A long and anxious ordeal ended tragically yesterday (Thursday) week, when Mr. and Mrs. P. Barnes, of "Endholme," Opportune-road, Wisbech, were officially notified that their third son, Sapper John Wm. Barnes, of the Royal Engineers, died on Sept. 25th, 1943, while a prisoner of war in Jananese hands.

Since Sapper Barnes was reported a prisoner, his parents had received two cards—one in June, 1942, and the second in December, 1943.

Only 24 years of age when he died, Sapper Barnes was an old boy of the Queen's School, and was last employed by Mr. S. Turner, dairy-man, of Walton-lane. He was a popular lad among his many friends, being keen on football and dancing. He joined the Royal Engineers just before the outbreak of war.

This is the second son that Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have lost this year; their fourth boy. Richard Percy Barnes, was killed in action in Italy on April 23rd, 1945. Their three other sons are all serving in the Forces, Robert with the Royal Navy Ernest with the Royal Marines. and 3eorge with the Royal Air Forcc (to which he has just been recalled).

Private 11253941, 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. Killed in action in Italy 23 April 1945. Aged 23. Born and resident Cambridgeshire. Baptised 11 June 1922 in Leverington, Cambridgeshire. Son of Philip Benjamin and Florence Mary Barnes, of 27, Opportune Road, Wisbech (his father was a Fruit Grower); brother of John William Barnes (above). In the 1939 Register he was born 18 March 1922, an Ironmonger (Labourer), single, resident Opportune Road, Wisbech, Wisbech M.B., Cambridgeshire. Buried in ARGENTA GAP WAR CEMETERY, Italy. Plot I. Row D. Grave 17. Also listed Wisbech.

Extract from local paper:

KILLED IN ACTION

Private 5933672, 2nd Battalion (Cambridgeshire Regiment), Suffolk Regiment. Died of beri-beri as a Japanese Prisoner of War in Songkurai No. 2 Camp18 August 1943. Aged 22. Born and resident Cambridgeshire. Buried in THANBYUZAYAT WAR CEMETERY, Myanmar, Plot B4. Row D. Grave 17. Also listed Wisbech and Walsoken.

BEAKLEY Rowan Peter of Green-lane Walsoken Norfolk died 18 August 1943 on war service Administration Norwich 5 May to Stanley Victor Beakley fruitgrower.
Effects £136 17s. 7d.

Further evidence of the uncertainty which has arisen in many people's minds — especially local inhabitants — concerning the treatment by the Japanese of English prisoners of war in the Far East, came to hand on Monday morning, when Mr. S. V. Beakley, of Green-lane, Walsoken, received the tragic news that his elder son, Pte. Rowan Peter Beakley, has been dead since August, 1943—a period of 17 months.

This typical example of the delay in the news reaching Far East orisoners' families will shock everyone and will bring home to many the terrible conditions under which our lads are living in the tropical climate.

Private Beakley,who was in the Cambs. Regiment, was 23 years of age at the time of his death and the letter from the War Office states that he died on August 18th, 1943, as the result of beri-beri, while a prisoner of war in the Far East.

Pte. Beakley joined the Territorials during the recruiting campaign in the early part of 1939 and went overseas in October, 1941. He was educated at the Queen's School, Wisbech, and was employed. by Messrs. Boot's, Cash Chemists, High-street, Wisbech, until he was called to the Colours. Pete, as he was popularly known by his many friends, loved music and was an accomplished violinist; he ran a dance band while with the Cambridgeshires. Pte. Beakley, who was also very keen on swimming, has a younger brother serving in the Royal Navy.

Mr. Beakley had received one card from him at Christmas, 1943—when his son had already been dead four months.

Private 5932918, H.Q. Company, 2nd Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Captured at the fall of Singapore 15 February 1942, died of cholera as a Japanese Prisoner of War 3 June 1943, at Takanun. Aged 24. Born 21 December 1918. Son of Frederick & Florence Bensley, of Wisbech; husband of Lilian Gertrude Bensley (nee Brunham), of 22 Chapel Street, Wisbech, married July to September Quarter 1939 in Wisbech Registration District, Cambridgeshire. Occupation Carpenter and Joiner. In the 1921 census he was aged 3, born Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, step-son of George and Florence Taylor, resident 7, Clare's Passage, Wisbech St Peter, Cambridgeshire. Buried in KANCHANABURI WAR CEMETERY, Thailand. Plot 2. Row P. Grave 29. Also listed Wisbech.

Private 5776663, 5th Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment. Died as a Japanese Prisoner of War from Malaria (Tropical) and Beri-Beri at Branch Camp No. 3, Taiwan P.O.W. Camps, Airyokei, Choko Village, Heito District, Takao Province, at 5am 19 July 1943. Aged 24. Born 10 March 1919, and resident, Cambridgeshire. Son of Agnes May Bowd and stepson of George Murray Bowles, of Wisbech. In the 1939 Register he was born 10 March 1919, a Monumental Fixer, son of Reuben and Agnes Bowd, resident 11 Bedford Street, Wisbech, Wisbech M.B., Cambridgeshire. Buried in SAI WAN WAR CEMETERY, China, (including Hong Kong). Plot VII. Row F. Grave 6. Also listed Wisbech.

BOWD James Victor of 11 Bedford-street Wisbech Cambridgeshire died 19 July 1943 on war service Administration Norwich 11 March to Agnes May Bowles (wife of George Murray Bowles).
Effects £199 9s. 11d.

Extract from local newspaper:

DEATH OF FAR EAST PRISONER.
Pte. J. Bowd a Victim of
Malaria.

Private 5933490, 2nd Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Captured at the fall of Singapore 15 February 1942, died in captivity as a Japanese Prisoner of War working on the Thailand- to Burma Railway 15 August 1943, Aged 22. Born and resident Cambridgeshire. Son of Elizabeth Brown, of Wisbech. In the 1921 census he was aged 5 months, bornn Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, son of Christopher L and Elizabeth M Brown, resident 43, Norfolk Street, Wisbech St Peter, Cambridgeshire. Buried in CHUNGKAI WAR CEMETERY, Thailand. Plot 8. Row J, Grave 2. Also listed Wisbech.

HEARTBREAK and sorrow were in the envelope marked “Important” that came on Monday morning for Mr. and Mrs. C. L, Brown, of 2, New-street, Wisbech, for it told them that their second son, Pte. William Henry Brown—to whom they had been writing and who had been ever in their thoughts since Singapore—was dead and had been dead since August, 1943-17 months ago.

This tragic example of the delay and uncertainty, which— through the callousness of the Japanese — surrounds information about our men in the Far East, will shock and grieve everyone, and the deepest sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. Brown. Pte. Brown, who was in the Cambs. Regiment, was 22 years of age at the time of his death, which the War Office notification states to have occurred on August 15th, 1943. He would have been 24 on Sunday, the day before the notification was received. Why he died, how and where he died, his parents do not know. The letter merely states: “The report is to the effect that he died from a cause not yet known,” and expresses the sympathy of the Army Council.

Mr. and Mrs. Brown had two sons reported missing when Singapore fell, for when he sailed for the Far East Pte. W. H. Brown was accompanied by his elder brother, Sapper C. G. Brown, Royal Engineers. Spr. Brown, however, escaped to Colombo, Ceylon, where he is still serving —now in the rank of Quartermaster-Sergeant. There is a third son, eight-year-old Harold, who has been a great comfort to his parents during their anxiety and grief.

Pte. W. H. Brown worked in civilian life for Miss Evelyn Watson, of Norfolk-st., after being educated at the Queen's School. He was a keen angler, and played in goal for the Institute Alfred House football team.

While he was a prisoner in Malaya his parents received two postcards, one in April, 1943, and one at Christmas, 1943—when their son had already been dead four months.

Below are two of the four brothers

Private 5933591, 2nd Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Captured at Singapore 15 February 1942, died of Pellagra as a Japanese Prisoner of War at Chungkai 27 October 1943. Aged 22. Born 5 December 1919, and resident, Cambridgeshire. In the 1939 Register he was born 5 December 1919, a Letter Press Printer, single, son of George E and Hannah Burrell, resident 190 Elm Road, Wisbech, Wisbech M.B., Cambridgeshire,. Buried in CHUNGKAI WAR CEMETERY, Thailand. Plot 6. Row N. Grave 10. Also listed Wisbech.

MR. and Mrs. G. E. Burrell, of 190, Elm-road, Wisbech, are two more local parents who will have sad memories of VJ week, for it was on Saturday that they heard that their only son, Pte. Walter Edward Burrell, of the Cambs. Regt., had died of malaria in 1943, while a. prisoner of war in Thailand.

This tragic news was received in a letter from the War Office which read: “I am directed to inform you that an official report from the Japanese authorities has been received in the Department stating that your son, No. 5933591 Pte. W. E. Burrell, Cambridgeshire Regt., died on Oct. 27th, 1943, of malaria, while a prisoner of war in Thailand. This serious news is conveyed to you with sincere regret and the Army Council extends its deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement.”

Private Burrell, who was only 23 years of age when he died, joined the Territorials in May, 1939, with a number of his colleagues from Messrs. Balding and Mansell's, where he was apprenticed. He went abroad in October, 1941, with the Cambs. Regt., and was reported missing after the fall of Singapore. The last card his parents received from him arrived in January, 1944.

Pte. Burrell, was a popular lad, particularly among his colleagues, and he was also a keen sportsman, spending a good deal of his spare time in his work's recreation grounds.

Mr. and Mrs. Burrell wish to thank Messrs. Balding and Mansell and all friends for their kindness and consideration during their long and anxious period of waiting.

Private 5773756, 2nd Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment. 4 May 1944. Aged 25. Born 13 January 1919. Son of William and Jessie Bush, of Wisbech. In the 1921 census he was aged 2, born March, Cambridgeshire, son of William and Jessie Bush, resident 18, Prospect Place, Wisbech, Wisbech St Peter, Cambridgeshire. In the 1939 Register he was born 13 January 1919, a General Labourer, single, resident with his widowed mother, Jessie Bush, at 18 Prospect Place, Wisbech, Wisbech M.B., Cambridgeshire. Buried in KOHIMA WAR CEMETERY, India. Plot 2. Row A. Grave 15. Also listed Wisbech.

BUSH Donald of 18 Prospect-place Wisbech Cambridgeshire died 4 May 1944 on wax, service Probate Norwich 29 December to Jessie Bush widow. Effects £199 7s. 8d.

Pte. Donald Bush, of the Royal Norfolk Regt., fourth son of Mrs. W. Bush, and of the late Mr. Bush, of 18, Prospect place, Wisbech, has been killed in action while serving in the India Command.

This sad news was received by Mrs. Bush on Monday from the War Office, the official notification stating that her son's death took place in May.

Pte. Bush was 25 years of age. Educated at the Queen's School, Wisbech, he was employed before the war by Messrs. Burton, Ltd., and by Messrs. English Bros. He joined the Forces in December, 1939, and was posted to France in May of the following year, being subsequently evacuated from Dunkirk. After a short time in this country he was again drafted overseas, this time to India, in April, 1942.

Mrs. Bush has two others sons in the Services, one with the Persian-Iraq Forces and the other with a searchlight unit in this country.

A former member of "The Wisbech Standard" Bunny Fellowship, who later joined the Merchant Navy, has, at the age of 21, given his life in bringing food to this country.

He was Mr. Harry Clifford Callaby, and nothing had been heard of him for some time until approximately three weeks ago, when his sister, Mrs. A. G. Daisley, of 35, The Green, Werrington, Peterborough, heard definitely, through the Seamen's Union and the ship owners, that he had been lost at sea about September, owing to enemy action.

Mr. Callaby was the son of Mr. and the late Mrs. John Wm. Callaby, of 25, the Horsefair, Wisbech. Although he had lived with his sister since his mother's death, he was well-known in Wisbech, having been educated at the Old Bell and St. Peter's Schools. He also attended the Ely-place Baptist Church.

Extract from local newspaper:

ELM AIRMAN MISSING
“Old Boy” of March
Grammar School

An Elm airman has been posted as missing after a recent flight over France. He is 23-year-old Sergt.-Observer Neville William Carlile, of Algeiba House, Elm.

In a letter to Mr. Carlile, the airman's commanding officer states: “Your son has been doing extraordinarily good work and has set a fine example to everyone. He will be missing by us all.”

Sergt. Carlile was educated at March Grammar School, and, afterleaving there he spent some time at an English college in Rome, studying the priesthood. He returned home, however, to become articled to Mr. T. F. Parker, a Wisbech architect. He joined the Royal Air Force in June.

The news that her youngest son, Pte. Arthur Edward Chambers, of the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment, died on June 14th. 1943, of beri-beri, while a prisoner of war in No, 2 Camp, Thailand, was received on Saturday morning by Mrs. A. L. Chambers, of 20, Russell-street, Wisbech.

On leaving school Pte. Chambers was employed by Messrs. Burall Bros., Ltd., and later by the Wisbech Lighting and Water Works Companies. He joined the Army in 1940. He was a keen footballer and had played for several local clubs.

Mrs. Chambers and family wish to thank all kind friends and neighbours for their sympathetic inquiries during the anxious period of waiting, and also for expressions of sympathy in their sad loss.

Shattering their last hopes for his comparative safety came the news for Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Clark, of 10, Golding-street, Wisbech, on Tuesday, that their eldest son, Pte. Gordon Clark, of the Lincolnshire Regiment—who six months ago was reported missing, believed wounded and a prisoner of war—died of those wounds on October 8th, just two days after he was captured.

Pte. Clark, who was 19 years of age, volunteered for the Services in June, 1943, being then only 17½, and was sent to France with the B.L.A. almost exactly a year later.

He was educated at the Queen's School, Wisbech, and after leaving school worked for Messrs. Bodger Bros. for about four years. He was also a member of the Home Guard. Much sympathy is felt for his parents in their bereavement.

Steward C/SR 8338, H.M.S. Southampton, Royal Navy. Died at sea 11 January 1941. Born 18 July 1918 in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. In the 1921 census he was the grandson oEdward and Alicia Clarke, aged 2, born Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, resident 8, Albert Street, Wisbech, Wisbech St Peter, Cambridgeshire. No known grave. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 49, Column 2.

Extract from local newspaper:

WISBECH SWIMMER
KILLED AT SEA
Death of Mr. WaIter
Clarke.

CLEAVER Samuel Alexander of 41 Horsefair Wisbech St. Peter Cambridgeshire died 27 August 1943 on war service Administration Peterborough 17 October to Edna Beryl Cook (wife of Archibald Bernard Cook). Effects £225 7s. 9d.

COOK Maurice Earl of 10 Artillery-street Wisbech Cambridgeshire died 19 July 1944 on war service Probate Llandudno 23 August to Horace Frederick Mann builder. Effects £99 0s 10d.

Driver 2091259, 287 Field Company, Royal Engineers. Captured 26 January 1942 during the Japanese invasion of Malaya and Singapore, died as a Japanese Prisoner of War 30 May 1943. Aged 33. Born and resident Cambridgeshire. Son of Arthur and Hannah Cooper; husband of Lucy Irene Cooper (nee Missin), of Leverington Common, Cambridgeshire, married 3 March 1940 in Wisbech Registration District, Cambridgeshire. Buried in THANBYUZAYAT WAR CEMETERY, Myanmar. Also listed Leverington.

Yesterday (Thursday) morning brought the tragic news to Mrs. Cooper, of Ivy Cottage, Leverington Common, that her husband. Driver Stanley Cooper, of the Royal Engineers, died while a prisoner of war in a Thailand camp during the Japanese occupation.

Driver Cooper joined the Territorials during June, 1939, being mobilised on September 1st, 1939. He was married on Mar. 3rd, 1940, and went abroad during October, 1941. He was reported missing on February 14th, 1942, two cards since being received from him, the latest dated February, 1943. Dvr. Cooper died on May 30th. 1943. He was previously employed at Curry's, High-street, Wisbech, and was well known both in Wisbech and in Leverington.

Private 5933817, 2nd Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Captured at the fall of Singapore 15 February 1942, died as a Japanese Prisoner of War 25 August 1944. Aged 23. Born 24 July 1921 in Leicestershire, resident Cambridgeshire. Son of Alfred and Leonora Edith Dawson, of 15, Charles Street, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. Shop Assistant by trade. No known grave. Commemorated on SINGAPORE MEMORIAL, Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore. Column 58. Also listed Wisbech.

Extract from Wisbech Standard 1945:

DEATH OF L/CPL.
CLAUDE DAWSON
Far East Takes Toll of
Another Young Life

Leading Aircraftman 1499428, 1345 Anti-Malarial Flight, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, North Africa Command. Died based at Tabora, Tanganyika, 19 January 1946. Aged 24. Native of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. Son of Louis and Florence Fountain, of Wisbech. Buried in HELIOPOLIS WAR CEMETERY, Egypt. Plot 4. Row G. Grave 27. Also listed Wisbech.

Extract from local newspaper:

TRAGIC BLOW FOR
WISBECH FAMILY
Death of Only Son in
Cairo

Private 5933859, H.Q. Company, 2nd Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Captured at the fall of Singapore 15 February 1942, died at sea as a Japanese Prisoner of War when Hofuku Maru was sunk by planes from an American Aircraft Carrier 80 miles north of Corregidor, Philipines, 21 September 1944. Aged 23. Born and resident Cambridgeshire. Son of Charles William and Mabel Greaves, of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. No known grave. Commemorated on SINGAPORE MEMORIAL, Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore. Column 59. Also listed Wisbech.

After three long years of anxious waiting, Mrs. C. W. Greaves, of 29, West-street, Wisbech, has now been notified that her only son, Pte. Arthur Charles Greaves, of the Cambs. Regiment, is among those missing following the sinking of a Japanese transport which was conveying prisoners-of-war from Thailand to Japan.

The communication which she has received states that the date of the sinking is not known, but is thought to have occurred in the Autumn of 1944; however, until further information is received or a decision is reached concerning his fate he will be recorded as "missing at sea." A further communication states that Pte. Greaves was posted as missing on a date not known in Autumn, 1944, in the Far East.

Pte. Greaves formerly worked for Mr. H. D. Cosway, High-street, Wisbech.

Mrs. Greaves wishes to thank all friends for their kind inquiries and letters of sympathy concerning her son during the period of anxious waiting.

Private 5933599, 2nd Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Killed in action during the Japanese invasion of Malaya 28 January 1942. Aged 20. Born and resident Cambridgeshire. Baptised 18 September 1921 in Tydd St Giles, Cambridgeshire, son of Edmund Keith and Elizabeth Lydia Hammond, resident The Anchor, Tydd St Giles, Cambridgeshire. Son of Elizabeth Hammond, of Wisbech. No known grave. Commemorated on SINGAPORE MEMORIAL, Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore. Column 59. Also listed Wisbech.

A letter received from the War Office on Wednesday by Mrs. E. L. Hammond stated that her only son, Pte. Thomas Silvester Hammond, had been killed in action. He was killed on January 28th in the Far East war zone. Pte. Hammond, who was 20 years of age, was a pupil at the Queen’s School, and after leaving he worked for Messrs. Balding & Mansell, of Wisbech for three years. He joined the Territorials in May, 1939, and was posted overseas on October 28th, 1941.

Pte. Hammond was well-known and respected in Wisbech. He leaves a mother, and a sister, Mrs, D. Davie, to mourn his death.

Extract from Wisbech Standard in January 1942:

Family's Tragic Loss of Two Youngest Sons.
ONE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS -TELEGRAMS
RECEIVED WITHIN THREE DAYS.

Leading Cook C/MX 60132, H.M.S. Vimiera, Royal Navy. Died at sea when the destoyer sank in the Thames estuary after striking a mine while escorting the FS 93 convoy 9 January 1942. Aged 20. Born 21 June 1921 in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. Son of Walter Charles and Mary Harris, of Wisbech. No known grave. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panle 64, Column 2. Also listed Wisbech.

Extract from Wisbech Standard in January 1942:

Gunner 937784, 68 Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died of wounds in the Western Desert, Middle East 27 November 1941. Aged 23. Born and resident Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. Son of Walter and Frances Harris, of Wisbech. In the 1921 census he was aged 2, born Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, on of Walter Charles Harris, resident 7, West Street, Wisbech St Peter, Cambridgeshire. Buried in HALFAYA SOLLUM WAR CEMETERY, Egypt. Plot 1. Row C. Grave 3. Also listed Wisbech.

Extract from Wisbech Standard in January 1942:

HOTSON Thomas Harold of 28 Verdun-road Wisbech Saint Peter Cambridgeshire died 30 September 1943 on war service Administration Norwich 9 January to Mary Elizabeth Hotson (wife of Thomas Hedley Hotson) Effects £161 13s. 5d.

Leading Aircraftman 750952, 152 Maintenance Unit, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Captured 8 March 1942 while based at Bajit Panjang, Singapore, died of dysentery and beri-bari as a Japanese Prisoner of War on Haruku Island 30 September 1943. Born 2 October 1914. Son of George and Annie Isaacson; carer in UK Mr. L. Isaacson, of School House, Leverington, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. In the 1921 census he was aged 6, born Hanover, South Africa, resident with his sisterm Heken Issacson, at 1, Queen Street, Wisbech, Wisbech St Peter, Cambridgeshire. Buried in AMBON WAR CEMETERY, Indonesia. Plot 2. Row A. Grave 5. Also listed Wisbech.

ISAACSON Herbert Alexander of Kingsley-avenue Wisbech Cambridgeshire died 30 September 1943 on war service Administration (limited) Peterborough 14 December to Theodora Laune Isaacson farm manager attorney of Annie Isaacson.
Effects £335 9s. 10d.

A telegram from the Air Ministry on Monday brought Mr. L. Isaacson, of "Wayside," 5, Peatling's-lane, Wisbech, the dreaded news that his brother, Leading Aircrafts-man Herbert Alexander Isaacson, better known as "Bob," had died in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp on Sept. 30th, 1943.

The telegram discloses nothing of the circumstances in which he died or even his camp, but it adds that there is a letter to follow and it is hoped that this will reveal a few more details.

L/Ac. Isaacson, who is the youngest son of Mrs. A. Isaacson and of the late Mr. G. Isaacson, of South Africa, made his home with Mr. and Mrs. J. Bellamy, of Kingsley-avenue, Wisbech. He was employed at Mr. Martin Henson's garage before the war and was very popular in the town. He volunteered for the Royal Air Force about six months before war broke out, and served in England until July, 1941. He was then sent abroad to Singapore and later drafted to an aerodrome in Northern Malaya but on account of Japanese action was forced down to Singapore again. He escaped from the Japanese clutches, however, to Java, and had been there only a few days when he was finally captured in February, 1942.

Mr. L. Isaacson had already lost another brother, Cpl. Thomas Geo. Isaacson, Royal Tank Corps, who was killed in the fighting at Tobruk in May, 1941.

JONES Jack Joseph of 42 Nene-parade Wisbech Cambridgeshire died 26 November 1943 on war service Administration Norwich 18 April to Susannah Jones married woman.
Effects £282 4s. 4d.

KEMP George William of 2 Bath-cottages River Bank Wisbech Cambridgeshire died on or since 21 September 1944 on war service Administration (with Will) Norwich 11 January to Harold Ernest Kemp gardener. Effects £337 18s. 10d.

[The spelling of the middle name varies from document to document, variations being ABRAM, ABRUM, ABRAHAM, etc.] Pilot Officer (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner,) 195029, 626 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Bomber Command. Killed in action flying out of Wickenby, Lancashire, in an Avro Lancaster I, serial number PD295, when the aircraft was lost over the North Sea during a raid on the Wintershall synthetic oil plant at Lutzkendorf 5 April 1945. Aged 21. Born 21 July 1923. Native of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. Son of William and Agnes Mitcham, of Wisbech. In the 1939 Register he was born 21 July 1923, a Horseman on Farm, single, son of William and Agnes Mitcham, resident 1 Broad Drove, S Break, Wisbech, Wisbech M.B., Cambridgeshire,. Buried in BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. Plot 11. Row B. Grave 8. Also listed Wisbech.

The tragic news that their second son, Pilot Officer William Abraham Mitcham. R.A F., lost his life as the result of air operations on the night of April 4th-5th, was received on Monday morning by Mr. and Mrs. W. Mitcham, of Redmoor-lane, South-brink, Wisbech.

This grievous blow followed swiftly on the information received yesterday (Thursday) week, that their son had been reported missing.

“During the many successful operations which your son had completed he had proved himself to be a thoroughly trustworthy and efficient member of aircrew.” This sincere tribute to Pilot Officer Mitcham was contained in a letter written to Mr. and Mrs. Mitcham by his Commanding Officer.

The news of this young airman' death (he was only 21 years of age) will be received with deep regret by his many friends in Wisbech a district.

Educated, at the Queen's Schee Pilot Officer Mitcham formerly worked for Mr. George Mitcham, baker, of Elm. He was extremely keen on boxing, football and running. and he served in the A.T.C. for 18 months before enlisting in December, 1941. The sortie which cost him his life was his 33rd operational flight over enemy territory. He was formerly a Flt.-Sergt. Wireless Operator Air Gunner, being promoted to Pilot Officer as from February 24th.

Three days before he was reported missing, believed drowned while bathing in the Bay of Bengal, Cpl. Jim Pearson sent off an airgraph to "The Wisbech Standard" thanking the people of Wisbech for his Christmas gift.

Corpl. Pearson, news of whose sad death was reported in last week's Standard," was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Pearson, of 6, Southwell Road, Wisbech. His air-graph, which arrived at the "Standard " Office on Wednesday morning, stated: "May I, through the columns of 'The Wis-bech Standard,' extend my sincere thanks to the people of Wisbech who were responsible for making the Borough Gift Fund possible; also my appreciation of the very acceptable gift of which was the outcome of their wonderful efforts. I can assure you I am eagerly looking forward to returning to the old town again in the near future, when I hope to meet all my old friends again, though under much happier circumstances than we last met."

THE graphic story of a young Wisbech airman's attempt to save a comrade while they were bathing in the Bay of Bengal on March 12th, as the result of which both were drowned is told in a letter from the Casualty Branch of the Air Ministry and also from the Wisbech man's Wing Commander, who reports that "his loss will be a great blow to the R.A.F. Regiment."

The young man was Corpl. James ("Jim") Pearson, of the R.A.F. Regiment, the 22-year-old second son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Pearson, of 6, Southwell-rd., Wisbech, and this information was received from the Air Ministry on Saturday afternoon.

The information states that Cpl. Pearson accompanied a bathing party to Cox's Bazaar on March 12th. Aircraftsman First - Class Legg was seen to be in difficulty, and so Cpl. Pearson went to his rescue, but unhappily both men were carried out to sea by the strong current. Searches were carried out, but proved unavailing; therefore it had not been possible to recover their bodies.

On Tuesday his parents received a letter from his Wing Commander, giving them the same details, and adding "his loss will be a great blow to the R.A.F. Regiment."

Lance Sergeant 5933598, 2nd Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Captured at the fall of Singapore 15 February 1942, died at sea as a Japanese Prisoner of War aboard the Hofuku Maru when the ship was sunk by planes from an American Aircraft Carrier 80 miles north of Corregidor, Philippines, 21 September 1944. Aged 25. Born 21 January 1921Suffolk, resident Cambridgeshire. Son of Sidney and Ethel Preston; husband of Edith Preston (nee Calver), of Garston, Watford, Hertfordshire, married October to December Quarter 1942 in Wisbech Registration District . He was a Printer/Compositor living in Gorefield. In the 1921 census he was aged 2, born Bungay, Suffolk, visiting with his parents, Sydney C H and Ethel E Preston, at 3, Park Street, Walsoken, Cambridgeshire. No known grave. Commemorated on SINGAPORE MEMORIAL, Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore. Also listed Wisbech and Gorefield

PRESTON William Charles Harry of Fitton End Gorefield Wisbech Cambridgeshire died on or since 21 September 1944 on war service Probate Peterborough 22 July to Walter Calver agricultural worke. Effects £302 11s. 2d.

A Gorefield woman has received the sad news that her husband, missing in the Far East since Sept. 21st, 1944, must be presumed to have died on that date.

He is L/Sgt. William Charles Harry Preston, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. S. Preston, of 5, Raymond-street, Wisbech, and whose wife, formerly Miss Edith Calver, lives at Fitton-end, Gorefield.

L/Sgt. Preston joined the Territorials in May, 1939, and was called up for service at the beginning of the war. He went to the Far East with the 2nd Battalion of the Cambridgeshire Regiment and was taken prisoner at Singapore. He was travelling from Thailand to Japan in a Japanese transport at the time of his death.

It was on Aug. 28th. 1945, that his wife and parents received the first notification that he was missing. At Christmas, 1944, they had received from him two cards written in August, 1944, about a month before his death.

L /Sgt. Preston, who at the time of his death was 25 years of age, was, before the war, employed by Messrs. Balding and Mansell, of Wisbech. He was married in December, 1941. A keen footballer, he was a member of the Park Works Club.

Photograph Copyright © Peter Thatcher 2018

SIMPOLE Jack William of 28 Albert-street Wisbech Cambridgeshire died 18 June 1943 on war service Probate Norwich 10 September to James William Simpole warehouseman.
Effects £173 1s. 3d.

STANFORD John Robert of East-street Wisbech Cambridgeshire died 21 September 1944 on war service Administration (with Will) Peterborough 30 July to Louisa Barker (wife of Leslie Barker). Effects £344 0s. 10d.

News has been received that Pte. Cecil Charles Swain, of the Cambridgeshire Regiment, died on board a hospital ship in the Far East on February 12th, the cause of his death being unknown.

Pte. Swain, who was 21 years of age, was married, and his wife lives at Shavington, Crewe, where she received the notification on Good Friday morning.

He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Swain, of 69, Osborne-rd., Wisbech, and was educated at the Queen's School, Wisbech. He later worked for the Shell Mex and B.P. Limited. He was a member of the Oddfellows, and took a keen interest in dancing.

The last letter received by Pte. Swain's parents was written on Jan. 16th from Singapore; he then said he was expecting to go into action at any time.

He joined the Territorials about May, 1939, and went overseas last October, being married at Crewe in September. In addition to his wife and parents he leaves a younger brother and sister.

SWANN George Leonard of 19 Southwell-road Wisbech St. Peter Cambridgeshire died 15 June 1943 on war service Administration Norwich 1 June to John William Swann drayman.
Effects £863 10s. 11d.

Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Tuck, of 45, Summerfield-close, Wisbech, have received notification that their eldest son, Pte. Arthur Robert Tuck, has died from fever and pneumonia while serving in the Indian theatre of war.

It was on Saturday that this tragic news reached Mr. Tuck, and their son is stated to have died on Sept. 1st. Only 20 years of age, Pte. Tuck was well known in Wisbech, where he was educated at the Queen's School. While at school he worked as errand boy for Easingwood's, and on leaving school he was errand boy for Kay's, High-street, remaining there for just over a year. He then went to a Government training centre for some months, and finally to an aircraft factory until Feb. 4th, 1943, when he was called up for service in the Suffolk Regt., working on trench mortars.

Pte. Tuck went overseas to India last September. His grandmother, strangely enough, also died and was buried in India, where his grandfather, the late Q.M.S. A. R,.Tuck, served as a soldier for 21 years.

The dead boy's father is employed by Messrs. Trinidad Leasehold, Ltd., of Wisbech, and came to the town when the firm opened its branch here in 1937. Pte. Tuck himself was a quiet, home-loving lad, and was well known at the Church-terrace Methodist Church, where he attended the Sunday School, first as a pupil and then as a class teacher with the boys. He was a non-smoker and non-drinker.

Sergeant (Flight Engineer) 1623946, 460 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Bomber Command. Killed in action flying out of Binbrook, Lincolnshire, in an Avro Lancaster I, serial number W4844, when the aircraft was lost without trace during a raid on Cologne 3 July 1943. Aged 19. Native of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. Son of E. A. Tytherleigh, M.M., and Mrs. M. E. Tytherleigh, of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. In the 1939 Register he was born 14 August 1923, a Grocer Assisting Father, single, son of Ernest A and Marjorie Tytherleigh, resident 141 Lynn Road, Wisbech, Wisbech M.B., Cambridgeshire. No known grave. Commemorated on RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL, Surrey. Also listed Wisbech.

Note: 460 Squadron flew Lancasters from Binbrook.

Lance-Corporal John Raymond Virgo, Grenadier Guards, second son of Mr. and Mrs. George Virgo. of Mount Pleasant, Wisbech, was one of the victims of the enemy air-raid on Weston-super-Mare. He was aged 23, Mr. George Virgo is well known as a builder and fruit salesman in South Lincolnshire.

Lance Bombardier 962034, 76 (Shropshire Yeomanry) Mdeium Regiment, Royal Artillery. Killed in action at Cassino, Italy, 15 February 1944. Aged 26. Born 2 February 1918 in Thorney, Peterborough, Northamptonshire [sic], resident Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. Baptised 3 february 1918 in Thorney, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire [sic]. Son of Tom and Rose Walton; husband of Phyllis Maud Walton (nee Ingle), of Outwell, married 30 September 1941 at Outwell. In the 1939 Register he was born 2 February 1918, a General Stores Stockroom Assistant, son of Tom and Rose Walton, resident Sutton Road, Leverington, Wisbech, Wisbech R.D., Cambridgeshire. Buried in CASSINO WAR CEMETERY, Italy. Plot XIV. Row J. Grave 17. Also listed Leverington.

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1944:

Extract from Wisbech Standard 1944:

Distressing news continues to come in of young Wisbechians who are serving on the various battlefronts of the world.

On Monday afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Whitby, of 7, Whitby-st., Wisbech, received official notification from the War Office that their youngest son, Pte. Raymond Ernest Whitby, of The Royal Berkshire Regiment, died on January 1st, as the result of wounds sustained while serving in the Indian theatre of war during December.

Mr. and Mrs. Whitby had heard on Tuesday week that their son was dangerously ill on Dec. 27th as the result of shrapnel wounds.

Aged 21, Pte. Whitby was educated at the Queen's School and was later employed by "The Wisbech Advertiser." He joined the Army in June, 1942, and went abroad 18 months ago. Mrs. Whitby last heard from her son a week before Christmas.

Pte. Whitby, who was formerly a member of the Boys' Brigade, was a keen cricketer and took a great interest in dancing. He also belonged to the Cambs. 19 Detachment of the British Red Cross.

Mr. and Mrs. Whitby have another son, who is a prisoner-of-war in Japanese hands.

[Listed as Frank Ray YOUNG on CWGC] Lance Corporal 6012092, 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment. Died as the result of an accident in Sudan 11 April 1941. Aged 21. Son of Harry and Jennie Marie Young, of West Lynn, Norfolk. Buried in ASMARA WAR CEMETERY, Eritrea. Plot 4. Row A. Grave 9.

Extract from local newspaper:

KILLED IN ACTION.
Wisbech Soldier’s Death
in Middle East.

YOUNG Leonard James of 172 North Brink Wisbech Cambridgeshire died 30 July 1943 on war service Administration Norwich 20 November to Ernest Christmas Young agricultural worker.
Effects £147 19s.