North Walsham - WW2 Roll of Honour

North Walsham has a memorial to the War dead of WW2 in both St Nicholas Church and the memorial park itself. Unfortunately the pictures I took in the church were blurred, so for now there is just the Park Memorial.

 

1939 - 1945

 

J Aldrich (Church and Park Memorial)

No obvious Match. on CWGC

 

Choices John Maria, L\Sgt Hampshire Regiment, died Holland 04/10/1944 (Wife lives Slough, Bucks)

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2619128

John Robert, Private RASC, died North Africa 27/11/1941 (Wife lives Acomb, Yorks)

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2119040

John Wilfred Lt Royal Sussex Regt died Italy 23/12/1944 (Mother lives Hove)

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1715504

 

T Amies (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Probably

Name: AMIES, THOMAS DAWSON

Rank: Private

Regiment: Essex Regiment

Unit Text: 5th Bn.

Age: 29

Date of Death: 02/11/1943

Service No: 6024588

Additional information: Son of Frederick William and Emma Elizabeth Amies; husband of Winifred Amies, of Palling, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: XVII. A. 3. Cemetery: SANGRO RIVER WAR CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2377161

 

Or

Name: AMIES, THOMAS FRANCIS

Rank: Aircraftman 1st Class

Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Age: 36

Date of Death: 04/05/1943

Service No: 1458072

Additional information: Son of Thomas H. Amies and Alice Amies, of Norwich; husband of Caroline Lockwell Amies, of Norwich.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. 54. Grave 494. Cemetery: NORWICH CEMETERY, Norfolk

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764124

 

Headstone www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/5406088888/

 

On the night of October 24th 1/12 Frontier Force and 1/5 Gurkhas passed through the Royal Fusiliers and took up the running. 17th Brigade now widened its front, with the 6th Lancers in touch with Seventy-eighth Division, and the Gurkhas linked up with First Canadian Division on the left. Five miles short of the Trigno, 19th Brigade passed through 17th Brigade, with 1/5th Essex and 3/8 Punjabis leading. An ominous portent was the identification of First German Parachute Division on the front, one of the most skilful and belligerent of German formations. Nevertheless, only sharp skirmishes ensued when 19th Brigade took a firm grip on the south bank of the Trigno through occupation of Monte Mitro and Montefalcone.

In this neighbourhood the Trigno ran between steep escarpments, whose crests stood fifteen hundred feet above the bottom of the valley. In many places the banks were sheer. The river was one hundred yards wide and in full view of the enemy on the ridges to the north. Ordinarily no more than two feet deep, the stream had risen sharply as a result of the autumnal rains. All bridges were blown, and all approaches mined.

 

Intelligence reported the positions to be defended by paratroopers, who were fully aware of the purpose of the Indians.

For three days before the attack, heavy rains hampered preparations. Tracks deteriorated into quagmires. The roads had been so thoroughly destroyed that it was necessary for bulldozers to work upon by-passes and diversions, often in full view of the enemy. Under lowering skies, pelted by cold rains, the infantry waited dourly. By the end of October the approaches to the Trigno were organized, and at 0345 hours on November 2nd, 6/13 Frontier Force Rifles silently defiled into the icy stream and began to cross. The supporting barrage burst on the ridge ahead of them, and Eighth Indian Division was committed to its first action in Europe

 

Frontier Force Rifles, though out of timing with the barrage, surged up the spur for nearly 2,000 yards, and by 0800 hours had mustered on their start line for the attack on Tufillo Village. The Frontiersmen's assault was launched against a typical German "hedgehog" position. All approaches were mined and booby-trapped. A curtain of mortar bombs covered the minefield. Every house held a sniper. Attempts to close were met with showers of grenades. Quick savage sallies were flung against any ground won. Eventually the battalion was held up, a few hundred yards short of its objective.

On the left of the Frontier Force Rifles, when dawn broke, the Essex began to cross the Trigno. Enemy artillery laid down an accurate shoot on the line of the river. The leading companies pushed through the barrage and up the hillside under murderous machine-gun fire, from front and flanks. The convex curve of the slope prevented Frontier Force Rifles from aiding their British comrades as they strove to come up into line. The forward companies pushed on manfully, and reached their first objective. Mounting casualties, however, made the position untenable, and the Essex withdrew to the north bank of the Trigno, taking their wounded with them.

www.ourstory.info/library/4-ww2/Tiger/triumphs01.html

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernhardt_Line#Advance_across_the_S...

 

J Andrews (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: ANDREWS, JOHN

Rank: Private

Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment

Unit Text: 5th Bn.

Date of Death: 13/10/1943

Service No: 5777312

Additional information: Son of Oscar William and Ethel Selina Andrews, of North Walsham, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: 9. D. 2. Cemetery: CHUNGKAI WAR CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2352425

 

One of the many who would die in a Japanese PoW camp following the fall of Singapore.

 

F D G Bloom (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: BLOOM, FRANCIS GERALD DURRANT

Rank: Flight Sergeant

Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Unit Text: 177 Sqdn.

Age: 22

Date of Death: 24/02/1944

Service No: 1333762

Additional information: Son of Gerald George and Annie Laura Bloom, of North Walsham, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 434. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1813945

 

177 Squadron were a Beaufighter ground attack squadron, flying over the jungles of Burma & Siam and tasked with disrupting Japanese troop and supply movements.

www.ww2talk.com/forum/user-introductions/24737-cant-find-...

www.myrcomm.com/beau/the-squadrons/177-squadron.html#177-...

 

In Silently into the midst of things: 177 Squadron Royal Air Force in Burma ...

By A. Sutherland Brown

In the Roll of Honour index F G Bloom is listed as a pilot, while his observer Flying Officer G W Broughton was taken Prisoner of War, (page 229), however on page 209 Broughton is listed as being a PoW from October 1944, and the observer of Warrant Officer Hill.. On the same page, W.O Hill, (Pow) is listed with Navigator Flying. Officer R F Hacker, who died. I suspect the two records have either been merged or the lay-out is not clear - it states the order is approximately the first date the individual flew with the squadron, so possibly it is meant to indicate Bloom and Broughton initially flew together, rather than were in the same crash.

 

For the record CWGC shows,

Name: HACKER, RONALD FRANCIS MORRIS

Rank: Flying Officer (Nav.)

Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 177 Sqdn.

Age: 23 Date of Death: 22/04/1944 Service No: 136384

Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Francis Hacker; husband of Nancy Hacker, of Cross Common, Cornwall. B.A., Hons. (Lond.).

Grave/Memorial Reference: Joint grave 28. B. 21-22. Cemetery: TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2085947

 

Both Warrant Officer Hill and Flying Officer Broughton were incarcerated in Rangoon jail, from which they were released by the advancing allies in 1945.

 

D A Brown (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: BROWN, DOUGLAS ARTHUR

Rank: Private

Service: Royal Army Service Corps

Unit Text: 1 Base Supply Depot

Age: 21

Date of Death: 17/06/1940

Service No: S/115317

Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Brown, of North Walsham. Norfolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: Row 1. Grave 5. Cemetery: L'EPINE COMMUNAL CEMETERY, ILE DE NOIRMOUTIER

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2694983

 

Allied forces continued to fight for at least three weeks after the fall of Dunkirk - indeed some units rescued from the beaches there were shipped back. Other’s soldiers, isolated from their units, tried to make there way south and west to get back home. We shall never probably know why Private Brown died and was buried deep in the Vendee region of France. However it probably is connected with the loss of RMS Lancastria off nearby St Nazaire on this day, with the loss of between 4,000 and 9,000 lives.

 

The RMS Lancastria had embarked an unknown number (estimates range from 4,000 up to 9,000) of civilian refugees and RAF personnel. The ship's official capacity was 2,200. She was sunk off the French port of St. Nazaire while taking part in Operation Ariel, the evacuation of British nationals and troops from France, two weeks after the Dunkirk evacuation.

 

The sheer size of the Lancastria disaster and the fact that the troopship sank in the estuary of the River Loire, trapping many people inside the hull, means that a great many of the bodies were never recovered.

www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/98_squadron.html

www.lancastria.org.uk/home.html

 

K Brown (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: BROWN, KENNETH

Rank: Serjeant

Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment

Age: 26

Date of Death: 18/03/1944

Service No: 5776919

Additional information: Son of Mrs. R. H. Brown, of North Walsham, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: 12. J. 19. Cemetery: TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2084551

 

Serjeant Brown is likely to have served with one of the three Norfolk Battalions, 4th, 5th and 6th that marched into captivity with the surrender of Singapore.

 

M A Brundall (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: BRUNDALL, MAURICE ARTHUR

Rank: Pilot Officer (Pilot)

Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Date of Death: 22/02/1941

Service No: 81347

Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. R.R.R. Grave 1. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764108

 

(Headstone picture already posted)

www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/2826398856/in/set-7215...

 

A R Chandler (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: CHANDLER, ARTHUR ROY

Rank: Private

Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment

Unit Text: 2nd Bn.

Age: 22

Date of Death: between 10/05/1940 and 19/06/1940

Service No: 5772972

Additional information: Son of Arthur James Chandler and May Blanche Chandler, of North Walsham, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 43. Memorial: DUNKIRK MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2771018

 

The 2nd Norfolks were one of those units sacrificed, holding the perimeter at Dunkirk to allow the evacuation to continue. Eventually captured, many were massacred at Le Paradis. A large number are

also unaccounted for - hence the date range.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Paradis_massacre

www.norfolkbc.fsnet.co.uk/archive_collection/strips_farro...

 

5772972 Arthur Roy Chandler was born 20 Feb 1918, enlisted in 1938 and was killed in action in France in June 1940

www.norfolkbc.fsnet.co.uk/bc_issues/bc_85_dec_95/85_dec_9...

 

J W Clarke (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: CLARKE, JACK WILLIAM

Rank: Private

Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment

Unit Text: 7th Bn.

Age: 36

Date of Death: 07/08/1944

Service No: 14610646

Additional information: Son of Thomas and Alice Clarke; husband of Esther Margaret Clarke, of North Walsham, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: XXIII. E. 10. Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2955842

 

He died during an action that pitted the 7th Royal Norfolks against tanks of the 12th Panzer Division outside the village of Grimbosq on the River Orne some 17 kilometres south of Caen. In this action Major David Jamieson, commanding a 7th battalion Company, won the Victoria Cross

www.edp24.co.uk/content/edp24/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOn...

 

Over a critical 36-hour period, and with fewer than 100 men, his company of the Royal Norfolk Regiment repulsed seven violent counter-attacks by heavily armed Panther and Tiger tanks. Even when wounded in the eye and arm, he refused to be evacuated and continued to command, calling for artillery support over his wireless and reorganising his steadily depleted company. Regardless of his personal safety, and in full view of the enemy, he walked among his men encouraging them to hold their ground. By the evening of the second day, the Germans withdrew, leaving a ring of unburied dead and mangled tanks. It was Jamieson's first action.

On 6 August 1944 three battalions of British infantry had crossed the Orne, south of Caen, and occupied the far bank. Jamieson was in command of D Company of the 7th Battalion, the Royal Norfolk Regiment, situated on the outskirts of the village of Grimosq. The following day, the Germans launched a counter- attack on the village. As they attacked, they were hit by the company's two anti-tank guns. "It was as if they didn't realise we were there," recalled Jamieson, "and gave our gunners a wonderful enfilade shoot." Three Panther tanks were blasted to a halt. The next morning the 6ft 5in young commander realised the Germans would be back in force. "I was determined that we would hang on, but I was worried," he was to recall. "My concern was that everyone would skit and run. It wasn't a happy position."

The company defending their right had been swallowed up by constant German counter-attacks and there were reports of enemy tanks approaching from the rear. Jamieson's position seemed almost untenable.

As the morning haze gave way to a brilliant sun on 8 August, Jamieson's already bleak position deteriorated alarmingly as both his anti-tank guns were taken out by devastating shell fire. German infantry advanced under cover of their tanks and the close quarter fighting became brutal and one platoon was overrun. Jamieson rallied his diminishing force to an orchard which was immediately fiercely attacked.

Some hope was offered when three Churchill tanks of the Armoured Corps took up the battle. But to Jamieson's dismay they motored directly into the line of fire of a concealed enemy tank. Jamieson tried desperately to signal the tank commander, but to no avail. He then ran and tried to use the phone at the back of the tank but could not get through. Ignoring incoming fire he clambered on to the tank. As he did so an armour piercing shell drilled a hole through the driver's compartment. Jamieson was thrown off peppered with shrapnel and badly shaken.

Yet, with his eye roughly patched and his arm in a sling, he knew that, as the sole surviving officer, he was desperately needed by his men. He gathered his by now sorely depleted company to meet what he considered would be the final onslaught. But the enemy, who had already launched seven counter-attacks and had sustained heavy losses, thought better of it and switched their attention to the Canadians advancing towards Falaise. This proved to be an unwise move.

Throughout this intense battle Jamieson's inspired leadership, defiance and skilful handling of his artillery and his men prevented the advance of the enemy. At one point in the worst of the bombardment he saw a frightened soldier leave his trench. He recalled: "I drew my revolver and pointed it at him, telling him to get back in his hole. He was a nice young fellow but I was worried, if one went back, the rest would follow." After the battle, on reaching the first aid post, and having his wounds attended to, he fell asleep for 48 hours.

Of his award of the Victoria Cross he once modestly said: "It was certainly not personally deserved. It was won by a group of men in a tight position." The final part of his citation reads:

Throughout this 36 hours of bitter and close fighting, and despite the pain of his wounds, Captain Jamieson showed superb qualities of leadership and great personal bravery. There were times when the position appeared hopeless, but on each occasion it was restored by his coolness and determination. He personally was largely responsible for the holding of this important bridgehead over the river Orne and the repulse of seven German counter-attacks with great loss to the enemy

www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/major-david-jamieso...

 

F S M Davis (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: DAVIS, FRANCIS SAMUEL MARSHALL

Rank: Bombardier

Regiment: Royal Artillery Unit Text: 3 Maritime Regt.

Age: 26

Date of Death: 17/08/1944

Service No: 5774172

Additional information: Son of Samuel and Daisy Davis, of Mundesley, Norfolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot 3. Row E. Grave 39. Cemetery: MAZARGUES WAR CEMETERY, MARSEILLES

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2685774

 

The Naval net site lists a number of casualties at this time of individuals from the Royal Artillery’s Maritime Regiments that have lost their lives, (many “missing presumed killed”), there is no record of Bombardier Davis at all in August 1944

www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1944-08AUG.htm

 

www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/maritime/index.html

 

Operation Dragoon, the invasion of Southern France, had taken place on the 15th August, but had been relatively light in terms of casualties. By the 17th, the allies were well of the beach.

 

R Davison (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: DAVISON, ROBERT

Rank: Able Seaman

Service: Royal Navy

Unit Text: H.M. Submarine Urge

Age: 21

Date of Death: 06/05/1942

Service No: D/JX 190316

Additional information: Son of Robert James Davison and Agnes Davison, of North Walsham, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 64, Column 3. Memorial: PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2478097

 

Navy The Royal Navy Type Submarine Class U Pennant N 17 Built by Vickers Armstrong (Barrow-in-Furness, U.K.) Ordered Laid down 30 Oct 1939 Launched 19 Aug 1940 Commissioned 12 Dec 1940 Lost 6 May 1942

History

HMS Urge (Lt.Cdr. Edward Philip Tomkinson, DSO and Bar, RN) left Malta on 27 April 1942. She failed to arrive at Alexandria on 6 May 1942 and was reported overdue on that day. On 29 April she attacked the Italian sailing vessel San Giusto off Ras Hilal: in the immediate area was a small convoy of 3 German MFPs, escorted by an Italian Cr.42 biplane. As the sub was engaged in the attack against the sailer, she was dive-bombed and sunk by the plane. This is confirmed by witnesses on board the MFPs, any notion the TB Pegaso may have been involved is incorrect.

www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3538.html

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Urge_(N17)

www.sportesport.it/wrecksLB025.htm

 

N R Drury (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: DRURY, NORMAN RICHARD

Rank: Corporal (W.Op.)

Service: Royal Air Force

Unit Text: 220 Sqdn.

Age: 23

Date of Death: 11/02/1940

Service No: 537272

Additional information: Son of Ernest Richard and Edith Ellen Drury, of North Walsham. Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. Y.Y.Y. Grave 1. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764109

 

(Picture of headstone)

www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/2825563963/

 

The winter of 1939-40 was a very severe one. On this night, Sunday the 11th of February 1940, three Hudson's took off from Thornaby for ops to Heligoland. It was a cold night and snow covered the hills. The lead aircraft failed to gain enough height on take off, probably due it icing on the aircrafts wings. It flew very low over Great Ayton and crashed into the first piece of high ground it came to, the North York Moors. The aircraft flew into the moor just below a stone wall before travelling through the wall and then onto the hill top near to Captain Cooks Monument, above Great Ayton. The crash ripped the underside of the aircraft off and it ploughed its way across the snow covered moor for a short before coming to rest in a small wood on its side. One witness who I have spoke to recalls it had one wing broken off and the remaining wing which was still attached to the main fuselage, was left sticking up in the air. Of the four crew on board, three were killed whilst only the gunner survived. After being knocked out for a while, he came too and with two injured legs, he struggled down the hillside to get help at a nearby farm close to Easby, taking a rest in old mine buildings on the way down. It was later found out that icing to the wings had been responsible for the aircraft failing to gain enough height. The Court of Inquiry states: "Ice on windscreen caused loss of visability" was the reason for the crash although it is unclear why they thought this

www.allenby.info/aircraft/planes/40/n7294.html

 

11/02/1940: Patrol

Type: Lockheed Hudson I

Serial number: N7294, NR-EOperation: Patrol

Lost: 11/02/1940

Flying Officer (Pilot) Tom M. Parker, RAF 39334, 220 Sqdn., age unknown, 11/02/1940, Thornaby-on-Tees Cemetery, UK

Sergeant (Pilot) Harold F. Bleksley, RAF 516366, 220 Sqdn., age 24, 11/02/1940, Bristol (Canford) Cemetery, UK

Corporal (W.Op.) Norman R. Drury, RAF 537272, 220 Sqdn., age 23, 11/02/1940, North Walsham New Cemetery, UK

LAC Barker - injured

Took off from Thornaby at 04.10 hrs. windscreen iced up after take-off and the Hudson crashed a few minutes later almost at the summit of Cook Monument Hill near Great Ayton. LAC Barker was the only member of the crew not killed and escaped with concussion and severe cuts. He managed to scramble down the hill to a farmhouse which he reached at about 08.00 hrs.

Sources: CWGC and Ross McNeill, 'Royal Air Force Coastal Command Losses: Aircraft and Crew Losses 1939-1941 v. 1', Midland Publishing, 2003

www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/220_squadron.html#1 102

 

Tom MacKinlay Parker

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?cas ualty=2414207

Harold Francis Bleksley

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?cas ualty=2450648

There are pictures of them both here, along with details of the fate of the Gunner, Atholl Barkerwww.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/planes/ 40/n7294.html

 

J W Edwards (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: EDWARDS, JOHN WILLIAM

Rank: Flight Sergeant (Pilot)

Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Unit Text: 213 Sqdn.

Date of Death: 25/06/1942

Service No: 961547

Additional information: Son of Frederick William and Bessie Charity Edwards, of North Walsham, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: I, E, 13. Cemetery: CASERTA WAR CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2067169

 

Flight Sergeant Edwards was initially posted as missing on the 22/6

213squadronassociation.homestead.com/Secondworldwar.html#...

 

The Hurricane, perhaps more than any other aircraft, will always be associated with 213 Squadron. The Squadron operated this remarkable aircraft throughout the withdrawal of the BEF from France, over Dunkirk, throughout the Battle of Britain, and during the Syrian Campaign. Switching to the Hurricane Mk. IIc in March 1942 for the air battles over North Africa, culminating in El Alamein and then Operation Chocolate, it was finally flown on convoy protection and air defence operations until February 1944.

213squadronassociation.homestead.com/Secondworldwar.html#...

 

There’s some speculation on what happened to Flight Sergeant Edwards on this forum.

www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7290&highl...

A further possibility - was this the date his body was found, and so its become enshrined in official records that this is the date of death.

 

F R W Frostick (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: FROSTICK, FRANK ROBERT WILFRED

Rank: Leading Aircraftman

Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Age: 22

Date of Death: 20/02/1943

Service No: 1463569

Additional information: Son of Frederick John and Mabel Elizabeth Frostick, of North Walsham, Norfolk, England.

Grave/Memorial Reference: R.A.F. Plot. Grave 12. Cemetery: TERRELL (OAKLAND) MEMORIAL PARK

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2720051

 

Terrell (Oakland) Memorial Park contains a plot of 20 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War, all airmen who died while training in Texas at the Basic Flying Training School (1 BFTS).

www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=207319...

 

On February 20, 1943 a British training flight departed its airbase at Terrell, Texas—known as the No. 1 British Flying Training School—en route for the No. 3 British Flying Training School at Miami, Oklahoma.

The students were flying a formation of twelve training aircraft known as AT-6s. The AT-6—an acronym for "Advanced Trainer"—was first manufactured in 1930. It was a two-seater, one-engine trainer plane.

Their objective was to complete a low-level, cross-country training flight. Poor weather hampered the flight, however, particularly as they approached the Kiamichi Mountains of Pushmataha County, Oklahoma. According to local residents the weather was unfavorable. One, Lee Stone, described ground conditions as very foggy, with a rainy mist. Another, Calvin Moyer, who was attempting to hunt hogs, stopped due to the fog, which made it hard to see.

The pilots encountered similar conditions in the air—and had not been briefed to expect them, or what to do if encountering them. Several planes turned back to Terrell, but others continued. Twelve pilots eventually landed at Miami as planned, but three planes encountered serious difficulties.

 

One plane made a successful wheels down landing on the valley. .

 

Things took a tragic turn for the worse regarding the other two planes, which found themselves on a path several miles to the east, taking them over the rural community of Moyers, Oklahoma, behind which the mountains rise precipitously.

The pilots successfully cleared Rodney Mountain (764 feet), then passing over Moyers. Immediately behind Moyers is White Rock Mountain (1,023 feet), and one AT-6 crashed into its steep southern slope. The plane slid into a tree, killing its crew. W.E. McMahan and other local would-be rescuers who ascended the mountain believed the fliers would have lived had the plane not impacted the tree. They also believed the pilot, Vincent Henry Cockman, 20, of Ilford, England, had lived for a short time after the crash as his head was turned to face the body of his navigator, Frank Frostick, 21, of North Walsham, England.

The third missing plane managed to pass above White Rock Mountain but apparently lost control, spiraling down into the face of Big Mountain (1,145 feet). Big Mountain, which marks the southern end of the rugged and geologically significant Johns Valley, is between the rural communities of Moyers and Kosoma.

The third wreck took longer to locate, and was not found until the next day. Piloted by Mike Hosier, 19, of Swindon, England and navigated by Maurice Jenson, 19, of Bournemouth, England, the plane came straight down into the mountain,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT6_Monument

 

B Gardiner (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: GARDINER, BENJAMIN

Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment

Unit Text: 6th Bn.

Age: 22

Date of Death: between 25/01/1942 and 26/01/1942

Service No: 5774736

Additional information: Son of Benjamin and Violet Gardiner; husband of Eileen Margaret Gardiner, of Hempnall, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 50. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2131778

 

Private Gardiner died during the hectic and improvised defense of Singapore,

www.britain-at-war.org.uk/WW2/royal_norfolks_in_far_east/...

 

H J Goodchild (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: GOODCHILD, HARRY JOHN

Rank: Warrant Officer

Service: Royal Air Force

Unit Text: 33 Sqdn.

Age: 24

Date of Death: 04/03/1941

Service No: 517435

Awards: D F M

Additional information: Son of Harry John and Leah Elizabeth Goodchild, of North Walsham, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 241. Memorial: ALAMEIN MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1809977

(Brother of Thomas below)

 

During the morning on 4 March five Italian warships identified as two cruisers and three destroyers, sortied down the Albanian coast and commenced shelling the coastal road near Himare and Port Palermo, under cover of a strong fighter escort of G.50bis and CR42s from the 24o Gruppo C.T. The flotilla actually comprised of the destroyer Augusto Riboty, the torpedo boat Andromeda and three MAS boats.

An immediate strike was ordered by RAF units, 15 Blenheims being ordered off. Nine 211 Squadron aircraft and five from 84 Squadron (a sixth failed to start) were led to the area by Squadron Leaders Gordon-Finlayson and Jones, escorted by ten Hurricanes, followed by l7 Gladiators, l4 from ll2 Squadron and three from 80 Squadron. Four 80 Squadron Hurricanes led by Flight Lieutenant 'Pat' Pattle flew on the starboard flank of the bombers, with four from 33 Squadron to port, and two more above as ‘weavers’. At 15:00 the warships were seen ten miles south of Valona, and the Blenheims went in to bomb in line astern; several near misses were seen, but no hits were recorded.

At this point six G.50bis dived on the Hurricanes, shooting down V7801 in flames; 24-year-old Warrant Officer Harry J. Goodchild DFM (RAF No. 517435) was killed.

surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/commonwealth_cullen.htm

 

www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/33_wwII.html

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marmaduke_Pattle

www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/71/a4196171.shtml

 

He gets a brief mention here while still a Flight Sergeant flying with the squadron in North Africa

surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/italy_damiani.htm

 

T W Goodchild (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: GOODCHILD, THOMAS WILLIAM

Rank: Flying Officer

Service: Royal Air Force Unit Text: 224 Sqdn.

Age: 24

Date of Death: 19/03/1946

Service No: 57062

Additional information: Son of Harry John and Mary Elizabeth Goodchild, of North Walsham, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 285. Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1798529

(Brother of Harry above)

 

On the 19th March 1946 an Airspeed Oxford, X7282 was lost off St Eval, Cornwall leading to the death of its one occupant. There is nothing as yet to link this with the death of Flying Officer Goodchild.

aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=25311

 

E Green (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Most probably, (although there is another individual from Sheringham)

Name: GREEN, ERIC WILFRED

Rank: Private

Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment

Unit Text: 5th Bn.

Age: 25 Date of Death: 14/04/1945

Service No: 5775033

Grave/Memorial Reference: 26. C. 18. Cemetery: KRANJI WAR CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2228242

 

Eric features on the Roll of Honour for the nearby village of Antingham

www.roll-of-honour.com/Norfolk/Antingham.html

 

O J Griffin (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: GRIFFIN, OSWALD JAMES

Rank: Lance Serjeant

Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment

Unit Text: 5th Bn.

Age: 26 Date of Death: between 14/02/1942 and 15/02/1942

Service No: 5770986

Additional information: Husband of Alice Charlotte Griffin, of North Walsham, Norfolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 47. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2132524

 

Sergeant Griffin died during the hectic and improvised defense of Singapore,

www.britain-at-war.org.uk/WW2/royal_norfolks_in_far_east/...

 

L H Guyton (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: GUYTON, LESLIE HARCOURT

Rank: Lance Corporal

Regiment/Service: Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Date of Death: 29/10/1942

Service No: 7646262

Grave/Memorial Reference: III. D. 20. Cemetery: EL ALAMEIN WAR CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2094342

 

E A Heath (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: HEATH, EDWIN ALFRED

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: Welch Regiment

Unit Text: 2nd Bn.

Age: 20

Date of Death: 20/03/1945

Service No: 14392489

Additional information: Son of Doris Heath, of North Walsham, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: 3. B. 19. Cemetery: MAYNAMATI WAR CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1057068

 

Before the war Maynamati (Bangladesh) was a hamlet of a few dozen huts, but during the war a large military camp was established there. Several ordnance depots and a number of military hospitals, both British and Indian, were in the area, including Nos. 14 and 150 British General Hospitals; and the majority of the burials in Maynamati War Cemetery were from the various hospitals. Graves from isolated places in the surrounding country, and some from as far afield as Burma, were moved into the cemetery by the Army Graves Service and later on by the Commission; and it was found necessary to transfer also graves from small cemeteries at Dacca, Faridpur, Paksay, Saidpur, Santahan and Sirajgany, where they could not be maintained.

www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=107700...

 

K Hedge (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Only match

Name: HEDGE, KENNETH GEORGE

Rank: Private

Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment

Unit Text: 5th Bn.

Age: 27

Date of Death: 19/01/1944

Service No: 5777094

Additional information: Son of Charles and Ellen Hedge, of Stowmarket, Suffolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: 2. E. 1. Cemetery: CHUNGKAI WAR CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2353000

 

If this is the right individual, then he would most likely have been matched into Japanese captivity following the fall of Singapore in February 1942.

 

There is a John Clem Hedge , an RAF Air Gunner from the nearby village of Edingthorpe

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2763556

 

R J Jay (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Only match

Name: JAY, REGINALD JAMES

Rank: Marine

Regiment/Service: Royal Marines

Unit Text: H.M.S. Glorious.

Age: 33

Date of Death: 08/06/1940

Service No: PLY/22128

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 43, Column 2. Memorial: PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2481961

 

The loss of the Glorious

www.warship.org/no11994.htm

www.scharnhorst-class.dk/scharnhorst/history/scharnjuno_g...

www.fleetairarmarchive.net/ships/glorious.html

 

There has been a lot of questions asked about how the Glorious came to be sank, but perhaps some insight is provided by this anecdote of a daughter of one of the crew members.

 

In April 1940 my mother received a telegram, saying that the ship was putting into Greenock for a few days. Immediately she got on the train to Glasgow so that they could be together, and my father could see his daughter for the first time. According to my mother, he was delighted — and said that “if a sailor came courting his daughter he would chase him off!” Too much time away from the family, in his opinion, and as all the Edwards men, for several generations, had been in the Royal Navy, he spoke from the heart. My mother told me later that during those few days he had a sense of foreboding, as did other crew members, knowing where they were going. The engines of the Glorious were ‘held together with string and sealing wax’. If they were under attack, the ship had no speed and in any case the hatches would be battened down.

www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/93/a6357693.shtml

 

W P D Johnstone (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Only match

Name: JOHNSTONE, WILLIAM PLUNKETT DUNNING

Rank: Petty Officer

Service: Royal Navy Unit

Text: H.M. Submarine Usurper

Date of Death: 12/10/1943

Service No: C/JX 151C79

Additional information: Son of Jack Sidney and Ella May Johnstone; husband of Dorothy Yvonne Johnstone, of Aldridge, Staffordshire.

Grave/Memorial Reference: 68, 1. Memorial: CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2469220

 

Usurper is recorded on the Naval net site as lost on the 3rd October 1943 and Petty Officer Johnstone is included on the list of those down as “Missing presumed killed”.

www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1943-10OCT.htm

 

Usurper had left Algiers on 24 September 1943 with instruction to patrol off La Spezia. On 3 October 1943 she was ordered to move to the Gulf of Genoa. No further contact was made and she failed to return to Algiers on 12 October 1943 as expected. The German anti-submarine vessel UJ-2208/Alfred reported attacking a submarine in the Gulf of Genoa on 3 October 1943 and it is believed that this may have been the Usurper.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Usurper_(P56)

www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3561.html

www.sportesport.it/wrecksLI044.htm

 

J H Kidman(Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: KIDMAN, JAMES HERSERT

Rank: Sergeant (Air Gnr.)

Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Unit Text: 622 Sqdn.

Age: 19

Date of Death: 20/01/1944

Service No: 1396509

Additional information: Son of Joseph and Lydia Kidman, of North Walsham, Norfolk. Grave/Memorial Reference: 17. E. 12. Cemetery: BECKLINGEN WAR CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2199267

 

Lancaster R5915 Information

Type.............................Lancaster

Serial Number..............R5915

Squadron.....................622

X1D.............................GI-P

Operation....................Berlin

Date 1.........................20th January 1944

Date 2.........................21st January 1944

 

Further Information

"Serial Range R5842 - R5917 This aircraft was one of 100 Manchesters which were ordered from Metro-Vick in 1939 and built as 43 Manchester 1s and 57 Lancaster Mk.1s transported from Mar41 to Aug42 to A.V.Roe for final assembly and flight testing. R5915 was delivered to No.9 Sqdn 20Sep42, to No.97 Sqdn 26Dec42, to 166CU 15Mar43, to No.622 Sqdn 8Jan44. Took part in the following key Operations: With No.9 Sqdn as WS-X, Wismar 23/24Sep42; Wismar 1/2Oct42; Krefeld 2/3Oct42-aborted; Kiel 6/7Oct42; Cologne 15/16Oct42; Le Creusot 17Oct42-Daylight; Milan 24Oct42-Daylight; Genoa 6/7Nov42; Turin 8/9Dec42; Turin 9/10Dec42; Cloppenburg 17/18Dec42; Duisburg 20/21Dec42; Munich 21/22Dec42; Gardening La Rochelle 29/30Dec42; With No.97 Sqdn as OF-Q, Hamburg 30/31Jan43; Lorient 13/14Feb43; Berlin 1/2Mar43; Nuremburg 8/9Mar43-aborted; To No.1660CU. With No.622 Sqdn as GI-P, Brunswick 14/15Jan44; Berlin 20/21Jan44-Lost. When lost this aircraft had a total of 693 hours. R5915 was one of two No.619 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See: R5483. Airborne 1651 20Jan44 from Mildenhall. Outbound at 22,000 feet when hit by Flak in the vicinity of Hamburg-Luneburg which set fire to the starboard wing. Exploded and crashed between Havekost and Rumstedt, 5 km ENE of Bad Bevensen. Those killed were buried at Rumstedt, five are now buried in Becklingen War cemetery while Panel 214 of the Runnymede Memorial commemorates Sgt Woodcock.

 

F/S R.A.Deacon KIA

Sgt N.Butler (P2) KIA

Sgt J.B.Strange KIA

Sgt P.J.Irwin PoW

F/L K.R.Miller PoW

Sgt A.W.Woodcock KIA

Sgt J.Cunningham KIA

Sgt J.H.Kidman KIA

 

Sgt P.J.Irwin was wounded but interned in Camps L6/357, PoW No.923. F/L K.R.Miller was interned in Camp L3, PoW No.3378. "

www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=1217

 

O Leeder (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: LEEDER, OLAF WILLIAM

Rank: Corporal

Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment

Unit Text: 5th Bn.

Age: 28

Date of Death: 22/01/1942

Service No: 5774599

Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 34. E. 1-8. Cemetery: KRANJI WAR CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2228808

 

Corporal Leeder died during the hectic and improvised defense of Singapore,

www.britain-at-war.org.uk/WW2/royal_norfolks_in_far_east/...

 

J R Mace (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: MACE, JOHN RUST

Rank: Sergeant (Flt. Engr.)

Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Unit Text: 158 Sqdn.

Age: 29

Date of Death: 14/02/1943

Service No: 1225368

Additional information: Son of Frederick and Louisa Mace, of North Walsham, husband of Kate Louisa Mace, of Brundall.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. S.S.S. Grave 33. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764111

 

(Separate headstone picture)

www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/2826397776/

 

1225368 Sergeant J R Mace

Flight Engineer

Royal Air Force

14th February 1943

Age 29

 

Halifax DT696 Information

Type..................................................Halifax

Serial Number................................DT696

Squadron........................................158

X1D...................................................NP-O

Operation........................................Cologne

Date 1..............................................14th February 1943

Date 2..............................................15th February 1943

Further Information

"Serial Range DT665 - DT705. 41 Halifax Mk.11. Part of a batch of 250 HP59 Halifax Mk.11. Delivered by Handley Page (Cricklewood & Radlett) between 3Sep42 and 23Oct42. DT695 was one of two 158 Sqdn Halifaxes lost during this operation. See: DT694.

 

Airborne 1816 14Feb43 from Rufforth. Cause of loss not established. Crashed 1830 at Stillingfleet, 4 miles NW of Riccall, Yorkshire. Just before the crash, the bomb load was jettisoned near the village of Appleton Roebuck. P/O Herbert's brother, Richard Vivian Herbert, was also KIA. Sgt Cains is buried in Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery. The other were taken to their home towns and villages.

 

P/O G.B.Herbert KIA (Gerald Bevill Herbert)

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2437299

 

Sgt J.R.Mace KIA

 

Sgt A.B.Langeland KIA (Arthur Bruce Langeland - buried Staines)

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2432868

 

P/O R.Flood KIA (Reginald Flood - buried Staveley)

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2702576

 

Sgt S.W.Cains RNZAF KIA (Sidney William Cains - buried Harrogate)

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2623429

 

Sgt D.Booker KIA (Dennis Booker - buried Wynbunbury)

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2736421

 

Sgt W.Ruth KIA (William Ruth - buried Barrow in Furness)

www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2697458

 

www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=9205

 

Bit more about the crash, and a dedication that was made on the 14th Feb.2008 to the crew can be found here:

www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/yorkshire/dt696.html

www.abex.org.uk/?p=40

listsearches.rootsweb.com/th/read/YORKSGEN/2008-02/120265...

 

And some additional information about crew members

pages.quicksilver.net.nz/l.rwilloughby/WWII/WWII_RNZAF/B-...

 

www.thepress.co.uk/news/analysis/readersletters/4141657.C...

 

A D Mackenzie(Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: MACKENZIE, ALAN DUNCAN

Rank: Leading Aircraftman

Service: Royal Air Force

Unit Text: 22 Sqdn.

Age: 24

Date of Death: 26/05/1940

Service No: 623407

Additional information: Son of Finlay and Maud Ethel MacKenzie, of North Walsham, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 23. Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1079486

No match on Lost Bombers

 

25-26/05/1940: Gardening (mine laying)

 

Type: ..................................Bristol Beaufort I

Serial number: ...................L4450, OA-F

Operation: .........................Gardening

Lost: ..................................26/05/1940

Wing Commander Harry M. Mellor, RAF 16097, 22 Sqdn., age 37, 26/05/1940, missing

Flying Officer Frederick R. Jamieson, RAF 37855, 22 Sqdn., age 27, 26/05/1940, missing

Leading Aircraftman Alan D. MacKenzie, RAF 623407, 22 Sqdn., age 24, 26/05/1940, missing

Pilot Officer Horace J. Cook, RAFVR, 22 Sqdn., age 22, 26/05/1940, missing

Took off 25/05/1940 23.00 hrs from North Coates. Lost without trace into the North Sea, off Heligoland, Germany. The crew are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

 

Sources: CWGC and Ross McNeill, Coastal Command Losses of the Second World War, 1939-1941

www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/XXII_squadron.html#2605

 

G Mason +(Church and Park Memorial)

 

48 possibles on CWGC, but no obvious match.

 

R Miller on Church and R Millar on the Park Memorial

 

No obvious match under Miller or Millar unless possibly

Name: MILLAR, ROBERT

Rank: Private

Regiment Royal Norfolk Regiment

Age: 21

Date of Death: 16/07/1944

Service No: 14601165

Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Millar; husband of Dorothy Lucy Charlotte Millar, of Bromley, Kent.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. G.G. Coll. Grave 328. Screen Wall. Panel 4. Cemetery: LEWISHAM (HITHER GREEN) CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2429267

 

F Moore (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: MOORE, FREDERICK JAMES

Rank: Marine

Regiment/Service: Royal Marines

Unit Text: H.M.S. Barham.

Age: 25

Date of Death: 25/11/1941

Service No: PO/X 2290

Additional information: Son of Agnes Moore, of North Walsham, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 59, Column 1. Memorial: PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2657524

 

HMS Barham

 

24th - Took part with QUEEN ELIZABETH , VALIANT and screen of eight Fleet destroyers for provision of cover to cruisers of 7th and 15th Squadrons carrying out search for military convoys on passage to Benghazi (Operation ME7). (Note: cruisers were deployed as Force B – See Naval Staff History).

25th - Under constant supervision by enemy aircraft. Under attack by U331 and hit by three torpedoes which struck between funnel and X turret on port side. Ship sank in position 32.34N 26.24N within 4 minutes after the magazine detonated. (On VALIANT, the closest ship to BARHAM when she was hit, was the Gaumont News cameraman John Turner who shot 2 minutes of movie film, all he had left in the camera, of the sinking. This film became one of the most poignant shot in the whole war)

Only 450 survived from the complement of about 1312. Note: At the subsequent Board of Inquiry it was suggested that the fires started caused the explosion of the 4in and 15in magazines. All internal communications failed and the speed of the development of a list made it impossible for many to escape.

www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-01BB-Barham.htm

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD0d_J4y_s4

 

L M Neville (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: NEVILLE, LEONARD MATTHEW

Rank: Private

Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment

Unit Text: 5th Bn.

Age: 23

Date of Death: 21/09/1944

Service No: 5775035

Additional information: Son of Matthew and Annie Neville; husband of Olive Edna Blanche Neville, of North Walsham, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 52. Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2140353

One of the many who would die as a Prisoner of War of the Japanese.

 

G D Paterson (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: PATERSON, GORDON DAVID

Rank: Leading Aircraftman (Pilot U/T.)

Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Age: 19

Date of Death: 22/12/1942

Service No: 1335358

Additional information: Son of William Wallace Paterson and Gertrude Florence Paterson, of North Walsham.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. I.I.I. Grave 5. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764114

(see separate picture of headstone)

www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/2826401730/in/photostr...

 

On a thread on the RAF Commands Forum, LAC Paterson is noted as KOAS, (Killed on active service - frequently notes an aircrash), and that his death was registered at Sleaford, Lincs. One of the posters speculates it might be linked to the death of a Sergeant (Pilot) George Benson who is recorded as Died of Wounds or Injuries received on active service, and who was also registered at Sleaford, Lincs.

www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7566&highl...

 

D C Punt (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: PUNT, DOUGLAS CLEMENT

Rank: Aircraftman 2nd Class

Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Age: 19

Date of Death: 06/07/1941

Service No: 1233814

Additional information: Son of Herbert and May Dora Punt, of North Walsham.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. N.N.N. Grave 5. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2764116

See separate picture of headstone

www.flickr.com/photos/43688219@N00/2826399908/

 

AC2 Punt is recorded as died on active service (DOAS). His death is registered in Westmoreland South.

www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31 53&highl...

DOAS I believe would tend to indicate natural causes, illness or non-work related accident

 

A G Pycroft (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: PYCROFT, ARTHUR GEORGE

Rank: Leading Aircraftman (Pilot U/T)

Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Age: 21

Date of Death: 03/02/1944

Service No: 1285550

Additional information: Son of Arthur John and Daisy Pycroft, of North Walsham, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Eur. War Graves Plot. Grave 131. Cemetery: HARARE (PIONEER) CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2617455

 

For some background on the Empire Air Training Scheme operation in Rhodesia, (now Zimbabwe) see this article in Flight magazine.

www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1953/1953%20-%201514...

Harare was previously known as Salisbury.

 

L Reynolds (Church and Park Memorial)

 

23 Possibles, including two from Norfolk and one Norfolk Regiment man, but no direct link.

 

D Sendall (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: SENDALL, DERECK EDWARD

Rank: Gunner

Regiment: Royal Artillery

Unit Text: 2 Airlanding Anti-Tank Bty.

Age: 19

Date of Death: 20/09/1944

Service No: 14566572

Additional information: Son of Edward and Victoria Kate Sendall, of White Horse Common, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: 26. A. 1. Cemetery: ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2661546

 

His headstone can be seen here

www.paradata.org.uk/people/dereck-edward-sendall

www.marketgarden.com/database/roll1/view.php?id=77

www.online-begraafplaatsen.nl/zerken.asp?command=showgraf...

 

It was 2nd Air-Landing Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, RA, and not the 1st, which took part in Operation Market Garden, as part of the Airborne Forward Delivery Airfield Group (AFDAG). This Battery had been raised under 6th Airborne Division in July 1943, but in March 1944 left the Division and was placed under direct command of HQ 1st British Airborne Corps as "Corps Troops," to be attached as required to either Division. As it was, it never served again with 1st Airborne Div but with 6th Airborne in Normandy and on the Rhine Crossing.

www.wwiireenacting.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=2...

www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?3957-Data-Stirli...

hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?4686-Hartenstein-Airbor...

 

A Sexton (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Possibly

Name: SEXTON, WALTER ARNOLD

Rank: Private

Regiment: Royal Norfolk Regiment

Unit Text: 2nd Bn.

Age: 34

Date of Death: 28/05/1944

Service No: 5775020

Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Sexton, of North Walsham, Norfolk; husband of Muriel Joan Sexton, of Woolmer Green, Hertfordshire.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Face 6. Memorial: RANGOON MEMORIAL

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2524992

 

The 2nd Norfolks had helped to relieve the siege of Kohima, and then took part in the battles to drive the Japanese from the surrounding heights. Although this would be achieved by the 29th, the Monsoon had broken, and dysentery had become a major problem, causing as many deaths as battle.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kohima

www.britain-at-war.org.uk/html/body_randle.htm

 

E W Starling (Church and Park Memorial)

 

Name: STARLING, ERNEST WILLIAM

Rank: Sergeant (Flt. Engr.)

Service: Royal Air Force

Unit Text: 463 (R.A.A.F.) Sqdn.

Age: 23

Date of Death: 29/07/1944

Service No: 623359

Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Starling, of Swafield, Norfolk.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 1A. B. 7-13. Cemetery: CHOLOY WAR CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2319971

 

Lancaster ME615 Information

Type..............................Lancaster

Serial Number...............ME615

Squadron......................463

X1D..............................JO-V

Operation.....................Stuttgart

Date 1..........................28th July 1944

Date 2..........................29th July 1944

 

Further Information

ME615 was delivered to 463 Sqdn 21Jan44. Also recorded wearing the ID JO-Z Took part in the following key Operations: As JO-Z,Berlin 27/28Jan44-flown by Sqdn CO, W/C R.Kingsford-Smith; Berlin 30/31Jan44; Berlin 15/16Feb44; Leipzig 19/20Feb44; Schweinfurt 24/25Feb44; Stuttgart 15/16Mar44; Nuremburg 30/31Mar44; Schweinfurt 26/27Apr44; Mailly-le-Camp 3/4May44; Duisburg 21/22May44; Stuttgart 28/29Jul-Lost.

 

When lost this aircraft had a total of 364 hours.

 

Airborne 2224 28Jul44 from Waddington. All are buried in the Choloy War Cemetery, France. F/L Moorhead was 463 Sqdn Gunnery Leader.

 

F/O J.A.H.Wilkinson RAAF KIA

Sgt E.W.Starling KIA

W/O N.F.Gelder RAAF KIA

F/S F.E.Fischer RAAF KIA

F/S B.Reece RAAF KIA

F/S M.W.Harrison RAAF KIA

F/L B.Moorhead DFC KIA "

www.lostbombers.co.uk/bomber.php?id=6795

 

This aircraft is recorded as crashed 3 km S Rohrbach-les-Bitche

www.rafinfo.org.uk/BCWW2Losses/1944.htm

 

Another web-site mentions in passing that the town has a small monument to the crew of a Lancaster that crashed on this day,

translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=ht...

 

L G Turner on Church memorial + or L C Turner on the Park Memorial

 

Name: TURNER, LESLIE GEORGE

Rank: Private

Regiment/: Suffolk Regiment

Age: 23

Date of Death: 27/04/1940

Service No: 5829939 Additional information: Son of Agnes Turner, of North Walsham; husband of Mary Turner, of Spa Common.

Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. Y.Y.Y. Grave 14. Cemetery: NORTH WALSHAM NEW CEMETERY

CWGC www.cwgc

Done