A list of the men by Surname M - O

Iain O'Brien, MacGregor 1901 - 1943;

Born on the 4th of February 1901 at Gorleston, Norfolk.

Educated at Inverness High School, Inverness, Scotland, until 1909.

Educated at George Watson's Boy's College, Edinburgh, Scotland, from 1909 to 1915.

Educated at the Imperial Services College, Windsor, Berkshire, from 1915 to 1918. Captain of the school in 1917.

Educated at the Royal Military Academy Woolwich, 1918 until 1920.

Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant Royal Field Artillery, 1920.

Promoted to Lieutenant Royal Artillery, unknown date.

Granted a Temporary Commission as a Flying Officer on seconding for four years duty with the Royal Air Force, on the 14th of March 1923. Published in the London Gazette on the 20th of March 1923. Issue 32807, Page 2170.

Champion of the R.A.F. boxing championship and Champion of the Inter Services boxing championship.

Promoted to Captain Royal Artillery, unknown date.

Arrived at the Port of Southampton on the 24th of December 1928. Iain had been in Maderia.

Iain completed his flight training on the 22nd of August 1932, at Wiltshire School of Flying. Granted Royal Aero Club Aviators’ Certificate No: 10726. Occupation given as Army Officer (Captain). Living at Donhead Lodge, Shaftesbury, Dorset.

Arrived at Port of London, on the 3rd of May 1934. Iain had been in Bombay India.

Arrived at the Port of Southampton, on the 26th of September 1934. Iain had been in New York.

Re-seconded for duty with the Royal Air Force and granted a Temporary Commission as a Flight Officer (Honorary Flight Lieutenant) with effect from the 1st of October 1934 and with seniority from the 1st of October 1930.

R.A.F. Service No: 12203.

Promoted to Flight Lieutenant on the 1st of April 1935. Published in the London Gazette on the 25th of June 1935. Issue 34174, Page 4094.

Iain married Diana Evelyn Uniacke between April and June 1935. Registered at Marylebone, London.

Granted Royal Aero Club Aviators’ Certificates No: 14375, on the 20th of September 1936. Living at Winsley House, Winsley, Bradford-upon-Avon, Wiltshire.

Arrived at the Port of Southampton, on the 11th of December 1936. Iain had been in Maderia.

Re-seconded as a Temporary Squadron Leader for duty with the Royal Air Force, on the 1st of January 1938. Published in the London Gazette on the 11th of January 1938. Issue 34472, Page 194.

Promoted to Major Royal Artillery, on the 1st of August 1938.

Relinquished temporary Commission with the Royal Air Force upon return to Army Duty on the 31st of October 1939. Published in the London Gazette on the 14th of November 1939. Issue 34733, Page 7644.

Royal Artillery.

Service No: 18220.

Appointed to Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel on the 19th of April 1942.

Appointed as Commanding Officer 113th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, 1942.

Posted to Egypt. Iain served with the 8th Army in the North Africa Campaign.

Appointed Commanding Officer 154th (The Leicestershire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, 1944.

Posted to Italy, 1944.

Died on the 16th of June 1944, aged 43. Iain died from head injuries received in a motorcycle accident.

Buried at Cassino War Cemetery, Cassino, Italy.

Grave Reference: XVIII. D. 10.

Son of Colonel John MacGregor, Indian Army, and Mabel MacGregor; husband of Diana Evelyn MacGregor (nee Uniacke), of White Gates, Portsmouth Road Camberley, Surrey.

Alaisdair Rhodes, Macintyre 1913 - 1940;

I have not confirmed birth details for Alasdair.

Educated at Trinity College, Cambridge University, unknown dates.

Alasdair married Nila Gertrude Laughton between July and September 1936. Registered at Southport, Lancashire.

Enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, unknown date.

Rank: Aircraftman 2nd Class.

Service No: 967706.

Killed In Action on the 28th of May 1940, aged 27

Alasdair served with No. 3 Military and Air Mission known as Phantom. Together with the Belgian General Staff, its role was to report back information about the allied forward positions from Belgian G.H.Q. to the Advanced Air Striking Force H.Q. so as to pinpoint the changing locations of "bomb lines". These were the battle areas not occupied by Allied troops, and therefore suitable targets for bombs and shells.

In November 1939, Lieutenant-Colonel George Frederick ‘Hoppy’ Hopkinson was sent as a Military Observer to the No. 3 British Air Mission and subsequently changed the method of operations to focus upon greater use of wireless communications and mobility to provide real-time assessment from the front line. The collective codename for these Missions was classified by themselves as ‘Phantom’, which later became an official designation.

After the German invasion of the Low Countries and France on the 10th of May 1940, the Phantom unit went about it business reporting German gains and Belgian losses, establishing liaison with the French advanced elements, and the same day was to contact the leading British cavalry. As the gravity of the situation increased, the "Phantom" Squadron became more and more useful in a protective and close reconnaissance role. By the 27th of May the battle of the beaches was inevitable. Wing Commander Fairweather sent a signal to Lieutenant-Colonel Hopkinson suggesting that the Intelligence Section, whose importance as liaison officers had waned and whose revolvers and motor cycles were likely to be more of a hindrance than a help in the B.E.F.'s last struggle for evacuation, should be withdrawn to No. 3 Mission H.Q. at Bruges, Belguim for evacuation at the earliest opportunity. On the same day the remainder of the Hopkinson Mission provided an escort for the Commander-in-Chief during the move of G.H.Q. to Cassel and from Cassel to Houtkerque. The whole of No.3 Military and Air Mission including Alasdair was evacuated on the S.S. Aboukir, an overladen merchantman that was torpedoed by an E-boat not far from the Belgian coast and sunk within a minute.

No known grave.

Remembered on the Air Forces Memorial, Runnymede, Surrey.

Panel Reference: Panel 27.

Remembered on the Trinity College War Memorial, Cambridge University.

Remembered on the Dalmally War Memorial, Dalmally, Scotland.

Son of Sir Alexander MacIntyre, Kt., and Lady MacIntyre, of Inverness; husband of Nila Gertrude MacIntyre, of France Hill Lodge, France Hill Drive Camberley, Surrey.

Aubertin Walter Sothern, Mallaby O.B.E. C.I.E. 1899 - 1945;

Born on the 12th of December 1899 at Ventnor, Isle of Wight, Hampshire.

Baptised on the 22nd of April 1900, at Heene, Sussex.

Living at The Steyne, Worthing, Sussex in the 1901 census.

Living at Hill Brow, 6 Manor Road, Bexhill-On-Sea, Sussex in the 1911 census.

Educated at Wellington Cadet College, Nilgiri Hills, India, as an Gentleman Cadet. Embarking at England on the 7th of February 1918, Aubertin arrived in India on the 21st of March 1918.

Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant, Unattached List Indian Army, on the 1st of October 1918. Published in the London Gazette on the 18th of March 1919. Issue 31239, Page 3641.

Posted to the 27th Punjabis Indian Army, on the 8th of October 1918. Published in the London Gazette on the 6th of May 1919. Issue 31327, Page 5665.

Transferred to the 67th Punjabis on the 20th of July 1919.

Promoted to Lieutenant on the 1st of October 1919. Published in the London Gazette on the 23rd of November 1919. Issue 32133 , Page 11350.

Posted to Waziristan, Indian Northwest Frontier, 1921 until 1924.

Promoted to Captain 1st/2nd Punjabis ,Indian Army, on the 1st of October 1924.

Educated at the Staff College, Camberley, Surrey from 1930 until 1931.

Appointed a General Staff Officer, 3rd grade on the 5th of February 1933, Published in the London Gazette on the 14th of April 1933. Issue 33930, Page 2566.

Promoted to General Staff Officer, 2nd grade on the 1st of April 1933. Published in the London Gazette on the 23rd of June 1933. Issue 33952, Page 4206.

Aubertin married Margaret Catherine Jones (known as Mollie) on the 9th of April 1935 at St Mark's Church, North Audley Street, London.

Promoted to Brevit Major on the 1st of July 1935. Published in the London Gazette on the 2nd of July 1935. Issue 34176, Page 4260.

Promoted to Major on the 1st of October 1936. Published in the London Gazette on the 13th of November. Issue 34340, Page 7349.

Appointed as General Staff Officer, 2nd grade at the War Office in London on the 1st of March 1938. Published in the London Gazette on the 4th of March 1938. Issue 34489, Page 1424.

Awarded as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) on the 1st of July 1941. Published in the London Gazette on the 27th of June 1941. Supplement 35204, Page 3738.

Promoted war substantive (Temporary) Lieutenant-Colonel on the 15th of August 1941.

Appointed as Deputy Director of Military Operation in the rank of (Acting) Brigadier, 1941.

Granted the Acting Rank of Major-General, while specially employed, on the 1st of March 1943. Published in the London Gazette on the 30th of April 1943.. Issue 35998, Page 1960.

Posted to India as Major-General, 2nd in Command of of the 6th battalion, 2nd Punjab Regiment, April 1943.

Appointed Commanding Officer of a battalion of the Hyderabad Regiment, August 1943.

Appointed war substantive Colonel on the 1st of March 1944. Published in the London Gazette on the 1st of September 1944. Issue 36683, Page 4080

In order to obtain operational experience Aubertin dropped in rank to temporary Brigadier in July 1944 and was given command of the 49th Indian Infantry Brigade, then serving with the 23rd Indian Division.

Promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel whilst serving as Temporary Brigadier and war substantive Colonel on the 15th of December 1944. Published in the London Gazette on the 15th of December 1944. Issue 36842, Page 5760.

Awarded as a Companion of The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire C.I.E) Published in the London Gazette on the 1st of January 1945.

With the Japanese surrender on the 15th of August 1945 the Second World War came to a end, only for many countries it begun a period of instability through trying to gain independence from the old colonial european powers.

Posted to Indonesia disembarking on the 25th of October 1945.

Killed In Action on the 30th of October 1945, aged 45.

Aubertin led the 49th Indian Infantry Brigade to Indonesia in the middle of the national revolution, to find and repatriate 16,000 former Japanese prisoners of war and internees. . Upon landing, he sent Captain Douglas MacDonald to contact the leader of the revolutionaries, Moestopo; Moestopo stated that they would not oppose the British forces. Aubertin and his squadron worked under constant supervision by the Indonesians, whom he later told that he was focused on finding the P.O.W.'s. The situation became more heated on the 27th of October after Aubertin interpreted pamphlets demanding the immediate surrender of the Indonesians' weapons, signed by General Douglas Hawthorn, as an order. Communications were broken between Aubertin's forces and the Indonesians, and the following day the Indonesians began launching attacks on the 49th Brigade. To quench the fighting, Aubertin was able to contact General Hawthorn through an intermediary and arrange a meeting between himself and President Sukarno, where they negotiated a ceasefire.

Laughlin Donald, McIntosh 1920 - 1944;

Born on the 19th of July 1920, at Canada.

Enlisted into the Queen's Rangers, Canadian Infantry Reserve Unit, in 1935. Specialist training received on the Vickers Machine Gun. Discharged in 1938.

Working as Farming Delivery Boy from 1935 until 1937.

Living at Toronto, Ontario, Canada on enlistment. Occupation given as Die-Setter and Punch Press Operator, for Coulter Manufacturing Co. a Brass manufacturer. Laughlin worked for this company from 1937 until 1938 and earned $12.50 per week.

Working as Winter Cutting Lumber from 1938 and 1939. Laughlin worked for his Uncle at Peterborough, Ontario. He earned $5.00 a week plus board.

Enlisted on the 7th of March 1940, at Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Royal Regiment of Canada.

Service No: B/67399.

Rank: Private.

Posted to H.Q. Company 1st Battalion R.R.C. for Basic and Advance Training.

Posted to Iceland, disembarking on the 11th of June 1940. Principal duty as a Driver.

Posted to England, disembarking on the 3rd of November 1940.

Posted to West Croydon, Sussex, on the 31st of December 1941 for training as Driver and Mechanic Class II. Course passed on the 28th of January 1942.

Laughlin married Mary Frances Bromfield, on the 13th of March 1943, at Camberley, Surrey, England.

Laughlin's daughter Venetia Mary McIntosh was born on the 15th of April 1944.

Posted to France, disembarking on the 4th of July 1944.

Laughlin served with the Calgary Highlanders, R.C.I.C.

Killed In Action on the 23rd of October 1944, aged 24.

Buried at Bergen-op-Zoom Canadian War Cemetery, Bergen-op-Zoom, Noord-Brabant, The Netherlands.

Grave Reference: 7. E. 9.

Laughlin's personal items were returned to his wife, these included;

"2 wallets

Photos

1 Wrist watch (Broken)

Red "I" Disc

Good Luck Charm

"I" Bracelet No Chain

Drivers License.

Son of John Best McIntosh and Susie McIntosh, of 66 Lansdowne Avenue, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada; Husband of Mary Frances McIntosh, of 1 Pembroke Cottages, Park Street, Camberley, Surrey, England.

Andrew Patrick, McKee 1911 - 1943;

I've been unable to confirm birth records for Andrew.

Enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, unknown date.

Service No: 1367524.

Rank: Flight Sergeant.

Trade: Navigator (Bomber).

Andrew married Madeline T. E. Pearson (known as Madge), between January and March 1941. Registered at Surrey South Western.

Posted to the Far East, unknown dates.

Andrew served with No. 31 Squadron R.A.F.

No. 31 Squadron flew in Burma from early 1942, valiantly supporting the Fourteenth, the Forgotten Army, until the Japanese were evicted in 1945. Duties were re-supply, air-drop, and casevac. Operating in monsoon conditions, largely from Indian bases, they suffered many losses. The Squadron supported Chindit raids, the epic battles of Kohima, Imphal and the Arakan, as well as Hump runs across the eastern Himalayas to China.

Killed In Action on the 28th of November 1943, aged 33.

Buried at Taukkyan War Cemetery, Taukkyan, Mynamar (Burma).

Grave Reference: Coll. grave 16A. B. 1-5.

Son of Andrew and Martha McKee; husband of Madge McKee, of Camberley, Surrey.

William Alexander, McMichael 1896 - 1943;

Born at Edinburgh, Scotland.

Living at 33 Hillside Crescent, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, in the 1901 census.

I've not found William in the 1911 census.

Commissioned as a Temporary 2nd Lieutenant, The Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment), on the 4th of June 1915. Published in the London Gazette, Issue 29295, Page 9092.

Transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. Training begun at Reading on the 31st of October 1916.

Promoted to Temporary Lieutenant, Royal Flying Corps, on the 1st of July 1917. Published in the London Gazette, Supplement 30361, Page 11278.

Appointed Flying Officer (Observer) on the 17th of July 1917.

Posted to No. 58 Squadron R.F.C. on the 18th of July 1917. No.58 Squadron was an advanced training unit.

Posted to the No. 46th Training Squadron R.F.C, on the 3rd of September 1917.

Posted to No. 59th Training Squadron R.F.C. on the 9th of September 1917.

Posted to the B.E.F. in France, on the 3rd of October 1917. William was posted to No. 48 Squadron R.F.C.

On the 1st of April 1918 the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service merged to form the Royal Air Force.

Wounded In Action on the 15th of May 1918. William returned to duty on the 2nd of June 1918.

Posted No. 32 Squadron Royal Air Force on the 24th of June 1918.

Admitted to hospital at Etaples, France, on the 30th of June 1918.

Invalided to England on the 3rd of July 1918.

Posted to the No.1 Flight School, on the 2nd of August 1918.

Appointed Acting Captain, on the 2nd of October 1919. Published in the London Gazette on the 21st of February 1919. Issue 31196, Page 2616.

Posted to the No. 27 Training Depot Station, on the 28th of January 1919.

Posted to the No. 2 Training Depot Station, on the 21st of March 1919.

Posted to No. 55 Squadron Royal Air Force, on the 16th of April 1919.

Posted to the unemployed list, on the 9th of October 1919.

Awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal 1914-18.

Mentioned In Despatches, 1919.

William worked and lived in Selangor, British Malaya (now Malaysia), as a Planter.

Records show that he was employed by Kuala Kangsar Plantations Ltd.

Enlisted with the Selangor Local Defence Corps, unknown date.

The Local Defence Corps in British Malaya was organised as a Home Guard from October 1940. A full time Commissioner with Deputy Commissioners, were appointed in Malaya in September 1940. The Corps was composed of European British over 41 years of age, also British subjects or citizens under British Protection aged 18-55 years, and was opened to British-linked non-Europeans from the 31st of March 1941. The Local Defence Corps were also available to support the State Volunteer Forces.

The Japanese invaded British Malaya and Siam (now Thailand), at about 12.30am local time, on the 8th of December 1941, about 50 minutes before the attacks at Pearl Harbour. (Due to the time difference in the United States, the attacks at Pearl Harbour happened on the morning of the 7th of December 1941).

The rapid advance by Japanese troops overwhelmed the Allied forces and by the 31st of January 1942, the Malaysian Peninsular was under Japanese control, and the Allied forces had retreated to Singapore, where the British led military surrendered on the 15th of February 1942.

William was taken as a Prisoner by the Japanese and was sent to Changi Camp, Singapore.

Died on the 20th of January 1943, aged 47, from Diabetes Mellitus.

Originally buried at Bidadari Christian Cemetery, Singapore.

Reinterred at Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore, on the 6th of June 1957.

Grave Reference: 36. D. 8.

Son of Hugh and Margaret McMichael, of Edinburgh; husband of Dr. Susan McMichael, of Frimley, Surrey.

George, Mills ? - ?

No military details

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

Harry John, Mills 1923 - 1941;

Born on the 20th of April 1923. Registered at Farnham, Surrey.

Enlisted into the Royal Navy, unknown date.

Service No: P/JX 159543

Rank: Ordinary Seaman

Harry served aboard H.M.S. Hood.

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

H.M.S. Hood along with H.M.S Prince of Wales was in pursuit of the German ships Bismarck and Prinz Eugen, both of which were attempting to break out into the North Atlantic to attack Allied merchant shipping (Operation Rheinübung). At 05:35, lookouts on Prince of Wales spotted the German ships 17 miles (15 nautical miles) away. The Germans, already alerted to the British presence through their hydrophonic equipment, picked up the smoke and masts of the British ships 10 minutes later.

Hood opened fire at 05:52 at a distance of approximately 26,500 yd. Vice-Admiral Holland had ordered firing on the leading ship, Prinz Eugen, believing from her position that she was Bismarck. Holland soon amended his order and directed both ships to engage the rear ship, Bismarck. Prince of Wales had already correctly identified and targeted Bismarck, whereas Hood is believed to have continued to fire at Prinz Eugen for some time. The Germans held their fire until 05:55, when both German ships targeted Hood. A shell hit Hood's boat deck, starting a sizable fire in the ready-use 4 in (100 mm) ammunition stored there, but this fire did not spread to other areas of the ship or cause the later explosion. Although unconfirmed, it is possible that Hood was struck again at the base of her bridge and in her foretop radar director. At 06:00, Holland ordered his force to turn once again to port to ensure that the aft main guns on both Hood and Prince of Wales could bear on the German ships. During the execution of that turn, a salvo from Bismarck, fired at a range of about 9 mi (7.8 nmi; 14 km), was seen by men aboard Prince of Wales to straddle Hood abreast her mainmast. It is likely that one 15 inch shell struck somewhere between Hood's mainmast and "X" turret aft of the mast.

This was immediately followed by a huge pillar of flame that shot upward 'like a giant blowtorch,' in the vicinity of the mainmast. There followed an explosion that destroyed a large portion of the ship from amidships clear to the rear of "Y" turret, blowing both after turrets into the sea. The ship broke in two; the stern falling away and sinking. Ted Briggs, one of the survivors, claimed Hood heeled to 30 degrees at which point 'we knew she just wasn't coming back.' The bow was raised clear of water, pointed upward and pivoting about, and followed the stern in sinking shortly thereafter. "A" turret did manage to fire one last salvo while in this upright position, possibly from the doomed gun crew, just before the bow section sank. Splinters rained down on Prince of Wales 0.5 miles (0.43 nmi) away. Hood sank in about three minutes, taking 1,415 men, including Vice-Admiral Holland, with her. Only three of her crew (Ted Briggs, Bob Tilburn and Bill Dundas), survived to be rescued two hours later by the destroyer H.M.S. Electra.

The British Admiralty later concluded that the most likely explanation for the loss of Hood was a penetration of her magazines by a single 38 cm (15 in) shell from Bismarck, causing the subsequent catastrophic explosion. Recent research by submersible craft suggests that the initial explosion was in the aft 4 in (100 mm) magazine and that it spread to the 15 in (380 mm) magazines via the ammunition trunks. The British public were shocked that their most emblematic warship and more than 1,400 of her crew had been destroyed so suddenly. The Admiralty mobilised every available warship in the Atlantic to hunt down and destroy Bismarck. The Royal Navy forces pursued and brought Bismarck to battle with the German battleship sunk on the morning of the 27th May 1941.

Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Portsmouth, Hampshire.

Panel Reference: Panel 51, Column 1.

Remembered on the Hood Chapel, Church of St. John the Baptist, Boldre, Hampshire.

Remembered on the Lych Gate Memorial, St. Andrew's, Frimley Green, Surrey. (As John Harry Mills)

Son of Harry and Ada Mills, of 2 Normar Cottages, Mytchett Road, Mytchett, Surrey.

Dennis Cawley, Milner 1911 - 1944;

Born between October and December 1911. Registered at Farnham, Surrey.

Educated at Murray House, Wellington College, Crowthorne, Berkshire, from 1925 to 1928.

Dennis showed every promise of becoming a fine athlete at Wellington,where his exceptional physique served him as a rugger player and enabled him to reach the finals of his weight in the school boxing competitions.

Dennis trained and became a Policeman. Unknown date, or area.

Dennis embarked the Jervis Bay at Southampton, England on the 20th of June 1934. He sailed to Port Said, Egypt and then served with the Palestine Police Force.

Returned to England, unknown date.

Granted an Emergency Commission as a Lieutenant Royal Artillery. Published in the London Gazette on the 12th of December 1939. Supplement 34751, Page 8241.

Dennis was attached to a Commando Unit, unknown dates.

Dennis married Joan Aileen Winatour between July and September 1940.

Dennnis appeared before a General Court Martial in June 1942.

Reported in various newspapers in England and the Commonwealth. The following is the report from the Portsmouth Evening News, on the 16th of June 1942;

"TOLD COMMANDO SECRET

The War Office announce that Lieut. Dennis Cawley Milner, Royal Artillery, attached to a commando unit has been found guilty by general court martial of an offence under Section 41 of the Army Act. It was alleged that he had in his possession information as to certain commando operations against the enemy, to which he had had access owing to his position as an officer, and that he communicated this information to a person whom he was not authorized to communicate it, nor to whom it was in the interest of the State his duty to communicate it, contrary to Section 2 of the Official Secrets Act 1911. He has been sentenced to be cashiered and the General Officer Commanding, London District has confirmed the finding."

Dennis was cashiered (demoted) to the ranks and transferred to the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

Service No: 4470649.

Rank: Private.

Appointed to Lance Corporal, unknown date.

Promoted to Corporal, unknown date.

Dennis served with the 9th (Yorkshire Dragoons) Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and was posted to the Italian campaign, landing as Anzio in February 1944.

Killed In Action on the 29th of April 1944, aged 33.

Buried at Beach Head War Cemetery, Anzio, Italy.

Grave Reference: II. F. 3.

Son of Lt.-Col. Reginald Dennis Milner and Helen Gertrude Milner (nee Carpenter), of Camberley, Surrey; husband of Joan Aileen Milner (nee Winatour).

Osborn Ernest, Milway 1921 - 1940;

Born between July and September 1921. Registered at Dover, Kent.

Enlisted unknown date.

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Rank: Aircraftman 2nd Class.

Service No: 1256132.

Posted to R.A.F. Debden, Essex, unknown date.

Killed In Action on the 26th of August 1940, aged 19 during a German air raid on R.A.F. Debden.

R.A.F. Debden was first attacked on July 10, 1940 when a single Dornier Do 17 dropped more than 20 High Explosive bombs causing no serious damage. The first big raid was on the 26th of August 1940, when a German formation dropped 100 H.E. and incendiary bombs. Five people were killed in addition to several buildings being destroyed and water and power lines fractured.

Buried at Hawkinge Cemetery, Hawkinge, Kent, on the 31st of August 1940.

Grave Reference: Plot O. Row 1. Grave 21.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of Oliver and Dorothy Milway (nee Parker), of Folkestone, Kent. Oliver and Dorothy lived at 45 High Street, Camberley, Surrey until at least 1935 according to Surrey Electoral Records.

James Arthur, Morris 1912 - 1944;

Born on the 3rd of December 1912. Registered at Farnham, Surrey. Mother's maiden name is Fuller. I have not traced his mother or father's details.

James married Ellen K. North, between January and March 1935. Registered at Aldershot, Hampshire.

Living at 12 Bristow Crescent, Camberley, Surrey, in the 1939 Register. James gives his occupation as Bricklayer.

Enlisted unknown date.

Royal Armoured Corps.

Rank: Trooper.

Service No: 14357307.

James served with D Squadron, 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), Royal Armoured Corps.

Posted to France, disembarking on the 7th of June 1994 (D-Day +1).

Killed In Action on the 28th of June 1944, aged 31.

The war diary for the 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), Royal Armoured Corps, records:

"At first light battle positions were taken up in same area. There were numerous reports of enemy tank and SP gun movement and some were engaged but the situation at this time was somewhat confused. In the morning a tank of C Sqn (4Tp with Lt PTW Powell MM commanding) was fired at and hit. No-one saw the gun flash and after the incident was over it caused no more trouble. The tank was burned out.

At 1700 the Regiment received orders to support the HLI (15th Scottish Div) into MOUEN. Little was known of the enemy situation there but it was thought to be weak. The plan was simple and as follows:-

A barrage to the NW of the town was to come down on the woods in that area and the infantry were to advance 2 Coys up, one each side of the railway and each supported by a Sqn of tanks, C Sqn on the right and B Sqn on the left. A Sqn were in reserve to give covering fire if necessary. In the early stages C Sqns leading troop was fired on by a dug-in Mark IV which held its fire until 80 yards. In all it knocked out three tanks until engaged by Capt. Vaughan in Sqn HQ. MG fire was very heavy from the woods and made observation poor and at the time the CO of the infantry lost contact with all his Coy commanders which made it impossible to keep a coherent account of events. At last light the Regiment again harboured in area 928671. Total 'bag' for the day was:

2 Tigers

4 Mark IV Specials

2 SPs

2 Personnel carriers.

Our losses were 1 tank destroyed, 3 knocked out, 3 Honeys knocked out.

Casualties:- Killed

-Sgt Seddon B Sqn

-Tpr Davies C Sqn

-Tpr Wright AV C Sqn

-Tpr Cattle DS C Sqn

-Tpr Wood L C Sqn

-LULC Cowen N D Sqn

-Tpr Cornforth B D Sqn

-Tpr Seddon R D Sqn

-Tpr Bruce R D Sqn

Missing believed killed

-Tpr Jackson H D Sqn

-Tpr Collins AG D Sqn

-Tpr Morris JA D Sqn

-Tpr Flack BM D Sqn

Missing believed POWs

-Cpl Ley FJ D Sqn

-Tpr Turner F D Sqn

-Sgt Doel FJ C Sqn

Wounded

-Tpr Potter C Sqn

-Tpr Parks C Sqn

-LULC O'Keefe C Sqn

-Tpr Greenhalgh C Sqn

-Sgt Williams C Sqn

-Cpl Patey OJ C Sqn

-LULC MacFarlane J C Sqn

-Tpr Todd S C Sqn

-Tpr Cresswell D D Sqn"

Buried at St. Manvieu War Cemetery, Cheux, France.

Grave Reference: VII. F. 10.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial

Wife of Ellen K. Morris (nee North) of 12 Bristow Crescent, Camberley, Surrey.

J. A., Morris ? - ?

Not recorded by Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

While I can't be 100% I believe this could be a duplicate record of James Arthur Morris above. The Royal Tank Regiment was apart of the Royal Armoured Corps.

Royal Tank Regiment

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Michael John, Mortimer 1914 - 1942;

Born on the 26th of October 1914, at Christchurch, New Zealand.

Michael's father died in 1920 and the family returned to England.

Departed from Wellington, New Zealand, sailing First Class aboard the Paparoa, Michael, his mother and two siblings arrived back in England on the 8th of April 1921.

Educated at Heads House, Lancing College, Lancing, Sussex, From September 1928 until July 1933. Appointed as Head of House in 1932 and gained his school certificate the same year. Joined the Officer Training Corps where he became a Sergeant.

Educated at Oxford University. Michael took a pre-registration examination in Elementary Science at Oxford University in June 1934. He then commenced Medical Studies from October 1934.

Awarded a Bachelor of Arts, Oxford University.

Enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, unknown date. Occupation given as Clinical student, St.Margaret’s Hospital, Epping.

Service No: 102157.

Rank: Leading Aircraftsman

Granted a Commission for the duration of hostilities as a Pilot Officer, on the 30th of July 1941. Published in the London Gazette on the 22nd of August 1941. Issue 35254, Page 4871.

Training completed as a Pilot, unknown date.

Posted to No. 255 Squadron, unknown date. No.225 Squadron was a night air defence unit flying the Bristol Beaufighter.

Posted to R.A.F. Coltishall, Norfolk, unknown date. Whilst based here Michael was the owner of the squadron's mascot, much loved pedigree Bull Mastiff dog named Bruce.

Killed in a training accident on the 15th of January 1942, aged 27.

Michael and his wireless operator Sergeant Geoffrey Bedford, took off from R.A.F. Coltishall at 9pm for a night navigation exercise in Beaufighter MkII F Serial No: R2448. On the return to base they were on approach to the airfield when one of their engines failed and the aircraft spun into the ground, crashing in a wooded area between Cawston, Norfolk and Aylsham, Norfolk at 11.59pm, killing both of the crew.

Buried at Scottow Cemetery, Norfolk.

Grave Reference: Grave 268.

Michael's brother, the Reverend John Lionel Mortimer, who attended the funeral, gave Bruce the squadron mascot dog to Wing Commander Kelly. "Pilot Officer Bruce" is mentioned in various Operational Record Books for No. 255 Squadron and in the National Archives is recorded as transferred to No.488 Squadron R.N.Z.A.F. upon his former squadron's posting to North Africa. A photograph in The Reg Mitchell Collection shows Bruce still with No.488 Squadron in January 1944, by then located at R.A.F. Bradwell Bay in Essex. There he enjoyed the company of another dog, a petite Spaniel bitch called Becky. Sometime before No.488 Squadron went to France in November 1944, Bruce was reportedly "retired to a local Radar Station", but it is not clear when this happened or exactly where Bruce went. Bruce is mentioned in a article from the Birmingham Daily Post, dated the 12th of August 1942.

Remembered on the Lancing College War Memorial.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of Reverend John Lawrence Mortimer, and of Helen Ida Mortimer (nee Burton), of Elmhurst, Heathcote Road, Camberley, Surrey.

Michael's mother joined the staff of the prep school 'Elmhurst', Heathcote Road, Camberley, Surrey and founded The Mortimer School of Dancing, with a studio in the grounds and just eight pupils. In 1931 she became joint Headmistress with Miss Violet Crisp and the school expanded, adding a senior department and residential facilities. In 1942 Miss Crisp retired, leaving Mrs Mortimer as the sole Principal of Elmhurst. In 1947 it's name changed to Elmhurst Ballet School and the school expanded rapidly, soon acquiring an international reputation. Its students were working all over the world as dancers, actresses, choreographers, producers, designers and writers. The most famous names include Royal ballet ballerina Merle Park, and the actresses Juliet and Hayley Mills, Jenny Agutter, Caroline Langrishe, Hermione Norris, Fiona Fullerton and Helen Baxendale.

When Michael was killed in 1942 his mother wrote a play in his memory called "Ye Serve the Lord Christ" which was performed at Southwark Cathedral in 1945 and at Elmhurst Ballet School every year until 1980. After the War, this remarkable Christmas Play was given in Southwark Cathedral in 1945 and in the Crypt of St Paul’s Cathedral in 1947, while the Finale – involving 150 children – was performed at the Albert Hall during the Empire Festival in 1946. The play was also performed every year at Elmhurst Ballet School until 1980.

Since its last performance at the school in 1980, it has long been the dream of many Elmhurst students and staff to revive this much-loved Play and in recent years it has suddenly sprung to life again.

Horace Moth 1907 - 1942;

Born on the 3rd of January 1907, at Frimley, Surrey.

Baptised on the 3rd of March 1907, at St. Peter's, Frimley, Surrey.

Living at 5 Chailey Terrace, Buckhurst Road, Frimley Green, Surrey, in the 1911 census.

Horace enlisted into the Queen's Regiment (Royal West Surrey) for 4 years service with the Territorial Army, on the 7th of February 1928. Occupation given as Gardner.

Service No: 6083529.

Rank: Private.

Horace married Annie Maud Challenor, at St. Peter's, Frimley, Surrey, on the 29th of November 1930. Occupation given as gardner

Re-enlisted with Queen's Regiment (Royal West Surrey) for service with the Territorial Army on the 12th of June 1933.

Transferred into the Royal Artillery unknown date. During the reorganisation of the Territorial Army's infantry in the late 1930's, the 4th Battalion Queen's Regiment (Royal West Surrey) was transferred to the Royal Artillery and converted into the 63rd (Queen's) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery.

Living at 5 Cedar Lane, Frimley, Surrey, in the 29th of September 1939 Register. Occupation given as Grave Digger. A note on the record states that Horace was discharged from the 5th Queen's Regiment.

Enlisted unknown date.

Royal Artillery.

Service No: 6083529.

Rank: Gunner.

Promoted to Lance Bombardier, unknown date.

Horace served with the 144th Battery, 35th Light Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery.

Posted to the Middle East, sailing between the 9th and 14th of November 1941.

35th Light Anti Aircraft Regiment was a special (almost 3rd line) Territorial Army Regiment formed at Oxford on 2nd September 1939 for the defence of R.A.F. airfields in the area against air attack. It recruited initially older men (aged 25 to 50) and by early 1940 comprised five batteries with Headquarters at Oxford, Abingdon, Gloucester, Cheltenham and Reading. In mid 1940 this Regiment reverted to a normal L.A.A. Regiment and reduced to three batteries 78th, 89th and 144th. Regimental H.Q. was located in Black Hall, St Giles, Oxford. This convoy was diverted en route to Singapore where it arrived on the 13th of January 1942.

Captured as a Prisoner of War on the 15th of February 1942, when the British led forces on Singapore surrender. Horace was initially held at Changi.

In the first early weeks following the capitulation, the Japanese placed no restriction on the movements of any prisoners within the Changi area and they were allowed to walk about at will over the whole eastern end of the island - until the 12th of March 1942, when the Japanese started to limit the activities and freedom of the P.O.W.'s.

In September 1942 came the 'Selarang Incident' when 15,400 men were concentrated at the Selarang Barracks for refusing to sign a declaration that they would not try to escape. The P.O.W.'s held out for three days but eventually the British and Australian commanders ordered their men to sign the declaration, pointing out that failure to do so would result in hundreds of very sick men dying of disease in the squalor, heat and unhygienic conditions. After the men signed on the 5th of September they were allowed to return to their normal places of captivity. By the time the Selarang Incident was over the number of prisoners who had been taken to Changi originally, seven months earlier, now numbered less than half. Many had died of hunger and disease and many more had been taken to other destinations to be put to work as slaves.

On the 18th of October 1942, Horace was one of 600 men selected as a working party under the Command of Lieutenant-Colonel J. Bassett, R.A. (35th L.A.A. Regt.), that sailed on the Kenkon Maru, destination recorded in the Changi Register as New Guinea. 400 men were put into the first hold and the remainder into the smaller aft hold. Under miserable conditions with only a thin layer of straw on the floor the prisoners found it hard to breath and also the the stench from sweating bodies. The ship called at Timor, Bali and the Halmarhera Islands, arriving on the 5th of November 1942 at Simpson Harbour, Rabaul on the island of New Britain, which the Japanese had captured from the Australians in January 1942.

On the 16th November 517 of the 598 prisoners (1 man had died on the journey and another was killed) were selected for transportation, the destination was said to be New Guinea, their personal belongings were stowed away at Kokopo, while the sick remained at Rabaul. Horace was one of the sick men left behind at Rabaul, New Britain. The 517 men that left Rabaul were all killed or died from disease and of those left at Rabaul only 18 survived the war.

Died on the 12th of December 1942, aged 35 from Dysentery and Exhaustion.

Army records state that Horace was buried at Kokopo Beach Cemetery, Rabaul, New Britain Island, New Guinea. This grave was either lost during the bombing of New Britain or unidentified.

Remembered on the Singapore Memorial, Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore.

Panel Reference: Column 10.

Remembered at the Garden of Remembrance, Litchfield, Staffordshire. (Unknown connection to area)

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of John and Mary Esther Elizabeth Moth (nee Ashton) of 50 Chobham Road, Camberley, Surrey; Husband of Annie Maud Moth (nee Challenor) of 5 Cedar Lane, Frimley, Surrey.

Robert Walter, Mothersele 1920 - 1941;

Born between July and September 1920. Registered at Farnham, Surrey.

Enlisted unknown date.

1/5th Battalion, The Queen's Royal Regiment (Royal West Surrey).

Rank: Private.

Service No: 6089674.

Killed on the 8th of September 1941, aged 21.

The Times reported Robert's death on the 8th of November 1941 alongside 10 other men from the Queen's Royal Regiment. The 1/5th battalion were based in England at the time, with Robert's death registered at Thanet, Kent. I have yet to confirm whether this was a training accident.

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

Grave Reference: Plot 2. Sec. 5. Row 4. Grave 8.

Son of Albert Edward and Alice Mothersele (nee Rogers), of Frimley, Surrey.

Jack Alexander, Munday 1915 - 1943;

Born on the 11th of February 1915. Registered at Farnham, Surrey.

Jack married Ada Miller at St Michael's, Yorktown, Camberley, Surrey, on the 11th of August 1934. Occupation given as Labourer.

Jack and Ada lived at 65 Gordon Road, Camberley, Surrey in 1939.

Enlisted unknown date.

The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey).

Service No: 6083948.

Rank: Private.

Promoted to Lance Corporal, unknown date.

Promoted to Corporal, unknown date.

Jack served with the 2/5th Battalion The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey).

The 2/5th Battalion were a 2nd line Territorial Army battalions serving in the 35th Infantry Brigade of the 12th (Eastern) Infantry Division. They were sent to France in 1940 and were involved in the Battle of Dunkirk where they suffered heavy casualties due to the men having very little training. The division was disbanded shortly after returning to England and the 35th Brigade was later re-designated the 169th Infantry Brigade. The brigade, brought up to strength earlier in the year with large numbers of conscripts, remained with the division in Kent, under command of XII Corps, and, as with most of the rest of the British Army after the evacuation from Dunkirk, either on coastal defense and home service duties or training to repel a German invasion of England which was, at the time, thought highly likely.

The division left the United Kingdom from Liverpool on the 25th of August 1942 and were sent to Iraq where they arrived on the 4th of November and came under command of III Corps alongside the British 5th Infantry Division, part of the British Tenth Army, itself under overall command of Persia and Iraq Command and Middle East Command. On the 19th of March 1943, however, the brigade, the men now very well trained and fit, received orders to depart for Egypt and were relieved by the Polish 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division. The brigade arrived in Egypt, by road, on the 19th of April 1943, and from there was ordered to Tunisia to join X Corps of the British Eighth Army, which was fighting in the Campaign in Tunisia. The campaign in Tunisia ended less than a month later with the surrender of over 230,000 Italian and German soldiers, a number almost equal to that captured at the Battle of Stalingrad the year before, who would become Prisoners of war. Despite playing only a comparatively minor part in the campaign the Queen's Brigade had suffered over 250 casualties, around 10% of the overall strength of the brigade. The 2/5th Queen's had 85 casualties, 15 of them being killed, the rest wounded.

The 56th Division left Libya, where they had remained for nearly the past four months, on the 4th of September and were at sea for the next four days and landed at Salerno, Italy, on the 9th of September 1943, and initially met light opposition but soon met heavy resistance as the Germans tried desperately to repel the Allies' invasion. The Queen's Brigade, together with the rest of 56th Division (minus the 168th Brigade, temporarily replaced by the 201st Guards Brigade), which was still part of British X Corps but now under command of the U.S. Fifth Army under Mark W. Clark, saw heavy and confused fighting over the next few days and mounting casualties occurred.

On the 19th of September, D-Day + 10, when the Salerno crisis had passed, the 169th (Queen's) Infantry Brigade was relieved in the line by the 131st (Queen's) Infantry Brigade, containing the 1st Line parent 1/5th, 1/6th and 1/7th Queen's, which (also part of British X Corps) had recently arrived as part of the famous 7th Armoured Division, the "Desert Rats". This relief by six battalions of the same regiment in two brigades is believed to not only be a unique moment in the history of the Queen's, but in the history of the British Army as a whole. Together with the rest of the division, the brigade advanced up Italy and later crossed the Volturno Line.

On the morning of the 18th of October 1943, the brigade was ordered to secure the village of Calvi Risorta, which was to be aided by bombardment from air support. However, the village was captured before the scheduled bombardment but the message that it had been captured, delivered by a pigeon named G.I. Joe, of the U.S. Army Pigeon Service, managed to arrive in time to avoid the bombing, after having flown 20 miles in 20 minutes. In doing so, he had saved the lives of many soldiers as well as the civilians of the village. Soon afterwards, the brigade crossed the Barbara Line but, with the rest of Allied Armies in Italy, were eventually held up by the formidable Winter Line defences (or Gustav Line).

Killed In Action on the 23rd of October 1943, aged 28.

Buried at Naples War Cemetery, Naples, Italy.

Grave Reference: III. O. 14.

Son of Thomas George and Frances Munday of 63 Gordon Road, Camberley, Surrey; husband of Ada Munday (nee Miller), of Gilesgate, Durham.

J., Munday ? - ?

No Royal Engineers Sergeant with name Munday recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Royal Engineers.

Sergeant.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Thomas Picton, Myles 1912 - 1942;

Born at Chester, Cheshire on the 12th of June 1912.

Educated at Lyon House, Sherbourne School, Sherbourne, Dorset, between January 1926 and April 1930.

Educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, unknown dates.

St Mary's Hospital, M.B., B.Chir. 1936 licence to practice conferred by the Royal College of Physicians.

Commissioned as a Lieutenant (on Probation),Royal Army Medical Corps, on the 1st of September 1937. Published in the London Gazette on the 17th of September 1937. Issue 34436, Page 535.

Posted to India, embarking the Elysia, at Liverpool, on the 4th September 1937.

Promoted to Captain Royal Army Medical Corps, on the 1st of September 1939. The following was published in the London Gazette on the 3rd of September 1939, Issue 34586, Page 58;

"The appt. of Lt. T. P. Myles is antedated to 1st Jan. 1937, under the prov. of Art. 36, Royal Warrant for Pay and Promotion, 1931, but not carry and allces. prior to 1st Jan. 1938.

Lt. T. P. Myles to be Capt. 1st Jan. 1939, with seniority 1st Jan. 1938."

Appointed Acting Major, on the 5th of September 1939.

Accidentally Killed on the 3rd of November 1942, aged 30.

Obituary in 'The Shirburnian' (Sherbourne School), December 1944:

"Thomas Picton Myles was unintentionally shot at Bangalore, whither he had gone after service with the M.E.F. A school friend [Peter Fegan] wrote of him: "He was a 'heart of corn,' if ever there was one. He wrote and told me how grand it was to see Sherborne again and everyone carrying on in spite of everything." An independent thinker of great promise he was modest and unassuming and as kindly as a man could be and blessed with a wonderful sense of humour. He was shot in the chest while passing near some trouble between a sentry and native soldiers. So died a man of outstanding character."

His Housemaster, A.H. Trelawny-Ross, wrote in the Lyon House letter (July 1943):

"Some will remember the week his mother spent here and how they all went out before breakfast to pick primroses for her birthday... His was a most lovable nature and his ability would have carried him far."

Buried at Madras War Cemetery, Chennai, India.

Grave Reference: 1. F. 16.

Remembered on the Sherborne School War Memorial Staircase, Book of Remembrance, and Lyon House war memorial.

Son of Colonel Charles Duncan Myles, O.B.E., and Letitia Francis Myles, of Frimley Green, Surrey.

Norman Harold, Newby 1919 - 1943;

Born on the 9th of June 1919. Registered at Farnham, Surrey. Norman was a twin, his brother Henry only lived for 11 hours and was buried at St. Peter's, Frimley on the 12th of June 1919.

Living at Gordon Road, Frimley Road, Camberley, Surrey.

Occupation given as Carpenter in Army Records.

Enlisted unknown date.

Royal Engineers

Service No: 1875419.

Rank: Sapper.

Posted to Singapore, unknown date.

Norman served with the 41st Fortress Company, Royal Engineers. CWGC record Norman serving with the 31st Fortress Company R.E.

Captured as a Prisoner of War by the Japanese when the Allied forces surrendered at Singapore on the 15th of February 1942.

Sent via overland route to Thailand on the 23rd of March 1943. Norman worked on the Burma - Thailand railway.

Died on the 12th of September 1943, aged 24. Norman died from Malaria.

Buried at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Kanchanaburi, Thailand.

Grave Reference: 4. B. 47.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of Henry Walter and Edith Mary Newby, of 101 Gordon Road, Camberley, Surrey.

Lewis James George, Newell 1922 - 1943;

Born between April and June 1922. Registered at Farnham, Surrey.

Enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, unknown date.

Service No: 1298761.

Rank: Aircraftman 1st Class.

Posted to Egypt, unknown date.

Lewis served with No.106 Maintenance Unit, R.A.F. at El Khanka, Egypt.

Died on the 10th of July 1943, aged 19.

Buried at Heliopolis War Cemetery, Cairo, Egypt.

Grave Reference: 2. H. 25.

Son of George and Lily B Newell (nee Pawsey), and stepson of Lily Newell (nee Smith), of 184, London Road, Camberley, Surrey.

Peter, Newman 1924 - 1945;

Born about 1924. Army Records give a birth place as Norfolk, England.

Enlisted unknown date.

Royal Tank Regiment

Royal Armoured Corps

Service No: 14218456.

Rank: Trooper.

Posted to the Western Europe Campaign, unknown date.

Peter served with the 5th Royal Tank Regiment.

The 5th Royal Tank Regiment saw wide ranging service in World War II and fought in nearly all of the major allied campaigns, from the 1940 retreat from France through to the North African Campaign, Normandy and on into Germany. It became part of the 22nd Armoured Brigade of the 7th Armoured Division.

Died on the 7th of February 1945, aged 21.

Buried at Nederweert War Cemetery, Nederweert, Netherlands.

Grave Reference: III. E. 12.

Son of Thomas Alexander Newman and Ada Marion Newman (nee Cottle), of Park Holme, Frimley Road, Camberley, Surrey.

Edward Christian Frederic, Nicolay D.S.O. 1907 - 1941;

Born on the 15th of February 1907 at Gorakhpur, Bengal, India.

Baptised on the 24th of March 1907 at Gorakhpur, Bengal, India.

Living at New Mile Cottage, Ascot, Berkshire, in the 1911 census. Edward and his mother are living/visiting his maternal Grandmother.

Educated as a Cadet at the Royal Naval College, Osborne House, Isle of Wight from the 15th of September 1920.

Posted to H.M.S. Resolution on the 15th of May 1924. Battleship serving with the Atlantic Fleet.

Promoted to Midshipman on the 15th of January 1925.

Posted to H.M.S. Effingham on the 2nd of July 1925. A Cruiser serving in the East Indies.

Posted to H.M.S. President, Royal Naval College at Greenwich, London for a Promotion Course, on the 28th of April 1927.

Appointed Acting Sub-Lieutenant on the 1st of May 1927.

Posted to H.M.S. Victory, a shore based establishment at Portsmouth, Hampshire, for a Promotion Course in February 1928.

Posted to H.M.S Dolphin, a shore establishment at Fort Blockhouse in Gosport, Hampshire, home of the Royal Navy Submarine School. Edward was on a submarine course from the 10th of September 1928.

Promoted to Sub-Lieutenant on the 13th of September 1928, with Seniority from the 1st of January 1928.

Posted to H.M.S Douglas on the 4th of December 1928. H.M.S Douglas was a submarine flotilla leader in the Mediterranean. Embarked at London on the P&O ship Ranchi on the 21st of December 1928, disembarking at Malta.

Posted to H.M.S. K26 as Navigating Officer, on the 25th of February 1929. H.M.S. K26 was a submarine serving in the Mediterranean.

Promoted to Lieutenant on the 1st of March 1930.

Posted to H.M.S. Centaur, on the 19th of August 1931. H.M.S. Centaur was a cruiser serving with the Atlantic Fleet.

Posted to H.M.S. L16 & H.M.S. L20 for duty with Group "S" submarines in reserve at Portsmouth. Tender to H.M.S. Pigmy, on the 4th of September 1932.

Posted to H.M.S. L22 submarine acting as tender to HMS Dolphin, on the 1st of June 1933.

Edward married Sheila Doris Graham on the 19th of August 1933, at Holy Trinity, Weare Giffard, Devon.

Posted to H.M.S. Medway a submarine depot ship based in the China station, on the 2nd of September 1933. Embarked at London on the P&O ship Comorin on the 15th of September 1933, disembarking at Hong Kong.

Posted as First Lieutenant, H.M.S. Perseus a submarine serving on the China station as tender to H.M.S. Medway, on the 15th of January 1934.

Embarked on the Canadian Pacific ship Duchess of York at Montreal, Canada, on the 26th of July 1935, disembarking at Liverpool, England.

Posted to H.M.S. Dolphin a shore based submarine depot at Gosport, Hampshire, for a training course, on the 2nd of September 1935.

Appointed as Commanding Officer, H.M.S. H33 a submarine tender to H.M.S. Dolphin, on the 14th of December 1935.

Posted to H.M.S. Southampton a cruiser serving with the Home Fleet, on the 15th of December 1936.

Awarded the King George VI Coronation Medal in 1937.

Promoted to Lieutenant-Commander on the 1st of March 1938.

Posted to H.M.S. Iron Duke a training ship at Portsmouth, Hampshire, on the 25th of April 1938.

Appointed as Commanding Officer, HMS Seawolf a submarine tender to H.M.S. Dolphin, on the 6th of January 1939.

Posted to H.M.S. Medway a submarine depot ship serving on the China station, on the 24th of February 1939.

Appointed as Commanding Officer, H.M.S Otus a submarine initially serving on the China station, tender to H.M.S. Medway, on the 14th of June 1936.

With the British declaration of war on the 3rd of September 1939, H.M.S Otus was in Malaya and for the next few weeks conducted exercises of Singapore.

On the 28th of September 1939 H.M.S. Otus departed Singapore for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Sabang, Dutch East Indies (Now Indonesia). This patrol ended on the 20th of October 1939 at Singapore. On the 24th of October departed Singapore for Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).

H.M.S Otus conducted war patrols between November 1939 and April 1940 in the Indian Ocean.

On the 16th of April 1940 departed Colombo, Ceylon for Aden Colony (now Aden, Yemen), and 10 days later departing for Port Said, Egypt. From Egypt H.M.S Otus departed for Malta, arriving on the 7th of May 1940. Here Otus was taken in for a refit until September 1940.

Having had a refit and conducting trials and war exercises, H.M.S.Otus set off for her 8th War Patrol (1st in the Mediterranean) on the 12th of November 1940 and was ordered to patrol off Cape Colonne, Italy. On the 19th of November she was ordered to patrol off the Gulf of Taranto. Returned to Malta on the 25th of November.

Departed Malta for Alexandria, Egypt, on the 29th of November and conducted anti-submarine exercises with H.M.S. Peony from the 14th of December 1940.

On the 21st of December H.M.S Otus departed Alexandria for Gibraltar via Malta, to join the newly formed 8th Submarine Flotilla.

On the 24th of December H.M.S Otus encountered the Italian submarine Luigi Settembrini north of Derna, Libya. Settembrini fired one torpedo which missed Otus. Otus was unable to attack the Italian submarine. Her log recorded;

"0530 hours - In position 33°20'N, 22°43'E sighted an Italian submarine, thought to be of the Mameli-class, right ahead stearing a course of 124° at close range. Otus was steering 299 degrees with a heavy head sea and the moon fine on the port quarter. Both submarines dived. Otus altered course to starboard to 055° and went to 55 feet.

0532 hours - Obtained Asdic contact bearing 135° at a range of 2000 yards.

0545 hours - Heard a loud explosion which seemed some way off. It was thought the enemy might have fired a torpedo. Otus went to periscope depth in the hope the enemy might surface but the enemy was not seen."

On the 29th of December H.M.S. otus conducted a short patrol of the southern Tyrrhenian Sea before proceeding to Gibraltar, arriving there on the 10th of January 1941. From here she was sent on patrol of the Azores, before arriving at Portsmouth, England, on the 12th of February 1941.

On the 6th of March 1941, H.M.S Otus arrived at Dartmouth, Devon, for a training period as most of her crew had been changed. Departed Dartmouth for Gibraltar arriving there on the 19th of March 1941. She had a defective armature on her starboard engine, only her port main engine was operational and after repaird conducted trials until early April 1941.

Appointed as Commanding Officer, H.M.S. Taku, a submarine on the 22nd of April 1941.

H.M.S. Taku departed from Gibraltar for her 11th war patrol on the 26th of April 1941.This is her 1st Mediterranean war patrol. She is to patrol in the Tyrrhenian Sea and to proceed to Alexandria, Egypt afterwards.

On the 4th of May 1941 H.M.S. Taku attacked the Italian merchant ship Goggiam in position 350°Cape Vaticano 6 nautical miles. Two torpedoes were fired but both missed. Her log recorded;

"1234 hours - Sighted a small merchant ship of about 1100 tons bearing 166°, range 6900 yards, speed 9 knots. Commenced attack.

1251 hours - In position 350° Cape Vaticano 6 nautical miles fired two torpedoes from 3000 yards. Both missed. The target altered course away and closed the coast."

On the 6th of May 1941 H.M.S Taku torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Cagliari in the Tyrrhenian Sea off San Lucido, Calabria, Italy in position 39°18'N, 15°59'E.

The ship's log recorded;

"1929 hours - In position 39°18'N, 15°59'E sighted a merchant ship (thought to be Belvedere, 7166 tons, built 1913). Started attack.

1944 hours - Fired three torpedoes. The ship was sunk. "

The 17th of May saw H.M.S. Taku end her 11th War Patrol at Alexandria, Egypt. After resting and restocking the ship, H.M.S. Taku left for her 12th war patrol and 2nd in the Mediterranean on the 1st of June 1941, heading to the Gulf of Sirte.

While on patrol off Az-Zuwaytinah, Libya on the 7th of June 1941 H.M.S. Taku intercepts a small convoy made up of one schooner, one tug towing a lighter and one Anti-Submarine trawler as escort. She attacked with gunfire but after the first round the gun misfired. As the gun continued to misfire she has to abort the attack. The A/S trawler dropped six depth charges but these did no damage. During the night of the 7th-8 June 1941 the folbot (folding boat) party was landed on Gharah Island. The island was found to be uninhabited.

The 8th of June saw H.M.S. Taku land a folbot party at Al Burayqah, Libya. The folbot party made a landing and investigated the old ford. It was found to be ruined and deserted. Then another landing was made but the folbot party was detected and had to leave the beach under a hail of bullets. Fortunately no one was hit. The shore battery at Al Burayqah was bombarded by Taku after the folbot party was recovered. 7 Rounds were fired for one hit and one possible hit.

On the 11th of June 1941, H.M.S. Taku torpedoed and sank the German munitions transport Tilly L.M. Russ at Bengasi, Libya. Several smaller vessels were also sunk or damaged. The ships log recorded;

"2140 hours - In position 1 nautical mile bearing 270° from the Bengazi breakwater light, fires one torpedo against a supply ship in the harbour. The torpedo hit the target and started a large fire. Three minutes later Taku proceeded up the Bengazi swept channel back out to sea."

Italian sources reported the following;

"When the ammunition ship Tilly L.M. Russ blew up 15 men were missing including all her A.A. gunners, the auxiliary schooners Giorgina and Nadia were sunk by the blast and the steamer Ninfea and the schooners Rosina, [also reported as damaged by aircraft on 9 June] and Luigi were set afire, the water tanker Elisa was also damaged."

On the 12th of June 1941, H.M.S. Taku intercepted a convoy and torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Silvio Scaroni in the Gulf of Syrte, 70 nautical miles bearing 283° off Benghazi, Libya in position 32°27'N, 18°42'E. The ships log recorded;

"0435 hours - In position 32°20'N, 18°49'E, HMS Taku sighted a convoy. The convoy is identified as an Italian Orione class torpedo boat, an Italian MAS boat and three merchant ships of 1500, 2600 and 2500 tons respectively.

0503 hours - Two torpedoes were fired against the last ship in line. One of these torpedoes was seen to hit just abaft the foremast. The ship sank.

0505 hours - The torpedo boat was seen heading straight for Taku so Lt.Cdr. Nicolay went deep."

H.M.S. Taku returned to Alexandria, Egypt on the 22nd of July. Here she had various repairs completed including her Asdic dome and was ready for her next war patrol departing on the 8th of July 1941.

On the 13th of July H.M.S. Taku torpedoed and sank the Italian passenger and cargo ship Caldea 10 nautical miles bearing 312 of the Bengazi lighthouse, Libya. Her ship log recorded;

"0956 hours - Taku sighted the target about 7000 yards away. The target was escorted by three A/S trawlers. Taku closed for a torpedo attack.

1014 hours - Fired four torpedoes. The first torpedo missed the target but the remaining three all hit. The ship sank and there was no counter attack on Taku."

On the 15th of July H.M.S. Taku sank the Italian auxiliary minesweeper Vincenzo P. and damaged the tug Nettuno in position 30°41'N, 18°19'E. The ships log recorded;

"1430 hours - An armed tug and a schooner were sighted in position 30°56'N, 17°56'E. Weather conditions were unfavourable for gunnery action. Taku shadowed the ships.

2126 hours - The ships were at anchor close inshore in position 30°41'N, 18°19'E. Taku surfaced to launch a folbot party. The folbot however broke in a wave and the idea of a folbot attack was abandoned. ).

2314 hours - The armed tug was engaged with gunfire from 300 yards. A lighter was sighted laying astern of the tug. The lighter was slipped and drifted ashore. The tug was hit, the crew slipped the anchor cable and beached itself. Taku now shifted fire to the schooner. 12 rounds were fired from 150 yards. The schooner was then boarded. Charts, books, etc. were captured. The schooner was the Vincenzo P. and was loaded with provisions. The schooner was then sunk by gunfire."

In the early morning of the 21st of July, H.M.S. Taku lands a folbot party of 2 off Benghazi. They were to attack a ship in the harbour. Several explosions were observed in the harbour 40 minutes after launching the folbot party. The folbot party did not show up on the rendezvous point. They were obviously captured.

H.M.S. Taku (Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay, RN) ended her 13th war patrol at Alexandria, Egypt on the 28th of July 1941. This was the last patrol on Taku for Lt.Cdr. E.C.F. Nicolay. She is now sent back to the U.K. for a refit due to engine problems.

Appointed as Commanding Officer H.M.S. Perseus, August 1941. For the first couple of weeks in August 1941 H.M.S Perseus conducted exercises off Alexandria, Egypt. On the 20th of August she departed Alexandria, for her 10th War Patrol, 5th in the Mediterranean and 1st under the command of Lieutenant-Commander Edward Nicolay. Oders were to patrol in the Aegean Sea.

On the 25th of August H.M.S Perseus was ordered to patrol in position 36°25'N, 21°19'E to intercept an expected convoy. After a few days she was ordered to patrol the Dardanelles.

On the 5th of September 1941 H.M.S. Perseus torpedoed and damaged the Italian tanker Maya, south of Tenedos Island in position 39°43'N, 25°57'E. Later a second attack was made on the damaged tanker in which a torpedo was fired to finish her off but it missed. The tanker was beyond salvage and was later sunk by her escort.

The ships log recorded;

"0755 hours - Sighted a merchant ships and a tanker to the Southward. Range was about 7 nautical miles. Estimated the enemy's course at 032°. Closed to attack.

0816 hours - The merchant vessel was identified as the Romanian Balcic. One destroyer/torpedo boat was seen to be the escort (this was the Italian torpedo boat Sirio).

0833 hours - Fired four torpedoes at the tanker from 5100 yards. Two explosions were heard thought to be torpedo hits. A counter attack of 4 depth charges followed but none were close.

0936 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Sighted the damaged tanker with a 50 degree list to Port. One torpedo was fired to finish her off but it missed. Now 13 depth charges followed but again none were close.

1037 hours - Returned to periscope depth. No sign of the tanker or of Balcic. The destroyer/torpedo boat was seen making off at high speed."

H.M.S Perseus returned to Alexandria, Egypt on the 9th of September 1941. Departed once again for her next patrol on the 22nd of September 1941 with orders to patrol the Gulf of Sirte. Before proceeding on patrol Anti-Submarine exercises were carried out with H.M.S.A.S. Protea and H.M.S. Kingston Cyanite.

On the 2nd of October 1941 H.M.S. Perseus torpedoed and sank the German merchant Castellon about 50 nautical miles north-west of Benghazi, Libya in position 32°30'N, 19°09'E. Perseus missed the German merchant Savona during the same attack. The ships log recorded;

"0955 hours - Sighted a convoy coming out of the mist at a range of 6000 yards. It comprised two merchant ships and two destroyers/torpedo boats as escort (thesewere the Italian torpedo boats Calliope and Pegaso. Started attack.

1005 hours - Fired three torpedoes at the leading merchant ship from 3500 yards. One hit was obtained.

1007 hours - Fired two torpedoes at the second ship. Two very loud explosions followed.

1011 - 1034 hours - A counter attack of 38 depth charges followed. None however were very close.

1215 hours - Several explosions were heard followed by breaking up noises."

On the 3rd of October 1941 H.M.S. Perseus attacked an escorted merchant vessel with two torpedoes about 50 nautical miles North-West of Benghazi, Libya in position 32°50'N, 19°18'E. No hits were obtained. The ships log recorded;

"0210 hours - Sighted two destroyers/torpedo boats bearing 225°, range 4.5 nautical miles. Enemy course was 330°. Shortly afterwards a merchant vessel of 5000 to 6000 tons was seen astern of the escorts. Closed to attack.

0239 hours - Fired two torpedoes from 5000 yards. Both torpedoes missed. Did not set off in pursuit as the ship was bound for Italy and most likely in ballast."

According to Italian reports the targets were actually two merchant ships Capo Faro and Iseo escorted by the torpedo boat Pegaso. They had sailed from Benghazi and were on their way to Brindisi. Capo Faro observed a torpedo track at 0255/3, the position is not given but given the distance from Benghazi, she was with little doubt the target.

In the early morning hours of the 4th of October 1941 H.M.S. Perseus tried to attack a convoy two schooners and one tug towing a lighter near position 31°03'N, 17°30'E. She was spotted by the escorting destroyer/torpedo boat. At 0445 hours Perseus was forced to dive and subsequently depth charged causing some minor damage.

H.M.S Perseus ended her 11th War Patrol at Malta on the 8th of October 1941. Departed Malta on the 15th of November with orders to intercept an important enemy convoy to North Africa. She returned to Malta on the 18th of November with defective hydroplanes.

On the 26th of November 1941 H.M.S. Perseus departed Malta for her 13th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Benghazi, Libya. Upon completion of this patrol she was to proceed to Alexandria. On the 27th of November she was ordered by signal to patrol off the West coast of Greece instead of Benghazi, Libya.

Awarded to be a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) on the 28th of November 1941. Published in the London Gazette on the 2nd of December 1941. Supplement 35365, Page 6891.

On the 4th of December 1941 H.M.S. Perseus torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Eridano 6 nautical miles bearing 280 from Cape Dukato, Lefkada island, Greece. The Eridano was unescorted and was on passage from Corfu to Patras.

Killed In Action on the 6th of December 1941, aged 34.

H.M.S. Perseus was on the surface recharging her batteries under the cover of darkness when at about 10.pm she struck an Italian mine on the starboard side forward and sunk 7 nautical miles north of Zante (Zakinthos) island, west coast of Greece in the Ionian Sea in position 37º54'N, 20º54'E. One man out of the 61 on board survived, 31-year-old Leading Stoker John Capes, one of two non-crew members hitching a lift to Alexandria. He and three others escaped from the submarine using the Twill Trunk escape hatch in the engine room and wearing Davis Submerged Escape Apparatus. However, only he survived the journey to the surface and the five mile swim to the island of Cephalonia, where he was hidden by islanders for 18 months before being smuggled in a caïque to Smyrna in Turkey He was subsequently awarded a British Empire Medal.

Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Portsmouth, Hampshire.

Panel Reference: Panel 45, Column 1.

Remembered on the H.M.S. Perseus Memorial, Poros, Kefalonia, Greece.

Remembered on a Memorial at Northam Cemetery, Devon.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of Colonel Bernard Underwood Nicolay, C.B. (1873-1960), and Alice Gertrude Nicolay (nee Braddon) (1879-1962), of The Cobbles, Windlesham, Surrey, later of Birch Croft, Chobham Road, Camberley, Surrey. Husband of Sheila Doris Nicolay (nee Graham) of The Hill, Weare Giffard, Devon.

Evelyn Arundell Medows, Norie D.S.O. 1908 - 1944;

Born in April 1908. Registered at Guildford, Surrey.

Baptised at St. Paul's, Woking, Surrey, on the 28th of April 1908.

Living at Guadaloupe Barracks. Bordon, Hampshire in the 1911 census. Evelyn's father is serving as Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment.

Educated at Laundimer House, Oundle School, in September 1921. He became Head of House whilst at school, leaving in April 1927.

Educated at New College, Oxford University. Evelyn studied History and rowed for the University. Enlisted into the University Officer Training Corps. Evelyn became a 2nd Lieutenant on the General List with the Territorial Army.

Granted a Commission in Class A.A. (ii) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, as a Pilot Officer on Probation, 15th of April 1929. Published in the London Gazette on the 3rd of May 1929, Issue 33491, Page 2928.

Confirmed in rank as Pilot Officer, Reserve of Air Force Officers, on the 15th of April 1930. Published in the London Gazette on the 15th of April 1930, Issue 33597, Page 2424.

Promoted to the rank of Flying Officer, on the 15th of October 1930. Published in the London Gazette on the 25th of November 1930, Issue 33664, Page 7504.

Awarded a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History, from Oxford University.

Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant East Yorkshire Regiment on the 11th of November 1931 with seniority from the 30th of January 1930. Published in the London Gazette on the 10th of November 1931, Issue 33770, Page 7245.

Relinquishes Commission in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, on appointment to a Commission in the Regular Army, on the 11th of November 1931. Published in the London Gazette on the 1st of March 1932. Issue 33804, Page 1423.

Promoted to Lieutenant East Yorkshire Regiment, on the 30th of January 1933. Published in the London Gazette on the 31st of January 1933, Issue 33907, Page 673.

Appointed as Adjutant East Yorkshire Regiment on the 6th of April 1935. Published in the London Gazette on the 24th of May 1935, Issue 34163, Page 3373.

Promoted to Captain and Posted to the King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster), on the 18th of October 1937. Published in the London Gazette on the 31st of December 1937, Issue 34468, Page 8189.

Seconded as General Staff Officer Grade 3 (G.S.O III) at the Headquarters of the British Military Mission to the Egyptian Army, on the 18th of June 1938. Published in the London Gazette on the 24th of June 1938, Issue 34525, Page 4078.

Promoted to Major, unknown date.

Service No: 52027.

Appointed Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel, unknown date.

Appointed as Commanding Officer and attached to the 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment, unknown date.

The 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment landed on Gold Beach during the D-Day landings in Normandy, France, on the 6th of June 1944.

Killed In Action on the 24th of June 1944. aged 37.

Awarded the Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) August 1944. Published in the London Gazette on the 31st of August 1944, Supplement 36679, Page 4044.

Buried at Bayeux War Cemetery, Bayeux, Normandy, France.

Grave Reference: II. C. 21.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Evelyn's father is also remembered on the Camberley War Memorial. He died in August 1915. See Surnames M-O in the First World War Section of this website.

Son of Colonel Evelyn William Medows Norie and Violet Harriet Arundel Norie (nee Arundel, now Mrs. Wynch, of Pine Hill, Castle Road, Camberley, Surrey; husband of Claude Norie (nee Elles), of Oak Apples, Park Road, Camberley, Surrey.

Patrick Charles, O'Rourke 1909 - 1941;

Born on the 1st of October 1909 at Battersea, London.

Living at Rosemary Lane, Blackwater, Hampshire, in the 1911 census.

Occupation given on enlistment as Labourer.

Enlisted on the 22nd of April 1926, aged 16.

Royal Navy

Service No: P/JX 126715.

Rank: Boy 2nd Class

Posted to H.M.S. Ganges, a boys shore based training establishment at Shotley, Suffolk

Promoted to Boy 1st Class on the 5th of December 1926.

Posted to H.M.S. Marlborough, a battleship in the Atlantic Fleet used for training, on the 18th of February 1927.

Promoted to Ordinary Seaman on the 1st of October 1927. Patrick's 18th birthday saw him fully enlisted for 12 years service.

Posted to H.M.S. Revenge, a battleship serving with the Atlantic, on the 9th of December 1927.

Posted to H.M.S. Nelson battleship and flagship of the Home Fleet, on the 3rd of January 1928.

Posted to H.M.S. Torrid a destroyer with the 1st Anti Submarine Flotilla, based at H.M.S Osprey, an anti-submarine training establishment on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, on the 30th of August 1928.

Posted to H.M.S. Torrid, with accounting purposes via H.M.S. Egmont II, based at Malta, on the 16th of October 1928.

Promoted to Able Seaman, unknown date.

Patrick married Lily Phyllis Nellthorpe between July and September 1936. Registered at Portsmouth, Hampshire.

Promoted to Leading Seaman, unknown date.

Posted to H.M.S. Hood, unknown date. (Some military websites declare before 1940).

Killed In Action on the 24th of May 1941, aged 31.

H.M.S. Hood along with H.M.S Prince of Wales was in pursuit of the German ships Bismarck and Prinz Eugen, both of which were attempting to break out into the North Atlantic to attack Allied merchant shipping (Operation Rheinübung). At 05:35, lookouts on Prince of Wales spotted the German ships 17 miles (15 nautical miles) away. The Germans, already alerted to the British presence through their hydro-phonic equipment, picked up the smoke and masts of the British ships 10 minutes later.

Hood opened fire at 05:52 at a distance of approximately 26,500 yd. Vice-Admiral Holland had ordered firing on the leading ship, Prinz Eugen, believing from her position that she was Bismarck. Holland soon amended his order and directed both ships to engage the rear ship, Bismarck. Prince of Wales had already correctly identified and targeted Bismarck, whereas Hood is believed to have continued to fire at Prinz Eugen for some time. The Germans held their fire until 05:55, when both German ships targeted Hood. A shell hit Hood's boat deck, starting a sizable fire in the ready-use 4 in (100 mm) ammunition stored there, but this fire did not spread to other areas of the ship or cause the later explosion. Although unconfirmed, it is possible that Hood was struck again at the base of her bridge and in her foretop radar director. At 06:00, Holland ordered his force to turn once again to port to ensure that the aft main guns on both Hood and Prince of Wales could bear on the German ships. During the execution of that turn, a salvo from Bismarck, fired at a range of about 9 mi (7.8 nmi; 14 km), was seen by men aboard Prince of Wales to straddle Hood abreast her mainmast. It is likely that one 15 inch shell struck somewhere between Hood's mainmast and "X" turret aft of the mast.

This was immediately followed by a huge pillar of flame that shot upward 'like a giant blowtorch,' in the vicinity of the mainmast. There followed an explosion that destroyed a large portion of the ship from amidships clear to the rear of "Y" turret, blowing both after turrets into the sea. The ship broke in two; the stern falling away and sinking. Ted Briggs, one of the survivors, claimed Hood heeled to 30 degrees at which point 'we knew she just wasn't coming back.' The bow was raised clear of water, pointed upward and pivoting about, and followed the stern in sinking shortly thereafter. "A" turret did manage to fire one last salvo while in this upright position, possibly from the doomed gun crew, just before the bow section sank. Splinters rained down on Prince of Wales 0.5 miles (0.43 nmi) away. Hood sank in about three minutes, taking 1,415 men, including Vice-Admiral Holland, with her. Only three of her crew (Ted Briggs, Bob Tilburn and Bill Dundas), survived to be rescued two hours later by the destroyer H.M.S. Electra.

The British Admiralty later concluded that the most likely explanation for the loss of Hood was a penetration of her magazines by a single 38 cm (15 in) shell from Bismarck, causing the subsequent catastrophic explosion. Recent research by submersible craft suggests that the initial explosion was in the aft 4 in (100 mm) magazine and that it spread to the 15 in (380 mm) magazines via the ammunition trunks. The British public were shocked that their most emblematic warship and more than 1,400 of her crew had been destroyed so suddenly. The Admiralty mobilised every available warship in the Atlantic to hunt down and destroy Bismarck. The Royal Navy forces pursued and brought Bismarck to battle with the German battleship sunk on the morning of the 27th May 1941.

Remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Portsmouth, Hampshire.

Panel Reference: Panel 46, Column 3.

Remembered at the Hood Chapel, St. John the Baptist, Boldre, Hampshire.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of William Andrew and Bridget O'Rourke of Rosemary Lane, Blackwater, Hampshire; husband of Lily Phyllis O'Rourke (nee Nellthorpe), of Cosham, Hampshire.

Hubert Gerald, Orr D.S.O 1910 - 1944;

Born in India.

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

Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, Unattached List, Indian Army, on the 30th of January 1930. Published in the London Gazette on the 31st of January, Issue 33575, Page 652.

Posted to the Durham Light Infantry Regiment, unknown date.

Hubert married Helen Mary Buckley at St. Peter's, Frimley, Surrey, on the 1st of July 1933.

Promoted to Lieutenant Durham Light Infantry, on the 29th of January 1934. Published in the London Gazette on the 9th of February 1934. Issue 34022, Page 905.

Seconded for service on the Staff, on the 29th of January 1936. Published in the London Gazette on the 28th of January 1936. Issue 34250, Page 604.

Appointed as Aide-de-Camp to the General Officer Commanding-In-Chief on the 1st of July 1936. Published in the London Gazette on the 4th of September 1936. Issue 34320, Page 5725.

Promoted to Captain Durham Light Infantry, on the 1st of August 1938. Published in the London Gazette on the 5th of August 1938. Supplement 34538, Page 5033.

Appointed as Staff Captain on the 28th of July 1939. Published in the London Gazette on the 12th of December 1939. Supplement 34753, Page 8305.

Promoted to Major, unknown date.

Appointed as (Temporary) Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel, unknown date.

Appointed as Commanding Officer 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment, unknown date.

On the 14th of June 1944, the 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment landed in Normandy, eight days after D-Day . They spent several weeks attempting to break out of the bridgehead in the vicinity of Caen as part of Operation Goodwood and Operation Bluecoat. On the 5th of August they were nearly surrounded by enemy forces on Bas Perier Ridge and suffered heavy casualties and were reduced to half strength, forcing them to temporarily amalgamate with the 1st Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment of the 185th Brigade , of 3rd Division , which was temporarily attached to the 11th Armoured. Reinforced, the battalion advanced after the retreating German forces, passing through Belgium and taking part in the liberation of Antwerp in early September 1944.

In September 1944 Airborne forces were dropped at Arnhem and Nijmegen in the Netherlands with the Guards Armoured Division leading the ground element to join them. The 11th Armoured Division including the 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment role was to protect the right flank of this drive as far as the Maas River.

Killed In Action on the 25th of September 1944, aged 34.

On the 25th of September the 3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment had just liberated St. Anthonis in the southern Netherlands, when Lieutenant-Colonel Orr was killed, together with the Commanding Officer of the 3rd Royal Tanks. They were standing at a cross roads with the Brigadier and were fired on by German armoured vehicles which suddenly careered through the village.

Buried at Overloon War Cemetery, Overloon, Netherlands.

Grave Reference: III. E. 14.

Awarded the Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) for distinguished service in Northern Europe. Published in the London Gazette on the 19th of October 1944. Supplement 36753, Page 4785.

Remembered on the Camberley War Memorial.

Son of Lt.-Col. Gerald M. Orr and of Evelyn Orr (nee Leir) of Hagley, Tekels Avenue, Camberley, Surrey; husband of Helen Mary Orr (nee Buckley), of Crawley Lodge, Crawley Ridge, Camberley, Surrey.

Lest We Forget

Lee Thomas October 2020