They shall not grow old,
as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning
We will remember them

Darlington Borough Council, and The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, have both approved for Darlington Branch of The Royal British Legion to publish photos and information of War Graves and Memorials within the Darlington area

(Updated 02/12/2025) 

Please Note

• War Graves may not be shown in full.  Sometimes access was obscured by trees and other graves
• War Graves are not shown in any Country, Date, Rank, Corps, Unit, Organisation or Regimental Order
• This is an on-going project, where further information and records are still to be found by the RBL Darlington Branch Project Team

There are 247 War Graves within West Cemetery.  These are servicemen, and servicewoman, from:

• The United Kingdom
• South Africa
• Belgium
• Australia
• Canada
• Germany

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4455204 Gunner James William Carter - Royal Artillery (413 Battery 54 1/5th Battalion, Lately The Durham Light Infantry Searchlight Regiment) - Died 30/07/1940 Aged 17

Born: 1922/1923 (Exact date unknown) 

From: Unknown

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2663072 Guardsman George William Wright - Coldstream Guards - Died 01/09/1940 Aged 19/20

Born: 1920 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of John and Isabell Wright; of Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Janet Wright, of Darlington, County Durham, England

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1305202 Aircraftman 2nd Class Frederick Gordon - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 10/09/1940 Aged 18/19

Born: 1921 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

Son of Mrs G Gordon, of Deptford, London

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1109394 Aircraftman 2nd Class Herbert Sigsworth - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 27/10/1940 Aged 31

Born: 1907/1908 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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2657160 Driver Charles Michael Yates - 50th (Northumbrian) Divisional Signals, Royal Corps of Signals - Died 15/11/1940 Aged 23

Born: 1916/1917 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Died, 15 November 1940 in a road traffic accident on the Great North Road near Bawtry, Yorkshire, England

Son of John Joseph and Isabel Elizabeth Mary Yates, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Dorothy Mary Yates, of Darlington, County Durham, England

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2569891 Signalman Laidman Augustine Walker - 50th (Northumbrian) Divisional Signals, Royal Corps of Signals - Died 01/02/1941 Age Not Recorded

Born: Unknown

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

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1742452 Gunner George Henry Toole - Royal Artillery - Died 18/02/1941 Aged 31/32

Born: 1909 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of James and Elizabeth Toole, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Doris Toole, of Darlington, County Durham, England

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5771388 Private Albert Case - The Royal Norfolk Regiment - Died 15/03/1941 Aged 29

Born: January 1912 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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939762 Sergeant Edward James Chinn - 21 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Died 24/03/1941 Aged 24

Born: 11/04/1917

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Blenheim IV (#R3673) aircraft took off from RAF Watton for a night air operation. On its return flight back to base R3673 crashed, taking the lives of the three-man crew

The other two airmen who also perished in this crash were:

Sergeant William Robert Clinton - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Sergeant Sidney Ernest Sproson - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve  

These two airman are not buried within the Borough of Darlington, County Durham, England.

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7915240 Trooper Geoffrey Walter Hammond - Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps - Died 22/03/1941 Aged 28

Born: 1912/1913 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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106220 Pilot Officer Cecil Frank Ferris - 78 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Pilot) - Died 14/03/1942 Aged 33

Born: 1908/1909 (Exact date unknown)

From: Regents Park, London, England

Died in the crash of his Armstrong Whitworth A.W.38 Whitley (#Z9389) aircraft.
The aircraft took off from RAF Croft at 18.09hrs on 13th March 1942 to undertake an operational flight to Boulogne. On the return to RAF Croft the pilot was having difficulty in landing the aircraft, due to damage received in flight.  On the fifth attempt to land at 00.40hrs on 14th March the aircraft approached too fast and overshot the runway. The aircraft ran over the boundary hedge into fields beyond and hit a number of trees, it then caught fire. A further three aircrew also perished

The other three airmen who perished in this crash were:

655176 Sergeant Robert Curragh Bell - Royal Air Force (Second Pilot), Aged 26. Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England
1250546 Sergeant Noel Thomas Gander - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Observer), Aged 21. Buried within Hurstpierpoint New Cemetery, Sussex
952765 Sergeant John Ivor Evans Davies - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Wireless Operator / Air Gunner). Died of injuries received on 15th March 1942. Aged 25. Cremated at Perry Bar, Birmingham

 

_______________________________________________________________

65981 Pilot Officer Malcolm Stuart Davidson - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Pilot) - Died 21/03/1942 Aged 22

Born: 1919/1920 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

_______________________________________________________________

R/118066 Sergeant Albert Charles Ash - 427 Lion Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (Pilot) - Died 06/04/1943 Aged 21

Born: 1921/1922 (Exact date unknown)

From: Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada

Served with 427 Lion Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force Bomber Command - RCAF Middleton St George

Killed in his Vickers Wellington Bomber aircraft (#HE743), when the aircraft exploded on take-off

_______________________________________________________________

1290237 Sergeant Ralph Lemmon - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Observer) - Died 21/03/1942 Aged 21

Born: 1920/1921 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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655176 Sergeant Robert Curragh Bell - Royal Air Force (Second Pilot) - Died 14/03/1942 Aged 26

Born: 12/03/1916

From: Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

Died in the crash of his Armstrong Whitworth A.W.38 Whitley (#Z9389) aircraft.
The aircraft took off from RAF Croft at 18.09hrs on 13th March 1942 to undertake an operational flight to Boulogne. On the return to RAF Croft the pilot was having difficulty in landing the aircraft, due to damage received in flight.  On the fifth attempt to land at 00.40hrs on 14th March the aircraft approached too fast and overshot the runway. The aircraft ran over the boundary hedge into fields beyond and hit a number of trees, it then caught fire. A further three aircrew also perished

The other three airmen who also perished in this crash were:

106220 Pilot Officer Cecil Frank Ferris - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Pilot), Aged 33. Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England
1250546 Sergeant Noel Thomas Gander - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Observer), Aged 21. Buried within Hurstpierpoint New Cemetery, Sussex
952765 Sergeant John Ivor Evans Davies - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Wireless Operator / Air Gunner). Died of injuries received on 15th March 1942. Aged 25. Cremated at Perry Bar, Birmingham

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262373 Corporal Robert Albert Pegg - Balloon Squadron, Royal Air Force - Died 02/05/1941 Aged 40

Born: 05/06/1900

From: Ipswich Borough, Suffolk, England

Son of Albert & Emily (nee Lord) Pegg,

Brother of Frances Mary, Bertha Maud & Phyllis Elsie May Pegg

Husband of Constance Lilian (nee Smith) Pegg (Married 1924)

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985497 Leading Aircraftman 1st Class John Clive Matthews - 938 Balloon Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 07/05/1941 Aged 27

Born: 1914/1915 (Exact date unknown)

From: Alnwick, Northumberland, England

Two members of 983 Balloon Squadron were killed and several others wounded when German bombs were dropped in the Benton area, some landing at Benton Golf Course and another at RAF Longbenton

Leading Aircraftman 1st Class John Clive Matthews, who was rushed to Stannington Hospital, but succumbed to his injuries the following day

The other airmen who also perished in this attack was:

Corporal Walter Sablick Wilson - 938 Balloon Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who is buried at St Peter Churchyard, Bilton, East Riding of Yorkshire, England

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T/84736 Driver John Patrick Bolton - Royal Army Service Corps - Died 13/05/1941 Aged 22

Born: 1918/1919 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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T/87511 Driver Denis Winter - Royal Army Service Corps - Died 28/05/1941 Aged 19

Born: 1922/1923 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Died: Richmondshire, North Yorkshire, England

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1000552 Aircraftman 2nd Class John Booth - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 27/05/1941 Aged 28

Born: 1912/1913 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Oswald John and Emily Frances Booth, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Eleanor Beryl Booth, of Darlington, County Durham, England

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2215634 Colour Serjeant Edwin Ruscoe - The Durham Light Infantry - Died 01/06/1941 Age Not Recorded

Born: Unknown

From: Unknown

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176537 Second Lieutenant Richard George Medd - 509 Field Company, Royal Engineers - Died 25/06/1941 Aged 23

Born: 07/04/1918

From: Ashtead, Mole Valley District, Surrey, England

In February 1940 Richard passed from the Officer Cadet Training Unit. In March 1940, and on receiving his commission, he joined the Royal Engineers, 509 Field Company

He died as a result of an accident to a car, in which he was travelling while on duty, in Darlington, County Durham, England, at age 23.

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993639 Aircraftman 1st Class Herbert Leslie Reed - 50 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 19/07/1941 Aged 27

Born: 1913/1914 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

His aircraft was destroyed when it crashed inverted into a field just north of Wroot village, shortly after take-off from RAF Finningley

The other airmen who also perished in this aircraft were:

Sergeant E R Boursfield, 

Sergeant J E S Burke, 

Flight Sergeant J H Tittley

These three airman are not buried within the Borough of Darlington, County Durham, England

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7689517 Lance Corporal John Chaplin - Corps of Military Police - Died 16/08/1941 Aged 30

Born: 1911 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

Son of John Herbert and Dorothy Chaplin, (Location unknown

Husband of Joan Chaplin, of Fryup Plain, Yorkshire, England

_______________________________________________________________

534551 Sergeant Leslie James Whittaker - Royal Air Force - Died 19/05/1942 Aged 35

Born: 1906/1907 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

_______________________________________________________________

2113308 Sapper Reginald Mark Fennell - Royal Engineers - Died 29/01/1942 Aged 29

Born: 1912/1914 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

_______________________________________________________________

1792632 Gunner Ernest William Kitching - 244 Battery, Royal Artillery - Died 15/08/1941 Aged 19

Born: 1921/1922 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

_______________________________________________________________

S/57206 Corporal William Haines (Served as William Haines Davis) - 130 Detail Issue Depot, Royal Army Service Corps - Died 07/07/1943 Aged 30

Born: 1912/1913 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

_______________________________________________________________

131658 Flying Officer Thomas McLoughlin - 102 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Rear Gunner) - Died 03/04/1943 Aged 29

Born: 1913/1914 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Died: East Riding of Yorkshire, England

Flying Officer Thomas McLoughlin received a commission to the rank of Pilot Officer on probation (emergency) on 21st September 1942, and rose to the rank of Flying Officer on 21st March 1943
He was fatally injured as his Halifax Bomber aircraft (#JB867), damaged by flak, returned to RAF Pocklington
On the night of 3rd/4th April 1943 the crew of a 102 Squadron aircraft were tasked with an operational flight to bomb Essen and left RAF Pocklington at 19.47hrs. They attacked the target area at 17,000 feet, but the aircraft was held in a cone of search lights. The pilot took evasive action to get out of the search lights and in bringing the aircraft down to 5,000 feet the aircraft was hit many times by flak though he was able to successfully get out of the search lights. Sadly the rear gunner was seriously injured by one of the flak bursts and he died soon after the aircraft left the target area. The crew made a safe landing at 00.19hrs, at RAF Pocklington airfield

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7261132 Lance Corporal George Stapleton - Royal Army Medical Corps - Died 22/02/1944 Aged 31

Born: 1912/1913 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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4920342 Private Benjamin Rees Owens - 1/6 Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment - Died 29/10/1943 Aged 23

Born: 1919/1920 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

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R/86951 Corporal Robert Andrew McMaster - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Frame Mechanic) - Died 05/08/1943 Aged 20

Born: 14/09/1922

From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Served with Heavy Conversion Unit, Middleton St George

Accidently Killed, while on duty, on the Croft-on-Tees Bridge, Richmondshire, North Yorkshire, England

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408144 Sergeant Rae Groom - Royal Australian Air Force (Second Pilot) - Died 21/05/1942 Aged 26

Born: 1915/1916 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

On the afternoon of 21/05/1942, Sergeant Rae Groom was the second pilot in training aboard a Vickers Wellington Mk 1C Bomber aircraft (#DV841)

The flight took them from RAF Finningley to the Isle of Man, returning via York. As the aircraft passed over West Roddy Moor, witnesses on the ground reported that one engine was on fire. At about 17:55 hours, the aircraft swerved to avoid hitting nearby houses, and crashed into the Emma Pits Road, near Crook, (17 miles North West of Middleton St George Airfield). The aircraft exploded on impact and all five aircrew aboard were killed.

The other airmen who also perished in this aircraft were:

Sergeant Rambler David Roberts - Royal Australian Air Force (Pilot), Aged 21.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

Flight Sergeant William Neil Reeves - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Observer), Aged 27.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

Flight Sergeant Robert Melbourne Boates - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner), Aged 26.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

Flight Sergeant Angus Frederick Roberts - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner), Aged 23.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

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R/76229 Flight Sergeant Robert Melbourne Boates - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner) - Died 21/05/1942 Aged 26

Born: 03/10/1916

From: Kentville, Kings County, Nova Scotia, Canada

On the afternoon of 21/05/1942, Sergeant Rae Groom was the second pilot in training aboard a Vickers Wellington Mk 1C Bomber aircraft (#DV841)

The flight took them from RAF Finningley to the Isle of Man, returning via York. As the aircraft passed over West Roddy Moor, witnesses on the ground reported that one engine was on fire. At about 17:55 hours, the aircraft swerved to avoid hitting nearby houses, and crashed into the Emma Pits Road, near Crook, (17 miles North West of Middleton St George Airfield). The aircraft exploded on impact and all five aircrew aboard were killed.

The other airmen who also perished in this aircraft were:

Sergeant Rambler David Roberts - Royal Australian Air Force (Pilot), Aged 21.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

Flight Sergeant William Neil Reeves - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Observer), Aged 27.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

408144 Sergeant Rae Groom - Royal Australian Air Force (Second Pilot), Aged 26 Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

Flight Sergeant Angus Frederick Roberts - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner), Aged 23.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

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R/86394 Flight Sergeant William Neil Reeves - Royal Canadian Air Force (Observer) - Died 21/05/1942 Aged 27

Born: 18/04/1915

From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

On the afternoon of 21/05/1942, Sergeant Rae Groom was the second pilot in training aboard a Vickers Wellington Mk 1C Bomber aircraft (#DV841)

The flight took them from RAF Finningley to the Isle of Man, returning via York. As the aircraft passed over West Roddy Moor, witnesses on the ground reported that one engine was on fire. At about 17:55 hours, the aircraft swerved to avoid hitting nearby houses, and crashed into the Emma Pits Road, near Crook, (17 miles North West of Middleton St George Airfield). The aircraft exploded on impact and all five aircrew aboard were killed.

The other airmen who also perished in this aircraft were:

Sergeant Rambler David Roberts - Royal Australian Air Force (Pilot), Aged 21.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

Flight Sergeant Robert Melbourne Boates - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner), Aged 26.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

408144 Sergeant Rae Groom - Royal Australian Air Force (Second Pilot), Aged 26. Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

Flight Sergeant Angus Frederick Roberts - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner), Aged 23.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

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R/74926 Sergeant Angus Frederick Roberts - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner) - Died 21/05/1942 Aged 23

Born: 16/03/1919

From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

On the afternoon of 21/05/1942, Sergeant Rae Groom was the second pilot in training aboard a Vickers Wellington Mk 1C Bomber aircraft (#DV841)

The flight took them from RAF Finningley to the Isle of Man, returning via York. As the aircraft passed over West Roddy Moor, witnesses on the ground reported that one engine was on fire. At about 17:55 hours, the aircraft swerved to avoid hitting nearby houses, and crashed into the Emma Pits Road, near Crook, (17 miles North West of Middleton St George Airfield). The aircraft exploded on impact and all five aircrew aboard were killed.

The other airmen who also perished in this aircraft were:

Sergeant Rambler David Roberts - Royal Australian Air Force, (Pilot) Aged 21.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

Flight Sergeant Robert Melbourne Boates - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner), Aged 26.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

408144 Sergeant Rae Groom - Royal Australian Air Force (Second Pilot), Aged 26 Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

Flight Sergeant William Neil Reeves - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Observer), Aged 27.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

_______________________________________________________________

407833 Sergeant Rambler David Roberts - Royal Australian Air Force - Died 21/05/1942 Aged 21

Born: 1920/1921 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

On the afternoon of 21/05/1942, Sergeant Rae Groom was the second pilot in training aboard a Vickers Wellington Mk 1C Bomber aircraft (#DV841)

The flight took them from RAF Finningley to the Isle of Man, returning via York. As the aircraft passed over West Roddy Moor, witnesses on the ground reported that one engine was on fire. At about 17:55 hours, the aircraft swerved to avoid hitting nearby houses, and crashed into the Emma Pits Road, near Crook, (17 miles North West of Middleton St George Airfield). The aircraft exploded on impact and all five aircrew aboard were killed.

The other airmen who also perished in this aircraft were:

Flight Sergeant Angus Frederick Roberts - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner), Aged 23.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

Flight Sergeant Robert Melbourne Boates - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner), Aged 26.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

408144 Sergeant Rae Groom - Royal Australian Air Force (Second Pilot), Aged 26 Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

Flight Sergeant William Neil Reeves - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Observer), Aged 27.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

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5346909 Private Edward John Goldsmith - 10th Battalion, The Royal Berkshire Regiment - Died 27/05/1942 Aged 28

Born: 1913/1914 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

_______________________________________________________________

1251169 Sergeant Bertie Frederick Hoskins - 76 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Air Gunner) - Died 16/06/1942 Aged 22

Born: 1919/1920 (Exact date unknown)

From: London Borough of Camden, Greater London, England

Crash of Halifax Bomber (#BB199) near Caldwell, Barnard Castle
On 16th June 1942 his 76 Squadron aircraft suffered from the port inner engine catching fire while the crew were giving it an air test, the fire quickly spread and the crew were unable to feather the propeller on the damaged engine. A crash landing was made near Layton Fields Farm, half mile south of Caldwell at 11.05hrs but it crashed through trees while attempting to land which caused the rear turret to break away. All of the crew survived the crash despite two being seriously injured but the rear gunner's injuries were the severest and he later died that day. The field where this accident occurred is now referred to locally as "Halifax Field" 

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R/58215 Warrant Officer 2 Melvin Harry Roberts - 76 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Observer) - Died 24/06/1942 Aged 22

Born: 12/09/1919

From: Canal Flats, British Columbia, Canada

Warrant Officer 2 Melvin Harry Roberts enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on 27/06/1940 in Vancouver, British Columbia. He trained in Canada as an Air Observer and proceeded to England in April of 1941 based at Middleton St George, near Darlington, County Durham. In January 1942, he took part in the air raids against the German battleship Tirpitz

He was part of the aircrew aboard Handley Page Halifax Bomber (#W7661 - Squadron code MP-D), when it collided with an Airspeed Oxford aircraft (#V4140) while flying at 2,000 feet, just below the cloud base, above RAF Middleton St George airfield. Both aircraft crashed killing all aboard except one airman aboard the Handley Page Halifax Bomber 

The other airmen who also perished in the two aircraft were:

Crew of Halifax II, W7661, MP-D.

995672 Sergeant Robert Gymer Warkcup - 76 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Aged 21.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

567204 Sergeant Maurice Charles Glover - 76 Squadron, Royal Air Force - Aged 23
971062 Flight Sergeant James Henry Bingham - 76 Squadron, Royal Air Force (Pilot) - Age Not Recorded
922333 Sergeant Richard Hubert Bircher - 76 Squadron, Royal Air Force (Air Gunner) - Aged 20
1101236 Sergeant John Black Fraser Fanning - 76 Squadron, Royal Air Force (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Aged 21
- These four airman are not buried within the Borough of Darlington, County Durham, England

Crew of Oxford V4140 "V.
1312054 Sergeant John Charles William Sealey - Royal Air Force (Pilot) - Aged 21
1130814 Sergeant Frank Raymond Magson - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Pilot) - Aged 21
- These two airman are not buried within the Borough of Darlington, County Durham, England

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995672 Sergeant Robert Gymer Warkcup - 76 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Died 24/06/1942 Aged 21

Born: 1920/1921 (Exact date unknown)

From: Hebburn-On-Tyne, South Tyneside, Tyne and Wear, England

He was part of the aircrew aboard Handley Page Halifax Bomber (#W7661 - Squadron code MP-D), when it collided with an Airspeed Oxford aircraft (#V4140) while flying at 2,000 feet, just below the cloud base, above RAF Middleton St George airfield. Both aircraft crashed killing all aboard except one airman aboard the Handley Page Halifax Bomber

The other airmen who also perished in the two aircraft were:

Crew of Halifax II, W7661, MP-D.

R/58215 Warrant Officer 2 Melvin Harry Roberts - 76 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Observer) - Aged 22.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

567204 Sergeant Maurice Charles Glover - 76 Squadron, Royal Air Force - Aged 23
971062 Flight Sergeant James Henry Bingham - 76 Squadron, Royal Air Force (Pilot) - Age Not Recorded
922333 Sergeant Richard Hubert Bircher - 76 Squadron, Royal Air Force (Air Gunner) - Aged 20
1101236 Sergeant John Black Fraser Fanning - 76 Squadron, Royal Air Force (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Aged 21
- These four airman are not buried within the Borough of Darlington, County Durham, England

Crew of Oxford V4140 "V.
1312054 Sergeant John Charles William Sealey - Royal Air Force (Pilot) - Aged 21
1130814 Sergeant Frank Raymond Magson - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Pilot) - Aged 21
- These two airman are not buried within the Borough of Darlington, County Durham, England

_______________________________________________________________

622361 Sergeant Herbert Ralph Smith - 76 Squadron, Royal Air Force (Flight Engineer) - Died 25/06/1942 Age Not Recorded

Born: Unknown

From: Unknown

_______________________________________________________________

918303 Sergeant Lawrence Desmond Richardson - 76 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Air Gunner) - Died 25/06/1942 Aged 25

Born: 1916/1917 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

_______________________________________________________________

1806962 Gunner Robert Henry Gilbert - 426 Battery, 126 H.A.A Regiment, Royal Artillery - Died 06-07/07/1942 Aged 21

Born: 1920/1921 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

_______________________________________________________________

R/61812 Warrant Officer 2 (Not Flight Sergeant As Per His Gravestone - He Was Promoted 01/03/1942) Wesley Leonard Belous - 76 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (Pilot) - Died 20/07/1942 Aged 20

Born: 28/11/1918

From: Stenen, Saskatchewan, Canada

On the night of July 19/20, 1942, he and his crew took of from Middleton St George airfield aboard Halifax W7670, squadron code MP-B to bomb a U Boat factory near Bremen, Germany. Technical issues developed during the flight and they turned around. As they approached Middleton St George, the aircraft experienced flight control problems, was flying erratically and losing altitude. At least one witness reported an engine on fire. The crew was ordered to bail out. Five crew successfully bailed out and survived. However, the pilot, Warrant Officer 2 Wesley Belous, and his flight engineer, Sergeant Fred Hebron, stayed with the aircraft to try to land it. They crashed at Spittal Flat Farm near Yarm. Both men were killed in the crash

The other airmen who also perished in this aircraft was:

Sergeant Fred Hebron - 76 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Age Not Recorded

Buried at Cowpen Cemetery, Blyth, Northumberland, England 

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1480217 Corporal John Henry Wright - 132 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 18/02/1943 Aged 22

Born: 1920/1921 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

_______________________________________________________________

1147407 Sergeant Robert Desmond Richardson - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Pilot) - Died 10/04/1943 Aged 21

Born: 1921/1922 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

_______________________________________________________________

Members of His Majesty's Forces Who Died 1939 - 1947 And Were Cremated

Panel 1:

1867735 Warrant Officer John Forest Armstrong - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 24/07/1946 Aged 21

Born: 1924/1925 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

4454101 Sergeant Robert Sanderson Bell - Royal Artillery - Died 31/08/1942 Aged 40

Born: 25/02/1902

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

37462 Squadron Leader Richard S Bickford DFC - 76 Squadron, Royal Air Force (Pilot) - Died 30/08/1941 Aged 30

Born: 04/01/1911

From: Wimbledon Park, Merton, Greater London, England

Killed in Action during return, in Handley Page Halifax Bomber (#L9518), from Operations over enemy territory. 

One other airmen who also perished was:

Flight Sergeant George William Duckmanton - 76 Squadron, Royal Air Force (Air Gunner).  This airman is not buried within the Borough of Darlington

73028 Pilot Officer John F Body - 149 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Pilot) - Died 12/08/1940 Age Not Recorded

Born: Unknown

From: Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England

Took off at 2146 hrs on the 11th Aug 1940 from RAF Mildenhall in a Wellington Bomber (#P9244). On its return to base at 0348 hrs on the 12th August and while making an approach wide of the flare-path, the bomber collided with a radio mast and crashed at Beck Row

Private Audrey Doreen Coates - Auxiliary Territorial Service - Died 20/12/1947 Aged 26

Born: April 1921 (Exact date unknown)

From: Redcar, North Yorkshire, England

116342 Captain Edward Richard Ennis - Royal Army Ordnance Corps - Died 28/02/1943 Aged 52

Born: 02/09/1887

From: Ashill, Norfolk, England

6203 Lieutenant Colonel William Herbert Anderson - The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) - Died 11/02/1944 Age Not Recorded

Born: Unknown

From: Unknown

Panel 2:

2093240 Driver Roy Arnold Fisher - 258 Field Park Company, Royal Engineers - Died 26/01/1941 Aged 20

Born: 1920/1921 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

Lieutenant Colonel John Ord Cobbold "Jock" Hasted DSO - Durham Light Infantry Training Centre - Died 03/01/1942 Aged 51

Born: 1890 (Exact date unknown)

Born In India

Awarded Distinguished Service Order (London Gazette 25.8.1917) as Captain, 1st Battalion DLI.
Citation "For distinguished service in the field in Mesopotamia, dated 2 June 1917"

Mention in Despatches (London Gazette 15.8.1917) as Captain attached 2 Battalion Leicestershire Regiment in Mesopotamia

Aircraftman 1st Class Richard Tollef Hodgson - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 27/11/1944 Aged 34

Born: 1909/1910 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

96810 Major Hubert Jack Holmes MBE, MC & Bar -Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers - Died 06/12/1944 Age Not Recorded

Born: Unknown

From: Unknown

43202 Pilot Officer John Irvine Humphreys - 220 Squadron, Royal Air Force (Pilot) - Died 15/09/1940 Aged 24

Born: 1915/1916 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

He was the Pilot of a Hudson aircraft (#N7233), which was involved in an accident, near Thornaby

Chief Engineer Officer William Sharp Jeffrey OBE - Merchant Navy (SS Sam Dauntless) - Died 20/06/1946 Aged 54

Born: 1891/1892 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

Second Officer Walter George L Laxton - Merchant Navy (SS Gothic) - Died 25/02/1940 Aged 33

Born: 1916 (Exact date unknown)

From: Glasgow

Panel 3:

69351 Captain James Lyall - Durham Light Infantry - Died 22/06/1940 Aged 23

Born: 1916/1917 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

Lieutenant Michael Desmond Ponsonby Magill - Royal Berkshire Regiment - Died 05/09/1940 Aged 24

Born: 28/09/1915

From: Sevenoaks, Kent, England

125979 Lieutenant Charles Peter Muckle-Ferguson - Royal Army Pay Corps - Died 02/07/1945 Aged 48

Born: 1896/1897 (Exact date unknown)

From: Norton, Stockton-on-Tees, England

Twice Mentioned in Despatches

Also served in the Great War of 1914-1918

Leading Aircraftman John Lumley Norris - Royal Air Force (Pilot) (Auxiliary Air Force) - Died 28/05/1940 Aged 20

Born: 1919 (Exact date unknown)

From: Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, England

Pilot Officer Oscar Pedersen - Royal Air Force - Died 25/10/1942 Aged 22

Born: 1919/1920 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

C/JX 246942 Ordinary Seaman Arthur Henry Potter - Royal Navy - Died 12/09/1947 Aged 26

Born: 1920/1921 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown 

Panel 4:

142550 Flying Officer Arnold Stockill - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Pilot) - Died 22/12/1944 Aged 31

Born: 1913 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Arnold was part of an aircrew aboard Lancaster Bomber (#NG258), which took off on at 16.58 hrs from RAF East Kirkby, Lincolnshire.  The Aircraft was part of an attack on an Synthetic Oil refinery at Politz, 68 miles southeast of Tutow on the western edge of German occupied Poland.
On the return journey home, a blanket of thick fog covered most of Southern England and the pilot was instructed to land elsewhere instead of their home base.
The Lancaster crashed into a hill near Scanfield farm, Winceby, Lincolnshire at 02.50 hrs. Sergeant Pooley was injured and the only aircrew member to survive the crash.

The other airmen who also perished were:

1815134 Sergeant Raymond Athol Bruck - Royal Air Force (Air Bomber) - Aged 22

1874439 Sergeant John Henry Quinlivan - Royal Air Force (Air Gunner) - Aged 20

1821620 Sergeant James Stuart Bain - Royal Air Force (Wireless Operator) - Aged 20

1805514 Sergeant James Duffett - Royal Air Force (Flight Engineer) - Aged 21

163644 Flying Officer William McPherson - Royal Air Force (Navigator) - Aged 30

- These five airman are not buried within the Borough of Darlington

Captain Arthur Thomas R Symonds - The Queens Royal Regiment (West Surrey) - Died 16/02/1942 Aged 36

Born: 1907/1908 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

Died in a traffic accident along with another officer

Lance Corporal Thomas Geoffrey Toogood - Corps of Military Police - Died 13/06/1942 Age Not Recorded

Born: Unknown

From: Unknown

Pilot Officer Arthur Stewart Wardman - Royal Air Force - Died 13/03/1940 Aged 19

Born: 1920 (Exact date unknown)

From: Dunoon, Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Died: Bolton-on-Swale, Richmondshire District, North Yorkshire, England

37436 Flight Lieutenant John Terence Webster DFC - 41 Squadron, Royal Air Force (Pilot) - Died 05/09/1940 Aged 23/24

Born: 1916 (Exact date unknown)

From: Grassendale, Metropolitan Borough of Liverpool, Merseyside, England

John joined the RAF on a short service commission and began his initial training on 26th August 1935. He was posted to 11 FTS Wittering on 2nd November 1935 and with his training completed he joined 17 Squadron at RAF Kenley on 11th May 1936

John went to 80 Squadron at its reformation at RAF Kenley on 8th March 1937, moved to 29 Squadron at RAF Debden on 25th March 1938 and then to 41 Squadron at RAF Catterick on 11th April 1938

He was appointed 'B' Flight Commander on 25th May 1939 and was promoted to Acting Flight Lieutenant on 19th September 1939 with effect from 25th May 1939

John destroyed a He115 floatplane south east of Whitby on 17th December 1939

Over Dunkirk on 31st May 1940 John claimed a Me109 destroyed, and shared a He111.  On 1st June 1940 he shot down two Ju88

During the night of 19th/20th June 1940 he destroyed a He111 over Teesmouth. On 27th July 1940 John destroyed a Me109, and on the 28th he is believed to have severely damaged two Me109s of JG51

On the 29th July 1940 Webster destroyed a Me109 and damaged a Ju87. His Spitfire, N3113, was damaged in an action off Dover and he crashed on landing back at RAF Manston

On 5th August 1940 John damaged a He111, on the 8th he shot down three Me109s, and shared another.  On 5th September 1940 he destroyed two more

Later on this day John collided with Flight Lieutenant RE Lovett who was descending in his damaged Hurricane (#P3204). John baled out but fell dead. His Spitfire, (#R6635), crashed in flames opposite Markham Chase School, Laindon

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (gazetted 30th August 1940)

The citation for his Distinguished Flying Cross states:
" Flight Lieutenant Webster has led his flight in innumerable offensive patrols during the latter part of the Dunkirk operations and during the intensive air fighting over the English Channel and Dover area in protection of shipping. With great skill and gallantry he has personally destroyed seven enemy aircraft and assisted in the destruction of two others. One day in August, 1940, he and another pilot of his section engaged considerably superior numbers of enemy fighters. Three were destroyed by this officer. Not content with this, he also attacked an enemy motor torpedo boat with considerable success. His faculty for seeking out and engaging the enemy has been outstanding"

John is commemorated on the Battle of Britain Memorials in London and Capel-le-Ferne, Folkestone. He is also remembered on the South West Battle of Britain Memorial in Weymouth, Dorset

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W/96854 Private Margaret Ena Robinson - Auxiliary Territorial Service - Died 03/07/1946 Aged 23

Born: July 1923 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Margaret (Ena) died while on active service (Full details not yet known)

_______________________________________________________________

1683562 Aircraftman 1st Class Fredrick Harry Burdess Porter - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Died 22/05/1943 Age 19

Born: 1923/1924 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

_______________________________________________________________

13020582 Private Harold Francis Calvert - Royal Army Ordnance Corps - Died 16/05/1943 Aged 24

Born: 1918/1919 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

_______________________________________________________________

R/4607 Flight Sergeant Clarence David Alder - 420 (R.C.A.F) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (Pilot) - Died 27/04/1943 Aged 25

Born: 27/09/1917

From: Calgary, Canada

Killed on Active Service.  Clarence was the pilot of a Wellington aircraft which crashed during an operational flight

_______________________________________________________________

J16876 & R/70641 Pilot Officer Philip Edward Thompson "Ted" Townsend - 420 (R.C.A.F) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (Pilot) - Died 01/03/1943 Aged 28

Born: 15/01/1915

From: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

On 1st March 1943 the crew of Wellington Bomber aircraft (#Z1724 - Squadron Code PT-C) were undertaking a navigation exercise and took off from CRAF Middleton St George at 14.20hrs. Half an hour after taking off the aircraft was seen flying level and at a height of around 2,000 feet near Danby Wiske. Without warning to witnesses on the ground the port wing was seen to collapse and break off resulting in the aircraft then diving into the ground from around 1,500 feet. There was no time for anyone to escape the aircraft and all on board were sadly killed. An investigation found that a failure in joints in the main spar had resulted in the port mainplane collapsing. The crash site was near High Brockholme, between Danby Wiske, Yafforth and Streetlam. The port wing landed around a mile and a half from the main crash site.

The other airmen who also perished in this aircraft were: 

138498 Pilot Officer Kenneth Joseph Brown - 420 (R.C.A.F) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Died 01/03/1943 Aged 34 - Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England (Find below)

Born: 1908/1909 (Exact date unknown)

From: Blackpool, Lancashire

J/12979 Flight Officer Samuel Spector - 420 (R.C.A.F) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Navigator) - Died 01/03/1943 Aged 27 - Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England (Find below)

Born: 06/07/1915

From: Montreal, Montreal Region, Quebec, Canada

135418 Pilot Officer Ernest Maurice Hollowell - 420 (R.C.A.F) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Died 01/03/1943 Aged 33/34 - This airman is not buried within the Borough of Darlington

Born: 1909 (Exact date unknown)

From: Kingsthorpe, Northampton, Northamptonshire, England

1061805 Flight Sergeant Jack Wreakes - 420 (R.C.A.F) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Navigator) - Died 01/03/1943 Aged 20/21 - This airman is not buried within the Borough of Darlington

Born: 1922 (Exact date unknown)

From: Barnsley, Yorkshire

_______________________________________________________________

138498 Pilot Officer Kenneth Joseph Brown - 420 (R.C.A.F) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Died 01/03/1943 Age Not Recorded

Born: Unknown

From: Blackpool, Lancashire

On 1st March 1943 the crew of Wellington Bomber aircraft (#Z1724 - Squadron Code PT-C) were undertaking a navigation exercise and took off from CRAF Middleton St George at 14.20hrs. Half an hour after taking off the aircraft was seen flying level and at a height of around 2,000 feet near Danby Wiske. Without warning to witnesses on the ground the port wing was seen to collapse and break off resulting in the aircraft then diving into the ground from around 1,500 feet. There was no time for anyone to escape the aircraft and all on board were sadly killed. An investigation found that a failure in joints in the main spar had resulted in the port mainplane collapsing. The crash site was near High Brockholme, between Danby Wiske, Yafforth and Streetlam. The port wing landed around a mile and a half from the main crash site.

The other airmen who also perished in this aircraft were: 

J16876 & R/70641 Pilot Officer Philip Edward Thompson "Ted" Townsend - 420 (R.C.A.F) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (Pilot) - Died 01/03/1943 Aged 28 - Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham (Find above)

Born: 15/01/1915

From: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

J/12979 Flight Officer Samuel Spector - 420 (R.C.A.F) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Navigator/Bomb Aimer) - Died 01/03/1943 Aged 27 - Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham (Find below)

Born: 06/07/1915

From: Montreal, Montreal Region, Quebec, Canada

135418 Pilot Officer Ernest Maurice Hollowell - 420 (R.C.A.F) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Died 01/03/1943 Aged 33/34 - This airman is not buried within the Borough of Darlington

Born: 1909 (Exact date unknown)

From: Kingsthorpe, Northampton, Northamptonshire, England

1061805 Flight Sergeant Jack Wreakes - 420 (R.C.A.F) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Navigator) - Died 01/03/1943 Aged 20/21 - This airman is not buried within the Borough of Darlington

Born: 1922 (Exact date unknown)

From: Barnsley, Yorkshire

_______________________________________________________________

J/12979 Flying Officer Samuel Spector - 420 (R.C.A.F) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (Navigator) - Died 01/03/1943 Aged 27

Born: 06/07/1915

From: Montreal, Montreal Region, Quebec, Canada

On 1st March 1943 the crew of Wellington Bomber aircraft (#Z1724 - Squadron Code PT-C) were undertaking a navigation exercise and took off from CRAF Middleton St George at 14.20hrs. Half an hour after taking off the aircraft was seen flying level and at a height of around 2,000 feet near Danby Wiske. Without warning to witnesses on the ground the port wing was seen to collapse and break off resulting in the aircraft then diving into the ground from around 1,500 feet. There was no time for anyone to escape the aircraft and all on board were sadly killed. An investigation found that a failure in joints in the main spar had resulted in the port mainplane collapsing. The crash site was near High Brockholme, between Danby Wiske, Yafforth and Streetlam. The port wing landed around a mile and a half from the main crash site.

The other four airmen who also perished in this aircraft were: 

J16876 & R/70641 Pilot Officer Philip Edward Thompson "Ted" Townsend - 420 (R.C.A.F) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (Pilot) - Died 01/03/1943 Aged 28 - Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England (Find above)

Born: 15/01/1915

From: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

138498 Pilot Officer Kenneth Joseph Brown - 420 (R.C.A.F) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Died 01/03/1943 Aged 34 - Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England (Find above)

Born: 1908/1909 (Exact date unknown)

From: Blackpool, Lancashire

135418 Pilot Officer Ernest Maurice Hollowell - 420 (R.C.A.F) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Died 01/03/1943 Aged 33/34 - This airman is not buried within the Borough of Darlington

Born: 1909 (Exact date unknown)

From: Kingsthorpe, Northampton, Northamptonshire, England

1061805 Flight Sergeant Jack Wreakes - 420 (R.C.A.F) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Navigator) - Died 01/03/1943 Aged 20/21 - This airman is not buried within the Borough of Darlington

Born: 1922 (Exact date unknown)

From: Barnsley, Yorkshire

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1558325 Sergeant Laurence Cecil Lawson - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Air Bomber) - Died 30/11/1942 - Age Not Recorded

Born: Unknown

From: Unknown

_______________________________________________________________

7589944 Warrant Officer 2 (SQMS) George Watson Maxwell - Royal Army Ordnance Corps - Died 07/11/1942 Age Not Recorded

Born: Unknown

From: Unknown

_______________________________________________________________

R/113252 Flight Sergeant Herbert Ernest Hicks - 419 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner) - Died 10/10/1942 Aged 20

Born: 26/10/1922

From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Killed when his Wellington Bomber aircraft (#BK335 - Squadron code VR-Y) had lost an engine during operations. On return journey the aircraft suddenly went into a steep turn, the aircraft stalled then crashed and burned at Croft-on-Tees Aerodrome, Richmond, North Yorkshire, England with the lost of three aircrew. 

The other two airmen who also perished in this aircraft were: 

R/110138 Flight Sergeant Richard John Todd Colvin - 419 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Bomber/Gunner) - Died 10/10/1942 Aged 27 - Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England (Find below)

R/87422 Sergeant Lewis William Scobie - 419 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (Pilot) - Died 10/10/1942 Aged 22 - Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England (Find below)

_______________________________________________________________

R/110138 Flight Sergeant Richard John Todd Colvin - 419 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Bomber/Gunner) - Died 10/10/1942 Aged 27

Born: 11/11/1914

From: Prince Albert Census Division, Saskatchewan, Canada

Killed when his Wellington Bomber aircraft (#BK335 - Squadron code VR-Y) had lost an engine during operations. On return journey the aircraft suddenly went into a steep turn, the aircraft stalled then crashed and burned at Croft-on-Tees Aerodrome, Richmond, North Yorkshire, England with the lost of three aircrew. 

The other two airmen who also perished in this aircraft were: 

R/113252 Flight Sergeant Herbert Ernest Hicks - 419 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner) - Died 10/10/1942 Aged 20 - Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England (Find above)

R/87422 Sergeant Lewis William Scobie - 419 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (Pilot) - Died 10/10/1942 Aged 22 - Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England (Find below)

_______________________________________________________________

R/87422 Sergeant Lewis William Scobie - 419 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (Pilot) - Died 10/10/1942 Aged 22

Born: 20/04/1920

From Rosetown, Battleford Census Division, Saskatchewan, Canada

Killed when his Wellington Bomber aircraft (#BK335 - Squadron code VR-Y) had lost an engine during operations. On return journey the aircraft suddenly went into a steep turn, the aircraft stalled then crashed and burned at Croft-on-Tees Aerodrome, Richmond, North Yorkshire, England with the lost of three aircrew. 

The other two airmen who also perished in this aircraft were: 

R/110138 Flight Sergeant Richard John Todd Colvin - 419 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Bomber/Gunner) - Died 10/10/1942 Aged 27 - Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England (Find above)

R/113252 Flight Sergeant Herbert Ernest Hicks - 419 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner) - Died 10/10/1942 Aged 20 - Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England (Find above)

_______________________________________________________________

R/79839 Flight Sergeant Charles Campbell Lee - 76 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner) - Died 18/08/1942 Age 23

Born: 04/05/1919

From: Regina, Regina Census Division, Saskatchewan, Canada

Killed when his Halifax Bomber aircraft was flying with the port outer propellor feathered, on return from operations.  The aircraft went into a spin and crashed near Thirsk, Yorkshire with the lost of other RAF aircrew members

 _______________________________________________________________

1381237 Sergeant Arthur Collins - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Observer) - Died 18/08/1942 Aged 30

Born: 1911/1912 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

_______________________________________________________________

744908 Flight Sergeant John Henry Folliott Sydes - 76 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Bomb Aimer) - Died 18/08/1942 Aged 27

Born: 1915 (Exact date unknown)

From: Wandsworth, Greater London, England

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1151434 Sergeant John Adrian Rolt Triscott - 76 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Flight Engineer) - Died 18/08/1942 Aged 30

Born: 02/06/1912

From: Elham, Shepway, Kent, England

Aircraft Handley Page Halifax II (Serial Number V9992) took off from RAF Middleton St George. Spun down from 1000 feet on return to base from an air firing exercise

_______________________________________________________________

1484114 Sergeant James Waugh - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Pilot) - Died 20/08/1943 Aged 21

Born: 1922 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

James was one of the aircrew of a Wellington Mk.III bomber (#X3986) from 6 Operational Training Unit, which was flying at 600ft on a low level bombing exercise around Solway Firth, Scotland. Smoke was seen coming from the aircraft and it ditched into the Solway Firth off the Cumberland coast at 11.37hrs at QY.5664. Rescue boats went to the scene but were unable to save any of the crew.  There were no survivors

The other five airmen who also perished in this aircraft were: 

1317513 Sergeant Hugh Lloyd GRIFFITHS - Royal Air Force (Pilot) - Died 20/08/1943 Aged 27

Born: 1916/1917 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

1394331 Sergeant George Meada JACKSON - Royal Air Force (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Died 20/08/1943 Aged 21-22 

Born: 1922 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

1452197 Sergeant Francis James MANLEY - Royal Air Force (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Died 20/08/1943 Age Not Recorded

Born: Unknown

From: Unknown

1496762 Sergeant John MARSH - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Died 20/08/1943 Aged 22-23

Born: 1920 (Exact date unknown)

From: Skelmersdale, West Lancashire, England

421776 Flight Sergeant David WALTERS - Royal Australian Air Force -  Died 20/08/1943 Aged 21

Born: 28/02/1922

From: Cronulla, Sutherland, New South Wales, Australia

These five airman are Not buried within the Borough of Darlington

_______________________________________________________________

1069906 Gunner Clifford Knights - Royal Artillery - Died 16/09/1943 Aged 39

Born: 1903/1904 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

_______________________________________________________________

936879 Leading Aircraftman Arthur Crinkley - 942 Balloon Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 22/10/1943 Aged 31

Born: 1911/1912 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

_______________________________________________________________

3518163 Sergeant Walter Latham - 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards - Died 02/09/1943 Aged 39

Born: 1904 (Exact date unknown)

From: Kensington, London, England

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R/66593 Sergeant Maurice Patrick Scullion - 428 (Ghost) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner) - Died 11/06/1943 Aged 23

Born: 17/04/1920

From: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Maurice originally enlisted with the 27th Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery in July 1939. He transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force on 17th June 1940. He originally trained as a RCAF Policeman, but in August 1942, he remustered to be Aircrew. In the Autumn of 1942, he trained to be an Air Gunner. He arrived in England during January 1943, and took further training before being posted to 428 (Ghost) Squadron, RCAF in May, 1943

On 11th June 1943, he was part of the Aircrew aboard Vickers Wellington Bomber Mk X, (#HE 322 - Squadron code NA-J). They were to be part of a raid on Dusseldorf, Germany. At 10:55 pm, shortly after take off from RCAF Middleton St George airfield, the aircraft crashed. The bombload exploded, destroying the aircraft and killing four of the five crew. Only the pilot survived.

The other three airmen who also perished in this aircraft were: 

1535621 Sergeant Robert Askew - 428 (Ghost) Squadron, Royal  Air Force (Bombardier) - Died 11/06/1943 Age Not Recorded

Born: Unknown

From: Unknown

R/135170 Sergeant De Section Joseph Charles Etienne Jette - Royal Canadian Air Force, 428 (Ghost) Squadron, (Navigator) - Died 11/06/1943 Aged 23.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham (See Below)

Born: 30/04/1920

From: Sainte-Anne-de-Sabrevois, Monteregie Region, Quebec, Canada 

R/95762 Flight Sergeant Joseph Eric Ritchie Marchand - Royal Canadian Air Force, 428 (Ghost) Squadron, (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Died 11/06/1943 Aged 25. Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham (See Below)

Born: 15/07/1917

From: Three Rivers, Mauricie Region, Quebec, Canada 

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R/135170 Sergeant De Section Joseph Charles Etienne Jette - Royal Canadian Air Force, 428 (Ghost) Squadron, (Navigator) - Died 11/06/1943 Aged 23

Born: 30/04/1920

From: Sainte-Anne-de-Sabrevois, Monteregie Region, Quebec, Canada

On 11th June 1943, he was part of the Aircrew aboard Vickers Wellington Bomber Mk X, (#HE 322 - Squadron code NA-J). They were to be part of a raid on Dusseldorf, Germany. At 10:55 pm, shortly after take off from RCAF Middleton St George airfield, the aircraft crashed. The bombload exploded, destroying the aircraft and killing four of the five crew. Only the pilot survived.

The other three airmen who also perished in this aircraft were: 

R/66593 Sergeant Maurice Patrick Scullion - 428 (Ghost) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner) - Died 11/06/1943 Aged 23.Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham (See Above)

Born: 17/04/1920

From: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

1535621 Sergeant Robert Askew - 428 (Ghost) Squadron, Royal  Air Force (Bombardier) - Died 11/06/1943 Age Not Recorded

Born: Unknown

From: Unknown

R/95762 Flight Sergeant Joseph Eric Ritchie Marchand - Royal Canadian Air Force, 428 (Ghost) Squadron, (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Died 11/06/1943 Aged 25. Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham (See Below)

Born: 15/07/1917

From: Three Rivers, Mauricie Region, Quebec, Canada 

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R/96762 Sergeant De Section Joseph Eric Ritchie Marchand - Royal Canadian Air Force, 428 (Ghost) Squadron, (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Died 11/06/1943 Aged 25

Born: 15/07/1917

From: Three Rivers, Mauricie Region, Quebec, Canada

On 11th June 1943, he was part of the Aircrew aboard Vickers Wellington Bomber Mk X, (#HE 322 - Squadron code NA-J). They were to be part of a raid on Dusseldorf, Germany. At 10:55 pm, shortly after take off from RCAF Middleton St George airfield, the aircraft crashed. The bombload exploded, destroying the aircraft and killing four of the five crew. Only the pilot survived.

The other three airmen who also perished in this aircraft were: 

R/66593 Sergeant Maurice Patrick Scullion - 428 (Ghost) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner) - Died 11/06/1943 Aged 23. Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham (See Above)

Born: 17/04/1920

From: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

1535621 Sergeant Robert Askew - 428 (Ghost) Squadron, Royal  Air Force (Bombardier) - Died 11/06/1943 Age Not Recorded

Born: Unknown

From: Unknown

R/135170 Sergeant De Section Joseph Charles Etienne Jette - Royal Canadian Air Force, 428 (Ghost) Squadron, (Navigator) - Died 11/06/1943 Aged 23. Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham (See Above)

Born: 30/04/1920

From: Sainte-Anne-de-Sabrevois, Monteregie Region, Quebec, Canada

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152080 Flying Officer Frederick Jones - 236 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Navigator) - Died 23/02/1944 Aged 20

Born: 1924 (Exact date unknown)

From: West Hartlepool, County Durham, England

Frederick was part of a two man aircrew on a Beaufighter (#TFX NE201).  The aircraft exploded shortly after take-off for a fighter affiliation flight. The wreckage of the aircraft fell in to the sea off North Coates, Lincolnshire

The other airman who also perished in this aircraft was: 

151382 Flying Officer Robert Barr - 236 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Pilot) - Died 23/02/1944 Aged 24.  This airman is Not buried within the Borough of Darlington, County Durham, England

Born: 1920 (Exact date unknown)

From: East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, Scotland

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427955 Flight Sergeant Robert Reginald Skipsey - Royal Australian Air Force - Died 25/04/1944 Aged 20

Born: 1923/1924 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

_______________________________________________________________

153931 Flying Officer Norman Liddle - 29 Operational Training Unit, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Navigator) - 17/05/1944 Aged 20

Born: December 1923 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Norman's Wellington X Bomber (#MF314) of 29 Operational Training Unit, left RAF Bruntingthorpe at 11.25hrs for a navigational exercise.  The aircraft was seen to dive out of cloud base and crash at 12.15hrs near Mendham, 11 miles south west of Beccles, Suffolk.

All eight aircrew were killed.  The other seven airmen who also perished in this aircraft were:

149692 Flying Officer Adrian Charles Edward Lance (DFC) - 29 Operational Training Unit, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Instructor) - 17/05/1944 Aged 25 - Buried High Wycombe Cemetery, Buckinghamshire, England

Born: 24/01/1919

From: England

1893984 Sergeant Frederick Jesse Luxford - 29 Operational Training Unit, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Under Training Air Gunner) - 17/05/1944 Aged 19 - Buried West Lavington, West Sussex, England (St. Mary Magda)

Born: 1925 (Exact date unknown)

From: West Lavington, West Sussex, England

171740 Pilot Officer Frederick Ethelbert William Mayhew - 29 Operational Training Unit, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Pilot) - 17/05/1944 Aged 31 - Buried Hailsham Cemetery, East Sussex, England

Born: 1912/1913 (Exact date unknown)

From: England

160760 Flying Officer Hubert Moran - 29 Operational Training Unit, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Wireless Operator) - 17/05/1944 Age Not Recorded - Buried Blackburn (Pleasington) Cemetery

Born: Unknown

From: Unknown

1837100 Sergeant Donald William Smith - 29 Operational Training Unit, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Under Training Air Gunner) - 17/05/1944 Aged 19 - Buried Berkeley Cemetery, Gloucestershire, England

Born: 1925 (Exact date unknown)

From: South Gloucestershire, England

328523V Second Lieutenant Hermanus Abrance Whitcher - 29 Operational Training Unit, South African Air Force [SAAF] (Under Training Pilot) - 17/05/1944 Aged 28 - Buried Cambridge City Cemetery, Cambridgeshire, England

Born: 1915/1916 (Exact date unknown)

From: South Africa

153233 Flying Officer John Joseph White - 29 Operational Training Unit, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Pupil Air Gunner/Air Bomber) - 17/05/1944 Aged 22 - Buried Bootle, Sefton, Merseyside, England

Born: January 1922 (Exact date unknown)

From: West Derby, Liverpool, Merseyside, England

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14686591 Trooper John Berry Dean - Royal Armoured Corps - Died 13/07/1944 Aged 18

Born: 1925/1926 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

_______________________________________________________________

4466829 Private George Albert Mawer - 8th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry - Died 26/07/1944 Aged 34

Born: 1909/1910 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

_______________________________________________________________

929445 Craftsman William Roger Smith - Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers - Died 06/04/1945 Aged 29

Born: 1915 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

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(Service number not yet known) Flying Officer William Gordon Craig (D.F.C) -

Royal Australian Air Force - Died 08/04/1945 Aged 23

Born: 28/01/1922

From: North Adelaide, Adelaide City, South Australia, Australia

Husband of Olive Mary Craig, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Craig Family Cenotaph in South Australia

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4448127 Private John James Austin - 6th Battalion, The Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment) - Died 01/05/1945 Aged 32

Born: 1912/1913 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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T/14649050 Driver Harold Scott - Royal Army Service Corps - 18/07/1945 Aged 30

Born: 1915 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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808409 Leading Aircraftman Harry Skipsey - 608 Squadron, Royal Air Force (Auxiliary Air Force) - Died 21/09/1945 Aged 31

Born: 1913/1914 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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1064237 Corporal George Martin Wilde - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - 10/11/1945 Aged 30

Born: 1915 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Ethel Kate Wilde, of Darlington, County Durham, England

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153364 Flight Lieutenant Donald Derek Morrison - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Pilot) - Died 25/01/1946 Aged 22

Born: 1923/1924 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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Members of His Majesty's Forces Who Died 1914 - 1918 And Were Cremated

1161 Private Leonard Bates Crabtree - G Company, 7th Battalion, Welsh Regiment - Died 28/12/1915 Aged 20

Born: 1895 (Exact date unknown)

From: Cardiff, Wales

(Service number not yet known) Private Arthur Ridley Temperley - 6th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers - Died 26/08/1914 Aged 26

Born: 23/01/1888

From: Bromley, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London, England

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14030151 Private William Tolley - 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) - Died 27/02/1947 Aged 19

Born: 1927/1928 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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2326572 Corporal John Sample Hunter - Royal Corps of Signals - 18/06/1948 Aged 28

Born: 01/11/1919

From: Unknown

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Matrosenobergefreiter Werner Deutschmann - German Armed Forces - Died 13/07/1946 Aged 21 (Service number not yet known)

Born: 20/02/1925

From: Hockenau, Silesia, Germany [now in Poland]

He served as a Matrosenobergefreiter in the German Navy (roughly equivalent to Leading Seaman/Seaman 1st Class in the Royal Navy)

He died of tuberculosis. while a prisoner of war at Camp 108, Thirkleby, near Thirsk, Yorkshire

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30109064 Private John King - B (FAMARS) Company, 1st Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment - Died 30/12/2011 Aged 19

Born: 27/04/1992

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

John King joined the Army in 2009 and served with B (FAMARS) Company of 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment

John was deployed with the UK contingent of NATO forces servicing on Operation Herrick 15 in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province, Afghanistan

John was killed in action, by a blast from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), during a firefight with insurgents around the village of Llara Kalay, Helmand Province, Afghanistan

John's funeral, with full military honours, was held on 17th January 2012 at St Cuthbert's Church, Darlington followed by private interment

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3053074 Navigator Class IV Donald Hall - Royal Air Force (Navigator) - 17/09/1949 Aged 22

Born: 27/09/1926

From: Unknown

During an air show at RAF Middleton St George airfield, Vickers Wellington Bomber T Mk X, (#NC430), was one of several Battle of Britain display aircraft involved in a demonstration mission consisting of dummy parachutists dropping at low height. On the final approach, during the last segment, the airplane nosed down and crashed at the runway threshold, 300ft – 400ft from spectators. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed

Two of the other airmen who also perished in this aircraft were:

196703 Flying Officer John Henry Alastair MacPherson - Royal Air Force (Pilot) - Aged 25.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham (See Below)

1379811 Navigator Class IV Ronald Arthur "Ron" Munday - Royal Air Force (Navigator) - Aged 27.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham (See Below) 

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196703 Flying Officer John Henry Alastair MacPherson - Royal Air Force (Pilot) - Died 17/09/1949 Aged 25

Born: 10/08/1924

From: Unknown

During an air show at RAF Middleton St George airfield, Vickers Wellington Bomber T Mk X, (#NC430), was one of several Battle of Britain display aircraft involved in a demonstration mission consisting of dummy parachutists dropping at low height. On the final approach, during the last segment, the airplane nosed down and crashed at the runway threshold, 300ft – 400ft from spectators. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed

Two of the other airmen who also perished in this aircraft were:

3053074 Navigator Class IV Donald Hall - Royal Air Force (Navigator) - Aged 22.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham (See Above)

1379811 Navigator Class IV Ronald Arthur "Ron" Munday - Royal Air Force (Navigator) - Aged 27.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham (See Below) 

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1379811 Navigator Class IV Ronald Arthur "Ron" Munday - Royal Air Force (Navigator) - Died 17/09/1949 Aged 27

Born: 09/09/1922

From: Southampton, Hampshire, England

During an air show at RAF Middleton St George airfield, Vickers Wellington Bomber T Mk X, (#NC430), was one of several Battle of Britain display aircraft involved in a demonstration mission consisting of dummy parachutists dropping at low height. On the final approach, during the last segment, the airplane nosed down and crashed at the runway threshold, 300ft – 400ft from spectators. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed

Two of the other airmen who also perished in this aircraft were:

3053074 Navigator Class IV Donald Hall - Royal Air Force (Navigator) - Aged 22.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham (See Above)

196703 Flying Officer John Henry Alastair MacPherson - Royal Air Force (Pilot) - Aged 25.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham (See Above)

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3507650 Sergeant Thomas Henry St.John Seabrook - 205 Advanced Flying School, Royal Air Force (Pilot) - Died 30/11/1950 Aged 24

Born: 15/05/1926

From: Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India

Thomas was the pilot of a Gloster Meteor F. Mk.4 aircraft, (#EE599), from 205 Advanced Flying School, RAF Middleton St George.  He was on a training exercise when he flew too far from the airfield and eventually ran out of fuel. At 4,000 feet the pilot contacted his base and informed them of the situation and that he was going to bale out, he eventually baled out but by the time he did this the aircraft was too low. He was killed when his parachute failed to deploy properly and he landed in an orchard. The aircraft came down on the Eston Hills, three miles west of Guisborough, and disintergrated. The pilot was on only his second solo flight and had only two hours flying the Meteor at the time of his death

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3119556 Pilot Officer Gerald Leslie Reeve - 205 Advanced Flying School, Royal Air Force (Pilot) - Died 19/06/1951 Aged 20

Born: 23/12/1930

From: Weedon Beck, Daventry District, Northamptonshire, England

Gloster Meteor F. Mk.4 aircraft (#VT239), 205 Advanced Flying School, RAF, stationed at RAF Middleton St George, crashed near the Ribblehead Viaduct, Chapel le Dale, on 19th June 1951

The crash completely destroyed the aircraft, killing Pilot Officer Reeve instantly. There was no immediately apparent cause of the crash which was speculated by the RAF to be due a failure in the aircrafts oxygen system leading to P/O Reeve losing consciousness after which the aircraft entered an ever steepening dive from which it never recovered

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2600039 Flying Officer Michael Francis Rogers - 205 Advanced Flying School, Royal Air Force (Pilot) - 25/09/1951 - Age 22

Born: 28/11/1928

From: Unknown 

Gloster Meteor F. Mk.4 aircraft (#VT324), 205 Advanced Flying School, RAF, stationed at RAF Middleton St George, crashed at Southmoor Golf Course,The Middles, Craghead, Stanley, County Durham. The aircraft was seen to emerge from cloud inverted, then the nose dropped, and the aircraft dived into the ground.  The crash completely destroyed the aircraft, killing Flying Officer Rogers instantly

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2686168 Sergeant Henry Darragh Mincher - Royal Auxiliary Air Force - 09/09/1951 Aged 28

Born: 16/10/1922

From: Unknown

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59331 Flight Lieutenant Everett Lennes Brown DFC - Royal Air Force - Died 20/11/1951 Aged 33

Born: 08/09/1918

From: Unknown

Flight Lieutenant Everett Lennes Brown was killed in a flying accident whilst flying in a private aircraft piloted by Sir William Stampe

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159483 Flying Officer Raymond Thomas Norman - 205 Advanced Flying School, Royal Air Force (Pilot) - Died 24/11/1951 Aged 33

Born: 19/06/1918

From: Unknown

At 2.45pm on Saturday, 24th November 1951, Flying Officer Raymond Thomas Norman was coming into land in his Gloster Meteor aircraft after a training flight in bad weather at RAF Middleton St George, (which is now Teesside International Airport).  Raymond, who had flown Typhoons during the war, was attached to the 205 Advanced Flying School. The idea was to perform a "touch and go" manoeuvre, which meant landing and taking off again immediately. Instead, the Meteor lost control and slewed to the right, wiping out Flying Officer Norman's parked car and crashing into room 52 in the west wing of the officers' mess.  He survived the initial crash but was crushed by falling masonry and died

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48800 Flight Lieutenant Henry Dobson Hayward MBE - Royal Air Force - Died 25/02/1952 Aged 52

Born: 11/05/1899

From: Driffield, East Riding of Yorkshire Unitary Authority, East Riding of Yorkshire, England

In the 1901 census he was living in Darlington with his widowed mother (Jane, née Salmon) and his older brother, James Salmon Hayward

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184993 Flying Officer Hugh Williams - 205 Advanced Flying School, Royal Air Force (Pilot) - Died 24/04/1952 Aged 30

Born: 25/03/1922

From: Unknown

Hugh's Gloster Meteor T.Mk.7 (#WA665), broke up in flight and dived out of clouds into the ground at Morton Palms Farm, Dinsdale, County Durham. (Morton Palms, is a township in Houghton-le-Skerne parish, Durham; near the Stockton railway, 3¼ miles E of Darlington). Both crew were killed.

The aircraft had took off and entered cloud during the initial climb out from RAF Middleton St. George, County Durham. After two and a half minutes after take off the Meteor was seen to dive out of the clouds at an angle of about 50 degrees, and begin to disintegrate in flight. The break up in flight is through to have been caused by high "G" loadings on the airframe, applied by the pilot in an attempt to recover from the dive. However, the original reason why the aircraft was diving into the ground at a 50 degree angle was never discovered

The other airmen who also perished in this aircraft was: 

163754 Flight Lieutenant Arthur Desmond Lockyer - 205 Advanced Flying School, Royal Air Force (Pilot) - Aged 28. Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham (See Below)

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163754 Flight Lieutenant Arthur Desmond Lockyer - 205 Advanced Flying School, Royal Air Force (Pilot) - Died 24/04/1952 Aged 28

Born: 12/02/1924

From: Unknown

Arthur's Gloster Meteor T.Mk.7 (#WA665), broke up in flight and dived out of clouds into the ground at Morton Palms Farm, Dinsdale, County Durham. (Morton Palms, is a township in Houghton-le-Skerne parish, Durham; near the Stockton railway, 3¼ miles E of Darlington). Both crew were killed.

The aircraft had took off and entered cloud during the initial climb out from RAF Middleton St. George, County Durham. After two and a half minutes after take off the Meteor was seen to dive out of the clouds at an angle of about 50 degrees, and begin to disintegrate in flight. The break up in flight is through to have been caused by high "G" loadings on the airframe, applied by the pilot in an attempt to recover from the dive. However, the original reason why the aircraft was diving into the ground at a 50 degree angle was never discovered

The other airmen who also perished in this aircraft was: 

184993 Flying Officer Hugh Williams - 205 Advanced Flying School, Royal Air Force (Pilot) - Aged 30. Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham (See Above)

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582903 Pilot Officer Malcolm Hugh Goddard - 205 Advanced Flying School, Royal Air Force (Pilot) - Died 29/04/1952 Aged 21

Born: 03/06/1930

From: Unknown

Malcolm's Gloster Meteor F.Mk.4 (#VW298), collided with Gloster Meteor F.Mk.4 (#RA480) over Low Dinsdale, one and a quarter miles south west of RAF Middleton St. George, County Durham

Both aircraft were involved in night flying training.
Meteor VW298 overshot the landing on final approach to RAF Middleton St. George, and began an orbit of the airfield, instead of continuing the circuit. In doing so, the two aircraft collided in the circuit (and vicinity) of RAF Middleton St. George and crashed, killing the pilots of each respective aircraft. Meteor RA480 came down at Low Dinsdale, and Meteor VW298 came down between Sockburn and Neasham, approximately four miles south of the airfield

The other airmen who also perished in aircraft RA480 was:

3508425 Pilot Officer Ian Gerrey - 205 Advanced Flying School, Royal Air Force (Pilot) - Aged 19 - Buried in North Cemetery, Bournemouth

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579941 Flight Lieutenant Anthony Turner - 205 Advanced Flying School, Royal Air Force (QFI Instructor Pilot) - Died 04/05/1953 Aged 24

Born: 29/05/1928

From: Unknown

Anthony's Gloster Meteor T.Mk.7, (#WH246) crashed at Great Smeaton, Hambleton, North Yorkshire

At the end of an Instrument Flying Training sortie from RAF Middleton St. George, near Darlington, County Durham, the pilot ascertained that RAF Neasham was nearby, and so the Meteor made a low level, high speed "beat up" of the airfield, during which the aircraft struck a radio mast.  After climbing to an altitude of 1,200 feet, the Meteor went out of control, and was seen to descend rapidly to port, then dive towards the ground - a dive from which it did not recover. Both aircrew members were killed

The other airmen who also perished in aircraft WH246 was:

607192 Flying Officer Kenneth Belton Bones - 205 Advanced Flying School, Royal Air Force (Pupil Pilot Under Instruction - Aged 22.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham (See Below)

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607192 Flying Officer Kenneth Belton Bones - 205 Advanced Flying School, Royal Air Force (Pupil Pilot Under Instruction - Died 04/05/1953 Aged 22

Born: 17/10/1930

From: Unknown

Kenneth's Gloster Meteor T.Mk.7, (#WH246) crashed at Great Smeaton, Hambleton, North Yorkshire

At the end of an Instrument Flying Training sortie from RAF Middleton St. George, near Darlington, County Durham, the pilot ascertained that RAF Neasham was nearby, and so the Meteor made a low level, high speed "beat up" of the airfield, during which the aircraft struck a radio mast.  After climbing to an altitude of 1,200 feet, the Meteor went out of control, and was seen to descend rapidly to port, then dive towards the ground - a dive from which it did not recover. Both aircrew members were killed

The other airmen who also perished in aircraft WH246 was:

579941 Flight Lieutenant Anthony Turner - 205 Advanced Flying School, Royal Air Force (QFI Instructor Pilot) - Aged 24.  Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham (See Above)

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2567127 Pilot Officer Michael John Turner - Royal Air Force - Died 01/02/1955 Aged 20

Born: 10/03/1934

From: Unknown

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4158229 Pilot Officer Kenneth Charles Stuart Dight - Royal Air Force - Died 06/04/1956 Aged 19

Born: 28/05/1936

From: Unknown

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205948 Pilot Officer Peter Goddard Sharman - Royal Air Force - Died 10/04/1956 Aged 24

Born: 08/05/1931

From: Unknown

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544190 Sergeant Douglas Henry Smith - Royal Air Force - 24/01/1959 Aged 41

Born: 29/05/1917

From: Unknown

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8020396T Flying Officer Eric Dobinson - Royal Air Force - Died 29/03/1990 Aged 29

Born: 22/07/1960

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

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685256 Junior Technician Terence Thomas William Lyne - Royal Air Force - Died 24/02/1962 Aged 20

Born: 30/10/1941

From: Unknown

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C/JX207180 Telegraphist William Sowerby - Royal Navy (HMS Farndale) - Died 21/01/1945 Aged 25

Born: 1919 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Harold Swinbank Sowerby and Minnie Sowerby, of Darlington; husband of Gwendoline Sowerby, of Darlington, County Durham, England

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1563753 Sergeant Thomas Nathaniel Harker - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Air Gunner) - Died 02/05/1943 Aged 21

Born: 1921/1922 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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632151 Aircraftman 2nd Class William Alfred Squires - 9 Bombing and Gunnery School, Royal Air Force (Rear Gunner) - Died 06/02/1940 Aged 19

Born: December 1920 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

William, (Known as Bill), Was the first of the Darlington serviceman to be killed in the Second World War and the first person to be buried in the new war graves section of West Cemetery. He served as a rear gunner and was killed when his Wallace II aircraft (#K8678) had engine failure and crashed off Pwllheli, North Wales

After a funeral procession from his home in Station Road, Darlington, he was laid to rest in West Cemetery and an RAF party fired three volleys over the grave and the Last Post and Reveille were sounded by two buglers, one of whom had taught Bill Squires to play drums in the Salvation Army

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580852 Sergeant Ernest Wigham - Royal Air Force (Observer) - Died 24/05/1940 Aged 23

Born: 1917 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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651827 Aircraftman 1st Class Albert Quincey - Royal Air Force - Died 09/05/1940 Aged 21

Born: 1918 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Herbert Henry and Minnie Quincey, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Albert drowned while bathing in the River Thames

At the inquest it was stated that the deceased, with three other men, were bathing between Benson and Shillingford when he got into difficulties. He went under, and on coming to the surface, was seized by his companion. He struggled, however, and his companion becoming exhausted had to let go and Albert sank. Other RAF men hurried to the spot and dived in fully dressed. Later a medical officer arrived and he too, fully dressed, dived in and recovered the body from the mud at the bottom of the river. Artificial respiration was unsuccessful.  A verdict of accidental drowning was returned

His brother 1984468 Lance Corporal Richard Quincey - 994 Docks Operating Company, Royal Engineers - Aged 26 also died in service on 17/06/1943. At 07.33 hours the Troop Transport SS Yoma (Master George Patterson) in convoy GTX-2 was hit by one of two torpedoes from German U-boat U-81 and sank after about eight hours northwest of Derna. The ship carried 134 officers and 994 ratings of the British Army and 22 officers and 643 ratings of the Free French Navy. The master, 29 crew members, three gunners and 451 military personnel were lost. 130 crew members, five gunners and the surviving military personnel were picked up by HMAS Lismore (#J 145) (Lt L.C.G. Lever), HMAS Gawler (#J 188) (LtCdr W.J. Seymour, RN), the British coastal minesweepers HMS MMS-102 (Sub Lt R.L. Simpson, RNZNVR) and HMS MMS-105 (Lt W. Henderson) and the British steam merchant Fort Maurepas and landed at Derna.  Richard was lost at sea.  He is listed on the Brookwood Memorial, (Panel 5, Column 2), Surrey, England

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40175 Private Arthur Bishop - 1st Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers - Died 13/10/1919 Aged 29

Born: 1890 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of James and Minnie Jane Bishop, of 85 Northgate, Darlington, County Durham, England

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534639 Private William Baxter - 19th General Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps - Died 25/09/1919 Aged 52

Born: 1866/1867 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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245006 Private Thomas Holborn - 1st/5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry - Died 08/03/1919 Aged 24

Born: 12/09/1894

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Thomas and Alice Theresa Holborn, of 33 Backhouse Street, Darlington, County Durham, England

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4039 Private Fred Dixon - 5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry - Died 09/02/1917 Aged 19

Born: 1898 (Exact date unknown)

From: Brumby, North Lincolnshire Unitary Authority, Lincolnshire, England

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269948 Private Bibby Ethelbert Nicholls - 2nd/1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment - 14/04/1917 Aged 38

Born: 15/09/1878

From: Bromley, Kent

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4/8327 Private Frederick William Walker - Durham Light Infantry - Died 22/10/1917 Aged 27

Born: 1890 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Laura E. Walker, of 61 Branksome Terrace, Green Bank, Darlington, County Durham, England

WALKER FREDERICK WILLIAM on Panel 10 at Darlington Memorial Hospital

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267618 Private Thomas Henry North - 2nd/1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment - 21/03/1917 Age Not Recorded

Born: Unknown

From: Unknown

_______________________________________________________________

270368 Private Alfred Fenner - 2nd/1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment - 08/02/1917 Aged 18

Born: 1898/1899 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

_______________________________________________________________

9953 Private Jack Smith Madge - 2nd/1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment - 30/11/1916 Aged 41

Born: 1874/1875 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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SS/19173 Thomas Whitwell Hopperton - Royal Army Service Corps - Died 20/10/1917 Aged 45

Born: January 1872 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Frederic and Annie Elizabeth Hopperton

Christened 26/01/1872 at St. John's Church, Darlington, County Durham, England

Married Hannah Jane Wright in 1894

Before the Great War he was a railway carriage cleaner for the North Eastern Railway, Darlington

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Lieutenant Walter Heslop - 8th Battalion, South Wales Borderers - Died 05/04/1918 Aged 27

Born: 1890 (Exact date unknown)

From: Barnard Castle, County Durham, England

Son of William Heslop, of 1 Coronation Street, Barnard Castle, County Durham, England

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3/9329 Lance Serjeant Harry Dutton - 15th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers - Died 08/03/1918 Aged 25

Born: November 1893 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of William and Catherine Dutton of Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Ethel Dutton, (nee Hauxwell) of Darlington, County Durham, England.  She was living at 51 Edith Cavell, Joan of Arc Hostel, Manton Road, Plumstead, London. They married 09/01/1917 in Darlington

Harry was discharged as no longer physically fit, after having sustained a severe gunshot wound to his left forearm (compound fracture of the radius) which left a severely lacerated wound, about 10/09/1916 in the Struma Valley, Salonika

He attended to 31 CCS where the wound was cleaned and he stayed there for three weeks during which time he also had an attack of malaria. He was evacuated to Malta, and 2 Western Hospital, West Didsbury, Manchester by November 1916 where he had an operation to fix the wound

It seems he served initially in France in early 1915, in hospital Rouen, Havre and back again and discharged to unit early September 1915. Appointed Lance Serjeant in October 1915, and then posted to Alexandria where his appointment was confirmed as paid Lance Serjeant.  He sailed on the Kaylan to Salonika, arriving November 1915

His disability was due to Active Service, bullet wound and reclassified as CIII with 50% permanent disability.  He was actually discharged from the Army 16/02/1918

Cause of death 08/03/1918, 20 days after discharge, (1) Malaria (2) Valvular Heart Disease

Harry Dutton was accepted and added to the CWGC on 01/11/2011.  A CWGC headstone was added in 2015

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61096 Private Luke Rogers - Depot (Blackpool), Royal Army Medical Corps - Died 03/11/18 Age Not Recorded

Born: Unknown

From: Unknown

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25599 Lance Corporal Alfred Lord Brock - 158th Protection Company, Royal Defence Corps - Died 05/02/1917 Aged 46/47

Born: 1870 (Exact date unknown)

From: Bury, Greater Manchester, England

Husband of Alice Hoyle (Formerly Brock), of 6 Close Street, Darlington.  He married Alice Chambers in 1908

In the 1911 census, aged 40, he was living at Darlington with Alice, age 29, and his stepson, John Fortune Chambers, age 6

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22/201 Private Frederick Hardy - 22nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry - Died 29/12/1915 Aged 37

Born: 1878 (Exact date unknown)

From: Sadberge, Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Elizabeth Hardy, late of Jubilee Cottage, Water Works, Darlington, County Durham, England

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903 Private John Henry Layfield - 1st/2nd Northumbrian Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps - Died 30/06/1915 Aged 20

Born: 22/07/1894

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of George and Sarah Ann Layfield (née Tate), of 11 Bridge Terrace, Bank Top, Darlington, County Durham, England

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22/213 Private Charles Preston - 22nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry - Died 24/12/1915 Aged 27

Born: 1888 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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6386 Sergeant Charles Thomas Robinson - Royal Air Force - Died 23/10/1941 Aged 43 

Born: 1897/1898 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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56680 Lance Corporal Harry Robinson - 78th Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) - Died 02/05/1918 Aged 21

Born: 1897 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Miles M Robinson and Elizabeth Ann Robinson, of 80 Thornton Street, Darlington, County Durham, England

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242795 Private Joseph Alfred Kemp - C Company, 1st/6th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) - Died 10/10/1918 Aged 23

Born: 10/11/1895

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of William Kemp of 92 Park Street, Darlington.  Husband of Lena Kemp (formerly Dixon(?), of 7 Thirlmere Road, Darlington, County Durham, England

Joseph Alfred Kemp was born on 10th November 1896 and christened on 2nd December 1896 at St Hilda's Church, Darlington. His birth was registered at Darlington in the first quarter of 1897. He married Lena Dodds(?) in 1915

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SS/119041 Stoker 2nd Class T W Taylor - Royal Navy (HMS Osea) - Died 30/12/1918 Aged 19

Born: 1898/1899 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

Husband of Mary Taylor, of 24 Caledonia Street, Thornaby-on-Tees

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115353 Pioneer Patrick McArdle - B Company, 4th Labour Battalion, Royal Engineers - Died 02/02/1916 Aged 38

Born: 1880/1881 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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25698 Private R Wood - 158th Protection Company, Royal Defence Corps - Died 13/11/1916 Age Not Recorded

Born: Unknown

From: Unknown

_______________________________________________________________

84694 Private William Guy - Royal Defence Corps (Formerly 200869 1st/6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry) - Died 05/05/1920 Aged 41

Born: 1879 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Mrs M Guy of 35 Staindrop Crescent, Darlington, County Durham, England

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1538415 Leading Aircraftman Edward Charles Freeman - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - 03/03/1946 Aged 24

Born: 1921/1922 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Mr and Mrs G L Freeman, of Darlington, County Durham, England

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463766 Leading Aircraftwomen Patricia Cassidy - Woman's Auxiliary Air Force - Died 27/12/1945 Aged 23

Born: June 1922 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Daughter of Edward Cassidy and Sarah Alice Cassidy (nee Grisewood), of Darlington, County Durham, England

Patricia died while on active service - (Further details not yet known)

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4435329 Gunner James Henry Lamb - 54th Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery (Formerly 1st/5th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry) - Died 09/12/1945 Aged 55

Born: 1890 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Henry and Annie Lamb.  Husband of Annie Lamb, of Darlington, County Durham, England

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22496 Private F Smith - 15th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers - Died 25/08/1915 Age Not Recorded

Born: Unknown

From: Unknown

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201248 Private Edward Henry Pratt - 5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry - Died 15/09/1918 Aged 29

Born: December 1889 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Edward was born during December 1889 in Cockerton, Darlington. In 1908, he married Margaret Louisa Pratt (nee Watson), from Trimdon Grange

Edward joined the Durham Light Infantry on the 25/10/1915 and was sent to France 10/02/1916

In March 1916 he suffered a gunshot wound to his left leg and neck. He was sent home for 3 months and returned to France 15/06/1916. He suffered a further gunshot wound to his right shoulder on 16/09/1916 and was again sent home to recover. He was sent back to France 22/03/1917 and in October 1917 the trench he was in was bombed and he was half buried and suffered from a brain injury and partial paralysis after being struck by heavy trench support timbers. He was returned home in November 1917 and on 21/05/1918 he was discharged from the Army as unfit for further service. He was sent home to his wife, Margaret Louisa and their three children, (Nicholas, Sidney and Marjorie), in Aycliffe Village, Darlington.  However, he was so badly weakened by his time in service that sadly he died from his war wounds on 15/09/1918 in Greenbank Hospital

As he had been discharged before his death, at the time he did not qualify for a Commonwealth War Grave headstone.  He was buried in an unpurchased, unmarked grave.  His grave remained unmarked until it was marked by a wooden cross and plaque placed by his grand-daughter, Margaret Prest (daughter of Marjorie)

This was until the Commonwealth War Graves Commission adopted the grave and added an official headstone. The headstone was finally erected in July 2015, (replacing the wooden cross), and dedicated at a service held on 02/09/2015, almost 100 years after Edward’s death

His name is recorded on the war memorial in St Andrew's Churchyard, Aycliffe Village, close to where his widow is buried

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177771 Sapper James Patrick Baxter - Royal Engineers Training Centre (Newark) - Died 25/04/1917 Aged 29

Born: 1887/1888 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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Soldaat 2 Kl Mil C.S Victor Detry - C.I.A.X. Auvours/7 cie, Belgium Armed Forces - Died 12/03/1918 Aged 32

Born: 28/12/1885

From: Saint-Remy-Geest, Arrondissement de Nivelles, Walloon Brabant, Belgium

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5063 Private J T Regan - Royal Army Medical Corps- Died 03/12/1918 Aged 28

Born: 1889/1890 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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1718/S Stoker R Shaw - Royal Navy Reserve (HMS Conqueror) - Died 17/07/1918 Aged 36

Born: 1882 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Cathleen Shaw, of 6 Palace Yard, Darlington, County Durham, England

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10758 Private George William Frederick Evans - 6th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment - Died 05/11/1915 Aged 26

Born: 1889 (Exact date unknown)

From: Battersea, London Borough of Wandsworth, Greater London, England

Buried next to family members

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2497 Private E Hutchinson - 26th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry - Died 05/02/1916 Aged 37

Born: 1878/1879 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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150574 Flying Officer Denis McKay - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Pilot) - Died 03/02/1945 Aged 21

Born: 1924 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

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17765 Private Wilfred Thomas Warner - 15th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers - Died 27/04/1915 Aged 19

Born: 1895/1896 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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14100 Private Norman Ralph Shaw - 10th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment - Died 19/06/1915 Aged 19

Born: 19/07/1895

From: Caverswall, Staffordshire, England

Norman has both a family and a CWGC headstone a short distance apart

Died while stationed at Darlington, County Durham, England (No further details found yet)

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1272 Private George Creaser - 5th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment - Died 18/10/1914 Aged 22

Born: 1892 (Exact date unknown)

From: Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire, England

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2444 Private F Franklin - 1st/5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry - Died 26/03/1915 Age Not Recorded

Born: Unknown

From: Unknown

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2576387 Signalman Edwin James Walker - 25 Army Tank Brigade, Royal Signals - Died 06/04/1940 Aged 18

Born: 1921 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of William and Grace Hannah Walker, of Darlington, County Durham, England

From Yorkshire Evening Post, Monday 8 April 1940: "18-year-old tank signaller Edwin James Walker, Darlington, was found dead with shotgun wounds to the head in Epping Forest"

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13030813 Private Joseph William Dowson - Pioneer Corps - Died 22/10/1947 Aged 34

Born: 1913 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Joseph and Isabella Dowson; husband of Gwendoline Mary Dowson, of Darlington, County Durham, England

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P/JX18758 Able Seaman Thomas Brown - Royal Navy - Died 06/07/1946 Aged 26

Born: 1919/1920 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Arthur William and Florence Brown; Husband of Greta Brown, of Darlington, County Durham, England

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507797 Flight Sergeant Kenneth Gibson Peers - Royal Air Force - Died 17/03/1944 Age Not Recorded

Born: Unknown

From: Unknown

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13085570 Private Thomas William Anderson - Pioneer Corps - Died 27/04/1943 Age Not Recorded

Born: Unknown

From: Unknown

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1062799 Sergeant Norman Desmond Green - 150 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Air Bomber) - Died 10/10/1942 Aged 21

Born: 1920/1921 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Mary Green, of Darlington, County Durham, England

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171707 Flying Officer George Edward Lumley MiD - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Died 16/09/1944 Aged 32

Born: 1912 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Edward Attila Lumley and Mary Annie Lumley, of Brook Terrace, Darlington; husband of Nellie Lumley, of Billingham-on-Tees

George became a glass blower of scientific instruments. He moved to Billingham and married Nellie Burton, with whom he had two daughters, Patricia and Cynthia. In 1936 he joined the Territorial Army at Darlington as a signalman in the Royal Corps of signals. He left the Territorials in January 1939 to join the Royal Auxiliary Air Force as a Wireless Operator

He first served with 608 Squadron flying out of Thornaby. On 02/02/1940 he and Flying Officer Johnson, Pilot Officer Lambert and Corporal Young were on board an Anson (#N199 UL-M). It crashed in to the sea due to engine failure and sank after 45 minutes. All of the crew were rescued by a minesweeper 6 miles off Blyth

Another Anson he flew in crashed near North Skelton on 19/06/1940. George was injured but the pilot was killed. Flying Office Lumley was later transferred to RAF Silloth.

On 15/09/1944 he was on board a Wellington Bomber taking part in an night time exercise when the plane crashed into the sea. Though the pilot and another crew member survived, George and three other crew members were killed. Their bodies and the survivors were picked up by a fishing trawler

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36163 Private William Hindle - D Company, 11th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry - Died 29/09/1918 Aged 37

Born: 1881 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of George and Hannah Hindle, of 38 North Road, Darlington, County Durham

Husband of Elizabeth Jane Hindle, of 10 Valley Street, Darlington, County Durham

William died of wounds (gas) on 29/09/1918 at Colchester Military Hospital

His brother also died in service 50698 Gunner Frederick Hindle - 97th Battery, 147th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery - Killed in Action on 18/04/1918 Aged 28 

Born: 1889

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Frederick is buried in the Houchin British Cemetery, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.  He is also inscribed on the Hindle family headstone next to Williams CWG headstone, (See Below)

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1894597 Sergeant Alan Dennis Bale - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Air Gunner) - Died 17/04/1944 Aged 19

Born: 1924/1925 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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17314 Private/Flight Cadet Thomas Burt - 69th Division, Army Cyclist Corps (Attached to School of Aeronautics, Royal Air Force) - Died 11/09/1918 Aged 19

Born: 1899 (Exact date unknown)

From: Moulton, Richmondshire District, North Yorkshire, England

Son of William and Emily Burt, of 8 Danesbury Terrace, Darlington, County Durham, England

In civilian life he was a clerk at North East Railways Mileage Department, Darlington, County Durham, England

Flight Cadet in the fledgling Royal Air Force, which was formed in 1918. Thomas was killed in a crash at St Albans while flying.  His aircraft stalled on a turn, sideslipped and nose dived

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1379299 Warrant Officer William Arnold Oates - 524 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Died 10/03/1945 Aged 35

Born: 1909/1910 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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25691 Private W H Tate - 158th Protection Company, Royal Defence Corps - Died 07/10/1916 Age Not Recorded

Born: Unknown

From: Unknown

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38979 Private George Sylvester Walker - 3rd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry - Died 17/09/1916 Age 36

Born: 1879 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Mr and Mrs William Walker, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Florence Jessie Walker, of 18 Livingstone Place, Edinburgh

George married Florence Jessie Armitage, daughter of John Watson Armitage, at St. Cuthbert's, Darlington, on 15/04/1909

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43772 Private Edward Arnaud Vester Smith - 1st Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment - Died 20/02/1919 Aged 20

Born: 1898 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Mrs May Smith, of 22 Kitchener Street, Darlington, County Durham, England

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50692 2nd Corporal John George Ridley - 32nd Division, Signal Company, Royal Engineers - Died 27/02/1915 Aged 20

Born: 08/04/1894

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of George and Jane Ridley, John was christened at Darlington, Co Durham, on 25/04/1894

In the 1911 census John was aged 16.  He was an insurance clerk for the Pearl Life & Assurance Company Limited, living at Darlington with his parents, George Alma Ridley (age 56) and Jane Ridley (52), sister Margaret Ridley (19) and brother Arthur Edward Ridley (7)

John died on 27/02/1915. Probate was granted at Darlington on 01/05/1915 to George Alma Ridley (his father).

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1203032 Leading Aircraftman John William Bainbridge - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (TTOp) - Died 17/03/1944 Age Not Recorded

Born: 19/02/1908

From: Coatham, Redcar, England

He was aircrew of a Martinet aircraft (#EM481), which took off for a Training flight. The aircraft stalled on take-off and hit the ground ¼ mile south of RAF Winfield, Berwickshire

Son of John William Bainbridge and Janet Margaret Bainbridge, and the family lived in Coatham, Redcar. His father was a brick manufacturer and building contractor

Married to Rita Lilian Bainbridge, who lived at 47 Nut Lane, Middlesbrough, at the time of his death

John had a younger brother at Coatham Grammar School, Frederick Lawrence, and two older sisters, Dorothy and Margery. John entered the school in September 1920, aged twelve, joining Pearson's House in Form IIIB

He had previously attended Redcar Zetland School and came to Coatham School as a day boy with a Sir William Turner Scholarship. He left school in July 1924, having in that year played cricket for his house, for which he received his colours. The school magazine of 1925 also notes John as "bringing a banjo and lotos flute to the school orchestra"

The school magazine of June 1944 noted him as "killed in recent air operations" and he is first listed on the School's Roll of Honour in December 1944

The other airmen who also perished due to this crash was:

405843 Warrant Officer Hamilton Alexander Douglas - Royal Australian Air Force (Pilot) - Age Not Recorded - Severely injured and sadly died the following day (18/03/1944) - This airman is not buried within the Borough of Darlington, County Durham, England

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2133725 Sapper Albert Edward Baxter - Royal Engineers - Died 22/01/1941 Aged 30

Born: 1910/1911 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of George and Sarah Baxter, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Ellen Baxter, of Darlington, County Durham, England

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2573318 Signalman Sidney Case - 50th (North) Division Signal Company, Royal Corps of Signals - Died 05/09/1939 Aged 20

Born: 1919 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Albert and Laura Case, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Died in an accident at a quarry at Barmpton, near Darlington, County Durham, with Signalman Joseph Hinnigan and Signalman George William Treslove during a sandbag filling operation. After a first sand-slide had almost buried the three men, a second slide entombed them and two local workmen; the two local workmen were dug out and survived

The other signalmen who also perished in this accident were:

2581135 Signalman Joseph Hinnigan - 50th (North) Division Signal Company, Royal Corps of Signals - Aged 26 - Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham (Find below)

Born: 1913 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of James and Charlotte Hinnigan, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Euphemia Lillian Hinnigan, of Darlington, County Durham, England

2577888 Signalman George William Treslove - 50th (North) Division Signal Company, Royal Corps of Signals - Aged 16/17 - Also buried within Darlington at North Cemetery, (See North Cemetery War Graves web page)

Born: 1922 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of John and Eliza Treslove, of Harrowgate Hill, Darlington, County Durham, England

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2581135 Signalman Joseph Hinnigan - 50th (North) Division Signal Company, Royal Corps of Signals - Died 05/09/1939 Aged 26

Born: 1913 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of James and Charlotte Hinnigan, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Euphemia Lillian Hinnigan, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Died in an accident at a quarry at Barmpton, near Darlington, County Durham, with Signalman Sidney Case and Signalman George William Treslove during a sandbag filling operation. After a first sand-slide had almost buried the three men, a second slide entombed them and two local workmen; the two local workmen were dug out and survived

The other signalmen who also perished in this accident were:

2573318 Signalman Sidney Case - 50th (North) Division Signal Company, Royal Corps of Signals - Aged 20 - Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham (Find above)

Born: 1919 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Albert and Laura Case, of Darlington, County Durham, England

2577888 Signalman George William Treslove - 50th (North) Division Signal Company, Royal Corps of Signals - Aged 16/17 - Also buried within Darlington at North Cemetery, (See North Cemetery War Graves web page)

Born: 1922 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of John and Eliza Treslove, of Harrowgate Hill, Darlington, County Durham, England

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149328 Flying Officer John Eric Shaw - 526 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Navigator) - Died 22/03/1945 Aged 27/28/29

Born: Unknown (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of John William and Mary Ellen Shaw, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Dorothy Shaw, of Newcastle-on-Tyne

Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV (#Z7356), of No.526 Squadron, Royal Air Force, left Digby in Lincolnshire with a crew of three and three passengers bound for Longman airfield on the edge of Inverness

When the aircraft failed to arrive a search began for the missing crew. The following morning three Blenheims and one Oxford from the squadron flew searches from Inverness, with that being repeated on the 24/03/1945 as well. It was at some point after this when the wreckage of the crashed aircraft was discovered high on Braeriach in the Cairngorm Mountains, on the Aberdeenshire/Inverness-shire boundary

The three aircrew and three passengers were recovered from the crash site and were later buried at various locations throughout the country

The other airmen who also perished in this aircraft were:

1375522 Warrant Officer Charles Henry Fletcher - 526 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Pilot) - Aged 27

Born: 1915 (Exact date unknown)

From: Leeds, West Yorkshire, England

Buried at St John the Evangelist Churchyard, Moortown, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England

176940 Flying Officer Stanley Charles Gale - 526 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Wireless Operator) - Aged 28

Born: 1915 (Exact date unknown)

From: Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, England

Buried at Hove Cemetery, Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, England

997051 Corporal John Michie - 526 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Passenger) - Aged 29

Born: 1916 (Exact date unknown)

From: Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Buried at Kemnay Church Cemetery, Kemnay, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

1069192 Leading Aircraftman Adam Veitch Bryce - 526 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Passenger) - Aged 36

Born: 1908/1909 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

Buried at Gordon Cemetery, Gordon, Scottich Borders, Scotland

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83999 Gunner Henry E Smith - Central Anti-Aircraft Group, Royal Garrison Artillery - Died 10/02/1919 Aged 28/29

Born: 1890 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

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F/31363 Aircraftman 1st Class Albert (Bert) Bailey - Royal Navy Air Service (HMS President II) - Died 30/03/1918 Aged 25

Born: 1892 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Albert and Emma Bailey, of 15 Yarm Road, Darlington, County Durham, England

In the 1911 census he was an apprentice motor mechanic

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21809 Private Thomas Edward Laidlaw - 4th Regiment South African Infantry - Died 27/10/1918 Aged 23

Born: 1895 (Exact date unknown)

From: Son of Mr J Laidlaw, of Witbank, Transvaal, South Africa

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R/31743 Serjeant Alfred LLewellyn Evans - Kings Royal Rifle Corps - Died 01/12/1918 Aged 28/29

Born: 1889 (Exact date unknown)

From: Southwark, Greater London, England

Son of Joshua and Mary Evans

Husband of May E Wake (nee Evans), of 7 Four Riggs, Darlington, County Durham, England

Served nine years as bandsman in The Cameronians (Sco. Rif.)

Lived in Darlington.  Born in London

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M2/021539 Private Ritson Finlay - 52nd Motor Transport Company, Army Service Corps - Died 01/12/1915 Aged 26

Born: 1889 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of William and Ruth Finlay, of Darlington, County Durham, England

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1534900 Sergeant Aubrey Denys Meynell - 78 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Flight Engineer) Died 21/12/1943 Aged 21

Born: 1922 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of John and Florence Meynell, of Darlington, County Durham, England

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104005 Serjeant Horace Robinson MSM - 227th Field Company, Royal Engineers - Died 24/02/1919 Age Not Recorded

Born: 1889 (Exact date unknown)

From: Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, England

Married Hilda Peirson in 1915

Horace died on 24/02/1919. Probate was granted on 12/04/1919 to Hilda Robinson

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3264 Private William Chapman - 1st/9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry - Died 13/02/1915 Aged 48/49

Born: 1866 (Exact date unknown)

From: Unknown

Son of Mrs Margaret Fordy

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103915 Captain William Wigham Howe - Royal Army Ordnance Corps (Attached to 1/4th Battalion, The York & Lancaster Regiment) - Died 23/02/1942 Aged 50/51

Born: 1891 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Thomas and Margaret Howe, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Ethel Irene Howe, of Darlington, County Durham, England

William enlisted into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment being promoted to 2nd Lieutenant attached to the York and Lancaster Regiment 29/08/1917, Lieutenant 01/03/1919, Captain 22/09/1919, relinquished 07/11/1919 ceasing to command a Company. William served with the 1/4th Battalion the York & Lancaster Regiment

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754206 Sergeant William Denys Hilton - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - (U/T Pilot) - Died 12/09/1940 Aged 21

Born: 1919 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Arthur Edward and Eva Hilton, of Darlington, County Durham, England

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1605503 Gunner Frank Thompson Mills - 12 Battery, 6 Lt.A.A Regiment, Royal Artillery - Died 11/01/1946 Aged 39

Born: 1907 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

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Steward Albert Edward "Bertie" Gamble - Merchant Navy (M.V Warwick Castle) - Died 01/08/1947 Aged 56

Born: September 1890 (Exact date unknown)

From: Winchester, Hampshire, England

Son of James and Lavinia Gamble, of Winchester

Husband of Florence Gamble of Winchester

M.V WARWICK CASTLE was a British Passenger/Cargo Liner Motor Vessel of 20,107 tons built in 1930 and owned by the Union Castle Line, London

On the 14/11/1942 when on route from Gibraltar for The Clyde in ballast she was torpedoed by German submarine U-413 with 428 persons on board, including 295 crewmembers and 133 servicemen. The ship sank in 85 minutes

The M.V WARWICK CASTLE was being used as a troopship and had just disembarked troops during the North Africa landings and was returning empty as part of Convoy MFK-1X when attacked

A total of 114 lives were lost. (60 crew and 54 service personnel). There were 314 survivors

It seems that, although he survived the sinking, the incident contributed to the death of Albert Edward Gamble at the early age of 56

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202081 Lance Serjeant William Gregson - 546 Battery, 162 (M) H.A.A Regiment, Royal Artillery - Died 23/01/1943 Aged 50

Born: 1892 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of William and Ann Gregson, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Olive Hamilton Gregson, of Darlington, County Durham, England

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13800494 Private Willi Gross - Pioneer Corps - Died 16/05/1942 Aged 38

Born: 1903/1904 (Exact date unknown)

From: Kilburn, Middlesex, England

Son of Caspar and Minna Gross, of Kilburn, Middlesex

Husband of Johanna Gross, of Kilburn. Middlesex

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13800407 Corporal Gerson Mader - Pioneer Corps - Died 04/11/1941 Aged 40

Born: 1901 (Exact date unknown)

From: Ilfracombe, Devon, England

Son of Betty Mader, of Ifracombe, Devon

Husband of Rosa Mader, Father of Rosel, Edith and Max, of Ilfracombe, Devon

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1540744 Corporal Charles Ranson - Royal Air Force Volunteer Force - Died 05/06/1943 Age Not Record

Born: Unknown

From: Unknown

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3024907 Sergeant Thomas Greig Petrie - 25 Squadron, Royal Air Force (Navigator) - Died 16/08/1951 Aged 24

Born: 17/10/1926

From: Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Youngest son of the late Mr and Mrs R Petrie, Laurencekirk

Husband of Maureen Tait, of 7 Clifton Avenue, Darlington, County Durham, England

Killed when his de Havilland DH.113 Vampire NF.Mk 10 aircraft (#WP237) failed to get airborne on take-off from RAF Station West Malling, Kent, England

The aircraft started its take-off run down the runway, but after about 1,500 yards, the engine note was heard to die away. The aircraft continued at almost undiminished speed off the end of the runway on to and over the end of the runway on to and over the overshoot area, leapt over a banked up pile of broken ground and, diving into a potato field broke up and burst into flames. It could not be determined if the engine had failed during the take off run, or if the pilot had throttled back the engine in an attempt to abort the take off

The other airmen who also perished in this aircraft was:

106850 Flight Lieutenant Roy Alexander Keats Winton, 25 Squadron, Royal Air Force (Pilot) Aged 30 - Buried St Michaels Churchyard, Yorktown, Camberley, Surrey, England

Born: 07/10/1920

From: Unknown

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War Graves Within Family Graves

1786012 Gunner Richard Alderson - 81 Lt.A.A. Regiment, Royal Artillery - Died 13/09/1947 Aged 30

Born: 1917 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Giles and Grace Alderson, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Olive Alderson, of Darlington, County Durham, England

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53826 Private Harold Bailey Armstrong - 15th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) - Died 30/08/1918 Aged 19

Born: 1899 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Joseph John and Isabella Armstrong, of 31 Pierremont Crescent, Darlington, County Durham, England

Died in Dover Military Hospital after being gassed in France

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Lieutenant Douglas Ramsden Attwood DSC - Royal Naval Reserve (HM Submarine G.5) - Died 24/11/1918 Aged 26

(Service Number Not Known)

Born: 19/01/1892

From: Ulverston, South Lakeland District, Cumbria, England

Son of Alfred Attwood (a Mechanical Engineer with Rio Tinto - and the Vice Consul at Huelva, Mexico) and his wife Annie Ramsden Attwood - nee Marley)

Douglas was the second youngest of their seven children

He was appointed to the Royal Navy from the Royal Naval Reserve on the day that England declared war on Germany, 04/08/1914, and served virtually the entire length of the First World War as a submariner

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross ‘in recognition of his services on the occasion of the torpedoing of an enemy submarine on the 03 November 1917. His advice and assistance materially helped towards the successful result obtained’. This was the U-boat UC65 which had been responsible for sinking more than 110 allied ships

He died of pneumonia in the 1st North General Hospital, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne on 24/11/1918.

He was buried in Darlington West Cemetery, Durham in Grave No. C.3N.122 on 28th Nov 1918

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Major Bernard George Dawson Biggs - 5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, (serving with the York & Durham Brigade) - Died 01/12/1916 Aged 47/48

(Service Number Not Known)

Born: 1868 (Exact date unknown)

From: Lichfield, Staffordshire, England

Husband of Anne Isabella Biggs, of 1 Flora Avenue, Darlington, County Durham, England

A former mayor of Darlington and also chairman of the public library committee from 1909. His work led to the introduction of the open library system in Crown Street in 1911, allowing the public to access the bookshelves directly rather than requesting books from a librarian

During the First World War Bernard became a Major in the 5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, a territorial battalion serving with the York & Durham Brigade. He was injured in a gas attack while serving in France, leaving him unfit for field service. He returned home to Darlington and continued to work as a military representative for the DLI, remaining highly active in Durham volunteers until his death in 1916 from pneumonia, which was attributed to the damaged caused by being gassed

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Captain George Henry Coates - 2nd/9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry - Died 25/12/1915 Aged 41 

(Service Number Not Known)

Born: 1873 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Thomas Coates, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Ethel Coates, of Cranleigh, Surrey

He was an engineer before the Great War

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10557147 Private Thomas Dent - Royal Army Ordnance Corps - Died 10/03/1946 Aged 33

Born: 1912 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Thomas Raine Dent and Martha Dent, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Florence Olive Dent, of Darlington, County Durham, England

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7377391 Private Cyril Feasby - Royal Army Medical Corps - Died 21/12/1942 Aged 26

Born: 1916 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Walter and Esther Elizabeth Feasby, of Faverdale, Darlington, County Durham, England

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7412 Private John Robert Featham - Durham Light Infantry - Died 08/01/1919 Aged 43

Born: August 1875 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of William Maxwell Featham and Margaret Featham

Husband of Elizabeth Featham, of 60 Aldam Street, North Road, Darlington, County Durham, England

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C/12277 Lance Corporal Harry Greenhalgh - 21st Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps - Died 27/10/1916 Aged 22

Born: 1893/1894 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of William and Eleanor Ann Greenhalgh, of 11 Elmfield Terrace, Darlington, County Durham, England

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100630 Pilot Officer Ernest Raymond Hamer - Photographic Reconnaissance Unit, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 29/10/1941 Aged 20

Born: 1921 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Ernest and Mary Hannah Hamer, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Ernest was flying Spitfire PR.IV (#AA801),  He was killed when his aircraft crashed near Watchfield whilst carrying out a camera test

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97266 Private George Kemp Holmes - Central Workshops Tank Corps - Died 12/11/1919 Aged 21 

Born: 09/09/1898

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of George and Edith Lucy Holmes, of 18 Westbrook Villas, Darlington, County Durham, England

He had attended a preparatory school in Darlington before going to Coatham Grammar School Redcar as a boarder in September 1911, staying until December 1915

His father, George Holmes, was a wholesale confectioner, his mother, Edith Lucy Holmes, 30 years her husband's junior, was alive and a widow when George Kemp lost his life

He had a sister, Margaret Grace, aged ten in 1911, and a brother, Frank Richmond, aged two

On leaving Coatham he took an apprenticeship in a local engineering works, although he was a journeyman jam-maker at the time of his enlistment

Private Holmes was still in the Army at the time of his death, although he died at home in Darlington, County Durham, England, of pneumonia

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38998 Private Jack Stanley "Stan" Hopper - 1/5th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry - Died 19/04/1920 Aged 21

Born: 1898 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Thomas and Annie Hopper, of 45 Branksome Terrace, Darlington, County Durham, England

Died in Newcastle Military Hospital, from wounds received in Palestine

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152097 Major Thomas Martin Edward Johnson - Pioneer Corps - Died 30/09/1944 Aged 54

Born: 05/06/1890

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of James Martin Johnson and Mary Johnson, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Marjorie Johnson, of Darlington, County Durham, England

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269486 Aircraftman 2nd Class William Henry Lofthouse Leeman - Royal Air Force - Died 12/02/1921 Aged 46

Born: 1874 (Exact date unknown)

From: Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, England

Son of Henry Leeman and Emma Leeman, of Stockton-on-Tees

Husband of Elizabeth Jane Leeman, of 22 Berrybank Crescent, Cockerton, Darlington. Born Stockton-on-Tees

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18/107 Private Alix Oliffe Liddle - 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry - Died 16/12/1914 Aged 25

Born: 1889 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of James and Frances Liddle, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Clara Liddle, of Sylvan Grove, Linden Avenue, Darlington, County Durham, England

Alix was born to James Liddle and Frances Middleton [His birth was recorded 1st quarter 1889 as "Liddell Alix Olef"]. His brothers were Sidney, Bertram, William and Arthur. sisters Frances (Gainford), Winifred (Bailey) and Rose (unmarried). He married Clara Mains in April 1914, enlisted in September 1914 and was killed in December 1914.

Killed by a German shell in the Bombardment of Hartlepool on 16th December 1914. He was among the first soldiers to be killed on British soil during the First World War, and was one of the first people killed on British soil (during war time) since the Civil War

His body was returned to Darlington where he had lived with his parents at Hummersknott Lodge, beside West Cemetery, and later in Linden Avenue and where he had recently been married. His horse-drawn funeral cortege was attended by numerous civic dignitaries and he was honoured with a military gun salute

Although the inscription and contemporary newspaper articles describe him as a Corporal, his rank was Private. In his graves registration report form the rank “CORPORAL” has been crossed out and “PRIVATE” substituted

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Corporal John William Davison Lumley - 20th Durham (Darlington) Battalion, Home Guard - Died 22/04/1942 Aged 63

(Service Number Not Known)

Born: 1878 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of William and Margaret Ann Lumley, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Janet McKenzie Lumley, of Darlington, County Durham, England

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4103 Private Roderick Macdonald - 4th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders - Died 13/03/1916 Aged 37

Born: 1879 (Exact date unknown)

From: Torridon, Highland, Scotland

Son of Murdo and Christina Macdonald, of Culdarroch, Alligin, Torridon, Ross-shire, Scotland

Died at Darlington Hospital, Darlington, County Durham, England

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R/41332 Rifleman William Benjamin Magson - 12th Battalion, London Regiment (The Rangers) - Died 18/09/1919 Aged 20

Born: 27/06/1899

From: Bradford, North Yorkshire, England

Son of Charles Albert and Isabella Magson, of 18 Leafield Road, Darlington, County Durham, England. Born Bradford, North Yorkshire, England

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TR5/127360 Private William Morris - 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry - Died 05/12/1918 Aged 30

Born: 17/11/1888

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of George Judge Morris and Harriet Morris, of Darlington, County Durham, England

William was christened at St. Cuthbert's, Darlington, County Durham, England, on 24 Oct 1894

[CWGC has date of death as 5 Dec 1918, inscription on grave say 10 Dec 1918, and probate as 11 Dec 1918!]

William served as Private 4424 in the 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, and as Private TR5/127360 in the 7th Battalion, Training Reserve

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1559341 Sergeant Kenneth Murray - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Navigator) - Died 07/02/1944 Aged 23

Born: 1920 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Thomas Henry and Minnie Murray, of Darlington, County Durham, England

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560353 Flight Sergeant Roy Nelson - Royal Air Force, (Flying Instructor) - Died 18/07/1940 Aged 31

Born: 09/06/1909

From: Hartlepool, County Durham, England

Son of Richard and Daisy Nelson of Campion Street, West Hartlepool

After school he joined the RAF serving with 41 Squadron from 1935-1938. He served in Aden with the unit in 1935-1936 and was promoted to Flight Sergeant in August 1937

He met and married Leta Browne, left the squadron and the couple settled in Trafalgar Terrace, Darlington. Roy worked as an RAF flying instructor. When war broke out he was transferred to the Flying Training School at RAF Montrose. Leta was now pregnant

At 0942 hours on the 18/07/1940, a Heinkel 111 bombed Montrose Aerodrome, diving as low as 500 feet. Roy's student that day was Corporal Stanley Floyd. The plane was taxiing down the runway when Stanley was hit by shrapnel and died instantly. The plane crashed. Roy suffered a fractured skull and died

Leta gave birth to their son Brian Roy Lewis Nelson on the day of Roy's funeral in Darlington, County Durham, England

The other airmen who also perished was:

362380 Corporal Stanley Edward Floyd - Royal Air Force - Aged 33 - Buried at Sleepyhillock Cemetery, Montrose, Angus, Scotland 

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7358051 Serjeant Raymond Porritt - Royal Army Medical Corps - Died 20/01/1943 Aged 32

Born: December 1910 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England 

Son of John Raw Porritt and Catherine Porritt, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Husband of Lavinia Porritt, of Croft-on-Tees

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Captain William Ernest Rogerson - 12th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry- Died 13/11/1914 Aged 42

(Service Number Not Known)

Born: 01/12/1872

From: Croxdale, County Durham, England

Son of John and Sarah Ann Rogerson of Croxdale Hall, County Durham. John Rogerson was a Steel Manufacturer

Educated at Harrow School and Trinity Hall, Cambridge (matriculated 1891; awarded BA 1893)

Captain, 4th Durham Light Infantry (T.F.); Justice of the Peace for Durham

Married in 1898 to Violet Mary Mackesy, daughter of Lieutenant General William Henry Mackesy

Served in the Great War as Captain and Adjutant Durham Light Infantry

Died of heart failure while training at Bullswater Camp, Woking

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11735 Staff Sergeant Leslie Roote - 3rd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry - Died 13/07/1918 Aged 22 

Born: 23/04/1896

From: Bishop Auckland, County Durham, England

Son of John William and Fannie Roote, of 26 Marshall Street, Darlington, County Durham, England. 

Married to Fanny Roote, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Born and christened Leslie Root, the family name changed to Roote between 1901-1911 censuses

A Clerk on Attestation, but was employed as a Travelling Draper for David Kinlock, Kendrew Street, Darlington, County Durham, England

Wounded in France (Somme sector). Died of his wounds at Yarm Road Military Hospital.  Buried 16/07/1918

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T/77287 Driver Herbert Slater - Royal Army Service Corps - Died 01/01/1940 Aged 18

Born: 1921 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of Percy K Slater and Dorothy G Slater, of Darlington, County Durham, England

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1012089 Aircraftman 2nd Class Sidney Tod - 234 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 20/01/1941 Aged 20/21

Born: 1920 (Exact date unknown)

From: Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England

Son of William and Florence Tod, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Birth registered as Sidney Tod (as on headstone & CWGC information); death registered as Sydney Tod

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Not Buried In Darlington, But Remembered on Family Headstones

Private John Thomas Taylor - 1st/5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry - Died 18/05/1915 Aged 25

(Service Number Not Known)

Born: September 1889 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Killed in action at Hooge, West Flanders, Belgium

Hooge is a small village on the Bellewaerde Ridge, about 4 kilometres east of Ypres in the Flemish province of West Flanders in Belgium

John is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium, and remembered on his families headstone within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

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2580148 Lance Corporal Frederick Ripley - Royal Corps of Signals - Died 12/12/1940 Aged 24

Born: 1916 (Exact date unknown)

From: Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England

Resided in: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of William and Margaret Ripley, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Killed in Action at Tobruk

Frederick is buried at El Alamein War Cemetery, Matruh, Egypt, and remembered on his families headstone within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

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3978 Private Sydney Fowler - 1st/5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry - Died 27/10/1916 Aged 19

Born: 1897 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of John and Mary Fowler, of 10 Westbrook Villas, Darlington, County Durham, England

Died in France

Sydney is buried at Wimereux Communal Cemetery, Wimereux, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France, and remembered on his families headstone within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

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Sydney Davis - Died 26/12/1944 Aged 19

(Service Number & Service Details Not Known)

Born: Unknown

From: Unknown

Sydney was lost at sea, and remembered on his families headstone within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England

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Not a "Commonwealth War Graves Commission" or "Ministry of Defence" War Grave (As death before 1914) - However, Grave seen on respectful walk around cemetery, and death was due to military service 

Private Charles Reed - 1st Royal Dragoons Heavy Camel Corps - Died 17/01/1885 Aged 22

(Service Number Not Known)

Born: 1862 (Exact date unknown)

From: Darlington, County Durham, England

Son of William and Martha Reed, of Darlington, County Durham, England

Killed in Action at the Battle of Abu Klea, in the Sudan, which took place between 16 and 18 January 1885

While on its way to relieve General Gordon at Khartoum, the cross-country detachment of the British Desert Column, under the command of Sir Herbert Stewart (1843-1885), was attacked by the Sudanese followers of Mohammed Ahmed, self-proclaimed 'Mahdi' (guide, or redeemer, of Islam). The British square broke and was closed only after desperate hand-to-hand fighting. Stewart's men were victorious, suffering 168 casualties to the Mahdists 1,100. The battle was described by Winston Churchill as 'the most savage and bloody action ever fought in the Sudan by British troops'.

It is likely that Charles was buried at or near the battlefield, and remembered on his families headstone within West Cemetery, Darlington, County Durham, England