Petty Officer 204978, Royal Navy. HMS Clan McNaughton. Died 03/02/1915. Age 31. Son of Isaac and Emily Elizabeth Adams of 30 Garland House, Seckford Street, Woodbridge. Commemorated on Chatham Naval Memorial.

Acting Lance Corporal 20107, 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers. Killed in action 04/10/1918. Age 25. Son of John William Andrews of Gordon House, Cumberland Street, Woodbridge. Enlisted Woodbridge, Suffolk resident Woodbridge. Formerly 1759, Suffolk Yeomanry. Buried at Templeux-le-Guerard British Cemetery, Aisne, France

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Fred Andrews, the younger son of Mr. John W. Andrews, of Gordon House, was killed on October 4th 1918, in France. He had previously served in Salonika, Egypt and Palestine where he suffered from malaria. He was 25 years of age.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

MM. Sergeant 203338, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 27/09/1918. Age 23. Son of George and Elizabeth Booth of "Glenville," 95 New Street, Woodbridge. Born Woodbridge, enlisted Woodbridge. Formerly 1735, Suffolk Yeomanry. Buried at Lowrie Cemetery, Havrincourt, Pas de Calais, France

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Sergt. Leonard Alfred Booth, elder surviving son of Mr. and Mrs. George Booth, was killed in action on September 27th, 1918, in France. He was in his 24th year.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

DCM. Bombardier 20110 122nd Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Died 02/08/1917. Age 31. Husband of Beatrice E Broome of 92 Cumberland Street, Woodbridge. Buried at Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Bombardier Albert Broome, husband of Mrs. Broome, 92, Cumberland Street, Wondbridge, was killed in action on August 2nd, 1917, and was buried at Ypres. Bombardier Broome was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in March 1916.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Private 13908, 8th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died 28/09/1916. No known grave. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

George Carter, the third member of the Woodbridge Reporter staff to make the supreme sacrifice, lost his life in April, 1918, through the vessel on which he was serving being torpedoed by an enemy submarine. He was 21 years of age.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Able Seaman DEV/J/44313, Royal Navy. HMS Kinsha. Died 10/01/1921. Age 32. Son of George and Katherine Clarke, 25 Thoroughfare, Woodbridge. No known grave. Commemorated on the Sai Wan (China) Memorial, Hong Kong. The Sai Wan (China) Memorial, commemorating 72 casualties of both wars whose graves in mainland China could not be maintained.

Able Seaman 201471, Royal Navy, HMS Cressy. Died 22/9/1914. Age 33. Son of Frederick William and Jane Clarke of 5 New Street, Woodbridge. Husband of Margaret Jane Clarke of 91 Stephenson Street, North Shields. Commemorated on Chatham Naval Memorial.

Private G/20308, 4th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment). Killed in action 17/11/1916. Born Woodbridge, Suffolk, enlisted Bury St. Edmunds, resident Woodbridge. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Mrs. E. George Cooper, of 14, Brook Street, was officially notified in January, 1918, that her husband, Private E. George Cooper, who had been posted "missing" since November 17th, 1916, had been assumed to have been killed on that date. He left a widow with three young children under nine years of age.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Private 29338, 1st/3rd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment attached to 264th Employment Company, Labour Corps. Died 24/07/1918. Age 25. Husband of Ethel D Crane of 9 St John's Street, Woodbridge. Born Woodbridge, Suffolk enlisted Woodbridge. Formerly 36498, Suffolk Regiment. Buried in Cremona Town Cemetery, Italy

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Bert Crane, husband of Mrs. Crane, St. John's Street, and son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Crane, of Bredfield Road, died in Italy, from blood-poisoning, on July 24th, 1918. He was 25 years of age, and was a fine cornet player.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Private 3569, 4th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment (transferred to 858th Area Employment Company, Labour Corps). Died 02/07/1918. Age 21. Son of William Crowe of 209 Earlham Road, Norwich. Born Woodbridge, Suffolk, enlisted Woodbridge. Formerly 36500, Suffolk Regiment. Buried at Les Baraques Military Cemetery, Sangatte, France

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Brian Crowe, younger son of Mr. William Crowe, of "Framfield," died in the 30th General Hospital, France, on July 3rd, his death being due to injuries sustained in a burning accident, whilst engaged in the Hospital. He would have attained his 21st birthday had he lived till the 19th of the month.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Able Seaman J/13934, Royal Navy. HMS/M E50. Died 31/01/1918. Age 24. Son of the late James George and Bessie Cutting of Woodbridge. Commemorated in Chatham Naval Memorial.

Private 9524, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 20/07/1916. Age 18. Son of Robert and Ellen Edmonds of 118 Castle Street, Woodbridge; brother of Percy (above). Born Woodbridge, enlisted Ipswich. No known grave. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Reginald Edmonds, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edmonds, of Castle Street, who was reported "missing" on August 20th, 1916, was subsequently concluded to be killed. Nr.s and Mrs. Edmonds thus lost two sons in the war.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Private 351139, 8th (Service) Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). Killed in action 19 July 1918. Born Woodbridge, enlisted Perth. Formerly 3086, H.C. Battalion. No known grave. Commemorated on Ploegsteert Memorial, Hainaut, Belgium. Panel 7.

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

George Arthur Finney, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Finney, of 68, New Street, was killed in action in France, on the 19th July, 1918, when he was endeavouring to carry in his Commanding Officer who had been severely wounded and ultimately died of his wounds.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Second Lieutenant, 129th Battery, 42nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Died 13/6/1918. Age 26. Son of William Henry and Ellen Amelia Forsdike of Woodbridge. Buried at Pernes British Cemetery

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Second-Lieut. C. W. Forsdike, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Forsdike, of New Street, died of wounds in France, on June 13th, 1918. He was 26 years of aged. Deceased had served in Egypt 1915— 1916.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Gunner 19312, ‘A’ Battery, 92nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Died 26/11/1918. Age 27. Son of William and Anna Grainger of 22 Beaconsfield Road, Woodbridge. Buried at Berlin South-Western Cemetery

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Archibald A. Grainger, fifth son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Grainger, of Beacons¬field Road, was a Prisoner of War in Germany, and died on or about the 25th November, 1918. He was 27 years of age, and a Gunner in the R.F.A.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Lieutenant, 48th Squadron, Royal Air Force (formerly 4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment). Died 08/08/1918. Age 21. Son of Samuel and Emma E Gray of 38 Seckford Street, Woodbridge. Commemorated on Arras Flying Services Memorial.

Private 77006, 9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Killed in action 18/9/1918. Born Woodbridge, enlisted Ipswich, resident Woodbridge. Formerly 75586, 107th Training Reserve Battalion. Buried at Epehy Wood Farm Cemetery, Epehy

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Walter Frederick Gray, who was killed in action in France on September 18th, 1918, was the second son that Mr and Mrs. Herbert Gray, of Woodbridge School Lodge, lost in the war. He was only 19 years of age.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Private 27774, 8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Killed in action 07/10/1916. Resident of Woodbridge.Born Huntingfield, Suffolk, enlisted Woodbridge, Suffolk resident Woodbridge. Commemorate on the Thiepval Memorial

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Arthur A. Harris, younger son of Mr. and Mrs. John Harris, 1, St. John's Street, was reported “missing” since October 7th, 1916, and in August 1917, they received official notice that the Array Council concluded he was killed. Mr. and Mrs. Harris' other son was killed in the Air Raid on August 12th, 1915.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Sapper 187184, 223rd Field Company, Royal Engineers. Killed in action 24/03/1918. Age 47. Husband of May Annie Houghton of 36 Brook Street, Woodbridge. Born Woodbridge, Suffolk, enlisted Ipswich, Suffolk, resident Woodbridge, Suffolk. Commemorated on Arras Memorial

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Sapper George William Houghton (R.E ), husband of Mrs. Houghton, of 36, Brook Street, was struck by a shell while in a sunken road in France, and died before he could be got on to an ambulance. He was 39 years of age.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Private 29355, 1st/8th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Died 04/10/1917. Age 37. Son of James and Harriet Jane Huggins of Great Yarmouth. Husband of Lily Rose Huggins of 25 Seckford Street, Woodbridge. No known grave. Commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Charles Robert Huggins, husband of Mrs. Huggins, of 25, Seckford Street, who had been posted as missing since the 4th November, 1917, was in September, 1918, officially notified by the War Office as killed on that date. The deceased, prior to joining the forces, was manager of the International Tea Stores, the Thoro'fare.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Staff Sergeant OM2/228959, "V" Company, Royal Army Service Corps. 5/1/1919. Age 33. Buried at Woodbridge Cemetery. Staff Sergeant Jones died at Bury St Edmunds

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Staff-Sergt. B. Jones, M.T., A.S.C., died at the Military Hospital, Bury St.Edmunds, on January 5th, 1919, from pneumonia. His home was at 16, Victoria Road, and he has left a widow and three young children. He was 35 years of age.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Second Lieutenant, 10th (Royal East Kent and West Kent Yeomanry) Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Died 21/09/1918. Age 33. Son of Major W H and Louise Larken of Grove Lodge, Woodbridge. Husband of Muriel du Pre Addison. Buried at Villers-Faucon Communal Cemetery Extension

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Second-Lieut. Jack Larken, younger son of the late Major W. H. Larken and Mrs. Larken, Grove Lodge, was killed in action in France on September 21st, 1918. He left a young wife of only a few months. Mrs. Larken, sen., has lost in the war two sons and a son-in law.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Private 43196, 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died 19/04/1918. Age 32. Son of John and Isabella Leech, of 3 Bullards Road, Woodbridge. Born Woodbridge, Suffolk, enlisted Ipswich. Formerly 1610, Suffolk Cyclist Battalion. Buried at Herissart Communal Cemetery

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Bertie John Leech, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Leech, of 3, Dullard Lane, was killed in France in April, 1918. He was 32 years of aged.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Private 26430, 12th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died 25/03/1918. Age 31. Son of David and Sarah Leggett of 76 Vine Street, Woodbridge; his brothers were Frederick and Edward (below). No known grave. Commemorated on the Arras Memorial

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Private David Leggett, fifth son of Mr. and Mrs. D. Leggett, 2, Station Road, was killed in action in France, on 25th March, 1918, during the great enemy offensive. He was 32 years of age, and was the second of three sons lost by Mr. and Mrs. Leggett in the war.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Private 3310383, 50th Battalion, Canadian Infantry. Died 2 September 1918. Frederick Charles Leggett (Only Frederick Leggett on the memorial) was the third son of David and Sarah Leggett to be killed in the war, he had only arrived in France 2 weeks before; his brothers were David and Edward (above). He had emigrated to Canada in 1913. The Woodbridge Reporter and Wickham Market Gazette ran an article on 19th September 1918 reporting his death. Born 4 February 1883 in Suffolk. Religious Denomination Methodist. Labourer by trade. Next of kin was his mother, Sarah leggett, of Woodbridge, Brewers Line (sic), Suffolk. Enlisted 16 January 1918 in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, aged 34. heoght 45 feet 10 inches, girth 39½ inches, complexion fair, eyes blue, hair grey. Buried in DURY CRUCIFIX CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot II. Row K. Grave 51. National Archives of Canada Accession Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 5552 - 2

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Mr. and Mrs. D. Leggett. of 2, Station Road, have lost three sons in the war, Frederick being the third to fall. He was killed by shell fire during an advance on the enemy's lines in September, 1918. He had only been in France a fortnight when he met his death.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Second Lieutenant, 42nd Squadron, Royal Air Force. Died 23/09/1918. Age 25. Son of Alice Emma Newson of 34 St Johns Street, Woodbridge and the late Samuel John Newson. No known grave. Commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial. Second Lieutenant Newson is shown on the memorial with the initials BA. this is incorrect

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Lieut. Douglas Newson, Royal Air Force, younger son of Mrs. S. J. Newson, of St. John's Street, lost his life on September 23rd, in France, by his machine being hit by enemy craft, and crashing to the ground over the enemy's lines. He had seen considerable service in France during the war.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

MM Acting Sergeant 29179, 8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Killed in action 3/5/1917. Age 38. Son of Mrs A E Nunn of 6 Seckford Street, Woodbridge. Born Woodbridge, Suffolk, enlisted Ipswich, resident Saxmundham. No known grave. Commemorated on the Arras Memorial

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Sergt. Harry Nunn, youngest son of Mrs Nunn, 6 Seckford Street, was reported missing on May 3rd. 1917. In April 1918, Mrs. Nunn was informed by the Army Council that they had concluded he was killed on the first date. He was 38 years of age.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Driver 98649, 72nd Battery, 38th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Died of wounds 12/10/1918. Age 26. Husband of Ethel Overett of 35 Constitution Hill, Ipswich. Born Woodbridge, Suffolk, enlisted London. Buried at Voormezeele Enclosure No.3 Ieper, West-Vlaanderen

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Driver Ernest Overett, son of Mrs. Overett, of 16, Seckford Street, was killed in action on October 12th, 1913, in France. Deceased had only been married a few months.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Private 376112, 1st/9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. Killed in action 14/09/1918. Born Woodbridge, Suffolk, enlisted Ipswich, resident Woodbridge. Buried at Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery, Villers-Plouich

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Private W. Oxborrow, husband of Mrs. Oxborrow, of 29, Chapel Street, was killed in action on September 14th, 1918, during an attack on the enemy's trenches. He was 37 years of age, and left a widow and four young children. Deceased was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Oxborrow, Market Hill.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Gunner 169175, 286th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Died 04/01/1918. Age 42. Son of Charles William Peachey of The Thoroughfare, Woodbridge. Husband of Sarah Peachey of 79 Baxter Street, Warrington. Buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Gunner Henry Peachey, R.G A., second son of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Peachey, the Thoroughfare, died from wounds at a Canadian Clearing Station, in France, on January 4th, 1918. The deceased was nearly 42 years of age and left a widow and nine children, eight of whom are boys under 14 years of age.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Sergeant 200939, 2nd/4th Battalion, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. Died 29/03/1918. Age 26. Son of William Dalby Pipe and Emma Pipe of 9 Queen's Road, Beccles, Suffolk. Buried at Etretat Churchyard Extension (near Le Havre).

Shipwright 4th Class CH/M/23950, HMS Theseus II, Royal Navy. Died from disease ("Typhus Fever") 05/01/1919. Born Woodbridge 18 March 1891. Son of John S and Catherine A Prentice, of 10, Sun Lane, Woodbridge, Suffolk. Employed as a ship's carpenter when he enlisted. Enlisted 11 January 1917 for the duration of the hostilities. Height 5 feet 5½ inches, chest 37 inches, brown hair, grey eyes, fresh complexion. In the 1901 census he was aged 8, born Woodbridge, son of John S and Catherine A Prentice, of Sun Lane, Woodbridge, Suffolk. No known grave. Commemorated on the Baku Memorial, Azerbaijan.

Private 33346, 7th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Died 30/11/1917. Born Iken. Commemorated on Cambrai Memorial, Louveral

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

A. Smy, husband of Mrs. Smy, of 26, Shipmeadow, who was reported as missing on November 30th, 1917, was in September, 1918, officially recorded as killed on that date. He left a widow and four children.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Cook’s Mate 2nd Class M/7603, Royal Navy. HMS Cressy. Died 22/09/1914. Age 20. Son of William and Elizabeth Tampin of 2 Deben Road, Woodbridge. No known grave. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

Lance Corporal 38210, 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. Died 23/08/1918. Born in Woodbridge. No known grave. Commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Lance-Corporal W. G. Tuner, son of Mr. and W. H. Turner, of 38, Bredfield Street, was killed in action in France, on 23rd August, 1918. He was 23 years of age.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Private 769006, 28th Battalion, London Regiment (Artists’ Rifles). Died in United Kingdom 01/11/1918. Age 27. Husband of Kathleen M Wicks of Suffolk House, 4 Ipswich Road, Woodbridge. Born Buffalo, New York enlisted Whitehall resident Woodbridge, Suffolk. Buried at Woodbridge Cemetery. Private Wicks’ is recorded in Billericay

From the Woodbridge Reporter dated 30th Jan 1919, there are details of Woodbridgians who fell in the Great War.

Francis Hayward Wicks, only son of Mr. F. F. Wicks, the Thoro'fare, was in the Artists' Rifles, and died in Warley Military Hospital, from pneumonia on November 1st, 1918. He was 27 years of age, and his marriage took place only three months previously.

Thanks to Jeffrey Coleman for his research into the Reporter.

Stoker 1st Class P/KX130632, Royal Navy. HMS Encounter. Died 25/04/1945. Buried at Ambon War Cemetery, Indonesia.

Signalman LT/JX 247192, Royal Navy Patrol Service, H.M. Motor Minesweeper 70. Died 24/09/1943. Age 26. Son of Arthur George and Mabel Cooper of Woodbridge. Husband of Matilda W Cooper, of Notting Hill, London. Commemorated on Lowestoft Naval Memorial.

Petty Officer Stoker C/K 59951, Royal Navy. HMS Fitzroy. Died 27/05/1942. Age 41. Son of Herbert and Sarah Knights. Husband of Eva Daisy Knights of Woodbridge. No known grave. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

Leading Seaman C/JX156392, Royal Navy. HMS Avenger. Died 15/11/1942. Age 20. Son of Percy William and Ellen Louisa Marks of Woodbridge. No known grave. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

Sergeant (Observer) 947874, 254 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 19/07/1941. Buried at Boldmere (St Michael) Churchyard, Warwickshire.

Able Seaman D/J33792, Royal Navy. HMS Osborne. Died 23/12/1943. Age 45. Son of Henry and Mary Ann Overett of Woodbridge. Husband of Edith Maud Overett of Woodbridge. Buried at Woodbridge Cemetery. Able Seaman Overett’s death was recorded at Deben.

Sergeant (Obs) 1261271, 218 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 24/08/1942. Age 21. Son of Ernest Joseph and Marie Richardson of Woodbridge. Buried at Gosselies Communal Cemetery.

Lance Sergeant 917898, 67 Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died 14 November 1942. Aged 38. Born on 22 October 1904 in Woodbridge, Suffolk. Husband of Nellie Rosetta Smith, of Kempston, Bedford. By 1932 he had moved to 15 Victoria Road, Woodbridge and on 14th February of that year he married Nellie at St Johns Church, Woodbridge. They later moved to 3 Burkitt Road where Frank was employed as a gardener / chauffeur to Mrs ROSE who lived in the big house further down the road. Enlisted at the outbreak of war in the Army and was posted to 67 (Medium) Battery of the Royal Artillery. No known grave. Commemorated on ALAMEIN MEMORIAL, Egypt. Column 32.

Lance Sgt 917898 Frank Grayston Smith of 67 (Medium) Regiment, Royal Artillery was amongst a large number of allied prisoners who were captured by the units of Rommels Africa Corps after the first seige of Tobruk, which ended on 21st June 1942. They were imprisoned in various camps around Libya under the supervison of the Italian Army.

On November 13th 1942 he was amongst 1000 prisoners who were transferred from their camp at Benito, Libya to the nearby docks at Tripoli, where they were embarked aboard the 1600 ton Italian steamer, S.S. Scillin.

SS Scillin was originally built by Russel & Co in Greenock, Scotland in 1903 for owners Petersen William Ltd of Newcastle. Originally she was named SS H.M.Pellatt, a name she retained through new owners until 1920, when she was renamed SS Memling when sold by her owners in Canada to the Société Belge D´Armement Maritime. She then moved into French ownership in 1925, called the SS Nichole Le Borgne. She remained in French hands until 1934 when she was bought by the Italian company Guiseppe Vagan of Venice and renamed SS Guiliana Vagan. She became the SS Scillin later in 1935 when her ownership was transferred to Aurora SA Di Nav in Genoa and finally to her final owners Fratelli Bianchi Soc Di Nav who operated her out of Genoa also from 1940.

Her hold was large enough to accommodate 300 men but the Italians packed 810 prisoners into the hold before a halt was called and the remainder were left on the open deck with nearly 200 Italian Soldiers acting as guards.

The Scillin set sail around 1300Hrs November 14th 1942, bound for Trapani, Sicilly…. 3 hours behind schedule….. Hugging the coast of Libya Scillian headed North before attempting the hazardous crossing towards Italy… At the time there was a fleet of 10 British line submarines working of the African Coast with orders to sink axis ships approaching Africa to prevent them from interfering with Allied vessels involved in the landing troops in Algeria for Operation TORCH. Amongst the fleet was British ‘S’ Class submarine P212 HMS Sahib, under the command of Lieutenant Bromage R.N. D.S.C.

Around 1929Hrs on November 14th, Scillin was sighted off Cape Millazo in the Tyrrhenian Sea by H.M.S. Sahib.

The Scillin was not showing any lights or markings to indicate that she was transporting prisoners. However, she was not steaming toward Africa. Following his rules of enagement, Lt Bromage had H.M.S. Sahib surface on the starboard side of the Scillin and the crew fired warning shots across her bow with both her 3 inch deck gun and her 30mm cannon and hailed her to stop by radio. The captain of the Scillin refused to ‘heave too’ and radioed that she was under attack. At about 1930Hrs Lt Bromage ordered one of his remaining 21” torpedoes to be fired at the now fleeing Scillin.

The torpedo exploded under the midships of the Scillin and she sank by the stern in less than 2 minutes. H.M.S. Sahib remained at the scene and her crew began to rescue the survivors in the water. Shocked to find a number of the survivors were Allied soldiers….. There is a story that during the search, a member of the Sahib crew called out into the darkness, “Any Englishmen in the water?”. The reply came back from the dark; “Nae, but there is a Scotsman”

The Sahib continued her rescue search for about half an hour until another German surface ship approached and she was also bombed by passing Ju-88’s of the Luftwaffe, forcing the SAhib to submerge and make good her escape from the area. 35 Italian crew members and soldiers and 25 Allied survivors were rescued by the crew of the SAHIB.

This was one of 7 incidents during World War II when Allied submarines were involved in the sinking of Italian and other Axis vessels carrying POW’s that were not showing any external markings or indications of their cargo.

Notification of Franks death did not reach his family until 3rd April 1944, giving his date of passing as a date between 31st October 1942 and 14th November 1942.

SS SCILLIN - image taken circa 1925 – ‘34 when the ship was named ‘SS Nicole De Borgne’

Able Seaman JX146495, Royal Navy. HMS Curacoa. Died 27/04/1940. Age 19. Son of William and May Stone. nephew of Mrs W S M King of Woodbridge. Buried at Kirkwall (St Olaf’s) Cemetery.

Leading Stoker C/KX100644, Royal Navy. HMLCI (L) 162. Died 07/02/1943. No known grave. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.