Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence

Lest We Forget
British Legion
The Royal British Legion

COATES WAR MEMORIAL

Detailed information for World War 1 & 2
Transcribed by Fiona Davis - 2004

Coates is situated between March and Whittlesey. Detailed information exists for those who died in World War 1 and World War 2. The memorial stands on the village green, in a small enclosed garden, next to the main road, the A605. It takes the form of an obelisk which is mounted on a plinth that in turn is mounted on a two stepped granite base on a concrete step. The inscription is in white letters around the sides of the plinth. There are 46 names listed for World War 1 and 7 for World War 2. The memorial was first unveiled 6th May 1920 by Colonel Clayton, and dedicated by the local clergy/dignitaries; the memorial was manufacturered by Messrs G R Dickens & Son. The memorial is the responsibility of Whittlesey Parish Council. There appear to be 5 names that were added after the rest. Note: The criteria for a person's name appearing on this memorial was that they lived in the parish or had attended the Coates council school.

From a postcard

The inscription:

"This monument was erected by public subscription
in memory of the soldiers of
Coates, Eastrea, Turves and district,
who gave their lives for King and Country in the Great War
August 4th 1914 – June 23rd 1919.

GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS,
THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.
St. John XV. 13"

William Barrett

Bert Bedford

Dolby Bedford

John Bedford

Tom Bishop

Rowland Bowd

James Boyden

Fred Brown

John Canham

Arthur Catling

John Wm. Catling

Percy Church

Sidney Convine

Ben Coulson

Reuben Cowling

John Duddington

George Ellington

George W. Fisher

George R. Fox

Reginald Greenwood

Geo. Will. Green

Alfred Hill

Arthur Hill

Walter Jakes

Levi Kisby

William Kisby

Ernest J. Martin

Arthur Neal

Geo. Percy Randall

Tom Rawlings

John E. Savage

Fred Savory

John Siggee

George Stroud

Edward Taylor

Cyril Tinkler

Harry Townsend

Tom Wheatley

Charles Wheatley

Richard Wing

Arthur Wootton

John Wm. Bates

Tom Clarke

Tom Clifton

Jack Rowell

Albert Setchfield

"This Garden of Rest is in rememberance of those soldiers of Coates,
Eastrea, Turves and district who made the supreme
sacrifice in the Second World War 1939 – 1945"

Thomas Ashworth

James Bent

Donald Herbert Brian

Albert Coulson

John Read

Kenneth Roy Tinkler

Herbert Wheatley

 


COATES, EASTREA & TURVES

World War 1 & 2 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © 2000 Cliff Brown

1914-1918 

BARRETT William
Private 925250, 58th (Central Ontario) Battalion, Canadian Infantry. Died of wounds 18 April 1917. Aged 22. Son of George & Eliza Barrett, of Quaker's Grove, Turves, Whittlesey. Born 11 July 1894 in Turves, Cambridgeshire. Enlisted and passed fit 27 January 1916 at Weyburn, Saskatchewan, in 152nd Battalion, aged 21 years 7 months. Unmarried. Farmer by trade. Height 5 feet 6¼ inches, girth 35½ inches, complexion medmium, eyes blue, hair medium brown; religion Baptist. In the 1911 census he was aged 16, a Farm Labourer, born Turves, resident Quakers Drove, Coates, son of George & Eliza Barrett. Buried in Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France. National Archives of Canada Accession Refernce: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 467 - 57 See also Turves
BATES John William
Private 203854 [CWGC] or 201854 [SDGW], 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 30 August 1918. Enlisted Bury St Edmunds. Son of Mr & Mrs J Bates. Lived at Manea at time of death. Formerly 4144, Suffolk Regiment. in the 1911 census he was the son of James & Alice Bates, aged 16, a Farmer's Son working on farm, born March, resident Sycamoor House, Coates. Buried in HAC Cemetery, Ecoust-St Mein, Pas de Calais, France. Plot II. Row A. Grave 9.
BEDFORD George Herbert 'Bert'
Private 2108, "D" Company, 1/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Killed in action 30 June 1916. Aged 19. Born Coates, enlisted Whittlesey. Son of J H & S A Bedford, Mill House, Coates. In the 1911 censuws he was aged 14, son of John & Susan Bedford, an Apprentice Baker, born Whittlesey, resident Coates. Buried in St Vaast Post Mil Cemetery, Richebourg-L'Avo, Pas de Calais, France. Plot III. Row L. Grave 10.
BEDFORD John
Private 15795, 11th (Cambs) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 1 July 1916. Born Coates, enlisted Whiitlesey. Son of Mr & Mrs A Bedford. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme. Pier and Face 1 C and 2 A.

BEDFORD William Dolby
Private 24391, 11th (Cambs) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action between 9 and 19 April 1918. Aged 23. Born Coates, enlisted Whittlesey. Son of James William and Emma Bedford, 2 Carters Row, Coates. In the 1901 census his father is listed as William and he is listed as Dolby, aged 6, born and resident Coates. In the 1911 census he is the son of James & Emma Bedford, aged 16, Farm Labourer, born Coates, resident Oldamere, Coates. No known grave. Commemorated on Ploegsteert Memorial, Hainaut, Belgium. Panel 3.
BISHOP Thomas aka Tom
Private 2212, "C" Company, 1/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Wounded 24 July 1915, died of wounds 10 August 1915, at 4th General Hospital, Versailles. Aged 18. Born March, enlisted Whittlesey. Lived Fieldside, Coates. Son of Mary Neal (formerly Bishop) of Whype Fen, Whittlesey, and the late John Bishop. Step-brother of Private Arthur Neal, see below. In the 1911 census he was the son of Mary Elizabeth Bishop. aged 14, Farm Labourer, born March, resident Coates. Buried in Les Gonards Cemetery, Versailles, Yvelines, France. Plot/Row/Section 4. Grave 18.
BOWD Rowland
Private R/1805, Anson Battalion, Royal Naval Division. Killed in action 21 August 1918. Born 17 August 1886 in Whittlesey. Lived Turves. Farmed with brother as B & R Bowd, Bottom Hakes, Turves. Next of kin, Benjamin Bowd of Botton Hakes, March, Cambridge. In the 1911 census he was living with his brother Benjamin, aged 24, Farmer working on farm, born Whittlesey, resident West Fen. In the 1901 census he was the son of Arthur & Lucy Bowd, aged 14, Farmer's son, born and resident Coates. No known grave. Commemorated on Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France. Panel 1 and 2. See also Turves
BOYDEN James
Private 14074, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died of wounds at St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, 26 June 1918. Born Wiston, Hunts (sic), enlisted March. In the 1901 census he was the son of John & Sarah Ann Boyden, aged 15, brickyard labourer, born Wistow, Hunts, resident New Road, Hittlesey. Buried 2 July 1918 West of the church in Holy Trinity Churchyard, Coates.
BROWN Frederick aka Fred
Private 23657, 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Admitted to hosptial 12 August 1916, died of wounds 29 August 1916. Born Upwell, enlisted March. Son of Mr W Brown, of Eastrea. In the 1911 census he was working at Creek Farm, March as a horsekeeper, aged 16, born Upwell. In 1901 he was the son of William & Eliza Brown, aged 5, born Upwell, resident Yown Street, Upwell. Buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France. Plot VIII. Row B. Grave 166. Also listed Eastrea.
CANHAM John
Private 7611, 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in action 3 November 1914. Born Coates, enlisted Peterborough. Son of William & Elizabeth Canham. Regular soldier. In the 1901 census he was the son of William & Elizabeth Canham, aged 14, an Agricultural Labourer, born and resident Coates, No known grave. Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 43 and 45.

CATLING Arthur [Edward]
Lance Corporal 15841, 11th (Cambs) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 1 July 1916. Born Eastrea, enlisted Whittlesey. Lived Eastrea. In the 1911 census he was the son of Elizabeth Ann Catling (widow), he was aged 15, a Feneral Farm Labourer, born and resident Eastrea. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 1 C and 2 A. Also listed Eastrea.

CATLING John William
Private 203114, 5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 27 July 1917, in Palestine. Born, resident and enlisted Whittlesey. Lived Eastrea. In the 1911 census he was working with Elizabeth Wislon, aged 18, a Baker's Assistant, born & resident Eastrea. Formerly 2461, 1/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. No known grave. Commemorated on Jerusalem Memorial, Israel. Panel 17. Also listed Eastrea.
CHURCH William Percy
Lance Corporal 26594, 2nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. Killed in action 25 August 1918. Aged 22. Born Holy Trinity, Whittlesey, enlisted Whittlesey, resident Eastrea. Son of Thomas & Sarah Church, of Eastrea. Formerly 16663 Suffolk Regiment. In the 1901 census he was the son of Thomas & Sarah Church. aged 5, born and resident Eastrea. Buried in Borre British Cemetery, Nord, France. Plot II. Row H. Grave 20. Also listed Eastrea.
CLARKE Tom
No service information currently found. In the 1911 census Thomas Frederick Clarke was the son of Reginald & Kate Clarke, aged 11, at School, born Grays, Essex, resident Coates. His father was a Board School Teacher. In 1901 they were in Grays, Essex. His death is recorded in the Whittlesey Registration District April to June Quarter 1921, aged 21. The memorial was unveiled in 1920 so his is an additional name.
CLIFTON Tom
No further information currently available. In the 1911 census there is a Thomas Clifton, aged 15, son of Thomas & Elizabeth Clifton, born and resident Whittlesey. His name appears in the possible addiitons list on the memorial.
CONVINE Sidney [Robert]
Private 48155, 12th (Bermondsey) Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Died of wounds 23 Ocotber 1918, as a Prisoner of War. Aged 18. Born Cambridge, enlisted Bury St Edmunds, resident Whittlesey. Lived Turves. Son of Mr Robert Convine and stepson of Mrs Convine, Burnt House Farm, Coates. Enlisted May 1918, to Western Front September 1918. IN the 1911 census he is listed as the son of Robery and Lucy Convine, aged 11, at school, born Prickwillow, resident New Shams Farm, Kings End, Wisbech. Buried in Kortrijk (St Jean) Communal Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot/Row/Section C. Grave 47. See also Turves
COULSON Ben
Private 22923, 11th (Cambs) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died of wounds 2 August 1916. Lived Eastrea. Enlisted Whittlesey. In the 1911 census he was a widower, aged 33, a brickyard labourer, the son of Benjamin & Mary Coulson, born Wimblington, resident Eastrea. Buried in Dernancourt Communal Cemetery, Somme, France. Plot/Row/Section J. Grave 33. Also listed Eastrea.
COWLING Reuben
Private 5940, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 2 March 1915. Aged 17. Born and enlisted Whittlesey. Son of Reuben & Elizabeth Cowling, of 3 Council Houses, Coates. In the 1911 census he was aged 13, a farm labourer, son of Elizabeth Cowling (widow), born Whittlesey, resident Cpates. No known grave. Commemorated on Ypres Menin Gate Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 21.

DUDDINGTON, MM John
Private 325586, "C" Company, 1/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Killed in action 22 August 1918. Born Coates, enlisted Whittlesey. Awarded Military Medal (M.M.). Formerly 2225, Cambridgeshire Regiment. No known grave. Commemorated on Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Haucourt, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 10.
ELLINGTON George
Private 7612, 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in action 6 October 1914. Aged 27. Born Coates, enlisted Peterborough. Husband of Kate Johnson (formerly Ellington), of Eastrea Rd, Coates. No known grave. Commemorated on La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, Seine-et-Marne, France.
FISHER George Walter
Private 205169, 11th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment. Killed in action 20 September 1917. Aged 19. Enlisted March, resident Whittllesey. Son of Alfred & Sarah A Fisher, Kingland, Coates. Formerly 4221 Cambridgeshire Regiment. No known grave. Commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 106 to 108.
FOX George Rose
Private 325659, 1/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Died 14 March 1918 at Haddenham. Aged 23. Son of Henry Rose Fox and Elizabeth Ann Fox, of Coates. Buried 18 March 1918 West of the church in Coates churchyard.
GREEN George William
[Listed as William Green on SDGW & William george Green on CWGC] Private/Driver 325521, 1/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Killed in action 17 February 1918. Aged 21. Born Coates, enlisted Whittlesey. Son of Mr & Mrs W Green, Gravel House, Coates. Formerly 2112, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Fins New British Cemetery, Sorel le Grand, Somme, France. Plot IV. Row B. Grave 31.
GREENWOOD Reginald
Sergeant 8941, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 18 August 1916. Aged 21. Born Ramsey, Hunts, enlisted Whittlewsey. Son of R S & M A Greenwood. Stags Holt. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 1 C and 2 A.

HILL Alfred
Private 8942, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died of wounds 18 August 1916. Aged 22. Born Chatteris, enlisted Whittlesey. Son of Alfred & Jane Hill, of Witcham Farm. (Brother of below). Buried in Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. Plot 2. Row A. Grave 125. See also Turves
HILL Arthur
Private 16975, 11th (Cambs) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 2 June 1916. Aged 20. Born Manea, enlisted March. Son of Alfred & Jane Hill, of Witcham Farm. (Brother of above). Buried in Becourt Military Cemetery. Plot I. Row N. Grave 21. See also Turves
JAKES Walter
Private 3/8656, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 25 September 1915. Aged 22. Born Manea, enlisted Downham Market, Norfolk. Son of George & Susan Jakes, 4 Council Houses, Coates. No known grave. Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, Belgium. Panel 21.

KISBY Levi
Private 56095, 19th Battalion (Central Ontario Rgiment) Canadian Infantry. Died 9 August 1916. Aged 29. Born 5 December 1886 in Coates. Son of John & Harriet Kisby, of 4 The Green, Coates. Motorman T.R. Railway by trade. Unmarried. Enlisted and passed fit 3 March 1915 in Toronto, aged 29 years 3 months. Height 5 feet 9 inches, girth 34 inches, complexion sandy, eyes blue, hair sandy; religion Church of England. Buried in Ridge Wood Military Cemetery, Voormezeele, Belgium. Plot III. Row S. Grave 2. National Archives of Canada Accession Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 5208 - 44
KISBY William
Private 325596, "C" Company, 1/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Killed in action 26 September 1917. Born Coates, enlisted Whittlesey. Formerly 2240, Cambridgeshire Regiment. In the 1911 census he was the son of Matthew & Sarah Kisby, aged 15, a Farm Labourer, born and resident Coates. No known grave. Commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 148.
MARTIN Ernest John
Private G/61631, 24th (2nd Sportsman's) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Killed in action 10 July 1917. Aged 22. Native of Mereside, Ramsey, Hunts. Enlisted March, resident Whittlesey. Son of J & E llen Martin, Coates. Formerly 10322 East Kent Regiment. Buried in Cambrin Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Plot/Row/Section K. Grave 10. See also Turves
NEAL Arthur
Private 9861, 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in action 21 April 1916. Born Coates, enlisted Peterborough. Son of Mr & Mrs T Neal, Fieldside, Coates. Step-brother of Private Tom Bishop, see above. Buried in Lens Eastern Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Grave 20.
RANDALL George Percy
Private 42385, 3rd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. Killed in action 10 April 1918. Born and resident Coates, enlisted Bury St Edmunds. No known grave. Commemorated on Ploegsteert Memorial, Hainaut, Belgium. Panel 5.
RAWLINGS Thomas Ernest
Gunner 66711, 460th Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Died of wounds 15 June 1916 at Base Hospital, Abbeville. Aged 22. Son of Thomas E & Mary Rawlings, Coates. Buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery, Somme, France. Plot IV. Row A. Grave 12.
ROWELL Jack
No service information currently found. In the 1911 census John Robert Rowell was aged 13, a Farm Labourer, son of James and Elizabeth Rowell, born and resident Coates.
SAVAGE John Edward
Private G/15269, 6th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment. Killed in action 1 July 1918. Aged 21. Born Huntingdon, enlisted and resident Whittlesey. Son of John E & Jane A Savage, Hollands Farm, Glassmoor, Whittlesey. Buried in Harponville Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. Plot/Row/Section F. Gave 7. See also Turves
SAVORY Fredrick William aka Fred
Private 24045, 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 3 July 1916. Aged 21. Born North Tuddenham, Norfolk, enlisted Whittlesey. Son of William & Jane Savory, Turnpike Rd, Mattishall, Norfolk. Lived Eastrea. Buried in Ovillers Military Cemetery, Somme, France. Plot XV. Row G. Grave 9. Also listed Eastrea.
SETCHFIELD Albert [Hemence]
Private 17547, 5th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in action 30 November 1917. Born Doddington, enlisted Peterborough. No known grave. Commemorated on Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, Nord, France. Panel 8.
SIGGEE John Thomas
Private 26701, 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. Killed in action 4 October 1917. Aged 27. Born Ryde, Isle of White, enlisted Whittlesey. Son of John T & Betsy Siggee, of Coates. Formerly 26898, Suffolk Regiment. No known grave. Commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 88 to 90 and 162.
STROUD George Joseph
Corporal L/45703, 370th Battery, 132nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Died of wounds 12 October 1916. Enlisted Tottenham, London N., resident Edmonton, Middlesex. Buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. Plot I. Row F. Grave 6. Also listed Eastrea. [Connection unknown but he is the only G STROUD that fits]
TAYLOR Edward
Lance Sergeant 2454, "C" Company, 1/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Killed in action 6 May 1915. Aged 35. Born Hull, enlisted Cambridge. Lived Turves. According to the 1911 census he was a boarder, aged 32, living in the Duke of Wellington, Kingsland, Coates, a farm labourer, no place of birth given. No known grave. Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Addenda Panel 57 and 58. See also Turves

TINKLER Peter Cyril
Private 31270, 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment (Lewis Gun Section). Missing, killed in action 10 August 1917. Aged 21. Enlisted Whittlesey, resident Coates, lived at Poplar Hall Farm. Son of Mr & Mrs Peter Tinkler, Field Terrace, Farcet. No known grave. Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 31 and 33.

TOWNSEND Harry
Private 14801, "C" Company, 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Killed in action 27 September 1915. Born Coates, Cambs. Joined Great Eastern Railway May 1913, Boilermaker's Assistant, Peterborough. Son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Townsend, of Cherryholt, Coates. Enlisted September 1914 in Peterborough, Northants. No known grave. Commemorated on LOOS MEMORIAL, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 91 to 93. See also Liverpool Street Station, London.
WHEATLEY Charles Henry
Private 24125, 1st Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Wounded 15 May 1918, died 5 September 1918 of gas poisoning, in East Suffolk Hospital, Ipswich. Born Coates, enlisted Coventry. Son of Mr J Wheatley, of Coates. Married. Worked in Coventry. Brother of Thomas. Buried 9 September 1918 West of the church in Coates churchyard.
WHEATLEY Thomas Arthur
Lance Corporal 70380, 17th (Welbeck Rangers) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment). Killed in action 30 July 1917. Aged 28, at Steenbeek. Born and resident Coates, enlisted Wisbech. Brother of Charles. No known grave. Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 39 and 41.

WING, MM Richard
Private 328062, 1/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Wounded 27 September 1917. Died of wounds 28 September 1918. Aged 34. Born Wiggin Hall St Mary's, Norfolk, enlisted Bury St Edmunds. Eldest son of Mr & Mrs Joseph Wing, Dun Cow, Terrington St Clement. Husband of Kate Wing, Strathmore Cottages, Elm. Previously lived at Coates. In the 1911 census he had been married to Kate for 4 years with a son, Frederick, aged 2. He was a Farm Labourer, born Wiggenhall, Norfolk, resident in Coates. Awarded Military Medal (M.M.) for 26th & 29th September 1917. Formerly 6730, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Buried in Doingt Communal Cemetery, Somme, France. Plot I. Row E. Grave 40.
WOTTON Arthur
Private 40537, 9th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died of wounds 3 May 1917. Enlisted Whittlesey. Son of Mrs L Wotton, of 1 Carters Row, Coates. In the 1911 census he was the son of Robert & Lucy Wotton, his father was an Innkeeper. He was aged 29, a Farm Labourer, born Peakirk, Northamptonshire, resident in the Duke of Wellington, Kingsland, Coates (Edward Taylor above was a boarder there). Buried in Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row O. Grave 27. Also Turves.
Buried in Coates churchyard
WARWICK George
Private 13147, 43rd Protection Company, Royal Defence Corps. Died 12 July 1916. Aged 51. Knocked down by train while guarding Beggars Bridge, both legs cut off below knee. Formerly 24068, Hertfordshire Regiment.
1939-45
ASHWORTH Thomas
Private 5827895, 4th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died of dysentery 23 July 1943. Aged 25. Prisoner of War. Son of Tom & Eliza Ashworth, of 152 March Rd, Coates. Buried in Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand. Plot 10. Row F. Collective grave 2-10. See also Whittlesey.

BENT James
Corporal EX/1184, No 42 Royal Marine Commando, Royal Marines. Died 31 January 1945. Aged 26. Son of Frederick & Emma Bent, of 4 Whalley St, Peterborough; husband of Eileen Bent, of 122 March Rd, Coates. Buried in Taukkayan War Cemetery, Myanmar (Burma). Plot 4. Row G. Grave 6.
BRYAN Donald Herbert
Able Seaman, C/SSX 33252, SS Empress of Canada, Royal Navy. Died 13 March 1943. Aged 21. Son of Mr & Mrs H Bryan, of Coates. No known grave. Commemorated on Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent. Panel 68, Column 2.

From the fourm Canada At War:

Empress of Canada was a liner of the Canadian Pacific SS Company, 21,516 tons (Capt. George Goold), converted to a troop transport. Referred to as the 'Phantom' by German U-boat captains because she had escaped U-boat detection for three and a half years. While sailing from Durban, South Africa, to the UK via Takoradi on the Gold Coast, West Africa, she was sunk just after midnight, off Sierra Leone, by the Italian submarine Leonardo Da Vinci whose commander gave Captain Goold half an hour to abandon ship after the first torpedo struck. On board were 1,346 persons including 499 Italian prisoners of war and Greek and Polish refugees. A total of 392 people died including around 90 women and 44 crewmembers. The survivors, who had to endure exposure and vicious shark attacks, were picked up by the destroyers Boreas, Petunia and Crocus and the Ellerman Line vessel Corinthian. One man who did not survive was the naval officer in charge of the Italian prisoners, who failed to pass on the order 'Abandon Ship' to the lower deck thus causing great loss of life among the prisoners. On hearing this, angry survivors grabbed the officer and threw him overboard to the sharks. No formal action was ever taken over this. Da Vinci was later sunk with all hands by the destroyers HMS Active and HMS Ness on 24th of May, 1943, near Cape Finisterre.

COULSON Albert
Private 5891231, Northamptonshire Regiment, attached 3 Commando. Died 7 June 1944. Aged 21. Son of Thomas & Mary Coulson, of Wype Rd, Eastrea; husband of Nellie May Coulson, of High Wycombe, Bucks. No known grave. Commemorated on Bayeux Memorial, Calvados, France. Panel 16, Column 2. See also Whittlesey and Eastrea
READ John
Gunner 1749526, 12 Battery, 6 Heavy AA Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died 8 November 1942, Prisoner of War. Aged 35. Son of Mr & Mrs James Read; husband of Rose Ellen Read. No known grave. Commemorated on Singapore Memorial, Singapore. Column 28. See also Whittlesey.

TINKLER Kenneth Roy
Fusilier 14566682, 4/5 Royal Scots Fusiliers. Died 18 January 1945. Aged 20. Son of Charles & Annie Mary Tinkler, of Whittlesey. Buried in Sittard War Cemetery, Limburg, Netherlands. Plot/Row/Section H. Grave 17. See also Whittlesey and Eastrea
WHEATLEY Herbert
possibly Warrant Officer Class III 555142, 3rd King's Own Hussars, Royal Armoured Corps. Died 22 May 1941. Aged 26. Son of George Ernest & Nancy Wheatley; husband of Lelia Wheatley, Pocklington, Yorks. No known grave. Commemorated on Athens Memorial, Greece. Face 1. See also Whittlesey.

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