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31st December 1942On this day:
If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.
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Remembering those who died this day.
- Chapman George W.. Pte (d.31st December 1942)
- Coster John William. Ldg. Sea. (d.31st Dec 1942)
- Graydon Edward. CERA. (d.31st December 1942)
- Kendall Arthur. (d.31st Dec 1942)
- Robinson Harry Bean. Sea. (d.31st Dec 1942)
- Swale Harry Lewis. Sea. (d.31st Dec 1942)
The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed,
please
Add a Name to this List
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Did you know? We also have a section on The Great War. and a
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Want to know more about the 31st of December 1942? There are:23 items tagged 31st of December 1942 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 31st December 1942
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Ldg. Sea. John William " " Coster. , . (d.31st Dec 1942) Beryl Coster
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Sea. Harry Bean Robinson. Royal Navy, HMS Achates. (d.31st Dec 1942) My grandfather once had a cousin, Harry Bean Robinson. He used to visit regularly with his mother weekly and they got on like best friends. When war broke out they both joined the Royal Navy and both allocated to different ships, my grandfather to the Warspite and Harry to the Achates. The war carried on for a further 2 years and my grandfather would often hear how Harry was getting on via his mother my great grandmother. Until 31st December 1942 when the Achates, Harry,and the rest of the crew onboard, encountered the German ships the Lutzow and Hipper whose objective was to sink the convoy to Russia they were escorting along with other destroyers.Whilst laying down a smoke screen for the convoy the Achates came under fire. As far as I know Harry was on the guncrew and was killed instantly and the Achates was so badly damaged that she had to be abandoned with 81 survivors being rescued. Harry along with other brave and honourable crew went down with the ship. My grandfather still can remember the day he found out about Harry's death and told me he was onboard the Warspite when he was called to speak to an Officer from which the news was broken to him. I asked him what his reaction was and his words were; 'I didn't have time to grieve it was war and I was expected to carry on with my duties.' A while later my grandfather received a letter from his mother. To my grandfather's shock he found out that Harry in fact was not his cousin at all, but his half brother. My grandfather, who is still with us, has a photo of Harry on his wall and speaks about him all the time. I am so proud of my Grandfather and Great Uncle Harry Bean Robinson and not to forget all those that fought in the Great War. Every 31st December I raise a glass to Harry and will always remember him through my grandfather's stories and will pass them on to both my sons so as they remember the sacrifices that all those that took part in the war will not be forgotten. Ryan Lynam
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Arthur Kendall. Royal Navy, HMS Achates. (d.31st Dec 1942) On the 31st of December 1942 HMS Achates was laying smoke to protect a convoy and was hit by the Admiral Hipper. 41 men were killed. That is probably when my Dad's twin brother Arthur Kendall was killed.
My Granny said that at that moment the grandfather clock made a noise, like a crack, something brushed across the strings of the piano. The dog jumped up and ran across the room and jumped on her lap. Granny Kendall didn't make things up.
In memory of my Uncle Arthur who I never knew. Christopher Kendall
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CERA. Edward Graydon. DSM. Royal Navy, HMS Achates. (d.31st December 1942) Ted Graydon was my uncle and I only know of him after I received his medals. He was a pensioner his service in the Navy I understand was over WW1 and WW2.
His medals
are, Long service and good conduct, Palestine and bar, Atlantic Star, Africa Star, North Africa star and bar, British war medal and 1939-1945 Star. John Jenner
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Pte George W. Chapman. British Army, Pioneer Corps. (d.31st December 1942) George Chapman served with the Pioneer Corps in WW2. He died 31st of December 1942 aged 24 years and is buried Medjez-el-Bab War Cemetery in
Tunisia. Son of John and Eva Ellen Lillian Chapman of Braishfield, Hampshire.Jenny Smith
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Sea. Harry Lewis Swale. Royal Navy, HMS Achates . (d.31st Dec 1942) Harry Swale was my mother's cousin, the son of my Aunty May. He had a brother John. Harry was a witness at my mum's first marriage in 1941.Heather Willcocks
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