Bemment,
Arthur Samuel
Son (with three sisters and one
brother) of William Bemment, and
Florence Edith M. Mortishire (1883-),
from ... Mrs Day. |
(03?).1913
Grimsby, Lincolnshire
-
(09?).1951
Grimsby, Lincolnshire |
| Warrant
Officer Class I |
? [4800625] |
 |
MID |
05.04.1945 |
Burma / Eastern Frontier of India |
|
| |
|
|
served, The Lincolnshire Regiment (attached Indian Army Corps of Clerks) |
|
Bounsall,
Dennis Arthur Harrison
Married 1st ((06?).1944, Poole district, Dorset)Doreen A. "Cherry" Neville; one
daughter.
Married 2nd (1955, New Zealand) Sarah Alice "Sadie" Turner (?-2006). |
02.03.1921
Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, Gloucestershire
-
15.01.2022
Auckland, New Zealand |
| Bandsman |
? [5725602] |
| L/Cpl. |
? (demobilised 1948) |
Malta
George Cross 50th Anniversary Commemorative Medal
Légion d’honneur
* (1) On 19 Jul 43 during the advance towards AGIRA two rifle companies came
under very heavy mortar fire and machine gun fire from some high ground to
the front and flank of their positions. They were pinned to the ground and
any further movement became impossible. Under this heavy fire p Private
BOUNSALL, one of the Battalion Stretcher Bearers, with absolute disregard to
his own personal safety, walked about amongst the Companies, dressing and
collecting casualties, and brought them back a short distance to the rear,
Where he placed them under cover of a small bank. He then called in the
assistance of more stretcher bearers and personally took control of this
small party of stretcher bearers which he had by then collected. Several
times he came forward collecting casualties and each time he was subjected
to heavy fire. Having seen the last of these casualties evacuated to the
Regimental Air Post he finally returned to his company.
(2) SECOND OCCASION; On 23 Jul 43 Private BOUNSALL accompanied a platoon who
were sent out on patrol. During the course of this patrol the platoon came
under heavy mortar and automatic fire from positions to the flank, and were
forced to withdraw; Private BOUNSALL with the assistance of a volunteer went
forward across the bullet swept ground and bought back at least four
casualties. There was then only one casualty remaining out and unaccounted
for. Private BDUNSALL went out by himself for this man whom he did not find
until late that evening; He stayed out with him until late that night,
dressing his wounds, and eventually carried him back two miles before dawn
the following morning when he handed him over to the Regimental Aid Post. |
|
11.05.1936 |
|
|
enlisted as boy soldier, Dorsetshire Regiment |
|
1938 |
- |
1945 |
1st Battalion The Dorsetshire Regiment (NW Frontier of India, Malta, Sicily/Italy,
UK, NW Europe, UK) |
Emigrated to Auckland, New Zealand, 1952. Worked in insurance business. |
Byrne,
John Vincent
"Jack"
Son (with one brother) of ... Byrne, and ... Cornwell.
Married (1955; marriage dissolved) Mary Hayes; three daughters.
|
01.04.1921
Preston district, Lancashire
-
10.01.2007 |
| Corporal |
? [2060658] (reld
1947) |
|
Education: Army Apprentices College, Chepstow.
|
(1940) |
|
|
1st
Battalion The
Gordon Highlanders (France; wounded) |
| |
|
|
No. 11 (Scottish) Commando (Syria) |
|
? |
- |
12.1941 |
"L"
Detachment, 1st Special Service Brigade (attached HQ 8th Army) (Libya;
captured) |
|
12.1941 |
- |
1943 |
POW in German captivity (Stalag Luft III; escaped) |
|
1943 |
- |
1944? |
training, Commando Depot (Achnacarry,
Inverness-shire) |
|
1944? |
- |
1945 |
No. 6 Commando (Normandy; wounded in the knee;
Holland) |
|
1945? |
- |
1946? |
4th
Battalion the Royal Norfolk Regiment (Greece) |
|
1946? |
- |
1947 |
HQ
179 Infantry Brigade |
Served with the Kenya
Police for a spell before moving to Kulai Police
District, Johor, on internal security duties at the
outset of the Malaya "Emergency". In 1953 a
terrorist fired his revolver into Byrne's stomach at
point-blank range. After being discharged from
hospital he returned to Kenya to work in the prison
service before retiring in 1958. He settled in
Shropshire, and built up a drapery business until he
finally retired in 1986.
Published: The general salutes a soldier
(1986; war memoirs)
|
Chandler,
Thomas Joseph *
* In Army records shown as Joseph
Thomas
Chandler. |
19.06.1891
Sheerness, Sheppey
district, Kent
-
19.04.1966
Bexley, Kent |
|
Gardener. Member of Royal Horticultural Society.
|
WW I |
|
|
served, Royal Garrison Artillery |
|
(1944) |
|
|
Platoon Sergeant, 15 Platoon, 2nd Battalion The
Leicestershire Regiment (71 Column, Chindits) (Burma) (DCM) [wounded in action
12.04.1944 at Hill 602] |
|
Cheesebrough,
Thomas
Son (with one brother?) of ...
Cheesebrough, and
... Jackson.
From Middlesborough. |
20.03.1915
Hartlepool,
Hartlepool
district, Durham
-
27.01.1986
Wardle,
Rochdale
district,
Lancashire |
* Buildings were damaged and set on fire by enemy action
and Private
Cheeseborough gave voluntary assistance to
rescue parties on the site. The
operations had been going on
under adverse conditions for three days. By that
time, the
fire, which had been burning in the debris near the site had
been
subdued, and on a report that signs from someone alive
had been heard, Private
Cheeseborough tunnelled under the
debris which was in a very dangerous
condition. After
working for 5 hours in a very confined place he succeeded
in extracting a woman. Private Cheeseborough, who had
showed courage and
persistence collapsed on completion of
this work. |
|
Cook,
William
From Leeds. |
22.08.1906
-
04.1992
Surrey South-Eastern district, Surrey |
| Company Quartermaster
Sergeant (Colour Sergeant) |
? [4543011] |
|
Brewery traveller.
| 13.06.1940 |
|
|
enlisted |
| |
|
|
served
1st Battalion The Parachute Regiment - Army Air Corps |
| 24.11.1942 |
|
|
captured
near Medjez-El-Bab (Tunisia) |
| 14.04.1943 |
|
|
escaped
from Celio Military Hospital, Rome [detailed escape report available] |
| (09.1944) |
|
|
served
at Arnhem (injured whilst in a glider; as a result had a metal plate in his head and
some epilepsy after the injury and walked with a stick) |
|
*
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Company Quartermaster Sergeant
(CQMS) Cook of 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment was a member of a fighting
patrol about 40 strong which proceeded from Oued-Zanga in direction of
Medjez-El-Bab on 24 Nov 1942. The patrol was ambushed and pinned down by a
strong force of Germans supported by heavy machine guns, mortars and field
artillery. The patrol commander decided to fight it out. CQMS Cook was wounded
during the initial German concentration, but was able to move out to a flank
with a light automatic weapon. The patrol commander was killed, so CQMS Cook
took over command. The Germans then made three assaults on the position held
by the patrol, all of which were preceded by a mortar and artillery barrage.
Owing to the magnificent leadership displayed by CQMS Cook these were beaten
off after hard hand to hand fighting. The patrol was eventually over-run by
the fourth attack when only five men were left on their feet to repel it. The
patrol had accounted for more than three times their number in dead alone.
CQMS Cook was made prisoner and taken to Italy where he was handed over to the
Italians. He recovered from his wounds, and on his second attempt to get away,
escaped and is now serving with the 9th Parachute Battalion in this country.
[Proposed 01.08.1943 by Brig. S.J.L. Hill, Commander 3rd Parachute Brigade
(1942 Commanding Officer 1st Parachute Battalion), approved by Brig. E.W.C.
Flavell, Deputy Commander Major-General Airborne Forces (1942 Commander 1st
Parachute Brigade), and Lt.Gen. K.A.N. Anderson, Commander-in-Chief First
Army] |
Coulson,
George
|
?
-
|
|
| |
|
|
served
1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps |
|
| |
Davies,
Leslie George
Son of ... Davies, and ... George.
Married Kay ...; one son, three
daughters.
|
16.11.1919
Newbridge, Newport
district,
Monmouthshire
-
16.06.2008
Leatherhead ? |
| Corporal |
?
[7934015]
|
| Lance-Sergeant |
? |
|
Education: Newbridge School, Monmouthshire.
Worked a few years as a miner.
| 1940 |
- |
1945 |
served
with the Hussars (Royal Armoured Corps) in North Africa, Italy, France
(wounded) & Germany |
| (06.1944) |
|
|
11th
Hussars (Normandy) |
Post-war career in oil in Kuwait. |
Dickson,
James
|
?
-
|
| Lance-Bombardier |
? [884436] |
|
| |
|
|
Royal
Regiment of Artillery |
| (09.1944) |
|
|
2nd
Airlanding Light Battery RA (Arnhem) |
|
Durrant,
Thomas Frank
"Tom"
Son of ... Durrant, and ... Lee.
Lived at Green Street Green, Farnborough, Kent.
|
17.10.1918
Farnborough, Bromley district, Kent
-
28.03.1942
St Nazaire, France
(DOW) [age 23]
[Escoublac-La
Baule War Cemetery, France, I.D.11] |
| Sapper ? |
01.02.1937
[1874047] |
| Sergeant |
04.1940? |
 |
VC |
19.06.1945 |
St Nazaire 27/28.03.42 [posthumously]
[investiture to his mother 29.10.46] [VC held by RE Museum, Gillingham] * |
|
Worked as a butcher’s boy, then as a builder’s
labourer.
|
01.02.1937 |
|
|
enlisted, Corps of Royal Engineers |
|
05.1940 |
|
|
volunteered for service with No. 2 Special
Independent Company (Norway; field promotion to Sgt.), reorganized as: |
|
1940 |
- |
28.03.1942 |
No. 1 Commando (training in Scotland; St Nazaire
raid; died of wound in German military hospital) |
|
| * For
great gallantry, skill and devotion to duty when in charge of a Lewis gun in HM
Motor Launch 306 in the St Nazaire raid on 28 March 1942. Motor Launch 306 came
under heavy fire while proceeding up the River Loire towards the port. Sergeant
Durrant, in his position abaft the bridge, where he had no cover or protection,
engaged enemy gun positions and searchlights ashore. During this engagement he
was severely wounded in the arm but refused to leave his gun. The Motor Launch
subsequently went down the river and was attacked by a German destroyer at 50 to
60 yards range, and often closer. In this action Sergeant Durrant continued to
fire at the destroyer's bridge with the greatest of coolness and with complete
disregard of the enemy's fire. The Motor Launch was illuminated by the enemy
searchlight, and Sergeant Durrant drew on himself the individual attention of
the enemy guns, and was again wounded in many places. Despite these further
wounds he stayed in his exposed position, still firing his gun, although after a
time only able to support himself by holding on to the gun mounting. After a
running fight, the Commander of the German destroyer called on the Motor Launch
to surrender. Sergeant Durrant's answer was a further burst of fire at the
destroyer's bridge. Although now very weak, he went on firing, using drums of
ammunition as fast as they could be replaced. A renewed attack by the enemy
vessel eventually silenced the fire of the Motor Launch, but Sergeant Durrant
refused to give up until the destroyer came alongside, grappled the Motor Launch
and took prisoner those who remained alive. Sergeant Durrant's gallant fight was
commended by the German officers on boarding the Motor Launch. This very gallant
non-commissioned officer later died of the many wounds received in action. |
Gilmour,
Robert
Son of Sgt. Robert Gilmour, The Royal Scots Fusiliers (died 02.08.1915, aged
37).
His brother Sgt. James Smith Gilmour (01.12.1914-30.05.1940) was killed in
action serving in the same battalion (2nd Bn RSF).
Married Margaret McGaffney. |
15.10.1905
Hamilton, Ayr, Scotland
-
1974 ? |
|
Sgt.Maj. |
? [3122737] |
|
Regimental Sgt.Maj.
(Wt.Offr. Cl. I) |
? |
|
|
(1936) |
|
|
1st Battalion The Royal Scots Fusiliers (Palestine)
(name brought to notice) |
|
? |
- |
05.1940 |
Platoon Sergeant-Major (& acting Officer
Commanding), 18 Platoon "D" Company, 2nd Battalion The
Royal Scots Fusiliers (France & Belgium) (returned to UK; injured) |
|
1944 |
- |
1945 |
4th/5th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers (NW Europe)
(DCM) |
|
Gough,
Arthur Edward
Son (with one brother?) of ... Gough, and ...
Holmes.
From Olton, Warwickshire. |
18.01.1916
Aston district, Warwickshire
-
11.2000
Solihull South district, West Midlands |
| Lance-Sergeant
|
? [2660438] |
|
| |
|
|
Coldstream
Guards |
| (1944) |
- |
(1945) |
2
Squadron, 4th Battalion Coldstream Guards |
|
Juggins,
Gerald Vivian
Youngest son of George John Juggins (1876-), and
Florence Minnie Amy Beale.
Married ((03?).1939, Uxbridge district, Middlesex) Eileen Ethel H. Segrott
((12?).1918 - 21.08.1991), daughter of Robert Francis Segrott (1886-1960), and
Hilda Florence C. Charnock (1895-1932); four daughters.
Residence: (1945) Harrow, Middlesex, from 1952 Australia. |
01.02.1912
Fulford Army Barracks, York, Yorkshire
-
30.08.1981
Mintaro, South Australia |
| Warrant Officer
Class I |
? [1068102] |
| A/Sergeant-Major |
(1945) |
|
WS/Sergeant-Major |
18.04.1945 (reld
1952) |
|
| |
|
|
served Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
(Armament Artificers (Fitters) Section) |
| |
|
|
served in France (Dunkirk 1940), then southern
England |
|
(1944) |
- |
(1945) |
in charge of Light Aid Detachment REME attached to
59th (Newfoundland) Regiment RA (NW Europe) (MBE) |
|
1952 |
|
|
transferred to Australian Army (Royal Australian
Electrical and Mechanical Engineers at Keswick; retired 1960s due to ill-health) |
|
*
[Recommendation for the appointment
as Member of the Order of the British Empire of Wt.Offr.I G.V. Juggins]
This Warrant Officer is in charge of the Light Aid Detachment attached to this
Regiment. Both he and his detachment have done excellent work throughout the
campaign and have been of the greatest assistance in keeping the vehicles on the
road. Acting Sergeant-Major Juggins has been indefatiguable and always displayed
great keenness and energy which has been an inspiration to his men. His job has
been the more difficult in that frequent changes of command have necessitated
getting stores and spares from services unknown to him personally and often far
from the unit.
[Recommended 19.01.1945 by Lt.Col. R.C. Longfield, Commanding Officer 59th
(Newfoundland) Heavy Regiment RA, approved 26.01.1945 by Brig. F.C.F. Cleeve,
Commander 3rd Army Group RA, 04.02.1945 by Lt.Gen. B.G. Horrocks, Commander 30
Corps, and finally 20.02.1945 by Lt.Gen. M.C. Dempsey, Commanding 2nd Army.] |
Lyons,
Anthony
"Tony"
Son of Anthony Arthur Lyons (1893-), and Kathleen
Harrington (1896-).
From Leeds.
Partner to Joan, father and step-father. |
29.11.1922
Ripon district, Yorkshire
-
20.07.2008
Park Lodge Nursing Home, Leeds |
|
| (1944) |
- |
(1945) |
4th
Battalion The King's Own Scottish Borderers (NW Europe) |
|
*
[Recommendation for the award of an
immediate Military Medal to Pte. Anthony Lyons]
On the evening of 24 Jan 45 the Carrier Platoon was ordered to assault an
enemy held position immediately West of, and with good observation over, the
town of Heinsberg. This assault was preceded by 10 minutes artillery fire and
when within 10 yards of the position, came under very heavy small arms fire -
this turned out later to be from 6 enemy machine guns. The Platoon Commander
was leading but was wounded and fell. Private Lyons made off by himself to the
left to try and outflank the position from where the fire was directed. During
this action he was hit in the head by machine gun fire, receiving a severe
scalp wound. Nevertheless he continued on his task, and eventually when his
strength gave out, he carried on by supporting by fire from the ground where
he had fallen. What is more he encouraged on his comrades by shouting
encouraging remarks to them. There is no doubt that Private Lyons, though
seriously wounded, was an inspiration and an example of magnificent
determination and encouragement to his comrades during this action. I
recommend he be awarded the M.M.
[Recommended by Lt.Col. C.L. Melville, Commanding Officer 4th Battalion The
King's Own Scottish Borderers, 28.01.1945, supported by Brig. J.F.S. McLaren,
Commander 155th Infantry Brigade, 29.01.1945, Maj.Gen. E. Hakewill Smith,
Commander 52nd (Lowland) Division, 05.02.1945, Lt.Gen. N.M. Ritchie, Commander
12 Corps, 10.02.1945, Lt.Gen. M.C. Dempsey, Commander Second Army, 14.02.1945,
and finally Field Marshal B.L. Montgomery, Commander-in-Chief 21 Army Group] |
Mostert,
Cornelius Theodorus
|
02.01.1921
Vryheid, South Africa
-
|
Private
|
? [104964] (reld
06.02.1946)
|
*
Escaped
from Bergarmo on 7 Nov 1943. Joined a partisan band and was engaged in active
work with them. Was wounded in
one action. Recovered and
rejoined them. Later left for
Switzerland to try to get help for the partisans (food, money etc), reached
Switzerland and later crossed into France and made his way to Lyon. |
20.01.1940
|
|
|
enlisted
with Union Defence Force (Driver Mechanic "A" Class)
|
|
|
|
arrived
at Suez 13.09.1941, being attached to the Technical Service Corps, captured at
tobruk at 20.06.1942
|
20.06.1942
|
-
|
07.11.1943
|
POW
in Italian captivity (Camp 65 from 18.11.1942); escaped
|
07.11.1943
|
-
|
15.09.1944
|
joined
a Partisan Band in Northern Italy and worked with them; reached Switzerland 24.03.1944,
arriving in Egypt on 15.09.1944
|
1944
|
-
|
06.02.1946
|
Military
College
|
|
Redpath,
George Pearson
From Bishop Auckland.
|
1903
Aberlady
-
?
|
Company
Sergeant-Major
|
? [3238549]
|
Regimental
Sergeant-Major
|
?
|
|
|
|
|
served,
2nd Battalion The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles):
|
(1939)
|
-
|
(1942)
|
served
in France & Belgium and the UK [as Warrant Officer, Class II]
|
(1942)
|
-
|
(1943)
|
served
in Madagascar, India, Persia & the Middle East
|
(1943)
|
-
|
(1944)
|
served
in Sicily & Italy [as Warrant Officer, Class I]
|
(1944)
|
-
|
(1945)
|
served
in NW Europe
|
|
Regan,
William Walter
Son of Hanorah Regan, and Ellen Mary Greatwood. |
(09?).1920
St Marylebone district, London
- |
| Gunner |
? [11268648] |
|
Lance-Bombardier |
? |
|
|
(1943) |
|
|
208th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery, 58th Heavy
Anti-Aircraft Regiment Royal Artillery |
|
| |
|
|
|
Townroe,
Arthur
Son of Sidney Townroe, and Kate Taft.
Married; one daughter. |
01.02.1917
Mansfield district, Nottinghmashire /
Derbyshire
-
10.05.2009
Rotherham, East Midlands |
| WS/Corporal |
? [3 2149276] |
| Lance
Serjeant |
? |
 |
CdeG |
16.01.1947 |
* |
* During the period 16-21 December 1944 this
Non-Commissioned Officer commanded his Platoon who constructed and manned
forward defences to the RIVER MEUSE crossing at GIVET. Though his Platoon
were then fatigued due to lack of sleep and intense cold, it was necessary
that they prepared for demolltion the railway bridge crossing the RIEVER
MEUSE at NAMUR. This was done under his leadership in about 16 hours through
the night 22/23rd December 1944. The steelwork of the bridge was ice-covered
and swept by strong winds, which made the task arduous and dangerous. The
splendid leadership and example of L/Sjt TOWNROE rallied his tired men and
enabled them to maintan their effort under very adverse conditions. In
keeping personal contact with every man and constantly checking every detail
of a complicated demolition he was completely regardless of personal safety
and continued to climb over every part of the frozen steelwork desplte his
exhausted oondintion, the loss of skin from both hands and several bad falls
which he sustained. Throughout the work his ready wit and cheerful
encouragement kept a high standard of morale amongst his men and
discountenanced the many alarming rumours which were circulating. The
steadfast devotion to duty, personal leaderahip, and technical thoroughness
this NCO ensurad that had the GERMAN advance reached the RIVER MEUSE at
NAMUR, the bridge for which he was responsible would have been successfully
denied to them.
Recommended by Maj. A.J. Lumsden, Acting CRE No. 13 General Headquarters
Troops RE 05.10.1945, supported by the Col. Commanding 18 Army Group RE
07.10.1945, the Brig., Chief Engineer 1st Corps District 12.10.1945 and
finally by Lt.Gen. G.I. Thomas, Commander 1st Corps District, intended to be
published in the London Gazette at 08.12.1945, but eventually published
16.01.1947. |
|
(1944) |
|
|
556 Field Company
Royal Engineers |
|
Waterhouse,
Ernest
Son of Harry Waterhouse, and Clara
Waterhouse
(née Benn).
Married Winifred Waterhouse (née ...).
|
26.01.1901
Halifax, West Yorkshire
-
18.02.1973
Halifax, West Yorkshire
|
WS/Corporal
|
28.12.1941 [48220]
|
WS/Staff
Sergeant
|
28.03.1942
|
WS/Warrant
Officer II
|
04.06.1944
|
* For particularly fine work
before and during the Battle of El
Alamein, when he
was responsible for repairs to all natures of guns, Field, AA
and Tank. Since
flying to North Africa he has become responsible for the rapid
installation of all
the workshop machinery overcoming by his ingenuity, the
difficulties created by
the lack of adequate lifting material. Due to the amount of work this NCO has put
in on the maintenance of
machinery during silent hours, workshop output has
never suffered, even during
the height of the peak periods. |
Worked as a fitter.
01.07.1937
|
-
|
29.10.1945
|
enlisted
service, Royal Army Service Corps (from 27.08.1941 Royal Army Ordnance Corps,
from 01.10.1942 Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers)
|
|
|
|
10
Corps RAOC [later REME] Workshop (El Alamein, Le
Khroub Tank workshops 01.04-30.06.1943)
|
Director
of a Machine Tool Works. Retired 1967. |
Wilkinson,
Albert William
Son of James Albert and Daisy Ellennor Wilkinson,
of Hatfield Peverel, Essex.
Married Ethel Jennie Wilkinson, of Hatfield Peverel; one daughter.
|
28.01.1919
-
03.09.1941
(KIA) [age 22]
[Tobruk War Cemetery, Libya, 6.F.8]
|
Lance
Bombardier
|
? [899673]
|
|
MM
|
?
|
?
|
|
?
|
-
|
03.09.1941
|
104th
(The Essex Yeomanry) Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery
|
|
Woodward,
Stanley Clifford
Son of Isaac Joseph Woodward, and Harriet
Elizabeth Stanley. |
20.04.1920
Acton-Trussell & Bednall, Staffodshire
-
11.1989
Stafford, Staffordshire |
| Corporal |
? [557472] |
| Lance
Sergeant |
? |
|
| |
|
|
served Royal Tank Regiment - Royal Armoured Corps |
|
(1944) |
|
|
3rd Battalion Royal Tank Regiment (NW Europe) (MM
and Bar) |
|
