17th June 1940On this day:
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Want to know more about the 17th of June 1940? There are:49 items tagged 17th of June 1940 available in our Library
These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War. |
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Stories from 17th June 1940
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Sgm Allan Dewsnap. Army, Royal Signals Corps. My father, Sgm Allan Dewsnap 2586904 Royal Signals Corp, was a survivor of the sinking of the Lancastria, along with other Glossop soldiers, Thomas O. Booth (still alive), Leonard Dicks (still alive), Corporal William Bamforth (deceased), James Alfred Drabble (drowned on the ship).
I have spoken to Tom Booth and Len Dicks many times about the sinking. Tom always carries a photograph of the ship going down and at the stern in the water are six figures – Tom says that one is himself and the others are Len Dicks and my father. Unfortunately I can't remember who the other three are. Nor can I remember the newspaper that carried the article and photo. Tom is not very well at the moment so I will have to wait awhile to see him. This morning I received my father's Lancastria Commemorative Medal and a very nice letter from the First Minister of Scotland the Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP. I will keep it with my father's other campaign medals. Michael Dewsnap
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Pte. Payne. British Army, Royal Army Service Corps. Extract from newspaper report from an Interview with Private Payne from Luton, Chatham August 1940.
With the collapse of the French army Private Payne was involved in the evacuation of the 2nd BEF and he and other troops found themselves aboard the ill fated SS Lancastria.
‘The story of the Lancastria has now been told’ he said, ’but one thing that was not sufficiently emphasised was the courage of the troops on board.
‘It has been suggested that the enemy were not aware of the Lancastria’s identity after she had sunk I think I can confirm that’
‘A Corporal Williamson and myself, both clerks with the R.A.S.C., were manning a Bren gun on the top deck. He was firing and I was feeding the gun.
We brought down the plane that bombed the boat and it therefore did not return to its base to tell the tale.
In the explosion which followed the bombing my comrade was severely injured. I think I can say that I saved his life because although he was practically unconscious I managed to dress his wounds and get him safely on a boat. I placed him on the last lifeboat to leave the ship.
I tried to get into a boat myself, but overbalanced and fell into the water. I had no life belt and I could not swim, but I found an oar in the water and was able to hold myself up. I was in the water more than 2 hours.
We were machine gunned during part of it, but I came through okay and was finally picked up by a French trawler.
When I got aboard I found my comrade was there too. He was lying unconscious on the deck and although I was terribly wet and weary I made a pillow for him out of some wet clothing and stayed with him until we were transferred to a bigger ship. Here he was operated on and is, I believe, now in hospital in England.
I think his feat in shooting down the German plane is deserving of some recognition.
Private Payne added that his experience had somewhat affected his help and that he has now been graded B.1.
Corporal Williamson was my father John Derek Williamson, who died when he was 68 years old in 1988.
Ann Parker
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F. James Turner. Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Cambridgeshire. During the Lancastria incident of June 17th 1940 HMS Cambridgeshire was involved in the rescue of about a thousand men. My grandfather F.J.Turner (James) was serving on the Cambridgeshire, one of the men he rescued was Lord Inverclyde (I think he was King George VI's cousin) on return to England he presented his rescuer with a round rosewood box full of cigarettes with a silver plaque on the front engraved with the words "To F.J.Turner RNR HMS Cambridgeshire St. Nazaire to Plymouth 17th to 19th June 1940 from a grateful passenger Inverclyde/Scots Guards" Stephen Turner
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L/Cpl. Ralph William John Shotter. Army, Royal Army Service Corps. (d.17th Jun 1940) My grandmother was romantically involved with Ralph Shotter, who was in the Royal Army Services Corps and has heard that he was on board the Lancastria when it sunk. He was 21 years old. Apparently he has no known grave, but his name appears on a war memorial in Dunkirk, France, which I would love to take her to see. Also, she would love to hear from anyone who may have known Ralph and to hear of any last memories of him or see any pictures.
Please email me if you have any further information. Many thanks.
Claire Wilmot
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Spr. Sydney Lea. Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) My grandfather, Sydney Lea, also went down on the Lancastria on 17th June 1940. He died on his birthday. He was washed up in Ste Marie Sur Mer and is buried in the local cemetary there along with a few others who also lost their lives. The War Graves Commission helped me find him and arranged for his headstone to be changed to reflect this. I visit as often as I can but would like anyone who knew of him to please get in touch.
Mandy Heath
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Pte. Joseph Lakeman Hunter. Army, 2nd Btn. Durham Light Infantry. (d.17 Jun 1940) Joseph Hunter was the batman of Captain Annand, he was injured on the 15th of May 1940 and rescued by Captain Annand, an action for which the first Victoria Cross of the Second World War was awarded. Hunter was captured by the enemy and transferred to a Dutch Hospital where he died from his injuries. He was 25 years old.
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Private William Sullivan. Army, Pioneer Corps . (d.17 June 1940) My uncle was one of the servicemen who lost their life on the Lancastria. He was Private William Sullivan B1904 of the Pioneer Corps, from Sculcotes, Hull. He had 7 children at the time the oldest was just 15. God Bless all those who lost their lives. J Porter
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Corporal George Braidwood. Army, 75 Company Pioneer Corps. (d.17th june 1940) My grandfather, Cpl George Braidwood, 75 Coy Pioneer Corps, lost his life on the Lancastria.Pauline Clare
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Private Robert Cummings Anthony. RASC, . (d.17th June 1940) My uncle was on the Lancastria although I don't know too much about him. He was only 21, just a boy as were so many others. His name was Robert Anthony, and was a baker with the Royal Army Service Corps. He was on deck when the ship was bombed, but was terrified of the water, and wouldn't jump when his pals did. They shouted for him to jump, but he was too frightened. Some of his friends survived, and it was they who came and told his mother what had happened.
Although he was an only son, and just a boy, his name was never put on the war memorial here in Ayr, which his mother never understood. But after many letters and these long years his name is now on a small plate, under the memorial, too late for his mother.
Robert Anthony is buried in the Normoutier-en-L'Ile Communal Cemetery. Fiona McClung
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L/Cpl Charles Lowther. British Army, Pioneer Corps. (d.17th June 1940) For years when my father was alive, he told us how at the age of twelve he had to take over the roll of his father as he was killed off the coast of St Nazaire, France in the evacuation on the ss Lancastria.
He also told us that his grave was somewhere on the cost of St Nazaire.
About ten years ago my eldest brother went on the search to France to see if he could find his grave, to no avail, he searched for almost a week hunting around all the war cemeteries.
I served 12 years with the army and each year I don my blazer with badge on my pocket, poppy tucked into my epaulette to attend the annual remembrance parade where I live.
On returning from the ceremony this year I decided to try my luck with the war graves commission and low and behold up pops my grandfather's grave.
I was sickened to read about the awful way the ss Lancastria was overloaded and sunk so quickly and of how the survivors were in the water still been shot at.
My grandfather was 42 when he died and what I'm after is his history before that. My father died 17 years ago and my mother died last year, there are no more survivors of my father's family to retrieve information about my Grandfather so I'm asking in hope that someone reading this might just spark a memory of him whether in the forces or out. Thank you for reading this and I hope some one could fill this little gap I have for my very respected grandfather. I remain in your debt Granddad, God bless. Robert Lowther
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Pte. John Edward Ireland. British Army, 46th Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps . (d.17th Jun 1940) John Edward Ireland was the son of Walter and Rose Anna Ireland.
He was lost on the Lancastria Anita Pelling
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L/Cpl Percy Cecil Horne. British Army, 4th Battalion The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment). (d.17th June 1940) My step brother, Percy Horne aged 19, was on the Lancastria when it was sunk but did not survive.
Douglas Turner
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L/Cpl. Alfred Alexander Derrick. British Army, Royal Engineers. (d.17th June 1940) My grandfather, Alfred Derrick, died on HMS Lancastria. Apparently when the ship was bombed he was thrown into the sea and covered in oil. I am actually wondering a. if anyone knew of him or b. how I would go about obtaining a photograph of him in his uniform. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Christina Derrick
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Pte. Tynan. British Army, 50 Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps. (d.17th Jun 1940) Died Age 40. he was the son of Patrick and Mary Ann Tierney and husband of Mary E. Tierney of Jarrow
He is remembered on the Dunkirk Memorial and is commemorated on the WW2 Roll of Honour Plaque in the entrance of Jarrow Town Hall.Vin Mullen
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SQMS. William Rees Jenkins. British Army, Royal Army Service Corps. (d.17th June 1940) At the time of his death on board SS Lancastria, my Uncle William Jenkins was 24 years of age. Unknown to him at the time, his brother, Ivor Jenkins of the RAF was also on board the ship. While W.R. Jenkins lost his life, Ivor Jenkins survived and served for 22 years in the RAF. He is still alive today.D.A. Nesbitt
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Sgt. Peter Basil Priddey. British Army, Royal Army Ordnance Corps. (d.17th June 1940) My uncle, Sgt Peter Priddey of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps was on board in Lancastria at the time of the sinking. Unfortunately he did not survive. He is buried in a multiple grave at St Marie Sur Mer, along with a few others from this disaster. The grave has a military headstone.Mary Jenner
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P/O. William Anthony Saunders. Royal Air Force, 21 Squadron. (d.17th Jun 1940) On a mission to bomb Merville Airfield, on 14th June 1940, P/O William Saunders in his aircraft R3742, was shot up badly by Me109's. He put the Blenheim down at Ardres, and he and his crew (Sgt Webb & Sgt Eden) escaped. They got as far as the channel, acquired a rowing boat, and got to within 10 miles of the English Coast when an oar broke. Carried back by the current, they slept exhausted. On awaking, P/O Saunders was no longer in the boat. Missing presumed drowned, his body was never found. His crew were both POW's.
William (my Mother's elder brother) was just 20 years old on April 17th that year. Patrick Anns
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LAC George Wellesley Barrie. Royal Air Force, 98 Sqdn.. (d.17thJune 1940) My uncle, George Wellesley Barrie, was last seen swimming away from SS Lancastria. Does anyone remember what happened to him?
Update
According to the CWG site, LAC Barrie, 98 Sqdn, RAF is recorded as "lost on SS Lancastria". He is commemorated on Panel 122 at Runnymede. Joyce Grant
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Pte. Albert Edward Evans. British Army, Royal Army Service Corps. (d.17th June 1940) Sadly, on 17th June 1940 my great grandfather went down with the Lancastria leaving behind two daughters and a wife. I am trying on behalf of my great aunty (his daughter) to contact anyone who knew her father or has any information or photographs of him that she will not have seen, or any last memories of him.
His details are from The Commonwealth War Graves Commission as follows:
132843 Private Albert Edward Evans
Royal Army Service Corps
Son of Albert Edward and Mary Eliza Evans and husband of Edith Maude Evans (Wakelin) of Coventry (UK)
Daughters: Margaret Alma Evans and Geraldine Brenda Blackwell (Evans)
He was from Wales but lived in Birmingham. Tracy Blackwell
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Pte. Albert Clarence Wickham. British Army, 73rd Coy. Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps. (d.17th June 1940) My grandfather was aboard the Lancastria when it sank. He left behind nine children. My dad was eight years old when his father died. After my grandfather's death all nine children were placed in the care of the Ministry of Pensions who separated all the children putting them into different children's homes. In 2001 the brothers and sisters got together for the first time in 60 years.
My Grandfather was in "73 Coy, Aux. Mil. Pioneer Corps". He was Private 6394471 Albert Clarence Wickham.
If anyone should have any stories or photos please contact me so that I may pass the information on to my family. Jill Sharp
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Pte. William Winstanley. British Army, 46th Coy. Pioneer Corps. (d.17th Jun 1940) My grandfather was amongst those who lost their lives on the SS Lancastria. He was Private William Winstanley of 46th Coy, Pioneer Corps.
Janice Horrocks
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Spr. Francis Robert Farline. British Army, 663rd Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) In doing my family history, it has led me to Francis Robert Farline who served in the 663rd Artisan Works Company sadly he was one of the many soldiers that died. This site is a credit to the service men of the world war.
John William Stocks
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Spr. John Henry Adams. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Henry Adams of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Willliam George Adams. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) William Adams of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Harold Alcock. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Harold Alcock of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Colin Henry James Aldom. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Colin Aldom of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Arthur Vernon Aldred. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Arthur Aldred of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Harold Frederick Aplin. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Harold Aplin of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Albert Sydney Baker . British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Albert Baker of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Kenneth Lawrence Barnard . British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Kenneth Barnard of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Willliam Frederick Barron . British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) William Barron of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Frederick William Barton . British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Frederick Barton of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. John Hardy Bean . British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) John Bean of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Charles Edward Bird. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Charles Bird of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Lawrence William Bird. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Lawrence Bird of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Robert Blakely. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Robert Blakely of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Lorraine Ernest Walter Brind . British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Lorrie Brind of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Herbert Brown. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Herbert Brown of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Horace Frederick Cannel. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Horace Cannel of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Charles Chalmers. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Charles Chalmers of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. James Richard Colquitt. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) James Colquitt of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Frederick Copsey. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Frederick Copsey of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Arthur Cour. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Arthur Cour of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Percy Cowin. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Percy Cowin of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Joseph Duffy. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Joseph Duffy of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Cyril Duquemin. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Cyril Duquemin of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Willliam Henry Evans. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) William Evans of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Albert William Filmer. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Albert Filmer of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Stanley Lashwood Fitch. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Stanley Fitch of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. George Flemming. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) George Flemming of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Leonard Gibbs. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Leonard Gibbs of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Francis Gerard Goudy. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Francis Goudy of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. George Henry Gray. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) George Gray of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Albert Greenhill. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Albert Greenhill of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Montague Raymond Griffin. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Montague Raymond Griffin of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Willliam Alfred Haigh. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) William Haigh of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Thomas George Hamper . British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Thomas Hamper of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Albert Hart. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Albert Hart of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Silvester Benjamin Hart. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Silvester Hart of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. George Edward Hay. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) George Hay of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. John Charles Hennah. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) John Hennah of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Charles Heron. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Charles Heron of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Norman Harry Hiscock. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Norman Hiscock of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Albert Holliday. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Albert Holliday of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. John Hood. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) John Hood of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. John Eden Horton. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) John Horton of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Thomas Howard. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Thomas Howard of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Henry Hunt. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Henry Hunt of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Arthur Ingham. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Arthur Ingham of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Frederick Ernest Inkpen. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Frederick Ernest Inkpen of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Henry Arthur Ireton. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Henry Ireton of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Dvr. Robert Johnson. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Robert Johnson of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. George Richard Kingsman. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) George Kingsman of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Sydney Lea. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Sydney Lea of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Horace Lewis. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Horace Lewis of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Thomas Maguire. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Thomas Maguire of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Harold Samuel Mayer. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Harold Mayer of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Archibald Burgess McIntyre. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Archibald McIntyre of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Douglas Herbert Michell. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Douglas Michell of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. James Strachan Murray . British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) James Murray of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Thomas Orme. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Thomas Orme of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Frank Orton. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Frank Orton of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Ralph Frederick Pond. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Ralph Pond of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Albert Marshall Ramsay. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Albert Ramsay of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Frederick Charles Rastall. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Frederick Rastall of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Charles Reeve. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Charles Reeve of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Geoffrey Richardson. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Geoffrey Richardson of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Reginald Clifford Rowe. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Reginald Rowe of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Willliam John Shannon. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) William Shannon of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Victor Shaw. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Victor Shaw of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Ronald Arthur Silver. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Ronald Silver of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. George Albert Silvey. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) George Silvey of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Hector Thomas Smith. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Hector Smith of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Albert Henry Staniland. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Albert Staniland of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. James Sugrue. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) James Sugrue of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Julian Thomas. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Julian Thomas of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Harold Thorpe. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Harold Thorpe of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Harold Towell. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Harold Towell of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. George Frederick Turner. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) George Turner of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Eric Cecil Wilkin. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Eric Wilkin of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Spr. Joseph Richard Wood. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Joseph Wood of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Sgt. Walter Unsworth. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Walter Unsworth of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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2nd.Lt. Frank Eardley Turner. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) Frank Turner of 663 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Pte. T. E. Smith. British Army, Pioneer Corps. (d.17th Jun 1940) Pte. T. E. Smith of the Pioneer Corps lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Pte. J. Ridley. British Army, Pioneer Corps. (d.17th Jun 1940) Pte. J. Ridley of the Pioneer Corps lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Pte. H. V. Potton . British Army, Pioneer Corps. (d.17th Jun 1940) Pte. H V Potton of the Pioneer Corps lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Cpl. H. Pattison. MM. British Army, Pioneer Corps. (d.17th Jun 1940) Cpl. H Pattison, M.M. of the Pioneer Corps lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Pte. W. O'Neill . British Army, Pioneer Corps. (d.17th Jun 1940) Pte. W O'Neill of the Pioneer Corps lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Pte. G. Mills. British Army, Pioneer Corps. (d.17th Jun 1940) Pte. G Mills of the Pioneer Corps lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Pte. G. A. Melvin. British Army, Pioneer Corps. (d.17th Jun 1940) Pte. G A Melvin of the Pioneer Corps lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Pte. P. Langford. British Army, Pioneer Corps. (d.17th Jun 1940) Pte. P Langford of the Pioneer Corps lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Pte. P. Khan. British Army, Pioneer Corps. (d.17th Jun 1940) Pte. P Khan of the Pioneer Corps lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Pte. F. Jackson. British Army, Pioneer Corps. (d.17th Jun 1940) Pte. F Jackson of the Pioneer Corps lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Pte. F. G. Harrison. British Army, Pioneer Corps. (d.17th Jun 1940) Pte. F G Harrison of the Pioneer Corps lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Pte. W. H. Easterbrook . British Army, Pioneer Corps. (d.17th Jun 1940) Pte. W H Easterbrook of the Pioneer Corps lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Pte. H. J. Chapman. British Army, Pioneer Corps. (d.17th Jun 1940) Pte. H J Chapman of the Pioneer Corps lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Pte. S. Brook. British Army, Pioneer Corps. (d.17th Jun 1940) Pte. S Brook of the Pioneer Corps lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Pte. B. Axcell. British Army, Pioneer Corps. (d.17th Jun 1940) Pte. B Axcell of the Pioneer Corps lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Pte. A. Apetu Larty. British Army, Pioneer Corps. (d.17th Jun 1940) Pte. A Apetu Larty of the Pioneer Corps lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Pte. A. Cope. British Army, Pioneer Corps. (d.17th Jun 1940) Pte. A Cope of the Pioneer Corps lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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2nd.Lt. Willliam Edward Hayward. British Army, 663 Artisan Works Company Royal Engineers. (d.17th Jun 1940) William Hayward of the 663 Artisan Works Company lost his life in the sinking of the Lancastria.
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Pte. Benjamin Marshall. British Army, . (d.17th Jun 1940) Benjamin Marshall lost his life on board the Lancastria when she was sunk.
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Pte. Alfred Arthur Gardiner. British Army, 2nd Btn. Royal East Kent Regiment. (d.17th Jun 1940) Whilst on active duty Arthur was only 22 years old when he was killed aboard the HMT Lancastria.
We have not forgottenBarry Hales
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Pte. John Irvine. British Army, 50 Coy. Aux. Military Pioneer Corps. (d.17th Jun 1940) I have a newspaper cut out relating to the death of my great uncle John Irvine, no dates are given. My grandmother told me he died as the result of some sort of automotive accident, the day before he was to be sent home. On the cut out it mentions that his father (my great grandfather) was a member of the military police and died at Dunkirk, 1940. My grandmother told me that someone from the same area they lived, in Belfast, had last seen him in the water and in turn told my great grandmother this on his return. It was presumed he drowned as he couldn't swim.George Gihon
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Trevor Glyn Price. British Army, Royal Army Service Corps. (d.17th June 1940) There is a family grave in Trevor Price's home village of Vaynor Churchyard, near Merthyr Tydfil Glamorganshire, South Wales. The inscription on the headstone reads: Trevor Glyn Price R.A.S.C. Killed in action June 17th 1940 Aged 21 years. Buried in L'Herbaudiere Cemetery, NoirMoutier, France.
Father: William Henrey Lloyd Price Died Jan 6th 1951 aged 68 years. Mother: Margaret Ann Price Died July 30th 1983 aged 97 years. Family Home: Ffynon Rosser Farm, Pontsarn, Merthyr Tydfil.Belle Collins
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Pte. Percy Beever. British Army, 73 Coy. Pioneer Corp. (d.17th June 1940) Percy Beever was on board SS Lancastria when she sank. He is buried in Pornic War cemetery in France.Sherelle Hawes
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Pte. Joseph Law. British Army, 50 Coy. Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps. (d.17th June 1940) My grandfather, Joseph Law of 50 Company, Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps aged 41 years, was aboard the HMT Lancastria during evacuation from France in Operation Ariel, this was some two weeks after the Dunkirk evacuation. Around 4pm a German dive-bomber attacked the ship and she sank within 20 minutes. It is thought that as many as 6000 people (men, women and children) lost their lives. Grandad Joe was among those killed and the irony that he was terrified of drowning is particularly upsetting. Countless people drowned or were choked by oil on the water's surface. Strafing German aircraft shot many and somebody told my mother that this is how her father Joe died, of course this can never be corroborated.
Joe left his wife Mary Elizabeth Law and four children Hilda, Joey, Douglas and Ellen, the eldest of the children was my mother Hilda. Mum never got over the loss of her father, they were very close and she missed him for the rest of her life. I believe grandad Joe did a fabulous impersonation of Charlie Chaplin's stick twirling walk and could make a muscle mouse walk across his shoulders! It is extremely sad that I never met my grandad Joe, but I really wish mum hadn't lost her dad. My mother Hilda went to work on munitions as her way of helping the war effort. Tony Ebanks
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Nathaniel Harrold. British Army, 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders . (d.17th June 1940) Unfortunately I have no stories and no pictures of Ned Harrold. Hopefully I can find information or a picture.Douglas Harrold
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Pte. John Edward Inman. British Army, No.4 Base Ammunition Depot Royal Army Ordnance Corps. (d.17th June 1940) Private John Inman of No. 4 Base Ammunition Depot, RAOC died on the 17th of June 1940 while waiting to be evacuated on a train at Rennes railway station, a number of bombs were dropped on the station one hit an ammunition train causing a massive explosion which killed over 800 people. Paul Casson
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Cpl. Charles Frederick Marchant. British Army, Aux. Military Pioneer Corps. (d.17th June 1940) I have only just recently found out about my great, great uncle, Charles Marchant, he was born in 1892 in Hammersmith, and that he was a corporal in the Pioneer Corps in WW2.
At the time of his death on the 17th of June 1940, he was 48 years old. I'd like to carry out further research on him as I'd like to know more about him. Sadly I don't have any photos of him.Deborah Hiscock
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Pte. Philip Sidney Wardle. British Army, 2nd Btn, 4th Coy. Royal East Kent Regiment. (d.17th June 1940) My Great Uncle, Philip Wardle, never forgotten. He was killed aged 21 while being evacuated in Operation Ariel on HMT Lancastria which was bombed and sunk, Sid was shot dead whilst in the water.
A much loved son and uncle with a huge heart, great sense of humour and a member of the company football team. Vicky
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AC2. Ernest Francis Ashard. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve , 98 Squadron. (d.17th Jun 1940) Aircraftman 2nd Class Ernest Ashard was lost on the Lancastria on 17th June 1940. He was son of Walter Edward Ashard and Florence Emily Ashard (nee Haynes) of Tottenham.P J Gates
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Pte. Frank Lightbown. British Army, Royal Army Service Corps. (d.17th Jun 1940) My uncle Frank Lightbown, died on board the S.S. Lancastria off St Nazaire, France.
It was reported by a friend who survived, that Frank was probably asleep below decks when the ship was bombed.
Frank was exhausted after walking miles from Dunkirk with little food or sleep.
The sinking of the Lancastria claimed more lives than the Titanic but the whole thing was covered up at the time.
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Pte Harry James Taylor. British Army, Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps. (d.17th June 1940) Harry Taylor was my grandfather. He served with the Auxilliary Military Pioneer Corps in WW2.
All my father knew was that he thought he had died at Dunkirk. It was only fairly recently that we found out that he died on the SS Lancastria. We were able to get his name added to the War Memorial in the Castle Grounds, Guildford, Surrey. Carol Hoare
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Pte. Robert Edward Johnson. British Army , . (d.17th Jun 1940) Robert Johnson was lost on the RMS Lancastria.
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Cpl. James Griffiths. British Army, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. (d.17th Jun 1940) James Griffiths is one of my relatives, I have been researching my family history. I am a bit confused as I visited his memorial in Dunkirk. Further research has confused me as it is stated he was killed in the Rennes railway bombing tragedy, then it is suggested in the CWGC memorial book that he was on the SS Lancastria when it was sunk at St. Nazaire. James was born in Manchester and joined the Kings Shropshire Light Infantry and was attached to the Pioneer Corps. It was suggested he took part in the digging of tunnels and trenches for the incoming troops. I would love to know if any fellow Pioneers who knew him are still alive, or any other info, such as letters, notes or pictures. I just wish I had known members of my family who went to war and never came home, and that includes my grandfather Albert Griffiths, who, it was stated, passed away at a military base in Stranraer, Scotland. Unfortunately, I was placed in care when I was one year old, and I have never known any of my relatives from that era. One thing is for sure, I am very proud of what they and all the other members of the Armed Forces helped achieve in that sad period of our times. Barry
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Pte. Robert Smith. British Army, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. (d.17th June 1940) Robert Smith was my grandfather. He died when HMT Lancastria was sunk on 17th of June 1940.
Robert enlisted at Paisley in 1925 aged 18 years. His civilian employment prior to enlisting was listed as labourer.
In 1927 his battalion moved to Jamaica until September 1929 when the men moved to Northern China. They embarked from China on the troopship HT Neurala February 1933 for the UK for his transfer to the Army Reserve; a reserve of trained and disciplined military personnel for use in an emergency.
Robert married Agnes in 1934. Robert's job at the time is recorded as Tramway Car Conductor.
In 1939 Robert rejoined the Argylls and was attached to the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps before being sent to France.
HMT Lancastria was a Clyde built Cunard cruiser that became a troopship, involved in Convoy Alabaster and Operation Arial, the evacuation of troops from Europe. Bombed off the coast of St. Nazaire, France and sunk in approx 20 minutes. Approx 2500 people rescued. Loss of life estimates range from a conservative 2,500 to 6,000.
Robert Smith's body was never recovered and his name is on the memorial at Dunkirk North. Robert died aged 34 years leaving 4 children aged under 5 years. There are now four generations of Robert's descendants in Scotland and Australia.
Audrey Mcneish
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Cpl. William O. Williams. British Army, 50 Coy. Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps. (d.17th June 1940) William Williams served in France with 50 Coy., Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps. He died on the RMS LancastriaWilliam White
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