LEST WE FORGET
In memory of those Corton personnel
who gave their lives for us
two World Wars
WORLD WAR I
Sailors
4181TS Trimmer Sidney John Freeman, Royal Naval Reserve, HM Drifter Launch Out.
Born on 21st. October 1890 at Corton, the son of John Isaac and Eliza Freeman. In 1891 his family lived at Mill Lane, Corton, and by 1901 at The Cliff, Corton. In 1911 they lived at 2 Rocket Cottages, Corton, and Sidney worked as a gardener's labourer.
Sidney joined the RNR on 2nd. September 1915
Launch Out was one of a number of Lowestoft trawlers in the Dover Patrol. During the night of Thursday 26 - Friday 27th October 1916 she was attacked by German destroyers. She stayed afloat before sinking. Eight crew were killed and the Skipper, Horace Kemp, died of his wounds two days later.
Sidney was killed in action, aged 26. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 20 of the Chatham Naval Memorial, Chatham, Kent..
6437A Seaman Benjamin James Smith, Royal Naval Reserve, S.S. Tyrhaug.
Born on 11th. February 1892 at Lowestoft, the son of William Henry and Rebecca Smith.
His family lived at 12 Stevens Street. In 1901 their address was 6 Laundry Lane. By 1907 his family were living at 27 Crown Street, Lowestoft, and later they lived at 63 Tonning Street, Lowestoft.
Benjamin married Elizabeth Hannah Blake in late 1911.
Benjamin and Elizabeth were living at Park Hill Cottages, Oulton, Lowestoft, when he joined the RNR on 14th. October 1914. On 23rd. November 1914 he joined the armed merchant cruiser Otway.
On 22th. July 1917 Benjamin was slightly wounded when the Otway was torpedoed and sunk.
On 1st. October 1917 Benjamin joined SS Tyrhaug. On Thursday 21st. March 1918 Tyrhaug was sailing from Belfast to Falmouth carrying general cargo. At 16:30 hr, ten miles north-east of the Pendeen lighthouse in position 50° 19'N, 5° 36'W, the ship was sunk by a torpedo from the German Type U57 submarine U-103, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Paul Hundius. Benjamin, aged 26, was one of two men killed in the sinking. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 30 of the Chatham Naval Memorial, Chatham, Kent..
Fishermen
Skipper William Reginald Bacon, sailing trawler Boy Percy LT 90 of Lowestoft.
Born in 1862 at at Hasketon, Woodbridge, Suffolk, the son of James and Mary Bacon.
By 1881 William's mother had died and his family lodged near The Cliff, Corton', with Samuel and Susannah Freeman, his uncle and aunt.
In late 1883 William married Martha Ellen Freeman at Corton. In 1891 they lived at Mill Lane, Corton. In 1911 their address was Browns Cottages, Mill Lane, Corton.
On 13th. May 1916 the 46 gross ton Boy Percy, owned by George R. Warman of Lowestoft sailed from Lowestoft for the fishing grounds. It is suggests that the Boy Percy, along with the trawler Boy Sam, were scuttled off Southwold on Wednesday 17th. May 1916. This seems to be based on a report from the German Imperial Navy 'Kaiserliche Marine' which indicates that the Boy Percy was stopped by the Type UB II submarine UB-29, commanded by Oblt.z.S. Herbert Pustkuchen, and the crew were forced to take to the lifeboat after which the trawler was sunk.
Boy Percy had been due back at Lowestoft on 21st./22nd. May. Whatever actually happened none of the crew were seen again.
William's son-in-law, Lancelot Freeman, was also lost with the Boy Percy.
William died, aged 53. He has no known grave and is commemorated on The Tower Hill Memorial, London.
Fourth Hand Lancelot Leonard Freeman, sailing trawler Boy Percy LT 90 of Lowestoft.
Born at Corton, the son of Martha Ellen Freeman. In 1891 his family lived at High Street, Corton. In 1901 they lived at 6 Colman Cottages, The Street, Hopton, and Lancelot worked as a farm labourer.
In 1915 Lancelot married Evelyn Mary Bacon at Corton. They lived at 2 Mill Hook Cottage Corton.
Lancelot was lost at sea, aged 31, along with his father-in-law, William Bacon, when the Boy Percy was lost. He has no known grave and is commemorated on The Tower Hill Memorial, London.
Soldiers
G/11192 Lance Corporal Arthur William Blake, 7th. Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment.
Born at Hardley, near Loddon, Norfolk, the son of Arthur and Laura Blake. By 1901 his family were living at Park Hill Cottages, Corton. In 1911 their address was 3 Park Hill Cottages, and Arthur was a farm boy.
Arthur enlisted at Lowestoft, Suffolk. He joined the Royal Sussex Regiment and was posted to the 13th. Battalion in France. He was wounded twice during 1916 and his name appears in the official casualty list, the War Office Daily List, on 7th. September 1916 and 9th. November 1916. By October 1918 he was a Lance Corporal with the 7th. Battalion.
From 23rd. October 1918 the 7th. Battalion was involved in fighting near Nivelle. The next day, Thursday 24th. October 1918, an attack by 'C' and 'D' Companies failed due to heavy machine-gun and artillery fire. During the attack Arthur was killed in action, aged 22. He was one of three men of his battalion buried at map reference 57.A.J.27.d.8.2. After the war the three bodies were exhumed and Arthur was reburied in Grave: III. B. 5 at Valenciennes (St. Roch) Communal Cemetery, Nord, France with the personal inscription,
'GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN'
S/29495 Rifleman Birkwood George Willie Boon, VII Platoon, 'B' Company, 3rd. Battalion, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own).
Born on 16 December 1897 in Corton, the son of George William and Alice Margaret Boon. In 1901 his family lived at Church Lane, Corton, and by 1911 they were living at Sandpit Cottage, Corton.
Enlisted at Lowestoft, Suffolk.
On 12th. March 1918 the 3rd. Battalion moved to the Vadencourt Sector. Orders were received on 20th. March that they should prepare for an enemy attack the next day. At 4.40 hr. on 21st. March the enemy bombardment began along the British front line and Vadencourt was heavily shelled. The men wore gas masks for several hours. All telephone lines were destroyed in the bombardment and communication between the battalion headquarters and the front line positions was lost and could not be re-established. A thick white mist hampered visibility, and, at headquarters, all documents were destroyed as it appeared that the headquarters would be captured. The enemy took Dragoon Post and all of the front line except Cookers Quarry which was held by 'C' Company, who held on until almost surrounded. The battalion, fighting against great odds, fell back gradually to Small Foot Wood.
Birkwood was reported missing on 21 March. Red Cross records show that by 10th. April he had died was buried on that date by German infantry, somewhere between Caulaincourt and Pontru. Official confirmation of his death was not published until January 1919.
Birkwood was killed in action, aged 20, on Thursday 21st. March 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 81 and 84 of the Pozieres Memorial, Somme, Picardie France.
65758 Corporal Robert Cooper Buttivant, 128th. Field Company, Royal Engineers.
Born in 1889 at Corton, the son of Frederick C. and Emma Buttifant. In 1891 his family lived at Mill Lane, Corton. By 1901 they were living at High Street, Corton. Later his parents lived at 1 Rose Cottage, Corton.
Robert joined the Metropolitan Police on 27th. December 1909. He was working as a police constable and living at The Police Station, Barking, Essex, when he volunteered for the Royal Engineers at East Ham, Essex on 1st. February 1915. He was posted to 128th. Field Company on 9th. February 1915.
On 5th. April 1915 Robert was promoted to 2nd. Corporal, and on 17th. July 1915 he was promoted to Corporal. He embarked for France on 27th. August 1915.
On 20th. October 1915, 128th. Field Company were employed in making bomb proof dug-outs in the front line and draining and planking communication trenches, in the vicinity of Bois Grenier. They were bivouacked at Brick Street.
Robert was killed in action, aged 26, on Wednesday 20th. October 1915. He is buried in Grave: C. 4 at X Farm Cemetery, la Chapelle-d'Armentieres, Nord, France with the personal inscription,
'LORD GIVE HIM
THINE ETERNAL REST'
Lieutenant Kenneth George Davies, 'H' Cable Section, 'N' Corps, Signal Company, Royal Engineers, formally 54292 Corporal, 20th. Divisional Signal Company, Royal Engineers.
Born 4th. June 1895 in Bethnal Green, London, the son of the Rev. and Mrs. Wilfred H. Davies of St. Giles-in-the-Fields' Rectory, London.
Younger brother of Wilfred Eric.
In 1901 the family were living at The Rectory, 2 Fournier Street, Stepney, London.
At Jesus College, Cambridge in October 1914 as a Classical Exhibitioner from Haileybury College in Hertfordshire. At the end of his first term Kenneth enlisted in the Royal Engineers on 8th. December 1914.
In 1914 Kenneth served as a motorcycle despatch rider.
Promoted to Lieutenant in February 1917
Kenneth was killed in action at Roclincourt, near Vimy Ridge, aged 21, on Saturday 19th. May 1917. He is buried in Grave: V. J. 12 at Ecoivres Military Cemerery, Mont-St. Eloi, Pas de Calais, France with the personal inscription,
'SURSUM CORDA'
79192 Private Stanley James Fox, Royal Fusiliers Depot
Born in 1900 at Oulton, Suffolk, the son of Robert and Florence J. Fox.
In 1900 the family lived at Oulton Lane. In 1901 they were at Workhouse Lane, Oulton, and by 1911 they were living at Mobbs Cottages, Corton. Later his parents lived at Church Farm, Church Lane, Lound, Suffolk.
Stanley served in France with 9th. Battalion Royal Fusiliers from 7th. August 1918 to 29th. August 1918. From 22nd. August 1918 the battalion were in action near Becourt and Mametz. Stanley was wounded, on an unknown date and evacuated to England. At this point he would have been posted to the strength of the Royal Fusiliers Depot.
Stanley died, aged 19, at the Kitchener Military Hospital, Brighton on Saturday 18th. October 1919. His pension record card details state that he died of 'disease'. He was buried in the north-east part of St. John the Baptists churchyard in Lound on 23rd. October 1919.
295339 Private Charles Edward High, 2/4th. Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), formally 5858 Private, 1st/5th. Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment and 240160 Private, 1st /4th. Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment.
Born at Corton in 1885, the son of John and Mary A. High. In 1891 his family lived at High Street, Corton, and they were still living at High Street at the time of the 1901 census, by which time Charles was working as a gardener. In 1911 Charles was living at Crown Point Gardens, Trowse, Norwich, and working as a domestic gardener.
Charles was living at Offley, Hertfordshire and working as a gardener, when he married Elsie Walpole at St. Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 15th. February 1914. Elsie's home was at 141 Saint Margaret's Road, Lowestoft.
Charles was living at Luton, Bedfordshire when he joined the Army. He served with the 1st/5th. Bedford's in Egypt from 1st. February 1916 to 23rd. March 1916, and with the 1st./4th. Bedford's in France from 17th. July 1917. On 18th. August 1917 he was transferred to the 2/4th. Battalion, London Regiment.
On 18th. September 1917, 2/4th Battalion moved to positions north-east of St. Julien, Belgium, in preparation for an attack. The battalion began their attack on 20th. September and all objectives were taken and held. On 21st. September the Germans made counter-attacks, but were repulsed. Casualties on 20th.-21st. September were 4 officers killed and seven wounded, 54 other ranks killed, 192 wounded and 21 missing.
Charles was killed in action, aged 32, on Thursday 20th. September 1917 and received a battlefield burial at map reference D.7 A20. 90. In 1920 the graves near this position were excavated and Charles' body was identified from his regiment dog-tag. He was reburied in Grave: XX. A. 16 at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
5593 Private Sidney John Slater, 2nd. Battalion, Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians), formally 1446687, Royal Field Artillery
Born in 1892 at Blundeston, Suffolk, the son of John and Alice Slater. In 1901 his family lived at Market Lane, Blundeston. By 1911 they were living at Oak Tree House, Blundeston Road, Corton, and Sidney was a gardener, most likely a market gardener working with his father.
Enlisted at Lowestoft, Suffolk.
On 11th. April 1917, Sidney's battalion moved to assembly trenches at Souchez in readiness for an attack on Bois-en-Hache. At zero hour, 5.00 hr on 12th. April, the battalion attacked the Bois-en-Hache spur. By 6.10 hr they had taken their first objective and began consolidation work. Some parties pushed on to the second objective and encountered heavy enemy machine-gun and rifle fire. At 8.10 hr the battalion had taken the enemy front line and were extending their line, but were harassed by snipers, who caused numerous casualties. For the next few hours work was done to push advanced posts out in front of the main line. The situation remained unchained for the rest of the day, but the enemy occasionally shelled the battalion’s positions.
Sidney was killed in action, aged 24, on Thursday 12th. April 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Bay 9 of the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
G/18091 Private Percy Allen Smith, 7th. Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), formerly 2424, 3/1st. Suffolk Yeomanry and 1/4th. Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.
Born in 1896 in Corton, the son of Arthur and Elizabeth Smith. The family lived at Mill Lane, Corton, and by 1911 at 2 Mill Loke Cottages, Corton, then Percy was an apprentice printer. By 1915 they were living at 2 Briar Cliffe, Corton Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk. Later Percy’s parents lived at Manor Close Cottage, Hopton, Norfolk and at 33 Tennyson Road, Lowestoft.
Percy enlisted at Lowestoft, on 12 December 1915, and was called up on 4th. March 1916.
He arrived at Boulogne, France, on 27th. August 1916 and the next day joined 15 Infantry Base Depot. Percy was transferred from the Suffolk Yeomanry to the 1/4th. Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.
On 7th. September 1916 he was transferred to the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). His service papers show him being transferred to the 4th. (Reserve) Battalion and then posted, while in France, to the 7th. Battalion.
Percy was wounded on 4th. October 1916 and rejoined his battalion on 23rd. October. He was wounded again on 3rd. May 1917 during the attack on Cherisy, but remained at duty.
On 23rd. July 1917 the 7th. Battalion were in front line trenches near Zillebecke, Belgium. During the day the enemy laid an intense bombardment on the battalion’s positions which were badly damaged. Both heigh explosive and gas shells were used. Later in the day the battalion was relieved by the 19th. Battalion, Liverpool Regiment, and heavy shelling took place during the relief.
Percy was killed in action, aged 21, on Monday 23rd. July 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 45 and 47 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, leper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
17222 Private Frederick James Soanes, 1st. Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.
Born in 1894 at Corton, the son of Charles and Sarah Soanes. In 1901 his family lived at High Street, Corton, by 1911 his parents were living at 3 Poplar Cottages, Corton.
Frederick enlisted at Lowestoft, Suffolk. He arrived in France on 18th May 1915 to join his battalion.
Pages 78-79 of Colonel Murphy’s ‘The History of the Suffolk Regiment 1914-1927’ has the following account of the 1st. Battalion’s attack on 24 and 25 May 1915,
'On 24th. May the Battalion fell in and moved towards Ypres. As the main bridge over the canal into Ypres was being heavily shelled 2nd. Lieutenant Kemp guided the battalion to a small pontoon bridge which he knew to be intact. After negotiating the bridge successfully, the battalion set of across country at a smart pace and, skirting the pond at Zillebeke, reached Witte Poort Farm at about 5 o’clock in the evening, having sustained a few casualties on the way from artillery fire directed from an observation balloon.
In front of the farm ran a sunken road, with a deep ditch bordered by a hedge on the far side; beyond lay a field with a fringe of wood at its lower end in which the Germans were entrenched, their position being only about a hundred yards away. Two companies formed the firing line, with the others following, trickled across the road, the Germans holding their fire as they did so. The battalion, crouching in the ditch with bayonets fixed, now received from Major Maycock the order to charge. Captain Rushbrooke, on the right began pushing his way through the hedge, all the others following suit. Instantly the Germans poured in a most deadly fire, which so thinned the line that the objective was never reached. The order was then given to retire and reform.
Shortly afterwards their brigade was ordered to launch another attack. Bellewarde Farm was to be taken at all costs, so at midnight the battalion again moved up to the west side of Witte Port Farm, but not in touch with either of its flank units. The attack was to be launched on a front of about four hundred yards. Two companies were put in the firing line on the extreme right, the other two being in support. Again the order was given to charge, and the battalion led by Major Maycock began to advance, but immediately came under a withering fire as on the previous occasion. Men fell in heaps everywhere, and within a few minutes the advance was definitely held up. The attack as a whole failed. One small point, on the sunken road, was held all day. Heavy shelling also took place on the 25th. and during the day two officers and some stragglers returned to battalion headquarters. The battalion now numbered three officers and 181 other ranks.'
The battalion’s casualties for 25th. May were two officers killed, three wounded, and two missing, and, among the other ranks, three killed, 37 wounded, and 91 missing.
Frederick was reported missing on 25th. May. By July it had been presumed that he had been killed in action but enquiries about Frederick, made through the Red Cross, continued until 1916.
Frederick was killed in action, aged 20, on Tuesday 25th. May 1915. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 21 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, leper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
885321 Gunner Walter Robert Ward, 'B' Battery, 75th. Brigade, Territorial Force, Royal Field Artillery, formally 1046, RFA.
Born in 1891 at Corton, the son of Fredrick and Susan Ward. In 1891 his family lived at High Street, Corton, and by 1901 at The Cliff, Corton. In 1911 their address was 7 Cliff Cottages, and Walter was a general labourer.
Walter enlisted at Lowestoft, Suffolk and arrived in France on 17th. November 1915. On 30th. November 1917 he was admitted to Catterick Military Hospital with myalgia of his left leg. Once recovered he returned to France and by October 1918 was serving with 'B' Battery, 75th. Brigade.
On 16th. October 1918, the brigade were in the vicinity of St. Hilaire. The batteries gave supporting fire for the attack on Haussy. From 04.00 hr a hostile enemy barrage fell on the brigade’s positions and 'B' Battery had many casualties.
Walter was killed in action, aged 28, on Wednesday 16th. October 1918. He is buried in Grave: A. 9 at St. Hilaire les Cambrai British Cemetery, Nord, France with the personal inscription,
'LET IT NOT BE IN VAIN'
WORLD WAR II
Sailors
C/SSX 32027 Ordinary Seaman Francis Beedom Ayers, HMS Harvester, Royal Navy.
Born on 2nd. March 1922 at Mells, Somerset, the son of William Henry and Marguerite Mary Ayers. In 1921 his family had lived at 4 Vobslei Road, Mells, Frome, Somerset. By 1929 they were living at Corton and in 1939 their address was 1 Fair View, Corton. In 1939 Francis worked as an apprentice carpenter.
Brother of William, below.
Francis served on the destroyer HMS Harvester. In May 1940 Harvester was involved in the Dunkirk evacuations. On 27th. May the ship returned 272 men to Dover during the daytime. During the night of 30th./31st. May Harvester returned to Dunkirk and rescued 1,341 men in two trips. On 1st. June the ship rescued another 576 men.
Francis died, aged 18, on Saturday 1st. June 1940 at the Union Road Hospital, Dover from an accidental rifle wound. He is buried in Row D. Joint grave 6 at St. James Cemetery, Dover, Kent with the personal inscription,
'ON WHOSE SOUL
SWEET JESUS, HAVE MERCY.
MAY HE REST IN PEACE'
Soldiers
243855 Captain William 'Henry' Beedom Ayers, Royal Engineers.
Born on 8th June 1916 at Chesterton, Cambridgeshire, the son of William Henry and Marguerite Mary Ayers.
Brother of Francis, above.
William was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers on 12th. September 1942, announced in the London Gazette on 9th. October 1942.
On D-Day William was the Troop Commander of 3 Troop, 79 Assault Squadron. He landed from Landing Craft Tank 114A with two Sherman Crab Flail tanks, two Assault Vehicles Royal Engineers (AVRE), and two armoured D 7 Bulldozers. His unit landed on Queen Beach, Sword Sector at H-Hour.
Although CWGC records state that he was killed on 7th. June, his unit's war diary shows that William was killed, aged 27, 60 minutes after H-Hour on D-Day, Tuesday 6th. June 1944. He is buried in Grave 1. M. 4 at Hermanville War Cemetery, Calvados, France with the personal inscription,
'ON WHOSE SOUL,
SWEET JESUS HAVE MERCY.
MAY HE REST IN PEACE'
5778683 Private Frank Horace Bullen, 4th. Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment.
Born on 31st. August 1914 at Corton, the son of Frank James Bullen and Gertrude Jane Bullen. In 1921 his family lived at Well Cottages, Corton, and this was Frank’s home for the rest of his life. In 1939 Frank worked as a builder’s labourer.
Brother-in-law of Walter Read, below.
In autumn 1940 Frank's battalion was on coastal defence in the Great Yarmouth area and then moved to Brooke, and then Cambridge. In early 1941 the Battalion was sent to Scotland, then Blackburn, and Ross-on-Wye. On 29th. October 1941 the Battalion sailed from Liverpool and landed at Bombay on 29th. December 1941 as part of the 18th. (East Anglian) Division. On 19th. January 1942 the battalion re-embarked for Singapore and landed there on 29th. January 1942. On 11th. February the Battalion went into action at the racecourse, before falling back to defend the perimeter. On 15th. February the British forces at Singapore were forced to surrender and the remaining men of the 4th. Battalion went into captivity.
Frank was taken prisoner at Singapore and on 4th. November 1942 he was in a party of men sent overland to work on the Burma Railway.
On Sunday 6th. February 1944 Frank died, aged 30, from beriberi at Wat Koke Mor, Nong Pladok, and he was buried in Grave: C72 the nearby cemetery. On 19th. May 1946 Frank was re-buried in Grave: 9. M. 9 at Chungkai Military Cemetery, Thailand with the personal inscription,
'HE'S OURS TO REMEMBER
WHEN THE REST OF THE WORLD FORGETS'
5622360 Lance Corporal John William Hill, The Hallamshire Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment.
Born in 1921 at Kingsbridge, Devon, the son of George Henry and Eliza Jane Hill. In 1939 his family lived at Rugwell Cottage, South Huish, Devon.
John enlisted in the Devonshire Regiment and was later transferred to the Hallamshire Battalion. During 1943 the Hallamshires were deployed to Hopton, Norfolk for training and they were based at the 'Golden Sands' holiday camp. At this time he met Nancy Elizabeth Soanes and they married in 1943. Nancy lived at Cliff Holm, The Street, Corton.
The Hallamshire's left Hopton on 3rd. June 1944 and landed at Normandy on 9th. June 1944.
On 16th. July 1944 the Hallamshire's were given the task of attacking and capturing Barbee Farm and the village of Vendes. There were many casualties in the attack and they failed to secure their objectives, however, they did force the Germans to retreat and so, overall, the attack was judged to have been a success. The battalion lost ten men killed and 64 wounded.
John was killed in action, aged 23, on Sunday 16th. July 1944. He was, initially, buried at map reference 1/50000 7F/1 862.65 at Vendes. On 27th. June 1945 he was reburied in Grave: III. H. 4 at St. Manvieu War Cemetery, Cheux, Calvados, France with the personal inscription,
'LOVED AND REMEMBERED
BY HIS DEVOTED WIFE
AND DAUGHTER WENDY
"FOLD HIM, IN THINE ARMS"
2665760 Guardsman Charles Henry Houghton, 2nd. Battalion, Coldstream Guards.
Born on 30th. October 1924 at Lowestoft, Suffolk, the son of Harry and Ethel May Houghton. In 1939 his family lived at 5 Turner Cottages, Saint John's Road, Lowestoft.
Charles was employed as a labourer when he enlisted at Norwich, Norfolk on 23rd. February 1943. He joined the Coldstream Guards to serve four years with the Colours and eight with the Reserve.
By 5th. December 1944 the 2nd. Battalion were in Italy holding positions in the vicinity of Casa Uccellaia with elements at Budriola and Point 411.
The battalion war diary for Saturday 9th. December 1944 records that ‘an unlucky mortar bomb killed Guardsman Houghton on the reverse slope of Point 411 and Guardsman Swales was wounded by the same bomb.'
Charles died, aged 20. He was buried in Grave: VI. D. 3 at Faenza War Cemetery, Faenza, Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy with the personal inscription,
'IN CHERISHED MEMORY
OF A DEVOTED SON AND BROTHER
R.I.P.
MUM AND FAMILY'
7403412 Private Walter Read, Royal Army Medical Corps.
Born on 27th. April 1914 at Corton, the son of James and Amelia Read. In 1921 his family lived at The Smithy, Corton. In 1939 his family lived at The Forge, Gorleston Road, Corton, and Walter was a milk retailer.
In 1940 Walter married Ruth Kathleen Bullen. By late 1942 their address was 1 Crossways Cottages, Corton.
Brother-in-law of Frank Bullen, above.
Walter is believed to have served with 31 General Hospital at Oued Athmenia, Algeria.
Walter died from sickness or disease, aged 28, on Monday 14th. December 1942. He was buried at Oued Athmenia Civil Cemetery in Chelghoum Laïd District, Algeria. On 25th. September 1944 Walter was re-buried in Grave: 2. F. 3 at La Reunion War Cemetery, Bougie, Algeria with the personal inscription,
'SOME TIME WITH TEARLESS EYES
WE'LL SEE
YES, THERE, UP THERE
WE'LL UNDERSTAND'
Airman
525573 Sergeant Bertie Frederick Turner, Air gunner, RAFVR, 463 (Royal Australian Air Force) Squadron.
Born at Lound in 1918 at Lound, Suffolk, the son of Henry and Anne Estella Turner. In 1921 his family lived at Yarmouth Road, Corton. In 1939 Bertie’s parents lived at Woodlands Cottages, Yarmouth Road, Corton.
In 1936 Bertie married Agnes Mabel Vale. In 1939 Agnes lived with her parents at 22 Trafalgar Street, Lowestoft.
Avro Lancaster III, serial number DV274, coded JO-? took off from RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire at 16:47 hr on the night of 20th./21st. January 1944 to bomb Berlin. The bomb load was 1 x 4000 lb. (1,800 kg) bomb, 60 x 30 lb. (14 kg), and 1,050 x 4 lb. (2 kg) incendiaries. DV274 completed the mission and landed on return at 00:03 hr.
The Operations Record Book records the following report by 416775 Pilot Officer Frederick Lister Merrill DFC,
'Sortie completed. 10/10ths. cloud. Tops about 14,000 feet. Centre of 5 Wanganui flares reasonably concentrated. At one period a small break in the clouds and some fires seen. Just before arriving at the target it was realised the Mid Upper Gunner was unwell but not thought he was more than light headed or suffering from lack of oxygen any more than the rest of us. After leaving the target area everything was done to get the Mid Upper out of his turret, although the Wireless Operator 409935 Lt. Sgt. Michael Kevin O’Toole and the Flight Engineer Sgt. F. D. Rawsthorne were by then pretty sick. As soon as height could be lost on crossing the coast, all efforts were made to disentangle the Mid Upper from his turret and every effort made to revive him for fully two hours, but this was of no avail.' The Operations Record Book also records 'Cause: Lack of oxygen. Defect in the oxygen system.'
Bertie died, aged 26, on Friday 21st. January 1944. He is buried in Row 12, Grave 10 at St. Bartholomew's church, Corton with the personal inscription,
'ONE OF THE DEAREST
ONE OF THE BEST
GOD GRANT TO HIM
ETERNAL REST'
Also for all who gave their
lives for us in any act of war
thank you rest in peace
God bless
In memory of
Lt. Commander Roy Berryman Edwards (J89969), HMS Watchful, Royal Navy.
Born 26th. October 1902 at Andover, Hampshire, the son of Charley James and Florence Edward.
Husband of Winifred Allie of Ventnor, Isle of Wight. Father of Sylvia.
Before retiring from the Royal Navy on 1st. December 1937 Roy was at least know to have served aboard,
Renown-class battlecruiser HMS Renown '72', Atlantic Fleet, 2nd. February 1928 to June 1928
Courageous-class aircraft carrier HMS Furious '47', Atlantic Fleet, 19th. November 1928 to August 1930
Odin-class submarine HMS Oberon 'P21' 27th. December 30 to March 1931
HMS Dolphin, Gosport submarine depot, 12th. October 1931 to December 1931
Rainbow-class submarine HMS Regulus 'N88', 7th. December 1931 to January 1932
Upon leaving the navy Roy was Superintendent of Crew's Swimming Baths in Cheshire. On 8th. November 1939 he rejoined the Navy and was posted to the shore base HMS Pembroke at Chatham, Kent.
As a Associate Member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers. (A.M.I.E.E.) he became involved with mine disposal. On 24th. April 1940 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for courage and skill in securing and stripping live enemy mines without regard to his own safety.
On 20th. October 1942 he was commended for rendering mines safe and for his coolness and devotion to duty. At one time he dealt with around 180 mines within two a months period.
In June 1942 Roy was serving at HMS Watchful, the anti-submarine / minesweeping base at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.
O-096143 Ensign John Martin 'Mickey' Howard, US Navy Reserve, attached Royal Navy (Bomb Disposal).
Born on 20th. August 1917 at Chester, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, the son of Almern C. and Louise C. Howard.
He was a resident of Media, Pennsylvania.
John enlisted in the US Navy Reserve on 22nd. June 1935. After the completion of his training at the Naval Reserve Midshipman's School from 1940 to 1941 he was appointed Ensign on 28th. February 1941.
On 7th. March 1941, John graduated from the third class of the Advanced Mine School at the Naval Gun Factory, Washington Naval Yard. He was among the select members of that class that were sent to Britain to observe and gain experience with the Royal Navy and Royal Engineers in mine disarming and disposal.
On Thursday 11th. June 1942, assisted by CPO Spriggs, AB Keen and AB Wilson, with John observing, Roy was sent to Corton to defuse a German TMA-1 (British designation GT) moored magnetic mine that had washed up on the beach.
People at a safe distance away on the cliff saw Roy removing the mechanism plate with John close by. The mine's 470 lb. (213 kg) charge detonated killing Roy and John and scatted debris for 600 ft. (185 m) in each direction along the beach.
Roy died, aged 39. He was buried at sea with full naval honours and is commemorated on Panel 61, Column 3 of the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Portsmouth, Hampshire and on the Roll of Honour in Wistaston Memorial Hall and Community Centre, Cheshire.
Roy is the subject of the book 'From Mercury to Mines: The Story of a World War II Hero Roy Berryman Edwards His Forefathers and Family, His Life and Legacy' by Sylvia A.V.M. Hammond (ISBN 10: 0955298911).
John, died, aged 24, He was the first of the U.S. Navy's mine disposal personnel killed during WW2.
John was buried at sea and is commemorated on the Tablets of the Missing at the American Cemetery and Memorial at Madingley, Cambridge.
The USS John M. Howard (IX-75), commissioned 1st. September 1942, and decommissioned 9th. May 1945, was named in John's honour. The vessel was engaged in documenting enemy ordinance, particularly mines, with assignment to the Explosives Investigation Laboratory (EIL), Naval Ordnance Laboratory, Washington, D.C.
Both men are commemorated on a special memorial in Great Yarmouth Minster (St. Nicolas), Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.
