West Cemetery, War Graves
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 01/11/2024)
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
There are 248 War Graves within West Cemetery. These are servicemen, and servicewoman, from:
- The United Kingdom
- South Africa
- Belgium
- Australia
- Canada
- Germany
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: Unknown
From: Unknown
2663072 Guardsman George William Wright - Coldstream Guards - Died 01/09/1940 Aged 20
Born: 1920
From: Unknown
1305202 Aircraftman 2nd Class Frederick Gordon - Royal Air Force - Died 10/09/1940 Aged 19
Born: 1921
From: Unknown
1109394 Aircraftman 2nd Class Herbert Sigsworth - Royal Air Force - Died 27/10/1940 Aged 31
Born: Unknown
From: Unknown
2657160 Driver Charles Michael Yates - Royal Corps of Signals - Died 15/11/1940 Aged 23
Born: Unknown
From: Unknown
2569891 Signalman Laidman Augustine Walker - Royal Corps of Signals - Died 01/02/1941 Age Not Recorded
Born: Unknown
From: Unknown
1742452 Gunner George Henry Toole - Royal Artillery - Died 18/02/1941 Aged 31
Born: 1909
From: Unknown
5771388 Private Albert Case - The Royal Norfolk Regiment - Died 15/03/1941 Aged 29
Born: January 1912
From: Unknown
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.
7915240 Trooper Geoffrey Walter Hammond - Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps - Died 22/03/1941 Aged 28
Born: Unknown
From: Unknown
106220 Pilot Officer Cecil Frank Ferris - 78 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Pilot) - Died 14/03/1942 Aged 33
Born: 1908
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, Co Durham
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: Unknown
From: Unknown
R/118066 Sergeant Albert Charles Ash - 427 Lion Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (Pilot) - Died 06/04/1943 Aged 21
Born: 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: Unknown
From: Unknown
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, Co Durham
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
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
985497 Leading Aircraftman 1st Class John Clive Matthews - 938 Balloon Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 07/05/1941 Aged 27
Born: 1915
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
T/84736 Driver John Patrick Bolton - Royal Army Service Corps - Died 13/05/1941 Aged 22
Born: Unknown
From: Unknown
T/87511 Driver Denis Winter - Royal Army Service Corps - Died 28/05/1941 Aged 19
Born: 1923
From: Darlington, County Durham, England
Died: Richmondshire, North Yorkshire, England
1000552 Aircraftman 2nd Class John Booth - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 27/05/1941 Aged 28
Born: Unknown
From: Unknown
2215634 Colour Serjeant Edwin Ruscoe - The Durham Light Infantry - Died 01/06/1941 Age Not Recorded
Born: Unknown
From: Unknown
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.
993639 Aircraftman 1st Class Herbert Leslie Reed - 50 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 19/07/1941 Aged 27
Born: 1914
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
7689517 Lance Corporal John Chaplin - Corps of Military Police - Died 16/08/1941 Aged 30
Born: 1911
From: Unknown
534551 Sergeant Leslie James Whittaker - Royal Air Force - Died 19/05/1942 Aged 35
Born: Unknown
From: Unknown
2113308 Sapper Reginald Mark Fennell - Royal Engineers - Died 29/01/1942 Aged 29
Born: Unknown
From: Unknown
1792632 Gunner Ernest William Kitching - 244 Battery, Royal Artillery - Died 15/08/1941 Aged 19
Born: 1922
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: 1913
From: Unknown
131658 Flying Officer Thomas McLoughlin - 102 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Rear Gunner) - Died 03/04/1943 Aged 29
Born: 1914
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
7261132 Lance Corporal George Stapleton - Royal Army Medical Corps - Died 22/02/1944 Aged 31
Born: Unknown
From: Unknown
4920342 Private Benjamin Rees Owens - 1/6 Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment - Died 29/10/1943 Aged 23
Born: 1920
From: Darlington, County Durham, England
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
408144 Sergeant Rae Groom - Royal Australian Air Force (Second Pilot) - Died 21/05/1942 Aged 26
Born: 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, Co Durham
Flight Sergeant William Neil Reeves - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Observer), Aged 27. Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham
Flight Sergeant Robert Melbourne Boates - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner), Aged 26. Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham
Flight Sergeant Angus Frederick Roberts - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner), Aged 23. Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham
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, Co Durham
Flight Sergeant William Neil Reeves - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Observer), Aged 27. Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham
408144 Sergeant Rae Groom - Royal Australian Air Force (Second Pilot), Aged 26 Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham
Flight Sergeant Angus Frederick Roberts - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner), Aged 23. Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham
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, Co Durham
Flight Sergeant Robert Melbourne Boates - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner), Aged 26. Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham
408144 Sergeant Rae Groom - Royal Australian Air Force (Second Pilot), Aged 26. Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham
Flight Sergeant Angus Frederick Roberts - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner), Aged 23. Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham
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, Co Durham
Flight Sergeant Robert Melbourne Boates - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner), Aged 26. Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham
408144 Sergeant Rae Groom - Royal Australian Air Force (Second Pilot), Aged 26 Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham
Flight Sergeant William Neil Reeves - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Observer), Aged 27. Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham
407833 Sergeant Rambler David Roberts - Royal Australian Air Force - Died 21/05/1942 Aged 21
Born: 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, Co Durham
Flight Sergeant Robert Melbourne Boates - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Gunner), Aged 26. Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham
408144 Sergeant Rae Groom - Royal Australian Air Force (Second Pilot), Aged 26 Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham
Flight Sergeant William Neil Reeves - Royal Canadian Air Force (Air Observer), Aged 27. Also buried within West Cemetery, Darlington, Co Durham
5346909 Private Edward John Goldsmith - 10th Battalion, The Royal Berkshire Regiment - Died 27/05/1942 Aged 28
Born: 1914
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: 1920
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"
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, Co Durham
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
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
995672 Sergeant Robert Gymer Warkcup - 76 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Died 24/06/1942 Aged 21
Born: 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, Co Durham
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
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
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: 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: 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.
Sergeant, Fred Hebron, is buried in Cowpen Cemetery, Blyth, Northumberland
1480217 Corporal John Henry Wright - 132 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 18/02/1943 Aged 22
Born: 1920
From: Darlington, County Durham, England
1147407 Sergeant Robert Desmond Richardson - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Pilot) - Died 10/04/1943 Aged 21
Born: 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: 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
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: Unknown
From: Unknown
Lieutenant Colonel John Ord Cobbold "Jock" Hasted DSO - Durham Light Infantry Training Centre - Died 03/01/1942 Aged 51
Born: 1890
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: 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: 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: Unknown
From: Unknown
Second Officer Walter George L Laxton - Merchant Navy (SS Gothic) - Died 25/02/1940 Aged 33
Born: 1916
From: Glasgow
Panel 3:
69351 Captain James Lyall - Durham Light Infantry - Died 22/06/1940 Aged 23
Born: 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: 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
From: Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, England
Pilot Officer Oscar Pedersen - Royal Air Force - Died 25/10/1942 Aged 22
Born: Unknown
From: Unknown
C/JX 246942 Ordinary Seaman Arthur Henry Potter - Royal Navy - Died 12/09/1947 Aged 26
Born: Unknown
From: Unknown
Panel 4:
142550 Flying Officer Arnold Stockill - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Pilot) - Died 22/12/1944 Aged 31
Born: 1913
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: 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
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
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
W/96854 Private Margaret Ena Robinson - Auxiliary Territorial Service - Died 03/07/1946 Aged 23
Born: July 1923
From: Darlington, Co 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: Unknown
From: Unknown
13020582 Private Harold Francis Calvert - Royal Army Ordnance Corps - Died 16/05/1943 Aged 24
Born: 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, Co Durham (Find below)
Born: 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, 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
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
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
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
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 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
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, Co Durham (Find above)
Born: 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
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
From: Barnsley, Yorkshire
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, Co Durham (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, Co Durham (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, Co Durham (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, Co Durham (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, Co Durham (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, Co Durham (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: 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
From: Wandsworth, Greater London, England
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
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 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
From: Unknown
1394331 Sergeant George Meada JACKSON - Royal Air Force (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Died 20/08/1943 Aged 21-22
Born: 1922
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
From: Skelmersdale, West Lancashire, England
421776 Flight Sergeant David WALTERS -
Born: Unknown
From: Unknown
These five airman are Not buried within the Borough of Darlington
1069906 Gunner Clifford Knights - Royal Artillery - Died 16/09/1943 Aged 39
Born: Unknown
From: Unknown
936879 Leading Aircraftman Arthur Crinkley - 942 Balloon Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 22/10/1943 Aged 31
Born: Unknown
From: Unknown
3518163 Sergeant Walter Latham - 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards - Died 02/09/1943 Aged 39
Born: 1904
From: Kensington, London, England
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
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
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
152080 Flying Officer Frederick Jones - 236 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Navigator) - Died 23/02/1944 Aged 20
Born: 1924
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
Born: 1920
From: East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, Scotland
427955 Flight Sergeant Robert Reginald Skipsey - Royal Australian Air Force - Died 25/04/1944 Aged 20
Born: 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
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 8 aircrew were killed. The other 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
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: 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
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: 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
From: West Derby, Liverpool, Merseyside, England
14686591 Trooper John Berry Dean - Royal Armoured Corps - Died 13/07/1944 Aged 18
Born: Unknown
From: Unknown
4466829 Private George Albert Mawer - 8th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry - Died 26/07/1944 Aged 34
Born: Unknown
From: Unknown
929445 Craftsman William Roger Smith - Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers - Died 06/04/1945 Aged 29
Born: 1915
From: Darlington, County Durham, England
Flying Officer William Gordon Craig (D.F.C) - Royal Australian Air Force - Died 08/04/1945 Aged 23
Born:
From: North Adelaide, Adelaide City, South Australia, Australia
4448127 Private John James Austin - The Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment) - Died 01/05/1945 Aged 32
T/14649050 Driver Harold Scott - Royal Army Service Corps - 18/07/1945 Aged 30
808409 Leading Aircraftman Harry Skipsey - Royal Air Force (Auxiliary Air Force) - Died 21/09/1945 Aged 31
1064237 Corporal George Martin Wilde - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - 10/11/1945 Aged 30
153364 Flight Lieutenant Donald Derek Morrison - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Pilot) - Died 25/01/1946 Aged 22
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
Private Arthur Ridley Temperley - Northumberland Fusiliers - Died 26/08/1914 Aged 26
From: Bromley, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London, England
14030151 Private William Tolley - The Duke of Wellington's Regiment - Died 27/02/1947 Aged 19
2326572 Corporal John Sample Hunter - Royal Corps of Signals - 18/06/1948 Aged 28
Werner Deutschmann - German Armed Forces - Died 13/07/1946 Aged 21
Werner Deutschmann was born in 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
30109064 Private John King - 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment - Died 30/12/2011 Aged 19
Private John King, from Darlington, joined the Army in 2009 and served with B(FAMARS) Company of 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment
He served on Operation Herrick 15 in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand Province, Afghanistan
He was killed in action, by a blast from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), during a firefight with insurgents around the village of Llara Kalay
3053074 Navigator Class IV Donald Hall - Royal Air Force (Navigator) - 17/09/1949 Aged 22
Died in a Wellington Bomber plane crash at Middleton St George Airfield, Darlington
Flying Officer John Henry Alastair MacPherson - Royal Air Forces - Died 17/09/1949 Aged 25
Died in a Wellington Bomber plane crash at Middleton St George Airfield, Darlington
1379811 Navigator Class IV Ronald Arthur "Ron" Munday - Royal Air Force - Died 17/09/1949 Aged 27
3507650 Sergeant Thomas Henry St.John Seabrook - Royal Air Force - Died 30/11/1950 Aged 24
Pilot Officer Gerald Leslie Reeve - Royal Air Force - Died 19/06/1951 Aged 20
Born 23/12/1930
From Weedon Beck, Daventry District, Northamptonshire
Flying Officer M F Rogers - Royal Air Force - 25/09/1951 - Age 22
2686168 Sergeant H D Mincher - Royal Auxiliary Air Force - 09/09/1951 Aged 28
Flight Lieutenant E L Brown DFC - Royal Air Force - Died 20/11/1951 Aged 33
Flying Officer R T Norman - Royal Air Force - Died 24/11/1951 Aged 33
Flight Lieutenant H D Hayward MBE - Royal Air Force - Died 25/02/1952 Age Not Recorded
Flying Officer H Williams - Royal Air Force - Died 24/04/1952 Aged 30
Flight Lieutenant A D Lockyer - Royal Air Force - Died 24/04/1952 Aged 28
Pilot Officer M H Goddard - Royal Air Force - 29/04/1952 Aged 21
Flight Lieutenant A Turner - Royal Air Force - Died 04/05/1953 Aged 24
Pilot Officer M J Turner - Royal Air Force - Died 01/02/1955 Aged 20
Flying Officer K B Bones - Royal Air Forces - Died 04/05/1953 Aged 22
Pilot Officer K C S Dight - Royal Air Force - Died 06/04/1956 Aged 19
Pilot Officer P G Sharman - Royal Air Force - Died 10/04/1956 Aged 24
544190 Sergeant D H Smith - Royal Air Force - 24/01/1959 Aged 41
Flying Officer Eric Dobinson - Royal Air Force - Died 29/03/1990 Aged 29
685256 Junior Technician T T W Lyne - Royal Air Force - Died 24/02/1962 Aged 20
C/JX207180 Telegraphist William Sowerby - Royal Navy (HMS Farndale) - Died 21/01/1945 Aged 25
1563753 Sergeant Tomas Nathaniel Harker - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Air Gunner) - Died 02/05/1943 Aged 21
632151 Aircraftman 2nd Class William Alfred Squires - Royal Air Force - Died 06/02/1940 Aged 19
One of 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 plane was shot down and crash-landed in North Wales
580852 Sergeant Ernest Wigham - Royal Air Force (Observer) - Died 24/05/1940 Aged 23
651827 Aircraftman 1st Class Albert Quincey - Royal Air Force - Died 09/05/1940 Aged 21
40175 Private Arthur Bishop - Royal Dublin Fusiliers - Died 13/10/1919 Aged 29
534639 Private William Baxter - Royal Army Medical Corps - Died 25/09/1919 Aged 52
245006 Private T Holburn - Durham Light Infantry - Died 08/03/1919 Aged 24
4039 Private F Dixon - Durham Light Infantry - Died 09/02/1917 Aged 19
269948 Private E Nicholls - Hertfordshire Regiment - 14/04/1917 Age Not Recorded
4/8327 Private F W Walker - Durham Light Infantry - Died 22/10/1917 Aged 27
267618 Private Thomas Henry North - Hertfordshire Regiment - 21/03/1917 Age Not Recorded
270368 Private Alfred Fenner - Hertfordshire Regiment - 08/02/1917 Aged 18
9953 Private Jack Smith Madge - Hertfordshire Regiment - 30/11/1916 Aged 41
SS/19173 T W Hopperton - Army Service Corps - Died 20/10/1917 Age Not Recorded
Lieutenant Walter Heslop - South Wales Borderers - Died 05/04/1918 Aged 27
3/9329 Lance Sergeant Harry Dutton - Northumberland Fusiliers - Died 08/03/1918 Aged 25
61096 Private L Rogers - Royal Army Medical Corps - Died 03/11/18 Age Not Recorded
25599 Lance Corporal Alfred Lord Brock - Royal Defence Corps - Died 05/02/1917 Age Not Recorded
22/201 Private F Hardy - Durham Light Infantry - Died 29/12/1915 Aged 37
903 Private John Henry Layfield - Royal Army Medical Corps - Died 30/06/1915 Aged 20
22/213 Private Charles Preston - Durham Light Infantry - Died 24/12/1915 Aged 27
6386 Sergeant Charles Thomas Robinson - Royal Air Force - Died 23/10/1941 Aged 43
56680 Lance Corporal Harry Robinson - Machine Gun Corps (INF) - Died 02/05/1918 Aged 21
242795 Private 242795 Private J A Kemp - West Yorkshire Regiment - Died 10/10/1918 Aged 23
SS/119041 Stoker 2nd Class T W Taylor - Royal Navy (HMS Osea) - Died 30/12/1918 Aged 19
115353 Pioneer Patrick McArdle - Royal Engineers - Died 02/02/1916 Aged 38
25698 Private R Wood - Royal Defence Corps - Died 13/11/1916 Age Not Recorded
84694 Private William Guy - Royal Defence Corps - Died 05/05/1920 Aged 41
1538415 Leading Aircraftman Edward Charles Freeman - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - 03/03/1946 Aged 24
463766 Leading Aircraftwomen Patricia Cassidy - Woman's Auxiliary Air Force - Died 27/12/1945 Aged 23
4435329 Gunner James Henry Lamb - Royal Artillery (54th Searchlight Regiment, Lately The Durham Light Infantry) - Died 09/12/1945 Aged 55
22496 Private F Smith - Northumberland Fusiliers - Died 25/08/1915 Age Not Recorded
201248 Private Edward Henry Pratt - Durham Light Infantry - Died 15th September 1918 Aged 29
He joined the Durham Light Infantry on the 25th October 1915 and was sent to France 10th February 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 15th June 1916. He suffered a further gunshot wound to his right shoulder on 16th September 1916 and was again sent home to recover. He was sent back to France 22nd March 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 21st May 1918 he was discharged from the Army as unfit for further service. He was 29 years old. Sadly he died from his war wounds on 15th September 1918
He was buried in an unpurchased, unmarked grave in Darlington West Cemetery until the Commonwealth War Graves Commission adopted the grave and added an official headstone. The headstone was finally erected in July 2015 and dedicated at a service held on 2nd September 2015, almost 100 years after Edward’s death
177771 Sapper James Patrick Baxter - Royal Engineers - Died 25/04/1917 Aged 29
Soldier V Detry - Belgium Armed Forces - Died 12/03/1918 Aged 32
5063 Private J T Regan - Royal Army Medical Corps- Died 03/12/1918 Aged 28
1718/S Stoker R Shaw - Royal Navy (HMS Conqueror) - Died 17/07/1918 Aged 36
2581135 Signalman Joseph Hinnigan - Royal Signals - Died 05/09/1939 Aged 26
10758 Private G W F Evans - Yorkshire Regiment - Died 05/11/1915 Aged 26
2497 Private E Hutchinson - Durham Light Infantry - Died 05/02/1916 Aged 37
150574 Flying Officer Denis McKay - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Pilot) - Died 03/02/1945 Aged 21
17765 Private Wilfred Thomas Warner - Northumberland Fusiliers - Died 27/04/1915 Aged 19
14100 Private N Shaw - North Staffordshire Regiment - Died 19/06/1915 Age Not Recorded
1272 Private George Creaser - Yorkshire Regiment - Died 18/10/1914 Aged 22
2444 Private F Franklin - Durham Light Infantry - Died 26/03/1915 Age Not Recorded
2576387 Signalman Edwin James Walker - Royal Signals - Died 06/04/1940 Aged 18
13030813 Private Joseph William Dowson - Pioneer Corps - Died 22/10/1947 Aged 34
P/JX18758 Able Seaman Thomas Brown - Royal Navy - Died 06/07/1946 Aged 26
507797 Flight Sergeant Kenneth Gibson Peers - Royal Air Force - Died 17/03/1944 Age Not Recorded
13085570 Private Thomas William Anderson - Pioneer Corps - Died 27/04/1943 Age Not Recorded
1062799 Sergeant Norman Desmond Green - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Air Bomber) - Died 10/10/1942 Aged 21
171707 Flying Officer George Edward Lumley MiD - Royal Air Force (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Died 16/09/1944 Aged 32
36163 Private W Hindle - Durham Light Infantry - Died 29/09/1918 Aged 37
1894597 Sergeant Alan Dennis Bale - Royal Air Force (Air Gunner) - Died 17/04/1944 Aged 19
17314 Private/Flight Cadet Thomas Burt - Army Cyclist Corps ATTD Royal Air Force - Died 11/09/1918 Aged 19
Flight Cadet in the fledgling RAF which was formed in 1918. Killed in a crash at St Albans while flying.
Prior to joining the School of Aeronautics he had worked for the North Eastern Railway as a Clerk in the Mileage Department in Darlington
1379299 Warrant Officer William Arnold Oates - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) - Died 10/03/1945 Aged 35
25691 Private W H Tate - Royal Defence Corps - Died 07/10/1916 Age Not Recorded
38979 Private George S Walker - Durham Light Infantry - Died 17/09/1916 Age 36
43772 Private Edward Arnaud Vester Smith - Royal Berkshire Regiment - Died 20/02/1919 Aged 20
50692 2nd Corporal J G Ridley - Royal Engineers - Died 27/02/1915 Age Not Recorded
1203032 Leading Aircraftman John William Bainbridge - Royal Air Force - Died 17/03/1944 Age Not Recorded
2133725 Sapper Albert Edward Baxter - Royal Engineers - Died 22/01/1941 Aged 30
2573318 Signalman Sidney Case - Royal Corps of Signals - Died 05/09/1939 Aged 20
149328 Flying Officer John Eric Shaw - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Navigator) - Died 22/03/1945 Aged 27
83999 Gunner H E Smith - Royal Garrison Artillery - Died 10/02/1919 Age Not Recorded
F/31363 Aircraftman 1st Class A Bailey - Royal Navy Air Service (HMS President II) - Died 30/03/1918 Aged 25
21809 Private T E Laidlaw - 4th Regiment South African Infantry - Died 27/10/1918 Aged 23
R/31743 Sergeant Alfred LLewellyn Evans - Kings Royal Rifle Corps - Died 01/12/1918 Aged 29
M2/021539 Private Ritson Finlay - Army Service Corps - Died 01/12/1915 Aged 26
1534900 Sergeant Aubrey Denys Meynell - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Flight Engineer) Died 21/12/1943 Aged 21
104005 Sergeant H Robinson - Royal Engineers - Died 24/02/1919 Age Not Recorded
3264 Private William Chapman - Durham Light Infantry - Died 13/02/1915 Aged 48
103915 Captain William Wigham Howe - Royal Army Ordnance Corps - Died 23/02/1942 Aged 50
754206 Sergeant Williams Denys Hilton - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - (U/T Pilot) - Died 12/09/1940 Aged 21
1605503 Gunner Frank Thompson Mills - Royal Artillery - Died 11/01/1946 Aged 39
Steward Albert Edward "Bertie" Gamble - Merchant Navy (M.V Warwick Castle) - Died 01/08/1947 Aged 56
202081 Lance Sergeant William Gregson - Royal Artillery - Died 23/01/1943 Aged 50
13800494 Private Willi Gross - Pioneer Corps - Died 16/05/1942 Aged 38
13800407 Corporal Gerson Mader - Pioneer Corps - Died 04/11/1941 Aged 40
1540744 Corporal Charles Ranson - Royal Air Force Volunteer Force - Died 05/06/1943 Age Not Record
Sergeant Thomas Greig Petrie - Royal Air Force Force - Died 16/08/1951 Aged 24
(Service Number Not Known)
Killed in an aircraft accident at RAF Station West Malling, Kent, England
War Graves Within Family Graves
1559341 Sergeant Kenneth Murray - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Navigator) - Died 07/02/1944 Aged 23
11735 Staff Sergeant Leslie Roote - Durham Light Infantry - Died 13/07/1918 Aged 22
Lance Corporal Frederick Ripley - Royal Corps of Signals - Died 12/12/1940 Aged 24
(Service Number Not Known - Buried With Family Members)
Killed in Action at Tobruk
53826 Private Harold Bailey Armstrong - West Yorkshire Regiment - Died 30/08/1918 Aged 19
100630 Pilot Officer Ernest Raymond Hamer - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 29/10/1941 Aged 20
18/107 Corporal Alix Oliffe Liddle - Durham Light Infantry - Died 16/12/1914 Aged 25
Killed 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. 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
Major Bernard George Dawson Biggs - Durham Light Infantry - Died 01/12/1916 Age Not Recorded
(Service Number Not Known - Buried With Family Members)
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 Biggs 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
1786012 Gunner Richard Alderson - Royal Artillery - Died 13/09/1947 Aged 30
Lieutenant Douglas Ramsden Attwood DSC - Royal Naval Reserve (HM Submarine G.5) - Died 24/11/1918 Aged 26
(Service Number Not Known - Buried With Family Members)
Captain George Henry Coates - Durham Light Infantry - Died 25/12/1915 Aged 41
(Service Number Not Known - Buried With Family Members)
10557147 Private Thomas Dent - Royal Army Ordnance Corps - Died 10/03/1946 Aged 33
7377391 Private Cyril Feasby - Royal Army Medical Corps - Died 21/12/1942 Aged 26
7412 Private John Robert Featham - Durham Light Infantry - Died 08/01/1919 Aged 43
C/12277 Lance Corporal Harry Greenhalgh - Kings Royal Rifle Corps - Died 27/10/1916 Aged 22
97266 Private George Kemp Holmes - Tank Corps - Died 12/11/1919 Aged 21
38998 Private Jack Stanley "Stan" Hopper - Somerset Light Infantry - Died 19/04/1920 Aged 21
152097 Major Thomas Martin Edward Johnson - Pioneer Corps - Died 30/09/1944 Aged 54
269486 Aircraftman 2nd Class William Henry Lofthouse Leeman - Royal Air Force - Died 12/02/1921 Aged 46
Corporal John William Davison Lumley - Home Guard (20th Durham "Darlington" Bn) - Died 22/04/1942 Aged 63
(Service Number Not Known - Buried With Family Members)
4103 Private Roderick Macdonald - Seaforth Highlanders - Died 13/03/1916 Aged 37
R/41332 Rifleman William Benjamin Magson - London Regiment (The Rangers) - Died 18/09/1919 Aged 20
TR5/127360 Private William Morris - Durham Light Infantry - Died 05/12/1918 Aged 30
560353 Flight Sergeant Roy Nelson - Royal Air Force- Died 18/07/1940 Aged 31
7358051 Sergeant Raymond Porritt - Royal Army Medical Corps - Died 20/01/1943 Aged 32
Captain William Ernest Rogerson - Durham Light Infantry- Died 13/11/1914 Aged 42
(Service Number Not Known - Buried With Family Members)
11735 Staff Sergeant Leslie Roote - Durham Light Infantry - Died 13/07/1918 Aged 22
T/77287 Driver Herbert Slater - Royal Army Service Corps - Died 01/01/1940 Aged 18
1012089 Aircraftman 2nd Class Sidney Tod - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - Died 20/01/1941 Age Not Recorded
Private John Thomas Taylor - Durham Light Infantry - Died 11/05/1915 Aged 25
(Service Number Not Known - Buried With Family Members)
Killed in action at Hooge, 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
Private Sydney Fowler - 5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry - Died 27/10/1916 Aged 19
(Service Number Not Known - Buried With Family Members)
Died in France
Sydney Davis - Died 26/12/1944 Aged 19
(Service Number & Service Details Not Known - Buried With Family Members)
Lost at sea
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 - Buried With Family Members)
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'.
