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WERNER MECKLERBECK Soldier, German Army Born 15.3.1925 Died 9.6.1944 Age 19WERNER MECKLERBECK, was yet another of the servicemen, who lost their lives in the bitter fighting, which took place after the allied landings in Normandy, during the liberation of Europe. Wounded, he was captured by the advancing allied forces, emergency medical aid was promptly given and transfer to a hospital ship to this country. He was also yet another victim of the effects of modern warfare. He died on the voyage here, on Friday 9th June 1944 through ‘war wounds received during war operations, overseas’. That is how all those, buried at Ann’s Hill Cemetery, who lost their lives as a result of the war, have that phrase on their death certificates. WERNER MECKLERBECK, was buried on Monday 12th June 1944, and is laid to rest in the German Plot of the War Graves Section, and is laid to rest, Row 4 Grave 5, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Gunner GERALD MILES, R.A. 1622718, Gunner, H.Q. battalion, 127th Light Anti Aircraft, Regiment, Royal Artillery, 51st Division, XXX Corps. Age unknown Died 12.6.1944
Gunner GERALD MILES, Royal Artillery. Gunner Miles, was one of the Royal Artillery detachment, who were charged with the defence of the man-made artificial harbour or ‘Mulberry Harbour’. This harbour was an essential and crucial part, of the allied invasion of Normandy. Without which, the liberation of Europe could not have taken place. It was through the two harbours, one at St. Laurent, for the American beaches, and the other at Arromanches for the British and Commonwealth forces. Evidence indicates that Gunner Miles was atop one of the ‘Phoenix’ units, huge concrete caissons, which were floated across the English Channel, and when in position off the Normandy beachheads, were allowed to flood with seawater, thus allowing them to settle on the seabed. Many of these caissons provided the inner breakwaters for the artificial harbours. Once settled, they stood some thirty feet out of the water. Mounted on top of the huge concrete structures, were anti aircraft guns. Gunner Miles was manning his gun on Sunday 11th June 1944, when a heavy, and prolonged air raid started. Dive bombers, and fighters, attacked the half-finished harbour. Gunner Miles targeted one of the dive-bombers, firing his heavy calibre machine gun, at the descending aircraft. The fighter was badly damaged, but pressed home its strafing attack. Gunner Miles was badly wounded during the attack, and was immediately transferred to a hospital ship for emergency surgery. Sadly it was to little avail, he passed away the next day (12th), on the voyage home.
Gunner GERALD MILES, R.A., was buried on Saturday 17th June 1944, in the War Graves Section (see plans on back pages), Row 2 Grave 17, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Sapper CHARLES MILLER, R.A. 973, 4th Advanced Park Company, Royal Engineers. Age 42 Died 17.10.1915
Sapper CHARLES MILLER, Royal Engineers, was one of the few ‘Park Company’s’. It appears that they would be dropped off at a site, and would fell trees scrubs etc, clear and level the ground, all ready for buildings or parking places for vehicles. Sapper Miller, appears to have been encamped in the Alverstoke area, and was helping to erect the buildings at what became known as ‘Monkton Hutment’s’ (where Stokes Bay Golf Club now stands). He was taken ill and transferred to the Queen Alexandria Military Hospital, at Cosham. His condition worsened, he was diagnosed with enteric fever (fever of the stomach), and he died on The 17th of October 1915.
Sapper CHARLES MILLER, R.A., was buried on the 20th of October 1916. He is laid to rest, Plot 109 Space 64, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Mrs KATE MILLER 22 Hartington Road, Gosport. Age 65 Died 27.4.1941 SEE – Mrs ELIZABETH ANN BLACKBURN
Lieutenant GEORGE CARLTON MILLS, R.F.C. Age 26 Died 4.11.1917
Lieutenant GEORGE CARLTON MILLS, Royal Flying Corps, was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and was the son of George Charles and Elizabeth Maude Mills. Joining the Canadian Overseas Force at the onset of the First World War. He saw action at the Front, after having made numerous flights as an observer. His potential was spotted, and he was sent for a course of flying instruction, Arriving at Gosport to report to the School of Special Flying, where he underwent the now thorough training the course provided.
2nd Lt. George Carlton Mills, R.F.C., 26 years of age, was killed on afternoon of Sunday 4th November 1917, by the fall of the aeroplane in which he was flying alone. The aeroplane an Avro 504J ‘B’, service no 4251, was a two-seater machine. When at a height of 600 feet, it came into collision with another machine, piloted by Captain Oswald Horsley of the Gordon Highlanders Regiment (attached to the R.F.C.), who was in sole charge. Lt. Mills Avro crashed on the outskirts of the aerodrome. Assistance was promptly sent to the scene, but upon reaching the young officer, he was found to have died. A surgeon who was summoned, and was in attendance within a very short time, stated that Mills had ‘a severe fracture of the skull besides other injuries, which were sufficient to cause his death.’ Captain Horsley testified at the inquiry he saw Lt. Mills machine about 700 yards distant, it was then turning away, soon afterwards he felt his machine struck and was forced downward, his machine turning over. Although it was badly damaged, he recovered control and managed to make a safe descent, and was not hurt. A verdict of accidental death was returned. The Inquiry absolved Captain Horlsey of any responsibility for the collision.
Lieutenant GEORGE CARLTON MILLS, Royal Flying Corps, was buried on Thursday 8th November 1917, and is laid to rest, Plot 28 Grave 65, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Chief Stoker HARRY ALBERT MITCHELL, R.N. PO/282311, Chief Stoker, Royal Navy, HMS Victory. Age 41 Died 24.10.1916
Chief Stoker HARRY ALBERT MITCHELL, Royal Navy, was based at HMS Victory, (barracks in Portsmouth Dockyard). He maintained and kept the coal-fired boilers, which kept the buildings warm. At the time of his death he had been sent up to London. He was badly wounded during one of the Zeppelin airship air raids on the capital. One of the bombs dropped by the airship demolished the building he was in.
Admitted to Wolseley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, he underwent emergency surgery but two days later on the 24th of October 1916 he died. His body was returned to the Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar. Chief Stoker HARRY ALBERT MITCHELL, Royal Navy, was buried on the 31st of October 1916. He is laid to rest, Plot 50 Space 76, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Corporal JOSEPH ARTHUR MITCHELL, R.A.F.333884, Corporal Rigger, Royal Air Force. Age 56 Died 8.12.1942
At the Inquest, the Coroner for South Hampshire, Major G.H. Warner, at the Nicholson Memorial Hall, on Friday 11th December 1942, heard evidence, that: “ a lose tap on a gas fire, accidentally turned on.” Was believed to have caused the death of Corporal JOSEPH ARTHUR MITCHELL, Royal Air Force, age 56. As he lay in his bed at No. 6, Camden Street, Gosport, on Tuesday 8th of December 1942. The theory was advanced, that the bedclothes might have touched the tap, and accidentally turned in on. Mrs Mary Mitchell said her husband, who was a rigger in the Royal Air Force, slept alone in a small room. On December 8th he made a little joke when he left her to go to bed, at 6:30am the following morning, she found him dead.
Mr S.J. Davis, of Portsmouth & Gosport Gas Company, who was watching the proceedings for the company, said there was a space of nine inches between the bed and the gas fire. The room was not ventilated, and the fire should not have been in the room. He understood, it was used for airing purposes. He asserted there were no record that the company had installed the fire. After due consideration, the Coroner, recorded a verdict of ‘accidental death’.
Corporal JOSEPH ARTHUR MITCHELL, R.A.F., who was the son of Percy and Elizabeth Mitchell, was buried in the War Graves Section (see plans on back pages), Row 3 Grave 6. A CWG headstone commemorates his final resting-place.
Sergeant WILLIAM HENRY MOFFATT, R.C.A.F. R150855 Sergeant, Royal Canadian Air Force. Age 23 Died 11.8.1943
Sergeant WILLIAM HENRY MOFFAT, Royal Canadian Air Force, was born Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on the 23rd of July 1920, the son of William John and Mary Olive Moffatt. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force on the 20th of February 1942, after initial training he qualified as an air gunner and was awarded his brevet on the 20th of November 1942 promotion to Sgt. also being earned. Sgt Moffatt arrived in this Country, in November 1942. After a spell with 200 Operational Training Unit, he was posted onto the strength of 1663 Co-operation Unit, before arriving at his first Operational Squadron No. 76 were he spent 6 weeks, then being posted to No. 158 Squadron on the 9th of August 1943.
On the 11th of August, Sgt. Moffatt and his fellow crewmen, took-off from Lissett, Humberside, at 9:40pm. Their mission, to bomb Nuremberg, Germany. The Halifax Mk II aircraft coded NP-J (NR721), nicknamed ‘My Gal Sal’. Having survived the attempts of enemy flak and fighters, to shoot them down, they found themselves in dire trouble on the return journey. The aircraft, with its fuel tanks run dry, sent out a mayday signal, stating that they were a few miles off Selsey Bill, Sussex. One by one the engines starved of fuel cut out, using the last vapours, the pilot attempted to gain height so that the crew could bale out, at 5:10am. Sadly, offshore winds carried six of the crew out to sea. The only member of the crew to survive, was Flying Officer T.C. Walker. Who was rescued by air sea rescue launch. Over the next few weeks, the bodies of three of the crew were washed ashore. Sergeant Moffat’s body being found during the salvage operations to recover the crashed aircraft of P/O Bill Shaver (sic) off Portsmouth. The other members of the crew were F/S W.C. Freeman, Sgt. L.L. Sheenan, Sgt. J.H. Simpson, Sgt. A.W. Kind and Sgt. T. Rockett.
Sergeant WILLIAM HENRY MOFFATT , R.C.A.F. was buried on Friday 20th August 1943, in War Graves Section (see plans on back pages), and is laid to rest, Row 3 Grave 8, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Mrs CHARLOTTE MATILDA MOGG No. 30 the Crossways Age 55 Died 12.8.1940
E.R.A. Apprentice GEOFFREY RICHARD MORETON, R.N. MX/5749, Engine Room Artificer Apprentice, Royal Navy. Age 17 Died 12.8.1940
Mrs AMY UTTING Age 55 Died 12.8.1940
During the second air raid on the area, A heavy and particularly heavy arid, which occurred on Monday 12th August 1940. A large amount of bombs were dropped. A direct hit on an air raid shelter used by personnel manning a barrage balloon site at St. Vincent Sports Ground, Gosport. 10 Royal Air Force, 2 Naval servicemen and two civilians were killed (see Corporal Barrell, R.A.F.), elsewhere;
Mrs CHARLOTTE MATILDA MOGG, the wife of Charles, aged 55, was in her home at No. 30 The Crossways, Forton, Gosport, was killed during the bombing and strafing runs of the dive bombing aircraft. One of the first civilians to be listed as ‘killed by enemy action’. Mrs CHARLOTTE MATILDA MOGG, was buried on Friday 16th August 1940, and is laid to rest Plot 195 Space 66, and is commemorated by a Civilian War Grave headstone.
Engine Room Artificer Apprentice GODFREY RICHARD MORETON, Royal Navy, was the son of Godfrey Stewart and Clara Ruth Moreton of No.31, Heaton Road, Gosport, who was a boy artificer in the Royal Navy, aged 17. He was killed when exploding incendiary bombs, set alight and gutted Portsmouth Harbour railway station. In the attempt to get the blaze under control, and to move two trains by the platforms, Sailors based at Portsmouth Dockyard were drafted in to help. It was whilst engaged in these duties that E.R.A. Moreton was killed. Engine Room Artificer Apprentice GODFREY RICHARD MORETON, RN, was buried on Monday 19th August 1940, he was originally laid to rest in the War Graves Section, but was re-interred in 1941, Plot 47 Space 9, he is commemorated by a Family Memorial headstone.
Mrs AMY UTTING, was at her home No. 131 Queens Road, Gosport. The wife of James, and 55 years of age, she was taking shelter during the heavy raid. It is most probable, that the aircraft that dropped the large calibre bomb on the barrage balloon site was responsible for dropping the bomb, which demolished No. 131 Queens Road, and crushed Mrs Utting. Her body was recovered during the evening; she had been killed instantly in the initial explosion. Mrs AMY UTTING, was buried on Friday 16th August 1940, Plot 195 Space 68, (next to Mrs Mogg), and is commemorated by a Civilian War Grave headstone.
Private NORMAN MONDAY 4345329 Private, East Yorkshire Regiment, 50th Division (Northumberland), XXX Corps. Age 25 Died 8.6.1944
Private NORMAN MONDAY, was the son of Arthur and Edith Monday of Hull. He was yet another of the servicemen who took part in the allied invasion of Normandy on D-Day 5th June. Among the first wave of assault troops, the East Yorkshire Regiment, were tasked with storming the beach and silencing the fortified gun positions covering the beaches. The bitter fighting saw the heaviest and costliest number of casualties suffered by the British. Only the casualty rate the American’s suffered on the ‘Omaha Beach’ were heavier.
Private Monday was cut down by machine gun fire, as he tried to neutralise a bunker containing a machine gun nest, and which was taking heavy toll of his comrades. Badly wounded, he was transferred to a hospital ship, via a Casualty Clearing Station. He survived the surgery to remove two bullets, but infection set in, and as the ship sailed back to this country he lost his fight for life. Private NORMAN MONDAY, was buried on Thursday 15th June 1944, he was laid to rest in the War Graves Section (see plans on back pages), Row1 Grave 19, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Captain BEAUFOI JOHN MONTRESSOR MOORE, M.C., R.F.C. Captain, Royal Flying Corps. Age 31 Died 10th June 1917
Captain BEAUFOI JOHN MONTRESSOR MOORE, Military Cross, Royal Flying Corps, was the son of Beaufoi and Cecilia Moore, and his home address was listed as 4 Pump Court, Temple, London. When war was declared against Germany in 1914, he was in Canada on business. He cut short the visit and returned to this Country to enlist for military service. Through medical reasons, he was not allowed a commission in the Army. He Joined the R.F.C. as an air mechanic class 1. After a short time, his potential was noticed and he was commissioned. As an officer he qualified as a pilot, and saw service in France, where he was to be awarded the Military Cross for his bravery. This he received in February 1917 at Buckingham Palace. He was posted back to Grange Aerodrome, where he became one of the Instructors, rising to command No 1 Training Squadron.
On the 10th of June 1917 Captain Moore nicknamed ‘Granny’ by virtue of the fact that he was the oldest of the instructors at Grange, took off in an Avro 504B ‘B’ service no 1399. In the rear seat, was Captain Heard who was under flying instruction. During the flight, Capt. Moore turned around to give instruction to his pupil, whilst trying to make himself heard, he had not realised that the aeroplane had begun to loose height and was now flying at about 60 feet above the ground. The machine collided with a tall tree on Lee-on-Solent Golf Links. Rescuers rushed from the airfield to the scene and the two occupants were taken from the wreckage, which had fallen to the foot of the tree. A Medical Officer who arrived on the scene just after the accident stated that on its fall, the machine was on fire and smashed, Captain Moore was lying beside it quite dead, but Captain Heard who was lying some distance away was conscious. Captain Moore sustained terrible injuries, and died instantaneously. A verdict of accidental death was returned. Captain BEAUFOI MONTRESSOR MOORE, M.C., R.F.C. was buried on Wednesday 13th June 1917, and is laid to rest, Plot 50 Space 45, and is commemorated by a Family Memorial.
Miss COLLEEN MARGERET AILEEN MOORE Age 10 Died 22.6.1941
Miss COLLEEN MARGERET AILEEN MOORE, was the daughter of Phillip Alexander and Emma Moore. She was just 10 years old. It is believed that her parents evacuated her to the countryside, so that she would be safe from the bombing in this area. Sadly although in the Fernyhurst area near Rownhams, Hampshire, on Sunday 22nd June 1941, a lone aircraft, which had been taking part in an inland bombing mission, fell pray to an attack by a night fighter. In an attempt to escape, the raider jettisoned its bomb-load, and fled. It did not get far; it was shot down west of the Isle of Wight, killing its crew.
Miss, COLLEEN MARGERET MOORE, was buried on Wednesday 25th of June 1941, in the old part of the cemetery (same side as the cemetery office) she is laid to rest, Plot 12a Space 29, next to her grandparents, and is commemorated by a Civilian War Grave headstone.
ER.A. GODFREY RICHARD MORETON, R.N. MX/5749, Engine Room Artificer Apprentice, Royal Navy. Age 17 Died 12.8.1940 SEE – Mrs CHARLOTTE MATILDA MOGG
Mr EUGENE MORRIARTY Labourer, Wimpey Works, Rowner. Age 26 Died 16.8.1940 SEE – CORPORAL GEORGE ATKINSON, R.A.F.
Lieutenant, WALTER SCOTT MORRISON, R.F.C. 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Flying Corps. Age 22 Died 18.3.1917
Lieutenant WALTER SCOTT MORRISON, Royal Flying Corps, was the son of James Smith Morrison and Annie Booth Morrison. Along with Lt. John James Elmslie Gray serving with No. 28 Squadron R.F.C. They took off from Grange aerodrome in the early afternoon of the 18th of March 1917 in a Fe2b, service. No. 4912. He was practising taking off and landing. This continued, until just after 5.00pm. When upon getting airborne and achieving an altitude of some 400 feet, the aeroplane was seen by those on the ground, to make strange movements. It then turned over onto its back, the pilot managed to partly correct this, but then inexplicably, the aircraft nose-dived towards the ground, throwing Lt. Gray out of the machine. The fall broke his spinal column. Killing him instantly. Lt. Morrison, firmly strapped in came down with the plane, which crashed with tremendous force, he was alive when taken from the wreckage of the aeroplane, but sadly died shortly afterwards from a fractured skull. As a pitiful footnote, Lt. Morrison arrived at the aerodrome having just transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on the day he was killed; it is possible the fatal flight could have been one of his first flights.
Lieutenant WALTER SCOTT MORRISON, RFC, was buried on Wednesday 21st March, he is laid to rest, Plot 53 Space 58, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Chief Petty Officer JOHN WILLIAM MORROTT, R.N. P/M 21471, Chief Petty Officer Cook, Royal Navy. Age 52 Died 12.9.1941
Chief Petty Officer Cook JOHN WILLIAM MORROTT, R.N., was the son of John William Browning and his wife Emily Morrott. He had married Ethel Annie, and they were living at No. 22 Allen’s Road, Southsea. He passed away at his home on Friday 12th September 1941, apparently from natural causes. He was buried on Wednesday 17th September 1941, and is laid to rest, Plot 29 Space 56, and his final resting place is commemorated by a Family Memorial headstone.
Mr JOSEPH MULLINS 10 Lavinia Road, Gosport. Engine Driver Age 56 Died 14.6.1941 SEE – Mr WILLIAM HENRY BARNES
Flying Officer JOHN HECTOR VIVIAN NELSON, R.A.F. 126085, Flying Officer, No. 608 Squadron, Royal Air Force Age 26 Died 18.9.1942
Flying Officer JOHN HECTOR VIVIAN NELSON, Royal Air Force, was the son of Thomas Burrows Nelson and Elsie Hazel Nelson, and husband to Betty, his home was at Birkenhead. On joining the Royal Air Force, he was posted to No.3 Air Gunnery School, where on completion of the course he was presented with his air gunner’s brevet. From the course he was posted onto the strength of No.608 Squadron, who were equipped with Lockheed Hudson aircraft. The squadron was based at RAF Thorney Island; they were tasked with Coastal Command duties. Early in September 1942, the Squadron was temporarily based at Gosport, where they were to be fitted with long range fuel tanks, before they were due to move to RAF North Coates. And then on for service in the Middle East.
On the 18th of September 1942, Squadron Leader Freeman took off in one of the Squadron’s Hudson’s, to test the new fuel system in preparation for the move. The only other crewman aboard the aircraft was F/O Nelson aged 26, who occupied the tail gunner’s position. Off the Nab Tower they encountered 3 Focke Wulf enemy fighters and were attacked. Desperately outgunned, Squadron Leader Freeman used all his experience to avoid being shot down into the sea. Badly damaged, the plane barely controllable. Their distress call was received, fighter aircraft were scrambled, but the enemy fighters were long gone. The crippled aircraft was escorted to RAF Tangmere, the nearest airfield. Where Squadron Leader Freeman, although wounded, managed to get the Hudson down in one piece. Emergency services rushed to the aircraft, and as it came to a standstill, the wounded pilot was taken off, F/O Flying Officer Nelson was found dead in rear gunner’s position, which had been badly shot up.
Flying Officer JOHN HECTOR VIVIAN NELSON, R.A.F., was buried on Wednesday 23rd September 1942, in the War Graves Section (see plans on back pages), and is laid to rest, Row 6 Grave 4, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Bugler EDWARD WALTER NOBBS, R.M.L.I. PO/16839, Bugler, Royal Marine Light Infantry. Age 18 Died 19.5.1917
Bugler EDWARD WALTER NOBBS, Royal Marine Light Infantry, had joined the Royal Marines, as a boy bugler, following after his fathers footsteps. He became unwell during the first week of May, and was admitted to the Cottage Hospital of St. Vincent Barracks (Field House, since demolished). He was diagnosed as suffering from influenza, over several days his condition worsened, he developed pneumonia, and with further complications, he passed away on the 19th May 1917. Bugler EDWARD WALTER NOBBS, R.M.L.I., was buried on the 24th May 1917, and is laid to rest, Plot 34, Space 57, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Private CHARLES JOHN NORMAN 5498809 18th Battalion Hampshire Regiment. Age 24 Died 19.1.1945
Private CHARLES JOHN NORMAN, age 24, was the son of Charles and Annie Norman, who lived in Beryton Road, Gosport. He was serving with the 18th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. This regiment had distinguished itself during the allied forces, D-Day Invasion. The winter of 1944/45, was very harsh, snowy and cold from late autumn, the cold gave way to storms and gales, At the turn of the New Year, in a requisitioned holiday camp in Ryedale Woods, near Helmsley, Yorkshire. The 18th Battalion ‘Hampshire’s’, were encamped in wooden huts, this camp was just one of a large number of Holding Unit’s dotted around the Country. The huts were dispersed amongst the trees. This was to hide their existence from the prying and attacks of German aircraft.
On Friday 19th January 1945, at the height of a storm, a tree was blown over by the force of the wind. It fell on the hut in which Private Norman was billeted. It crushed the roof in and demolished the flimsy building like matchwood. Several of the occupants were killed. Including Private Norman. Some of the lucky soldiers, escaped with cuts and bruises. The body of Private CHARLES JOHN NORMAN was returned to Gosport. He was buried on Thursday 25th January 1945, and is laid to rest, Plot 107 Space 90. And a CWG headstone commemorates his final resting-place.
Warrant Officer JAMES HENRY NORTON, R.A.O.C. 7583568, Warrant Officer, (Sub Commander) Royal Army Ordnance Corps. Age 33 Died 13.11.1945
Warrant Officer JAMES HENRY NORTON, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, was the son of James and Julia Norton, who came from Portsmouth. He was also the husband of Phyllis May Norton, and they lived at No.31, Brockhurst Road, Gosport. W/O Norton, died on Tuesday 13th November 1945, at home, due to the treatment he had received whilst being held as a prisoner of war, after being captured by the Japanese. Warrant Officer JAMES HENRY NORTON, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, was laid to rest on Friday 16th November 1945, and is laid to rest, Plot 54 Space 27, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Mr JOHN ODEY Skilled labourer, HM Dockyard, Portsmouth. Age 48 Died 26.8.1941
Mr JOHN ODEY, (48), was a resident of Gosport. His home was at No. 35 Bramber Road. He was a skilled labourer, working in repairing shipping. As a servant of the crown, he had been drafted to Liverpool, which like Portsmouth was on the end of heavy bombing raids. Liverpool Docks, was one of the busiest ports of the Second World War. It handled a very large amount of vessels; all engaged in bringing desperately needed war supplies to this country from Canada and America.
Convoys of varying numbers of ships, in crossing the North Atlantic Ocean, were subjected to U-boat and aerial attack, the number of vessels and lives lost was tragically high. Some of the ships, which made the port, were in urgent need of repairs. Mr Odey was employed in this vital work. He had lodgings at No. 107 Hill Lane, Liverpool. During this raid some twenty ships and vessels were so badly damaged, that there was nothing left except scrap metal. John Odey had been working on one of those vessels, and instantly killed. Mr JOHN ODEY’s body was returned for burial, which took place on Tuesday 2nd of September 1941. He is laid to rest Plot 43, Space 53. No memorial marks the site of his final resting-place.
Corporal ARTHUR GEORGE OSGOOD 299530 Corporal of the Horse, Royal Lifeguards. Age 42 Died 24.12.1942
Corporal of the Horse ARTHUR GEORGE OSGOOD, Royal Lifeguards, was the son of George Daniel and Sarah Ellen Osgood of Gosport. He was married to Kate Laura Osgood, and they lived at No.101, Rothsay Road, Gosport. Corporal Osgood, died on Thursday 24th of December 1942, at home. The cause was not given, but once again, but was attributable to his war service. Corporal ARTHUR GEORGE OSGOOD was buried on Tuesday 29th December 1942. He was laid to rest, Plot 62 Space 45, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Able Seaman ALFRED OVENS, M.N. Able Seaman/Cable Hand, HM Cable Ship, Monarch, Merchant Navy. Age 38 Died 13.6.1944
Able Seaman ALFRED OVENS, merchant Navy, was the son of Thomas and Hilda Ovens. He was married to Alice (nee Simpson) of Edinburgh. He was a crewmember of the cable laying ship Monarch. In peacetime she lay underwater telephone cables for the Post Office, and was owned by the Paymaster General, she had a tonnage of 1,150. At the outbreak of war, the ship was requisitioned by the admiralty and renamed H.M.C.S. Monarch, she was employed in various duties under admiralty control, and was one of some 59 other vessels requisitioned. Many of these vessels were involved in laying ‘PLUTO’ (Pipe Line Under The Ocean). The brilliant method conceived, so that the allied invasion forces could be supplied with enough petrol, to support the advance. This was imperative, and was used until regular port facilities were available. Huge bobbins held the unravelling steel pipes. These were towed behind vessels like the ‘Monarch’, and the huge lengths were welded together, the end product thus ensured the supply of petrol etc.
H.M.C.S. Monarch was off the D-Day beachheads on Tuesday 13th June 1944. She was attacked by enemy forces whilst laying a section of the pipeline, and was badly damaged. Able Seaman Ovens was killed and several others of the crew were badly hurt in the action. Able Seaman ALFRED OVENS, was buried on Wednesday 14th June 1944, and is laid to rest in the War Graves Section, Row 2 Grave 15, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.