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Those who Served
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Those who Served
Greaser Charles Leo Cadden . Naval Auxiliary Personnel HMS Forfar from Bootle, Lancashire)
(d.2nd Dec 1940)
Sgt. F. J. Callaghan . Royal Air Force 419 Sqd.
Margaret Callaghan . Land Army
Flt. Sgt. Clive Percival Calvert . RAAF w/op 106 Sqd from Mosman, New South Wales, Australia.)
(d.16th Dec 1944)
My Great Uncle, Flt Sgt Clive Percival Calvert (RAAF)flew with 106 Squadron as Wireless operator of ND682 Avro Lancaster. Below is some information I found on a Danish website
The aircraft belonged to RAF 106 Sqn. Bomber Command and was coded ZN-K. T/o 00:45 15th Dec 1944 from Metheringham. OP: Gardening
The Lancaster is believed to have been claimed at 03:54 hours while flying at 2300 metres in the southeast part of the sea of Kattegat by a German JU 88 night fighter of 3./NJG 3. The JU 88 was piloted by Hauptmann Eduard Schröder with the crew of Hessenmüller, Zeinert and Brunsendorf.
The body of Pilot F/O Elgar Barratt was found washed ashore at Kulla Gunnarstorp north of the Swedish town Hälsingborg and was laid to rest in Hälsingborg Municipal Cemetery.
The remains of Flt. Engr. Sgt John F. W. Emerson were retrieved from the sea 8 miles south of Anholt harbour on 6/3-1945. He was laid to rest by the Wehrmacht in Anholt cemetery on 7/3 1945.
W/Op F/S Clive P. Calvert RAAF, Mid Upper Gunner Sgt Raymond E.B. Day, Tail Gunner Sgt Percy E. Green, Navigator F/S Arnold Berry and Bomb Aimer F/S Edward G. Towle have no known grave and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Carpenter's Mate A. Campbell . Naval Auxiliary Personnel HMS Forfar
A Campbell was amongst those who survived when HMS Forfar was sunk in December 1940.
Lt. Cmdr. Archibald Freebairn Campbell . Royal Naval Reserve HMS Forfar from Glasgow)
(d.2nd Dec 1940)
Hugh Campbell . Bevin Boy from Scotland)
My father who will be 90 on June 2nd was a Bevin Boy. This article was published in our community newspaper "The Oakville Beaver" on May 17/08.
A Bevin Boy finally gets his war medal
He heeded his country's call and toiled in the darkest depths of the earth for years facing fires, floods and cave-ins. When it was all over he did not even get a thank you, until now. Oakville resident Hugh Campbell, 89, has finally been recognized for the role he played for England during the Second World War. He did not fire a rifle, pilot a plane or drive a tank, but what he did was just as important to the war effort and, at times, just as dangerous.
Campbell, a native of Scotland, was conscripted by England to mine coal.
"I was underground for more than two years," he said. "We were stationed in a place north of England near the ocean on the east coast. So, I worked under the sea."
Mining coal was not what Campbell had intended for his wartime experience and even today does not like to talk about it for fear listeners will find his stories boring. With the outbreak of war in September of 1939, Campbell, then 21, was initially drafted into the Highland Light Infantry where he was trained as a soldier.
"We were trained to do everything," said Campbell. "To fight and shoot and kill."
While he was never deployed to a battlefield, Campbell saw plenty of the enemy with Glasgow becoming a regular target for German bombers during the Battle of Britain.
"When an air raid broke out, we reported for duty and we went out with our guns," said Campbell. "You could see the German bombers at night time because our guns were firing and lighting up everything."
Campbell's regiment was also stationed in the English community of Chelston, which it was ordered to defend against a possible German land invasion or parachute drop. All this soldiering came to an end in 1943 when Campbell and around 48,000 other men were ordered to the mines.
This strange shift in professions was the result of a terrible mistake made by the British government at the start of the war when thousands of experienced coal miners were conscripted to fight with the armed forces. This decision eventually had devastating consequences. As the war dragged on, England became desperate for coal, not only for the war effort, but to heat homes during the winter. The solution to this problem was a lottery in which soldiers whose service numbers ended in a particular digit were sent to replace the miners. These new mining recruits were called Bevin Boys after Ernest Bevin, the Minister of Labour and National Service, who invented the conscription program. For Campbell, having to move from being a soldier to a miner was a terrible shock.
"I was mad the whole war and it was because I was a Bevin Boy," he said. "I was trained as a soldier and I thought I was going to finish the war as a soldier and I wasn't." Despite his objections, Campbell knew he had no choice in the matter and went to work. With no uniform or badge for this job, Campbell would arrive at the mine every day in the oldest clothes he had and descend by elevator around 1,000 feet underground before reaching his station level. From there, Campbell said he had to walk another 1,000 feet to get to his work area.
"It was hot as hell in there," he said. "The only light was from our helmets." As much as Campbell and many of the other Bevin Boys wanted out of the mines, there were those who wanted them out even more. Not all of the experienced miners had been sent to war, and those who remained did not appreciate their mine being flooded with amateurs.
"There was one man who really didn't like me," said Campbell. "He was a real miner from that part of the country and he didn't want me there in case I did something stupid that would cost him his life." The man's name was John Graham. As it turned out, having Campbell around actually saved Graham's life one day during one of the mine's all too frequent cave-ins.
"The ceiling came down and I had to do a bit of digging to get him out," said Campbell. "After that I was invited to his house and I met his wife and his family, and they all acted like I did something heroic. It meant a lot to them." For the remainder of his time in the mine, Campbell and Graham worked together and even survived other cave-ins together. During one particularly bad cave-in, both Campbell and Graham became trapped underground and with all lights going out there was nothing for them to do, but wait in the pitch-blackness for either rescue or death.
"John said, 'Do you remember when I told you that you would get to like this place so much you wouldn't want to leave it? Well, now you're not going to leave the bloody thing,'" said Campbell.
"I told him to shut his big mouth." Fortunately, a safety crew broke through moments later and took Campbell and Graham to safety. Other Bevin Boys would not be so lucky.
"One day I was talking to this guy in the cage (elevator) named Jimmy Edwards and halfway through the day I heard there'd been a fall-in and people had been killed and he was one of them," said Campbell. "I don't know how many Bevin Boys lost it." Besides cave-ins, fire was another an ever-present danger in the mine, however, Graham taught Campbell an unusual way to escape with the help of the small ponies that were used to carry materials throughout the subterranean labyrinth. On one terrifying occasion, Campbell had to put this theory into practice.
"We were down there one day, and there was smoke and fire and we were choking and coughing," said Campbell. With little air and unable to find their way out due to the blinding smoke, both men could have perished had it not been for two nearby ponies.
"I had no idea what I was doing," said Campbell.
"I turned to John and said, 'What the hell do we do now,' and he said, 'The ponies will get us out. Grab it by the tail and give it a whack in the ass.'" Campbell said the ponies ran all the way to their stables at the foot of the surface elevator with the two men in tow. Campbell reported the fire and the situation was brought under control.
While the war ended in 1945, Campbell was not discharged from the mine until 1946, at which point he discovered that his entire underground experience was the result of a clerical error -- his serial number did not contain the proper digits to designate him as a Bevin Boy. "That really bugged my bum," he said. Although Campbell was able to return to his prewar job, many Bevin Boys found that their old positions had been given away. They also received no medals or any other form of recognition until 2007 when the British government issued the Bevin Boy Veterans Badge, which Campbell received in the mail recently.
"I don't know whether I like it or whether I don't," said Campbell. "I survived and that's all I can say. I don't really need a medal." Recognition of a different sort took place shortly before he was released from the mine when Campbell was invited to march in a parade during a professional miner's convention.
"A union guy came to me and asked me if I would carry their banner," said Campbell. "I was overwhelmed."
Campbell would later immigrate to Canada where he practiced real estate for many years in Oakville. He married, fathered three children and is now a grandfather of five.
Article by David Lea, The Oakville Beaver on May 17/08
F/O Ian Melville Campbell . RNZAF 61 Squadron (d.23rd September 1944)
My great uncle flew a Lancaster with 61 Squadron and was killed on the 23rd of September 1944. I'm trying to find information on the only survivor, Sgt H.Lea who was put into Stalag Luft 7. I'd like to know if he is still alive. > > The crew were:
F/O Ian Melville Campbell RNZAF 426213 Sgt John Norman Hoad 1175274 23/09/1944 Sgt R.D.Cole F/S M.J.Milne RNZAF Sgt John McCabe 1348047 RAF Volunteer Reserve Flt/Sgt Samuel Vernon Wickland 640170 Sgt H.Lea > > Lancaster ED470 took off at 19:07 23rd Sep 1944 to bomb the Dortmund-Ems Canal at Ladbergen near Munster. It crashed at 23:30 at Wechte, 3km from Tecklenburg. Those killed are now buried in the Reichswald Forest War cemetery.
Flt Lt James Reith Campbell . RAF(VR) observer 78 Sqd. from Aberdeen, Scotland)
(d.2nd Nov 1941)
Flt Lt Campbell flew with my Uncle, James Mercer, I would love to hear from anyone who knew him.
John E. "Johnnie" Campbell .
My father-In-law, John Campbell, was captured in Salerno and was put in Stalag 2B. I was reading some of the entries and there was one by Jeff Baker that said his grandfather, J.D Akin, was captured in Salerno and was sent to Stalag 2B. My father-in-law talked about a man named J.D a lot, said they called him Possum. I would like to be able to get in touch with Jeff Baker to compare notes. They called my father-in-law Booger Red because of his red hair. John said that there were only two men that survived in Salerno, J.D and himself. They hid behind tomato vines while the Germans looked for them. Also is there a drawing or something that shows what Stalag 2B looked like?
Neil Campbell MM.. Army 4th Btn. The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
P/O Russell Archibald Campbell . RCAF flight eng. 419 Sqd. from Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada)
(d.10th Oct 1944)
P/O Russell Archibald Campbell . Royal Air Force 419 Sqd. (d.10th Oct 1944)
Sgt. Nicholas Jackson Capstick . Royal Air Force flight eng. 115 Sqd. (d.16th Mar 1944)
John Carey . Royal Navy Class 112 HMS Royal Arthur
My Uncle John Carey was in class 122 at Royal Arthur.
Asst.Steward James Carlin . Merchant Navy SS. Athenia (d.3rd Sep 1939)
Trimmer J. Carmichael . Naval Auxiliary Personnel HMS Forfar
Carmichael was amongst the crew members who survived the loss of the ship. He had transferred with the ship under the T124x agreement in 1939.
John Carroll . Army 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers
My father, John Carroll, died in 1977. I recently started to research his WW2 history. He enlisted with the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, No. 6978725, on 29/7/37. After training at home he was sent to Malta for a short period before heading off to Palestine. After Palestine he then returned to Malta before the war broke out and remained here for the entire siege. After victory, he then went on to Leros, where he was captured by the Germans, 15th Nov 1943, and taken POW to Stalag IVB at Muhlberg, Germany, POW No. 267891. He was here until its liberation, then returned to Perth, Scotland to Military Hospital for some time, before ceasing his military career on 29/5/46
He died when I was 5 years old so I never got to hear his story first hand. I have spent a great deal of time researching his story, but as yet I have not found one photograph. Does anyone out there have even a Battalion photo that he may be in?
Louise Carse . Land Army
Trimmer William Carson . Naval Auxiliary Personnel HMS Forfar from Liverpool)
(d.2nd Dec 1940)
William Carson died on the 2 December 1940, Aged 19. When HMS Forfar was sunk. He was the son of Thomas and Sarah Carson, husband of Louisa Carson, of Liverpool. He is remembered on an inscription on Naval Memorial, Pierhead, Liverpool.
William was my father-in-law's cousin, John Swanson who as a stoker in the RN survived the Russian Convoys, Sicilian Landings & 'D' Day to die peacefully aged 80 at home in Liverpool.
We owe them a great debt and should always remember them. Thank you
Ldg Seaman. Cyril G. "Nicki" Carter . Royal Navy HMS Acasta
Cyril Carter was the only survivor of the lost of the Acasta in 1940. His experiences are told in the book: The Man Who Hit the "Scharnhorst" the Ordeal of Leading Seaman Carter, by John Austin.
Flt. Sgt. Donavan Yukin Carter . Royal Air Force flight eng. 106 Sqd. (d.12th Mar 1945)
Flt. Sgt. Henry William T. Carter . RCAF navigator 106 Sqd. (d.30th Aug 1944)
Able Seaman. R. Carter . Royal Navy HMS Forfar
R. Carter is listed as one of the survivors of HMS Forfar.
William F. Carter . US Army Airforce 855th Bomb Sqd. 491st Bomb Group
I purchased at a flea market, a "cloth" map of England. On the cover, it has the following information:
William F. Carter, 855 Bomb Sqd. 491st Bomb GP.
R(?)P.O. 558 c/o P.M. N.Y, N.Y.
1943-1944-1945
I have determined through research, that the aircraft was indeed a B24J, serial number 42-40722, with the name of "Little Gramper".
I would like to possibly find any descendents of Mr. Carter, and return this to a family member.
Able Seaman. Casemore . Royal Navy HMS Forfar
AB Casemore took part in a boxing match onboard HMS Forfar on the 10th of July 1940. He weighed in at 154lbs, his opponant AS Tait was one pound heavier. The match was declared a draw by the judges, Lt Antrobus and Pay-Lt Goldie.
Sgt Lawrence Joseph "Larry" Casey . Royal Air Force 115 Sqn from Edinburgh, Scotland)
My father, Larry Casey was shot down on 16 March 1944. He was one of 2 survivors from the Lancaster. He spent many months at camp 357 at Fallingbostel. The story of his brave crew is told on this web site http://www.thecaseys.karoo.net/
His crew were:
- Pilot Officer Jim Rodger
- Flt Sgt Tony Jory
- Sgt Lawrence Casey
- Sgt Jack Capstick
- Sgt CharlesBaker
- Sgt Reg Favager
- Sgt Ron Werrett
Pte. William Cassey . Army Durham Light Infantry from Stockton-on-Tees, Co Durham)
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William is Second from the right on the back row
Pte William Cassey of the Durham Light Infantry captured just outside Dunkirk and held in Stalag IX C 43B. He was born in 1916 and survived the war, living until 1994.
Sheila Catcheside . Land Army
Able Seaman Edward Albert Catton . Royal Navy HMS Forfar from Eastbourne, Sussex)
(d.2nd Dec 1940)
Margaret Chadwick . Land Army
During 1949/1950, my Mum, Margaret Chadwick, worked with the WLA in Surrey. On her National Registration card ( OTEH/137 3 - class code B312) she stayed on Brooklands Road, Weybridge, and at a SAEC Hostel, Coombe End, Woking.
She really enjoyed her days with the WLA, and talked of them fondly. It was our wish to take her on a trip to Surrey so that she could see some of the 'old' places. Sadly, it's too late now. However, I would like to know if it is possible to seek out a couple of her good friends from those days ( Olive & Eve - don't have their surnames), or more information relating to 49/50
Able Seaman. E. Chafe . Royal Navy HMS Forfar
Able Seaman E Chafe survived the sinking of HMS Forfar.
Lt W. G. Chalmers MC.. Army 5th Btn. The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Doris Chamberlain . Land Army
CPO Douglas Haig Chambers . Navy HMS Electra
My late father, CPO Douglas Haig Chambers, was an engineer aged 23 aboard HMS Electra when it was torpedoed. He did survive, and was one of the crew who got the General Verspeck steamed up to travel to Fremantle, Australia. Dad died in 1994.
Vincent Ralph Chambers . Army Royal Signals
I am trying to locate any living relatives of Vincent Ralph Chambers who served with the Royal Signals in Leeds during World War II. I have letters that he wrote to my mother in America during 1942 and 1943. Thank you.
Leslie Chapman . Army 9th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Ord. Seaman W. Chattery . Royal Navy HMS Forfar
W. Chattery is listed as one of the survivors of the sinking of HMS Forfar.
Sgt. George Cheadle . RAF(VR) w/op 101 Sqd. (d.4th Sep 1943)
Able Seaman. Elijah Cheetham . Royal Navy HMS Penelope from Longley Avenue, Sheffield)
My brother Elijah Cheetham, served on HMS Penelope and was onboard when she was sunk on the 18th of February 1944. I was 8 years old at that time. Recent documentarion has come to light confirming his service record. He volunteered for the Navy on the 28th of July 1943, his service is listed as comencing on 17th of December 1943, his 18th birthday. However he began his training at HMS Raleigh on the 28th of July 1943, transferring to HMS Victory on the 5th of October.
He joined HMS Penelope on the 12th of November 1943 and served onboard until she was lost in Feb 1944. He survived the sinking and sent a letter to his mother two weeks later. Here are some extracts from that letter:
From Mess 1, Ferdola Barracks, Malta.
I'm terribly sorry I haven't written to you for the last fortnight, I have been rather ill in hospital. I am a survuivor of HMS Penelope. As you know we have been doing a lot of work on the 5th Army front and our rewards was as follows:
It was Friday morning Feb 18th and we were well on our way to Anzio to give Jerry another suprise packet, but it was us that received the suprise. All of a sudden there was a terrific explosion and everyone dived for the gangway to get on the upper deck to see what was happening. We had been torpedoed but the ship was not sinking, although it had listed badly to starboard. No one was in a panic because there were too many lads injured to start worrying about ourselves, so we did the best we could to get the injured lads to sickbay. Shortly afterwards there came two more explosions (torpedoes) and the ship split in two so it was everyman for himself. I didn't hesitate because before I knew where I was I hit the water fully dressed, including sea boots, stockings and overalls.
I tried to swim for it but couldn't because my sea boots seemed to be dragging me under. I kicked these off and my overalls. Much to my relief I was able to keep my head up even though the sea was rough. I swam about for a bit but I soon got fatigued and felt myself slipping. Family came to mind and I struck out with renewed strength. After three hours I was finally picked up and dragged aboard absolutley naked apart from my waist belt and ring. Three tots of rum sent me to sleep.
We were taken to a hospital in Naples and there I have been for the last fortnight. We were then drafted to this camp once more and I was told that I should be going home. The big nobs think otherwise. I haven't done enough time out here yet, so I must stay. That's how you get treated as a survivor. All we have been issued with is toilet gear and battle dress, so it looks as if I shall have to buy new kit myself.
There were 750 in the ships company and only 200 were saved. Terrible isn't it. I am pleased to say that Stan Lake survived. I couldn't write to you seperatley. I have had to smuggle this into the country, the ship hasn't been announced as sunk yet. We are not allowed to mention that we survived. Paddy is going home so I have asked him to post this for me in England. It doesn't get sensored there, but he insists on bringing this personally. I do hope he makes it becasue I know he will get a great welcome. Please try not to worry too much about me I'm ok now and believe me I'm willing to go back and give Jerry exactly what I received and more. Even though I'm not coming home I still have that consolation of squaring things up.
Cherrio and God bless you all. Your loving son Lidge xxxx.
Elijah joined the Black Prince in July 1944 and served onboard for the remainer of the war, he was discharged on the 8th of December 1946 as having served with very good character.
Phyllis Mildred "Philly, Milly or Chilly" Chilcott . Womens Land Army from Woolwich)
My mother's early atempts to join the Land Army were thwarted, they would'nt take her! she was too young!! But after eventually joining up towards the end of the War and spending many happy times based near Brent Pelham it has to this day shaped and defined her life. With a life long love of nature and cows! On the occasion of her 80th Birthday we had a family gathering at the Pub in the village where she was based, for lunch. During those 'happy times'(aside from the sadness, horror,s and futility of war) she spent many an evening in this pub playing the piano and having her drinks lined up (a small line, it was the war after all!), and having a life long love of Whiskey! (in a responsible moderate drinking sort of way!) She still keeps in contact with a fellow 'girl' Vera, who now lives near Kings Lynn. Having finally been recognised for their efforts by the powers that be, in the form of a Service Medal and after having marched past the Whitehall Cenotaph and now more recently the memorial to all those 'women who served', and with probably being one of the youngest remaining Land girls thankfully surviving, she and I could'nt be more proud of her doing her bit.
Piper. Chisholm . Army The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
P/O W. E. Chitty . RAAF pilot 514 Sqd. (d.30th Jul 1944)
P/O Chitty was injured in a serious crash on return from Nuremburg on the 31st March 1944. On return to Waterbeach his aircraft was baulked on finals by another Squadron aircraft and crash-landed heavily whilst attempting to go around. The crew were:
- P/O W.E.Chitty
- Sgt C.M.Guy
- Sgt L.A.Ive
- Sgt R.Fox
- Sgt A.B.Pattison
- Sgt C.Pratt
- Sgt J.Shepherd
On recovery he formed another crew, retaining his flight engineer Charles Guy. They were lost without trace on the 30th of July 1944 and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
- F/L W.E.Chitty
- Sgt C.M.Guy
- W/O L.A.Ding
- F/O W.S.Bonell
- F/S J.E.Richardson
- F/S E.W.Jenner
- F/S G.C.Wells
Jean Christie . Timber Corps
Sub Lt. James Christon . Royal Navy HMS Forfar
My father sub lieu James Christon also served on H M S Forfar. I would appreciate any information concerning his time on board. Thanks
Assistant Engineer James Christon . Naval Auxiliary Personnel HMS Forfar from Newcastle-upon-Tyne)
(d.2nd Dec 1940)
Lieutenant (E) John James Chrystie . Royal Naval Reserve HMS Forfar from West Derby, Liverpool)
(d.2nd Dec 1940)
Able Seaman Thomas Churchill . Royal Navy HMS Forfar from Portugal Cove, Newfoundland)
(d.2nd Dec 1940)
Jozef Ciesielski . from Poland)
My husband's grandfather is Jozef Ciesielski. He was captured by German forces while defending Poland on March 17, 1939. He was interred in Stallag XXA and Stallag VIG. His numbers were 2426. In May 1941 he was transferred from one to the other, but in what order I am unsure. Joe passed away in 1996 and never really talked about his experience. In doing genealogy work on my husband's family, I have been very interested in trying to keeping Joe's memory alive for being one of the survivors.
Gladys Florence "Laddie" Citron . Land Army
My Mother was a member of this very important task force and I would like to contact anyone who might have known her during this time.
Her name was Gladys Florence Citron, known as 'Laddie'. She also had a particular friend, also in the Land Army, called 'Laddie' too. My Mother was a Londoner, had a sister called Beatrice Emily Citron. I do not think her sister was in this organisation. During her time in the Land Army she was based at Swift's, a very large farm in Much Hadham in Herts. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Sgt. Fl/Eng William Francis Collister "Francie" Clague . RAFVR 460 Sq (RAAF) (d.30th May 1943)
My Dad William Clague was Killed in action on the 30th May 1943 (over Wuppatal) For the first time I have been able to visit his grave in Rheinberg Cemetry, Germany. Grave no. 9 C 18. I notice he is stated as Air Gunner which was his description before Flight Engineer. There is no age on His grave. He was 33 years old. He flew with 460Sq(RAAF) from RAF Binbrook I have been trying to find out more about the crew he flew with. I met Margaret Russell, widow of the Pilot. T. P Russell and also met the two crew members (who were taken PoW) when they returned to U.K prior to demob. As I was only 8 years old then I have vague memories. I would like to make contact with anyone knowing of any crew members or descendants. The PoW's names are George Andrew Kirk, 409057, born 1/2/1921 in Malvern, Victoria discharged 13/5/1946. Rank Warrant Officer.(460 Sq.) Ron D Dunn (Navigator) I have not found anything for him except to know that he is Australian. The other crew members who died were: Tom Taylor 413803, Bomb aimer he was Australian. Peter W. Findlay 1342595. Wireless Op. from Dundee. Douglas B Gordon. 1349618 Air Gunner from Fochabers Morayshire and Thomas P. Russell. 1347861 Pilot. from Ardrossan, Ayreshire.
Able Seaman. B. L. Clark . Royal Navy HMS Forfar
Able Seaman Clark was amongst the survivors of HMS Forfar.
Sgt. D. A. Clark . Royal Air Force 77 Sqd.
Sgt. J. Clark . Royal Air Force 514 Sqd.
Sgt Clark survived the loss of Lancaster DS822 JI-T when it came down at La Celle Le Bordes France on the 8th of June 1944 whilst on a bombing raid to Massy Palaiseau. He evaded capture until the 19th of July when he was picked up in Paris and taken to the Buchenwald Concentration Camp, he was later transferred to Stalag Luft 3.
Flt. Sgt. James Clark . RCAF air gunner. 101 Sqd. from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.)
(d.4th Sep 1943)
Sgt Laurie Clark . Royal Air Force 138 Sqd.
My father died in 1960, 3 weeks after my birth and would never talk about his wartime experiences to my mother. However, this is what I have gleaned over the years:
Towards the end of the war his Stirling was shot down over the Danish coast. There was an emergency landing and repairs were made but while they were taking off, and 50ft in the air, a bomb on the aircraft went off. A saboteur has planted it while the repairs were being done. My father was hurled through the perspex nose but landed in a mixture of sea and marsh, went through minefields, but survived. (At this time he may have been helping an injured American airforce person, perhaps of African descent. He may have killed an enemy soldier at this time, too, as my Mum said he had nightmares about this)
Through friendly contacts he made it to Copenhagen and was in sight of Sweden when he fell into the hands of the Gestapo. He received the "full treatment" and was sent to Stalag 7a at Moonsburg.
My mum would say that towards the end of the war he was part of a crew whose mission was to drop spies behind enemy lines and he talked about the Caterpillar Club.
My mother died 12 years ago and I now have children of my own and I am aware that there is so much about my father that I do not know.
Update:
The Stirling was LJ999, NF-Q they took of at 23:48 on the 4th of March 1945 from Tempsford on Operation TABLEJAM 241 and headed for Denmark. On the return journey at 150 feet, over Ringkobing Fjord an explosion sent the aircraft out of control to crash in shallow water.
The crew were:
The crew all survived and were taken POW, 5 of then were confined in Hospital due injuries until the Liberation.
- F/O L.G.Steven
- Sgt J.T.Breeze
- F/O N.E.Tilly
- F/S J.F.Kyle
- F/S G.M.Maude RAAF
- Sgt W.L.Clark
- Sgt J.H.Bloomer
Margaret Clark . Women's Land Army
I served with the Women's Land Army from 1946 to 1948 at Bennions Farm, Stackpole, Pembroke. I also spent 3 months working on Mr. Hines' Longstead Farm, Northumberland. I would love to hear from any colleagues who worked on these farms. I would also like to march with WLA on Rememberence Sunday and would greatly appreciate any advice on how I might achieve this.
Margaret Clark . Women's Land Army
I served with The Womens Land Army from 1946 to 1948 at Bennion's Farm, Stackpole, PEMBROKE. And 3 months working on Mr Hines' Longstead Farm Northumberland. I would love to hear from any colleagues who worked on these farms. I would also like to march with WLA on Remembrance Sunday and would greatly appreciate any advice on how I might achieve this.
Margaret Clark . Women's Land Army
My name is Margaret Clark and I served in the Land Army between 1945 and 1948, firstly on the Home Farm in Pembrokeshire run by John Bennion and then on the Old Moor Farm near Bothal in Northumberland run by Mr J Hine. I would very much like to hear from anyone who who also worked on these farms. I would also like to march on the Remembrance Day Parade and would be very grateful if I could get any advice as to how I would go about this.
Ron Clark . Evacuee
In 1937 my family moved to the new estate being built by Costains at Elm Park. in the Borough of Hornchurch, Essex. I was 7 years of age. We had come from an area where railways were the only thing that mattered to a young boy, and to find myself in a house where no trains could be seen, and only heard if the wind was in the right direction, it seemed that life had completely lost its meaning!
Fortunately, salvation was at hand, as I soon discovered another interest which has been part of my life to this day. Our garden backed on to a small field, and beyond that, not 250 yards away, was a much larger field containing machines I had previously only seen in books – silver biplanes with colourful markings. I had discovered RAF Hornchurch, with its Gloster Gauntlets and Gladiators, and it was right on my doorstep!
I soon made some like minded friends, and we would spend hours by the perimeter fence, close by the main hangars, and watch the pilots in their immaculate white overalls climb on board, taxi and take off, sometimes right over our heads. My notebook soon filled up with the aircraft numbers, and we probably logged all the resident aircraft. Needless to say, there was much excitement when we spotted a visitor.
In 1939 I went to their Empire airday display. It was held just before my ninth birthday, and I went alone. Can you imagine that happening in current times? My one vivid recollection was my first sight of a Spitfire, two of them in fact. The first arrived flying parallel to and quite close to the crowd line. It was quite low, nose up with flaps and wheels down, and probably only a few knots above the stall. As it came to the centre of the crowd, with immaculate timing another Spitfire came in from the same direction but further out, and racing at a speed most of the crowd station personnel had never previously seen. The effect was electrifying.
When war came, I was evacuated to Swindon, where my interest in trains was rekindled, but as it was all quiet (raid wise) at home I was allowed to return in March 1940.
The airfield was now swarming with Spitfires, also some Blenheims and Defiants. Towards the end of May, we were awakened each morning literally at the crack of dawn when virtually the entire complement of Spitfires, three and sometimes four squadrons of them, would take off, not returning until the evening. They would spend the day at forward bases nearer the coast to help cover the evacuation from Dunkirk, but of course we did not know this at the time.
Eventually the raids started, and I spent many hours in the Anderson shelter with my mother. I recall at least one occasion after the siren had sounded that a Miles Magister would be calmly doing ‘circuits and bumps’. I have flown a few aircraft since, and watched numerous others, but I have never seen any aircraft side slipping as that Magister often did. After the aircraft returned from their sorties they would often do a ‘victory’ roll, either horizontally or vertically. In the film Battle of Britain a pilot is carpeted for this practice, but it was commonplace at Hornchurch, and good for the moral of the locals. Another boost would come each evening when the Station tannoy system would broadcast an upbeat assessment of the days activities. I remember asking my father what ‘fine fettle’ was on hearing that the boys on the Station were in it!
Things did begin to get quite scary, culminating in a bomb landing in the road outside our house. It could not have been a large one as the house was not demolished, but the damage was sufficient to make it uninhabitable, enforcing a move to stay with my grandparents in Barking, on the eastern fringes of London. As it turned out this was not such a good idea, as shortly thereafter the bombing of the airfields lessened, the day and night blitz on London started, and we had moved several miles nearer to it!
However, that is another story. While we were away, the house was requisitioned by the local authority, and we didn’t regain possession until 1948, the year I joined the RAF. The airfield had long since been abandoned by Fighter Command, and as I recall the only flying activity was provided by a few ATC gliders and their tugs.
Samuel William Clark . Royal Navy HMS Eagle from Southwark)
My grandad, Samuel Clark, joined the Navy in 1940. He trained at HMS Collingwood naval base and I have inherited a group photo taken at Collingwood. Whilst serving on HMS Eagle (an aircraft carrier ship) in the Med, the ship was torpedoed by the German U-73 submarine and sank within 6 minutes. Sam dived off and managed to stay afloat until rescued (there were two rescue boats - British escort destroyer HMS Laforey and the tug HMS Jaunty - and they managed to rescue over 900 men. 158 men were lost at sea.) Grandad was one of the lucky ones that day. He used to love to tell how he was stranded at sea with sharks swimming around him for several hours!
Charles Clarke . Army
Whilst looking through some of my Grandmother's old letters I found a 10 page letter from my uncle Charles Clarke which he sent at the end of the war, when he was serving with the British Army in Germany, and on the small envelope she marked MY MASTERPIECE. I copied it out as I thought it was so well written although some of the grammar is not that good. Anyway I copied it out exactly as he had written it, and thought it very interesting. I attach a copy and hope it will be of interest to you, obviously the original is very fragile and on very thin paper.
Tuesday on board ship
Dear Mom
I am writing this on board while waiting for the other troops to arrive. I told you in my other letter that 24 of us had to do escort, well 500 POW coming on board shortly and they are being repatriated to Germany they are billeted below decks in the foremost part of the ship.
The ship is called the Empire Cutlass and it looks quite a good tub has been repainted. We have to do guards on the ship the 24 of us 2 hours on 6 hours off. We have officer’s bunks and cabins the other blokes on the draft have to sleep below decks and civvies. It is warm in here and is sat in a big armchair writing this. My bunk has a clean white pillow and its lovely and clean in here, polished red floor.
They have the wireless on the loud speakers are playing dance music. The officer said that we shant have any trouble with the jerries, but we have to keep them below decks and our blokes from mixing with them. When I go on guard I have to wear my life belt and carry a rifle and bayonet.
I do my first 2 hours as soon as they come above and while they are on boat drill. There shouldn’t be much to do as we are only on the water 24 hours. A boat has just pulled in from Cookshaven with British troops on leave. The sea looks calm enough and an old sailor says we should have a good voyage. We have three Sgts in the cabin, ten of us altogether.
Have been on top deck and had a look around. When you are in here you cannot imagine you are on a ship until you look up and see the porthole. Tell Tom I am on the starboard side, I know that because it says so on the notice. We are having the toilet change from officers to us we have civvies on board they are in with the troops. Our blokes can’t come on board until the P.O.W.’s are on, they are late already.
Had my dinner on board and it was a treat had prunes for pudding. We also get an extra meal and tea through the night on this guard. I am with 4 of the blokes from Farnborough. Shall write to Ken as soon as I get a chance perhaps tomorrow. Well the blokes coming from Germany are loaded with cases and stuff so I reckon there must have been a bit of swapping and changing going on. Shall be glad when we get under weigh now and get there, then I shall get a bit settled for 6 months I hope. I haven’t got my cigs out of my pack yet, as a bloke has lent me 20 until I can get to them.
Well I am about ready for my tea, but how long I shall keep it is according to the weather.
I have just done my guard duty we have the jerries aboard, they have them doing fire duty and boat drill right now. We have left England now. The boat is going smooth right now, hope it lasts. The jerries are right above our heads walking about. Roll on the time when I am coming back and instead of looking for Cookhaven I am looking for Hull.
They are giving orders to the Germans over the loudspeakers in German. I see we have a number of women aboard I wonder where they are too. Have just had my tea some of the blokes are serving up the grub in the galley so I had a good helping of peas and meat Bread butter and jam its pure white and it tastes a treat. Well I am going to have a lie down now and try to get some sleep, but I expect I shall be on guard again soon. I have been on this crate since 11 am this morning and we didn’t sail until 6pm. I will write some more to this as soon as I get a chance we have a lav for escort only with hot water and shower it was the officers but had a notice put up to say Escort only. Cheerio a bit.
Well here I am it is about 10.30 am on Wednesday morning and I am lying in my berth writing this. Did a guard this morning 3.30am till 5.30 on the deck and it was damned cold, you should have seen me with my balaclava on and life belt on. I came in and had a good sleep I am on again at 3.30pm we are supposed to arrive in Cookshaven about 6pm.
Have just had tea and biscuits and for supper last night we had a chop and potatoes and breakfast fish “haddock” potatoes bread butter and jam. I had a ration last night 20 cigs and one bar of chocolate a pkt of biscuits and a can of beer it came to 1/10 the lot all duty free you see. I had one of the Sgt ration an all but only had one lot of beer. Wonder how far we are inland when we get there. I was talking to one of the gerries and he told me he was shot down over Britain in 1942 so I wondered if he had bombed Brum. If I thought he did, I should have kept him below decks all the while I was on. Talk about old men some of them are grey and bald. They seem happy at going home anyway.
Well I think it is about time I had a wash and shave I have not been SICK up to yet but I am not going to speak to soon.
I have just had my dinner; we had beef, potatoes, cabbage and RICE PUDDING.
Wish I could send you some of this bread; its lovely the crust is crisp. They give you a little card when you come aboard mine has number 1 on it so I am first in the queue every time, so I get mine before it gets cold. We are having a very calm trip up to now. I think we shall be a bit late getting in. By the time I have finished this it will be about 10 pages and you will have sailed across the North Sea.
The sea is blue and I think the sun is going to shine and I hope this wind drops, it is, but it makes your face a little sore and your lips dry. Have just had some orange and it went down a treat. I shall post this as soon as I get in. Don’t throw this letter away I should like to keep it, as it is my first trip at sea. My feet where lovely and warm while I was I bed, you see I have a radiator right at my side. The prisoners are taking a stroll around the deck foremost of the ship they have been polishing their boots and getting spick and span for their return home. I bet someone is happy somewhere waiting for their return. They have come from all over the place some from the USA and some from Canada so they must have had quite a trip. They are just about to have their dinner and the German interpreter has been called to get them down, so I expect we shall be going out on duty again in a very few minutes. We may get some more cigs before we disembark I have just asked the Sgt if we have British stamps over here and he says we don’t have any stamps at all, so that’s one thing I will have to get. There are light ships all along the route with lights all over them to mark the route.
I am glad I had this job because you get better accommodation the other blokes are in 5 tier bunks they are only sack bagging stretched across a frame. They spend more time on the deck than they do in their beds. It has just been announced that we have high tea at 4 o clock.
Have arrived in Germany and am in a big building like a hotel, am moving out in the morning. Have changed my money and am about to have my supper. Was not seasick at all.
Well Mom this is all for now Cheerio All of the Best All my Love
Charles
Ps Will write again as soon as I can. Write Soon
P/O Robert Barclay Clarke . Royal Air Force flight eng. 106 Sqd. (d.30th Aug 1944)
Leonard Douglas Clasby . Army The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Jean Marcel Clavé . French Army from France)
My grandfather Jean Marcel Clavé was a prisoner of war in Stalag 13B.
Sgt. Henry Clayton . RAF air gunner. 15 Sqd (d.16th Nov 1944)
Thomas F. P. Clayton . Canadian Army 23 Battery 1st Medium Regt Royal Canadian Artillery
My brother, Thomas F.P. Clayton, 23 Battery, 1st. Medium Regiment was stationed at Borden, Hant's, England, in 1939/40 as a Canadian soldier. As he landed in England he recieved a letter "welcoming him to the shores of England, the son of Thomas James Clayton", (a British Beoer War Vetran and C.E.F. WW1 Vetran). He never got to even finish reading that letter as he was wounded, and it was lost in the English Hospital, and now he is requesting me to ask if it would be possible to get a copy of that letter or that type of historical document? Does anyone have a copy?
Lance Sgt. Hugh Clearie . Army 5th Btn. The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders (d.9th Feb 1945)
Private Edward Henry Clements . British Army
Edward Henry Clements was with the demolition party in Arnhem, Holland and was one of the few survivors of Operation Market Garden. He escaped from a POW camp and was shot in the leg. I am looking for information on which POW camp he was at and also what medals he received. I am his son and would like to get the well-deserved medals back in the Clements family. My father lost his records and medals. My hero father served in North Africa, Italy, and Holland.
Sergeant George Edward Cleverly . RAF 460 Squadron (d.9th October 1943)
Vera Mary Cliff . Land Army
W/O N. J. Clifford . RAF pilot 7 Sqd.
W/O Clifford was the pilot of Lancaster JA-718, he survived the crash on the the 29th of January 1944 and was held as a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft 6 and Stalag 357. We would love to hear from him or his family as my wife's brother Stanley Liddle was one of his crew.
Austin Cline . US Navy SS American Manufacturer
My great grandfather was on the S.S.American Manufacturer from August 1944 - January 1945 from what I have been told. I am looking for information on the ship and what he would have been involved in or doing during the war. I remember stories he told and want to know more. I am looking for any information or how to research this myself. His serial number was 8192132.
Lt Cmdr. Bryce Clinkard . Royal Navy HMS Manchester
My Father was an officer on HMS Manchester during Operation Pedestal. He passed away in 2007 and his ashes were scattered over the site of the wreck of the Manchester.
Helen Clixby . Land Army
Renee May Clode . Land Army from Manchester)
My mother Renee Clode was stationed 1942 -1944 in a hostel in Kingsland near Heraford with may of her friend she used to tell me many stories as a child about her days in the land army, her friends, her jitterbugging with the American troops, and of an American soldier who she said would have been my father if he had not died in action towards the end of the war. My mum died in 2001 of Alzimers not a way to go for someone so cleaver and good. If anybody out their remember Renee, please get in touch - Regards Dave
Clowes . Royal Navy HMS Manchester
P/O Ashton Irving Cohen . RCAF pilot 419 Sqd. from Canada)
(d.10th Oct 1944)
Lancaster KB754 VR-C was lost on operations to Bochum on the 10th of October 1944. The took off at 20:39 on the 9thof October 1944 from Middleton St.George. Shortly after completing the bombing run the Lancaster was attacked by a Ju88 and set on fire. An explosion then occurred which blew F/s McQueen from his turret. His six comrades are buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
The crew were:
- P/O A.I.Cohen RCAF
- Sgt R.A.Campbell RCAF
- F/O G.W.Murphy RCAF
- F/S J.H.E.Goldfinch RCAF
- Sgt R.F.Emerson RCAF
- F/S L.F.O'Hara RCAF
- F/S J.F.Mcqueen RCAF
Rfm. Charles Coleburn . Army 9th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) from Oldham, Lancashire)
(d.24th Sep 1944)
Canteen Manager William Henry Coleman . Navy Army and Air Force Institute HMS Forfar from Milton, Hampshire)
(d.2nd Dec 1940)
Mary Colham . Land Army
Irene "Mickey" Collier . Land Army from Grange Park Rd,Thornton Heath, London)
Some reminiscences of my days in the Land Army.(1943-1947) I joined the Land army when I was only 15 (well nearly 16) and was first sent to a hostel at Compton Dundon, in Herefordshire. We found the work very hard at first and ached in every limb, especially the first two months. None of us had done this type of manual labour before! As I lived in London we used to try to get home most weekends - often by thumbing lifts as our pay did not go very far. We used to be taken by lorry first thing each morning and dropped off at a farm for the day. We seldom knew in advance where we were going to be. Another thing I remember is being hungry a lot of the time, for if late down for breakfast there often wouldn’t be any left as it was on a first come first served basis. (I was never very good at getting up in the morning) Although packed lunches were provided for us to take with us, if you were late down and the lorry had arrived you could miss out on these also. Sometimes, fortunately, the farmers wives would bring tea and a snack out to us during the long days in the fields. A number of times when we were working in the fields, German planes came over and dived down low and we had to jump in the nearest ditch to avoid being machine gunned. One week I was 2 days late back and as a "punishment" was sent away to a hostel in North Petherton in Somerset. Actually this proved to be blessing, for although getting home proved to be a non starter from here, I enjoyed working in this area very much, we got on well with the farmers and the countryside was lovely. I look forward very much to receiving my badge as I have always thought we were very much the forgotten service. Irene Sayer (nee Collier) 80
Muriel Gladys Collier . Land Army
Sgt. Richard Alfred James Collier . RAF(VR) air gunner. 101 Sqd. from Westminster)
(d.31st Mar 1944)
2nd Lieutenant Elwood E. Collins . USAAF 44th Bomb Squadron
I am looking for anyone who might have known my Uncle Elwood. His plane, which I believe was the Sanchez Belle, was shot down and 5 were captured and taken to Stalag 7A Moosburg (Work Camps 3324-46 Krumbachstrasse 48011, Work Camp 3368 Munich 48-11). Four of the men escaped but my uncle remained till the liberation. He was in the Middle East Theatre, heavy bombardment and his Serial number was O&733533. I recently learned he passed away at 90 never having talked about his experience. For 18 yrs I have been trying to find anyone who served with him, etc. to contact me please.
F/S Ernest Lewis Collins . Royal Air Force rear gunner 106 Sqd. (d.30th Aug 1944)
Second Electrician William Russell Collins . Naval Auxiliary Personnel HMS Forfar from Bootle, Lancashire)
(d.2nd Dec 1940)
Spr. Roger Collinson . Army Royal Engineers
Able Seaman. E. Combden . Royal Navy HMS Forfar
AB. Combden was rescued when HMS Forfar was lost.
Telegraphist Henry Edward Commons . Royal Navy HMS Venetia (d.25th May 1940)
Henry was my Great Uncle.
Surgeon Lieut. (D) Harold Bernard Concanon . Royal Navy HMS Dorsetshire from Ireland)
(d.5th Apr 1942)
My father's cousin, Harold Concanon was the dentist on HMS Dorsetshire when she was sunk in 1942. He and my father were about the same age and effectively grew up together in Ireland. My Father qualified as a doctor in 1941 at the National University of Ireland. Harold qualified as a dentist a year earlier. Both joined the Royal Navy (even though Ireland was neutral). Harold was initially posted to Liverpool but then joined Dorsetshire. My Father went to Portsmouth, initially as a civilian, but then joined the Navy after Harold's death.
Alf Conliff .
Agnes Connie . Land Army
Miss Agnes Connie, my Grandmother's Cousin was in the Womens Land Army, later in life she was a Cub Scout Commissioner, she passed away recently at the age of 81.
Able Seaman John Marif Connolly . Royal Navy HMS Forfar from St John's, Newfoundland)
(d.2nd Dec 1940)
Radio Cadet John Conolly . Royal Naval Reserve HMS Forfar
Radio Cadet Conolly survived the sinking of HMS Forfar
Sandi Conti . US Army 834th Engineer Aviation Battalion
I am a veteran of the 834th Engineer Aviation Battalion which built the Matching Green Airfield. I spent two years on building Matching Green. We left Matching in the Spring of 1944 for intensive training for D-Day.
On D-Day we were in front of Omaha Beach . We made several attempts at landing, all unsuccessful. We attracted enemy fire which knocked out an engine on our Rhino Ferry. Landing was now out of the question since our outboard motors were used for steering as well as for propulsion. With only one motor operational we could not move in a straight line. So we could not attempt to go through a cleared mine field. We were sitting ducks for enemy artillery. The navy pulled us away from the beach and back to the troopship area. The vehicles and equipment on the Rhino were transferred to another landing craft and we finally landed at Saint Laurent sur Mer on D+1.
Able Seaman. H. Conway . Royal Navy HMS Forfar
H Conway was brought ashore after the sinking of HMS Forfar in December 1940.
Able Seaman. P. Conway . Royal Navy HMS Forfar
P Conway survived the sinking of HMS Forfar.
Able Seaman Stanley William James "Cookie" Cook . Royal Navy HMS Hunter from Plymouth )
My late father also served on HMS Hunter at the battle of Narvic and was marched into Sweden by the Germans in those icy conditions of mid April 1940 I know the Germans made him sign a declaration promising never to engage the enemy again and during his capture he made a couple of unsuccessful attempts to escape He returned to Devonport Naval Dockyard late 1943 where he served out the remainder of the war in HMS Drake a shore base but never liked it He resided in Devonport After the war he joined the Merchant navy He passed away in 1990 in Plymouth Devon If any surviving ship-members can recall my Dad -Stanley Cook (cookie)please let me know
Flt Lt Walter Herbert Cook . RCAF pilot 433 Sqd. from Canada)
(d.2nd Dec 1944)
Private Edward George "Knocker" Cooke . Army
I do not have much detail as Dad never spoke about his time as POW he was captured at Dunkirk and sent to Poland he was there five years. His brother Ron was also captured at the same time. I do not know his Regmt. Does anyone know anything about these two? Regards Anne.
Pte. Richard Stanley Cooke . Army Welsh Regiment
This is my Uncle Richard Cooke, he was captured in Crete and incarcerated in Lamsdorf and survived the Death March.
Able Seaman. A. Coombes . Royal Navy HMS Forfar
A. Coombes survived the sinking of HMS Forfar in 1940
Able Seaman. J. Coombes . Royal Navy HMS Forfar
J. Coombes is listed as one of those to survive the sinking of HMS Forfar.
Able Seaman. D. Cooper . Royal Navy HMS Forfar
AB. Cooper's name is listed amongst the survivors in a letter sent to my father by Cmdr Arnott. He is listed in the chorus of the revue "Get Sailing" which was performed onboard the Forfar on the 19th of June 1940.
Earnest Cooper . Army Leicestershire Regiment
My late father; Earnest Cooper, 4868237, Leicestershire Regt was captured in North Africa after the Battle of Kasserine (1943) and was first imprisoned in PG66 at Capua, then transferred to Stalag XVIIB following the Italian armistice.
Joyce Cooper . Land Army
W/O Ken Cooper . Royal Air Force Air Gunnery Instructor 12 Operational Training Unit
My name is Margaret (Micky nee McKeevor) Teleprinter Operator, Signals Section, 12 OTU, later married W/O Ken Cooper (later commissioned to P/O). I would be delighted to hear from any ex serving personnel either Waaf or RAF who were based at Chipping Warden in 1943/44.
Temp Paymstr. Peter E. Cooper . Royal Naval Reserve HMS Forfar
Peter Cooper survived the sinking of HMS Forfar, he was one of the Merchant Navy officers who had remained with the ship when she was commandeered, signing the T124x agreement to remain under his current pay and terms, but subject to Royal Naval disipline.
Chief Officer Barney Copeland . Merchant Navy SS. Athenia
Eric James Alfred Copeman . Navy HMS Nelson
My dad, Eric James Alfred Copeman, served on HMS Nelson during the 2nd World War. He was leading torpedoman on the ship. If anybody has any knowledge, or remembers serving with him we would be grateful for contact, as he passed away 12 years ago aged 73.
LAC John James Copley DFM. RAF 38 Squadron
My father, John James Copley DFM, was the first in WW2 to be awarded the DFM from RAF Marham. Last year my family and I were invited to the opening of a new barracks there, Copley Block, named after my father. I have information on being awarded the DFM in 1940, and information on the POW camps he was held in after being shot down and captured in 1941, including some information on the Long March and Run up the Road that he was part of. A friend and I visited Denmark this year and contacted an historian who has dived on the wreck of the aircraft my father was in, and I have held some of the parts of the aircraft that have been brought back from the sea.
Born in 1912 John entered the RAF in July 1935 as ACH/Mate, later in the year gaining the rank of AC2. He was trained firstly as Flight Rigger and was posted to 38 Squadron at Mildenhall 17th July 1936, becoming an AC1 31st December 1936. He arrived at the newly opened Marham Aerodrome with 38 Squadron on 5th May 1937. His personal diary for 1937 documents this event and gives some details of training and night flights. He became Flight Rigger Air Gunner on 19th July 1938, promoted to LAC 31st December 1938.
On the 3rd December 1939, 24 Wellington bombers from 38, 115 and 149 Squadrons attacked German warships off Heligoland, Germany. Hits were made on a cruiser and armed trawler during the raid. During the raid 38 Squadron Wellington captain, Pilot Officer E T Odore (later Group Captain DFC, AFC) strayed away from the main formation and was attacked by German fighters. Attacked from astern by an Me.109, LAC Copley, rear gunner, was able to fire two bursts at point blank range (200yards) and saw the fighter climb sharply and stall, falling out of control out of the sky into the sea. The Wellington was liberally peppered with bullets and cannon shells, some of which penetrated the port engine tank and cylinder. Unknown to the crew it slashed the port undercarriage. On landing back at base in RAF Marham, the aircraft ground looped due to the punctured port wheel. The rear turret wings were hanging in strips and there was a punctured petrol tank. All crew were evacuated quickly. When LAC Copley landed he found a German machine gun bullet lodged in the quick release box of his parachute buckle just touching his flesh. This he saved to remind him of how lucky he had been. It is now on show in the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington, with his DFM and other items of interest.
The Distinguished Flying Medal citation appeared in the London Gazette of 2nd January 1940. The DFM was presented to him at RAF Feltwell on 20th March 1940. LAC J J Copley DFM is first on the Honours board in Marham today. To pay honour to their local hero the village people of South Hiendley, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, presented him with a gold inscribed pocket watch, presented by Mr A F C Assinder, New Monkton colliery manager, in Felkirk Church village hall. John had worked at New Monkton colliery before joining the RAF.
On 27th July 1940 Copley was posted to 15 OUT at Harwell, to 214 Squadron at Stradishall, from there to 7 Squadron at Oakington Cambridgshire, 30th October1940. He was promoted to Sergeant, 31st December 1940; 7th May 1941 he became Flight Engineer.
29th September 1941 at 18.50, Stirling Mk.I serial number W7441 coded MG-Y , MG indicating No. 7 Squadron RAF, Y radio code (the aircraft Copley was in), took off from Oakington air base, England to bomb Stettin near the Oder river to the east of Berlin. Since the aircraft was meant to lead the attack, it was loaded with flares and fire bombs (a total of 18 SBCs) to be dropped over the target so that the other aircraft would be able to aim their bombs as fires broke out. The outward journey over the North Sea and Denmark went according to plan. When W7441 reached the east coast of Jutland it was attacked by a Messerschmidt Bf 110 Night Fighter. The gunners were able to avert the attack, then a moment later, W7441 was again attacked by the Bf 110 (from 3/1/NJG 1-3 Staffel of the first group in Nachtjagdgeschwader 1). The attack was carried out by Lieutenant Schmitz. High from the right side, he set the Stirling’s right wing ablaze. It crashed in Lillebaelt South of Brandso at 22.47. It was Lieutenant Schmitz's third confirmed kill.
Interrogation Report of Sergeant John J. Copley (V G Nielson police constable L H Rasch, police sergeant) following capture at Trappendal in Hejls:
'REPORT Tuesday 30.9.1941. After giving name rank number, date of birth, etc. he explained that he had been on board an aircraft, a four engine bomber, with six other airmen, refusing to give precise departure details. They had flown across north Germany, following orders to drop bombs over Stettin. While they were on their way they were attacked by German aircraft presumably from Heligoland or Sild. They engaged combat and the person questioned said shot down German aircraft. They discovered that their aircraft was on fire. The fire spread quickly and orders were given to bale out. This person does not believe that the rest of the crew escaped.
According to Copley the aircraft exploded and crashed near to the coast. He was shown a map, and points out a location between Anslet and Brandso or Branso and Funen without venturing the precise location of aircraft.
He had landed safely in his parachute which he said he had left in a small forest, whereupon he headed North on foot. During the landing he had hurt his left knee which was very painful. Approximately 500 metres away from forest he hid his safety jacket in an hedge after which he continued walking until later that night came to an outbuilding where he slept for a couple of hours in a straw stack. He then proceeded to the farm from where the police picked him up, Copley knowing he could not go on for much longer owing to injured left leg.
A reconstruction was then conducted with him and in the place he had previously mentioned his safety jacket was found. He then pointed out the forest where his parachute supposedly was, but since he had great difficulty walking, and the forest was inaccessible by car, he could not point out precise location. Constable Hubsmann, Christiansfeld, promised to search for the parachute with his police dog. Furthermore, Hubsmann reported that the police at Haderslev had caught two airmen from the same aircraft, information that pleased the English man very much. The person in question was then taken to Dr Dolmer in Hejls who treated his injured knee. The person was then taken to the criminal investigation office, where he was handed over to Hauptmann Knock and Hauptmann Mahler.'
Donaldson's story:
'W7441 were leading bomber force to its target at Stettin; load consisted of incendiaries and flares. Task was to light up the target for the main force. This was just prior to the introduction of the Pathfinder Force. We left Oakington, 29th Sep about 7pm, taking northerly route over North Sea and Denmark to hit Stettin from the Baltic. However while approaching we were attacked by two 110 German night fighters. The first attacked from underneath astern and damaged port wing. The rear gunner, Fulbeck immediately opened fire and reported he had scored hits. It was then a second 110 attacking from starboard, high astern, his shells caused severe damage, setting the Port wing ablaze knocking out the intercom. Fire broke out in the fuselage and the Captain gave orders to bale out, flying about 10.000 feet, but I estimate that by the time we baled out we were flying at 2000 feet. I only had time to open my parachute, saw I was over the mouth of a river. The aircraft dived down and crashed into the sea just off shore. The wind carried me inland a short distance and I landed in a ploughed field. Landing hurt my back and had difficulty walking. I wandered about, then took shelter in a farm. I found out this was the home of Hensen family which is about 20 mile South of Kolding. They took me into their home gave me food and then put me in one of their famous feather beds. Later I learned where I had landed from maps shown to me. Apparently they had intended to get me out of the country to Sweden, but a search was on for the crew and shortly afterwards two plain-clothed police officers arrived and I was handed over. The Wehrmacht took me to barracks, where I was joined by Captain Cobbold who had been captured earlier. Then a third member arrived, Copley.'
Cobbold, Donaldson, Copley were taken to the German airfield near Flensburge where they were given dinner in the Officer's Mess. Here they met Lieutenant Schmitz who had shot them down. Another member of the crew, Sergeant David Young Niel, navigator, landed near Hejelsminde. He remained missing until Wednesday 1st Oct, when he was arrested as he attempted to cross a bridge. He was handed over to German Wehrmacht in Haderslev. Niel met the other three in POW camp Stalag Luft 3, Sagan, southeast of Berlin.
Three other members of the crew were never found, believed to have gone down with the Sterling Aircraft W7441. We will remember them.
- 1109112 Sergeant Edward Donald V Tovey, 2nd pilot,
- 1325233 Sergeant Eric James Rogers, Air Gunner ( nose turret gunner)
- 618116 Sergeant Charles Waghorn Fulbeck Air Gunner (rear gunner)
My mum at home with her 2 year old twins, and 6 months pregnant, had received a telegram to inform her that her husband was missing, believed dead. Happily soon after she was notified that he had been captured and was in a POW camp. She now knew he was alive but where and for how long. Her third child, a boy was born on Pearl Harbour Day, 7th December 1941. He did not see his dad until after the war; contact was made with my dad but it was very limited.
During my research I was contacted by Rob Thomas, researching information about his uncle Alex Donaldson. Alex Donaldson was in 7 Squadron with my dad, they were friends and worked together and were in POW camp for 3 1/2 years.
Rob contacted my brother to find out if Dad was still alive, and did we have any information about his Uncle Alex? My brother remembered Alex as being a friend of Dad's from the RAF days. Knowing I was trying to piece together Dad's war history, he gave Rob my phone number and since then we have been in regular contact on the internet, and telephone. We met in July 2005, he and his family visited me and we had a great day swapping information and putting it together. Alex had started a project in 1974 to gather details of his account and trace surviving crew members but sadly died two years later in his mid 50s.
Rob s interest has focused on the Stirling aircraft that crashed into the sea in Denmark. He had details left by his Uncle Alex about a man he had met at Farnborough Air Show called Soren Flensted whose hobby was researching RAF losses over Denmark. Rob contacted Soren who had lot of information about the Stirling, and a letter ( dated 1970) written to him by Alex about that fateful night.
Rob went to Denmark with a friend Andy to trace the story. They found a campsite near the area where Sgt Donaldson had landed in his parachute. It turned out that the farm on the campsite was the first building Sgt Donaldson had come to, where he had knocked on the window. Arrangements had been made to meet the Henson family and Asta, the daughter of Johannes Hensen, who was just 10 years old when Sgt Donaldson stayed the night in 1941. In Sgt Donaldson's written account of that night 'there was a young daughter at this house, I later learned her name was Asta Hensen. She got maps out and showed me where I had landed. I had a limited conversation with Asta and then fell to sleep.'
Rob and Andy were given a great welcome. Asta took Rob and Andy to her home where Sgt Donaldson had spent the night in a chicken shed -- the shed is still there. Rob & Andy then took a ride to Germany and visited Stalag Luft III near Berlin. Dad and Alex were held there for 6 months, leaving just before the great escape took place. Returning to Denmark Rob & Andy were contacted by the local diving club, who had located the wreck of the Stirling aircraft. They had salvaged some parts of the aircraft for them to see. Rob & Andy came back home to Derby, and decided they needed to learn to dive. This they did and in 2005 returned to Denmark with their own diving equipment.
Rob and Andy met with Carlsten Jenson, a founder member of the Middelfart diving Club, and custodian of the Stirling wreckage. Jensen knew exactly where to dive and had even salvaged some pieces of the wreck on previous dives. Rob, Andy, Jenson and other diving colleagues, sailed out to the wreck, about two hour trip. They headed down to the depths, the water not too bad, visibility good, could see four to five metres in front of them. Rob was ecstatic, he could not have got any closer to the story, and how pleased his uncle, and my dad would have been. What greeted Rob was hardly recognisable as an aircraft-- just a collection of bent and twisted metal. The wreckage was strewn across the sea bed over an area about the size of a football pitch. The aircraft was probably travelling at about 200 miles an hour when it hit the water. As custodian of the wreck Jenson has a say over who can dive it, and who can take pieces away. He allowed Rob to remove some objects, because he knew about the family connection. Although the wreckage has spent more than 60 years in salt water, some of the pieces salvaged were in good condition. One of the most interesting to Rob was a tail wheel. Another unusual find was a piece of twisted plastic, which appears to be part of the cockpit window.
Rob & Andy both felt mindful of the three RAF crew that had lost their lives in the aircraft, and the wreck was effectively a war grave. They were careful not to cause too much disturbance. 'Out of the three, one of the bodies was found on the beach by a local. It is now thought to be that of C W Fulbeck, the rear gunner. However the front gunner and co-pilot never got out of the Stirling before it crashed, so their remains could be buried there'. Jenson says that the echo-sounder had picked up something buried deep in the mud, it is thought to be the front end of the Stirling.
Rob, on his visit to me in 2005, brought parts of the Stirling for me to see. He is keeping them in water to stop the oxidising, and intends to clean them up and seal with a mixture of linseed oil and paraffin. Parts of the Stirling W4771 aircraft, preserved and held in Denmark, include oxygen cylinders, machine gun propeller blades, escape hatch and engine cylinders.
I have been doing research into my father's WW2 history for 7 years now and have lots of information. I have started a web site dedicated to my father www.copeydfm.co.uk
Jane Corbett . WAAF
Sgt. Norman Corfield . RAF(VR) 101 Sqd. (d.1st Sep 1943)
Sgt George William Cotter . Army 54th Rgt Royal Signals
I am researching my late fathers time in the Royal Signals from May 1942 to March 1947. 54th Regiment. I have photos of him in Egypt I have no other info other than that. If anyone has any information regarding this time or can point me in any direction to find out more it would be much appreciated. Many thanks in anticipation.
Sgt. John Coults . RAF rear gunner 44 Sqd. from Scotland)
My Dad,John Coults who passed away in 2006, was in 44 Rhodesia Squadron. He flew in R for Robert PB417 and completed 32 Operations. The first two were pamphlet drops in France, the other 30 were combat missions between 19/07/44 and 6/11/44. Dad then transfered to Liberators based in India.
The crew were:
They were based at RAF Spilsby from 5-10-44 to 6-11-44 (at least).
- Flt Lt Merrik Heath (Rhodesian), PILOT - tragically killed in a civilian Lancastrian during the Berlin Airlift (22/11/1948) at Chute, near Andover.
- P.O John La Forrest (Australian) BOMB AIMER
- Sgt A Smith (Irish - Northern Ireland) FLIGHT ENGINEER
- Sgt Bill Bennett (Scottish), NAVIGATOR
- Sgt Ron Parkinson (English), WIRELESS OPERATOR
- Sgt Paddy Pyper (Irish, Northen Ireland) MID UPPER GUNNER
- Sgt John Coutts (Scottish), REAR GUNNER
Dad is back row, 2nd from the left
Mary Kathleen Courtney . Land Army
My Mother, Mary Kathleen Courtney married after war, and became Mary Casey she lived in Weedon and Daventry and Kettering as a Land Girl. I am trying to get in touch with anybody who can: Give me contact addresses, web sites, email addresses in order to find out where my mother was and details of her enlistment or tell me about my mother
Harry Cowdrey . Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron 879 from Elephant and Castle)
My Dad was in WW2, he joined in 1942 at the age of 18. He didn't speak much about it until these last five years or so. He befriended a young man called Harry Cowdrey who came from Elephant and Castle. He sailed to the States on the Queen Elizabeth at the same time as Winston Churchill and Harry went with him. They trained as pilots and were in BFTS 3 on Course 16, Spartan School of Aeronautics (this latter number defines a group of lads training at that time). After receiving his Wings and wanting to get in on the action and put his new found skills into practice, he signed up for the Navy Fleet Air Arm and was in Squadron 879. He was sent to Dundee RAF Teeling where he learnt to fly Spitfires, I know he did reconnaissance work and he has told me many stories of his experiences but it is Harry I would love to find if he is still alive.
If anyone can relate to any of this information and could take the trouble to email me that would be fantastic.
Geoffrey Norman Cox . Royal Navy HMS Europa
My father, Geoffrey Norman Cox, served during WW2. He volunteered at the age of 19 and joined the Minesweeper Corps. I have his service record which shows him starting his Naval career at HMS Collingwood and HMS Europa. He served on a number of ships including Eland, St Wistan, Leonidas, Forward, Marshall Sault and Beaver. He saw action in the North Sea, the West African Gold Coast and English Channel.
I would love to hear from anyone who has information about any of these ships and anyone who might have served on these ships.
Harry Rowley Cox . Army Lincolnshire Regiment from Lincolnshire)
At one time Harry Rowley Cox was a prisoner of war in Italy. He would tell stories of his escape running by night and sleeping in farm barns during the day. He claimed he had nearly ran the whole length of Italy. I know he did get recaptured at one point. Stories from this point vary, his second escape/release (not sure which) took him to Sicily then eventually back to Lincolnshire, England. His wife had been informed he was missing, presumed dead. This information was passed to her via the Red Cross. Can anyone help me track his military journey? Thank you.
Fred Craig . Army The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Gordon Craig . Royal Air Force 44 Sqd. from Durham Road, Stockton on Tees, Co.Durham.)
My father, Gordon Craig was moved to Stalag VIIIB from Stalag Luft III after being caught up in various escape attempts. He had been shot down in Lancaster C-Charlie from 44 Squadron, RAF on the night of 6th October, 1942, during a raid on Osnabrück. He remained at VIIB until being force-marched on what became known as the Death March.
I have a collection of letters between him and my mother, Mary Craig, written during his time as a POW, together with his prison camp and Death March diary and various artifacts, such as a polished tin 'mirror' he made to keep up his appearance (and thus his spirits) while he was there. He also wrote notes for a couple of talks he gave; apparently people with various types of civilian or technical expertise were encouraged to give talks to groups of inmates. He was involved with some of the shows they put on as well.
My dad was a Stockton boy, he grew up in Durham Road and first flew as a auxiliary from Middleton St George. My Mum was a Norton girl from Birkley Road; she worked in the torpedo labs at the ICI during the war and often did Fire-watch Duty at night.
My Dad and Mum died within a year of each other in the mid 1980s and are much missed. Despite the privations and sometimes horrors of my dad's wartime experiences, he always said in later years that he felt 'more alive' during the war and that life often seemed duller afterwards. On the whole, he spoke quite freely of events at Stalag VIIB, although he did refer to it as a much more 'serious' place that was grimmer and more prison-like than Stalag Luft III had been. His sense of humour certainly helped, he described a few situations that I would have been hard-pressed to find amusing had they happened to me!
My compliments to you on the site, it's beautifully put together and a real mine of information.
A.M.B. W. Crane . Royal Navy HMS Forfar
W Crane was one of the surviving crew members from HMS Forfar which was lost in December 1940
Kenneth Edwin Crenshaw .
My great grandpa Kenneth Edwin Crenshaw was a pow in ww2. He is still alive and never talks about his experience. He has told me that he had to eat rats and he almost starved to death. Now he says that he used to starve but now he will never starve again because he always cooks enough to feed him and 7 other people. I love my great grandpa.
Able Seaman William Charles Crocker . Royal Navy HMS Forfar from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland)
(d.2nd Dec 1940)
Colour Sgt. Arthur Crockett . Army The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Able Seaman. D. Crockwell . Royal N
