1914-1918

ANSELL

Basil

Private 8429, 7th (Service) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born in Hampstead, London about 1896. Son of Frederick and Emily Ansell of West View Cottage, Turners Hill Road, Crawley Down. Died of Wounds 26th July 1916 and buried in Grave A 37 11 in St Sever Cemetery, Rouen.

He was wounded during an attack on Ovillers village on 7th July when the battalion was hit by machine gun fire and shrapnel, suffering 461 casualties. Hit in the chest about 9.00 AM, he lay on the battlefield until after dark until he was able to return. One of his brothers, Oswald, was also killed in the war (See below)

ANSELL

Oswald

Lance Corporal G/3211, 7th (Service) Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) Born in Hampstead, London about 1890. Son of Frederick and Emily Ansell of West View Cottage, Turners Hill Road, Crawley Down. He enlisted in Wimbledon. Killed in action 8th July 1917. Commemorated on Panel 12 and 14 of the Menin Gate, Ypres. His brother, Basil, also died (See above).

BRACKPOOL

Oliver

Lance Sergeant G/3200, 9th (Service) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment Born in Worth about 1896. Son of Arthur and Sarah Brackpool. She later lived at 17, Albert Road, Southwick, Brighton. He enlisted in East Grinstead. Killed in action 27th July 1917 and commemorated on Panel 30 of the Menin Gate, Ypres. He was killed by a shell and buried near the trenches, but the site of his grave was subsequently lost.

BRACKPOOL

Sidney Edward

Private G/4630, 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born in Worth about 1886. Enlisted at East Grinstead. Killed in action 9th May 1915 and commemorated on Panel 20 and 21 of the Le Touret Memorial.

Died in attack on German positions at Richebourg L'Avoue. The troops were caught by heavy machine gun fire and shelling and were unable to reach the German lines with 103 killed, 338 wounded and 121 missing.

BRADSHAW

Richard Edward Kynaston

Lieutenant 1/12th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Rangers). Born in Little Parndon, Essex about 1895. He was the third child and eldest of two sons of William Graham Bradshaw and his wife Dora Sophia. William was a solicitor and the family lived at Down Park, Crawley Down. He was reported wounded and missing on 1st July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme and was never found. He is commemorated on Pier and Face 9C of the Thiepval Memorial.

His battalion was one of those that took part in an unsuccessful diversionary attack opposite Gommecourt, some miles north of the main assault. 517 men from his battalion became casualties.

He is also commemorated on the War Memorials at Copthorne and Copthorne School. His brother William was killed four months later on 31st October (See below).

BRADSHAW

William Douglas

Second Lieutenant 88th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Born in Little Parndon, Essex about 1896. He was the fourth child and younger of two sons of William Graham Bradshaw and his wife Dora Sophia. William was a solicitor and the family lived at Down Park, Crawley Down. He was killed in action on 31st October 1916 and is buried in Grave L 49 in Aveluy Communal Cemetery Extension.

He is also commemorated on the War Memorials at Copthorne and Copthorne School. His brother Richard had been killed four months earlier on 1st July (See above).

CROUCHER

Charles William

Private G/4389, 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born at Bromley, Kent about 1895. Son of Stanley and Bertha Croucher of 55, Victoria Road, Bromley Killed in action 25th September 1915, the first day of the Battle of Loos. Commemorated on Panel 69 to 73 of the Loos Memorial.

Although affected by gas, the battalion advanced to the German barbed wire defences that were uncut and almost all the officers and NCOs became casualties. Later attacks eventually succeeded in capturing the German front line, but on 4th October a draft of 6 officers and 392 men arrived as replacements for the casualties.

DOUGLAS

Bruce Francis Sholto

Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire. Regiment Born 1st April 1897 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He was the eldest son of Lord Sholto Douglas, son of the 9th Marquess of Queensberry, and his wife Loretta. Killed in action on 14th April 1915 and buried in Grave II B 15 in Bethune Town Cemetery. His connection with Crawley Down has not been found.

FUNNELL

Frederick

Private G/62958, 7th (Extra Reserve) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. No personal details are known of him. The details of his death do not appear in the local newspaper, indicating he may not have been a local man before the war. Funnell is a name particular to Sussex. He enlisted into The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment, service number 8492, before being transferred to the Royal Fusiliers. Killed on 23rd April 1917, during the Battle of Arras and commemorated on Bay 3 of the Arras Memorial. Possibly a relation of John Funnell (below)

KINGSLAND

Frederick William

Lance Corporal 150, 22nd (Service) Battalion, (Kensington) Royal Fusiliers. Born in Uckfield about 1896. Son of William Kelso Kingsland and his wife, Elizabeth of 'The Lodge', Tiltwood, Sandy Lane, Crawley Down where he was Gardener to Sir David Barbour. Killed in action 2nd February 1917. Buried in Grave I E 29 in Courcelette British Cemetery.

MILLYARD

George Thomas

Private G/20117, 1st Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Born in Crawley Down about 1898. Son of John and Sarah Millyard. Enlisted in Horsham and initially served with the 3rd Reserve Cavalry Regiment Killed in action 27th September 1916. Buried in Grave II F 18 IN Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery. The battalion was behind the lines at Citadel Camp, so shelling most probably killed him.

MITCHELL

William Thomas

Private SD/1136, 11th (Service) Battalion, (1st South Down) Royal Sussex Regiment. Born in Bexhill about 1896. Son of William and Jane Mitchell. William was a member of the Coast Guard. Later moved to Bruce Cottage, Copthorne. He enlisted in Bexhill and was one of the original members as shown by his 'SD' service number. Killed in action 21st October 1916. Buried in Grave XVIII D 7 in Mill Road Cemetery, Thiepval.

'B' & 'C' Companies of the battalion attacked and captured the German front line trench known as 'Stuff Trench'. The other two companies later reinforced them. Two officers and eleven other ranks were killed, with two more officers wounded. However 178 other ranks were wounded and 77 missing. He is also commemorated on the memorial at Worth.

MITCHELL

Alfred

Private 49519, 6th (Service) Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Born in Copthorne about 1878. Son of John and Jane Mitchell. Died of wounds 20th September 1918. Buried in Grave II C F in Villers-Faucon Communal Cemetery Extension.

PAGE

Henry Albert

Private G/1688, 7th (Service) Battalion, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Possibly born in East Grinstead. Killed in action 1st July 1916, the first day of the battle of the Somme. Commemorated on Pier and Face 5D & 6D of the Thiepval Memorial The battalion took part in an attack towards Montauban. It was hit by heavy machine gun fire but took the objective with 183 casualties.

PHILLPOT

Herbert John

Private 127020, 21st Battalion, Machine Gun Corps. John was born about 1895. Son of John and Elizabeth Phillpot. John died before his son and Elizabeth became a Laundress, living in Sunny Avenue, Crawley Down. Worked as a Railway Booking Clerk at Groombridge and Forest Row. Died of wounds as a Prisoner of War 2nd April 1918. Buried in Grave III B 16, in Villers-Faucon Communal Cemetery Extension. On the memorial his name is spelt 'Philpott'.

PLAWS

Edwin Stewart

Volunteer, British Red Cross. Listed on the memorial as 'Stewart Plaws'. Little personal information available. Joined the Red Cross about August 1917 at 83 Pall Mall, HQ of the Red Cross and the Order of St John. Sent to France before May 1918; certificate number 15459 and passport number 177837. Appointed to the Motor Department and embarked for Boulogne. Possibly an ambulance driver. Not listed by the CWGC.

RODOCANACHI

Paul John

Second Lieutenant, No 53 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. Born 7th August 1898. Second son of John Matthew Rodocanachi and his wife, Netta Eliza Reid Clough (daughter of John Henry Clough). His father died in 1912 and his mother married Eric Frank Hulme King of Park Farm, Holbrook, Horsham. Shot down and killed in RE8 A4303 near Wytschaete on 27th July 1917. His observer, Norman Watt died of his wounds. They are both buried in Torreken Farm Cemetery near Ypres. Paul is in Grave C6 and Norman in C5. Paul is also commemorated in the Copthorne School Memorial

SCARAMANGA

James John

Lieutenant No 22 Squadron Royal Air Force. Born at 'Rosemount', Meadvale, Redhill, Surrey on 25th July 1898. Younger of two sons of John Scaramanga and his wife Liza (Nee Yeames). James was commissioned into the Special Reserve and joined the RFC as an Observer flying FE2's with 20 Squadron. In August 1917 the squadron re-equipped with the Bristol Fighter. On 11th April he was wounded and was the posted to 22 Squadron. Between 19th June and 10th July they shot down six German aircraft and sent another one down out of control. On 10th July they shot down another but James was seriously wounded and died later. He was credited with 12 'Kills' and probably only missed an award due to his death. He is buried in Grave III H 25 in Aire Communal Cemetery.

SEARLE

William Thomas

Private 4860, 3rd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. There us very little information regarding this casualty and some has been surmised. He does not appear as a casualty with the CGWC or in 'Soldiers Died in the Great War'. He is possibly the lad born in Horne, Surrey about 1891, the son of William and Elizabeth Searle.

SERGEANT

Frederick

Private 44193, 3rd Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment). Born in Turners Hill on 18th July 1882. Son of Benjamin and Ellen Sergeant of Snow Hill near Copthorne. He later emigrated to Canada and lived at 237, Chisholm Avenue, Toronto with his wife. He enlisted there in April 1915. He died on 9th December 1916 and is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial, France.

SIMMONDS

Frank

Private G/8430, 7th (Service) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born about 1896. Son of Edward and Emily Sarah Simmonds of 10, Bowers Place, Crawley Down. Killed in action 7th July 1916 and commemorated on Pier and Face 7C of the Thiepval Memorial.

The battalion was in reserve on the 1st July, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. On the 6th it moved to trenches in front of Ovillers and launched an attack there at 8.30 the following morning. Despite heavy machine gun and shrapnel fire the battalion captured the first objective. Parties reached the second and third objectives, but their were too few to hold the latter against the German counter attacks Rain then started that continued through the night turning the ground to porridge. The battalion was relieved the following evening having lost 20 officers and 508 other ranks. His brother Gilbert also died (See below)

SIMMONDS

Gilbert Arthur

Gunner 88571, 121st Siege Battery, (The Gunners) Royal Garrison Artillery. Born at Crawley Down about 1886. Son of Edward and Emily Sarah Simmonds of 10, Bowers Place, Crawley Down. Husband of Florence (Nee Parsons) and lived at 1, Bowers Place, Crawley Down with their son, Clifford. Died 8th September 1918. Buried in the churchyard at Crawley Down. Brother of Arthur (above).

SLATTER

Henry William

Gunner 178962, Signal Training Depot, Royal Garrison Artillery. Known as Harry, he was born in Crawley Down about 1892, the son of Thomas and Amelia Slater (Nee Payne). Died 26th November 1918 and buried at All Saints Church, Crawley Down. He is listed by the CWGC and on his headstone as 'William Henry Slatter'. The family is also recorded as 'Slater' and 'Slator'.

SPENCER

George

Acting Company Sergeant Major 8173, 7th (Service) Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. Born at St peters, Leicester about 1890. Mother later remarried and, as Mrs Mary Gamble, continued to live in Leicester. He was married and his wife, Edith, lived at 1, Oak Cottage, Crawley Down. Died 31st January 1916 and buried in Grave I A 3 in Bienvillers Military Cemetery.

STEDMAN

Frederick George

Private G/3261, 9th (Service) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born in Salfords, near Earlswood, just south of Redhill in Surrey about 1896. Little else has been traced other than a Mrs Steadman was living in Turners Hill Road, Crawley Down in 1916. Killed in action 31st August 1916 and commemorated on Pier & Face 7C of the Thiepval Memorial.

The battalion was in trenches near Delville Wood at Longueval on the Somme. After a heavy bombardment The Germans broke through the positions on the left of the battalion and attacked the Royal Sussex with grenades who fought off the attack.

STEVENS

Frank

Sapper 57243, 105th Field Company, Royal Engineers Born in Crawley Down about 1890. Son of Frank and Martha Stevens. The elder Frank was a gardener working for Sir Hanbury Brown at Newlands and living at Newlands Lodge in Crawley Down. Killed by a shell while in his billet 20th July 1916. Buried in Grave I K 34 in Albert Communal Cemetery Extension. Also commemorated on the Copthorne War Memorial.

STREETER

Leonard James

Private G/10685, 10th (Service) Battalion, (Battersea) The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Born in Shirley, near Croydon, Surrey about 1897. Son of Edward Streeter and his wife of Haven Farm Cottage, Hophurst Lane, Crawley Down. Killed in action 6th August 1917. Commemorated on Panel 11 to 14 of the Menin Gate, Ypres. Killed during a counter attack by German forces near Hollebeke.

TERRY

Stanley

Private G/3320, 9th (Service) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born in Worth about 1892. Son of James and Emma Terry of Rowfant Brickworks. Died 12th November 1916 and buried in Grave I K 24 in Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe. Also commemorated on the Worth War Memorial.

TESTER

Jabez

Private 70170, 16th (Service) Battalion, (Chatsworth Rifles) Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment). Born in Crawley Down in 1878 and baptised the on 5th January 1879. Son of Jabez and Amelia Tester of Kenward's Farm. Although living in Rodmell near Lewes he enlisted in Newark, Nottinghamshire. Died of wounds 13th October 1916. Buried in Grave VIII D 139 in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.

TOWES

Alfred

Private 7538, 4th Battalion, Australian Infantry, AIF. Born about 1880 in Crawley Down & baptised there 4th July 1880. Son of Charles and Emily Towes. Alfred emigrated to Australia and worked as a Gardener. He lived with his wife at 5, Bradley Head Road, Mosman, New South Wales. Enlisted 5th April 1917 and sailed on the transport 'Euripedes' from Sydney on 31st October. Killed in action 30th April 1917. Commemorated on the Villers Bretonneux Memorial. Letters received by his family from his mates in France indicate a shell killed him and although buried, the site was lost.

WAITE

Alfred

Second Lieutenant, 5th (Service) Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment. Born in Crawley Down about 1890. Son of Edward and Elizabeth Waite of Sandy Lane, Crawley Down. Husband of Esther Waite of 67, King Edward Avenue, Shirley, Southampton. Killed in action on 5th April 1918. Buried in Grave I C 5 in Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery, Albert. Listed on the Crawley Down Roll of Honour in January 1916 as a Sergeant Major when he was with the Royal Berkshire Regiment, service number 10573. Recorded on the War Memorial as being awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal, but actually only awarded the former. On 5th April the battalion beat off a German attack at Bouzincourt. Brother of Charles Waite.

WALLER

Richard Alured

Second Lieutenant 5th (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Born in Little Packington, near Coventry, 11th February 1884. Youngest son of Canon Ernest Alured and Mrs Mary Waller. Canon Waller was the Vicar of St Bartholomew's Church at Little Packington. Richard was also the grandson of Sir Jonathan Wathen Waller, Groom to the Bedchamber to King William IV. He attended Marlborough School and University College, Oxford, becoming a teacher at Copthorne School. He lived at 'The Cottage', Crawley Down with his wife, Ethel (Nee Drake) and their daughter. Richard joined the Royal Fusiliers in May 1916, serving as a Private in France. He was commissioned into the Royal Fusiliers with effect from 26th April 1917 and returned to the Front in June. He was wounded in August and had only just returned in October. He died on 1st November 1917 and is buried in Grave II D 3 in Tincourt New British Cemetery. There are a number of memorials to the family in the former church at Little Packington, that has now been converted into a private house.

WHITMAN

Ernest Richard

Gunner 156319, 99th Siege Battery, 49th Brigade Royal Garrison Artillery. Born in Turners Hill about 1888. Second son of Noah and Agnes Whitman and was known as 'Joe'. He was married to Grace (Nee Page) with two daughters, Joyce and Christine. When he enlisted in East Grinstead he was living in Crawley Down. His widow later moved to Turners Hill and lived next to her parents in law. He died after being gassed on 1st July 1918 and is buried in Grave III G 5 in Aire Communal Cemetery. The original CWGC wooden cross for his burial has been brought home from France and is now in St Leonard's Church, Turners Hill.

OTHER GREAT WAR CASUALTIES NOT LISTED ON THE MEMORIAL

BRACKPOOL

Edwin T

Lance Corporal 267128, 11th (Service) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters. Born about 1894 in Copthorne. Son of Thomas and Annie Ellen Brackpool.. Thomas was a butcher in Effingham Road. Crawley Down, who later lived at 1, Oak Cottage. Living at Crawley Down when he enlisted in Horsham. Killed in action 5th October 1918. Buried in Grave C 7 in Guizancourt Farm Cemetery, Gouy.

On the 4th the battalion was in reserve for a divisional attack on Beaurevoir and received orders for an attack on Beaurevoir Farm the next day. This took place at 6.00 am over open country against dug in machine guns. The objective was taken but the battalion remained under fire from high ground to the west that caused a small withdrawal. The battalion then held its positions until relieved late on the 7th. Casualties were 2 officers killed and 7 wounded as well as 14 men killed, 184 wounded, 20 missing and 4 died of wounds. This is a total of 231 from the 515 that launched the attack.

FUNNELL

John

Private 326580, 2/9th (Service) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry Born in West Hoathly about 1878. Son of Isaac and Mary Funnell of Bowers Road, Crawley Down. Husband of Mary Funnell of Bowers Road, Crawley Down and later of Wooldridge, Woldingham, Surrey. Died 23rd July 1917. Buried in Grave 67 in Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Greece. The battalion was based in Salonika on guard duties and fatigues.

ISTED

George

Private G/8347, 7th (Service) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born in Worth about 1878. Son of George and Annie Isted of Turners Hill Road, Crawley Down. Died, probably of wounds, 9th June 1920 and buried in All Saints Church, Crawley Down.

TOWES

Frederick John

Sergeant 67421, No 13 Fire Command, Royal Garrison Artillery. Born in Worth about 1892. Possibly a cousin of Alfred Towes His wife later remarried As Mrs Shearbourne, she lived at 1, Ashdown Cottages, Crowborough. Died 2nd June 1920 and buried at All Saints Church, Crawley Down.

WAITE

Charles

Private 27317, 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Born in Crawley Down in 1885. Son of Edward and Elizabeth Waite of Sandy Lane, Crawley Down. Husband of Ada Waite of 13, Bowers Place, Crawley Down. Enlisted at Horsham. Died 9th October 1917. Commemorated on Panel 9 of the Tyne Cot Memorial.

This was the first day of the Battle of Poelcapelle and the battalion was initially in support. At about 8.15 am the battalion took the lead and met fierce rifle fire from Houthulst Forest and Les Cinq Chemins in taking their next objective. A later German attack was dispersed by machine gun fire and two further ones by artillery bombardments. Brother of Alfred Waite.

1939-1945

BILLINGS

Reginald George

Leading Aircraftman, 1860922, 5017 Aircraft Construction Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Born about 1892. Son of George and Fanny Billings of Turners Hill. Died 2nd December 1944. Buried in Plot KK, Grave 236 in Woensel General Cemetery, Eindhoven, Netherlands.

BOTTING

Crystal Herbert

Driver T/291175, 393 General Transport Company, Royal Army Service Corps. Born about 1904. Died 16th March 1943. Buried in Grave 7 D 33 in Benghazi War Cemetery, Libya.

BUCKLAND

George

Sergeant (Air Gunner) 1320255, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Born about 1923. Son of Charles Victor and Alice Laura Buckland. Died 9th October 1942. Buried in Section 2, Grave 537 in Mount Noddy Cemetery, East Grinstead.

CHANDLER

John Frank

Flying Officer 39221, IX Squadron, Royal Air Force. Commissioned in 1936, he was promoted to Flying Officer in April 1939 Died 30th October 1939. Buried in Row A, Grave 9 in the churchyard at All Saints, Honington, Suffolk.

IX Squadron had been based at Honington since February 1939. It flew the Vickers Wellington 1 heavy bomber. On 30th October two Wellingtons were involved in a mid air collision at Honington, probably during an air test. All 5 crewmembers on board the aircraft were killed and were buried at All Saints Church.

COLVILLE

Frederick James

Captain 50797, 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. Born 30th May 1913. Son of Vice Admiral the Honourable Sir Stanley Cecil James Colville GCB, GCMG, GCVO and Lady Adelaide Colville (Nee Meade) of 'Larchwood', Crawley Down. He married Dorothy Louisa Fane, daughter of Mr & Mrs Hubert Fane of 24, Dawson Place, London on 28th September 1938. She later lived in Paddington. He was commissioned in August 1935. Died 11th June 1940. Buried in Grave C7 in St Valery-En-Caux Franco-British Cemetery.

The 51st Highland Division held St Valery against the German attack, but could not be evacuated from there. All survivors became prisoners of war. His father, brother of the Second Viscount Colville of Culross, was Flag Officer, Orkney and Shetlands 1914-1916 and Commander in Chief, Portsmouth, 1916-1919.

DAWSON

Charles Henry

Private 6403210, 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born about 1917. Son of Horace Alfred and Edith Lilian Dawson of Bowers Place, Crawley Down. Died 20th May 1940. Buried in Plot 9, Row F, Grave 6 in Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension.

DAWSON

Ernest Frank

Bombardier 1107577, 55 (The Suffolk Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery. Born about 1909. Husband of Elvina Dawson of Crawley Down. Died 25th June 1944. Buried in Grave I A 12 in Tilly-Sur Seulles War Cemetery, Normandy.

FOSTER

Frank Edward John

Corporal 6097131, 1st Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Born about 1915. Son of Frank and Dorothy Foster. Husband of Elsie Irene Foster of Crawley Down. Died 24th March 1943. Buried in Grave VI B 8 in Sfax War Cemetery, Tunisia.

HALFHEAD

Philip

Private 14667356, 7th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. Born about 1923. Son of Mr WD and Mrs B E Halfhead of Crawley Down. Died 2nd August 1944. Buried in Grave II E 12 in Hottot-Les-Bagues War Cemetery, Normandy.

KEEL

Royston Elvin

Sergeant (Air Gunner) 1809996, 218 (Gold Coast) Sqn, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Born about 1924. Son of Bertie Owen Keel and his wife, Ellen, of Felbridge, Surrey. Died 1st January 1945. Buried in Grave VII D 17 in Leopoldsburg War Cemetery, Belgium.

The squadron was based at Methwold in Norfolk and flew Avro Lancaster heavy bombers. The crew, in PB768, took part in a rain on Vohwinkel in Germany and the aircraft was damaged over the target. On the return flight, probably struggling for height, the aircraft was identified as an enemy one as the Germans had launched an attack on the Allied airfields in Belgium that morning and it was shot down by a US anti aircraft battery near Namur.

LAW

William Nicholson

Private 1150629, 14 Field Dressing Station, Royal Army Medical Corps. Born about 1908. Son of John Forsyth Law and his wife Emily. Husband of Evelyn Mary Law of Portslade. Died 18th July 1944. Buried in Grave 148 at All Saints Church, Crawley Down.

MACNAUGHTON-SMITH

Michael John

Sergeant (Navigator), 1604049, 630Sqn, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Born about 1923. Son of Hubert John and Jessie Macnaughton-Smith of Crawley Down. Scholar of St John's College, Oxford Died 22nd June 1944. Buried in Grave IVa F 14 in Schoonselhof Cemetery, near Antwerp, Belgium.

The squadron was formed in November 1943 and disbanded in July 1945 and was based at East Kirkby, Lincolnshire. On 21st June the squadron was detailed to take part in a raid on a synthetic oil plant at Wesseling. 133 Lancasters and 6 target marking Mosquitoes took off for the target. Although the weather forecast was for clear conditions, the target was found to be completely covered by low cloud and the aircraft bombed using radar. The cloud also silhouetted the aircraft for the German night fighters and losses were severe, 37 Lancasters, over 27% of the force, were lost. John's aircraft, Lancaster 1, ME 782, code letters LE-N, was flown by Pilot Officer Thomas Hart. It was shot down by a nightfighter and crashed into the countryside about 3 miles north east of Antwerp. The crew were all killed and are in Schoonselhof Cemetery. Four other aircraft from the squadron were also lost.

PIRIE

Gordon Murray

Lieutenant Colonel 6562, Royal Engineers. Born about 1899, known as James. Son of James Gordon Pirie and his wife Charlotte Capon Pirie (Nee Murray). In 1939 they were in India. Husband of Margaret Joyce 'Peg' Pirie (Nee Miller) of Weetwood Hall, Chatton, Northumberland and later of Camberley, Surrey. They had one son, James William Gordon Pirie. Died 15th September 1939. Buried in Row A, Grave 36 in Tourlaville Communal Cemetery and Extension. This is 2 miles east of Cherbourg and he is one of only two World War Two burials here.

POLLARD

Edwin Arthur Leonard

Sapper 2121133, 80, Chemical Warfare Company, Royal Engineers. Son of Edwin and Marion Louise Pollard. Husband of Doris Annie Pollard of Crawley Down. Died 17th April 1942. Buried in Grave 123 in All Saint's Churchyard, Crawley Down.

WATSON

Peter De Lannoy Paxton

Captain 91910, 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born about 1914. Son of Paxton Hood Watson and his wife Hilda Mary. Husband of Patricia Watson of Chelsea. Awarded the Batchelor of Arts from the University of Oxford. Died 30th October 1943. Buried in Grave 7 V 3 in Basra War Cemetery, Iraq. His father died the following day, possibly on receipt of the telegram informing him of his son's death.

WHEELER

Kenneth Frank

Captain 156507, 1st Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Born about 1920. Son of Thomas Frank and Gertrude Maria Wheeler, later of Wokingham, Berkshire. Enlisted 1938 into the Queen's Westminster Rifles. Posted overseas in December 1940, attached to the 4th Indian Division. Died 18th February 1944. Buried in Grave XVIII G 3 in Cassino War Cemetery, Italy.

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