Private L/10123, 1st Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died of wounds on the Somme 9 September 1916. Born Wartford, enlisted Mill Hill, Middlesex. Residence given as Parker Street. Buried in St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France. Plot B. Row 23. Grave 49.

Private 14419, 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 7 August 1916. Born and enlisted Watford, resident Watford. Brother of H W beasley, both of 70 belgrave Avenue. Worked for Messrs. Benskin's. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 2 C. [Note: The dates of death differ according to different records]

Two possibilities exist either:

Private 27492, 7th Battalion, Border Regiment. Killed in action near ypres 23 April 1917. Aged 31. Born Wood Green, Middlesex, enlisted Watford. Residence given as Yarmouth Road, Watford. Son of Mrs. Mary Ann Button, of 41, Yarmouth Rd., Watford, Herts. Formerly 6278, Essex Regiment. No known grave. Commemorated on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 6.

Private G/40890, 4th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment). Killed in action 23 April 1917. Aged 25. Born Bowes Park, Middlesex, enlisted Dover, Kent, resident Yarmouth Road, Watford. Son of Mrs. Mary Ann Button, of 41, Yarmouth Rd., Watford, Herts. Formerly 2398, Royal Field Artillery. No known grave. Commemorated on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 7.

Private 41995, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 30 August 1918. Born and enlisted Watford. Aged 20. Residence given as Brixton Road, Watford. Son of Edwin and Annie Carpenter, of 24, Brixton Rd., Watford. Formerly TR/912679, 25th Battalion, Training Reserve. Buried in Ecoust-St. Mein British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Plot/Row/Section D. Grave 43.

[Spelt COOKE on memorial] Private 35685, 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment. Killed in action 23 August 1918. Aged 20. Born and enlisted Watford, resident Copsewood Road, Watford. Son of Frederick James Cook, of 1, Copsewood Rd., Watford. Buried in Foncquevillers Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Plot II. Row A. Grave 4

Private 41777, 8th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Died as prisoner of war in Germany 28 December 1918. Born, resident and enlisted Watford. Formerly 3423, Yeomanry Cyclists. No known grave. Commemorated on Hollybrook Memorial, Southampton, Hampshire.

Private 40910, 11th Battalion, Essex Regiment. Killed in action 10 February 1917. Born London, enlisted and resident Watford. Formerly 29895, Bedfordshire Regiment. Buried in Cambrin Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Section G. Grave 45

Acting Lance Corporal 2264, "D" Company, 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 11 September 1915. Aged 19. Born and enlisted Watford, resident St Albans Road, Watford. Son of Mr. H. Dodwell, of 294, St. Albans Rd.; Watford, Herts. Buried in Cambrin Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Plot/Row/Section B. Grave 8.

Second Engineer, S.S. Combe (London), Mercantile Marine. Drowned 14 October 1915. Aged 48. Born Edinburgh, residence given as Bruce Grove, Watford. Husband of Mrs. Edmonstone, of 26, Bruce Grove, Watford, Herts. No known grave. Commemorated on Tower Hill Memorial, London.

Leading Seaman Lodon Z/356, Nelson Battalion, Royal Naval Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Wounded and missing, assumed killed in action, near Arras 23 April 1917. Enlisted 14 September 1914, Howe Battalion 'D' Company 9 February 1915 to 6 May 1915. Gunshot wounds to right forearm, compound fracture, invalided to United Kingdom 17 May 1915. Draft for BEF 4 December 1916, joined Nelson Battalion 12 December 1916 to 1 February 1917 when he went to hospital, rejoined Nelson Battalion 25 February 1917 until his death. A Printers Machine Minder by trade. Born 26 April 1889. Next-of-Kin and home address: Father, Charles Foster, 4 Lowestoft Rd., Watford, Herts., later: Wife, M., Bryanston Post Office, Blandford. No known grave. Commemorated on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 1.

Driver, Royal Army Service Corps. Served from 1915 to 1918 when he was invalided out. Probably died later after his discharge.

Private 33484, 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action at Vimy Ridge 19 April 1917. Aged 43. Born Lyndhurst, Hamsphire, enlisted Bedford, resident Callow Land, Watford. Husband of Margaret Mary Fripp, of 9, Fore St., Hertford. Enlisted, 28th June, 1916. No known grave. Commemorated on Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 41.

Private 266676, 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment. Died of wounds at Ypres 13 November 1917. Aged 23. Enlisted Hertford, resident Hatfield Road, Watford. Son of James and Millicent Gray, of 7, Hatfield Rd.; Watford. Buried in Menin Road South Military Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot III. Row G. Grave 21.

[Listed on memorial as GRIFFITHS] Private 27914, 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in action at Cambrai 29 September 1918. Aged 32. Born Whitchurch, Buckinghamshire, enlisted Watford. Residence given as Yarmouth Road, Watford & Aylesbury. Son of John and Emily Griffin, of Whitchurch, Aylesbury; husband of Margaret Ann Griffin, of 45, Yarmouth Road, Watford. Buried in Unicorn Cemetery, Vend’huille, Aisne, France. Plot III. Row D. Grave 25.

Ordinary Seaman J/30003, H.M.S. Defence, Royal Navy. Lost with his ship at the Battle of Jutland 31 May 1916. Aged 18. Native of Watford. Residence given as Harwoods Road, Watford. Brother of Mrs. L. P. Bishop, of 52, Harwoods Rd., Watford. No known grave. Commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire. Panel 14.

Corporal R/18406, 20th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps. Died of wounds 25 July 1916. Born Watford, enlisted Woolwich, Kent, resident Cecil Street, Watford. Husband of Mrs. F. E. Hall, of 75, Cecil St., Callow Land, Watford. Buried in Mericourt-L’Abbe Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. Plot II. Row D. Grave 16.

Private 26329, 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Killed in action 23 April 1917. Aged 40. Born St. Pancras, Middlesex, enlisted London. Residence given as Ashby Road, Watford. Husband of Florence Emily Hiscock, of 1 5, Ashby Rd., Watford, Herts. No known grave. Commemorated on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 3.

[Listed on memorial as HOGKIN] Private 126685, 21st Station hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps. Died 23 November 1918. Entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Buried in Sofia War Cemetery, Bulgaria. Plot I. Row A. Grave 3.

Lance Corporal 8439, 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards. Killed in action 1 February 1915. Aged 25. Born Rickmansworth, enlisted London resident Parker Street, Watford. Son of George and Mary Judge, of 6, Parker St., Watford, Herts. Buried in Cuinchy Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row A. Grave 5.

Driver 890877, 83rd trench Mortar Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Killed in action 7 May 1918. Aged 21. Born Elford, Kent, enlisted Hertford. Residence given as Sandringham Road, Watford. Son of Charles and Olive Kemsley, of Watford, Herts. Buried in Chocques Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Plot IV. Row A. Grave 11.

Sapper, Railway Operating Department, Royal Engineers. Served from 1915 to 1919. Resident 48 Brightwell Road, Watford. Died after the war having been demobilised.

Private 14196, 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 15 July 1916. Born Edlesborough, Dunstable, enlisted Watford, resident Brightwell Road, Watford. Husband of Florence Barnett (previously Knight) of 40 Brightwell Road, Watford, Herts. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 2 C.

Private 10426, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 10 July 1915. Aged 19. Born Watford, enlisted Hatfield, residence given as Bedford Street, Watford. Son of Emma Mead, of 18, Bedford St., Watford, and the late Arthur Mead. No known grave. Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 31 and 33.

Private 13951, "B" company, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Died of wounds 2 May 1915. Aged 38. Born Forest Hill, Kent, enlisted Watford, residence given as Victoria Road, Watford. on of George and Sarah Miller; husband of Emily Martha Miller, of 60, Victoria Rd, Watford, Herts. Buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord), Nord, France. Plot II. Row A. Grave 195

Private 203915, 1/4th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Killed in action in Palestine 11 December 1917. Born and enlisted Watford. Residence given as Watford. Buried in Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel. Section D. Row 26.

Stoker 1st Class, H.M.S. Paragon, Royal Navy. Drowned when his ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Straits of Dover 17 March 1917. Aged 25. Residence given as Oxon & 96, Leavesden Road, Watford. Son of Mrs. Needle, of Bloxham, Oxon, and the late Mr. C. Needle. One of four brothers that served. No known grave. Commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire. Panel 26.

[Listed as PRITCET on memorial]m Private CH/18318, H.M.S. Clan McNaughton, Royal Marine Light Infantry. Drowned 3 February April 1915. Aged 20. Son of Charles and Kate Prickett, of 94, Regent St., Leavesden Rd., Watford. No known grave. Commemorated on Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent. Panel 13.

[Listed on memorial as E RICHARDSON] Private 14206, "C" company, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Died of wounds 12 May 1915. Aged 18. Born Camden Town, Middlesex, enlisted Watford, resident Ridge Street, Watford. Son of Walter James and Blanche Richardson, of Watford, Herts. Buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery, Pas De Calais, France. Plot I. Row G. Grave 14A.

Two possibilities exist either:

Private 5140, 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment. Killed in action near Albert 30 October 1916. Enlisted Hertford, resident Watford. Resident 27, Copsewood Road, Watford. Buried in Connaught Cemetery, Thiepval, Somme, France. Plot XI. Row A. Grave 6.

[Listed on the memorial was WT SCOTT] Private 25387, 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 20 November 1917. Aged 23. Born Leavesden, enlisted Watford, resident Brighton Road, Watford. Son of the late William Scott and of Flora Mary Scott, of 59, Brighton Rd., Watford. Buried in Ribecourt British Cemetery, Nord, France. Special Memorial Row A. Grave 29.

[Listed as SENNOR on memorial] Private 203956, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 12 May 1918. Aged 20. Born and enlisted Watford, resident Stanmore Road, Watford. Son of John and Elizabeth Senior, of 18, Stanmore Rd., Watford, Herts. Buried in Merville Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France. Plot III. Row D. Grave 14.

Corporal 1106, 10th Battalion, Army Cyclist Corps. Killed in action 6 July 1917. Aged 31. Born Watford, enlisted London, resident Salisbury Road, Watford. Son of Alexandra and Harriet Shortland, of Leavesden, Watford; husband of Laura E. Shortland, of 32, Salisbury Rd., Watford. Formerly 6728, Hampshire Regiment. Buried in Oak Dump Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Section H. Grave 5.

Private G/19389, 8th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Died of wounds 28 June 1917. Born and enlisted Watford. Residence given as Watford. Buried in Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Special Memorial Row C. Grave 33.

Private 25575, 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 10 April 1917 [SDGW states 12 April 1917 - confirmed date]. Born haverhill, Suffolk. enlisted Watford, resident 1, Stanmore Road, Watford. No known grave. Commemorated on Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 5.

Rifleman 5571, 15th (County of London) Battalion (Prince of Wales Own Civil Service Rifles), London Regiment [CWGC states 18th Battalion]. Killed in action 15 September 1916. Aged 22. Born and enlisted London, resident Garfield Street, Watford. Son of Herbert E. and Sarah A. Warren, of Barnstaple Cottage, IA, Garfield St., Watford. Buried in Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, Somme, France. Plot II. Row E. Grave 14.

Lance Corporal 1482, Hertfordshire Yeomanry. Died in Malta 14 November 1915. Aged 26. Born Leighton Buzzrd, enlisted and resident Watford. Son of Edwin Whiting, of 155, Leavesden Rd., Watford. Buried in Peita Military Cemetery, Malata. Plot D. Row VI. Grave 6.

Sergeant (Flight Engineer) 1875074, 148 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 5 August 1944, aged 19. Son of John William & Jessie Amelia (nee Howlett) Aird of 10 Shakespeare Street, Watford. Buried in Krakow Rakowicki Cemetery, Poland: Plot 1, Row D, Collective Grave 6-7.

According to the Operations Record Book, 148 Squadron was based at Brindisi. On 4 August 1944, seven aircraft airborne for targets in Poland. Four went missing, including F/E Sgt D Aird, Halifax II JP181X. Nothing further was heard of this aircraft and it is presumed lost. He was shot down over Poland.

Dennis' birth was registered 1925 in the Watford district and he was baptised 15 February 1925 at Christ Church; the family lived at 35 Middle Ope, Watford. His parents married 1922 in the Ware, Herts, district. John, of 10 Shakespeare Street, died 16 December 1985 aged 84; Jessie died 1982 in the Watford district aged 84.

Private 5952019, 8th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Died 3 June 1940 aged 21. Son of George & Ethel Stella (nee Collins) Aldis of 3 Stanmore Road, Watford. Remembered with honour Brussels Town Cemetery, Evere, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium: Plot X, Row 12, Grave 8.

The 8th Battalion saw hard service during the retreat to Dunkirk in May-June 1940. Robert's birth was registered 1918 in the Watford district.

His parents married by banns 23 December 1905 at St Andrew's, Watford: George was a labourer, a bachelor; Ethel a spinster; both aged 23, both of 1 Copsewood Road, Watford. George died 1940 aged 58; Ethel died 1956 aged 73; both in the Watford district.

The only match on C.W.G.C. is:

Leading Seaman Thomas Alexander Clifton Anderson, D/JX 136455, H.M. Submarine Triad, Royal Navy. Died 20 October 1940 age unknown. Remembered with honour Plymouth Naval Memorial: Panel 36, Column 3.

In October 1940 H.M.S. Triad was patrolling the coast of Libya before proceeding to Alexandria. By 20th October the submarine was overdue. It was initially believed Italian aircraft had bombed Triad off Calabria, but it was later discovered that she had been attacked and sunk by the Italian submarine Enrico Toti on the 15th.

A Thomas A C Anderson's birth was registered 1916 in the Tynemouth, Northumberland, district, mother's maiden name Graham.

Corporal 5952171, 5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died 29 July 1943 aged 25. Son of William & Edith Eliza (nee Pratt) Barnes of 93 Woodmere Avenue, Watford; husband of Eva (nee Thompson) Barnes of Watford. Remembered with honour Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand: Plot 8, Row M, Grave 2.

Maurice, a clerk, joined the regiment 15 September 1939. At the time of his death he was in C Coy. He was a Japanese Prisoner of War and died at Kanyu Railway Camp from cadiac beri-beri and was buried the same day at Kanyu Central.

He was born 14 June 1918 and baptised 21 July 1918 at Christ Church; the family lived at 18 Copsewood Road, Watford. He married by banns 14 June 1941 at St Andrew's, Watford: a lance-corporal in the 5th Battalion Suffolk Regiment, a bachelor aged 22 of 93 Woodmere Avenue; Eva a spinster aged 22 of 30 Woodford Road, Watford. Eva remarried by banns 17 May 1947 at St Andrew's to Frederick Thomas White, a butcher, a bachelor aged 27 of 24 Munden Grove, Watford; Eva was aged 28 of 30 Woodford Road. She died 18 April 2001, of The Lawns Nursing Home, North Park, Gerrards Cross, Bucks, aged 82.

His parents married by banns 2 December 1916 at Christ Church: William was a stoker, a bachelor aged 23 of 24 Bushey Mill Lane, Watford; Edith a spinster aged 22 of 18 Copsewood Road. William, of 93 Woodmere Avenue, died 1 December 1975 aged 82; Edith died 1964 in the Watford district aged 70.

Private 5952029, 13th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Died 24 October 1942. Son of Albert Edward & Mary Ann Sarah (nee Hart) Barrett of 29 Meadow Road, Watford. Remembered with honour Watford North Cemetery: Section B Cons. Grave 1610.

Unfortunately, it has not been possible to ascertain how Albert died, but the where is the Peace Memorial Hospital, Watford. His birth was registered 1918 in the Mile End, London, district and his death was registered in the Watford district, aged 24.

Private 13002841, 46 Company, Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps. Died 17 June 1940 aged 25. Son of Arthur Henry & Beatrice Anne (nee Davis) Batten of 228 Chester Road, Watford; husband of Stella Catherine (nee Frazer) Batten of 56 Hemming Way, Watford. His brother Philip Lawrence Batten also died on service. Remembered with honour Dunkirk Memorial, Nord, France: Column 149.

The evacuation of British troops from France did not end with Dunkirk. British forces were still being rescued two weeks later when Britain's worst maritime disaster of W.W.2 took place. On 17 June 1940 the 16,000 ton Cunard liner Lancastria lay five miles off St Nazaire and embarked troops, R.A.F. personnel and civilian refugees. The exact number on board may never be known, but almost certainly exceeded 6,000; ... The Lancastria was attacked and hit by bombs from German aircraft. The ship sank rapidly and, according to the estimate of the Captain, only around 2,500 of those on board were saved. 46 Coy Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps were wholly or partly aboard.

Frederick's birth was registered 1915 in the Watford district. He married 1935 in the Watford district. Stella remarried 1945 in the Watford district to Floyd A Feeley. His parents married 1911 in the Watford district. Arthur died 1948 aged 60; Beatrice died 1961 aged 73; both in the Watford district.

Sergeant 807805, 2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Died 19 March 1944 aged 30. Son of Arthur Henry & Beatrice Anne (nee Davis) Batten of 228 Chester Road, Watford. His brother Frederick John Batten also died on service. Remembered with honour Cassino War Cemetery, Frosinone, Italy: Plot XIX, Row B, Grave 17.

Cassino saw some of the fiercest fighting of the Italian campaign, the town itself and the dominating Monastery Hill proving the most stubborn obstacles encountered in the advance towards Rome.

Philip's birth was registered 1913 in the Watford district. His parents married 1911 in the Watford district. Arthur died 1948 aged 60; Beatrice died 1961 aged 73; both in the Watford district.

A probable match on C.W.G.C. is:

Private Alfred John Beavis, 14777915, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment, attached to 8th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died 24 November 1944 aged 18. Son of Alfred John & Alice Elizabeth (nee Sweet/Sweeting) Beavis of 23 The Thrums, Watford. Remembered with honour Watford North Cemetery: Section A Cons. Grave 171.

The 8th Battalion was a second line battalion which did not serve overseas, so it has not been possible to ascertain how and where Alfred died except that it was somewhere in England. An Alfred J Beavis' birth was registered 1926 in the Watford district and his death registered in the Fakenham, Norfolk, district.

His parents married 1922 in the Watford district. Alfred snr, of 23 The Thrums, died 13 April 1963 at the Peace Memorial Hospital, Watford, aged 65; Alice died 1983 in the Watford district aged 78.

A possible match on C.W.G.C. is:

Lance-Sergeant Robert William Bidewell, 5950925, 4th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. Died 25 September 1944 aged 25. Son of Harry & Eva (nee James) Bidewell of 19 Longspring, Watford; husband of Iris Winifred (nee Blake) Bidewell of Watford. Remembered with honour Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, Gelderland, Holland: Plot 14, Row C, Grave 4.

The 4th Battalion was part of the 43rd British Wessex Infantry Division. On Monday the 25th [September 1944] at 1am this unit tried to cross the river [Neder Rijn] with some 300 men, ammunition and medical supplies for the 1st Airborne Division. Most of the men were captured and the supplies in the few Ducks that were available did not make it to the other side of the river. L/Sgt Bidewell was one of these men, he was killed at Westerbouwing.

A Robert W Bidewell's birth was registered 1919 in the Watford district and he was baptised 16 May 1920 at Christ Church; the family lived at 123 Regent Street, Watford. He married by banns 11 October 1941 at St Michael & All Angels, Watford: a Lance-Corp in the 6th Beds & Herts, a bachelor aged 22 of 19 Longspring; Iris a spinster aged 20 of 22 Holywell Road, Watford. Iris remarried 1946 in the Watford district to Frederick T Hill.

His parents married by banns 9 April 1917 at Christ Church: Harry was a soldier, a bachelor aged 24 of the School of Musketry, Hythe, Kent; Eva a spinster aged 20 of 123 Regent Street. Harry, of 19 Longspring, died 26 August 1964 at the Peace Memorial Hospital, Watford, aged 71; Eva died 1976 in the East Dereham, Norfolk, district aged 79.

A possible match on C.W.G.C. is:

Lance-Sergeant William Alexander Boardman, 946355, 114 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died 8 May 1944 aged 25. Son of William Alexander & Minnie (nee Hall) Boardman; husband of Phyllis Irene (nee Wheatley) Boardman of Harefield, Middx. Remembered with honour Rangoon Memorial, Burma (Myanmar): Face 2.

Rangoon Memorial bears the names of almost 27,000 men of the Commonwealth land forces who died during the campaigns in Burma and who have no known grave.

A William A Boardman's birth was registered 1918 in the Maidstone, Kent, district. He married by licence 8 February 1942 at Christ Church: already in H.M. Forces, a bachelor aged 23 of 46 Sutlej Road, Charlton, London S.E.7; Phyllis a spinster aged 19 of 48 Harebreaks, Watford. Phyllis remarried 1946 in the Watford district to Arthur W Herridge and died 1992 in the Louth, Lincs, district aged 70.

His parents married 1916 in the Maidstone, Kent, district. William snr, of 165 Eastcombe Avenue, London S.E.7, died 24 June 1974 aged 76; Minnie died 1981 in the Greenwich, London, district aged 85.

Private 5950882, 1/7th Battalion, The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey). Died 24 October 1942 aged 23. Son of Frederick James & Florence Agnes (nee Hare) Brackley of 10 Elm Grove, Watford; husband of Edna Mabel (nee Roffe) Brackley of Watford. Remembered with honour El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt: Coll. Grave Plot XX, Row B, Grave 24-26.

El Alamein War Cemetery contains the graves of men who died at all stages of the Western Desert campaigns, brought in from a wide area, but especially those who died in the Battle of El Alamein at the end of October 1942.

Frederick's birth was registered 1919 in the Watford district and he was baptised 18 July 1919 at Christ Church; the family lived at 133 Ridge Street, Watford. He married by banns 21 November 1940 at Christ Church: already in the Army, a bachelor aged 21; Edna a spinster aged 20; both of 10 Elm Grove. Edna remarried 1954 in the Watford district to Herbert Newman.

His parents married by banns 7 September 1918 at Christ Church: Frederick was a soldier, a bachelor; Florence a spinster; both aged 24, both of 133 Ridge Street. Frederick died 1959 aged 65; Florence died 1972 aged 76; both in the Watford district.

Petty Officer Airman JX 136799, H.M.S. Warspite, Royal Navy. Died 17 May 1941 aged 24. Son of Jason & Margaret Mary (nee Smout) Bray of Watford. Remembered with honour Alexandria (Chatby) Military & War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt: Panel 13.

Jason was in the Fleet Air Arm and died of wounds received in an air crash, possibly during the battle for Crete. Jason's birth was registered 1916 in the Hendon, Middx, district. His parents married 1910 in the Uxbridge, Middx, district. Jason snr, of Bridge Street, Pinner, Middx, was buried 14 November 1918 at St Martin's, Ruislip, Middx aged 33; Margaret remarried 1921 in the Hendon district to Douglas R G Daxon and died a widow 22 October 1957 at 18 Osborne Road, Watford, aged 70.

A probable match on C.W.G.C. is:

Sergeant (Pilot) George Robert Bruce, 929001, 115 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 24 November 1941 aged 20. Son of George William & Edith Isabel (nee Morrison) Bruce of 23 Windsor Road, Watford. Remembered with honour Watford North Cemetery: Section B Cons. Grave 258.

According to the Operations Record Book, 115 Squadron [Wellington bombers] was based at Marham. On 22 November 1941, Sgt Bruce and crew took off for Lorenz practise and returned to base. [That is the last mention of Sgt Bruce, there is no indication of how he died, except that it was somewhere in England] Apparently, nothing of interest occurred on 24 November 1941.

A George R Bruce's birth was registered 1921 in the Watford district and he was baptised 4 September 1921 at St Mary's, Watford; the family lived at 4 Shakespeare Street, Watford. His death was registered in the March, Cambs, district.

His parents married by banns 9 April 1921 at St Mary's, Watford: George was a motor driver, a bachelor aged 30 of 35 Market Street, Watford; Edith a spinster aged 24 of 21 Brighton Road, Watford. George snr, of 23 Windsor Road, died 15 September 1945 at Oxhey Lane, Wealdstone, Middx, aged 54; Edith, a widow of 23 Windsor Road, died 23 September 1962 at the Peace Memorial Hospital, Watford, aged 65.

A probable match on C.W.G.C. is:

Lance-Corporal Charles Ernest Bunce, 5832498, 1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Died 25 June 1943 aged 30. Son of William John & Alice (nee Hart) Bunce; husband of Irene May (nee Davies) Bunce of Watford. Remembered with honour Singapore Memorial: Column 57.

Charles was a Japanese Prisoner of War and died at Kinsaiyak, Thailand, of cholera.

A Charles E Bunce's birth was registered 1913 in the St Albans, Herts, district and he was baptised 11 May 1913 at St Paul's, Langleybury, Herts; the family lived at 28 Portland Street, St Albans. He married by licence 19 June 1940 at St Mary's, Watford: a printer, a bachelor, aged 27, of 42 Parkgate Road, Watford; Irene a spinster aged 21 of 16 Queen Mary Avenue, Watford.

His parents married by banns 4 July 1908 at St Paul's, Langleybury: William was a carter, a bachelor aged 22; Alice a spinster aged 21; both of Hunton Bridge, Herts. William died 1972 in the Hemel Hempstead, Herts, district aged 87; Alice died 1971 in the Watford district aged 84.

A probable match on C.W.G.C. is:

Sub-Lieutenant (A) Kenneth Alfred Cain, H.M.S. Grebe, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Died 29 January 1945 aged 20. Son of Alfred Victor & Edith Mary (nee Harrowell) Cain of 37 Diamond Road, Watford. Remembered with honour Alexandria (Chatby) Military & War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt: Row O, Grave 158.

Casualties for Monday 29 January 1945 included Kenneth, who was in the Fleet Air Arm 879 Squadron based aboard H.M.S. Attacker, and was killed in an air crash during the morning whilst dummy dive-bombing with his section; he failed to pull out. He was buried Tuesday 30 January 1945, with due honours.

A Kenneth A Cain's birth was registered 1924 in the Watford district and he was baptised 14 September 1924 at Christ Church; the family lived at 37 Diamond Road. His parents married by banns 23 October 1923 at Christ Church: Alfred was a printer, a bachelor aged 29 of 59 Copsewood Road, Watford; Edith a spinster aged 26 of 31 Diamond Road, Watford. Alfred, of 37 Diamond Road, died 28 June 1957 at the Peace Memorial Hospital, Watford, aged 63; Edith, of 57 Diamond Road, Watford, died 8 November 1978 aged c81.

A probable match on C.W.G.C. is:

Leading Motor Mechanic Kenneth Arthur Ernest Carpenter, P/MX 500211, H.M.S. Locust, Royal Navy. Died 16 June 1944 aged 20. Son of Mr Ernest William & Mrs Sarah Ann (nee Saunders) Carpenter of 35 Brixton Road, Watford. Remembered with honour Portsmouth Naval Memorial: Panel 86, Column 3.

On 6 June 1944 H.M.S. Locust took part in Operation “Neptune” (Overlord). Locust acted as group headquarters ship for Force S1, stationed off Sword beach. On 16 June, still off Sword beach, Locust came under attack from German artillery; one shell found its target, killing three of her crew...

A Kenneth A E Carpenter's birth was registered 1923 in the Watford district and he was baptised at Christ Church on 16 December 1923; the family lived at 35 Brixton Road.

His parents married by banns 4 October 1914 at St Michael & All Angels, Watford: Ernest was a chauffeur, a bachelor aged 24 of 65 Harwoods Road, Watford; Sarah a spinster aged 24 of 10 Southsea Avenue, Watford. Ernest died 1971 in the Watford district aged 80; Sarah, of 144 Cecil Street, Watford, died 21 February 1959 at Shrodells Hospital, Watford, aged 68.

Private 14425228, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment. Died 18 November 1944 aged 19. Son of Cecil & Annie Elizabeth (nee Holloway) Chapman of 25 Oakdene Road, Watford. Remembered with honour Cesena War Cemetery, Emilia-Romagna, Italy: Plot VI, Row H, Grave 7.

Cesena War Cemetery was made in November from burials brought in from the battlefields. Most had died in September-November 1944 during the advance from Rimini to Forli and beyond, across one flooded river after another, in atrocious autumn weather.

Leonard's birth was registered 1925 in the Bradfield, Berks, district and he was born in Reading.

His parents married 1924 in the Watford district. Cecil, of 25 Oakdene Road, died 2 December 1954 aged 54; Annie died 1974 in the Watford district aged 71.

A possible match on C.W.G.C. is:

Flight Sergeant George Walter Crawley, 1189146, B.S.R.U. [Base Signals & Radar Unit], Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 7 November 1944 age unknown. Remembered with honour Runnymede Memorial: Panel 216.

As best as can be ascertained, George died when a Landing Ship Tank, which was carrying the main body of No.1 B.S.R.U. to Ostend, hit a mine and sank. A total of 14 officers and 224 other ranks were lost.

A George W Crawley's birth was registered 1911 in the Watford district and he was baptised 17 September 1911 at St Paul's, Langleybury, Herts, the son of Walter and Marie Josephine (formerly Bainier nee Spâtig); the family lived at Railway Cottages, Kings Langley, Herts.

His parents married by banns 28 March 1910 at St Paul's, Langleybury: Walter was a platelayer, a widower aged 46 of Railway Cottages, Kings Langley; Marie a widow aged 40 of Zoffany House, Kings Langley. Walter died 1934 in the St Albans district aged 70; Marie died 1963 in the Barnet district aged 94.

Sergeant CH/X 107012, No. 48 R.M. Commando, Royal Marines. Died 1 November 1944 aged 21. Son of John & Elizabeth Jane (nee Perryman) Davis of Watford. Remembered with honour Bergen-op-Zoom War Cemetery, Noord-Brabant, Holland: Plot 6, Row A, Grave 9.

Anthony was killed in the Walcheren landings, part of Operation Infatuate. The Battle of the Scheldt started 1 November 1944, with 4th Special Service Brigade assigned to carry out a seaborne assault on the island of Walcheren. The plan was for the island to be attacked from two directions, with the Commandos coming by sea ... No. 48 Commando landed at Westkapelle [where they] quickly captured a radar station and then advanced on a gun battery south of Westkapelle, which was captured before nightfall.

Anthony's birth was registered 1923 in the Dover, Kent, district.

His parents married by licence 16 August 1916 at St Faith's, Brentford, Middx: John was a soldier, a bachelor aged 27; Elizabeth a domestic servant, a spinster aged 23; both of 108 Darwin Road, S Ealing. John died 1972 aged 82; Elizabeth died 1979 aged 87; both in the Watford district.

Private 14576951, 7th Battalion, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Died 17 February 1944 aged 19. Son of (the late Wright Ingle &) Ellen Theresa (nee Baker) Deane of North Watford. Remembered with honour Cassino Memorial, Frosinone, Italy: Panel 8.

Leonard enlisted into the General Service Corps, before transferring to the O.B.L.I. on 13 May 1943. Took part in the defence of the beachhead at the Anzio Landings; reported missing; killed in action.

His birth was registered 1924 in the Watford district and he was baptised 21 June 1925 at Christ Church; the family lived at 68 Brighton Road, Watford.

His parents married by banns 30 August 1924 at Christ Church: Wright was a coachman, a widower aged 52; Ellen a widow aged 36; both of 68 Brighton Road. Wright died 1944 in the Watford district aged 73; Ellen died 1966 in the St Albans, Herts, district aged 77.

Leading Aircraftsman Percy Andrew (Perce) Dyer, 1175572, 37 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 24 November 1941 aged 28. Son of Andrew James & Ella Louise (nee Sawyer) Dyer of 14 Leavesden Road, Watford; husband of Vera Charlotte (nee Smith) Dyer of Watford. Remembered with honour Heliopolis War Cemetery, Egypt: Plot 1, Row H, Grave 1. According to the Operations Record Book, 37 Squadron [of Wellington bombers] was based at Shallufa, Egypt. On 21 November 1941, at approximately 1600 hours, the aircraft were receiving a final inspection prior to take off, when aircraft B8720 ... blew up and was completely destroyed. The crew were away from the aircraft at the time, but three of the ground personnel who were working on the machine at the time of the accident were killed outright. ... Aircraftsman 1st Class Dyer (no. 38 Squadron) was severely injured ... dying later as a result of injuries sustained. Operations were cancelled. On 22 November, the personnel who had been killed as a result of the accident ..., were buried in the cemetery at El Dara.

Percy's birth was registered 1913 in the Watford district. He married by licence 12 December 1940 at St James', Watford: a soldier in the R.A.F., a bachelor aged 27 of 14 Leavesden Road; Vera a spinster aged 22 of 15 St James Road, Watford. Vera remarried by banns 24 March 1951 at St Michael & All Angels, Watford, to Albert William Robinson, a foreman, a bachelor of 52 Addiscombe Road, Watford; Vera was a clerk aged 32 of 15 St James Road.

His parents married 1911 in the Watford district. Andrew, of 14 Leavesden Road, died 20 February 1958 at Shrodells Hospital, Watford, aged 72; Ella died 1968 in the Watford district aged 80.

A probable match on C.W.G.C. is:

Lance-Corporal Merlyn Evans, 14592365, 2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Died 1 July 1944 aged 20. Son of Evan William & Charlotte Mary (nee Drew) Evans of Watford. Remembered with honour Assisi War Cemetery, Umbria, Italy: Plot IV, Row D, Grave 6.

Assisi War Cemetery contains many of the burials that date from June and July 1944, as the Germans attempted to stop the Allied advance north of Rome.

A Merlyn Evans' birth was registered 1924 in the Merthyr Tydfil district.

His parents married 1918 in the Merthyr Tydfil district. Charlotte, of 142 Leavesden Road, Watford, died 22 February 1979 aged 85.

A probable match on C.W.G.C. is:

Lance-Serjeant Ronald Hillary Fagg, 5956181, 7th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. Died 20 November 1944 aged 24. Son of Ernest Hillary & Louisa (nee Hill) Fagg of 2A Lowestoft Road, Watford. Remembered with honour Brunssum War Cemetery, Limburg, Holland: II.60. Brunssum was liberated in September 1944 by U.S. forces; they were shortly afterwards followed by the British 43rd (Wessex) Division [of which the 7th Bn, Hampshires was a part], who made their headquarters in the town ... The first burials in the cemetery were made by an Advanced Dressing Station and a Casualty Clearing Station which were situated at Merkelbeek in November 1944 when the 43rd Division were engaged in clearing a triangle between the Rivers Roer and Maas. Operations in the Geilenkirchen sector accounted for a great part of the casualties buried here.

A Ronald H Fagg's birth was registered 1920 in the Eton, Bucks, district.

His parents married 1918 in the Leeds, Yorks, district. Ernest died 2 July 1975 aged 83; Louisa died 12 August 1981 aged 87; both of 107 Broughton Hall Road, Broughton, Clwyd.

Private 14577104, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment. Died 12 May 1944 aged 19. Son of Harry Frederick & Minnie (nee Pattison) Filby of 8 Sussex Road, Watford. Remembered with honour Cassino Memorial, Frosinone, Italy: Panel 5.

In May 1944 the 4th Division was about to take part in the assault on the Gustav Line. ... The attack ... involved an assault crossing of the River Gari ...The 2nd Battalion Beds & Herts began crossing at 2am on the 12th ... and by 6.15am the whole Battalion was over, but came under very heavy shell and mortar fire... The leading Coys reached their objectives, but casualties had been severe - approximately 2 officers and 72 other ranks...

Victor's birth was registered 1924 in the Watford district.

His parents married 1921 in the Watford district. Harry, of 408 St Albans Road, Watford, died 2 May 1964 aged 64.

Gunner 1583984, 623 Battery, 41 Search Light Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died 27 March 1944 aged 30. Son of John Henry & Adelaide Constance (nee Myles) French of Watford. Remembered with honour Watford North Cemetery: Section B Cons. Grave 470.

Unfortunately, it has not been possible to ascertain how and where Robert died, except that it was somewhere in England.

His birth was registered 1913 in the Hastings, Sussex, district, and his death registered in the Maidstone, Kent, district.

Adelaide died 1958 in the Watford district aged 76.

The only match on C.W.G.C. is:

Gunner William Frederick Geary, 966271, 9AA [Anti-Aircraft] Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died 27 August 1941 aged 24. Husband of Gladys (nee Thomson) Geary of 7 Oakdene Terrace, Middlestone Moor, Co Durham. Remembered with honour Coundon (St James) Churchyard, Co. Durham: Row 3, Grave 46.

Unfortunately, it has not been possible to establish how and where William died, except that it was somewhere in England.

A William F Geary's birth was registered 1917 in the Watford district and he was baptised 7 September 1917 at Christ Church, the son of Henry Joseph & Daisy Ethel (nee Miles); the family lived at 23 Garfield Street, Watford. He married by banns 10 September 1938 at Christ Church: a butcher, a bachelor; Gladys a spinster; both aged 21, both of 23 Garfield Street. His death was registered in the Newark, Notts, district.

His parents married by banns 3 July 1915 at Christ Church: Henry was a storekeeper, a bachelor aged 32 of 23 Garfield Street; Daisy a spinster aged 23 of 39 Ridge Street, Watford. Henry died 1920 in the Watford district aged 36. Daisy remarried by banns 30 March 1929 at Christ Church to Albert Linney, a machinist, a bachelor aged 34 of 23 Leavesden Road, Watford; Daisy was aged 37 of 23 Garfield Street; she died 1954 in the Watford district aged 62.

Private 14771174, 4th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers. Died 9 March 1945 aged 18. Son of Sidney Charles & Harriet (nee Hubbard) Goodchild of Watford. Remembered with honour Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Kleve, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany: Plot 62, Row H, Grave 5.

After the end of the war in 1945, thousands of graves of soldiers and airmen were brought from burial places in western Germany to lie in the Reichswald. Many of the soldiers who rest here perished in the grim battle of the Rhineland. Some fought and died in the advance through the forest itself in February 1945. Many others died in the crossing of the Rhine, among them men of the airborne forces whose bodies were brought from Hamminkeln, where a landing was made by the 6th British Airborne Division from bases in England.

Dennis was born 26 May 1926 and baptised 22 August 1926 at St George’s, Watford; the family lived at 81 Regent Street, Watford.

His parents married by banns 13 December 1908 at St Andrew's, Watford: Sidney was a carpenter, a bachelor; Harriet a spinster; both aged 25, both of 43 Ridge Street, Watford. Sidney, of 144 Leggetts Way, Watford, died 15 December 1939 at the Peace Memorial Hospital, Watford, aged 56; Harriet died 1979 in the Watford district aged 95.

Lance-Serjeant Albert Lionel Graham, 2721431, 3rd Battalion, Irish Guards. Died 18 July 1944 aged 24. Son of Harry & Veronica Martha Woodward (nee Earl) Graham of Watford; husband of Peggy Laurie (nee Putland) Graham of Watford. Remembered with honour Banneville-la- Campagne War Cemetery, Calvados, Normandy, France: Plot V, Row F, Grave 27.

For the most part, the cemetery contains the graves of men killed in the fighting from the second week of July 1944, when Caen was finally captured, to the last week in August when the Falaise Gap had been closed and the Allies were preparing for their advance beyond the Seine. The 3rd Battalion landed with the Guards Armoured Division in Normandy in June 1944 ... taking part in the advance from Seine to Nijmegen.

Albert's birth was registered 1920 in the Watford district. He married by banns 24 January 1942 at Christ Church: already in H.M. Forces, a bachelor aged 21 of 165 Judge Street, Watford; Peggy a spinster aged 19 of 1A Garfield Street, Watford. Peggy remarried by banns 24 November 1945 at St Mary's, Watford to Edward Joseph Rutland, in H.M. Forces, a bachelor aged 31 of 4 Cromer Road, Watford; Peggy was aged 23 of 23 Clifford Street, Watford.

His parents married 1916 in the Croydon, Surrey, district. Harry died 1929 in the Watford district aged 56. Veronica remarried by banns 10 June 1950 at Christ Church to Frank Johns, an electrical fitter, a widower aged 57 of 20 Judge Street, Watford; Veronica was a cook aged 50 of 165 Judge Street. She died 1983 in the Watford district aged 84.

The only match on C.W.G.C. is:

Leading Airman Vernon Vickers Hatfield, FX 78549, H.M.S. Heron, Royal Navy. Died 13 May 1943 aged 21. Son of Thomas Edward & Evelyn Doris (nee Vickers) Hatfield of Gnosall, Staffs. Remembered with honour Gnosall (St Lawrence) Churchyard extension.

Vernon was in 782 Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm based at H.M.S. Heron. He was killed in an air crash.

A Vernon V Hatfield's birth was registered 1922 in the Newport, Shrops, district and his death registered in the Wincanton, Somerset, district.

His parents married 1921 in the Newport district. Thomas, of The Banks, High Street, Gnosall, died 1 January 1973 aged 71; Evelyn died 1964 in the Stafford district aged 64.

The only match on C.W.G.C. is:

Lance-Corporal John James Hathaway, 2584452, Royal Corps of Signals attached to 28th Indian Infantry Brigade Signal Section, Indian Signal Corps. Died 23 August 1943 aged 22. Son of Richard & Lily Elizabeth (nee Starkey) Hathaway of Bournville, Birmingham. Remembered with honour Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand: Plot 4, Row B, Grave 24.

John was a Japanese Prisoner of War who died on the Thailand-Burma railway.

A John J Hathaway's birth was registered 1921 in the Kings Norton, Worcs, district. His parents married 1902 in the Aston, Warks, district. Richard, of 14 Linden Road, Bournville, died 13 January 1942 aged 64; Lily died 1957 in the Birmingham, Warks, district. A aged 77.

Flight Sergeant 1338366, 264 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 18 July 1944 aged 21. Son of Frederick Bingham & Cora Florence Ivy (nee Fowkes) Hoare of 51 Oakdene Road, Watford. Remembered with honour Watford North Cemetery: Section B Cons. Grave 464.

According to the Operations Record Book, 264 Squadron was based at Hartford Bridge. On 17 July 1944, Sgt M F Hoare & Sgt E L Bishop [flying a Mosquito XIII] whilst on patrol collided with a Tempest fighter while in orbit and both were killed. The Tempest pilot is safe. Maurice's birth was registered 1922 in the Reigate, Surrey, district and his death registered in the Battle, Sussex, district.

His parents married 1920 in the Havant, Hants, district. Frederick, of 51 Oakdene Road, died 19 December 1953 at the Peace Memorial Hospital, Watford, aged 67; Cora, of 51 Oakdene Road, died 5 October 1974 aged 79.

Private 5835501, 2nd Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Died 29 December 1942 aged 33. Son of Frank & Kate Fanny (nee Timberlake) Hodges; husband of Theresa Lilian Isobel (nee Houlding) Hodges of Watford. Remembered with honour Chungkai War Cemetery, Thailand: Plot 12, Row D, Grave 14.

John was a Japanese Prisoner of War who died on the Thailand-Burma railway, cause unknown.

He was born 26 March 1909 and baptised 9 May 1909 at All Saints, Kings Langley, Herts; the family lived in Kings Langley. He married by banns 22 February 1941 at Christ Church: already in the Army, a bachelor aged 31 of 27 Alexandra Road, Kings Langley; Theresa a spinster aged 26 of 167 Sandringham Road, Watford. Theresa remarried 1948 in the Watford district to Arthur H King and died 2008 in the Colchester district aged 94.

His parents married 26 May 1906 at All Saints, Kings Langley: Frank was a labourer, a widower aged 28; Kate a spinster aged 26; both of Kings Langley. Frank, of 27 Alexandra Road died 31 August 1954 at 60 Vicarage Road (Shrodells), Watford, aged 75; Kate died 1970 in the Hemel Hempstead district aged 91.

On the 1911 Census, John (listed as William) aged 2 was living at Alexandra Road with his parents and one sibling.

A probable match on C.W.G.C. is:

Flight Sergeant Kenneth Alexander Horne, 1453403, 189 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 21 March 1945 aged 21. Husband of Kathleen May (nee Wilson) Horne of Arnold, Notts. Remembered with honour Runnymede Memorial: Panel 271.

According to the Operations Record Book, 189 Squadron was based at Fulbeck. On 20 March 1945 Lancaster I RF132 was detailed to attack Bohlen. Missing without trace - F/Sgt K A Horne. In the Appendix an entry states: born to the wife of F/Sgt K A Horne a son Colin at Bullwell, Notts, on 19 December 1944.

A Kenneth A Horne’s birth was registered 1923 in the Watford district. He married 1944 in the Basford, Notts, district. Kathleen remarried 1953 in the Nottingham district to Bertram L S Hallsworth and she died 1977 in the Nottingham district aged 56.

His parents were Stanley Walter and Lilian M (nee Miller), who married 1921 in the Watford district. Lilian died 1929 in the Watford district aged 32. Stanley remarried 1955 in the Watford district to Margaret Evelyn Whitlock; he died 3 May 1963 at the Peace Memorial Hospital, Watford aged 66, of 32 Neston Road, Watford.

The only match on C.W.G.C. is:

Rifleman George Albert Robert Hosier, 5951210, 1st Battalion, The London Irish Rifles, Royal Ulster Rifles. Died 23 January 1944 aged 24. Remembered with honour Minturno War Cemetery, Italy: Plot I, Row H, Grave 17.

Minterno War Cemetery lies close to the western end of the 1943-4 German winter defensive position, the Gustav Line, and the burials it contains are mainly those of men lost in the heavy fighting to cross the Garigliano river in January 1944.

A George A R Hosier's birth was registered 1919 in the Watford district and he was baptised 11 July 1919 at St Mary's, Watford, the son of William George & Miriam (nee Smith); the family lived at Vale Road, Bushey, Herts.

The only marriage for a William George Hosier is to a Marion G M Smith 1916 in the Plomesgate, Suffolk, district. William, of 2 Corner Hall Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, died 11 July 1969 in the Berkhamsted, Herts, district aged 75; Marion died 1922 in the Watford district aged 27. (Miriam is possibly a mis-hearing of the name by whoever officiated at the baptism.)

The only match on C.W.G.C. is:

Lance-Serjeant Frank Haworth Hucklebridge, 858909, 148 (The Bedfordshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died 9 April 1944 aged 26. Son of Frank Haworth & Mabel Honoria (nee Kates) Hucklebridge of The Warren, Hockliffe, Beds. Remembered with honour Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand: Plot 4, Row E, Grave 28.

Frank was a Japanese Prisoner of War who died of dysentery at Tarsao on the Thailand- Burma railway.

A Frank H Hucklebridge's birth was registered 1918 in the Farnham, Surrey, district. His parents married 1917 in the Chertsey, Surrey, district. Frank snr, of 3 Water Street, Great Harwood, Lancs, died 18 June 1962 aged 77; Mabel, of Watling Street, Hockliffe, was buried 12 June 1934 at Hockliffe Parish Church aged 39.

Private 5990188, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment. Died 2 July 1940 aged 19. Son of John Edward & Ada Mary (nee Gibb) Humphreys of 64 Gammons Lane, Watford. Remembered with honour Dunkirk Memorial, Nord, France: Column 48.

At the time of his death Robert was in the 2nd Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment (TA) and was one of the military guards on board the SS Arandora Star, en route from Liverpool to St Johns, Newfoundland. On 2 July 1940, the unescorted ship was hit by one torpedo from U-47. The ship had 479 German and 734 Italian internees, 86 German prisoners-of-war and 200 military guards on board. The master, 12 officers, 42 crewmen, 37 guards, 470 Italians and 243 Germans were lost.

Robert's birth was registered 1921 in the Watford district.

His parents married 1920 in the Brackley, Northants, district. John died 1975 aged 76; Ada 1975 aged 76; both in the Watford district.

A probable match on C.W.G.C. is:

Private John Robert Jeffreys, 5782657, 6th Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment. Died 16 December 1943 aged 44. Husband of Violet May (nee Belbeck) Jeffreys of 43 Oakdene Road, Watford. Remembered with honour Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand: Plot 2, Row O, Grave 10. The 6th Battalion served in the Far East as part of the 18th Infantry Division in the defence of Singapore and Malaya. The Battalion ended up as Prisoners of War when Singapore fell in February 1942. They would remain so until August 1945 during which time they were used as forced labour on projects such as the “Death Railway”; John died on the Thailand-Burma railway. His birth was registered 1899 in the Northampton district. He married 1935 in the Hackney, London, district.

Sergeant 956375, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 28 March 1942 aged 33. Son of Edward Harry (or Henry) & Catherine Ann(ie) (nee Burnell) Johnson of 10 Salisbury Road, Watford. Remembered with honour Runnymede Memorial: Panel 87. Unfortunately, as no Squadron number is given, it has not been possible to establish how and where Kenneth died.

His birth was registered 1918 in the Watford district.

His parents married by licence 4 October 1917 at St Michael & All Angels, Watford: Edward was a Staff-Sgt in the A.S.C. [Army Signal Corps], a bachelor aged 25 of 65 Diamond Road, Watford; Catherine a spinster aged 21 of 67 Harwoods Road, Watford. Edward, of 10 Salisbury Road, died 2 January 1951 at the Peace Memorial Hospital, Watford, aged 58; Catherine died 24 November 1965 aged 69.

A possible match on C.W.G.C. is:

Rifleman William Charles Henry Johnson, 6916737, 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade. Died 13 December 1944 aged 27. Son of John William & Susan Eliza (nee Chandler) Johnson of Cheshunt, Herts; husband of Gladys Emily Rose (nee Eastwick) Johnson of Cheshunt. Remembered with honour Faenza War Cemetery, Ravenna, Italy: Plot VIII, Row G, Grave 20. Faenza War Cemetery was made in the winter of 1944 for the burial of those who died in the static fighting before the Allied advance was renewed in April 1945.

A William C H Johnson's birth was registered 1917 in the Edmonton, Middx, district. He married by licence 8 June 1940 at St Mary the Virgin, Cheshunt: a soldier, a bachelor age 22 of 2 Rose Cottages, Hammond Street, Cheshunt; Gladys a spinster aged 20 of 68 Denhurst Road, Cheshunt. Gladys remarried 1956 in the Ware district to Leonard G Savill and died 1987 in the Enfield, Middx, district aged 67.

His parents married 1903 in the Edmonton district.

Leading Aircraftsman 1455487, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 17 November 1943 aged 21. Son of Charles George & Clarissa Nellie (nee McNamara) Keech of 82 Bushey Mill Lane, Watford. Remembered with honour Watford North Cemetery: Section D Cons. [actually Section D Ded.] Grave 1462.

Unfortunately, as no Squadron number is given, it has not been possible to establish how and where James died, except that it was somewhere in England.

His birth was registered 1922 in the Watford district and his death registered in the Newark, Notts, district.

His parents married 1909 in the Northampton district. Charles, of 82 Bushey Mill Lane, died 4 December 1956 aged 78; Clarissa, of 86 Cassio Road, Watford, died 31 May 1968 aged 84.

Sub-Lieutenant (E), H.M.S. Gloucester, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Died 26 March 1941 aged 22. Son of John Henry & Beatrice May (nee Poole) Kemp of Watford. Remembered with honour Plymouth Naval Memorial: Panel 61, Column 3.

Kenneth was aboard the steamship Britannia, used as a transport ship, bound from the U.K. to India, when she was intercepted by the German raider Thor, 720 miles west of Freetown. There was an unequal action for over an hour, the liner putting up a stout fight with her single gun. At the end of that time she was compelled to stop and lower her boats. The Thor then sank her by gunfire but made no attempt to help the survivors. The action took place on 25 March 1941. Of the 203 crew and 281 passengers, 122 of the crew and 127 passengers lost their lives. Kenneth's birth was registered 1918 in the Tendring, Essex, district.

His parents married 1911 in the Eastry, Kent, district. Beatrice died 1967 in the Watford district aged 85.

A possible match on C.W.G.C. is:

Leading Seaman Henry James King, C/J 82787, H.M.S. Picotee, Royal Navy. Died 12 August 1941 aged 39. Son of Harry & Charlotte Emma (nee Coleman) King; husband of Doris Hetty (nee Hunt) King of Bushey, Herts. Remembered with honour Chatham Naval Memorial: Panel 41, Column 3.

H.M.S. Picotee was torpedoed and sunk south of Iceland by U-568 during the night of 11/12 August 1941 whilst escorting convoy ONS-4. She was hit by one torpedo and sank almost immediately. There were no survivors.

Henry was born 1 December 1901 and baptised 5 January 1902 at Flitton Parish Church, Beds; the family lived in Flitton. He married by banns 15 April 1933 at St Mary's, Watford: an engineer, a widower aged 31; Doris a spinster aged 28; both of 10 Smith Street, Watford. Doris never remarried and died 17 January 1979, of Milton Court, Milton Crescent, Eastbourne, Sussex, aged 75.

His parents married by banns 23 October 1899 at St Mary's, Maulden, Beds: Harry was a labourer, a bachelor aged 22 of Flitton; Charlotte a spinster aged 21 of Maulden. Harry, of 61Windmill Lane, Bushey Heath, Herts, died 10 February 1952 aged 74; Charlotte died 1963 in the Watford district aged 85.

On the 1911 Census, Henry aged 9 was living at 61 Windmill Lane, with his parents and four siblings.

A possible match on C.W.G.C. is:

Private Howard Walter King, 5835514, 5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died 2 June 1943 age unknown. Remembered with honour Chungkai War Cemetery: Plot 7, Row F, Grave 3.

Howard was a Japanese Prisoner of War who died on the Thailand-Burma railway.

A probable match on C.W.G.C. is:

Serjeant Frederick Thomas Knight, 5954023, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment. Died 28 July 1944 age unknown. Son of (the late Frederick Knight &) Florence (nee Doggett) Barnet; husband of May (nee Challenger) Knight of Watford. Remembered with honour Ryes War Cemetery, Bazenville, Normandy, France: Plot I, Row B, Grave 7.

At the time of his death Frederick was in the 2nd Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment (TA), which became the core battalion of No. 9 Beach Group in 1943, landing at La Rivière on Gold Beach on D-Day. In July 1944 it was retrained as infantry for front line duties. Frederick was killed in action.

He was born 11 March 1916 and baptised 30 April 1916 at St Michael and All Angels, Watford; the family lived at 40 Brightwell Road, Watford. He married by banns 5 August 1939 at Christ Church: a labourer, a bachelor aged 23 of 4 Cromer Road, Watford; May a spinster aged 21 of 11 Garfield Street, Watford.

His parents married 1915 in the Watford district.

Lance-Serjeant 768990, 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Died 2 May 1940 aged 30. Son of Frederick Archibald & Alice (nee Clare) Lain of 31 Middle Way, Watford; husband of Doris Mildred (nee Payne) Lain of 4 Parker Street, Watford. Remembered with honour Watford North Cemetery: Section B Cons. Grave 569.

The Grenadier Guard's first involvement in W.W.2 came in the early stages of the fighting when all three regular battalions (1st, 2nd & 3rd) were sent to France in late 1939 as part of the B.E.F. As the B.E.F was pushed back by the German blitzkrieg, these battalions played a considerable role in maintaining the British Army's reputation during the withdrawal phase of the campaign before being themselves evacuated from Dunkirk. It is assumed Frederick died as a result of wounds received during the evacuation.

His birth was registered 1910 in the Watford district and he was baptised 29 July 1910 at Christ Church; the family lived at 78 Regent Street, Watford. He married 1935 in the Watford district and his death was registered in the Hemel Hempstead, Herts, district. Doris never remarried and died 1 July 1980, of 4 Parker Street, aged 73.

His parents married 1909 in the Watford district. Alice died 1937 in the Watford district aged 46.

On the 1911 Census, Frederick aged 8 months was living at 78 Regent Street with his parents and no siblings.

Sergeant Jack Vernon Lea, 1472369, 75 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 11 June 1944 aged 22. Son of Frederick George & Irene Annie (nee Lavender) Lea of 40 Westfield Avenue, Watford; husband of Joan Annette (nee James) Lea of Watford. Remembered with honour Tillieres-sur-Avre Communal Cemetery, Eure, France: Coll. Grave.

According to the Operations Record Book, 75 Squadron was based at Mepal. On 11 June 1944, aircraft detailed to attack Dreux. The aircraft captained by F/S T Donoghy [inc. F/Eng Sgt J Lea] Lancaster I HK533 failed to return. Airborne 2313 from Mepal to bomb rail installations in support of the Normandy offensive. Crashed at Tillieres-sur-Avre. Those killed are buried in Tillieres-sur-Avre Communal Cemetery - Sgt J V Lea killed in action.

Jack's birth was registered 1922 in the Hendon, Middx, district. He married by licence 6 April 1944 at Christ Church: already in H.M. Forces, a bachelor aged 22 of 40 Westfield Avenue; Joan a spinster aged 23 of 10 Bushey Mill Lane, Watford. Joan remarried 1953 in the Watford district to Leonard G Ruthen.

His parents married 1920 in the Hemel Hempstead, Herts, district. Irene, of 274 St Johns Road, Boxmoor, Herts, died 28 January 1982 aged 91.

The only match on C.W.G.C. is:

Flight Lieutenant John Frederick Luing, 121527, 211 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 24 October 1944 age unknown. Son of James Cowley & Dorothy Elizabeth (nee Perry) Luing of Elsenham, Essex; husband of Estelle Theresa Joan (nee Trott) Luing of Shrewsbury, Shrops. A.M.I.E.E. Remembered with honour Rangoon War Cemetery, Burma (Myanmar): Plot 6, Row H, Grave 10.

According to the Operations Record Book, 211 Squadron was based at Bhatpara [far east]. On 8 March 1944 Beaufighter L2364 - Pilot F/O J F Luing - detailed to attack road communications. The aircraft did not return; missing. In the diary of Donald Lomas R.A.F., he shared a cell in Rangoon Jail with F/Lt Luing, a 211 Squadron Beaufighter pilot, who had been shot down at low level on 8 March 1944, wearing only a summer-weight cotton sleeveless bush shirt and short-legged pants. Luing suffered horribly from the chill and the mosquitoes, and eventually succumbed to disease on 24 October 1944.

A John F Luing's birth was registered 1917 in the St Albans, Herts, district. He married 1943 in the Shrewsbury, Shrops, district. Estelle never remarried and died 1995 in the Shrewsbury district aged 75.

His parents married 1916 in the Watford district. James died 1961 in the Bishop's Stortford, Herts, district aged 70; Dorothy, of 25 South Road, Bishop's Stortford, died 21 November 1967 aged 76.

Lance-Bombardier 1092617, 70 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died 3 May 1943 aged 34. Son of Herbert William & Julia Adelaide (nee Ludlow) Malt of Watford; husband of Edith Ellen (nee Adams) Malt of Croxley Green, Rickmansworth, Herts. His brother Stanley Arthur Henry Malt also died on service. Remembered with honour Medjez-el-Bab War Cemetery, Tunisia: Plot 4, Row B, Grave 3.

Medjez-el-Bab was at the limit of the Allied advance in December 1942 and remained on the front line until the decisive Allied advances of April and May 1943.

Herbert was born 8 October 1909 and baptised 26 December 1909 at St Paul’s, Hemel Hempstead, Herts; the family lived at Hague Street, Hemel Hempstead. He married by banns 26 January 1941 at Christ Church: a salesman, a bachelor aged 31 of 53 Tudor Avenue, Watford; Edith a spinster aged 27 of 54 Bushey Mill Lane, Watford. Edith remarried 1950 in the Watford district to Francis F Hampton and died 2005 in the Watford district aged 92.

His parents married by banns 23 May 1904 at St Paul’s, Hemel Hempstead: Herbert was a bootmaker, a bachelor aged 28; Julia a spinster aged 23; both of 20 Chapel Street. Herbert snr died 1920 in the Watford district aged 44. Julia remarried by banns 4 June 1944 at Christ Church to John Barnard Airey, an L.M.S. employee, a widower aged 62 of 46 Eastfield Avenue, Watford; Julia was aged 63 of 53 Tudor Avenue, Watford; she died 1969 in the Watford district aged 88-89. On the 1911 Census, Herbert aged 1 was living at 15 Chapel Street, Hemel Hempstead, with his parents and one sibling.

The only match on C.W.G.C. is:

Warrant Officer Michael Charles Medcalf, 1387484, 502 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 26 December 1944 aged 21. Son of Charles Frederick & Florence Gertrude (nee Telfer) Medcalf of Kenton, Middx. Remembered with honour Runnymede Memorial: Panel 214. According to the Operations Record Book, 502 Squadron was based at Stornoway. On 26 December 1944, Halifax Mk II was on anti-shipping patrol in the Skagerrak. A message was received, then nothing further was heard and the aircraft failed to return to base. Presumably it was shot down by enemy aircraft - F/O M Medcalf.

A Michael C Medcalf's birth was registered 1923 in the Hendon, Middx, district.

His parents married 1915 in the Hendon district. Florence, of 100 Draycott Avenue, Kenton, died 12 November 1953 at 28 Sedgecombe Avenue, Wembley, Middx, aged 65.

A probable match on C.W.G.C. is:

Sergeant (Flight Engineer) Alan Sydney Milton, 512435, Royal Air Force. Died 12 August 1942 aged 20. Son of Ordnance Lieutenant Sidney Harold R.N. & Catherine May (nee Edney) Milton of 95 Sandringham Road, Watford. Remembered with honour Watford North Cemetery: Section B Cons. [actually Section B Ded.] Joint Grave 752.

Unfortunately, as no Squadron number is given, it has not been possible to establish how and where Alan died, except that it was somewhere in England.

An Alan S Milton's birth was registered 1921 in the Watford district and his death registered in the Cambridge district.

His parents married 1920 in the Watford district. Both died 30 July 1944 as a result of the V-1 flying bomb that fell on Sandringham Road; they were both aged 48. They are buried at Watford North Cemetery in the same grave as their son and are commemorated on C.W.G.C. Also killed in the same incident was Alan’s sister Daphne.

A possible match on C.W.G.C. is:

Engine Room Artificer 4th Class Alfred Herbert Moses, C/MX 69267, H.M.S Eagle, Royal Navy. Died 11 August 1942 aged 32. Son of Mr & Mrs James Hamlin Moses; husband of Phyllis Maud (nee Smith) Moses of Bushey, Herts. Remembered with honour Chatham Naval Memorial: Panel 60, Column 2.

H.M.S. Eagle was hit by four torpedoes and sunk by the German submarine U-73 on 11 August 1942, during Operation Pedestal; two officers and 158 ratings were lost.

An Alfred Herbert Moses' birth was registered 1910 in the Brighton, Sussex, district. He married by banns 28 December 1933 at St Peter's, Dunstable, Beds: a mechanic, a bachelor aged 23 of 63 Garden Road, Dunstable; Phyllis an examiner, a spinster aged 24 of 162 High Street South, Dunstable. Phyllis never remarried and died 21 January 1997, of 39 Diamond Court, Banbury Road, Summertown, Oxford, aged 87.

A probable match on C.W.G.C. is:

Stoker 1st Class Denis Leigh Burgoyne Oliver, P/KX 111942, H.M. Submarine Unbeaten, Royal Navy. Died 11 November 1942 aged 22. Son of Leigh Burgoyne & Phyllis Ethel (nee Smith) Oliver of 142 The Harebreaks, Watford. Mentioned in despatches. Remembered with honour Portsmouth Naval Memorial: Panel 68, Column 3.

11 November 1942, while on passage to rendezvous off Bishop Rock, British aircraft made an attack on a submarine in the Bay of Biscay and sank H.M.S. Unbeaten in error.

A Denis L B Oliver's birth was registered 1920 in the Watford district and he was baptised 28 March 1920 at St Mary's, Watford; the family lived at 3 Weymouth Street, Watford. His parents married 1917 in the Sunderland, Co Durham, district. Leigh, of 142 The Harebreaks, died 23 March 1962 at the Peace Memorial Hospital, Watford, aged 67; Phyllis, of Russells, Hempstead Road, Watford, died 15 June 1986 aged 92.

The only match on C.W.G.C. is:

Flight Sergeant Cyril George Pay, 1330865, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 30 June 1943 aged 28. Son of George William & Bessie (nee Blake) Pay; husband of Emily Rose (nee Barrett) Pay of Watford. Remembered with honour Khartoum War Cemetery, Sudan: Plot 7, Row B, Grave 7.

Unfortunately, as no Squadron number is given, it has not been possible to establish how and where Cyril died.

A Cyril G Pay's birth was registered 1914 in the Epping, Essex, district. He married by banns 1 July 1939 at Christ Church: a compositor, a bachelor; Emily a spinster; both aged 25, both of 33 Beechwood Rise, Watford. Emily remarried by banns 8 January 1949 at Christ Church to Charles Hubert Pavey, a printer, a bachelor aged 31; Emily a factory hand aged 35; both of 33 Longspring, Watford. She died 1987 in the Watford district aged 73.

His parents married 1914 in the Maidstone, Kent, district. George, of 15 Coombe Road, Maidstone, died 23 September 1965 at the West Kent Hospital, Maidstone, aged 72; Bessie died 1959 in the Maidstone district aged 63.

Marine CH/X 109434, R.M. Group, M.N.B.D.O. [Mobile Naval Base Defence Organisation] (2), Royal Marines. Died 7 January 1944 aged 37. Son of Arthur James & Alice (nee Mead) Puddephatt of 17 Euston Road, Watford; husband of Emily Alice (nee Martindale) Puddephatt of Watford. Remembered with honour Syracuse War Cemetery, Sicily: Plot VII, Row A, Grave 16.

Most of those buried in this cemetery died on 10 July 1943, when Commonwealth forces landed on Sicily, or in the early stages of the campaign that followed. Many were men of the airborne force killed when gale force winds blew their gliders wide of their objectives or into the sea. Arthur died of wounds received [presumably sustained earlier].

His birth was registered 1906 in the Watford district and he was baptised 25 April 1906 at St Mary's, Watford; the family lived at 26 Pretoria Road, Watford. He married 1930 in the Watford district. Emily never remarried and died 10 July 1987 of 24 Woodfields, George Street, Watford, aged 81.

His parents married 1902 in the Berkhamstead, Herts, district. Arthur snr, of 17 Euston Road, died 27 September 1954 aged 77; Alice died 1946 in the Watford district aged 68.

On the 1911 Census, Arthur aged 5 was living at 41 Pretoria Road, Watford, with his parents and four siblings.

A probable match on C.W.G.C. is:

Sergeant (Obs) Ronald Maurice Ramsden, 952490, 42 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 3 August 1941 aged 21. Son of Maurice Vernon & Edith Lilian (nee Gough) Ramsden of 3 Park Road, Watford. Remembered with honour Frederikshavn Cemetery, Jutland, Denmark: Allied Plot, Grave 1.

According to the Operations Record Book, 42 Squadron was based at Leuchars. On 3 August 1941, a course was set for position BPZU4000 on the Norge coast. The Beaufort W6477 aircraft was never in contact with base and failed to return.

Ronald was born 5 April 1920 and baptised 5 May 1920 at St Martin's, Gospel Oak, London; the family lived at 30 Lewisham Road, Gospel Oak.

His parents married by banns September 1918 at St Barnabas', Kentish Town, London: Maurice was a clerk, a bachelor aged 26 of 47 Grafton Road, Kentish Town; Edith a spinster aged 26 of 13 Sandall Road, Kentish Town. Maurice died 1967 in the Kerrier, Cornwall, district aged 75; Edith died 1979 in the New Forest, Hants, district aged 87.

The only match on C.W.G.C. is:

Lance-Corporal Thomas William George Roadnight, 5957415, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment. Died 5 May 1944 aged 28. Son of John Thomas & Winifred Minnie (nee Mather) Roadnight of 32 Gammons Lane, Watford; husband of Olive Margaret (nee Waldron) Roadnight of Watford. Remembered with honour Maynamati War Cemetery, Bangladesh: Plot 3, Row D, Grave 16.

Thomas was part of Orde Wingate’s Chindits. The War Diary for the 1st Battalion states that L/Cpl T Roadnight was killed 5/5/44 [as the result of a road accident]; the battalion was stationed in the Mawlu area, India.

Thomas was born 24 March 1916 and baptised 30 April 1916 at St Michael and All Angels, Watford; the family lived at 93 Chester Road, Watford. He married by banns 2 March 1940 at Christ Church: a ware-houseman, a bachelor aged 23 of 32 Gammons Lane; Olive a spinster aged 22 of 11 Acme Road, Watford. Olive remarried 1960 in the Watford district to John P Peel and died 1984 in the Watford district aged 66.

His parents married 1915 in the Watford district. John died 1961 aged 65; Winifred died 1976 aged 80; both in the Watford district.

Private 14737295, 2nd (Airborne) Battalion, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Died 24 March 1945 aged 28. Son of Mr & Mrs William Walter Ross of Watford; husband of Maria A (nee Jones or Sacones) Ross of Watford. Remembered with honour Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Kleve, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany: Plot 36, Row C, Grave 2.

William enlisted in the General Service Corps. He served first with the Beds & Herts Regiment, before transferring to the 2nd Battalion, O.B.L.I. Took part in the assault crossing of the Rhine by glider at Hamminkeln; killed in action.

William's birth was registered 1917 in the Watford district. He married 1939 in the Watford district.

The only match on C.W.G.C. is:

Flying Officer Philip Finnis Rowe, D.F.C., 170723, 101 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 27 April 1944 aged 22. Son of George & Ellen Mary (nee Finnis) Rowe of Deal, Kent. Remembered with honour Viroflay New Communal Cemetery, Yvelines, France: Row A, Grave 27.

According to the Operations Record Book, 101 Squadron was based at Ludford Magna. On 26 April 1944, [Lancaster LL860] missing - nothing heard from after take off. All are buried in France at Viroflay New Communal cemetery - F/O P F Rowe D.F.C. killed in action.

A Philip F Rowe's birth was registered 1921 in the Eastry, Kent, district.

His parents married 1906 in the Eastry district. Ellen, of Greensted, The Orpines, Tonbridge Road, Wateringbury, Maidstone, Kent, died 5 November 1981 aged 97.

Pilot Officer 141827, 158 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 28 April 1943 age unknown. Son of Ernest & Ellen (nee Meehan ?) Schofield of 12 Oakdene Road, Watford. Remembered with honour Runnymede Memorial: Panel 133. According to the Operations Record Book, 158 Squadron was based at Lissett. On 28 April 1943, nine aircraft and crews detailed for and took off on operations, one aircraft missing. Halifax II ’A’ HR773 detailed for “Gardening” [to lay mines in the Kattegat] Silverthorne area. This aircraft took off at 2042 hours, since when nothing further has been heard of it - missing. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial - P/O A R Schofield, Nav, killed in action.

An Arthur R Schofield's birth was registered 1915 in the Medway, Kent, district.

The only match on C.W.G.C. is:

Private Maurice Alexander Sillwood, 14694860, 6th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment. Died 9 July 1944 aged 19. Son of Arthur A & Edith (nee Tomlin) Sillwood of 11 Nicholas Close, Watford. Remembered with honour Cambes-en-Plaine War Cemetery, Calvados, Normandy, France: Row F, Grave 2.

More than half the burials in this cemetery are of men of the South Staffordshire and North Staffordshire Regiments, killed in bitter fighting on 8 and 9 July 1944 during the attack on Caen. The greater part of that city was captured on 10 July.

A Maurice A Sillwood's birth was registered 1925 in the Watford district and he was baptised 23 August 1925 at St Mary's, Watford; the family lived at 46 St James Road, Watford. His parents married 1924 in the Hemel Hempstead, Herts, district. Arthur died 1957 aged 62; Edith died 1986 aged 87; both in the Watford district.

Sergeant 3005474, 57 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 6 November 1944 aged 19. Son of (the late William &) Frances Adelaide (nee Ellis) Sloane of Watford. Remembered with honour Runnymede Memorial: Panel 237.

According to the Operations Record Book, 57 Squadron was based at East Kirkby. On 6 November 1944, 17 aircraft were detailed to attack Gravenhorst - Mitteland Canal. Sortie abandoned on orders received from Master Bomber. F/O Cooper and Crew, Lancaster III LM624 missing. Nothing was heard from this crew after take off. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial - Sgt F J Sloane killed in action.

Frederick's birth was registered 1925 in the Watford district.

His parents married 1918 in the Hendon, Middx, district. Frances died 1970 in the Hemel Hempstead, Herts, district aged 74.

Private 5832804, 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment, A.A.C. [Army Air Corps]. Died 18 September 1944 aged 31. Son of Joseph William & Ellen Louisa (nee Vigers) Smith of Watford; husband of Gwen Mary (nee Stiles) Smith of Southsea, Hampshire. Remembered with honour Groesbeek Memorial, Gelderland, Holland: Panel 9.

The 1st Battalion was part of the 1st Parachute Brigade, 1st Airborne Division. Cyril was killed in action at Arnhem and has no known grave.

His birth was registered 1913 in the Watford district. He married 1940 in the Watford district. Gwen never remarried and died 18 August 1992 aged 75, of 46 St Vincent Road, Southsea.

His parents married by banns 1 September 1906 at St Andrews, Watford: Joseph was a carpenter, a bachelor aged 23; Ellen a spinster aged 22; both of 28 Salisbury Road, Watford. Joseph died 1917 in the Watford district aged 34.

Private 5784252, 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Died 31 July 1943 aged 19. Son of Mr Arthur J & Mrs Annie L (nee Orris) Smith of Watford. Remembered with honour Catania War Cemetery, Sicily: Plot III, Row J, Grave 9.

Catania War Cemetery contains burials from the later stages of the campaign in Sicily, including many who died in the heavy fighting just short of Catania and the battle for the Simeto river bridgehead.

Kenneth's birth was registered 1923 in the Watford district.

His parents married 1919 in the Watford district.

Signalman C/JX 156462, H.M.S. Calcutta, Royal Navy. Died 1 June 1941 aged 19. Son of Arthur Edward and Emily (nee Goddard) Smith of Watford. Remembered with honour Chatham Naval Memorial: Panel 45, Column 3.

H.M.S. Calcutta was sunk in the Mediterranean on 1 June 1941, about 100 nautical miles west-north-west of Alexandria, Egypt, by two bombs from German Ju-88 bombers. There were 255 survivors.

Reginald's birth was registered 1922 in the Edmonton, Middx, district.

His parents married 1905 in the Hertford district.

Either Reginald John SMITH, Private 7671645, The Hallamshire Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment. Died 27 June 1944 aged 27. Son of Robert Walter and Ethel Maud (nee Clements) Smith; husband of Kathleen Edna (nee Smith) Smith of Watford. Remembered with honour St Manvieu War Cemetery, Cheux, Normandy, France: Plot III, Row J, Grave 5. On 27 June 1944, The Hallamshires were involved in the second phase of the Battle of Fontenay-le-Pesnel, Normandy, ... Vendes was only 300 yards away and heavily defended. On the right the Germans also held the line of the Vendes-Barbe Farm-Petite Farm-Juvigny road in strength. This was a deadly position to be in and the battalion was subjected to an intense period of battle stress. Mortars, shells and rockets rained down in regular phases throughout the day. Reginald's birth was registered 1916 in the Islington, London, district. He married by banns 11 July 1942 at St Matthew's, Oxhey, Herts: already in H.M. Army, a bachelor aged 25 of 306 Deansbrook Road, Edgware, Middx; Kathleen a munitions worker, a spinster aged 22 of 51 Thorpe Crescent, Oxhey. Kathleen remarried by licence 28 September 1946 at St James', Watford to Hector James Sanders, a butcher, a bachelor aged 25 of 19 Liverpool Street, Watford; Kathleen was aged 26 of 51 Thorpe Crescent. His parents married 1909 in the Woolwich, London, district. Robert died 1965 in the Watford district aged 94.

Or Reginald James SMITH, Private 6849044, 1/6th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Died 28 May 1945 aged 28. Son of Edward William and Elizabeth Smith; husband of Catherine Hellen (nee Fowler) of Leavesden Green, Watford. Remembered with honour Naples War Cemetery, Italy: Plot IV, Row J, Grave 3.

The site for the war cemetery was chosen in November 1943 and burials were made in it from the hospitals and garrison in the Naples area. Later graves were brought in from a number of small cemeteries in the immediate vicinity.

Reginald's birth was registered 1917 in the Watford district. He married 1939 in the Watford district.

The only match on C.W.G.C. is:

Flight Sergeant Ronald Edward Charles Spall, 1629954, 297 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 3 March 1945 aged 19. Son of Edward John and Alice Elizabeth (nee Carter) Spall of Ipswich, Suffolk. Remembered with honour Runnymede Memorial: Panel 273.

According to the Operations Record Book, 297 Squadron was based at Earls Colne. On 3 March 1945, a call was made on the Squadron to provide three [Halifax] aircraft for an air-sea rescue search in the North Sea. One of these aircraft failed to return. It was last seen entering cloud at 200 feet and it is feared that the aircraft struck the water and sank immediately.

A Ronald E Spall's birth was registered 1924 in the Ipswich, Suffolk, district.

His parents married 1917 in the Woodbridge, Suffolk district. Edward died 1970 in the Ipswich district aged 87; Alice, of 28 Turin Street, Ipswich, died 2 August 1979 aged 86.

Captain 263403, General List attached Special Operations Executive. Died 14 September 1944 aged 23. Son of Arthur & Marie Hortense Steele; husband of Isabelle (nee Bowhill or Patterson) Steele of Watford. Mentioned in Despatches; Croix de Guerre avec Palme. Remembered with honour Brookwood Memorial: Panel 21, Column 3.

Arthur was with F Section of S.O.E., Monk Circuit, a w/t op code-named Laurent. He was arrested May 1944 and on 8 August was sent to Neue Bremm transit camp at Saarbrücken. He was subsequently moved to Buchenwald concentration camp on 16 August, where he was executed on 14 September. As well as Brookwood, Arthur is also commemorated on the S.O.E. Memorial at Valençay in France.

Arthur was born 6 April 1921 in France and married 1943 in the Watford district. Isabelle remarried 1948 in the Watford district to John W Wright-Browne.

His parents possibly married in France. Arthur snr died 1966 in the Watford district aged 69; Marie, of 30 Wingate Road, Luton, Beds, died 18 June 1976 aged 75.

Private 5780340, 2nd Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment. Died 4 May 1944 aged 31. Son of Alexander Robert George & Margaret Louise (nee Pope) Stevenson of 39 Cecil Street, Watford. Remembered with honour Kohima War Cemetery, Manipur, India: Plot 2, Row A, Grave 5.

The Japanese advance into India was halted at Kohima in April 1944, and Garrison Hill was the scene of perhaps the most bitter fighting of the whole Burma campaign when a small Commonwealth force held out against repeated attacks by a Japanese Division. The fiercest hand- to-hand fighting took place in the garden of the Deputy Commissioner's bungalow, but the heaviest casualties on both sides occurred after relieving forces reached the Garrison and the Japanese were driven off the ridge, so re-opening the road to Imphal.

William's birth was registered 1913 in the Watford district and he was baptised 16 May 1913 at Christ Church; the family lived at 39 Cecil Street.

His parents married by banns 25 February 1911 at Christ Church: Alexander was a carpenter, a bachelor of 137 Leavesden Road, Watford; Margaret a spinster of 46 Salisbury Road, Watford; both aged 22. Alexander, of 39 Cecil Street, died 4 July 1960 at Holywell Hospital, Watford, aged 71; Margaret, of 39 Cecil Street, died 17 May 1982 aged 93.

Sergeant 1866655, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 20 November 1944 aged 19. Son of Henry Robert & Lily Mabel (nee Bristow) Thompson of Watford. Remembered with honour Watford North Cemetery: Section B Cons. Grave 346.

Unfortunately, as no Squadron number is given, it has not been possible to establish how and where Ronald died, except that it was somewhere in England.

His birth was registered 1925 in the Poplar, London, district and his death registered in the Thorne, Lincs., district

His parents married 1909 in the Poplar district. Henry died 1933 in the Watford district aged 49; Lily, a widow of 29 Pomeroy Crescent, Watford, died 14 April 1951 at Ash Tree Road, Watford, aged 62.

No Serjeant 7634702, Royal Army Ordnance Corps. Died 2 May 1942 aged 28. Son of James & Mary Eliza (nee Smith) Timson of 7 Gorle Close, Watford; husband of Ivy Doris (nee George) Timson of Watford. Remembered with honour Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel: Row R, Grave 19.

During the Second World War, this cemetery was used by the Ramla Royal Air Force Station and by various Commonwealth hospitals posted in turn to the area for varying periods. Charles was born 2 November 1913 and baptised 28 December 1913 at All Saints, Leavesden, Herts; the family lived at Cart Path, Leavesden. He married by banns 8 January 1938 at All Saints, Leavesden: a clerk, a bachelor aged 24 of 16 Milton Street, Watford; Ivy a spinster aged 26 of 49 Shakespeare Street, Watford. Ivy remarried 1945 in the Watford district to Michael H Keais.

His parents married 1897 in the Shoreditch, London, district. James, of 7 Gorle Close, died 19 May 1943 at 60 Vicarage Road (Shrodells), Watford, aged 68.

A possible match on C.W.G.C. is:

Sergeant Frank Douglas Walter, 635501, 61 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Died 26 October 1940 aged 21. Son of Edward James & Lily (nee Green) Walter of Newquay, Cornwall. Remembered with honour Runnymede Memorial: Panel 20.

According to the Operations Record Book, 61 Squadron was based at Hemswell. On 25 October 1940, Hampden X2971 was targeted to attack Kiel docks. Sgt Loadsman failed to return and it is feared that he and his crew [inc. Sgt Walter] are lost. It is not known whether he was lost due to the extremely bad weather conditions or to action by enemy aircraft. Most probably the former. On 26 October 1940 three aircraft detailed to search for the missing aircraft. They approached to within three miles of the Dutch coast but failed to find the missing machine.

A Frank D Walter's birth was registered 1919 in the Watford district.

His parents married 1907 in the Watford district. Lily, of 3 Stafford Close, St Columb Minor, Newquay, Cornwall, died 18 February 1982 aged 93.

The only match on C.W.G.C. is:

Lance-Bombardier Stanley William Weeks, 1531848, Royal Artillery. Died 10 August 1944 aged 26. Son of Thomas Gresty & Edith (nee Turner) Weeks of 31 Purbrock Avenue, Garston, Herts. Remembered with honour Rome War Cemetery, Italy: Plot II, Row B, Grave 18.

Rome was taken on the 3 June 1944 as the German withdrawal continued. The cemetery was started shortly afterwards and was used mainly for burials from the occupying garrison, but a few graves were brought in from the surrounding country, and some soldiers and airmen who died as prisoners of war in Rome are also buried here.

A Stanley W Weeks' birth was registered 1919 in the Isle of Wight district.

His parents married 1909 in the Cambridge district.

Private Went, 5950457, 5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died 23 July 1943 aged 25. Son of William Joseph & Martha Emily (nee Bradley) Went of Watford. Remembered with honour Singapore Memorial: Column 56.

The 4th and 5th Battalions were sent to Singapore and in the ensuing battle were taken prisoner. Their total dead numbered 763 of whom 124 died in battle and 615 in Japanese captivity - most on the Burma-Thailand railway.

Horace's birth was registered 1918 in the Watford district and he was baptised 16 June 1918 at Christ Church; the family lived at 13 Hatfield Road, Watford.

His parents married by banns 2 October 1915 at St Mary's, Watford: William was in the military mounted police, a bachelor aged 25; Martha a spinster aged 29; both of 13 St Mary's Road, Watford. William died 1922 aged 32; Martha 1977 aged 90; both in the Watford district.

A possible match on C.W.G.C. is:

Pilot Officer Gordon Frederick White, 129455, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 11 December 1942 aged 27. Son of William Gordon and Alice (nee Hawkins) White of 67 North Approach, North Orbital Road, Garston, Herts; husband of Margery Eileen Joyce (nee Harding) White of Watford. Remembered with honour Watford North Cemetery: Section B Cons. Grave 54.

Unfortunately, as no Squadron number is given, it has not been possible to establish how and where Gordon died, except that it was somewhere in England.

A Gordon F White's birth was registered 1915 in the Watford district. He married by banns 9 August 1941 at St Andrew's, Watford: a clerk, a bachelor aged 26 of 67 North Approach, Watford; Margery a spinster aged 27 of 47 Belgrave Avenue, Watford. His death was registered in the Chichester, Sussex, district.

His parents married 1913 in the Watford district. William, of 67 North Approach, died 6 July 1945 at the Peace Memorial Hospital, Watford, aged 57.

Private 5954666, 4th Battalion, The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment). Died between 23 & 24 October 1943 aged 28. Son of George & Laura Florence (nee Testôt) Winn of 40 Bushey Mill Crescent, Watford. Remembered with honour Athens Memorial, Greece: Face 5.

Athens Memorial commemorates nearly 3,000 members of the land forces of the Commonwealth who lost their lives during the campaigns in Greece and Crete in 1941 and 1944- 45, in the Dodecanese Islands in 1943-45 and in Yugoslavia in 1943-45, and who have no known grave.

Dudley was born 9 October 1915 and baptised 10 May 1916 at Christ Church, Clapham, London; the family lived at 3 Elwell Road, Clapham.

His parents married by banns 31 January 1915 at Christ Church, Clapham: George was a shop assistant, a bachelor aged 26; Laura a spinster aged 25; both of 25 Alford Road, Clapham. George died 28 December 1968 aged 80; Laura died 11 May 1969 aged 79; both of 69 Judge Street, Watford.

A probable match on C.W.G.C. is:

Corporal William Thomas Worrall, 2598285, 4th H.Q. Sigs, Royal Corps of Signals. Died 24 June 1945 aged 28. Son of William Thomas & Sarah Eleanor (nee Abbott) Worrall of Watford; husband of Nancy Joyce (nee Hall) Worrall of Watford. Remembered with honour Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Iraq: Plot 22, Row K, Grave 20.

During the Second World War, Baghdad was an objective of Commonwealth forces. An advanced base was established later near the city and remained in use until 1946. Most of the 296 Commonwealth servicemen of W.W.2 buried in the cemetery died of illness or by accident when serving with PAIFORCE [Persia And Iraq Force].

William's birth was registered 1916 in the Newport Pagnell, Bucks, district. He married 1940 in the Watford district. Nancy remarried 1947 in the Watford district to John F A Flowers and died 1960 in the Watford district aged 43.

His parents married 1915 in the Towcester, Northants, district. William snr, of 30 Tudor Avenue, Watford, died 8 June 1952 at 60 Vicarage Road (Shrodells), Watford, aged 61.

Lance-Corporal Young, 5956763, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment. Died 16 May 1944 aged 28. Son of Mr Robert Frederick & Mrs Lily Alice (nee Gentle) Young of Watford. Remembered with honour Cassino War Cemetery, Frosinone, Italy: Plot XII, Row E, Grave 14.

By the 16th [May] the final battle [against the Gustav Line] was about to begin ... [it was] decided that the enemy-held salient must be straightened out ... This task was entrusted to the 2nd Bedfords. The attack began at 6.30pm and almost at once D Coy was halted by very heavy fire; A Coy, though suffering casualties, made good progress ... reaching their objective by about 9.40pm. By this time A Coy was reduced to 1 officer and 29 other ranks and D Coy to about 1 and 38 ... Robert was killed in action.

His birth was registered 1915 in the St Albans, Herts, district.

His parents married by banns 23 March 1911 at St Albans Abbey, Herts: Robert was an hotel manager, a bachelor aged 35 of High Street, Redbourn, Herts; Lily a spinster aged 26 of The Wellington, Market Place, St Albans. Lily died 1919 in the St Albans district aged 34.