Research by Den Budden 2007 – All Anns Hill Cemetery, Gosport, Hampshire, War Graves Records are now shown on this Web Site.
Den gathered his information from Newspaper articles of the time and from War Graves Commissioners records. Also additional information from those who have seen his information.
The pages are in alphabetical order, but where the same incident killed others, they are also included on that page. Some have links to the page with the information on. The number of pages on the old site was 66, this has been reduced to 12, I hope that it is still useable.
If you wish contact Den he is still researching drpbudden@gmail.com
If you have send an email to the old address, please could you send it again as Den Budden no longer has access to that mail box. Thank you
Lance Corporal CHARLES HENRY ALBERT ABBATT, was the son of George and Hilda Abbatt, of Whitworth Road, Gosport, and like his home town, Plymouth, in Devon, was singled out for the attention of the Luftwaffe’s bomber aircraft.
Plymouth is the home to an important Royal Naval base at Devonport as well as the extensive barrack block accommodation for her seamen, and was constantly the target for the enemy bombs. During the months of March and April 1941 the city was to experience the full weight and fury of enemy aircraft. In these two months, the centre of the City was virtually levelled, in fact after the war, the entire city centre was redeveloped the huge fort complex called ‘the Royal Citadel’ and. the equally strong ‘Smeaton’s Tower’ lighthouse were about the only constructions to survive the blitz.
Lance Corporal Abbatt was on duty on the night of Friday 21st March 1941, manning his anti-aircraft battery gun in the Thorn Park area of Plymouth. The gun site received a direct hit from a large calibre bomb, killing or seriously wounding the servicemen manning the site, amongst those killed was Charles Abbatt, who like his comrades in arms, stayed at his post attempting to defend the city against the German raiders.
Lance Corporal Charles Henry Albert Abbatt R.A. was buried at Ann s Hill Cemetery, Gosport on Sunday 23rd March 1941, and is laid to rest in the War Grave Section (See plan on back panes), Row 4, Grave 3, and his final resting place is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Gunner ERNEST WILLIAM HALLETT R.A. 867203 213/57 Regiment, Royal Artillery Age 24 Son of William Thomas and Susannah Harriett Hallett, of Gosport. Died 11.3.41
Gunner HORACE JAMES HOBSON R.A. 871164 215/57 Regiment, Royal Artillery Age 19 Son of George Henry and Kathleen Agnes Hobson, of Cowes. Died 12.3.41
Gunner CHARLES ALFRED VICTOR THORNTON R.A 1445201 215/57 Regiment, Royal Artillery Age 25 Son of Francis Edward and Mary Jane Kate Thornton, of Gosport. Died 11.3.41
The bombing campaign waged by Germany against both civilian and military targets, showed no sign of abating, the Portsmouth area was continually on the receiving end of the air attacks. During a particularly heavy raid on Tuesday 10th March 1941, two bombs scored a direct hit on the heavy gun site of 215 Battery, 57 Regiment situated on Southsea Common. Killing 11 men and putting one of the guns out of action’. Despite the fact that the command post had been hit, two other guns were kept from firing for a mere five minutes a testimony to the courage of the men manning them. The attack had been so ferocious that one gunnery control officer reported that our concrete command post was rocking like a ship at sea”, on the night following the air-raid the gunnery control was took place under the light of a shielded hurricane lamp over a trestle table.
The anti-aircraft battery, manned by 215/57 Heavy Anti Aircraft Company, Territorial Army, was just one of whom, were former pupils of Portsmouth Grammar School, who were encouraged to volunteer, by one of their former teachers.
1428449, Bombardier Albert George Aldred, R.A., aged 26. 867205, Gunner Ernest William Hallett, R.A., aged 24 and 1445201 Charles Alfred Victor Thornton, R.A., aged 25, were all killed in the bombing. A few hours later, 871164, Gunner Horace James Hobson, R.A., died of his wounds in Queen Alexandria Hospital, just a few miles north of the gun site. All of them were Gosport men.
Bombardier Aldred, (Row 2 Grave 11); Gunner Hallett, (Row 2 Grave 9); Gunner Hobson, (Row 2 Grave 10); and Gunner Thornton, (Row 2 Grave 14); were buried in the War Graves Section, (see plan at back of book), on the 15th of March 1941, and are commemorated by CWG headstones.
Air Mechanic RICHARD ALLEN, having just joined the Royal Flying Corps, was not used to being around aeroplanes. He was serving with 56th Squadron based at Fort Grange Aerodrome. On the 18th of May 1916, he assisting one of the Squadron’s pilots Lieutenant A.G. Brooke, who was preparing to make a flight. Richard Allen was standing by the side of the aeroplane waiting to remove the chocks from the wheels.
The officer noticed a piece of rag the air mechanic had been using, instructed Allen to pocket the rag before he started the engine, apparently Allen threw it to the ground, blown by the prop-wash when the officer started the engine, the rag became trapped in the machine’s cross bracing wires, being inexperienced Allen, instead of walking around the tip of the wing, he walked underneath the aeroplane and was struck on the head by the spinning propeller blade, killing him.
At the following inquest, it was stated that this was Richard Allen’s first introduction to an aircraft, and he had been warned of the dangers of being near rotating propellers, sadly Allen had forgot the warning, medical aid was rushed to him, but he was already dead. The inquest recorded a verdict of accidental death.
Air Mechanic RICHARD ALLEN, R.F.C., was buried on the 22nd of May 1916, and is laid to rest, Plot 48 Space 21, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Pilot Officer ALFRED BAILEY, R.A.F. 40976, Pilot Officer, Royal Air Force Age 26 Died 1.8.1940
Pilot Officer, ALFRED BAILEY, Royal Air Force, 26 years of age, was serving with No 22 Squadron based at RAF Gosport, was engaged in flying a Vickers Vildebeeste aircraft on 1st of August 1940, with him were 977714 Aircraftsman Class 2 E.S Budd and a civilian scientist named H. Dawson. The aircraft, K 6408 was part of the Torpedo Development Flight, was scheduled to drop a torpedo on the range off Stokes Bay and then return to the airfield at Gosport less than a mile away. P/O Bailey approached the range, adjusting his altitude for the optimum height of 50 feet above the waves. Observers on Ryde Pier noted that the aircraft’s nose suddenly dipped, whether as a result of the gusty wind is not known but, with no height to recover, the Vildebeeste crashed into the sea.
As with all torpedo drops, the range was policed by various support boats. These boats immediately went to the aid of the sinking aircraft. A/C2 Rudd was rescued from the sea and although badly injured, after hospitalisation he recovered. A/C2 Rudd was the only member the aircraft’s crew to survive. The civilian scientist and Pilot Officer Alfred Bailey were dragged to the seabed with the aircraft, and were not recovered until the 4 days later. The wreckage of the machine was located by divers, and hauled to the surface. The bodies of the two unfortunate men were at last recovered from the mangled when the salvage vessel moored up at Priddys Hard.
P/O Alfred Bailey, R.A.F., was buried on the 7th of August 1939, and is laid to rest in the War Graves Section (see plans on back pages), Row 1 Grave 6, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone. (Mr H. Dawson was buried at his hometown of Bradford, Yorkshire.
Private SIDNEY GEORGE BAILEY 766735, ‘D’ Company, Devonshire Regiment Age 35 Son of Alfred and Clara Bailey, husband of Vera, both of Gosport. Died 31.1.1943
This tragic death is best explained by the newspaper report published in the Hants Telegraph dated 12th February 1943,
Gosport Man Shot Dead A Gosport Soldier and a comrade were killed when a rifle was discharged in the guard—room at a camp in the southwest on Sunday .1st January1943. They were Private Sidney George Bailey (35), of 3 Lee Road, Gosport, and L/Cpl, Evan George Sugden (29), of 39, Church Road, Torquay both of them married. At the inquest held at P1 Plymouth today week a verdict of “Accidental Death” was returned in each case.
It was stated that the tragedy occurred on Saturday night January 30th soon after the men had come off guard duty. Comrades were in the guard—room playing cards. Private Leonard George Hunt told the Coroner that in cleaning his rifle after coming off guard duty let a cartridge enter the breach, and it went off. Pte William Frederick Weymouth stated that he saw Hunt pick up an oily rag and wipe his rifle with it. Two or three seconds later there was the report of a gunshot. Everything was happy and normal in the hut before the accident, and Hunt and two men who were shot were pals.
Private SIDNEY GEORGE BAILEY, was brought back: to Gosport, he was buried with service honours, on Friday 9th February 1943, and is laid to rest Plot 62, Space 53, and his final resting place is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Private FRANK CHARLES BALL 5350134 Private, Pioneer Corps Age 25 Died 30.1.1945
Private FRANK CHARLES BALL. of 25 Dolman Rd, Gosport, was the son of Frank and Anna H. Ball. He passed away on Tuesday 30th January 1945, at Preston Hall Sanatorium, Aylesford, Kent. Cause tuberculosis. He was buried on Monday 5th of February 1945, and is laid to rest, Plot 34, Space 54, and his final resting place, is commemorated by a Family Memorial.
Mrs VIOLET ROSEALEA BARNARD – Miss JEAN BARNARD Miss SHIRLEY BARNARD 155 Grove Road, Gosport. Age 34, 14, 9 Died 3.5.41
Petty Officer LENOX SCOTT, R.N. – Mrs EMILY SCOTT Miss ISOBEL SCOTT 157 Grove Road, Gosport. Age 34,35,8 Died 3.5.41
An air raid on the night of Saturday 3rd of May 1941, totally destroyed the houses of 155 and 157 Grove Road, Gosport. Rescuers worked hard through the early hours of the night in an attempt to find any possible survivors, their endeavours were rewarded when 11 year old Rosemary Barnard was found alive, she was badly injured and was taken to Basingstoke Neurological Hospital. She was the only to be found alive, her mother, VIOLET ROSEALEA BARNARD (34), wife of Alexander, and their children JEAN (14) and SHIRLEY (9) of No.155 Grove Road. And Petty Officer LENOX SCOTT (34) a Sick Bay P.O. service number P/M 36548, his wife EMILY (35) and daughter ISOBEL (8) of No.157 Grove Road, Gosport, were found to have been killed. Lenox Scot, was the son of Gibson Fairweather and Margaret Storrier Scott
A family pet dog was recovered, alas also dead, a caring Air Raid Warden respectfu1ly buried the deceased animal, but it had to be reburied the next night, when an unexploded bomb detonated and the body of the dog was blown out of its grave.
The funeral of all those killed, took place on Friday 9th of May 1941 at Ann’s Hill Cemetery, Gosport. Mrs Violet Rosealea Barnard and her daughters Jean and Shirley, are laid to rest, Plot 165, Space 68, a6d they are commemorated by Civilian War Grave headstone.
Lenox Scott his wife Emily and daughter Isobel are laid to rest in the War brave Section, (See plan on back pages), Row 3, Grave 3, and they are commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Corporal WILLIAM CHARLES BARNES 5506020, Corporal, Hampshire Regiment, 50th Division (Northumberland), XXX Corps Age 20 Died 21.7.44
Corporal WILLIAM CHARLES BARNES, was the son of Henry George and Elizabeth Mary Barnes of Gosport. He was the husband of Irene Vera, also of Gosport. He was wounded during the allied invasion of Normandy. Like so many others, he was given immediate medical attention at one of the Casualty Clearing Stations (tented emergency operating facilities), and then evacuated by air, to Burntwood Emergency Hospital, Lichfield, Staffordshire, where he sadly passed away, as a result of his wounds, on Friday 21st July 1944. He was returned to his hometown of Gosport for interment. Corporal WILLIAM CHARLES BARNES, was laid to rest five days later, Plot 54, Space 70. A CWGs Commission headstone commemorates his final resting-place.
Mr WILLIAM HENRY BARNES Age 44 Died 14.6.1941
Mrs ETHEL COLE – Mr THOMAS PERCY COLE Ages 48 & 46 Died 14.6.1941
Mr ALBERT EDWARD FREELAND Age 38 Died 14.6.1941
Mr WILFRED JACKSON Age 61 Died 14.6.1941
Mr JOSEPH MULLINS Age 56 Died 14.6.1941
Mr JOHN ALBERT POUNDS Age 58 Died 14.6.1941
Mr TOM GEORGE STRIDE Age 62 Died 14.6.1941
Mrs GWENDOLINE FLORENCE WADMORE – Mr IVAN HOWARD WADMORE Age 45, 26 Died 14.6.1941
On the night of Saturday 14th June 1941, another heavy air raid hammered the Gosport area, it continued late into the early morning of the 15th. A force of some 100 plus enemy bombers pressed home their attack and it could be that the target was the Naval barracks at St. Vincent or the Fuel Depot, both of which are in Forton Road. The aim was short and the bombs fell amongst the residential area to the south of their objectives. This caused widespread damage to properties, and numerous civilian casualties.
In Holly Street, off Stoke Road, one bomb struck No. 9. Inside Mr THOMAS PERCY COLE, the son of the late Richard and Elisabeth Jane Cole (48), a skilled labourer, and his wife Mrs ETHEL MAY COLE, the daughter of Arthur Nathaniel and Augusta Caroline Coleborn, of Bridgemary Cottages (46), tried to take shelter, but were caught in the house. The bomb demolished the house, killing Mr Cole. His wife, seriously injured, was rescued from under the ruins of her home. She was taken to the Gosport War Memorial Hospital, where she died shortly after being admitted. Mr ALBERT EDWARD FREELAND (38), in the house opposite the Cole’s (No. 8), a bricklayer, was killed when the blast from the bomb exploding across the road, brought down the roof of his home. This caused the upstairs floor to collapse, crushing him to death.
Along the street at No. 17 Holly Street, Mr TOM GEORGE STRIDE, the son of the late Joseph and Sarah Stride, and the husband of Elsie Stride, (62), a labourer, also lost his life as a result of the bomb blast, which, once again brought down the roof of the house.
Just a few hundred yards from Holly Street, Mr WILFRED JACKSON, the husband of Lillian Gertrude Jackson, of No.7 Haslar Street, Gosport, (61), a stoker employed at Flux’s Laundry, he was on fire piquet duty in the laundry premises in South Street, Gosport. He stood no chance when a high explosive bomb, blew the side out of the premises. A large fire resulted which badly damaged the property, and was not put out until the next morning.
The remainder of the bombs fell on what is now the open land between Kings Road and Whitworth Road. At the time it was allotments. However one of the bombs hit the ‘Whitworth Arms’ public house, (No. 63 Whitworth Road). Inside the landlord Mr IVAN HOWARD WADMORE, (45) and his wife GWENDOLINE FLORENCE, (26), were killed. At the rear of the pub, the end buildings of Lavinia Road, No.’s 10, 8 and 6 were seriously damaged by the blast. Walls came down and roofing fell. Mr JOSEPH MULLINS, (56), Mr WILLIAM BARNES, (44), in No.8, and Mr JOHN ALBERT POUNDS, husband of Florence, at No.6, all three firewatcher’s on duty in Lavinia Road, were all killed. Other properties were damaged in the subsequent fire.
Burials: Mr Mullins and Mr Jackson buried Tuesday 17th June, Plot 27 Space 50, and Plot 53 Space 63 respectively. No memorial marks the final resting-place of Mr Mullins. A Civilian War Grave headstone commemorates Mr Jackson.
The others killed in this air raid, were buried a day later (18th): Mr Barnes Plot 194 Space 40 Mrs Cole Plot 28 Space 74 Mr Percy, Mr Freeland Plot 173 Space 20 Mr Stride Plot 116 Space 48 Mr Wadmore Plot 40 Space 65 Mrs Wadmore All above except Mr Pounds, who is commemorated on a family memorial, have Civilian War Grave headstones.
Corporal ARTHUR REGINALD OWEN BARRELL R.A.F. 864073, Corporal, Aux Royal Air Force, No. 933 Barrage Balloon Squadron. Age 33 Died 12.8.40
Barrage Balloon Site Disaster – H.M.S. St. Vincent Sports Field St. Vincent Sports Ground had a barrage balloon site situated within its boundary, this was Positioned next to the railway lines which ran from Gosport to Fareham and formed part of the Anti-aircraft defences of the town. On the 12th of August 1940 a heavy German air-raid commenced over the area, what happened next, caused the largest number of R.A.F. casualties for a single incident, to occur in Gosport. One of the two who survived then A/C2 A.W. Kemp, recalled at the Remembrance Service held at Ann’s Hill Cemetery on the corresponding date 57 years later:
“The day was fine one with plenty of sun and we were out most of the time, drilling and getting used to our webbing equipment. The powers that be had decided that we were to be trained as much as possible for a line of defence should the German army invade. It was tiring but well worth while as we got used to our rifles and equipment very quickly. Just before midday, we had two corporals who were instructors to help us with our training. They had been with us only a short while when the red alert was sounded, as the sirens blared out. This usually happened well before a raid, but this time it was almost immediately that the guns opened up and we could hear the noise of the planes diving. Our NCO quickly ordered us all to retire to our air raid shelter. After a short while Frank Offord and I decided to go outside and find out what all the noise was about. We went around the back of the shelter into a slit trench, which was about 4 foot deep. The noise was deafening; we saw a parachute come down and then another – it was very exciting to watch at the time because it all seemed so far away. Frank and I spotted the Hun planes coming from the back of the site and one was dive bombing. The next thing I remember was a terrific explosion and we both lost consciousness. We must have been out for quite a while because as I came to Frank was shouting “I’m drowning!” I could see he was up to his waist in soil, his face was covered in blood, his nose was bleeding and he was in great pain. All this of course had also happened to me, and I felt terrible. We managed to struggle out of the trench and Frank said we’d better get to the sick bay as soon as we could. As we stood up ready to go, we looked at the shelter in front of us and all we could see was a great big hole. I said to Frank “We’d better get help quickly as the others may be buried and badly injured”. As we passed the balloon winch we saw it was on fire, and the house opposite had been hit. When we entered the Naval sick bay they had their hands full as there were casualties everywhere, and all they could do for us was to bathe out wounds and tell us that our centre at Titchfield was coming to collect us. We told them about the air raid shelter and they sent someone to investigate. Meanwhile the air raid sirens started again and we were sent to the air raid shelter were we saw civilians from the row of houses on the edge of the site. The mums did their best to comfort us, because they realised there was no hope for the rest of our crew. We were in so much pain; all we wanted was treatment to ease it. Eventually our R.A.F. ambulance turned up and took us to Titchfield where we were given drugs and treatment. When they had made us more comfortable we were sent off on sick leave, after which Frank and I separated and we went to different sites until Frank and I re-mustered to a different trade and went overseas till the end of the war.”
Those that were killed in the air raid were: BARRELL, Arthur Reginald Owen, 864073 Corporal, 933 B.B. Squadron CHILCOTT, Charles Henry, 654152 Leading Aircraftsman, 930 B.B. Squadron CROKER, Sidney Albert Edward, 864272 Corporal, 930 B.B. Squadron GRANT, Albert Edward, 861990 Aircraftsman 1st class, 930 B.B. Squadron HALE Horace William, 954410 Aircraftsman 2nd class, 930 B.B. Squadron HILL, Ronald Fergus, 956396 Aircraftsman 2nd class, all of 930 B.B. Squadron HOLLISTER, Reginald Walter, 511553 Corporal, 912 B.B. Squadron McELREA, Gerald, 548268 Leading Aircraftman, 930 B.B. Squadron REED, Harry, 630523 Aircraftsman 1st class, 930 B.B. Squadron SMITH, Alex James, 743463 Aircraftsman 1st class, 930 B.B. Squadron All except A/C1 A.J. Smith (originally buried there but exhumed and re-interred at his home town) are buried at Ann’s Hill Cemetery, Gosport in the War Graves Section at positions: Cpl Hollister 189 grave 2; LAC Chilcott plot 188 grave 27; LAC McElrea plot188 grave 43; A/C1 Reed plot 188 grave 59; A/C1 Grant plot 188 grave 28; A/C2 Hale plot 188 grave 30; A/C2 Hill plot 188 grave 30; Cpl Barrell plot 189 grave 34; Cpl Croker plot 189 grave 18, all are commemorated by Commonwealth War Grave headstone’s.
Mr Herbert William Gadsby age 64 and Mr Charles James Hastings age 44, two Civilian groundsman working on the sportsground, and who took shelter with the above were also killed, they are also buried at Ann’s Hill Cemetery, plot 19 grave 50 and plot 195 grave 71 respectively, Civilian War Grave headstones commemorate them.
Lieutenant EDGAR BRADLEY BARRETT, R.E. 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Engineers Age 32 Died 11.7.1917
Lieutenant EDGAR BRADLEY BARRETT, Royal Engineers, was the husband of Dorothy, and they lived at Whitesmocks Villas, Durham. He died at Haslar Military Barracks; the cause was natural circumstances. Lieutenant EDGAR BRADLEY BARRETT, was buried on 13th July 1917, and is laid to rest, Plot 19 Space 105, and is commemorated by a Family Memorial.
Lieutenant ROBERT VICTOR BARTLEY, Australian Air Force, attached to the Royal Air Force, was buried on the 9th of July 1918, and is laid to rest, Plot 50 Space 46, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Mr GEORGE STACEY BARTON Bedford in the Chase, Public House, The Hard, Portsmouth. Age 62 Died 22.12.40
Mr GEORGE STACEY BARTON, was the landlord of the ‘Bedford in Chase’ public house on The Hard, Portsmouth. Aged 62, he was in his premises on the night of Sunday 22nd of December 1940, when a sharp and prolonged air raid began. This was one of the heaviest raids of the war. The pub was right next door to the Dockyard, which was no doubt the main target. The raid caused large-scale damage as well as heavy loss of life. The public house sustained a direct hit, and was totally destroyed. Mr Barton’s body was recovered from under the debris.
Mr GEORGE BARTON, was buried on Saturday 28th of December, Plot 117 Space 23, commemorated by a Civilian War Grave headstone.
Lieutenant GEORGE SIMPSON BATEMAN, R.F.C.2nd Lt., 2nd Battalion Canadian Infantry, (Eastern Ontario Regiment), attached to the Royal Flying Corps. Age 22 Son of Joseph and Mary Ann Lisle Bateman, of Springbrook, Ontario. Died 18.5.1916
Lieutenant ARTHUR PENROSE SELWYN, R.F.C. 2nd Lt. 11th King Edward’s Own Lancers (Probyn Horse, Indian Army), attached to the Royal Flying Corps. Age 26 Son of the late Canon E.C. Selwyn D.D., and husband of Eileen Mary, of 3/209, High Street, Kensington, London. Died 18.5.1916
At 11.30am on the morning of Thursday the 18th of May 1916, two officers, Lieutenant’s ARTHUR PENROSE SELWYN and GEORGE SIMPSON BATEMAN, made an ascent in an aeroplane. The flight under the direction of a Lt. Norman B. Paterson, who in evidence at the inquest, stated that ‘both men were very good airman’, Lt. Selwyn was flying the machine, and was the more experienced of the two, Lt. Bateman was in the observers seat.
The aeroplane, although not identified, was stated to be a modern type. It had been examined before the flight, and found to be in good working order. After taking off, the machine climbed to a height of about of between 300 – 400 feet. During a turn to the right, the machine was seen from the ground, to nose-dive and plummet into the ground at Holbrook. At the hearing, Lt. Paterson when questioned, was of the opinion that ‘the pilot had attempted to turn the machine at an insufficient height, and the aeroplane had stalled’. Lt. Bourchier was the first officer to reach the stricken aviators. Both men were taken from the wreckage, and were found to have died of their injuries.
Lt. H.G. Smart, who was airborne at the time, testified that he observed the other aeroplane from a distance of about three-quarters of a mile away. He confirmed that during a turning manoeuvre the left wing dipped, then sank and the machine made a rapid dive into the ground. After the accident, the wreckage of the machine was examined. It was found every control was correctly connected, except for one, which had been broken as a result of the crash. A verdict of accidental death was returned.
Both airmen were buried with service honours, four days later. A CWG headstone commemorates Lt. Bateman, Plot 48 Space 25 and Lt. Selwyn, Plot 52 Space 57, both.