A list of the men by Surname A - C

This is a list of men who were either born or had a connection to either Frimley, Camberley or the local surrounding areas. Addresses are given as shown in the military and other records.

Donald Gilbert Storie, Alexander 1916 - 1940;

Born at Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on the 24th of January 1916.

Educated as a Gentleman Cadet, at the Royal Military College Sandhurst. Unknown admission date.

Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, Gordon Highlanders, on the 30th of January 1936. Published in the London Gazette, on the 31st of January 1936. Issue 34251, Page 672.

Promoted Lieutenant, Gordon Highlanders, on the 30th of January 1939. Published in the London Gazette, on the 31st of January 1939. Issue 34594, Page 684.

Douglas married Mary Frances Smart, between July and September 1939. Registered at Surrey South Western.

Appointed Acting Captain, Gordon Highlanders, on the 3rd of September 1939.

Appointed Temporary Captain, Gordon Highlanders, on the 3rd of December 1939.

Posted to the British Expeditionary Force in France, disembarking at Le Havre, in January 1940.

Wounded In Action, unknown date. (June 1940)

Died of Wounds on the 5th of June 1940, aged 24.

Douglas was originally reported as wounded but a captured as a Prisoner of War.

The 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders were apart of the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division. On the 22nd of April 1940 the 51st Division was detached from the rest of the B.E.F. to come under command of the French Third Army. The division was stationed in front of the Ouvrage Hackenberg fortress of the Maginot Line and had thus escaped being encircled with the rest of the B.E.F. during the Battle of France which evacuated at Dunkirk. It was then pulled back to a new line roughly along the River Somme, where it was attached to the French Tenth Army. On the 5th of June 1940 the Germans attacked along a 50 mile front, Their attacks from the lower Somme sealed the fate of the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, who surrendered to General Erwin Rommel on the 12th of June 1940.

Buried at Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery, Hautot-sur-Mer, France.

Grave Reference: N.46.

Son of Lt.-Col. R. D. T. Alexander and Lillian M. B. Alexander, of Crawley Ridge, Camberley, Surrey, England; husband of Mary Frances Carew Alexander (nee Smart).

Albert Edward, Annalls 1926 - 1942;

Born on the 5th of March 1926. Registered at Guildford, Surrey.

Enlisted, unknown date.

Royal Navy.

Service No: JX292841.

Rank: Boy 2nd Class.

Posted to H.M.S St. George, unknown date.

H.M.S. St. George was a shore based training installation at Douglas, Isle of Man. The Royal Navy moved their training for Boy sailors here in 1939 as a safe location and more than 8,677 boys were trained here until the end of the war in 1945.

Albert died from an illness, whilst training at H.M.S St. George, on the 17th of July 1942, aged 16.

Buried at St. Peter's, Frimley, Surrey, on the 23rd of July 1942.

Grave Reference: Grave 89.

Remembered on the Lych Gate Memorial, St. Andrew's, Frimley Green, Surrey.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of William George Annalls and Ellen Louise Annalls (nee Sandon), of 6, Hamesmoor Road, Mytchett, Surrey.

Cyril Ivo Francis, Ashby 1905 - 1943;

Born between October and December 1905. Registered at Farnham, Surrey.

Living at Coleford Farm, Guildford Bridge Road, Frimley Green, Surrey, in the 1911 census.

Cyril married Margaret Ann Murray, between October and December 1938. Registered at Surrey Mid Eastern.

Enlisted, unknown date.

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Service No: 1673246

Rank: Leading Aircraftman.

Killed In Action on the 2nd of December 1943. Cyril was probably killed when the ship S.S. Samuel J. Tiden was bombed in Bari harbour by German JU 88's bombers.

On the afternoon of the 2nd of December 1943 a German reconnaissance aircraft discovered that the port of Bari, on the Adriatic coast of Italy, was full of Allied shipping. A bombing raid was organised and hit the port in the early evening. It was remarkably successful – 28 ships sunk or destroyed in the surprise attack.

The effects were amplified because two ammunition ships were hit, causing shattering explosions that broke windows seven miles away. A petrol pipeline in harbour was hit, spilling large quantities of burning fuel into the harbour area. Most seriously the Liberty ship John Harvey – carrying a secret cargo of 2,000 mustard gas bombs – was hit. The John Harvey’s cargo was known to very few people. It was part of the Allied supply of chemical weapons that was maintained to be used in retaliation for any such German attack. Those dealing with the casualties were not aware of this additional hazard, or of how to treat those affected. Nor did they know how to treat the many Italian civilians who were affected by the mustard gas cloud that hung over the harbour area.

Over 80 service personnel died after being admitted to hospital following the attack, the numbers of civilian casualties were never established. The authorities did their best to keep the cause of so many casualties quiet – full details of what had happened were not made public until 1967.

No known grave.

Remembered on the Malta Memorial, Floriana, Malta.

Panel Reference: Panel 9, Column 2.

Remembered on the Lych Gate Memorial, St. Andrew's, Frimley Green, Surrey.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial

Son of Caleb and Harriet May Ashby (nee Barnes) of Devonia, Coleford Bridge Road, Mytchett, Surrey; Husband of Margaret Ann Ashby (nee Murray), of Harrow, Middlesex.

John Alexander, Bairsto 1920 - 1942;

Born between January and March 1920. Registered at Hartley Wintney, Hampshire.

Enlisted unknown date.

Royal Navy.

Rank: Able Seaman.

Service No. C/JX 207285.

Posted H.M.S. Pembroke, Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham, Kent. H.M.S. Pembroke was a shore based training establishment.

Posted to H.M.S. Curacoa, unknown date.

Accidently Killed on the 2nd of October 1942, aged 22.

H.M.S. Curacoa was acting as escort for the R.M.S. Queen Mary, carrying 10,000 American troops of the 29th Infantry Division, about 40 miles north of the coast of Ireland. The Queen Mary was steaming an evasive zig-zagging course, when at 2:15pm she started her starboard turn for the first leg of her zig-zag, cutting across the path of the Curacoa with insufficient clearance, striking her amidships at a speed of 28 knots and cutting her in two. The Curacoa sank in six minutes, about 100 yards from the Queen Mary. Acting under orders not to stop due to the risk of U-boat attacks, the Queen Mary did not assist in rescue operations and instead steamed onward with a 40 foot gash in her bow. Only 101 of Curacoa's crew of 439 survived this disaster caused largely by lack of judgement from both ships of the course changes and zig-zagging maneuvers to avoid submarine attack.

The loss was not reported until after the war ended. The enquiry which would normally follow such an incident was delayed as not being likely to be in the public interest. However, the Cunard Shipping Company made an interim payment to the dependants of all those lost through this collision of £40, and after the war, an official enquiry held that the liner’s Captain was entirely to blame for this great loss of life, and a further payment of £300 was made to each dependant.

Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Chatham, Kent.

Panel Reference: 52, 3.

Son of Dr. George Edward Bairsto and Gertrude Henrietta Marguerite Bairsto, of Calluna, Chobham Road, Camberley, Surrey.

Joseph William, Baker 1919 - 1943;

Born at London.

Enlisted at London, unknown date.

1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)

Rank: Private.

No:6459939.

Promoted to Corporal.

Killed In Action on the 28th of November 1943, aged 24.

Buried at Sangro River War Cemetery, Commune of Torino di Sangro, Province of Chieti, Italy.

Grave Reference: XI. E. 26.

Son of William Baker, and of Emma Alice Baker, of Frimley, Hampshire. (Surrey).

Neville Percy, Baker 1923 - 1945;

Born between January and March 1923. Registered at Portsmouth, Hampshire.

Enlisted unknown date.

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Rank: Flight Sergeant.

Trade: Air Gunner.

Service No.1603771.

Neville served with No.171 Squadron.

No.171 Squadron, R.A.F., was reformed on the 8th of November 1944 at R.A.F. North Creake, Norfolk, flying the Short Stirling Mk. III and then the Handley Page Halifax Mk. III as Radio countermeasure aircraft. No. 171 Squadron flew 'Window' and 'Mandrel' raids against German radar tracking of Allied air raids.

Killed In Action on the 7th of March 1945, aged 22.

Originally buried at Dortmund Cemetery, Dortmund, Germany.

Reinterred at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, on the 6th of May 1947.

Grave Reference: 18. G. 7.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of Thomas Edward and Hephsibah Pursey Baker (nee Hill), of Camberley, Surrey.

Robert Ailwyn, Barber 1919 - 1945;

Born on the 29th of August 1919 at Attleborough, Norfolk.

Enlisted into the Royal Navy, unknown date.

Service No: P/MX 55442.

Rank: Writer Probationer.

Writers were primarily clerical, being responsible for legal, pay, welfare and career issues for a crew. When the ship went into action, they could also be utilised with damage control parties for instance, passing vital information to combat floods and fires.

Promoted to Writer, unknown date.

Promoted to Leading Writer, unknown date.

Living at St. Georges, Grove Road, Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire, in the 1939 Registers. Occupation given as Leading Writer, H.M.S. Daedalus (shore based Royal Naval Air Station at Lee-on-Solent)

Promoted to Petty Officer Writer, unknown date.

Posted to H.M.S. St Angelo, Malta, unknown date.

Wounded in Italy, unknown date.

Admitted into the 98th British General Hospital, Bari, Italy, unknown date.

Died of Wounds on the 20th of April 1945, aged 25.

Buried at Bari War Cemetery, Bari, Italy.

Grave Reference: XVI. A. 2.

Remembered on the Lych Gate Memorial, St. Andrew's, Frimley Green, Surrey.

Son of Robert Herbert and Catherine Blanche Barber; husband of Jane Alexandrina Barber, formerly of Oakdene, Coleford Bridge Road, Mytchett, Surrey now of Croydon, Surrey.

John Peter Dennis, Bartleet 1923 - 1944;

Born between January and March 1923. Registered at Hartley Wintney, Hampshire.

Enlisted unknown date.

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Rank: Flight Lieutenant.

Trade: Pilot.

Service No. 145148.

Posted No.103 Squadron, unknown date.

No.103 squadron was a heavy bomber squadron based at R.A.F. Elsham Wolds, Elsham, Lincolnshire. Attached to No.1 Group they flew the Lancaster Bomber from 1942 onwards. No.103 is credited with more operational sorties than any other No.1 Group squadron, and consequently suffered the group's highest losses. Of the 248 bombers lost on operations flying from Elsham Wolds, 198 were from No.103 Squadron.

Killed In Action on the 14th of August 1944, aged 21.

Buried at Banneville-la-Campagne War Cemetery, Calvados, Normandy, France.

Grave Reference: Collective grave II. D. 23-25.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of John Frederick Palmer Bartleet, and of Nancy Bartleet (nee Andrews), of Camberley, Surrey.

John Frederick Palmer, Bartlett 1896 - 1944;

I have not confirmed birth records for John.

Wiltshire Regiment.

Rank: Lieutenant.

Service No. 135981.

Died on the 5th of April 1944, aged 48.

Cremated at Woking St. John's Crematorium, Woking, Surrey.

Panel Reference: Panel 1.

Son of the Revd. E. T. Bartlett and Mrs. B. Bartlett; husband of Alexandra Annie Bartlett, of 250 Gordon Road, Camberley, Surrey.

John William, Beal 1912 - 1944;

Born on the 4th of August 1912. Registered at Chichester, Sussex.

Living at 12 Old Dean Road, Camberley, Surrey, 1929.

John aged 16 years, departed Southampton, Hampshire aboard the S.S. Largs Bay, on the 23rd of January 1929, destination Sydney, Australia.

Living at Paterson, New South Wales, Australia, 1936.

John aged 24, departed Sydney, Australia, aboard the S.S Moreton Bay, on the 15th of July 1937. Destination Hull, England. John's occupation was given as Farm Labourer.

John married Dulcie Gladys Welcome, between October and December 1939. Registered at Surrey South Western.

Enlisted at Aldershot, Hampshire on the 13th of January 1940.

Royal Army Service Corps

Rank: Driver.

Service No. T/150775.

Transferred to the Wartime Reserve on the 20th of October 1940.

Recalled from the Wartime Reserve on the 28th of September 1942.

Posted to No.1 Holding Battalion, Royal Army Service Corps.

John volunteered for Airborne Forces, unknown date,

Posted to the 250th (Airborne) Light Composite Company, Royal Army Service Corps, on the 22nd of February 1943.

Posted to North Africa, with the 1st Airborne Division, May 1943.

Posted to England, disembarking at Liverpool, on the 23rd of December 1943.

By January 1944 the 250th (Airborne) Light Composite Company was based around the Longhills area of Lincolnshire. John volunteered to become a parachutist and was posted to No.1 Parachute Training School at R.A.F. Ringwood, Ringway, Cheshire, on parachute course 101, from the 31st of January until the 13th of February 1944. His parachute instructor commented: “Cheerful and attentive, descents well up to average”.

Posted to the Motor Transport Platoon attached, to 2 (D) Platoon, 250th (Airborne) Lt. Coy, unknown date.

Accidentally Killed on the 21st of July 1944, aged 31.

John was killed in a parachuting accident on Ropsley Heath, near to Grantham, Lincolnshire.

Buried at St Michael's, Yorktown, Camberley, Surrey, on the 27th of July 1944.

Grave Reference: New Plot. Sec. 3. Row 19. Grave 2.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of Charles Frederick and Elizabeth Beal (nee Windsor), of Camberley, Surrey; husband of Dulcie Gladys Beal (nee Welcome), of Camberley, Surrey.

D. Beals ? - ?

I've not found any information for D. Beals.

Fleet Air Arm

Rank: Sub/Lt

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Reginald Claud, Beaumont 1915 - 1941;

Born between January and March 1915. Registered at Easthampstead, Berkshire.

Enlisted unknown date.

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Rank: Aircraftman 1st Class.

Service No.912617.

Posted to 13th Operational Training Unit, R.A.F, unknown date.

Died on the 12th of March 1941, aged 26.

Buried at St. Michael's. Yorktown, Camberley, Surrey.

Grave Refernce: New Plot. Sec. 3. Row 12. Grave 6.

Remembered on the St. Michael's Memorial, Little Sandhurst, Berkshire.

Son of Stephen and Mabel Beaumont (nee Jerome), of Camberley, Surrey.

Robert James, Beedell 1913 - 1942:

Born between April and June 1913. Registered at Farnham, Surrey.

Robert married Edith Humphries between October and December 1937. Registered at Surrey North Western.

Enlisted unknown date.

Hampshire Regiment

Rank: Private.

Service No: 5505700.

Killed In Action on the 3rd of December 1942, aged 29.

Buried at Medjez-el-Bab War Cemetery, Tunisia.

Grave Reference: 8. F. 16.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of Robert John and Florence Lilian Beedell (nee Dare), of Camberley, Surrey; husband of Edith Beedell (nee Humphries), of Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire.

Douglas Richmond, Bell 1908 - 1944;

Born on the 4th on November 1908. Registered at Bromley, Kent.

Baptised on the 6th of December 1908, at Christchurch, Sidcup, Kent.

Living at Sandhurst, Station Road, Sidcup, Kent, in the 1911 census.

Douglas competed at the 1934 British Empire Games, winning a silver medal in the discus event and finished fifth in the hammer throw event.

Doulglas married Olga Patience Telford between July and September 1938. Registered at Surrey South Western.

Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, Service No. 89141, Hallisham Battalion, Yorks and Lancaster Regiment, on the 3rd of June 1939. Published in the London Gazette on the 16th of June 1939. Issue 34636, Page 4046.

Promoted to Lieutenant, unknown date.

Promoted to Captain, unknown date.

Admitted to R.A.F Hospital Wrougton, Swindon, Wiltshire, unknown date.

Died on the 19th of October 1944, aged 35.

Buried at Leominster Cemetery, Leominster, Herefordshire.

Grave Refernce: Sec. E. Grave 67.

Son of James Basil and Elizabeth Freeman Bell (nee Russell); Husband of Olga Patience Bell (nee Telford), of Camberley, Surrey.

Herbert George, Benham 1907 - 1942;

Born at Bracknell, Berkshire, between January and March 1907. Registered at Easthampstead.

Boarder at Frogmore, Blackwater, Hampshire, in the 1911 census. Herbert's mother is unmarried and working as a Laundress.

Enlisted at Winchester, Hampshire, on the 15th of January 1925, for 6 years service. Occupation given as Labourer.

Royal Regiment of Artillery.

Service No:1060312.

Rank: Gunner.

Transferred to the Army Reserve on the 20th of February 1931.

Called up from the Army Reserve unknown date. (1939)

Herbert served with the 57th (King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery (Territorial Army).

Posted to the Middle East, disembarked at Suez on the 6th of May 1941.

Posted to Palestine, May 1941.

Posted to Egypt, disembarking on the 19th of October 1941.

Wounded In Action, unknown date.

Admitted to the Scottish General Hospital Middle East, after sustaining multiple injuries.

Died of Wounds on the 17th of October 1942, aged 35.

Buried at Heliopolis War Cemetery, Cairo. Egypt.

Grave Reference: 2. B. 27.

Son of Mary Allcock (nee Benham), of Blackwater, Hampshire.

Jack William Augustus, Bennett 1908 - 1942;

Born between July and September 1908. Registered at Fulham, London.

Living at 7 Southfields Road, Wandsworth, London, in the 1911 census.

Jack married Gwendoline W. Harvey, between July and September 1940. Registered at Pancras, London.

Enlisted with the Royal Airforce Volunteer Reserve.

Service No. 1381048.

Trade: Observer.

Promoted to Sergeant, unknown date.

Posted to 142 Squadron, R.A.F., on the 10th of September 1942.

Killed In Action on the 16th of September 1942, aged 34.

Buried at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Kleve, Germany.

Grave Reference: 11. E. 6.

Son of William Thomas Bennett and Nellie Bennett; husband of Gwendoline W. Bennett (nee Harvey), of Camberley, Surrey.

William Frederick, Bidmead 1905 - 1943;

Known as Frederick.

Born at Camberley, Surrey, on the 13th of November 1905. Registered at Farnham, Surrey.

Living at Tekels Castle Lodge, Camberley, Surrey, in the 1911 census.

Enlisted on the 2nd of March 1921.

Royal Navy

Service No: P/J101504.

Rank: Boy 2nd Class.

Posted to H.M.S. Ganges, Royal Naval Training Establishment Shotley, Shotley, Suffolk, on the 2nd of March 1921.

Promoted to Boy 1st Class on the 9th of October 1921.

Posted to H.M.S. Courageous on the 24th of February 1922.

Posted to H.M.S. Barham on the 13th of June 1922.

Posted to H.M.S. Calcutta on the 2nd of October 1923.

On the 30th of November 1923, William turned 18 years old and signed on for 12 years service with the Royal Navy.

Promoted to Ordinary Seaman, on the 30th of November 1923.

Posted to H.M.S. Constance on the 11th of October 1924.

Promoted to Able Seaman, on the 23rd of April 1925.

Posted to H.M.S. Victory I, Portsmouth Naval Barracks, Portsmouth, Hampshire, on the 31st of July 1925

Posted to H.M.S. Excellent, a shore based training establishment, at Whale Island, Portsmouth, Hampshire, on the 5th of September 1925.

Posted to H.M.S. Victory I, Portsmouth Naval Barracks, Portsmouth, Hampshire, on the 1st of September 1926.

Granted 1st Good Conduct Badge on the 30th of November 1926.

Posted to H.M.S. Columbine, Naval Shore Establishment at Port Edgar, on the Firth of Forth, Scotland, on the 3rd of May 1927.

Posted to H.M.S. Victory II, a shore based establishment at Crystal Palace, Sydenham, Surrey, on the 1st of June 1928.

Posted to the Royal Fleet Reserve, on the 1st of January 1929.

Called up from the Royal Fleet Reserve, unknown date.

Able Seaman.

Service No: P/J101504.

William served on H.M.S. BV-42. She was a Barrage / Gate vessel of the Parkgate class which operated the central section of an anti-submarine boom, comprising submarine nets, across the entrance to a harbour or anchorage.

Killed on the 22nd of December 1943, aged 38.

H.M.S. Balloon Vessel 42 was sunk as a result of an internal explosion of petrol, killing 6 of her crew outright and one other from injuries sustained a few hours later whilst at Leith Old Docks, Leith, Scotland, on the 22nd of December 1943.

Buried at Edinburgh Seafield Cemetery, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Grave Reference: Sec. P. Grave 716.

Remembered on the Wokingham Town Hall War Memorial, Wokingham, Berkshire.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial as W. E Bidmead.

Son of Frederick and Leah Elizabeth Bidmead (nee Barnett) of Tekels Castle Lodge, Camberley, Surrey; Husband of Eva Fuller Bidmead (nee Johnson), of 2, Olive-Villas, Circle Hill Road, Crowthorne, Berkshire.

Albert Frederick, Blow 1911 - 1943;

Born at the Isle of Wight, Hampshire.

Albert married Flavia Edith Fox, between January and March 1937. Registered at Aldershot, Hampshire.

2nd Battalion, Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps.

Rank: Warrant Officer Class II (Squadron Quarter Master Sergeant).

No. 7881296.

Died on the 26th of November 1943, aged 32.

Buried at Bone War Cemetery, Annaba, Algeria.

Grave Reference: VII. F. 1.

Son of Frederick and Amy Blow (Nee Hayward); husband of Flavia Edith Ann Blow (Nee Fox), of Frimley, Hampshire. (Surrey).

Matthew John, Brannigan M.M. 1914 - 1943;

Born between October and December 1914. Registered at Durham.

Matthew married Mabel Valentine Lee, between July and September 1937. Registered at Surrey North Western.

Enlisted unknown date.

Durham Light Infantry.

Service No. 4449955.

Promoted to Company Sergeant Major (Warrant Officer 2nd Class), unknown date.

Awarded the Military Medal (M.M.) for "gallantry and devotion to duty under fire". Published in the London Gazette, on the 17th of June 1943. Issue 36057, page 2761.

Killed In Action on the 17th of July 1943, aged 28.

Buried at Catania War Cemetery, Catania, Sicily.

Grave Reference: III. B. 26.

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Brannigan; husband of Mabel Valentine Brannigan (nee Lee), of 12 Connaught Road, Camberley, Surrey.

James Francis, Bremner 1914 - 1940;

Born between January and March 1914. Registered at Devonport, Devon.

Enlisted, unknown date.

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Service No. 742099.

Promoted to Sergeant, unknown date.

Posted to the No. 8 Flying Training School, unknown date.

Missing In Action on the 24th of January 1940, aged 25.

Remembered on the Runnymede Air Forces Memorial.

Panel Reference: Panel 12.

Son of John Rae Bremner and Edith Violet Bremner (nee Doyle), of Camberley, Surrey.

Benjamin Arthur, Brett 1923 - 1941;

Born on the 25th of February 1923, Registered at Farnham, Surrey.

Royal Navy

Rank: Ordinary Seaman.

No. P/JX 157933.

Served aboard H.M.S. Hood.

When war with Germany was declared, H.M.S. Hood was operating in the area around Iceland, and she spent the next several months hunting for German commerce raiders and blockade runners between Iceland and the Norwegian Sea. After a brief overhaul of her propulsion system, she sailed as the flagship of Force H, and participated in the destruction of the French fleet at Mers-el-Kebir. Relieved as flagship of Force H, H.M.S Hood was dispatched to Scapa Flow, and operated in the area as a convoy escort and later as a defence against a potential German invasion fleet.

Killed In Action on the 24th of May 1941, aged 18.

In May 1941, Hood and the battleship Prince of Wales were ordered to intercept the German battleship Bismarck and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, which were en-route to the Atlantic, where they were to attack convoys. On the 24th of May 1941, early in the Battle of the Denmark Strait, Hood was struck by several German shells, exploded, and sank within 3 minutes, with the loss of all but three of her crew. Due to her publicly perceived invincibility, the loss affected British morale.

Body not recovered for burial.

Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Panel Reference: Panel 50, Column 1.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Remembered on the St. Andrew's Lych Gate Memorial, Frimley Green, Surrey.

Son of John William R. and Susanah Brett (nee Brett), of Frimley, Surrey.Benjamin's brother also fell. (See below).

Richard William John, Brett 1921 - 1940;

Born between April and June 1921. Registered at Rochford, Essex.

Royal Navy.

Rank: Cook (S)

No. P/MX 60205.

Served aboard H.M.S. Express.

Killed In Action on the 1st of September 1940, aged 19.

Body not recovered for burial.

HMS Express was originally built as a minelayer, and it was in this role she entered the European War in September 1939. As a member of the 20th (Minelaying) Destroyer Flotilla, she spent 1939 and 1940 laying mines in British and enemy waters, but during this time, she embarked on two special missions. First, in September 1939, she transported Duke and Duchess of Windsor from Portsmouth, England to Cherbourg, France. Then, in 1940, she evacuated 2,795 men of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk, France to England. On the 31st of August 1940, while laying offensive mines off the Dutch coast, Express struck a mine during the night time hours, destroying the bow. Friendly ships Esk and Ivanhoe attempted to approach to assist, but they each struck mines as well. Express was eventually towed back to Britain; 4 officers and 55 ratings were lost. Esk and Ivanhoe sunk

Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Panel Reference: Panel 43, Column 2.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Remembered on the St. Andrew's Lych Gate Memorial, Frimley Green, Surrey.

Son of John William R. and Susannah Brett (nee Button), of Frimley, Surrey. Richard's brother also fell. (See above).

William George, Briercliffe 1902 - 1940;

Born between January and February 1902. Registered at West Derby, Lancashire.

Baptised on the 10th of February 1902, at Walton on the Hill, Liverpool, Lancashire.

Living at 96 Easby Road, Kirkdale, Liverpool, Lancashire in the 1911 census. William aged 9 is attending school.

William married Eva Gertrude Schmidt between April and May 1926. Registered at Fulham, London.

Enlisted unknown date.

Scots Guards.

Retired as Sergeant, unknown date.

Called up for active service, unknown date (1939?)

2/6th Battalion, The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey).

Service No. 2690051.

Promoted to Company Sergeant Major (Warrant Officer 2nd Class), unknown date.

Died on the 10th of September 1940, aged 38.

The Surrey Advertiser reported the following on the 21st of September 1940;

"KILLED ON SERVICE

Two well-known local men, both of whom have been prominently associated with the Frimley and Camberley Cadet, have been killed while on service in England. They were C.S.M. William George Briercliffe, aged 38, whose home is at 21 Bristow-road, Camberley, and Lce.-sergt. James Leslie Sergison, aged 25, second son of Mr. E. Sergison, of 15, Park-street, Camberley, and the late Mrs. Sergison. Both were in the Queen's Royal Regt. C.S.M. Briercliffe was formerly in the Scots Guards, from which he retired with the rank of Sergeant. He came to Camberley about 12 years ago and from 1928 to 1938 was R.S.M. of the Frimley and Camberley Cadet Corps.

Lce.-sergt., Sergison joined the Cadet Corps in 1924, and remained a member until he went on active service last autumn. He rose to rank of Cadet Under/Officer. He was a fine shot and a good athlete, and was awarded the King's Coronation Medal for Cadet services.

The double funeral took place at St. Michael's churchyard, Camberley, on Monday, and was conducted by the Rev. Dr. T. Crafer (curate St. Michael's and St. George's) and the Rev. A. J. Costin (priest in-charge of St. Mary's, Camberley) . Bearers were provided by the Queen's Royal Regt., and a guard of honor was mounted by the Cadet Corps, buglers of which also sounded the "Last Post." Among those who attended were Brigadier-Gen. R. S. Jeff (chairman of the Cadet Corps), Miss G. M. Reynolds (then secretary) and Capt. B. C. King (former officer commanding). Others present included representatives of the Cadet Corps Old Comrades Association, Surrey 14/V.A.D., and representatives of Camberley Working Man's Club."

Buried at St. Michael's, Yorktown, Camberley, Surrey, on the 17th of September 1940. (Laid to rest on the same day as James Leslie Sergison, in the next grave See Surnames S- U).

Grave reference: New Plot. Sec. 2. Row 6. Grave 2.

Remembered on the St. Mary's Memorial, Camberley, Surrey.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of William Malcolm Briercliffe and Agnes Emily Briercliffe (nee Smith); Husband of Eva Gertrude Briercliffe (nee Schmidt), of 21 Bristow Road, Camberley, Surrey.

Richard Jonathan, Broadhurst 1922 - 1944;

Born between October and December 1922. Registered at Easthampstead, Berkshire.

Enlisted, unknown date

Royal Berkshire Regiment (Princess Charlotte of Wales').

Service No. 5350902.

Rank: Private.

Posted to the 10th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment (Princess Charlotte of Wales'), unknown date.

Killed In Action on the 19th of April 1944.

Buried at Rome War Cemetery, Rome, Italy.

Grave Reference: I, B, 14.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of Arthur Henry and Frances Broadhurst (nee Bishop), of 6 Victoria Avenue, Camberley, Surrey.

George, Brockhurst 1922 - 1946;

Born between April and June 1922. Registered at Eastbourne, Hampshire.

Living at Glengarry, Pine Avenue, Camberley, Surrey, on enlistment.

Enlisted, unknown date.

Royal Engineers.

Service No. 1452750.

Rank: Driver.

Posted to the 514 Field Survey Company, unknown date.

Died on the 22nd of March 1946, aged 23.

Buried at Phaleron War Cemetery, Athens, Greece.

Grave Reference: 20. B. 15.

Son of George Charles Frank and Helena Louisa Brockhurst (nee Cheale). Nephew of Mrs. Edith Cheale, of Glengarry, Pine Avenue, Camberley, Surrey.

Edward John, Brown 1903 - 1940;

Enlisted unknown date.

4th Battalion Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps.

Service No: 7871226.

Rank: Company Sergeant Major (Warrant Officer 2nd Class).

Died of wounds on the 27th of May 1940, aged 37.

Buried at St. James's, Dover, Kent.

Grave Reference: Row H. Grave 20.

Remembered on the Lych Gate Memorial, St. Andrew's, Frimley Green, Surrey.

Remembered on the St. Mary's Memorial, Camberley, Surrey.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Husband of Lilly Brown, of Camberley, Surrey.

William, Bruce O.B.E MB. Chb. 1887 - 1942;

Born at Edinburgh, Scotland on the 12th of July 1887.

Graduated as a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery 1911, at Edinburgh, Scotland.

Emigrated to New Zealand, unknown date.

Registered to Practice in Auckland / Dunedin, New Zealand on the 8th of August 1913.

William married Martha Louisa Reed, at St. Andrew's, Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand on the 25th of December 1913.

Living at Selwyn Street, Onehunga, Auckland, New Zealand on enlistment.

Appointed Captain, New Zealand Medical Corps, on the 8th of April 1915.

Appointed Captain New Zealand Expeditionary Force, on the 18th of May 1915.

Posted to Egypt, embarking the SS Tofua, on the 14th of of August 1915 at Wellington, New Zealand and disembarking at Suez, Egypt on the 19th of September 1915.

William served as Medical Officer, 6th Reinforcements N.Z.E.F.

Appointed Officer Commanding, Emergency Camp, Zeitoun, Egypt, October 1915 until February 1916.

Appointed Officer Commanding, New Zealand Casualty Clearing Camp, Zeitoun, Egypt on the 3rd of March 1916.

Transferred to Ismalia, Egypt on the 20th of March 1916.

Posted to France on the 6th of April 1916.

Appointed to No.2 New Zealand Field Ambulance, on the 30th of April 1916.

Posted to England, July 1916.

Transferred to No.2 New Zealand General Hospital, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, on the 26th of July 1916.

Appointed Registrar, No.2 New Zealand General Hospital, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, on the 5th of August 1916.

A letter held in William's military records states:

"After three months service in the Ambulance, Major Bruce lost a second brother, and Colonel Begg, A.D.M.S, N.Z. Division, recommended that on account of the mother's distress Major Bruce might be given Base duties for a while. From a personal knowledge of this officer's excellent work in Egypt I had no hesitation in appointing him as Registrar at Walton where he has proved a conspicuous success, in fact it would be impossible to speak in too high terms of his services. Major Bruce has made repeated requests to be allowed to return to field work so that he cannot possibly be designated a shirker".

Appointed Temporary Major, on the 31st of December 1916.

Awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal for his Great War Service.

Awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (O.B.E) on the 31st of December 1918. Published in the London Gazette on the 1st of January 1919.

Posted to New Zealand, embarking at Plymouth, Devon, on the 1st of December 1919 and disembarking at Auckland, New Zealand on the 29th of January 1920.

Discharged from military service on the 1st of February 1920.

Appointed Staff Officer, Assistant Director of Medical Services, Auckland District, New Zealand, February 1920 until April 1920.

Appointed Assistant Director of Medical Services, Otago Military District, Dunedin, New Zealand, April 1920.

Promoted to Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel, on the 27th of April 1920.

Commissioned into the Royal Army Medical Corps, on the 17th of August 1920.

Rank: Captain

Service No. 10096.

Posted to Simla, India, embarking the S.S. "Ulimora" at Wellington, New Zealand, on the 19th of August 1920.

William continued to serve with the Royal Army Medical Corps and served in North Africa during the Second World War.

Died on the 22nd of December 1942, aged 55.

Dely Ibrahim War Cemetery, Algeria.

Grave Reference: 3. C. 19.

Son of James and Katherine Bruce, of Edinburgh, Scotland; husband of Martha (Patty) Louisa Bruce (nee Reed), of Camberley, Surrey.

Herbert, Bullock ? - ?

I have not confirmed any records for Herbert Bullock.

Remembered on the Lych Gate Memorial, St. Andrew's, Frimley Green, Surrey.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Henry Reginald, Butcher 1921 - 1942;

Born at London. Registered at Marylebone, London between January and February 1921.

Living at The Grange, Grange Road, Camberley, Surrey on Commission..

Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on the 21st of January 1942. Published in the London Gazette on the 10th of February 1942, Supplement 35448, Page 647.

Royal Engineers

Service Number: 224970.

Henry served in the North Africa Campaign, with the 4th Field Compapny Royal Engineers, attached to King George V's Own Bengal Sappers and Miners.

Promoted to Lieutenant, unknown date.

Killed In Action on the 29th of October 1942, aged 21

Buried at El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt.

Grave Reference: XXV. C. 18.

Son of Paymaster Captain Reginald Butcher, R.N., C.M.G., M.V.O., and Ethel King Butcher (nee Brock), of Camberley, Surrey.

John Everett Mansfield Parkyns, Caldwell 1925 - 1944;

Born between April and June 1925, Registered at Medway, Kent.

Educated at Picton House, Wellington College, Crowthorne, Berkshire, between 1938 and 1942.

Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, 1942/43

Royal Engineers

Service No: 303371

Attached to the Guards Armoured Division, unknown date.

John was one of those fortunate people who are endowed with that natural liveliness that brings a host of friends. A keen naturalist, he became Secretary of the National Horticultural Society. Though he was no great player of games he enjoyed playing them and he had a keen analytical mind coupled with a first-class brain. Unluckily he never had the chance to display its power. After an R.E. course at Cambridge he was commissioned and posted to Catterick, where he was showing himself a promising officer when he was killed untimely in a motor accident during an exercise on the night of the 11th of March 1944.

Accidentally Killed on the 11th of March 1944, aged 19.

Buried at St. Peter's, Frimley Surrey, on the 15th of March 1944.

Grave Reference: Grave 220.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of Mansfiled Richard and Jean Charlotte Caldwell (nee Everett), of Tenterden, London Road, Camberley, Surrey. His father also fell in WW2. (See Below)

Mansfield Richard, Caldwell C.B.E. 1899 - 1943;

Born on the 6th of February 1899, Registered at Basford, Nottinghamshire.

Baptised on the 2nd of April 1899 at St. Swithun's, Woodborough, Nottinghamshire.

Living at Thorneywood, Woodborough, Basford, Nottinghamshire, in the 1901 census.

Educated at Bedford Grammar School, Bedford, Bedfordshire, admitted 1907.

Living at 17 Devon Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, in the 1911 census.

Educated at the Royal Military Academy Woolwich.

Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Engineers, on the 26th of May 1916. Published in the London Gazette on the 23rd of May 1916, Supplement 29595, Page 5184.

Mansfield served with the 64th Field Company.

Posted to the B.E.F. in France and Flanders, disembarking on the 12th of February 1917.

Promoted to Lieutenant on the 26th of November 1917. Published in the London Gazette on the 8th of February 1918, Supplement 30515, Page 1810.

Posted to the 76th Field Company, R. E., unknown date.

Promoted to Captain, on the 9th of February 1918. Published in the London Gazette on the 8th of February 1918, Supplement 30515, Page 1810.

Awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for service during the Great War 1914 - 1918.

Mansfield married Jean Charlotte Everett, at St. Peter's, Cranley Gardens, London, on the 8th of October 1921.

Appointed Adjutant, unknown date.

Vacated appointment of Adjutant on the 21st of January 1929. Published in the London Gazette on the 19th of November 1929, Issue 33553, Page 7457.

Appointed Brigade Major, Federated Malay Volunteer Force on the 24th of November 1931. Published in the London Gazette on the 23rd of February 1932, Issue 33801, Page 1214.

Appointed to Battalion Major, on the 1st of January 1935. Published in the London Gazette, Issue 34120, Page 62.

Relinquishes the appointment of Brigade Major, Federated Malay Volunteer Force, on the 8th of March 1935. Published in the London Gazette on the 15th of March 1935, Issue 34142, Page 1808.

Promoted to Major, on the 3rd of April 1935. Published in the London Gazette on the 9th of April 1935, Issue 34149, Page 2440.

Appointed Chief Instructor (G.S.O. 2nd Grade) at the Royal Military Academy Woolwich, on the 4th of May 1936. Published in the London Gazette on the 15th of May 1936, Issue 34284, Page 3149.

Mansfield served on the Command and Staff Royal Engineers, during the Second World War.

Promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on the 23rd of January 1942. Published in the London Gazette on the 20th of January 1942, Supplement 35428, Page 389.

Appointed Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.), on the 5th of August 1943.

"The KING has been graciously pleased to give

orders for the following promotions in, and appointments

to, the Most Excellent Order of the British

Empire, in recognition of gallant and distinguished

services in Tunisia:"

Published in the London Gazette on the 3rd of August 1943, Supplement 36120, Page 3521.

Promoted to Brigadier, unknown date.

Wounded In Action, unknown date.

Died of Wounds on the 25th of September 1943, aged 44.

Buried at Bari War Cemetery, Bari, Italy.

Grave Reference: X. B. 39.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of Richard and Emma Sibylla Caldwell; husband of Jean Charlotte Caldwell (nee Everett), of Tenterden, London Road, Camberley, Surrey. His son John Everett Mansfield also fell. (See above).

George William, Chilmaid 1905 - 1941;

Born at Hextable, Kent, on the 10th of October 1905. Registered at Dartford, Kent. George's family was living at Selhurst Villa, Plantation Road, Hextable, Kent.

Living at Danson Park Farm, Bexley Health, Kent, in the 1911 census. George's father is a Farm Bailiff.

Educated at No. 1 School of Technical Training, R.A.F. Halton, Buckinghamshire, unknown dates. Graduates of the Aircraft Apprentice scheme at RAF Halton are known as Old Haltonians.

Living at Pineview, Salisbury Grove, Mytchett from about 1924 until 1930. George's father died at the Council Sewerage Farm, Camberley, Surrey on the 28th of August 1930.

George married Marie Hilda Louise Collins, at Westgate on Sea, Kent. on the 23rd of December 1932. Registered at Thanet, Kent.

Royal Air Force.

Service No: 362515

Rank: Flight Sergeant.

George served with 102 Maintenance Unit which was based at R.A.F. Abu Sueir, Egypt, from the 1st of January 1939.

Died on Active Service on the 10th of July 1941, aged 35.

The War Diary for 102 Maintenance Unit, R.A.F. has the following entry for the 10th of July 1941;

"The station was attacked by hostile aircraft in the early hours of 10.7.41 considerable damage to aircraft and buildings was incurred. Casualties - 1 officer, 1 warrant officer and eight other ranks were killed and several others were slightly injured. Detailed reports have already been submitted to headquarters."

Buried at Ismailia War Cemetery, Ismailia, Egypt.

Grave Reference: 6. B. 5.

Remembered on the Lych Gate Memorial, St. Andrew's, Frimley Green, Surrey.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of the late George William and Lillian Beatrice Chilmaid (nee Wood) of, Pineview, Salisbury Grove, Mytchett, Surrey; Husband of Hilda Louise Chilmaid, of Brancaster, Norfolk.

Edgar Brian, Clarke 1921 - 1941;

Born at Haslemere, Surrey, between January and March 1921. Registered at Midhurst, Sussex.

Enlisted as a Boy Soldier in 1936.

1st Battalion (Queen Victoria's Rifles), King's Royal Rifles Corps.

Service No: 6845970.

Rank: Bandsman.

The British Expeditionary Force was in France following the German invasion of France and the Low Countries. By May 1940 with the B.E.F. falling back to Dunkirk, the 1st KRRC were tasked with defending Calais and the Germans begun attacking on the 24th of May 1940 and by the 26th the Citadel had fallen and those remaining men of the 1st KRRC were taken prisoner.

Died as a Prisoner of War on the 16th of May 1941, aged 20.

The Surrey Advertiser reported on the 19th of July 1941;

"DIED IN GERMANY

Bandsman Edgar Brian Clarke, aged 20, third son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Clarke, of 78, Gordon-road, Camberley, has died as a prisoner of war in Germany. Joining the Army as a boy of 15, Bandsman Clarke served with King's Royal Rifles but was transferred to Queen Victoria's Rifles, and last year took part in the heroic defence of Calais. He was wounded there and taken prisoner. After six months in hospital he was moved to a prisoners' camp. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke moved to Camberley about two years ago from Haslemere, where their son was born and raised."

Buried at Krakow Rakowicki Cemetery, Krakow, Poland.

Grave Reference: 1A. C. 12.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of Charles and Lily Clarke (nee Morrey), of 78, Gordon-road, Camberley, Surrey.

Eric William Harrington, Clarke C.B.E. D.S.O. 1903 - 1946;

Born at Bridport, Dorset, between July and September 1903. Registered at Weymouth, Dorset.

Baptised at St. Martin's, Cheselbourne, Dorset on the 6th of September 1903. Living at Cheselbourne Rectory, Dorchester. Dorset. Eric was baptised by his father, Reverend William Harrington McCann the vicar of Cheselbourne.

Living at Stratford-Sub-Castle Vicarage, Stratford-Sub-Castle, Salisbury, Wiltshire in the 1911 census.

Educated at the Royal Military Academy Woolwich, unknown dates.

Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Engineers, on the 29th of August 1923. Published in the London Gazette on the 31st of August 1923, Issue 32858, Page 5910.

Promoted to Lieutenant on the 29th of August 1925. Published in the London Gazette on the 28th of August 1925, Issue 33079, Page 5699.

Promoted to Captain on the 29th of August 1934. Published in the London Gazette on the 7th of September 1934, Issue 34085, Page 5679.

Posted to India, unknown date.

Mentioned In Despatches, on the 18th of February 1938.

"War Office,

18th February, 1938.

The names of the undermentioned have been brought to notice by His Excellency The Commander-in-Chief in India, for distinguished services rendered in connection with the operations in Waziristan, North West Frontier of India, 25th November, 1936, to i6th January, 1937:

Clarke Capt. E.W.H."

Published in the London Gazette on the 18th of February 1938, Issue 34485, Page 1073.

Eric married Dorothy Phyllis Johnston, between July and August 1938. Registered at Trowbridge, Wiltshire.

Promoted to Major on the 29th of August 1940. Published in the London Gazette on the 27th of August 1940, Issue 34934, Page 5270.

Awarded the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) on the 7th of December 1944. Published in the London Gazette on the 5th of December 1944. Supplement 36828, Page 5609.

Appointed Commanding Officer, 25th Tank Brigade in Italy, on the 19th of December 1944.

Appointed Commanding Officer, 'B' Assault Brigade Royal Armoured Corp/Royal Engineers, in Italy, on the 5th of January 1945.

Appointed Commanding Officer, 25th Amoured Engineer Brigade, Royal Engineers, in Italy, on the 6th of June 1945.

Appointed Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.), on the 20th of September 1945.

"CENTRAL CHANCERY OF THE ORDERS

OF KNIGHTHOOD.

St. James's Palace, S.W.T..

20th September, 1945.

The KING has been graciously pleased to give

orders for the following promotions in, and appointments

to, the Most Excellent Order of the British

Empire in recognition of gallant and distinguished

services in Italy:

Brigadier (Temporary) Eric William Harrington CLARKE, D.S.O. (26955) Corps of Royal Engineers."

Published in the London Gazette on the 18th of September 1945, Supplement 37274, Page 4669.

Died on the 2nd of September 1946, aged 43.

Buried at Hamburg Cemetery, Hamburg Germany.

Grave Reference: 4A. M. 8.

Son of the Reverend Canon William Harrington McCann Clarke, B.D., and of Emily Thyra Clarke (nee Dammers), of Camberley, Surrey; Husband of Dorothy Phyllis Clarke (nee Johnston).

Jack, Cliffe 1923 - 1943;

Born in Calcutta, India about 1923.

Enlisted unknown date.

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Service No: 1379816.

Rank: Sergeant.

Trade: Air Gunner.

Jack served with 103 Squadron R.A.F., based at R.A.F. Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire.

Killed In Action on the 15th of June 1943, aged 20.

Jack and crew boarded their Avro Lancaster bomber Mk III, Serial No: ED612 , Code PM-J on the 14th of June 1943. They took off at 10.13 p.m. and their target was Oberhausen in Germany's Ruhr area.

Shot down by night fighter pilot Hauptmann Manfred Meurer of the 3./NJG 1, flying a Bf 110 G-4 from Venlo airfield, the Netherlands.

Crashed in the vicinity of Bracht near Brüggen, Germany.

Buried at Rheinberg War Cemetery, Rheinberg, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.

Grave Reference: 3. A. 23.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of Sassoon and Dorothy Evelyn Cliffe (nee Wheeler), of Camberley, Surrey.

Leonard Charles, Clifford 1914 - 1940;

Born at Pimlico, London, Middlesex, on the 28th of January 1914.

Baptised at St Gabriel's, Warwick Square, Pimlico, London, Middlesex, on the 25th of February 1914.

Leonard married May L. P. McGrath, between July and September 1938. Registered at Chelsea, London, Middlesex.

Enlisted unknown date.

Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

Service No: C/LD/X 2532.

Rank: Ordinary Seaman

Leonard gave his date of birth to the Royal Navy as the 26th of January 1913.

Promoted to Able Seaman, unknown date.

Leonard served aboard H.M.S. Laurentic.

Killed In Action on the 3rd of November 1940, aged 26.

On the 3rd of November 1940, H.M.S Laurentic was coming to the aid of the Casanare when she was struck in the engine room by a torpedo fired from German submarine U-99 at about 10.50pm. Hit by a second torpedo which did not explode and then a third which hit in the same area as the first. Look outs spotted the U-boat which moved away under a heavy fire. At 4.53.am U-99 fired a final torpedo at H.M.S. Laurentic hitting the stern and igniting the depth charges stored there, causing the ship to sink by the stern within minutes. Two officers and 47 ratings were lost.

Remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Chatham, Kent.

Son of Henry and (Emily) Emma Clifford (nee Chandler); Husband of May L. P. Clifford (nee McGrath), of Camberley, Surrey.

Arthur Denis Bradford, Cocks 1904 - 1944

Born on the 29th of July 1904 at Dharmsala, Bengal, India.

Baptised at Dharmsala, Bengal, India, on the 8th of September 1904.

Educated at Bedford School, Bedford, Befordshire, unknown dates.

Arthur played a number of games of cricket for Bedford School between 1920 and 1922.

Arthur played cricket for the county of Bedfordshire in the 1924 Minor Counties Championship.

Educated as a Gentleman Cadet at the Royal Military Academy Woolwich, unknown dates.

Arthur played cricket for the Army team as a right handed batsman between 1924 and 1928.

Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, on the 28th of January 1925. Published in the London Gazette on the 27th of January 1925, Issue 33015, Page 593.

Royal Engineers

Service No: 31536.

Promoted to Lieutenant on the 28th of January 1927. Published in the London Gazette on the 28th of January 1927, Issue 33243, Page 580.

Arthur married Majorie Du Caurroy Chads, between July and September 1932. Registered at Alverstoke, Hampshire.

Promoted to Captain on the 28th of January 1936. Published in the London Gazette on the 28th of January 1936, Issue 34250, Page 603.

Embarked on the S.S. "Amarapoora" at Rangoon, India, and disembarking at London, England on the 7th of April 1936. Address given as Cartref, The Avenue, Camberley, Surrey.

Appointed (Temporary) Staff Captain, at the War Office, on the 1st of December 1937. Published on the 17th of December 1937, Issue 34464, Page 7917.

Relinquished role of (Temporary) Staff Captain, at the War Office on the 21st of January 1939. Published in the London Gazette on the 27th of January 1939, Issue 34593, Page 606.

Promoted to Major on the 28th of January 1942. Published in the London Gazette on the 27th of January 1942, Supplement 35433, Page 437.

Promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, unknown date.

Killed In Action on the 6th of June 1944, aged 39, during Operation Overlord (D-Day) the invasion of occupied Europe.

Arthur was Killed in the Action during the assault on Sword Beach, D-Day, gaining the distinction of being the first British Officer Killed in the Landings.

By D-Day Arthur was Lieutenant-Colonel of the 5th Assault Regiment Royal Engineers. They were a specialist unit equipped with converted vehicles such as the so called 'Hobart's Funnies' intended to clear the beaches and make exits onto the first inland road.

Arthur was aboard LCT-947 (109) which carried 2 Crabs and 4 A.V.R.E (Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers, converted Churchill tanks) which he Commanded from the A.V.R.E named Plough. An account given by Lambton Burn a Lieutenant with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve who was aboard LCT-947 and wrote the following;

" Shells are bursting all round. They are not friendly shorts from bombardment warships, but vicious stabs from an enemy who has held his fire until the final two hundred yards. He is shooting well shooting often. Mortar shells whine and burst with sickening inevitability. An L.C.T. to port goes up in flames.

There is a sudden jerk as our bows hit the beach. Down goes the ramp, with Sub-Lieutenant Monty Glengarry, R.N.Z.N.V.R. [Royal New Zealand Navy Volunteer Reserve] and his party working like madmen at the bows.

There is a roar of acceleration and Donald Robertson in Stornoway [the first Crab, which managed to disembark] is away like a relay runner.

Dunbar [the second Crab] moves forward. Colonel Cocks leans from his turret [he had elected to command from the Plough] and motions the other tank-commanders to follow. But enemy fire is now concentrated on us. There are bursts on both sides and then snap two direct hits on our bows followed by a third snap like a whip cracking over the tank hold.

The First Lieutenant is flung sideways against a bulkhead and lies stunned. Dunbar stops in her tracks slews sideways blocks the door. Another and greater explosion as the bangalore shafts of Barbarian [the Log Carpet A.V.R.E., with Captain Fairie in command] explode with a flash of red.

Colonel Cocks is killed as he stands, and there is a scream from within his tank. Cold with anger, Tom Fairie moves Barbarian forward tries to edge Dunbar to the ramp but fails. He vaults from his turret and is joined by other tank-men who strain furiously to bring chain and tackle to bear."

The badly damaged LCT-947 (109) made a difficult return to England where the troop vehicles and survivors were transferred to another LCT, eventually reaching Normandy later in the month.

Buried at St. Peter's, Frimley, Surrey on the 13th of June 1944.

Grave Reference: Grave 239.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Also Remembered at Portsmouth Cathedral.

Son of George Arthur Cocks, C.B.E., C.I.E., and Annie Violet Augusta Cocks; Husband of Marjorie Du Caurroy Cocks,(nee Chads) of Four Leaf, Firland's Avenue, Camberley, Surrey.

Robert Aylmer Landale, Coningham 1921 - 1944;

Born between April and June 1921. Registered at Cheltenham, Shropshire.

Cadet at Officer Cadet Training Unit, unknown date.

Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, on the 1st of March 1941. Published in the London Gazette on the 11th of March 1941, Supplement 35103, Page 1496.

Somerset Light Infantry

Service No: 176033.

Posted to India and attached to the 1st Battalion, 10th Gurkha Rifles, unknown date.

Appointed (Temporary) Captain, unknown date.

Died on the 3rd of June 1944, aged 23 during the Siege of Imphal.

Buried at Imphal War Cemetery, Imphal, Manipur State, India.

Grave Reference: 1. F. 9.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of Colonel Robert Evelyn Coningham, and of Elsie I. Coningham (nee Landale), of Conlan, The Avenue, Camberley, Surrey.

John Hinton, Cooke B.Sc., A.K.C. 1909 - 1941;

Born on the 10th of February 1909,at Egham, Surrey. Registered at Windsor, Berkshire.

Living at 6 Denham Road, Egham, Surrey, in the 1911 census.

Educated at Yorktown School. Yorktown, Camberley, Surrey, unknown dates.

Living at The Lodge, Donnington, Portsmouth Road, Camberley, Surrey, June 1919.

Educated at Farnham Grammar School, Farnham, Surrey, unknown dates.

Educated at King's College London and/or King's College London Hospital, between 1927 and 1930.

John enlisted into the University of London Officer Training Corps.

John studied Faculty of Sciences and qualifying with a Bachelor of Science (B.sc.) , Associate of Kings College (A.K.C.).

Commissioned into the Royal Navy on the 24th of September 1930

Temporary Instructor Lieutenant.

Promoted to Lieutenant-Commander (Instructor), unknown date.

Posted to H.M.S. Gloucester, unknown date.

Killed In Action on the 22nd of May 1941, aged 32.

H.M.S. Gloucester was assigned to the 7th Cruiser Squadron (Cruiser Force C) of the Mediterranean Fleet in May 1940 based at Alexandria, Egypt. In less than a year’s service in the Mediterranean, H.M.S Gloucester was involved in many actions and won five battle honours, Calabria 1940, Matapan 1941, Malta Convoys 1941, Mediterranean 1941 and Crete 1941 earning her the name ‘The Fighting G’.

On the 20th of May 1941, German paratroopers landed on the island of Crete with H.M.S Gloucester and Cruiser Force C tasked with intercepting any efforts to reinforce the German forces on the island. By the 22nd of May she was in the Kythira Strait, about 14 miles off Crete, when she was attacked by German Junkers Ju-88 and Ju-87 Stuka dive bombers shortly before 2.pm. The destroyer H.M.S. Greyhound was hit and sunk and H.M.S. Fiji and the Gloucester both took several hits without causing major damage. Whilst covering the rescue efforts of the Greyhound's sinking, H.M.S. Gloucester was repeatedly attacked and sustained several more direct hits, eventually sinking with the loss of 722 men. Only 85 men survived to the end of the war.

The Commander-in-Chief at the time, Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham, observed:

"Thus went the gallant Gloucester. She had endured all things, and no ship had worked harder or had had more risky tasks. She had been hit by bombs more times than any other vessel, and had always come up smiling."

Remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Plymouth, Devon.

Panel Reference: Panel 44, Column 3.

Remembered on the King’ s College Chapel Memorial.

Remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

Remembered on the Roll of the Fallen, University of London O.T.C. & S.T.C.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of Henry Hinton Cooke, and of Nellie Caroline Cooke, of 103, Gordon Avenue, Camberley, Surrey. John's father fell during the Great War. (See 1914-1918 Surnames A-C).

Cecil George, Cox 1881 - 1944;

I've yet to confirm census records for Cecil.

Cecil married Lucy Stella Tringham, at St. James's, Bengal, India, on the 14th of February 1914. Cecil's occupation is recorded as Assistant Surgeon.

Lieutenant

Indian Army Medical Corps

Died on the 23rd of December 1944, aged 59.

Originally buried at Christ Church, Jubbulpore, Bengal, India, on the 23rd of December 1944.

Now buried at Kirkee War Cemetery, Kirkee, Bombay, India.

Grave Reference: 4.F.4.

Son of George and Mary Ann Cox; husband of Lucy Stella Cox (nee Tringham), of Frimley, Surrey.

Mostyn Maurice, Crowe 1920 - 1942;

Born on the 12th of August 1920. Registered at Mitford, Norfolk.

Living at Kingsclere Cottage, Brackendale Road, Camberley, Surrey, in the 1939 Register. Mostyn is working as a Ministry of Health Sanitary Inspector.

Enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 1940.

Service No: 1169120.

Rank: Flight Sergeant.

Mostyn served with No.78 Squadron R.A.F.

Mostyn married Nora Iris Chadd, on the 22nd of November 1941. Registered at Surrey North Western.

The Surrey Advertiser reported on the 6th of December 1941;

"WEDDING OF MISS N. L. CHADD

The wedding took place at St. Peter's Church, Frimley, on November 22nd of Mr. Mostyn Maurice Crowe, only son of Mr. and Mrs H. Crowe, of Brantley. Lower Park-road, Camberley, and Miss. Nora Iris Chadd, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Chadd, of The Grange, Coleford Bridge-road, Mytchett. The Rector (the Rev J. W. Partridge) officiated, and Mr. A. C. Buckingham was at the organ. The bride wore white lace over white satin and an embroidered tulle veil, and had a boutique and head dress of chrysanthemums. She was given away by her father, and as bridesmaids her nieces, Miss Pearl Rossiter and Suzette Chadd, wore old gold taffeta dresses, with boutiques and head dresses of bronze chrysanthemums. Sergt. Pilot A. C. Driver was best man. After a reception at The Grange the Bride and Bridegroom went to Weybridge for the honeymoon."

Mostyn was flying on Operation Millennium, the first 1000 bomber raid conducted by the R.A.F. against Cologne, Germany on the 30th/31st of May 1942.

Killed In Action on the 20th of June 1942, aged 21.

Mostyn aboard Handley Page Halifax Mk. II, Serial Number BB200 took off for an operation to bomb Emden, Germany, at 11.43 p.m. from R.A.F Middleton St. George, County Durham, and nothing further was heard from the crew. The Halifax they were aboard crashed into the North Sea, off the Dutch coast but it is not known if this happened on the way to the target or on the way home. Two of the crew's bodies were washed ashore but the rest were never found.

The Surrey Advertiser reported on the 11th of July 1942;

"Flight Sergeant Mostyn Maurice Crowe, of Brantley, Park Road, Camberley, an old boy of Camberley Secondary, has been reported missing after taking part in a raid over enemy territory. Flight Sergt. Crowe was employed in the public health department of the Frimley and Camberley Urban District Council before volunteering for the R.A.F. He married only seven months ago, Miss Nora Chadd, of Camberley."

No known grave.

Remembered on the Runnymede Air Forces Memorial, Runnymeade, Surrey.

Panel Ref: Panel 74.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Crowe of Brantley, Lower Park Road, Camberley, Surrey; husband of Nora Iris Crowe (nee Chadd), formerly of 11, Coleford Bridge Road, Frimley, Surrey, now of Lustleigh, Devon.

Charles George, Cubitt 1916 - 1941;

Born at Calcutta, India 1916.

Baptised at St. Paul's, Calcutta, India 1916.

Educated as a Gentleman Cadet at the Royal Military College Sandhurst, unknown dates.

Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on the 30th of April 1936. Published in the London Gazette on the 1st of May 1936. Issue 34280, Page 2801.

3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards)

Service No: 67685.

Charles married Gladys Rosemary Melville Wills, between July and September 1939. Registered at Basingstoke, Hampshire.

Transferred to the Royal Armoured Corps, Published in the London Gazette on the 1st of august 1939. Issue 34650, Page 5315.

"ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS.

3rd D.G.—Charles George CUBITT (late 2nd

Lt. 3rd D.G.) to be 2nd Lt. 2nd Aug. 1939,

with seniority 17th Sept. 1936."

Attached to the 1st King's Dragoon Guards, Royal Armoured Corps, unknown date.

On the 16th of November 1939, the 1st King's Dragoon Guards deployed to Egypt and turned into an armoured car regiment equipped with the South African-built Marmon Harringtons. It fought exclusively in North Africa and Italy for the next five years.

Killed In Action on the 5th of February 1941, aged 25.

"On 4 February Msus was reached and on the 5th 'B' Squadron resumed the advance, reaching Gotsdes, fifty miles to the south west as the advance guard to composite force, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Combe with the 11th Hussars and including the 1st Rifle Brigade and the 4th RHA.

Reports were then received that enemy traffic was moving north and south along the main coast road. 'B' Squadron was ordered to cut the road and hold it until the Rifle Brigade were able to get into position. Lieutenant Chrystal's and Lieutenant Taylor's troops were soon established astride the coast road with Beda Fomm slightly to the east. Lieutenant Delmege's troop was sent south west to give warning of any enemy approach from that direction. As soon as Chrystal and Taylor had taken up their positions, they came under artillery fire from an Italian column trying to retreat down the coast road. Major Crossley had been given two 25-pounders and two anti-tank guns, which he sent to help stiffen the defence. Lieutenant Cubitt's troop moved to support Chrystal and Taylor, followed by Major Crossley, who brought the rest of the RHA into action on the north-east flank. Moving about a mile further north, Major Crossley positioned some anti-tank guns on the Italian flank, where they were able to shoot up a long line of halted lorries. Thus the KDG fired the opening shots in the Battle of Beda Fomm.

As the whole squadron fired on the enemy columns, white flags began to appear; individual armoured cars dashed across the desert to round up prisoners, but some of the more determined Italians managed to inflict casualties on both 'B' Squadron and the artillerymen. A hundred and fifty Italians surrendered to Corporal Ashbrooke, armed only with a jammed bren gun, then forty officers surrendered to Lieutenant Taylor. By this time some 350 prisoners had been collected and driven away in lorries, as the Rifle Brigade began to arrive. An Italian anti-tank gun scored a direct hit on Lieutenant Cubitt's armoured car, killing him and all his crew."

Buried at Benghazi War Cemetery, Benghazi, Libya.

Grave reference: 8. F. 13.

Son of James Edward Cubitt, and of Isabel Margaret Cubitt, of Graitney, Camberley, Surrey; husband of (Gladys) Rosemary Melville Totman (was Cubitt, nee Wills) of The Brackens, Windlesham, Surrey. Charles's widow remarried an American Army Major in 1944 and moved to the U.S.A in 1946 with her husband and their daughter along with Charles' son Llewellyn.

Leonard William, Cudlipp 1924 - 1944;

Born between April and June 1924. Registered at Farnham, Surrey.

Enlisted, unknown date.

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Service No: 1606835.

Rank: Sergeant.

Trade: Flight Engineer.

Leonard served with the No.582 Squadron (Pathfinders) based at R.A.F. Little Staughton, Huntingdonshire (Now Cambridgeshire).

The Pathfinders were target-marking squadrons in RAF Bomber Command during World War II. They located and marked targets with varied coloured flares (Target Indicators), which a main bomber force could aim at, increasing the accuracy of their bombing. No.582 Squadron equipped with Lancaster Bombers, was formed on the 1st of April 1944, from 'C' Flight of No.7 Squadron and 'C' Flight No.156 Squadron. It was part of No. 8 Group RAF, also referred to as the Pathfinder Force, and began operation nine days later with a night raid on Lille, France on the 9/10th of April 1944.

Killed In Action on the 28th of May 1944, aged 20.

Leonard and the crew of Lancaster Bomber Serial No.ND-814, Code 60-T, took off from R.A.F. Little Staughton at 11.25pm on the 27th of May 1944, tasked with target marking the aerodrome at St. Jacques, Rennes, France. Arriving at the target area, the crew were tasked to reinforce the Red Target Indicators (T. I.'s), when there was a break in radio transmission at about 1.45am. Lancaster ND-814 appeared to be enveloped in a mass of red and green as it exploded, coming down on the western edge of the target area. There were no survivors.

Buried at Rennes Eastern Communal Cemetery, Rennes, France:

Grave Reference: Sec. 18. Plot 1. Row D. Grave 8.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of Miss May Beryl Cudlipp, of, Royden Lodge, Heathcote Road, Camberley, Surrey.

William Tom, Cuell 1895 - 1942;

Born on the 3rd of June 1895 at Bishops Waltham, Hampshire.

Living at Eleanor Cottage, Avenue Road, Bishops Waltham, Droxford, Hampshire, in the 1901 census.

Living at Town Road, Bishops Waltham, Hampshire, in the 1911 census. William now aged 15 is working as a Brick Works Assistant.

Enlisted unknown date.

Royal Artillery.

Service No: 1416464

Rank: Gunner.

William married Dorothy Kate Robins, at St. Michael's, Yorktown, Camberley, Surrey, on the 1st of December 1923. William gives his address as Deepcut Camp, Frimley and occupation as Soldier.

William rose through the ranks until being promoted to Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant (Warrant Officer Class II).

Posted to Hong Kong, unknown date. Serving with the 8th Coast Regiment, Royal Artillery.

The families of the men stationed at Hong Kong were evacuated to Australia and Manila in June 1940 . William's wife was living at 14 Hennessey Avenue, Melbourne.

William along with the men of the 8th Coast Regiment, Royal Artillery were taken as Prisoners of War by the Japanese when Hong Kong fell on the 25th of December 1941.

Killed In Action on the 1st or 2nd of February 1942, aged 47.

William along with a draft of 1,834 prisoners of war were being transported to Japan aboard the freighter Lisbon Maru when on the 1st of October 1942 it was attacked by the American submarine USS Grouper at first light. All Japanese troops except a skeleton crew were taken off with the P,O.W.'s being locked in the holds. The Lisbon Maru was taken under tow until the 2nd of October 1942 when it suddenly sank stern first and although there was a successful break out from the holds, over 800 Allied P.O.W.'s were trapped and drowned.

Remembered on the Sai Wan Memorial, Hong Kong, China.

Remembered on the Bishops Waltham War Memorial, Bishops Waltham, Hampshire.

Son of William Tom and Alice Cuell, husband of Dorothy Kate Cuell (nee Robins), of Camberley, Surrey.

Leslie Thomas James, Cumming 1906 - 1939;

Born at Newport, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, on the 16th of May 1906.

Living at Military Barracks in India. Leslie's father is serving with the Sherwood Foresters.

Leslie married Isobel May Yates, between April and June 1929. Registered at Portsmouth, Hampshire.

Enlisted in the Royal Marines, unknown date.

Rank: Marine.

Service No: PO/X 588.

Served aboard H.M.S Royal Oak.

Killed In Action on the 14th of October 1939, aged 33.

H.M.S. Royal Oak was at anchor at Scapa Flow, Orkney, Scotland, when she was torpedoed by the German submarine U-47, and sank. Royal Oak‍ '​s complement of 1,234 men and boys, 833 were killed or died later of their wounds.

The wreck of Royal Oak, a designated war grave, lies almost upside down in 100 feet of water with her hull 16 feet beneath the surface. In an annual ceremony to mark the loss of the ship, Royal Navy divers place a White Ensign underwater at her stern.

Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Portsmouth, Hampshire.

Panel Reference: Panel 36, Column 1.

Remembered on the Lych Gate Memorial, St. Andrew's, Frimley Green, Surrey.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of Thomas and Florence May Cumming; husband of Isabel May Cumming, of Frimley Green, Surrey.

Lest We Forget

Lee Thomas

October 2020