber serial number L7492 which successfully dropped 5x 1000lb bombs through medium cloud onto the city of Emden. On 24 November 1941 he and the rest of the crew of Manchester mk I serial number R5792 with squadron markings of OF-L were taking part in a daylight training flight. The aircraft was involved in a mid air collision with a Hurricane mk I from No27 O T U, serial number V6864. Both aircraft crashed to the ground, the Manchester crashed at 1155 hours at Walpole St Andrew, 5 miles WSW of King’s Lynn, killing all the crew. The pilot of the hurricane was also killed. Jesse Few was 21 years old and left a wife who he had married in the last quarter of 1940. His funeral took place on Sunday 30 November 1941 at St Johns Church followed by a buried at Rotherham (Masborough) Cemetery.
Notes
The other crew members of the Manchester were:
F/O Henry Thomas Hill RAFVR (Pilot) Captain – 82677, aged 23
Flt Sgt Arthur Carriss Smith (Flight Engineer) RAFVR – 745479, aged 21
Sgt John Newton RAFVR (Observer) - 994648
Sgt Fred Holt (Wireless Air Gunner) RAFVR – 1007372, aged 21
Sgt Francis Edward Martin RAFVR (Wireless Operator / Air Gunner) - 1198837, aged 19
Sgt Ernest Charles Hutton RAAF (Air Gunner) 407432, aged 23
The Hurricane pilot was Sergeant Pilot George Arthur Johnstone RAFVR - 1212187
Jesse Few may have been on F/O Hill’s Manchester aircraft L7387 when it made a heavy landing on the afternoon of 10 October 1941, causing the port undercarriage to fracture and collapse. No-one was injured and the caused was an error of judgement.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force in 1939, service number 614026. After training he qualified as an air gunner with the rank of Sergeant, and served with 97 Squadron. The squadron had been formed in February 1941 at Waddington and moved to Coningsby the following month, Jesse Few joined the squadron with the rest of his crew some months later. On the night of 15/16 November 1941 Jesse was part of the crew of Avro Manchester bomber serial number L7492 which successfully dropped 5x 1000lb bombs through medium cloud onto the city of Emden. On 24 November 1941 he and the rest of the crew of Manchester mk I serial number R5792 with squadron markings of OF-L were taking part in a daylight training flight. The aircraft was involved in a mid air collision with a Hurricane mk I from No27 O T U, serial number V6864. Both aircraft crashed to the ground, the Manchester crashed at 1155 hours at Walpole St Andrew, 5 miles WSW of King’s Lynn, killing all the crew. The pilot of the hurricane was also killed. Jesse Few was 21 years old and left a wife who he had married in the last quarter of 1940. His funeral took place on Sunday 30 November 1941 at St Johns Church followed by a buried at Rotherham (Masborough) Cemetery.
Notes
The other crew members of the Manchester were:
F/O Henry Thomas Hill RAFVR (Pilot) Captain – 82677, aged 23
Flt Sgt Arthur Carriss Smith (Flight Engineer) RAFVR – 745479, aged 21
Sgt John Newton RAFVR (Observer) - 994648
Sgt Fred Holt (Wireless Air Gunner) RAFVR – 1007372, aged 21
Sgt Francis Edward Martin RAFVR (Wireless Operator / Air Gunner) - 1198837, aged 19
Sgt Ernest Charles Hutton RAAF (Air Gunner) 407432, aged 23
The Hurricane pilot was Sergeant Pilot George Arthur Johnstone RAFVR - 1212187
Jesse Few may have been on F/O Hill’s Manchester aircraft L7387 when it made a heavy landing on the afternoon of 10 October 1941, causing the port undercarriage to fracture and collapse. No-one was injured and the caused was an error of judgement.
Andrew Horsfield - D/KX 103875
Andrew Horsfield was the second of three children, all sons, born to George Charles Horsfield and Ivy May (nee Andrew). His birth was registered in the Wortley registration district in the second quarter of 1920. The family later lived at 22 Crescent End, Thurcroft.
He enlisted in the Royal Navy and was a Stoker 1st Class, service number D/KX 103875. In 1942 he was on board the light cruiser HMS Edinburgh, which on 25 April sailed to Murmansk in Russia with steel plates for repair of the damaged cruiser HMS Trinidad. Whilst in Murmansk it was loaded with gold bullion for payment of war materials sent to Russia from Britain. HMS Edinburgh left Murmansk on 29 April and joined up with convoy QP11 the following day. Taking position ahead of the body of ships Edinburgh was twice attacked by German submarine U456. The first attack failed but on the second attempt two torpedoes struck on the starboard side. One hit
amidships and the other blew away the stern structure including the rudder. Although the ship was able to use the port shafts, steering by engines was impracticable because of the prevailing weather conditions. Little progress was made and a towing attempt by HMS Forester failed when the tow broke HMS Foresight was then taken
in tow by the damaged cruiser which proved much more successful until both destroyers had to be detached to refuel. On 1 May after making slow progress eastwards other RN ships and a Russian tug arrived but an attempt to tow again failed. Despite the significant damage the main armament could still be used in Local Control. The following day the ship engaged German destroyers making torpedo attacks and hit Schoemann which was abandoned by her crew and subsequently sank. One of the torpedoes fired by the German destroyer Z24 hit the ship on the port side amidships abreast the hangar. Further major damage amidships sealed her fate as it was unlikely that the structure could remain intact. As salvage was clearly impracticable the ship had to be abandoned. Of the ships complement 790 men of the 847 on board were taken off by HM Minesweepers Harrier and Gossamer before HMS Foresight was ordered to sink the ship by torpedo. The final casualty list recorded that 78 men were killed and 43 wounded. Andrew Horsfield was one of those lost on 2 May 1942 and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Notes
At the time of Edinburgh's sinking she was carrying a 4.5 ton consignment of gold bullion. The 465 gold ingots, carried in ninety-three wooden boxes, were being transported in the armoured bomb-rooms situated on the starboard side of the vessel, not far from the original torpedo's impact point. At the time, the estimated worth of the bullion was somewhere in the region of £1.5 million. In the late 1970s the British Government was becoming increasingly anxious to recover the gold. This was not only because it would provide further valuable revenue for the Treasury, but because there was also a growing fear of the wreck being pirated by unscrupulous salvagers, or, worse, salvaged by the Soviet Union, in whose waters it lay. In the early 1980s, a company called Jessop Marine, run by a seasoned diver from Yorkshire, won the contract for the salvage rights to the wreck of the Edinburgh. In April 1981, the survey ship Dammtor began searching for the wreck in the Barents Sea and after only ten days, they discovered the ship's final resting place at an approximate position of 72°N, 35°E, at a depth of 800 feet. Using specialist camera equipment, the Dammtor took detailed film of the wreck, which allowed them to carefully plan the salvage operation. Later that year, on 30 August, the dive-support vessel Stephaniturm journeyed to the site, and salvage operations began in earnest. Several divers were injured during the operation, but on 15 September 1981, a diver finally penetrated the bomb room and recovered a bar of gold. On 7 October, bad weather finally forced the suspension of diving operations, but by that time, 431 of 465 ingots had been recovered. A further 29 bars were recovered in a subsequent operation in 1986, bringing the total to 460, leaving five unaccounted for.
Andrew’s older brother George Clement Horsfield died at El Alamein on 4 November 1942.
He enlisted in the Royal Navy and was a Stoker 1st Class, service number D/KX 103875. In 1942 he was on board the light cruiser HMS Edinburgh, which on 25 April sailed to Murmansk in Russia with steel plates for repair of the damaged cruiser HMS Trinidad. Whilst in Murmansk it was loaded with gold bullion for payment of war materials sent to Russia from Britain. HMS Edinburgh left Murmansk on 29 April and joined up with convoy QP11 the following day. Taking position ahead of the body of ships Edinburgh was twice attacked by German submarine U456. The first attack failed but on the second attempt two torpedoes struck on the starboard side. One hit
amidships and the other blew away the stern structure including the rudder. Although the ship was able to use the port shafts, steering by engines was impracticable because of the prevailing weather conditions. Little progress was made and a towing attempt by HMS Forester failed when the tow broke HMS Foresight was then taken
in tow by the damaged cruiser which proved much more successful until both destroyers had to be detached to refuel. On 1 May after making slow progress eastwards other RN ships and a Russian tug arrived but an attempt to tow again failed. Despite the significant damage the main armament could still be used in Local Control. The following day the ship engaged German destroyers making torpedo attacks and hit Schoemann which was abandoned by her crew and subsequently sank. One of the torpedoes fired by the German destroyer Z24 hit the ship on the port side amidships abreast the hangar. Further major damage amidships sealed her fate as it was unlikely that the structure could remain intact. As salvage was clearly impracticable the ship had to be abandoned. Of the ships complement 790 men of the 847 on board were taken off by HM Minesweepers Harrier and Gossamer before HMS Foresight was ordered to sink the ship by torpedo. The final casualty list recorded that 78 men were killed and 43 wounded. Andrew Horsfield was one of those lost on 2 May 1942 and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Notes
At the time of Edinburgh's sinking she was carrying a 4.5 ton consignment of gold bullion. The 465 gold ingots, carried in ninety-three wooden boxes, were being transported in the armoured bomb-rooms situated on the starboard side of the vessel, not far from the original torpedo's impact point. At the time, the estimated worth of the bullion was somewhere in the region of £1.5 million. In the late 1970s the British Government was becoming increasingly anxious to recover the gold. This was not only because it would provide further valuable revenue for the Treasury, but because there was also a growing fear of the wreck being pirated by unscrupulous salvagers, or, worse, salvaged by the Soviet Union, in whose waters it lay. In the early 1980s, a company called Jessop Marine, run by a seasoned diver from Yorkshire, won the contract for the salvage rights to the wreck of the Edinburgh. In April 1981, the survey ship Dammtor began searching for the wreck in the Barents Sea and after only ten days, they discovered the ship's final resting place at an approximate position of 72°N, 35°E, at a depth of 800 feet. Using specialist camera equipment, the Dammtor took detailed film of the wreck, which allowed them to carefully plan the salvage operation. Later that year, on 30 August, the dive-support vessel Stephaniturm journeyed to the site, and salvage operations began in earnest. Several divers were injured during the operation, but on 15 September 1981, a diver finally penetrated the bomb room and recovered a bar of gold. On 7 October, bad weather finally forced the suspension of diving operations, but by that time, 431 of 465 ingots had been recovered. A further 29 bars were recovered in a subsequent operation in 1986, bringing the total to 460, leaving five unaccounted for.
Andrew’s older brother George Clement Horsfield died at El Alamein on 4 November 1942.
Reginald Thomas Cutts - 4857376
Reginald Thomas Cutts was born in Loughborough in the second quarter of 1916 to farm labourer John Belford Cutt and his wife Clara Annie (nee Wallhead). The couple who had married in 1900 and later lived at 13 Finsbury Avenue, Nottingham. When Reginald was 10 years old his mother died in Nottinghamshire in 1926 and three years later his father died in Rotherham. He was educated at Thurcroft Council School, and was a keen athlete with the Rotherham Harriers and winner of the ‘Cope’ Cup. After leaving school he was employed at Thurcroft Main Colliery, and then enlisted in the Army.
He joined the 1st Battalion, Leicester Regiment, on 22 February 1934, service number 4857376. Serving as a Private with the 1st Battalion Signals Section in India in 1937. Promoted as a paid Lance Corporal on 14 May 1939, he served 6 years overseas and was with his regiment in Malaya when the Japanese invaded in December 1941. The 1st Leicesters first did battle with the Japanese at Jitra, some 400 miles north of Singapore, but the Japanese broke through and the British retreat down the peninsula began. On 20 December the 1st Leicesters were merged with the 2nd East Surrey Regiment as both had suffered significant losses. The new British Battalion was in action again at Kampar, just over 250 miles north of Singapore. The battle lasted from 30 December 1941 to 2 January 1942, when the 1st Leicesters and other allied forces withdrew. It was on this day that Reginald Cutts is recorded as being killed, he was 25 years old and is now buried in Taiping War Cemetery. |
George Clement Horsfield - 7883328
George Clement Horsfield was born in the second quarter of 1915, the first child of George Charles Horsfield and Ivy May (nee Andrew) who had married a couple of
years earlier. His birth was registered in the Wortley registration district, although the couple moved to 22 Crescent End, Thurcroft later.
George joined the Army and was a Serjeant in 1st Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps, service number 7883328. 1RTR was involved in the Battle of El Alamein
(actually the Second Battle of El Alamein), which was a major turning point not only in the North African Campaign, but in the Britain’s war. The first battle at El Alamein was when the Rommel’s advance into Egypt was initially stopped. The latter battle commenced on 23 October 1942 and lasted for 14 days and left the Axis forces in full retreat. George Clement Horsfield was killed on 4 November 1942, aged 27 and is buried in the El Alamein War Cemetery.
Notes
George’s younger brother Andrew was lost when his ship sank in the Barents Sea six months previously.
years earlier. His birth was registered in the Wortley registration district, although the couple moved to 22 Crescent End, Thurcroft later.
George joined the Army and was a Serjeant in 1st Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps, service number 7883328. 1RTR was involved in the Battle of El Alamein
(actually the Second Battle of El Alamein), which was a major turning point not only in the North African Campaign, but in the Britain’s war. The first battle at El Alamein was when the Rommel’s advance into Egypt was initially stopped. The latter battle commenced on 23 October 1942 and lasted for 14 days and left the Axis forces in full retreat. George Clement Horsfield was killed on 4 November 1942, aged 27 and is buried in the El Alamein War Cemetery.
Notes
George’s younger brother Andrew was lost when his ship sank in the Barents Sea six months previously.
James Leslie Johnson - 4542825
James Leslie Johnson, known as Leslie was the second child of miner Samson Johnson and Mathelia Newcombe, although because of the death in infancy of their first child he was their oldest surviving child. Leslie was born on 2 August 1915 and christened in Laughton on 1 September 1915. The family originally lived at 24 Monksbridge Road, Laughton and later at 12 Waverley Avenue, Thurcroft. He was married in the second quarter of 1938 in Bradford.
Leslie joined the Army, and became a Gunner in the Royal Artillery, 2 Maritime Regiment, service number 4542825. The maritime regiment provided gunners onto merchant ships that had been armed with deck mounted guns. In 1944 he was a gunner on board the Greek Steam merchant Peleus. It was on route from Algiers to Buenos Aires via Freetown. It called in Freetown, Sierra Leone on 8 March, it was in ballast for its outward trip sailing independently. On 13 March 1944 the Peleus was spotted by the German submarine U-852, which was en route to her patrol area in the Indian Ocean. U-852 tracked her until nightfall then closed with her target on the surface and fired two torpedoes at close range at 19:40 hours. Peleus was hit, the first exploding in the number two hold, the second just aft in the number three hold. She quickly broke up, sinking in three minutes about 500 miles north of Ascension Island, all that was left of her was flotsam, including several life-rafts, and the survivors of her crew, perhaps half their number. The submarine took two men aboard for interrogation, having established her name and details, he returned them to their raft. The captain of the U-boat decided he must hide the evidence of his action by destroying the debris, including the life-rafts (and, by implication, the men on them). For the next five hours, until 1 a.m. on the 14th, U-852 moved around the debris field, firing with her guns, small arms and grenades. Despite these efforts, not all the wreckage was destroyed, and four of the crew survived, though one, died later. James Leslie Johnson, aged 28 was lost and is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Notes
The three surviving member of the Peleus crew were found adrift after 38 days by the Portuguese vessel Alexandre Silva and taken to Portuguese West Africa. The
incident was reported to British naval authorities, and affidavits taken from the three men.
Whilst on the same patrol U-852 sank another ship in the South Atlantic and continued on her patrol into the Indian Ocean. On 30 April 1944, U-852 was in the Indian Ocean when she was spotted and attacked by a Vickers Wellington bomber flying from Aden. Damaged by aerial depth charges and unable to dive, she made for the Somaliland coast. On 2 May under attack by six bombers the Captain was forced to beach his ship on a coral reef. Seven men were lost in the engagement, the remainder fled ashore. Fifty-eight were captured by Somaliland Camel Corps and local militia. A British boarding party examined the wrecked U-boat and retrieved the boats war
diary, which proved crucial in framing the Allied case against the Captain and his men. At the end of the war, in October 1945, five members of her crew were tried as war criminals and convicted. Three, the Captain, the 2nd Watch Officer and the Boat’s Doctor were executed, and two others were imprisoned. The executions were carried out on Luneberg Heath on 30 November 1945. Captain Eck was the only U-boat commander to be shot after the war for this type of murder, but there were other similar incidents of atrocities carried out by U-boats.
Leslie joined the Army, and became a Gunner in the Royal Artillery, 2 Maritime Regiment, service number 4542825. The maritime regiment provided gunners onto merchant ships that had been armed with deck mounted guns. In 1944 he was a gunner on board the Greek Steam merchant Peleus. It was on route from Algiers to Buenos Aires via Freetown. It called in Freetown, Sierra Leone on 8 March, it was in ballast for its outward trip sailing independently. On 13 March 1944 the Peleus was spotted by the German submarine U-852, which was en route to her patrol area in the Indian Ocean. U-852 tracked her until nightfall then closed with her target on the surface and fired two torpedoes at close range at 19:40 hours. Peleus was hit, the first exploding in the number two hold, the second just aft in the number three hold. She quickly broke up, sinking in three minutes about 500 miles north of Ascension Island, all that was left of her was flotsam, including several life-rafts, and the survivors of her crew, perhaps half their number. The submarine took two men aboard for interrogation, having established her name and details, he returned them to their raft. The captain of the U-boat decided he must hide the evidence of his action by destroying the debris, including the life-rafts (and, by implication, the men on them). For the next five hours, until 1 a.m. on the 14th, U-852 moved around the debris field, firing with her guns, small arms and grenades. Despite these efforts, not all the wreckage was destroyed, and four of the crew survived, though one, died later. James Leslie Johnson, aged 28 was lost and is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Notes
The three surviving member of the Peleus crew were found adrift after 38 days by the Portuguese vessel Alexandre Silva and taken to Portuguese West Africa. The
incident was reported to British naval authorities, and affidavits taken from the three men.
Whilst on the same patrol U-852 sank another ship in the South Atlantic and continued on her patrol into the Indian Ocean. On 30 April 1944, U-852 was in the Indian Ocean when she was spotted and attacked by a Vickers Wellington bomber flying from Aden. Damaged by aerial depth charges and unable to dive, she made for the Somaliland coast. On 2 May under attack by six bombers the Captain was forced to beach his ship on a coral reef. Seven men were lost in the engagement, the remainder fled ashore. Fifty-eight were captured by Somaliland Camel Corps and local militia. A British boarding party examined the wrecked U-boat and retrieved the boats war
diary, which proved crucial in framing the Allied case against the Captain and his men. At the end of the war, in October 1945, five members of her crew were tried as war criminals and convicted. Three, the Captain, the 2nd Watch Officer and the Boat’s Doctor were executed, and two others were imprisoned. The executions were carried out on Luneberg Heath on 30 November 1945. Captain Eck was the only U-boat commander to be shot after the war for this type of murder, but there were other similar incidents of atrocities carried out by U-boats.
George Johnson - 7901738
George Johnson was the first child of Harry Johnson and Ada Cooper, he was born on 26 January 1919 and his birth was registered in Sheffield. He was married in early 1939 and lived at 20 Charles St, Thurcroft with his wife and their three daughters.
George enlisted in the Army and became a Lance Corporal in The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards), Royal Armoured Corps. The 2nd Dragoon’s were part of the 2nd Armoured Division and arrived in the Middle Eastin November 1941, equipped initially with the 2 pounder Crusander tank. They fought with great bravery at the 'Cauldron' and 'Knightsbridge' during the Battle of Gazala and were continuously in action for 19 days, a record for an armoured regiment in the Western Desert. They played a major part at the Battle of Alamein, the Tebaga Gap, at El Hamma, the Mareth Line, and so on to Tunis and the final surrender of the German Afrika Korps. The Regiment arrived in Italy in
May 1944 after a year out of the action and were engaged in the Gothic Line. At the Battle of Coriano Ridge in September they lost all but three of their tanks and suffered 98 casualties in a matter of minutes when they were sent against a screen of German anti-tank guns, including the notorious 88mm.
George Johnson died on 16 September 1944 at the aged of 25 and is buried in the Coriano Ridge War Cemetery.
George enlisted in the Army and became a Lance Corporal in The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards), Royal Armoured Corps. The 2nd Dragoon’s were part of the 2nd Armoured Division and arrived in the Middle Eastin November 1941, equipped initially with the 2 pounder Crusander tank. They fought with great bravery at the 'Cauldron' and 'Knightsbridge' during the Battle of Gazala and were continuously in action for 19 days, a record for an armoured regiment in the Western Desert. They played a major part at the Battle of Alamein, the Tebaga Gap, at El Hamma, the Mareth Line, and so on to Tunis and the final surrender of the German Afrika Korps. The Regiment arrived in Italy in
May 1944 after a year out of the action and were engaged in the Gothic Line. At the Battle of Coriano Ridge in September they lost all but three of their tanks and suffered 98 casualties in a matter of minutes when they were sent against a screen of German anti-tank guns, including the notorious 88mm.
George Johnson died on 16 September 1944 at the aged of 25 and is buried in the Coriano Ridge War Cemetery.
Christopher Walter Kelly - 1623691
Christopher Walter Kelly was born on 24 February 1923, his birth being registered in Sheffield, the name city as his parents were married the year before. The couple Christopher and Edith A (nee Etheridge) had a daughter a couple of years later and had moved Thurcroft living at to 106 Katherine Street. Christopher Walter was educated at Thurcroft Council School, and after leaving school was employed at Steel Peach & Tozer. He was a keen sportsman and was a member of Thurcroft Colliery Cricket Club and also Rotherham YMCA Football Club.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1942, service number 1623691, and was a Leading Aircraftman. He went to Canada on the Empire Air Training Scheme where he trained at No.31 Air Navigation School which was located in Goderich, Ontario. He was killed in a flying accident on 16 August 1943 after an aircraft spun into the ground, caught fire and exploded on a runway. He was 20 years old and was buried in Goderich (Maitland) Cemetery. A memorial service held at SS Simon & Jude Church on Sunday 22 August 1943.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1942, service number 1623691, and was a Leading Aircraftman. He went to Canada on the Empire Air Training Scheme where he trained at No.31 Air Navigation School which was located in Goderich, Ontario. He was killed in a flying accident on 16 August 1943 after an aircraft spun into the ground, caught fire and exploded on a runway. He was 20 years old and was buried in Goderich (Maitland) Cemetery. A memorial service held at SS Simon & Jude Church on Sunday 22 August 1943.
George Alfred Pearson - 13034621
George Alfred Pearson was born in Sheffield in the third quarter of 1913, first child of James Henry Pearson and Annie Elizabeth (nee Herring). Later the couple lived at 26 Green Arbour Lane, Thurcroft He was married in Rotherham in 1935, and the couple had four children and lived at 1 Granville Street, Laughton Common.
George enlisted in the Army, service number 13034621, and was a Sapper in the Royal Engineers, 1048 Port Operating Company. He died on 3 August 1944, one of eleven men from the unit that died that day. He was 31 years old and is buried in La Delivrande War Cemetery, Douvres, which is about 8 miles north of the strategic town of Caen in Normandy, France.
George enlisted in the Army, service number 13034621, and was a Sapper in the Royal Engineers, 1048 Port Operating Company. He died on 3 August 1944, one of eleven men from the unit that died that day. He was 31 years old and is buried in La Delivrande War Cemetery, Douvres, which is about 8 miles north of the strategic town of Caen in Normandy, France.
George William Robinson - 2667271
George William Robinson was born on 18 July 1924 in Rotherham. His parents were George William Robinson and his wife of 17 years Mary Ann (nee Peatfield) who originally lived at 1 Mill Street, Worksop and moved to 22 Steadfolds Lane, Thurcroft in 1921.
He was employed as a builder before joining the Army. He served with 5th Battalion, Coldstream Guards, service number 2667271, with the rank of Guardsman. He was posted overseas in February 1945. On 3rd April, 1945, the 5th Coldstream Guards which was ordered to capture intact a bridge over the River Ems near Lingen. From here the battalion moved through Remsel, Thuine to Berge and on the 11th of April helped force a crossing over the river Haze with heavy fighting at Bohah and Bren. George Robinson, aged 20 died of wounds on 21 April 1945 and is buried in Becklingen War Cemetery.
He was employed as a builder before joining the Army. He served with 5th Battalion, Coldstream Guards, service number 2667271, with the rank of Guardsman. He was posted overseas in February 1945. On 3rd April, 1945, the 5th Coldstream Guards which was ordered to capture intact a bridge over the River Ems near Lingen. From here the battalion moved through Remsel, Thuine to Berge and on the 11th of April helped force a crossing over the river Haze with heavy fighting at Bohah and Bren. George Robinson, aged 20 died of wounds on 21 April 1945 and is buried in Becklingen War Cemetery.
Edward Wilde - 1451051
Edward Wilde was the second child of Robert Wilde and Eliza (nee Beevers), born on 12 August 1921 in Rotherham. The family lived at 28 Charles St, Thurcroft.
Edward joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1451051 and trained as a navigator. He was a Flight Sergeant with 514 Squadron at Waterbeach in Cambrideshire. On the night of 22/23 April 1944 Bomber Command carried out three major air raids, 181 aircraft were sent to Laon railway yards in Picardy, France; 255 bombers were despatched to Brunswick, Germany and 596 aircraft targeted Düsseldorf. Additionally 74 aircraft were also involved in diversionary and other missions. Edward Wilde was on board Avro Lancaster MkII serial number DS669, with squadron markings of JI-D. As the aircraft sat on the runway at Waterbeach awaiting despatch to Düsseldorf, it was one of 323 Lancasters, 254 Halifaxes and 19 Mosquitos bound for the city, and was airborne at 23:16 on 22 April. It was believed that it was hit by flak (or may have collided with another Squadron Lancaster DS828) crashing in the target area at Ecke Rethel and Schubert-strasse. All the crew were killed and the funerals were held on 25 and 26 April in the Nordfriedhof. After the war six remains of six of the crew (including Flt Sgt Wilde, who was 23 when he died) were re-interred in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, the other is listed the Runnymede Memorial.
Notes
Other crew members of Lancaster DS669 were:
P/O John Douglas Harrison - 54541 (pilot) aged 24
Sgt Ronald William Norris - 1801492 (flight engineer)
F/S Roy Nixon Kirkpatrick RCAF – J/87621 (air bomber) aged 21
Sgt Frederick Desmond Nash – 1610167 (wireless operator / air gunner) aged 22
Sgt William Wilson – 1544912 (air gunner) aged 20
Sgt Anthony George Buttling – 1891917 (air gunner)
DS669 was a Mk II Lancaster. The Mk II was the only version of the Lancaster not to be powered by Rolls Royce Merlin engines. Instead, it used Bristol Hercules radial air cooled engines. The aim was to provide an alternative source of Lancasters in case the supply of Merlin engines failed. British production was seen as vulnerable to
German bombing, while there were worries that American production (by Packard) would be diverted or stopped if American entered the war. The new model was produced by Armstrong Whitworth, with work beginning in March 1942. Ironically, while Rolls Royce was free from serious attack, the Armstrong Whitworth factory was itself bombed in June 1942, delaying the appearance of the Mk II. The Mk II suffered from two limitations compared to the Mk I, it had an unexpectedly low service ceiling forcing it to bomb from a lower level. It also could only carry 14,000 lbs of bombs, compared to the 18,000 of the Mk I.
After tests were complete, the Mk II was issued to No 115 Squadron, in No. 5 Group. Despite the altitude problems, the Lancaster Mk II was a welcome improvement on their Wellingtons. In service the Mk II was slightly more robust than the Mk I, lacking the extensive liquid cooling systems needed by the Merlins, although at the lower altitude this would be put to the test.
DS669 was involved in an incident a year earlier when on a mission to Cologne a bomb from a higher flying bomber hit the tail end of the Lancaster and knocked the rear turret clean off, complete with the air gunner who was killed.
Edward joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, service number 1451051 and trained as a navigator. He was a Flight Sergeant with 514 Squadron at Waterbeach in Cambrideshire. On the night of 22/23 April 1944 Bomber Command carried out three major air raids, 181 aircraft were sent to Laon railway yards in Picardy, France; 255 bombers were despatched to Brunswick, Germany and 596 aircraft targeted Düsseldorf. Additionally 74 aircraft were also involved in diversionary and other missions. Edward Wilde was on board Avro Lancaster MkII serial number DS669, with squadron markings of JI-D. As the aircraft sat on the runway at Waterbeach awaiting despatch to Düsseldorf, it was one of 323 Lancasters, 254 Halifaxes and 19 Mosquitos bound for the city, and was airborne at 23:16 on 22 April. It was believed that it was hit by flak (or may have collided with another Squadron Lancaster DS828) crashing in the target area at Ecke Rethel and Schubert-strasse. All the crew were killed and the funerals were held on 25 and 26 April in the Nordfriedhof. After the war six remains of six of the crew (including Flt Sgt Wilde, who was 23 when he died) were re-interred in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, the other is listed the Runnymede Memorial.
Notes
Other crew members of Lancaster DS669 were:
P/O John Douglas Harrison - 54541 (pilot) aged 24
Sgt Ronald William Norris - 1801492 (flight engineer)
F/S Roy Nixon Kirkpatrick RCAF – J/87621 (air bomber) aged 21
Sgt Frederick Desmond Nash – 1610167 (wireless operator / air gunner) aged 22
Sgt William Wilson – 1544912 (air gunner) aged 20
Sgt Anthony George Buttling – 1891917 (air gunner)
DS669 was a Mk II Lancaster. The Mk II was the only version of the Lancaster not to be powered by Rolls Royce Merlin engines. Instead, it used Bristol Hercules radial air cooled engines. The aim was to provide an alternative source of Lancasters in case the supply of Merlin engines failed. British production was seen as vulnerable to
German bombing, while there were worries that American production (by Packard) would be diverted or stopped if American entered the war. The new model was produced by Armstrong Whitworth, with work beginning in March 1942. Ironically, while Rolls Royce was free from serious attack, the Armstrong Whitworth factory was itself bombed in June 1942, delaying the appearance of the Mk II. The Mk II suffered from two limitations compared to the Mk I, it had an unexpectedly low service ceiling forcing it to bomb from a lower level. It also could only carry 14,000 lbs of bombs, compared to the 18,000 of the Mk I.
After tests were complete, the Mk II was issued to No 115 Squadron, in No. 5 Group. Despite the altitude problems, the Lancaster Mk II was a welcome improvement on their Wellingtons. In service the Mk II was slightly more robust than the Mk I, lacking the extensive liquid cooling systems needed by the Merlins, although at the lower altitude this would be put to the test.
DS669 was involved in an incident a year earlier when on a mission to Cologne a bomb from a higher flying bomber hit the tail end of the Lancaster and knocked the rear turret clean off, complete with the air gunner who was killed.
© IWM (CE 79) Back at their base, East Wretham, Norfolk, two members of the crew of Avro Lancaster B Mark II, DS669 'KO-L', of No. 115 Squadron RAF, examine the rear of their aircraft, where the rear turret, with its unfortunate gunner, was sheared off by bombs dropped from an aircraft flying above, during a raid on Cologne on the night of 28/29 June 1943.
Arnold Weldon - 544436
Arnold Weldon was the son of Bernard Weldon and Alice (nee Cresswell), born in Rotherham in the last quarter of 1918. He was the oldest of four children, attending Rotherham Grammar School on Moorgate and was nicknamed ‘Bish’. He lived at 5 The Crescent, Thurcroft.
He joined the Royal Air Force and became an air gunner with the rank of Sergeant, service number 544436, serving with Bomber Command’s 150 Squadron flying in the Vickers Wellington medium bomber. On 2 September 1941 he was award a Distinguished Flying Medal. He was commission in February 1943 when he became a Pilot officer, service number 51330, and in August of that year was promoted again to Flying Officer. By late 1943 he was serving with 101 Squadron. The squadron flew the Avro Lancaster heavy bomber from Ludford Magna in Lincolnshire. On the night of 2nd/3rd December 1943 his aircraft serial number LM363 with squadron markings of
SR-P was airborne at 16:41 bound deep into Germany. Their target for the night was the Big City (Berlin), along with 424 other Lancasters, 18 Mosquitos and 15
Halifaxes they were to continue the Battle of Berlin. There were no major diversions and the bombers took an absolutely direct route across the North Sea and Holland and then on to Berlin. Incorrectly forecast winds scattered the bomber stream and the Germans identified Berlin as the target 19 minutes before Zero Hour enabling many fighters to intercept the bombers. Weldon was an eighth member of the crew in this special ABC Lancaster with radio counter measures. LM363 crashed near Diepholz killing all on board, it was one of three from the squadron lost on that night. Arnold Weldon died on 2 December 1943, aged 25 years old and is now buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery.
He joined the Royal Air Force and became an air gunner with the rank of Sergeant, service number 544436, serving with Bomber Command’s 150 Squadron flying in the Vickers Wellington medium bomber. On 2 September 1941 he was award a Distinguished Flying Medal. He was commission in February 1943 when he became a Pilot officer, service number 51330, and in August of that year was promoted again to Flying Officer. By late 1943 he was serving with 101 Squadron. The squadron flew the Avro Lancaster heavy bomber from Ludford Magna in Lincolnshire. On the night of 2nd/3rd December 1943 his aircraft serial number LM363 with squadron markings of
SR-P was airborne at 16:41 bound deep into Germany. Their target for the night was the Big City (Berlin), along with 424 other Lancasters, 18 Mosquitos and 15
Halifaxes they were to continue the Battle of Berlin. There were no major diversions and the bombers took an absolutely direct route across the North Sea and Holland and then on to Berlin. Incorrectly forecast winds scattered the bomber stream and the Germans identified Berlin as the target 19 minutes before Zero Hour enabling many fighters to intercept the bombers. Weldon was an eighth member of the crew in this special ABC Lancaster with radio counter measures. LM363 crashed near Diepholz killing all on board, it was one of three from the squadron lost on that night. Arnold Weldon died on 2 December 1943, aged 25 years old and is now buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery.
Note Commonwealth War Graves Commission shows his age as 32. Previous missions with 101 Squadron are: Aircraft Date Target Airborne Return LM 363 18 Nov 43 Berlin 17:05 20:35 Abandoned at 19:04 at 53 02N 04 23E, where bomb load 1x4000lb and 12x30lb jettisoned. Rear and upper turrets U/S. LM363 22 Nov 43 Berlin 16:55 23:10 DV268 23 Nov 43 Berlin 17:00 23:40 JB128 26 Nov 43 Stuttgart 17:05 00:40 Other crew member killed on aircraft LM363 were: G.A.J.Frazer-Hollins DFC Sgt C.H.Mortimer F/O J.W.F.Deane F/O H.Tiller Sgt H.W.Witham Sgt E.Heap DFM Sgt J.J.Kelly USAAF |
George Woodcock - 5383484
George Woodcock was born in Bolton in the third quarter of 1914, first child to John Woodcock and Mary Teresa (nee Hinton) who had married the year before. The couple had a further six children, only the last was born in Yorkshire after they had moved in 1926. The family lived at 54 South St, Thurcroft. After leaving school George was employed at Thurcroft Colliery.
He enlisted in the Army and was a Private in 1st Battalion, Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Regiment. The Regiment went to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force and in the retreat to Dunkirk took part in the defence of the Ypres – Commines Canal. They were eventually evacuated from Dunkirk. Four years later, the 1st Ox & Bucks landed in Normandy on 23 June 1944 as part of the 71st Infantry Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. After holding the line the 1st Ox & Bucks first major engagement with the enemy during the battle for Caen was the successful attack to capture the village of Cahier and a nearby mill. On the night of 16 July, the 1 Ox & Bucks was called on to make the attack without artillery or tank support, the regiment suffered 52 casualties killed including George Woodcock. He was 29 years old and was buried in Brouay War Cemetery.
He enlisted in the Army and was a Private in 1st Battalion, Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Regiment. The Regiment went to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force and in the retreat to Dunkirk took part in the defence of the Ypres – Commines Canal. They were eventually evacuated from Dunkirk. Four years later, the 1st Ox & Bucks landed in Normandy on 23 June 1944 as part of the 71st Infantry Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. After holding the line the 1st Ox & Bucks first major engagement with the enemy during the battle for Caen was the successful attack to capture the village of Cahier and a nearby mill. On the night of 16 July, the 1 Ox & Bucks was called on to make the attack without artillery or tank support, the regiment suffered 52 casualties killed including George Woodcock. He was 29 years old and was buried in Brouay War Cemetery.