Those who Served
Sergeant Ronald Sidney Sabell . RAF Lancaster ED 542 106 Squadron (d.3rd April 1943) |
A. G. "Pop" Salter . Royal Air Force pilot 158 Sqd. My father, Gwyn Jenkins, flew 16 sortees with A.G. "Pop" Salter from Lisset. Pop Salter was completing his second tour. If anybody remembers my father or any of the others in Pop Salters crew please send me an email. |
James Alfred Sams . Royal Navy HMS Penelope I am trying to find details of my Father serving on HMS Penelope. He had pretty bad scars on his body caused him swimming in the water with burning fuel oil. It is my understanding that James Alfred Sams was a Chief PO or Chief Stoker. I am not sure whether he could be both. Unfortunately he died of a heart attack back in 1971, so I did not have too much of an opportunity to talk about his service days. He de-mobbed out of the Navy after seeing out the 50’s based in Malta. He then worked as a civil servant in Portsmouth dockyard in an accounts department until his untimely death. If anyone can remember him I would be obliged for any information.
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Flt Lt Frederick George Sanders . RNZAF 15 Sqd (d.16th Nov 1944) F/L Frederick George Sanders RNZAF was flying as the navigator when Lancaster LS-U of 15 sqd was shot down, although he usually flew as a pilot. He was 22 years old and was the son of Frederick Baldwin Sanders, and of Lillie Sanders (nee Eagle), of Timaru, Canterbury, New Zealand. He is buried in the Rheinberg War Cemetery in grave 5c19, alongside his crew mates. |
Irene Sanderson . Land Army Irene joined the WLA in May 1943 two weeks after her 16th birthday. She was sent from Sheffield to March in Cambridgeshire. When she arrived she was sent to stay with a Mrs. Wellum (a very religious lady) before being moved to a hostel in the High St. which had once been a furniture shop.
She did general farm work; everything from taking the bull to the cows to harvesting turnips of which there was an awful lot. She ate a lot of beetroot sandwiches and learnt a lot about life. Despite a few health scares, Irene is well and happy and living with her husband, Arthur, in Sheffield.
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Sgt. George Sands MM.. Army 5th Btn. The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders |
Able Seaman William Robert, Roy Sanft . Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve HMS Forfar from Harrow, Middlesex) (d.2nd Dec 1940) |
Sgt. A. W. L. Schneider . RAF 101 Sqd. (d.14th Jan 1944)
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EM2c. Ruben Schramm . US Navy USS Boise I have found this card that my father Rueben Schramm had he was on the USS Boise. Could anyone tell me what it was used for or what it means?
Thank you for reading this hope some one can help.
Editor: This is a "Crossing the Line" certificate, given to crew members at a ceremony performed to honour Neptune whenever the ship crosses the Equator. |
Mrs. Scott . Civilian passenger SS. Athenia |
H. J. Scott . Civilian passenger SS. Athenia |
Julia W. Scott . Civilian passenger SS. Athenia Julia was travelling with her family on the SS Athenia when she was sunk |
Mary Scott . Civilian SS. Athenia (d.3rd Sep 1939) |
Sgt. Gerard Scully . RAF(VR) bomb aimer 77 Sqd. (d.13th May 1943) The the 13th of May 1943 at 06:20 on return to Elvington Halifax KN-K (JB 865) crashed in a field at High Belthorpe farm at Bishop Wilton killing the Pilot F/O Archibald and the Air Bomber Sgt Scully. The remainder of the crew, Sgt C.Hewitson, Sgt J.Gerry, Sgt G.Marlow, Sgt F.K.Smith and Sgt J.Currie, had only minor injuries.
Sgt Scully was taken to his home town and buried at Olton Franciscan Cemetery, Solihull. He was 21 years old, his parents were Thomas and Freda Veronica Scully, of Edgbaston, Birmingham.
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Sgt Jim Scully . Royal Air Force rear gunner 514 Sqd. My uncle was a rear gunner based at RAF Waterbeach 1944 he flew numerous missions and was shot down 3 8 44, and was a POW his pilot was mainly F/S Topham his name was Sgt Jim Scully I would like to hear from anyone who knew Jim I have his logbook POW and release papers
Alan Costello nephew |
Geoffrey William Searle . Royal Navy HMS Forfar |
Rfm. Alfred George Sellens . Army 1st Btn. 5 Platoon The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) I am doing some research for a friend of mine. Her father was Alfred George Sellens, a RF.N. in the Cameronians. He served in DP of Burma 1943 to’45. He and other soldiers wrote several wonderful poems in an old Eclipse Reporters Note Book, which I think has a twin somewhere. One of these poems is “The Bar O Boys, Introducing 5 Platoon.” The list below contains as many names as I was able to glean from the poem. If any of these names are familiar, please contact me. I would love to compile a history of this Platoon and discover if there is another Eclipse Reporters Note Book of poetry out there.
Bar O Boys 5 Platoon
Taffy John - Range Boss
Tex, M’Guire - Foreman
Donneky
J.C. O’Connel
Sinclair
Auchinclose
Smokey Rooney
Little Cooney
Pete McEwan
Tichy Elam
Thompson
Ginger Spiers
Watt
Wee Spud Tomson
Georgie Woods
Bobby Dreer
Deighton
Harry Hindson
Tug Wilson - bronco buster
Petrie - top hand rustler
Begorra, Pat, Hayewood
Duncan Michie
Tam Mc’Crae
Sammy Begg
Jackson
Fair-Man (Scottish Rifles)
Any information that would lead to the identity of theses riflemen would be greatly appreciated.
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P.O. G. Service . Royal Navy HMS Forfar P.O. Service is listed as one of the surviviors of the sinking of HMS Forfar. |
George Henry Sexton . Civil Defence ARP Warden My father, George Henry Sexton, was an ARP warden. He was aged 60 when he joined, and took a lot of pride in what he was doing. I think they were very brave men, and often risked their lives to save others. Without them doing that job, I think that many lives may have been lost. He has been gone for many years now, but I still remember him in his uniform, and feel very proud that he was my Dad. |
Rifleman Leonard George Shadbolt . Army 7th Btn. Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) from Enfield, Middlesex) (d.21st Jan 1945) Do not know much about my uncle I was 18 months old when he was killed
in action in Western Europe
but have since found letters he wrote to his Mother, a letter and a scroll from King George offering sympathy on his death,
also his service book, and a book containing the record and story of the 7th BN. THE CAMERONIANS ( Scottish Rifles ) with The British Libration Army, which includes a map of the activities of the 7th BN,
OCT.1944 - MAY 1945
does any one know any more about him? did your family serve with him?
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Cpl. Leslie Shafer? . Army 5th Btn. The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders I'm search for many years a Corporal Leslie, or his relatives, the surname from Leslie I don't know, on one of the photo?s is his signature and the name look like Shafer. He was round begin December 1944 with his unit in the village of Vught and he often visite us in our home in Hertogenbosch province Nord Brabant-Holland. So far I know he has served in the 51th Highland Division, 152nd Brigade, 5th Bn. Queen Own Cameron Highlanders. Leslie must go with his unit on 16 December 1944 to the Ardennes in Belgium and was billeted in Chaudfontaine on 3 January 1945.
My information say, that his unit returned on 18 January 1945 back in the village of Vught, but we have never more somewhat heard from him.
Who can help me to find him or his relatives, I hope that someone recognize or
identify this man on the photo ? He is not Leslie Thompson from Inverness !
Leslie with pipe.
Leslie's signature
On the backrow, place two from the rightside: Leslie, Carrier platoon, Cameron Highlanders.
I will know, is he alive or what is happened after he left our family in December 1944. I thank you in advance that you maybe can help me? |
Sgt. N. J. Shakespeare . RAF 101 Sqd. (d.3rd Nov 1943) Lost his life along with other seven crew of Lancaster LM635 SR-H on the 3rd of Nov 1943 flying from Ludford Magna en-route to Dusseldoft. He is buried in the Rheinberg War cemetery.
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Sgt R Shannon . Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 10th Squadron |
Sgt. Frank Leslie Sharp . Royal Air Force air gunner. 15 Sqd (d.18th May 1942) Sgt Sharp was killed when Stirling W7531 crashed on the 18th of May 1942.
The crew were:
- F/O Ryan
- S/L J.C.Hall DFC MiD
- F/L N.G.R.Booth
- Sgt A.Spriggs
- F/O J.P.Ryan RCAF
- Sgt R.Maycock
- Sgt J.B.Butterworth
- Sgt F.L.Sharp
- Sgt R.Nicholson
- Sgt D.J.Jeffs, the only survivor was taken PoW and held in Stalag 8b.
For the full story see Don Jeff's Story |
Sgt. Ralph George Sharp . 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. |
Assistant Steward Alexander Shaw . Naval Auxiliary Personnel HMS Forfar from Glasgow, Scotland) (d.2nd Dec 1940) |
Sgt Joseph Shepherd . RAF(VR) mid upper gunner 514 Sqd. from Heywood, Lancashire, England) (d.31st Mar 1944) Joseph Shepherd was the mid upper gunner of P/O Chitty's crew, he lost his life when Lancaster LL645 A2-R returned to Waterbeach on the 31st of March 1944. While attempting to go around after an aborted landing the aicraft struck the ground, ripping off the undercarrage. He was 19 years old and is buried in Heywood Cemetery, Lancashire. |
F/O Robert Howard Shiells . RCAF bomb aimer 433 Sqd. from Canada.) (d.2nd Dec 1944) |
Carpenters Mate Francis Robert Shierson . Naval Auxiliary Personnel HMS Forfar from Walton, Liverpool) (d.2nd Dec 1940) |
Sid Shiner . Army The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders |
Sqn. Ldr. A. C. Shirreff . RAF 19 Sqd. My father - Sqn Ldr AC Shirreff was with 19 squadron aa RAF Peterhead during the war, flying Mustangs to Norway. He has many pictures and logbook entries. He has also been contacted recently by a Norwegian gentleman who is researching the exploits of the pilots that flew to Norway from Peterhead and Banff during WW2. |
Carpenter's Mate H. Shone . Naval Auxiliary Personnel HMS Forfar Shone was one of the crew members of the Montrose who transferred under the T124x agreement when the ship was transferred to the Royal Navy and became HMS Forfar. He was amongst those to survive the lost of the ship on the 2nd of December 1940. |
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.
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2nd Lt. Robert Siek . US Army Air Force 855 Bomb Sqd. 491st Bomb Group (d.30th Mar 1945) 2nd Lt Siek lost his life when he was forced to ditch at sea on Mar 30, 1945. His aircraft the "Heavenly Body" had been losing altitude constinually on the return trip as one engine was out. When ditching became inevitable, the radio operator sent the word out. An Air-Sea Rescue unit saved only two men from the crew. It was the last aircraft from the 491st to be lost on operations. My older brother
S/Sgt Ray F. Fortney was the tail gunner on this crew. |
Reub Silver . Army King's Royal Rifle Corps My father was Reub Silver, of the Kings Royal Rifle Corps, he was a POW in Stalag XXB five years.
So interesting reading all the stories which are so similar to the stories he used to relate to me when he came home. How lucky I was to have him come home, even though he eventually passed away at age 45 from a heart attack, which I think was caused by being a POW. |
Trimmer A. G. Simmonds . Naval Auxiliary Personnel HMS Forfar A. G. Simmonds is listed as one of the survivors when HMS Forfar was lost. |
Sgt. John Spencer "Jack" Simms . Army My uncle, John Spencer Simms, known as Jack, was a Sergeant in the Second World War. He was captured outside Dunkirk and sent to Stalag 8b where he spent five years as a POW. I should be grateful for any photographs or information anyone may have which may shed some light on his time there. |
Pte. D. W. Simpson . Australian Army 2/2 Btn.AIF Pte Simpson exchanged identities with 'Smoky' Hibbens of the RAAF so that the airman could spend time outside the camp with the working party in the hope that he could make an escape. |
Flight Sergeant J O Simpson . RAAF 460 Squadron |
Jim Simpson . RAAF 460 Squadron I just came across your website and thought you may be interested in Jim Simpson's story. He was 19 years old when he was sent to fight the war and was shot down on his first mission and captured by the Germans. Jim is still alive, 92 years old, independent and living in his own home on his farm. His story regarding the knitting of a rug whilst a POW in Stalag IVb can be found on the following website:
http://www.manfromsnowyrivermuseum.com/home/rug.htm.
The Man from Snowy River Museum is currently raising funds to enable us to build a room to house Jim's rug and ensure it is preserved as best it can, to enable visitors to marvel at the resilience of the human spirit and what can be achieved in adverse conditions.
The crew of the 460 Sqd Lancaster were:
F/S E.J.Ellery RAAF
W/C R.A.Norman DFC RAAF
Sgt L.E.P.Wells
F/S D.S.Thomas
F/S J.O.Simpson RAAF
Sgt G.E.Cleverly
Sgt D.O'Donoghue
Sgt P.F.Kills |
Flying Officer Joseph William Simpson . RAF Lancaster ED 542 106 Squadron (d.3rd April 1943) |
Sgt. A. "Sandy" Sinclair . Army 5th Btn. The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders |
Cpl. Ted Sinnott . Army 2 Commando from Widnes, Cheshire, England.) My late Uncle Cpl Ted Sinnott, born 1921, Widnes, Cheshire (then Lancashire) taken pow at raid on St Nazaire, France 28/3/1942. Eventually transferred to Lamsdorf 8b / 344 around June 1942 before transfer to Stalag XXA Thorun, Poland (1944) and eventually Stalag 357 Fallingbostel, Germany and liberation April 1945.
He served with South Lancs Regt. before joining No 2 Commando in late 1940 after surviving Dunkirk. It would be great if anyone reading this knew of my uncle or about life in this camp. |
Wing Cdr. Alan Francis Moir Sisley . Royal Air Force pilot 550 Sqd. from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.) (d.31st Aug 1944) I am researching the Sisley family. It would appear that Alan Francis Moir Sisley was born in 1917 from the records I have managed to find. However I cannot trace a birth in the United Kingdom. Have you any record of where he was born? The CWGC records state he was of UK nationality. His wife was Josephine Mary Sisley, of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. I understand he is buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery.
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F/S J. W. Slater . RAF 101 Sqd. (d.14th Jan 1944) |
Cpl Joe Smallman . British Army Sherwood Foresters My Dad, Corporal Joe Smallman, was in the Sherwood Foresters. He was taken prisoner and ended up in the Italian POW camp PG70 He was transferred to PG62 close to Bergamo, Italy where he escaped into Adelboden, Switzerland.
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RSM William Henry "Harry" Smallwood . Army Royal Army Service Corps My husband's father has recently passed away and my husband would love to know about his service record, His Name is William Henry Smallwood, and he was a Regimental Sargeant Major, and he served in Burma during WW2. I believe he joined the RASC in Haydock near St.Helens (which was then in Lancashire) around 1939 at the beginning of the war. He was also a great bandsman and may have played in an army band I would be very greateful for any information anyone can give me. |
Sgt. Smith . Royal Air Force rear gunner 101 Sqd. |
Sgt A. Smith . RAF flight eng. 44 Sqd. Sgt A Smith was the Flight Engineer with Merrick Heath's crew, flying R for Robert PB417 with 44 Rhodesia Squadron based at RAF Splisby. |
Able Seaman. A. Smith . Royal Navy HMS Forfar A. Smith is listed as one of the survivors of the sinking of the Forfar. |
Alan Smith . Royal Navy HMS Manchester |
F/O Albert Smith DFC. RAF 109, 427, 142 Squadrons My father, F/O Albert Smith, flew with the 109 Squadron from July 1944 until November 1944. He flew with the 427 Squadron and the 142 Squadron before joining 109. He completed 89 missions before colliding with another Mosquito over Aachen, Germany on the night of 30th November 1944 on the way to Karlsruhe. He bailed out just behind enemy lines but walked into the American sector with the help of local farmers. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. We have his log book, flying jacket, and surprisingly, pieces of the plane which were recovered by a war time archeological group in Aachen.
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Audrey Gertrude "Aud" Smith . Land Army from Hayling Island) |
Chief Mechanic Charles Smith . Royal Navy HMS Manchester from Copnor, Portsmouth, Hampshire) (d.13th Aug 1942) My grandfather, Chief Mechanic Charles Smith was one of the 13 who died when HMS Manchester was hit by a torpeado on 13th August 1942. I would very much like to hear from anyone on that ship who may have known him. |
Donald Smith . I was amazed to see a photo
of my father Donald Smith named in the photograph at Oflag 79 in 1944.
The entry was submitted by Peter Lewis, but sadly his email does not work, and I would very much like to contact him. |
Able Seaman Edward Albert Smith . Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve HMS Forfar from Walthamstow, Essex) (d.2nd Dec 1940) |
Able Seaman Ernest Smith . Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve HMS Forfar from Shiremoore, Northumberland) (d.2nd Dec 1940) |
Sgt. F. K. Smith . RAF 77 Sqd. |
Pilot Officer G M R Smith . RAF 149 Squadron |
Able Seaman. G. Smith . Royal Navy HMS Forfar G. Smith was amongst the survivors brought ashore when HMS Forfar was sunk. |
Gertrude Smith . Land Army I am trying to get service details on my mother, Gertrude Smith, about her service in the WLA. She married an American sailor in Exeter in 1946 so she must have served nearby. I only know she worked on a farm with other girls. |
Asst.Cook J. Smith . Naval Auxiliary Personnel HMS Forfar Smith was amongst the crew members to survive the sinking of the ship. He had served onboard prior to the outbreak of war and transferred to naval service under the T124X agreement. |
Midshpmn. James B. F. Smith . Royal Naval Reserve HMS Forfar Mid. James Smith is listed as one of the survivors of the Forfar. |
Joan Smith . Land Army
I served in the Women's Land Army from 1942 to 1945 and despite searching the Internet have been unable to find an active group of ex Land Girls for my area of service in Hertfordshire.
At almost 82 years old and partially sighted now I suppose we are a dwindling number. A fellow tiller of the soil whom I met during those years at our first posting, also 82 now, became my best friend, and is to this day.
We braved rats in potato clamps, climbed ladders to pick fruit, rescued birds trapped in fruit nets (much to our foreman's annoyance), picked and dug vegetables with frozen hands and feet and sowed, thinned and hoed miles of root crops. Those were just a few of our duties, but for myself it was the best job I ever had and I have been a country girl at heart ever since .
We Land Girls had no 35 hour week, summer hours were 6am till dusk and in winter we were allowed to begin an hour later at 7am. I remember being nervous cycling to work across a common in the dark.
My starting basic salary was two pounds five shillings a week, and even back then that
was not a great sum.
Over the years I have unfortunately lost track of my badge, armband with the red felt triangles which were issued for each six months of service and my Service Certificate. My number however needs no physical proof. That, like my late husband's army number is I think burned into my brain.
Like Mrs.K.O'Dell of Suffolk I do remember such glorious summers, and yes, the lovely tan gained as a result of shortened dungarees. Our Area lady did not approve.
Writing this has evoked so many memories, I almost feel 19 years old again |
Ken Smith . US Army 106th Infantry Division 423rd Regiment |
Paul S. Smith . US Army B. Battery 164th Field Artillery Btn. My father (Paul S. Smith) served in the 40th Infantry Division, 164th Field Artillery Battalion, Battery B. He was originally deployed to Hawaii on Molokai right after Pearl Harbor, he told me they toted phone poles back and forth on wheels so if the Japanese were watching off the coast they would think they actually had their 105s with them. They were sent from there to the south pacific when we struck back. He served in Bismarck Archipelago, Luzon, Southern Philippines. They were stationed in Korea for the invasion of Japan at the war end. He often told me that he does not think that would have gone well, and probably would not have made it back. My Dad never talked much about the war. I wish I had asked him more before he passed away ( I was only 19).
 I am not sure who the two fellows are in this photo. They seem to have been his friends as they appear in other photos with him. I have his discharge papers, his medals (including arrow head The Arrowhead device is awarded to any service member who participates in an amphibious assault, a combat parachute drop, a helicopter assault landing, or a combat glider attack) I remember him telling me they were put on the beach to support amphibious landings) I have had to do my own research to find out many things but wanted to put something together for my two children and pass on what their grandfather did during the war, I think that is an important thing that we not forget what others have done.
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Peter Smith . Army The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders |
Phylis Doreen Smith . Land Army from Birmingham) I am looking for Edith Walker from Wales who married farmers son Les Webber and Betty Jones also from Wales. We were friends when we worked together on farms in Tiverton.
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Able Seaman Richard William Smith . Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve HMS Forfar from Gateshead-on-Tyne, Co.Durham) (d.2nd Dec 1940) |
Acting Sub.Lt. (E) Thomas Smith . Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve HMS Forfar from Chorley, Lancashire) (d.2nd Dec 1940) |
Thomas George Smith . Thomas George Smith, my fatherm was one of the Stalag 7a prisoners. He would have been about 40 when he was in Camp 2780 and his prisoner number was 6047. I only know that he was captured at the Battle of Crete. He managed to survive the war but died in 1952.
If anyone can find any references to him anywhere I would be most grateful to hear from you. |
P.O. Wilfred James Smith . Royal Navy HMS Forfar from Gravesend. Kent) (d.2nd Dec 1940) |
Carpenters Mate William John Smith . Naval Auxiliary Personnel HMS Forfar (d.2nd Dec 1940) |
WO1 Alfred Edward Smithard . Army Royal Army Ordnance Corps My husband was in 383 and what he as told me he was on the escape committee and on day they where playing, puffer trains without the train, football with no ball and any other games they could think off. He had a book called the barb wire given to him, while in the camp they were not allowed any showers and one day somebody had made up some andrew liver salts tblets, and when the top man of the German came and checked the camp some of the prisoners put the tablets in there mouths and let it froth and a doctor was called and they where allowed to have showers after that.My husband has wrote abook about A Surviver returns but it is not in the shops to buy. |
P/O James Snowsell . Royal Canadian Air Force 434 Sqd. P/O James Snowsell was my father. He was shot down on the Berlin ops on the 20th of January 1944 and was taken pow, along with P/O Wilf Kipp, the only two survivors, of the crash, Dad survived the war but had contracted TB along with ongoing bouts with asthma, I felt he never really got over the war. Died in 1957, at 42. Very unfortunately I never really got to know him.
The crew were:
- F/O C.S.Brest
- Sgt J.R.Morgan
- P/O W.M.Kipp
- P/O J.Snowsell
- Sgt L.H.Doe
- P/O M.Gnius
- Sgt H.B.Hill
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Arthur Soilleux . Army Oxfordshire and Bucks Light Infantry I am trying to retrieve any military records of Arthur Soilleux, my Grandad. I believe went to Dunkirk and was captured as a POW there. Any information is a help, thank you. |
Lt. Sidney Solomon . US Army Air Force navigator 452nd Bomb Group from New York, USA ) Lt. Solomon and Tech Sgt. Powell were the only suvivors of a terrible accident near Cambridge, UK in Oct. 1944. My friend Matt Ransom was the tail gunner on this flight and was one of the crew that lost his life. At the time of the accident Lt. Solomon was based at Deopham Green, near Cambridge, England. The last report that we had on Lt. Solomon was that he was living in Penbroke Pines, FL and we are trying to get more information on the accident. We know that he attended the 452nd reunion in Charleseton, SC some years ago and I would believe that someone from that reunion could shed some light on the whereabouts of Sidney Solomon the Navigator of that flight. Tech. Sgt. Powell is deceased. We also tried to find a book that he wrote, however, it is out of print. |
Able Seaman. S. C. Sommerton . Royal Navy HMS Forfar Able Seaman S. C. Sommerton was listed amongst the survivors of HMS Forfar when she was sunk in December 1940. |
Cecil Bruce Soul . Army Kings Royal Rifles Corps (Queen Victoria Rifles) I am doing my family tree and have honoured a few of my family war dead including my uncle, Charles SOUL, signalman, who fell in War. I have just come across my relative in my family tree compiled by Brendon Soul of the Beeb. It says this: 'Cecil Bruce Soul b 29th Dec 1929. Son of George Herbert Soul( Banker) & Florence Emily Soul of 82 Carlton Rd. 1922-29 Wellborough School, Northants. 1937 Mercantile Bank of India Ltd., Calcutta. Taken prisoner Calais, serving with Queen Victoria's Rifles. Stalag XX1 A Germany. Later 1954 Folkestone Directory: 7 Westbourne Gardens, Westbourne Private Hotel and Mr and Mrs Bruce Soul Died 15th april 1991 Malaga Spain. Married Gwendoline Iris Slater - engagement party Ramsgate Theatre - can you tell me any more about my relative please?
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Seaman H. South . Royal Navy HMS Forfar Seaman South was one of the survivors of the sinking. |
Lt Sparks . Royal Navy HMS Forfar
The above photo was taken onboard HMS Forfar at the Trial of "Flamicus" (Lt Sparkes) and "Featherstone Haugh" (S/Lt Fanshaw)in 1940. |
Catherine Speirs . Land Army My mother Catherine Speirs served in the Scottish Land Army in WW2. She was a teenager when the war started and spent the war years working in Ayrshire. I know she had many happy times and formed many friendships but found the physical farm work hard as she was a city girl and quite tiny.
She will be delighted when she hears about the medal presentation as recognition for the great effort of the Land Army girls during the war for the Nation.
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Vera Speirs . Timber Corps |
Ellen Spoffortth . Womens Timber Corps I was in the Womans Land Army for 3 1/2 years during WW2 in the Timber Corps. |
Ldg Stoker Charles Ernest Spooner . Royal Navy HMS Manchester My father-in-law, Charles Spooner was a stoker first class on The Manchester at the time that
she was sunk. He was then held in a POW camp by the Vichy French and
after his release with the other prisoners he was returned to England
where he was hospitalised in either Hastings or Wales. This was around
1942/3
As my Husbands parents separated he has very little knowledge about
what his Father went through during this time and as I am doing a web
page I would appreciate any information that anyone can give me such as
how many men were on the HMS MANCHESTER, how many survived and how many
days were the survivers in the water before being rescued and does anyone
have any idea what the name of the POW camp would be and what kind of
conditions would be there I understand that it was in North Africa.
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Able Seaman Thomas Plimmer Spratt . Royal Navy HMS Acheron (d.17 Dec 1940) This is my Uncle Tom who went down on the Acheron in 1940. he was 21 years old. I think it is now too late to contact anyone who might have served with him. He was also on the HMS Hood for a while. |
Sgt. Anthony "Spriggy" Spriggs . Royal Air Force flight eng. 15 Sqd from Bristol) (d.18th May 1942) Tony Briggs died when his Stirling crashed on the 18th of May 1942. He was 22 years old.
The crew were:
- F/O Ryan
- S/L J.C.Hall DFC MiD
- F/L N.G.R.Booth
- Sgt A.Spriggs
- F/O J.P.Ryan RCAF
- Sgt R.Maycock
- Sgt J.B.Butterworth
- Sgt F.L.Sharp
- Sgt R.Nicholson
- Sgt D.J.Jeffs, the only survivor was taken PoW and held in Stalag 8b.
For the full story see Don Jeff's Story |
Petty Officer Wren Isobel Florence Squires . Womens Royal Naval Service from Kidderminster, England) (d.27th Jul 1945) |
Sergeant A C St Leger . RAF 619 Squadron (d.8th February 1945) |
F/S J. F. Stafford . RAF 101 Sqd. (d.14th Jan 1944)
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Alma Stamp . Land Army from Doncaster, Yorkshire) I would love to hear from Alma Stamp who served in the Land Army with me at Holland House, Spalding, Lincolnshire. |
Sid Standish . Army 5th Btn. The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders |
Private Horace Stanley . Army 21st Battalion (Islington) Middlesex Regiment from Northwood, Middlesex, Enaglnd) (d.19th Oct 1918) I have been tracing the details of the above WW1 soldier who wou;ld have been my uncle.
From CWGC website I have found his final resting place in Berlin South-Western Cemetery and have details of the plot and site which I will visit in due course.
From my father's information I believed that Horace was wounded and captured at Passchendaele but have now found records at the National Archives confirming capture date as 09/04/1918. It would appear that this was at Armentiers.
Those records also confirm date of death as 19/10/1918, in hospital at Stallupen? Cause of death is stated as pneumonia.(The writing is not clear on microfiche.)
I would like to find out in which PoW camp he was internedbefore his death and if possible his original burial site before being re-buried in the CWGC.
I do have a photograph of the soldier, in uniform, taken with his sister and mother early in 1918 whilst on leave before returning to France from whence the story unfolded. I also have a photo of his brothers.
The quality is not good enough to scan which I have tried before but a photocpy can be sent to you if you wish.
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Wing Commander Owen David Staple DFC . RNZAF 107 Squadron 14 Squadron 75 squadron 41 Squadron 40 Squadron Owen David Staple was from Dec-1942 with 36(Mosquito) Operational Training Unit in Canada as a pilot; from February 1944 with 60 OTU in the United Kingdom; from June 1944 with 107 Squadron (Mosquito); from April 1948 14 Squadron in Japan; from November 1954 75 Squadron; from September 1959 with 41 Squadron in Malaya.
Decorations,Medals,Awards:
DFC-1945, AFC-1960, 1939/45 STAR, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal
1939/45 War Medal, New Zealand War Service Medal, General Service Medal (Malaya).
Wing Commander Owen David Staple past away in 1974 at the age of 49.
I am looking for more information on him as he died when I was 3 months old. The information is going towards the family tree so we do not forget the memories of the brave men and women of war. |
C.P.O. I. Steele . Royal Navy HMS Forfar Steele was amongst those to survive the loss of the ship. |
Irvin Steels . Army 7th Medium Regt, Royal Artillery My father Irvin Steels of 7th. Medium Regiment RA was captured in North Africa by Italians and taken to Italy via Naples. One of my father’s favourite sayings was ‘People say see Naples and die. When we were there the buggers threw bricks at us.’ They were handed over to the German Army who took them to Stalag 8B. My dad spent the rest of the war there working in the coal mines ‘where the pit props were like telegraph poles’. He joined the Army to get away from Fryston Colliery where the seam was only 2 feet thick. He left Poland on the forced March and was liberated by the Americans who had to operate on him to remove a leg which had gone gangrenous as a result of the frostbite which he suffered on the March. Needless to say my father who died in 1997 was never very forthcoming about his experiences and this is all I know of his time in captivity. |
Sgt. K. K. Sterrett . Royal Air Force 149 Sqd. Sgt Sterrett was taken POW when his Wellington was shot down by a night fighter whilst on Ops to Duisburg, it crashed at Haelen in Holland. |
Stevens . Royal Air Force pilot 17 Sqd. Could anybody help to find info on this pilot who flew a Hurricane with popeye on port side YB-J N2359, from Debden in Essex. We would like to know of any history of the pilot or plane, thanks.
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F/O Arthur Stevens . RAF(VR) air gunner. 103 Sqd. from Richmond, Surrey.) (d.20th Feb 1944) |
F/O Charles Stevenson . RNZAF 15 Sqd (d.16th Nov 1944) |
Pte. Alan Ronald Stewart . Army 5th Btn. The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders from Tottenham, Middlesex.) (d.26th Oct 1944) |
Betty Jane Stewart . Civilian passenger SS. Athenia |
Dorothy Stewart . Land Army My mother served with the Land Army. Unfortunately she has died and we are trying to trace anything about our family that we can. Her name was Dorothy Stewart and she lived on Hillgate {not sure of the exact address}. She was born on 10th March 1928.
We are led to believe she actually said she was old enough to join, but was in fact too young. The address was in Stockport, Cheshire. I vaguely remember her saying she stayed somewhere near Crewe Wybumberry or something like that. Could you please tell me if there is any way that I can find details about her life in the land army?
I would be grateful for any help you could give me.
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John Watson 3rd Stewart . US Army Co. E. 342nd Rgt I have been given my grandfathers brass fronted pocket bible, and am getting it restored, I think the regiment is right ,hard to tell now. It was given to him by his brother to protect him. We would like to know more about him, or his regiment ,they were based near swindon where he met my grandma Olive and they had a daughter (my mum) Betty Jean. We have limited info as the american side of the family only told us their version of his life and death. We would love to find out more hopefully the truth ,so we can build a memory chart for his bible to pass on to our children |
Ord. Seaman J. Stiff . Royal Navy HMS Forfar J.Stiff is listed amongst the survivors brought ashore from HMS Forfar in December 1940. |
A. K. Stirling . US Army I am looking for this person for I live in Sudbury Ont.Canada I found a New Testament Bible with his name in the front. In the back it has two other names listed Capt Peter Mirakian 1201 E.Chelten Ave.Philadelphia PA. and Doctor Wis.Parks Breckenridge,Texas these two people I believe to have been in the same POW camp. I would like to return the this to a family member. To me I feel like it should be returned for it is part of the family. |
Stoker 2nd Class William Edward Stirzaker . Navy HMS Pintail (d.10th June 1941) Another lost crewmate for the list of those on board HMS Pintail on 10th June 1941 is William Edward Stirzaker. I have found his record on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Site.
William Edward Stirzaker. Stoker 2nd Class. R.N. H.M.S. Pintail aged 19. Date of death 10/06/1941. Service Number C/KX 108793.
Memorial Reference 48, 2. Chatham Naval Memorial. |
James Stobie . Army The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders My father, now deceased, James Stobie, was a prisoner of war in Stalag XXB Camp 34. He was private No. 5783 in the Cameron Highlanders. I have several photos of him taken there in uniform, and in a band and a concert. If anyone knows of my Dad or could shed some light on his time there, could they let me know. I would be very interested.
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Joyce Stokes . Land Army My mother served in the land army during wartime and enjoyed it so much she went back after the war had finished! She was based in Hertfordshire in a big old house - something like Lydial Hall. Her name then was Joyce Stokes, she had a mass of blonde curls, and was always as brown as a berry. She drove big trucks also, sometimes transporting POWs, including a few blond, blue-eyed Aryan soldiers - which she found unsettling! From her tales to us about this time it sounds a lot of fun - being young helped that, I suppose lots of dancing etc - and certainly not following all the rules! It would be lovely if someone remembered my mum
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AMM 3/C Charles H. Stoudt . US Navy from Atlanta, Georgia, USA) Charles Stoudt, pictured with his pet owl, was a friend of Virginnia Quaife; and when our mother would visit him, the owl would sit on her shoulder. Charles was somewhat of an artist and we have included a sketch of his that appeared in the base newspaper.
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Ronnie Strike . Royal Navy Aurora Penelope Spartan I believe my father, Ronnie Strike, who was a Radio Office "sparkie" sailed and was sunk on Aurora. Unfortunately he now has Alzheimer's. I can't be sure, but I believe he once told me that he sailed on:
Aurora, Penelope, Spartan and (I think) one of the "Tonipandy Class."
Does anyone know of anyway I can confirm this? Sometimes he can talk quite lucidly of his Royal Navy days.
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Flt/Sgt. Gordon Stromberg . RAF 514 Squadron (d.9th June 1944) My grandmother died not so long ago, and although I had always know about my great uncle who died during the war, it wasn't until clearing out the house that my mother and I came across his flight log book. My great uncle was Flt/Sgt Gordon Stromberg No1386539 a w/op. From his log book he was posted to Waterbeach on November 1943. His first flight was on a Lancaster C on the 25th of November 1943 with no 1678 otu and flew ops with 514 Squadron. His first op was on the 29th of December 1943 to Berlin in a Lancaster S which ditched in the North Sea. He flew various other ops, mostly in C, until he was shot down on 7th June 1944 and died as a POW on 9th June 1944.
I am trying to get as much information as possible as we were always told he died with his aircraft until his log book indicated he died two days later as a POW.
I would welcome any information that anyone may have or advice on how I might proceed further. It would be great to piece together this family mystery.
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Marine Thomas Stubbington . Royal Marines HMS Manchester from Bosham, Sussex, England) (d.23rd Jul 1941) |
Derek Suggate . Army 5th Btn. The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders |
Private William Sullivan . Army Pioneer Corps from Sculcotes, Hull) (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. |
Edward Sutton DFM. RAF 77 Squadron I am looking for any information on my grandad, Edward Sutton, a Rear Gunner with 77 Squadron, who was awarded the DFM by King George in 1944. |
Stoker John Swanson . Royal Navy My father-in-law John Swanson was a stoker in the RN and 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.
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Private Esie Florence Swift . A.T.S North Company East Lancashire from Nottingham, England) My mother enrolled in the ATS ON 6.8.1941 and was Embodied 15.8.1941.
she spent most of her service in Lancashire:North Company East Lancashire
and on her records it shows postings in Clitheroe and Preston.l am researching my mother's whereabouts in Lancashire and her time in the A.T.S (she died in 1966)and would be graeful for anyone who could tell me their War Time experiences in the A.T.S based in Lancashire especially the social life during 1941-1943.Could anyone tell me if Allied Forces were in Lancashire :Americans and Canadians?looking forward to your reply. |
Wally Syme . Army Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Wally was in Stalag 8b with my Father, Arthur Booker, if anyone remembers him or his fellow POW's please get in touch. |
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