Sunday, January 27, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Friday, January 4, 2013
Roll of Honour: Lionel Lewis
Flight Lieutenant L. M. Lewis
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
64331
Died on active service, 7 September 1944, England. Aged 44.
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Lionel Lewis was a well known sportsman in Woking and lived at Fourth Bay, Westfield Road. He was captain of the Constitution Hill Hockey Club for 10 years and played regularly for the Old Boys Association cricket team.
Lionel was born in about 1900 in Aberdeen. His grandfather, Joseph Lewis was for many years manager of Woking Public Hall which staged theatrical events. Lionel’s father James Henry Lewis, and his mother Violet Aileen Lewis (who was from Cork in Ireland) were both locally renowned actors. By 1911 the family were living at Sunnyside, Royal Oak in Woking. Lionel had at least two younger brothers, George and Gerald. Gerald died in South Africa in 1938.
One of the first boys at the newly opened County School, Lionel left aged 17 and enlisted with a Rifle Regiment late in the First World War although it is unlikely that he saw active service. After the war he worked briefly for Harrods in London and then for 12 years with North Light Ltd. a company that imported eggs from Denmark.
In February 1939 Lionel volunteered for the RAFVR doing his training in the evenings after work. When war broke out he was called up to the Balloon Barrage and served in England and Scotland. He was later commissioned as Technical and Defence Officer. Such was his enthusiasm for the service that he undertook commando training at the age of 41.
Lionel relinquished his commission due to ill health in July 1944 and died at home 7 September. His well attended funeral was held at Brookwood Cemetery the following week. At the service Mr. F. Dixon, headmaster of Ripley CE School and a team mate at the hockey club read the following tribute in the euphemistic style of the day:
The game’s not lost,
Although the whistle’s gone,
The first half is completed
And the second half begun.
You played against the slope and the sun,
In that, you had no choice,
And when the final whistle sounds
You’ll hear the umpire’s voice
Well done!
Lionel Lewis is buried in Brookwood Cemetery, near Woking (grave 209599). He is also remembered on the Woking County Grammar School roll of honour located in Christ Church, Woking and the Woking library World War Two book of remembrance.
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Last updated 21 December 2009
Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Woking News and Mail
Woking County School magazine
Roll of Honour: Herbert Lea
Private H. C. A. Lea
1st Bn. Queen’s Royal Regt. (West Surrey)
6107001
Died in Bangladesh. Aged 35.
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Herbert Cecil Archer Lea was born in Balham in 1908 the younger of two sons born to William and Ellen Lea. William was a legal clerk from Staffordshire and Ellen was born in Ham in Surrey. In 1911 the family lived in Monument Road, Woking.
Herbert served with 1st. Bn. Queens Regiment. The battalion was part of the 7th Indian Division which was formed on the North-West Frontier of India. The Queen’s joined the division in November 1942 where they trained until the summer of 1943.
In the last few weeks of the monsoon and prior to operations in Burma the battalion moved to the Teknaf Peninsula in modern day Bangladesh. It was about this time that Herbert died, probably from illness as the battalion had yet to encounter the enemy. He was 35 years old when he died.
Herbert Lea is buried in Ranchi War Cemetery, near Calcutta, India grave 2.B.4). He is also remembered on the Woking County Grammar School roll of honour located in Christ Church, Woking.
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Last updated 25 August 2009
Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Woking News and Mail
Roll of Honour: Jack Knight
Sgt. (Observer) J. H. Knight
51 Sqn. RAFVR
918519
Killed in action, 31 October 1941, Netherlands. Aged 21.
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Jack Knight was born in Woking in 1919, the son of John Matthews and Nellie M. Knight of 54 Goldsworth Park. John was a churchwarden at Christchurch, Woking. Jack’s name does not appear on the school roll of honour but has been added by hand to the memorial service programme kept at the Surrey History Centre in Woking.
Jack was educated first at Maybury School and then the County School. On leaving school he worked at a branch of Lloyds Bank at West Smithfield in London for three or four years. He was also treasurer for the Junior Imperial League.
Jack volunteered for the RAFVR in 1940 and was promoted to sergeant at the beginning of 1941.
On the night of 31 October 1941 Jack was observer aboard Whitley Mk. Z9141 of 51 Sqn. when it took off from RAF Dishforth on a bombing mission to Hamburg, it was his twelfth mission. The aircraft was airborne at 1939 and was last heard from at 2152. It was shot down at 2350 by a night fighter piloted by Ofw. Paul Gildner of 4/NJG1. The aircraft crashed north of the dam on the Dutch island of Texel. All five crew were killed. One other 51 Sqn. Whitley was also lost on the same mission.
The crew that night were as follows:
Flt. Lt. (Pilot) Eric Barsby - Aged 26 from Minehead, Somerset. KIA.
Pilot officer (Pilot) Stanley Steel - RNZAF. KIA.
Sgt. (Obs) Jack Harris - Aged 22, from Woking. KIA.
Flt. Sgt. (W. op/gunner) Eric Warburton - RCAF. KIA.
Sgt. Vincent Sature - RCAF. KIA.
Jack and his four comrades are buried in Texel (Den Burg) Cemetery, Holland (plot K, row 4, coll. grave 76A-79).
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Last updated 3 April 2010
Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Woking News and Mail
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Roll of Honour: Thomas Johnson
Pilot Officer T. F. E. Johnson
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
145822
Died on active service, 5 September 1943, Wales. Aged 22.
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Thomas Johnson was never known by his first name. To his family he was ‘Boyk’, his wife called him ‘Johnnie’ and even his mother called him ‘Bill’. To his friends he was ‘Tich’ given his small size.
‘Tich’ was born on 19 April 1921, the son of Edward and Dorothy Johnson who lived in Marsh Lane, Addlestone. He arrived at the County School in 1932 and was a keen and talented football and rugby player. He played for both school teams during his time at the County School.
After leaving school in 1938 ‘Boyk’ worked as a clerk at Vickers before joining up in 1940 and training as an air bomber.
On 28 January 1943 he married Annie Cox (known as ‘Nan’). ‘Nan’ was the sister of Alfred Cox a fellow Old Wokingian who was to die in Japanese hands.
In 1943 ‘Boyk’ was awarded the DFM. At the time he was serving with 44 Sqn. based at Dunholme Lodge, Lincolnshire. He had already flown a large number of operations to most major targets in occupied Europe in the course of which he invariably displayed the greatest deliberation and coolness when over the target area. As air bomber his skill at target location was excellent and his results were outstanding.
On 5 September 1943 ‘Boyk’ was aboard Lancaster (W4929) when it took off from RAF Winthorpe near Nottingham on a night exercise off the Scottish coast. On the return journey the aircraft ran into a heavy storm over the Brecon Beacons and crashed at 2320 at Fan Foel near Llanddensart. All crew members were lost. To this day the 20m long scar in the moorside is still visible together with some of the wreckage.
The crew that night were as follows:
Pilot Officer Norman Duxbury (Pilot) - Aged 22 from Wigan.
Sgt. Leslie Holding (Flight Engineer) - Aged 20 from Wigan.
Pilot Officer Victor Folkersen RCAF (Navigator) - Aged 27 from Saskatchewan, Canada.
Sgt. Frank Pratt (Wireless Operator) - Aged 22 from Hemel Hempstead.
Sgt. Roy Wilson (Bomb aimer) - Aged 24 from Clitheroe.
Sgt. John Curran (Air gunner) - Aged 19 from Coldstream, Berwickshire.
Sgt. Ernest Buckby RAAF (Air gunner) - Aged 19 from Queensland, Australia.
Pilot Officer Thomas ‘Boyk’ Johnson (Instructor) - Aged 22 from Bisley.
W4929 and five crew members
The final chapter of ‘Boyk’s’ story came in 1993 on the 50th anniversary of the crash. Nan Wareham flew in a helicopter to the crash site and unveiled a plaque in memory of the crew of Lancaster W4929. The plaque reads a line from a hymn in Welsh which translates as ‘After the tragedy, may there be peace’.
The crash site and memorial plaque
‘Boyk’ Johnson was cremated at Woking Crematorium, St. Johns, Surrey (panel 3) and his ashes were scattered by a bomber over the North Sea. He is also remembered on the Woking County Grammar School roll of honour located in Christ Church, Woking.
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Last updated 29 August 2009
Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Woking News and Mail
Woking County School magazine
A special thank you to the late Denis Walker for all his help
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Roll of Honour: Ronald Horwood
Sergeant (Air Gunner) R. W. Horwood
61 Sqn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
1337229
Killed in action, 22 August 1943, Netherlands. Aged 21.
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Born in Horsell about 1922 , Ronald William Horwood was the third and youngest son of Arthur (‘Andy’) and Lena Horwood (nee Gilbert) of Walton-on-Thames and the brother of Cyril Horwood (q.v.) who was also killed in action aged 21.
Ronald arrived at the County School in 1933 and eventually became prefect and vice-captain of the school cricket team. He was awarded football and rugby colours.
After leaving school in 1939 Ronald took over his older brothers post as clerk at Brookwood hospital where he remained until volunteering in August 1941. He was a keen sportsman who gained colours in rugby, cricket and football whilst at the County School. After leaving school he played cricket for the Olinda Vandals in Walton and football for Old Wokingians FC.
After enlistment Ronald learned to fly in Southern Rhodesia before returning to England in April 1943. He then took part in many operations over occupied Europe including a raid on Milan.
Ronald served with 61 Sqn. based at RAF Syerston near Nottingham. Sydney Bradshaw (q.v.) served with the same squadron.
On the evening of 22 August 1943 Lancaster DV228 was airborne from Syerston at 2111. The average age of the crew was just 23. The destination that night was Leverkusen. She was intercepted and shot down by a Luftwaffe night fighter piloted by Lt. Heinz Block over Heicop in the south of Holland.
The crew that night were as follows:
Sgt. Joseph A. Spencer - Aged 22 from Letchworth, Hertfordshire. KIA.
Sgt. (Flt. Eng.) Thomas F. Watkins - Aged 23 from London. KIA
Sgt. (Nav.) Jack Punter - Aged 26 from Norwood, Surrey. KIA.
Sgt. S. Williamson - Captured.
Sgt. S. J. Banting (W. op./air gunner) - Aged 21 from Woodcote, Sussex. KIA.
Sgt. (Air gunner) Einar Johnson (RCAF) - Aged 26 from Canada. KIA.
Sgt. (Air gunner) Ronald Horwood - Aged 21 from Horsell.
Ronald Horwood is buried in Hei-En-Boeicop (Heicop) General Cemetery, Netherlands (row 1, joint grave 3). He is also remembered on the Woking County Grammar School roll of honour located in Christ Church, Woking.
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Last updated 3 April 2010
Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Woking News and Mail
Woking County School magazine
Roll of Honour: Dennis Jarvis
21 Lt. A. A. Regt., Royal Artillery
1556170
Died in Japanese hands, 12 March 1945.
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Dennis Alfred Claud Jarvis was captured by the Japanese following the fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942. He was transported to Kobe PoW camp in Japan where he died on 12 March 1945. His name is added in pencil to the Woking County School memorial order of service kept in the Surrey History Centre.
After the war Dennis’ body was taken to America for burial and he was laid to rest in St. Louis (Jefferson Barracks) National Cemetery in Missouri (Sec. 82 Coll. grave 1B, 1C, 1D).
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Last updated 3 July 2010
Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Roll of Honour: Ian Jenkins
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
1606639
Died on active service, 25 June 1945, England. Aged 21.
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Ian Walter Jenkins was the son of James and Eileen Jenkins of Addlestone.
Ian was killed on a training exercise aboard a Tiger Moth (DE215) 25 June 1945 in the Lake District. Ian was navigator but was given unauthorised control of the aircraft by the pilot. The aircraft crashed into Ulleswater during a low pass when its wheels touched the water. The pilot survived.
Ian’s body was never recovered. He was just 21 years old.
A board of enquiry criticised the unit for its failures including not removing the control column from the navigators seat.
Ian Jenkins has no known grave and is remembered on the Air Force Memorial, Runnymede, Surrey (panel 275) and on the Woking County Grammar School roll of honour located in Christ Church, Woking.
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Last updated 29 August 2009
Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Woking News and Mail
Woking County School magazine
Roll of Honour: George Howes
Sergeant G. W. Howes
12 Sqn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
1168632
Killed in action, 13 March 1942, France. Aged 21.
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George William Howes was the son of William R. and Phoebe E. Howes of Thetford, Norfolk. As a boy George and his family spent two years in Australia. The family then moved to Lodge Cottage, Kettlewell Hill in Horsell. George first attended Horsell C of E school before spending four years at the County School. After leaving school he worked at Woking Post Office.
After enlisting George trained as a radio operator, and then to retain a comradeship he transferred to front gunner duties. He took part in several operational flights over enemy territory including one to Brest in France when the plane he was in returned on only one engine.
George served with 12 Sqn. based at RAF Binbrook in Lincolnshire. He was aboard Wellington Mk. II (Z8578) when it took off on the evening of 13 March 1942 together with 18 other aircraft on a bombing mission to Dunkirk. Z8578 and one other aircraft were lost that night.
The crew of Z8578 that night were:
Flt. Sgt. Leslie M. Scott (RNZAF) - Aged 25 from Auckland. KIA.
Sgt. Richard A. Hudd - KIA.
Pilot Officer Frederick W. Jones - Aged 32 and married. KIA.
Sgt. George W. Howes - Aged 21 from Horsell. KIA.
Sgt. Leslie R. Meager - Aged 21 from London. KIA.
Flt. Sgt. J. A. L. Giroux (RCAF) - Aged 24 and married, from Montreal. KIA.
George Howes has no known grave and is remembered on the Air Force Memorial, Runnymede, Surrey (panel 86) and on the Woking County Grammar School roll of honour located in Christ Church, Woking.
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Last updated 25 August 2009
Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Woking News and Mail
Woking County School magazine
Roll of Honour: Cyril Horwood
Pilot Officer C. E. Horwood
489 (RNZAF) Sqn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
66538
Died on active service, 2 October 1941, England. Aged 21.
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Cyril Ernest Horwood was born in 1920, the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Arthur and Lena Horwood (nee Gilbert) of Branksome Close, Walton-on-Thames. He attended Woking Couty School from 1931-1937. Before the war he worked as a clerk at Brookwood Hospital. After he enlisted his younger brother Ronald (another Old Wokingian) took over his job at the hospital. Ronald then followed his brother into the Air Force and in 1941, was also killed in action. He was also 21.
Cyril served with 489 Sqn. (RNZAF) which was formed in 1941 at RAF Leuchers in Fife, Scotland the most northerly air defence station in Britain. The squadron was formed with pilots from the New Zealand Air Force and operated twin-engined Bristol Beauforts on anti-submarine and reconnaissance missions under Coastal Command.
Bristol Beaufort Mk. I
On 2 October 1941 Cyril took off from Leuchers in his Beaufort (N1075) on a solo training flight. He crashed into the River Eden on his approach to Thornaby airfield in Yorkshire. His body was later recovered from the sea.
Cyril Horwood is buried in Thornaby-on-Tees Cemetery, Yorkshire (plot O, row N, grave 11). He is also remembered on the Woking County Grammar School roll of honour located in Christ Church, Woking.
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Last updated 4 July 2010
Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Woking News and Mail
Woking County School magazine
Roll of Honour: Reginald Hopper
Bombadier R. F. Hopper
176 Field Regt. Royal Artillery
978785
Died on active service, 28 January 1944, England. Aged 28.
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Reginald Frank Hopper was born in 1916 in Surrey. He was the son of William and Emma Hopper (nee Hodkinson) and the husband of Angela Constance Hopper of Byfleet. He died on active service 28 January 1944.
Reginald is buried in Byfleet (St. Mary) churchyard (grave 37).
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Last updated 28 August 2009
Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Roll of Honour: Charles Haxell
Driver C. D. Haxell
3 GHQ Artillery Co., Royal Army Service Corps
T/75691
Died in France. Aged 24.
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Charles David Haxell died between 30 May and 2 June 1940 aged 24. He attended the County School 1927-1931.
He was the son of Charles W. and Gladys H. Haxell (nee Snow) of Cranleigh, Surrey.
Charles Haxell has no known grave and is remembered on the Dunkirk Memorial, France (column 136) and on the Woking County Grammar School roll of honour located in Christ Church, Woking.
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Last updated 29 August 2009
Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Roll of Honour: William Hart
Flying Officer W. J. Hart
1314282 / 125306
Died on active service, 3 February 1943. Aged 21.
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William was born in 1922 in London the son of Sidney and Frances Hart. The family later moved to Weybridge. William attended the County School 1933-1939.
William enlisted as a leading aircraftsman and received his commission to Pilot Officer in June 1942 and was promoted to Flying Officer in December 1942.
On 3 February 1943 William was aboard a Halifax Mk II (DT503) of 1 Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit on a ferry flight from RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire to Gibraltar. The plane took off at 0146 and was lost without trace together with its crew of seven and three RAF passengers. The pilot was Sgt. (Pilot) Raymond Connor, RNAF aged 27.
William was just 20 years old. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Air Force Memorial, Runnymede, Surrey (panel 125) and on the Woking County Grammar School roll of honour located in Christ Church, Woking.
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Last updated 25 August 2009
Sources
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Woking News and Mail