FLITWICK - Roll of Honour

ABBOTT

Arthur Charles

Corporal 412547. 13th Bn., Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regt.). Died Monday 4 September 1916. Age 34. Son of John and Sarah Abbott, of Flitwick, Beds; husband of Edith A. Shepard (formerly Abbott), of Wellington, Ontario. Buried: SERRE ROAD CEMETERY No. 2, Somme, France. Ref. VI. K. 14. Note from www.archives.ca/02/02010602_e.html (the Canadian Attestation Papers web site). Arthur Charles Abbott was born 22 May 1889 in Bedfordshire. He lived at Picton, Ontario where he was a farmer. His next of kin was given as Mrs Edith Abbott. Further personal information is available for the web site.

BRIGGS

Eric William

Corporal 61700. 102nd siege Bty., Royal Garrison Artillery. Killed in action Wednesday 26 December 1917. Age 24. Born Walkworth, Northumberland. Lived Ampthill. Enlisted Cheltenham. Son of Alfred Edward and Sarah Briggs, of May Villa, Flitwick, Bedford. Born at Warkworth, Northumberland. Buried: HONNECHY BRITISH CEMETERY, Nord, France. Ref. II. D. 19.

BRIGGS

Cyril Edward

Private G/4037. 8th Bn., The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died of wounds Monday 14 February 1916. Age 27. Son of Alfred Edward and Sarah Briggs, of "May Villa," Flitwick, Ampthill, Beds. Born at Warkworth, Northumberland. Lived and enlisted Flitwick. Buried: LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Ref. II. D. 45

CRANFIELD

George William

Private 20373. 8th Bn., Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Friday 22 September 1916. Born Papworth St Agnes, Cambs. Lived Flitwick. Enlisted Ampthill. Commemorated: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Ref. Pier and Face 2 C

CUNNINGHAM

Charles Wilfred

Acting Lance Corporal 522349. (Corporal on memorial). 486th Field Coy., Royal Engineers. Killed in action Tuesday 27 March 1917. Age 21. Lived Flitwick. Enlisted Luton. Son of Charles and Elizabeth Cunningham, of The Ridgway, Flitwick, Beds. Commemorated: JERUSALEM MEMORIAL, Israel. Ref. Panel 9

DIX

William

DILLINGHAM

J

Corporal 4937, 49th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, Swingate Down, Dover. Accidentally killed when struck by propellor of Martinsyde biplane, died Tuesday 1 August 1916. Buried in the North-West part of FLITWICK CHURCH BURIAL GROUND, Bedfordshire.

DILLINGHAM

Richard

Private 42041. 7th Bn., Lincolnshire Regiment. Died Sunday 25 November 1917. Formerly 35374 R.F.C. Born Derby. Lived Flitwick. Enlisted South Farnborough, Hants. Commemorated: TYNE COT MEMORIAL, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 35 to 37 and 162 to 162A

GILLETT

Arthur

Private 19477. 7th Bn., Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Tuesday 26 September 1916. Age 32. Born Houghton Conquest. Lived Flitwick. Enlisted Bedford. Husband of Jessie Louisa Gillett, of Chapel Rd., Flitwick, Bedford. Commemorated: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 2 C

GULLIVER

William

Private 7951. "A" Coy. 1st Bn., Bedfordshire Regiment. Died of wounds Friday 30 October 1914. Age 28. Born Flitwick. Lived Kempston. Enlisted Ampthill. Son of Joseph and Mary Gulliver, of East End, Flitwick; husband of Mary Emmeline Gulliver, of 7, Church Walk, Kempston, Beds. Buried: BETHUNE TOWN CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Ref. III. A. 18.

HOLDER

Sidney Silas

Able Seaman R/3913. Nelson Bn. R.N. Div., Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Died Monday 31 December 1917. Age 28. Div. Son of Samuel and Eliza Holder, of Boreham Wood, Herts; husband of Clara Beatrice Holder, of 9, Chapel Rd., Flitwick, Bedford. Buried: FLESQUIERES HILL BRITISH CEMETERY, Nord, France. Ref. V. C. 14

LINE

Joseph E

Private 9423. 2nd Bn., Bedfordshire Regiment. Died of wounds at home Saturday 14 November 1914. Age 27. Son of Daniel Line, of East End, Flitwick. Born and lived Flitwick. Enlisted Bedford. Buried: FLITWICK CHURCH BURIAL GROUND, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom. In the North-West part

LINE

Charles

Private 32996. 7th Bn., Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Wednesday 15 August 1917. Born Flitwick. Lived Darlington, Co. Durham. Enlisted Ampthill. Commemorated: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 31 and 33

MARTIN

William

Serjeant 8484. 2nd Bn., Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Thursday 11 March 1915. Born Flitwick. Lived Ampthill. Enlisted Bedford. Place of death for Sgt Martin given in Flitwick Churchyard on parent's monument. "In loving memory of James Martin who died December 6th 1901 aged 42 years. Also Sarah, his beloved wife, who died March 9th 1903 aged 35 years Also their sons Thomas, who died March 5th 1910 aged 17 years And William, sergeant in the 2nd Battn. Beds. Regt., who was killed in action at Neuve Chapelle March 11th 1915 aged 27 years I have fought a good fight." Commemorated: LE TOURET MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 10 and 11

MITCHELL

Augustus James

Able Seaman J/3087. H.M.S. "Cressy.", Royal Navy. Died Tuesday 22 September 1914. Age 23. Son of J. and K. Mitchell, of Ampthill Rd., Flitwick, Beds. Native of Luton, Beds. Commemorated: CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent, United Kingdom. Ref. 2.

Special note: In the early hours of the morning of 22 September 1914, HMS Cressy along with HMS Aboukir & HMS Hogue were sunk by torpedoes from a U-boat under the command of Otto Weddigen, in the North Sea.

NORRIS

Arthur Frederick Owen

Serjeant 25675. 4th Bn., Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Tuesday 30 October 1917. Age 24. Son of David and Kate Norris, of Flitwick Lodge, Flitwick, Beds. Born Haynes. Lived Boreham Wood, Herts. Enlisted Bedford. Commemorated: TYNE COT MEMORIAL, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 48 to 50 and 162A

PALMER

Frank Haddow

[Signaller] Private 20310. 2nd Bn., Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Thursday 28 March 1918. Born Hatfield, Herts. Lived Flitwick. Enlisted Ampthill. Buried: BOUCHOIR NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, Somme, France. Ref. I. D. 115.

PEDDAR

Charles Edward

[PEDDER on CWGC] Private 41776 1st Bn., South Staffordshire Regiment. Killed in action Saturday 15 June 1918. Born Westoning. Lived Flitwick. Enlisted Luton. Buried: BOSCON BRITISH CEMETERY, Italy. Ref. Plot I. Row A. Grave 6.

PEDDAR

William

Private 22970. 4th Bn., Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Sunday 29 April 1917. Born Bedford. Lived Flitwick. Enlisted Ampthill. Commemorated: ARRAS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 5

SHARP

Frederick James

Pioneer 137948. 237th Field Coy., Royal Engineers. Died Saturday 19 February 1916. Born Bedford. Lived Flitwick. Enlisted Reading, Berks. Buried: FLITWICK CHURCH BURIAL GROUND, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom. In the North-West part

SHOTBOLT

R

Boy 1st Class J/43452. H.M.S. "Gibraltar.", Royal Navy. Died Monday 13 March 1916. Buried: VOE OLD CHURCHYARD, Zetland (Shetland), United Kingdom

SHOULER

Edward James Battams

Lieutenant. H.M.S. "Viking.", Royal Navy. Died Saturday 29 January 1916. Age 29. Son of John Brown Shouler and Isabel Mary Shouler, of Flitwick, Beds. Native of Melton Mowbray. Commemorated: PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire, United Kingdom. Ref. 11.

SMITH

Herbert Victor

Private 17938. "D" Coy 2nd Bn., Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Saturday 25 September 1915. Age 18. Born Luton. Lived Flitwick. Enlisted Bedford. Son of Arthur and the late Rebecca Smith. Commemorated: LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 41

STRINGER

Sidney John

Private 3/6861. 2nd Bn., Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Saturday 31 October 1914. Age 21. Born and lived Flitwick. Enlisted Bedford. Son of Alfred and Margaret Stringer, of Water End, Flitwick, Ampthill, Beds. Commemorated: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 31 and 33

VIRGIN

Frederick

Private 3/7818. 2nd Bn., Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Tuesday 11 July 1916. Age 32. Born and lived Flitwick. Enlisted Bedford. Son of Naomi Virgin, of Church End, Flitwick, Bedford, and the late John Virgin. Commemorated: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 2 C. On monument in churchyard extension in Flitwick there is additional information given "And of Frederick 2nd Beds Regiment killed July 11 1916 in Trones Wood France aged 30 years". (Additional info supplied by Helen Butler).

WESTON

Henry George

Lance Corporal 26121. 9th Bn., The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. Formerly 25898 Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Saturday 26 August 1916. Born and lived Flitwick. Enlisted Luton. Commemorated: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier and Face 11 A

WHITTINGTON, MM

William

Corporal 43528. 11th Bn., Suffolk Regiment. Died of wounds Monday 30 April 1917. Age 22. Born Flitwick. Enlisted Luton. Son of James and Charlotte Whittington, of Church Hill, Flitwick, Beds. Awarded the Military Medal (MM). Formerly 25587 Bedfordshire Regiment. Buried: AUBIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Pas de Calais, France. Ref. II. J. 48.

WOODCRAFT

Albert T

Private 2928. 5th Bn., Bedfordshire Regiment. Died of wounds Tuesday 17 August 1915. Age 21. Born and enlisted Ampthill. Lived Flitwick. Son of Walter and Alice Woodcraft, of The Ridgway, Flitwick, Beds. Commemorated: HELLES MEMORIAL, Turkey. Panel 54 and 218

WOOD

John Thomas

Private 44306. 11th Bn., Essex Regiment. Formerly 44444 Bedfordshire Regiment. Died of wounds Monday 23 September 1918. Born Canning Town, Essex. Lived Flitwick. Enlisted Bedford. Buried: HEATH CEMETERY, HARBONNIERES, Somme, France. Ref. IX. C. 17.

BAGNALL

Maurice William

Gunner 948369. Royal Artillery. Died Monday 29 April 1940. Age 21. Son of Charles Birch Bagnall and Lizzie Bagnall, of Flitwick. Buried: FLITWICK CHURCH BURIAL GROUND, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom. Ref. Grave 6.

BOTTOMS

William George Herbert

Driver T/7960178. Royal Army Service Corps. Died Saturday 29 September 1945. Age 38. Son of Herbert and Mary Jane Bottoms; husband of Elsie Winifred Bottoms, of Flitwick, Bedfordshire. Commemorated: BROOKWOOD MEMORIAL, Surrey, United Kingdom. Panel 16. Column 2.

CAVES

Bernard James

Private 5950645. 1/7th Bn., The Queen's Royal Regt (West Surrey). Died Saturday 30 January 1943. Age 23. Son of Frederick Charles and Sarah Caves, of Flitwick, Bedfordshire. Commemorated: ALAMEIN MEMORIAL, Egypt. Column 54.

CHARLTON

John

CLAYTON

Albert E

No further information available at present

COUSINS

James Edward

Private 5952618. 5th Bn., Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regt. Died Saturday 11 August 1945. Age 25. Son of Mrs. E. Dix, of Flitwick, Bedfordshire. Buried: JAKARTA WAR CEMETERY, Indonesia. Ref. 2. B. 5.

IZZARD

Cecil William

Private 5949582. 5th Bn., Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regt. Drowned when the prison ship Kachidoki Maru was torpdoed and sunk by USS Pampanito Tuesday 12 September 1944. Age 22. Son of Frederick William Izzard, and of Annie Lily Izzard, of Flitwick, Bedfordshire; brother of John below. Commemorated: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL, Singapore. Column 63

IZZARD

John Henry

Able Seaman P/JX 327941. H.M.S. Egret, Royal Navy. Died Friday 27 August 1943. Son of Frederick William and Annie Lily Izzard, of Flitwick, Bedfordshire; brother of Cecil above. Commemorated: PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire, United Kingdom. Panel 75, Column 1.

Special Note: HMS Egret was and Egret Class Sloop (L/75/U75) buit by J. S. White & Co. (Cowes) and launched 31 May 1938. She was the first ship to be sunk by a radio controlled rocket propelled glide bomb, when she was in the Bay of Biscay. She was attacked by a squadron of Dornier aircraft, one of which carried and launched the Henschel HS-293A guided bomb, HMS Egret was cut in half and sunk within 14 seconds taking her full complement of 194 sailors with her.

23 Aug, 1943
On the 23 August 1943 the 40th Escort Group (Cdr. Dallison), consiting of the sloops HMS Landguard, HMS Bideford, HMS Hastings and the frigates HMS Exe, HMS Moyola and HMS Waveney were deployed on a u-boat hunt off Cape Ortegal. The whole operation was covered by the British light cruiser HMS Bermuda.

On the 25 August the Canadian 5th Support Group (Cdr. Tweed), consiting of the British frigates HMS Nene, HMS Tweed and the Canadian corvettes HMCS Calgary, HMCS Edmundston and HMCS Snowberry were deployed to relieve the 40th Escort Group. While this was in progress the ships were attacked at 1415 hours by 14 Dornier DO-217's and 7 JU-88's. with the new German weapon, the Henschel Glider Bombs, (the "HS293 A-1"). Designed by the German Professor Herbert Wagner. HMS Landguard and HMS Bideford were the first of the Allied and R.N. ships to be attacked and damaged by them. This being the first time of their being brought into action against Allied ships. Several sailors were injured on HMS Bideford and one sailor was killed.

Another two days later on the 27 August 1943 the Canadian 5th Support group was relieved by the 1st Support group (Cdr. Brewer) consisting of the sloops HMS Pelican, HMS Egret and the frigates HMS Jed, HMS Rother, HMS Spey and HMS Evenlode. Also the covering cruiser HMS Bermuda was relieved by the Canadian destroyer HMCS Athabaskan and the British destroyer HMS Grenville. These ships were also attacked by the Germans. This time with 18 Dornier DO-217’s also carring Henschel Glider Bombs. HMCS Athabaskan was heavily damaged and HMS Egret was sunk with the loss of 194 of her crew. After this loss the U-boat hunt was called off.

LATHAM

William

No further information available at present.

LLOYD

Roland J

No further information available at present

MITCHELL

Albert Henry

Gunner 11414233. 49 Lt. A.A. Regt., Royal Artillery. Died Friday 23 April 1943. Age 22. Son of Ernest and Mabel Matilda Mitchell, of Flitwick, Bedfordshire. Buried: MEDJEZ-EL-BAB WAR CEMETERY, Tunisia. Ref. 1. E. 10.

SMITH

Eric Arthur

Leading Telegraphist P/J 93246. H.M.S. Hood, Royal Navy. Died Tuesday 30 November 1943. Age 40. Son of Arthur and Rebecca Smith, of Flitwick. Buried: FLITWICK CHURCH BURIAL GROUND, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom. Grave 1.

STRINGER

Maurice Arthur

Private 5951184. 1st Bn. The Hertfordshire Regt., Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regt. Died Thursday 24 April 1941. Age 22. Son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Canwell, of Flitwick, Bedfordshire. Commemorated: ATHENS MEMORIAL, Greece, Face 5.

SUMMERFIELD

Samuel Kenneth

Aircraftman 2nd Class 1219208. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died Thursday 7 September 1944. Age 31. Son of Charles and Alice Summerfield, of Maulden; husband of Doris May Summerfield, of Flitwick. North Border. Buried: MAULDEN (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom. Row 7. Grave 4.

1219208 AIRCRAFTMAN 2^nd Cl.
S.K. SUMMERFIELD
ROYAL AIR FORCE
7 SEPTEMBER 1944 AGE 31
"THY WILL BE DONE"

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