Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence

Lest We Forget
British Legion
The Royal British Legion

CAMBRIDGE, CIVILIAN DEATHS WORLD WAR 2

World War 2 - Rolls of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Martin Edwards 2025

Through various reasons there were several civilian deaths during World War 2. The detail below is intended to list those who died listed in date order with some groupings.

Attacks on Cambridge World War 2

April 1940
11 HE bombs aimed at Cambridge but fell in sugar beet fields
18th/19th June 1940
Vicarage Terrace 9 killed 3 injured. Amongst the first British civilian casualties of the war
August 1940
8 HE bombs including Fenners, no injuries
28th August 1940
8 HE bombs Leys Avenue, Shaftsbury Avenue
15th October 1940
1 bomb in Barrow Road, 1 casualty
16th January 1941
200 incendiary bombs on Hyde Park Corner and city Perse school badly damaged. Hydrants frozen with snow
30th January 1941
Mill Road bridge 2 killed, ten injured
15th February 1941
341/ 343 Cherry Hinton Road – fronts blown off
24th February 1941
 A major three phased special operation on military activity at the rail station. 11 killed including wardens and fire watchers
9th May 1941
 Hundreds of incendiaries between Hills Road and Trumpington Road. 50 houses had direct hits but most fires were quickly put out
29th August 1941
10 HE bombs 2 killed 7 injured
29th September 1941
Incendiaries hit Huntingdon Road damaging telephone wires and public services
8th September 1941
 Incendiaries fell into Morley Memorial playground
Ten month gap in the raids
28th July 1942
11 HE Bridge Street and Sidney Street, explosive incendiaries 3 killed and 7 injured
3rd January 1945
The Commencement of the meeting was delayed by the passage of a Flying Bomb. Mr Cann reported damage to the ceiling of his troop room believed to be due to an explosion following an aeroplane crash

CIVILIAN CASUALTIES 1939-1945

18th/19th June 1940 - Vicarage Terrace 9 killed 3 injured. Amongst the first British civilian casualties of the war
BERESFORD Alice Violet
Aged 31. Died at 5 Vicarage Terrace 19 June 1940. Resident of 5 Vicarage Terrace. Wife of Thomas Arthur Cormode Beresford.
BERESFORD Michael Thomas
Aged 2. Died at 5 Vicarage Terrace 19 June 1940. Resident of 5 Vicarage Terrace. Son of Thomas Arthur Cormode Beresford and Alice Violet Beresford.
BERESFORD Thomas Arthur Cormode
Aged 33. Died at 5 Vicarage Terrace. 19 June 1940. Resident of 5 Vicarage Terrace. Son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Beresford, of 17 Roper Terrace, Salterbeck, Workington, Cumberland; husband of Alice Violet Beresford.
   

Extract from Cambridge Daily News in 1940:

LOCAL FUNERAL
MR. AND MRS. AND BABY BERESFORD

In the presence of a large and sympathetic congregation, the funeral of Mr. Thomas Arthur Cormode Beresford, aged 33, his wife. Alice Violet, aged 31, and their baby son, Michael Arthur aged 2 years took place on Monday morning. The Rev. A. B. Johnston (vicar), assisted by the Rev. E. C. Essex (Rural Dean), conducted the service in St. Matthew’s Church, the lesson being read by the Mayor (Councillor W. J. Wing). The interment followed at Borough Cemetery.

The immediate mourners were: — Mrs. E. Thomas, Mrs. W. Matthews, Messrs. W. Herbert, Jack, Harold, Ted, Bert and Reg Rayment (sisters and brothers of Mrs. Beresford), Mrs. E. Gowan, Mrs. Murphy, Messrs. H. and J. Beresford (sisters and brothers of Mr. Beresford), Mr. Lewis Rayment, Mesdames. J., B., N., H., G., L., and Ethel Rayment (sisters-in-law), Mr. W. Rayment (brother-in-law), Miss Violet Rayment (niece). Mr. Summerfield, Mrs. Beckett and daughter (friends).

Among others present were the Mayoress (Mrs. W. J. Wing), Mr. Cousins (churchwarden), and Mr. J. Bennett (representing the Engineering Staff, Ouse Catchment Board).

Beautiful floral tributes were sent by the following; Mr. and Mrs. Beresford, Cumberland; Emma, Gwen and David; Ted and Glad; Ethel, Lewis and Peggy; Brothers and Sisters at home, Cumberland; Herbert, Beat and Family; Brother Jack, Nellie and Children; Brother Bert, Wife and Children; Lizzie, Joe and Family; Brother Emm, Baby Patricia and Mary; Aggie and family; Sister Beat, Will and Children; Fred, Dot, Pam and John; Betty, Peter and Valerie; Brothers, Bill, Harold. Ivy and Hilda; Bedmakers and Helps, Trinity College; Neighbours and friends; Staff of the L.C.C. Schools, St. Peters and St. James; Mr. and Mrs. Summerfield and Tony; Friends and Customers. The Five Bells; Barbara and Maurice Summerfield; all at 30, Stourbridge Grove; M. and Mrs. Pink; Mrs. Asplin and Family: Tony Summerfield; Mrs. Furness; Mrs. Knight and Len; Mr. and Mrs. Warrington; The Hall Waiters and Buttery Staff, King's College; Mr. and Mrs. Day and Family; Eddie, Len and Little Ann; The Ouse Drain-age Catchment Board; Billy Pitt; Mr. and Mrs. Cornell; The Brunswick Nursing Home; Lily, Phyllis, Mum and Dad; Phoebe and George; Mr. and Mrs. Unwin and Family and all at 2, Natal-road; Mrs. Atkins and Family; The Cadets of Temperance, Chesterton United District; Aunt Alice and Percy; Mabel, Ernie and Baby Beryl; Mr. and Mrs. Kitt, Mill-road; Miss. L. H. Lusk, Trinity College.

The funeral arrangements were carried out, by Messrs. E. W. Harper and Son, 28 Abbey Walk, Cambridge.

The families tender their grateful thanks to the many friends for their kindness and sympathy, and also for the beautiful flowers.
CLARK Gladys Doreen
Aged 12. Died at 3 Vicarage Terrace 19 June 1940. Resident Daughter of Mr. C. F. Clark, of 36 Petworth Street.
DEAR Heather Maisie Pauline
Aged 5 months. Died at 1 Vicarage Terrace 19 June 1940. Resident of 1 Vicarage Terrace. Daughter of Leonard Cyril and Kathleen Grace Dear.
LANGLEY William
Aged 45. Died at 2 Vicarage Terrace 19 June 1940. Resident of 2 Vicarage Terrace.
LANGLEY William
Aged 18. Died 19 June 1940. Resident of 2 Vicarage Terrace. Son of Mrs. Langley, and of William Langley. Died at 2 Vicarage Terrace.
   

Extract from Cambridge Daily News in 1940:

LOCAL
FUNERALS
MR. W. LANGLEY AND W. LANGLEY,
JUNIOR.

The funeral of Mr. William Langley. aged 45, and his son, William Langley, junior, aged 18, took place on Monday afternoon at the Borough Cemetery. The service in the Cemetery Chapel was conducted by the Rev. A. B. Johnston (vicar of St_ Matthew's), assisted by the Rev. H. St. J. Hart (Chaplain of Queens' College).

Mr. Langley had been for 22 years butler at Queens' College, and members of the Tutorial staff, management & college servants were represented by Dr. A. B. Cook (Vice President) and Mrs. Cook. Mr. Sleeman and Mr. Browne (Fellows), Dr. E. A. Maxwell (Junior Bursar), Mr. Williams (Registrar of St. Bart's Hospital attached to Queens' College), Prof. Hartridge, Mr, Dungate (cief [sic] clerk) and office staff; Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain (kitchen and buttery manager and kitchen and buttery staff; Mr. H. Walsh (representing the head porter) and the porters' lodge staff; Mr. Leonard (head gardener) and garden staff; also bedmakers and helpers.

Mr. Langley, junior better known to his friends as “Sam,” was employed by Messrs. Ginn and Sons (builders), and his colleagues were represented by Mr Harry Ginn and Mr. Ernest Ginn.

The Mayor and Mayoress (Councillor and Mrs. W. J. Wing) were also present.

The family mourners were: Mr. and Mrs. Doggett and Mrs. Prime (sisters and brother-in-law), Mr. Dewey (uncle). Mr. and Mrs. Gee, Mr. and Mrs. Walsh (friends). Owing to indisposition Mrs Langley (wife and mother) was unable to be present.

Floral tributes were received from the following; His heart-broken wife; His heart-broken Mother, Grandfather; Kit, Curl and Mary; Clem and all at 6, Searle-street; Annie and Arthur Doggett; Mr. and Mrs. Walsh; Mr. and Mrs. Gee; President and Fellows, Queens' College; College Servants (Queens'); Kitchen and Buttery (Queens'); Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain and Mrs. Gerrard and Ron; Messrs. Ginn and Sons; Eleanor MacCulloch; F. E. Lilley; A. Robinson; Pal Spidge; Neighbours and Friends: Prims. Club; 2, Natal-road; Mrs. Prime and Arthur Eddy; 66, Brooks-road; Mrs. Peters; Mr. and Mrs. Searle, 21. Sedgwick-street; Carrie; Mr. and Mrs. Brown; Mr. and Mrs. Bavey; Pal Don; Bernard, R.A.F.; Millie and Mr. and Mrs. Webb; Mr. and Mrs. Orris and Eric.

Messrs. E. W. Harper and Son. 28, Abbey-walk, Cambridge were in charge of the funeral arrangements

Mrs. Langley asks all friends to accept her sincere thanks for the many kind expressions of sympathy and beautiful flowers received in her great and sudden loss.
PALMER Leonard George
Aged 5. Died at 8 Vicarage Terrace 19 June 1940. Resident of 8 Vicarage Terrace. Son of Leonard Sidney Palmer, and of Doris May Palmer.
PALMER Molly Kathleen
Aged 9. Died at 8 Vicarage Terrace 19 June 1940. Resident of 8 Vicarage Terrace. Daughter of Leonard Sidney Palmer, and of Doris May Palmer.
PALMER Doris May
Aged 34. Injured 19 June 1940, at 8 Vicarage Terrace; died at Addenbrookes Hospital 25 June 1940. Resident of 8 Vicarage Terrace. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Hewish, of 11 Cockburn Street; wife of Leonard Sidney Palmer.
EATON John Edwin
Aged 76. Injured 18 June 1940, at 96 Earls Hall Avenue; died at Addenbrookes Hospital 15 July 1940. Resident of 96 Earls Hall Avenue, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex. Husband of May Eaton.
Other incidents
DUNSDEN Daniel
Aged 63. Died at Coldham's Lane, Cambridge 12 September 1940. L.N.E.R. Platelayer. Resident of 146 Mill Road, Cambridge.
CROWSON George Albert
Aged 42. Died at 19 Barrow Road 15 October 1940. A.M.I.E.E. Resident of 19 Barrow Road. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Crowson, of Wayside, Streatley-on-Thames, Berkshire; husband of Christine Mary Crowson.
LAKE John Horatio
Aged 43. Died at Cambridge 30 January 1941. Resident Son of the late Robert and Sarah Lake, of Exning, Suffolk; husband of Ada Maud Lake, of 48 Thoday Street.

R.A.F. BOMBER CRASH 1941
ALLEN Catherine
Aged 71. Died at Haileyfield House 12 February 1941. Resident of Haileyfield House, Histon Road. Daughter of the late Charles Stephen and Sarah Ann Phipps Allen, of 21 Corona Road.
BLACKWELL Ada Sarah
Aged 74. Died at 2 Roseneath Villas 12 February 1941. Resident of 2 Roseneath Villas, Histon Road. Daughter of the late William and Mary Bright, of 19 Jesus Lane; widow of John William Blackwell.
WORLAND Ann
Aged 71. Died at 1 Roseneath Villas 12 February 1941. Resident of 1 Roseneath Villas, Histon Road. Widow of Arthur J. Worland.
Other incidents
ASHMAN Bertie Thomas
Aged 42. Died at 48 Hills Road 24 February 1941. S.J.A.B., Resident of 48 Hills Road. Son of J. L. and M. Ashman, of 46 Sedgwick Street; husband of Rene Ashman.
BARKER Florence
Aged 67. Died at 91 Grantchester Meadows 24 February 1941. Resident of 91 Grantchester Meadows. Daughter of the late George Barker (Senr.), of 12 Merton Street.
BARKER Olive Mary
Aged 39. Died at 91 Grantchester Meadows 24 February 1941. Resident of 91 Grantchester Meadows. Daughter of the late George Barker (Junr.), of Bungay, Norfolk.
GENT Lucy Sybil
Aged 60. Died at Hills Road 24 February 1941. Air Raid Warden W.V.S. Resident of 76 Hills Road.
ROBERTSON Petica Coursolles
Aged 57. Died at Russell Street 24 February 1941. Resident Air Raid Warden; W.V.S. Daughter of the late Major and Mrs. Charles Jones; wife of Professor D. S. Robertson, of 56 Bateman Street.
THAXTER Kathleen Ada Irene
Aged 24. Died at Hills Road 24 February 1941. Fire Watcher. Resident of 147 Sturton Street. Daughter of Charles Thaxter, of 17 Merton Street, Newnham.
WOODCOCK Ivy Florence
Aged 29. Died at Hills Road 24 February 1941. Resident of Hills Road. Daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jessup, of 47 Argyle Street; wife of Percy Cyril Woodcock.
BRITTAIN Sidney Harold
Aged 50. Injured 24 February 1941, at Hills Road; died at Addenbrookes Hospital 25 February 1941. Husband of Phyllis Edith Kate Brittain, of 80 Castle Street. Buried in Cambridge Municpal Borough.

Extract from Cambridge Daily News in 1941:

WELL KNOWN
TO MANY
Death of MR. S.H. Brittain

MANY residents in the neighbourhood of Castle Street and Huntingdon Road will have learned with deep regret of the sudden death this week of a well-known figure, Mr. Sidney Harold Brittain, of 80, Castle Street, Cambridge.

Fifty years of age, Mr. Brittain was a native of the town. He had been engaged in the fruitery and greengrocery trade from his school-days until the time of his death, with the exception of the period of the last war, he served in the A.S.C. throughout.

Although his business left him little time for leisure, he was a keen follower of local sport, and will be missed by a wide circle of friends.

He leaves a widow and two daughters.

The funeral service will be at 2.15 p.m. at St. Giles’ Church, Castle Hill, on Monday next. March 3rd, and the interment at Huntingdon Road Cemetery.

NEGUS Frederick Dennis Charles
Aged 19. Injured 24 February 1941, at Hills Road; died at Addenbrookes Hospital 25 February 1941. Home Guard. Residentof 87 Russell Street. Son of Frederick John and Ellen Elizabeth Negus, of London. Buried in Cambridge Municipal Cemetery.

Extract from Cambridge Daily News in 1941:

DEATH OF MR. FRED
NEGUS
Popular Swimmer and
Home-Guard Member

Our photograph is of Fred ("Nigger") Negus, aged 19, of 87, Russell Street, Cambridge, who died suddenly at Cambridge on Monday. He was a well-known and popular member, of the Granta Swimming Club, and had has swum for the University Press, where he had been employed for the last four or five years. He held the humane Society's' medals and certificates for proficiency in life-saving. He was well liked in his Home Guard platoon, for his cheerfulness and willingness, and was considered by those above him to be qualifying for promotion.
LAMBERT Maurice Herbert George
Aged 34. Injured 24 February 1941, at Hills Road; died at Addenbrookes Hospital 2 March 1941. Resident of 25 Hills Road. Son of A. G. and C. E. Lambert, of 68 Hills Road; husband of Ivy Lambert.
HOPKINS Frederick
Aged 22. Injured 24 August 1941, at Caxton Aerodrome; died at Addenbrookes Hospital 25 August 1941. Resident Husband of Margaret Hopkins, of 9 Chestnut Grove, Hawthorn Way.
BOWLES John Gilbert
Aged 4. Died at 33 Great Eastern Street 29 August 1941. Resident Son of William E. and Constance L. M. Bowles, of 10 Hope Street, Mill Road.
ROWELL Louisa
Aged 83. Died at 33 Great Eastern Street 29 August 1941. Resident of 33 Great Eastern Street.
   

Extracts from Cambridge Daily News in 1941:

LOCAL FUNERALS

MRS. LOUISA HOWELL AND MASTER JOHN GILBERT BOWLES.

The funerals took place on Wednesday of Mrs. Louisa Rowell and her great grandson, Master John Gilbert Bowles, who, under tragic circumstances, died suddenly on August 29th, aged 83 years and 4 years respectively.

The first part of the service was held in the Mill Rd. Cemetery Chapel, where a large assembly of sympathisers gathered to pay their last tribute of respect. The interments took place side by side in the St. Mary’s the Great portion of the Mill Road Cemetery. The Rev. T. B. Allworthy, Vicar of St. Andrew’s Church and the Rev. E. C. Essex, M.A. Vicar of St. Mary’s the Great, officiated at the chapel and graveside.

The immediate mourners were as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Bell (daughter and son-in-law and grandparents). Mrs. Bowles (grandma), Mrs. Stagg and Mrs. Laurence (aunts), Mrs. Stevens and Mrs. Banyard (sisters), Miss Stevens, Mrs. Netherwood, Mrs. Mann, Mrs. Thirkettle. Mrs. Beilby (nieces). Mr. Banyard and Miss. P. Banyard (brother-in-law and niece), Mrs. Whitby (friend).

Mr. and Mrs. Bowles, (parents) were unable to attend owing to indisposition.

Beautiful floral tributes were received as follows: “To our precious darling,” from his broken-hearted mummy and daddy; “To our Precious jewel,” from his sorrowing nanna, grand-dad and Lulu; “To my darling mother.” from her devoted daughter; Sister Bertha and nieces May and Maude; Sister Emma and Charlie; Aunties Bertha, May and Maude; “To Gran,” from Con and Billy; Ivy, George and family; Daisy, Perce and family; “To Lulu,” from little John; Eva, Albert and Harry; Jack, Dorothy and Mrs. Wolfe; Cousin. Doreen; Auntie Nellie, Jack, Joe and Michael; Aunt Ivy, George and family; Horace, Bertha and family.; Mr. ant Mrs. Covill and Alan; Ray and Eric; Mr. and Mrs. H. Whitby and Alf; Mr. and Mrs. Briner; Mr. and Mrs. Cowell, Teddy and Peter; Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Dennis; Henry, 6, Hope Street; To his little friend John, from Derek; To his little playmate, from Sylvia and Maureen; Mr. and Mrs. Wilmott and family; Vera, Audrey and little Margaret; Mr. and Mrs. White; Gladys; Auntie Gladys; All at Doreen's; Cis, Vic and Derek; Mr. and Mrs. Brignell and family; Alice and Doris; Miss V. and D. Taylor; The friends of the Earl of Beaconsfield; Friends and neighbours of Great Eastern Street; “To little John,” from friends of Great Eastern Street; “To little John,” from playmates Eric and Tony; Ivy and Tom; Auntie Nance and all at 26, Hope Street; Nance. Eric and Lilian; Mr. and Mrs. Jones and family [sic]; All at 15, Perne Avenue; Mr. and Mrs. Rose, Winnie and Freddy; In remembrance of a dear friend. From L.H.B.

Messrs. J. Newman and Son, of 9, James Street and 213, Mill Road, Cambridge, were responsible for the funeral arrangements.

The relatives express their sincere thanks to the many kind friends for their sympathy shown to them, and for acts of kindness rendered during their distress and bereavement; also for the choise [sic] floral tributes.

GOODWIN Frank
Aged 21. Injured 3 September 1941; died at Addenbrookes Hospital 4 September 1941. Home Guard. Son of R. J. and M. Goodwin, of 8 Council Houses, West Wickham, Kent.
JOHNSON Bessie
Aged 52. Injured at 4 St. Clements Gardens; died same day at Addenbrookes Hospital 28 July 1942. Resident of 4 St. Clements Gardens. Daughter of the late Albertus Albert and Alexandra Johnson, of 1 Quorn Terrace, Exning, Suffolk.
NAHUM Effraim Alfred
Aged 25. Died at 13A Ram Yard 28 July 1942. B.A.; Research Physicist at the Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge. Son of Alphonso E. and Marie Nahum, of 86 Palatine Road, West Didsbury, Manchester.
RATTLE Alice Jane
Aged 58. Died at 4 Jesus Lane 28 July 1942. Resident of 4 Jesus Lane. Daughter of William and Harriet Elizabeth Last, of Stonham Aspall, Suffolk; widow of Alfred Rattle, of Cheveley, Suffolk.
KEMP Mavis Everingham
Aged 22. Died at Cambridge, while on a test flight 3 March 1944. Civilian Aero Engineer, R.A.F. Daughter of C. H. and Dorothy M. Kemp, of 24 Storeys Way.
HAGGER Frederick John
Aged 70. Injured 29 July 1944, at Northview Road; died at Cambridge 11 August 1944. Son of the late Alfred and Eliza Hagger, of Bury Hall, Therfield, Hertfordshire; husband of Louisa Hagger, of 33 Northview Road, Hornsey, Middlesex.
CORNELL Cyril Arthur
Aged 36. Injured at National Fire Service Station, Victoria Road; died at 51 Bateson Road 20 September 1944. Member of National Fire Service. Son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Cornell, of 1 Derby Road, Cherryhinton Road; husband of E. C. Cornell, of 51 Bateson Road.
PARSONS Clara
Aged 37. Died 4 July 1945. Resident at US Army Camp, Milton Road.

Last updated 3 November, 2025

Friends of the War Memorials
War Memorials Trust
Main page
Commonweath War Graves Commission
Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Copyright © Roll-of-Honour.com 2002- | GDPR Cookies
Email: webmaster@roll-of-honour.com