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Sapper ANDREW CAIRNS 272721, Sapper, 51st Pioneer Corps, 51st Division, XXX Corps. Age 23 Died 8.6.1944
Sapper ANDREW CAIRNS, was the son of Andrew Waldie and Helen Pringle Cairns, and was husband of Emily Helen; they lived in Arbroath, Angus, Scotland. Sapper Cairns was killed in action during the allied invasion of Normandy. It is thought he was killed while trying to bridge a tank trap to allow armoured re-enforcement’s, to move up to support the infantry trying move inland from the beachheads. Shrapnel from an exploding shell wounded him, on Thursday 8th June 1944. He was brought back to this Country for burial on Saturday 10th June 1944, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Mr GEORGE THOMAS CAMP Age 35 Died 11.1.194 Gunner ALFRED DAWES R.A . 1476732, ‘C’ Battery, 529th Coast Regiment, Hampshire Detachment, Royal Artillery Age 17 Died 10.1.1941 Mrs MIRRIAM HARRIS Age 36 Died 10.1.1941 Mr ISAAC CHARLES FREEMAN OWEN Age 30 Died10.1.1941 Mrs JANE MARY SHIRLEY Age 79 Died 10.1.1941 Mrs DORIS MURIEL WYNN – Master IAN WYNN Age 30, 30mnth Died 10.1.1941
The night of the 10th/11th of January 1941 was to witness one of the heaviest air raids on the Gosport-Portsmouth area of the entire war. The wailing sirens yet again, forced many to occupy their damp and cold shelters. Many who had endured countless alarms warning of raids, which had not happened, as the aircraft flew over, looking for inland targets! They presumably believed this was yet another occasion. This is most likely the reason, why the number of casualties was so high that night. 171 people were killed, 430 injured and 3000 were left homeless. The raid consisted of over 300 enemy aircraft, and started at around 10:00p.m. The ‘all clear’ signal was not sounded until nearly 4:30a.m. of the early hours next day. All were killed when their homes were bombed out.
Mr GEORGE THOMAS CAMP, (35), of 78 Henry Street, Gosport, was found dead under the ruins of his home. He was buried on Wednesday 15th January 1941, buried Plot 36 Space 95, and is commemorated by a Civilian War Grave headstone.
Gunner, FREDERICK DAWES R.A., was the son of William James and Alice Dawes, of North End, Portsmouth. (17), were killed when their homes were bombed out. Gunner Dawes, was on duty at his post at Fort Blockhouse, manning his gun position, when he was hit by shrapnel, from a nearby exploding bomb, he was killed instantly. Alfred Dawes’ home was in Laburnam Road, Portsmouth, He was buried on Wednesday 15th January 1941, in the War Graves Section (see plan on back pages) Row 2 Grave 6, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Mrs MIRIAM HARRIS (36) and Mrs JANE MARY SHIRLEY (79), (daughter and mother), of 7 Bournemouth Avenue, Gosport, were recovered dead from the debris of their home. They were buried on Wednesday 15th January 1941, Plot 116 Space 60, and are commemorated by a Civilian War Grave headstone.
Two doors down the road at No. 11 Bournemouth Avenue, Mr ISAAC CHARLES FREEMAN OWEN (30), suffered the same fate. He was buried on Saturday 18th January 1941, Plot 54 Space 44, and is commemorated by a Civilian War Grave headstone.
Mrs DORIS MURIEL WYNN (30), and her son IAN just 30 months old, were crushed to death by the rubble of the remains of the house, 9 Bournemouth Avenue, Elson, Gosport. They were buried on Thursday 16th January 1941, Plot 53 Space 77. A Civilian War Grave headstone commemorates both.
Mr WILLIAM HENRY CHARLES CANDY Age 24 Mr FREDERICK GEORGE GILBERT Age 55. Mrs KATHLEEN MAY HUNT – Mr DAVID JAMES HUNT – Masters ALFRED JOHN HUNT and ROY HUNT Age 45, 18, 15, 11 Mrs IVY ELLEN and MAUDE LOUISA PITT Age 41, 65. Mrs VIOLET GLADYS TOPP Age 40 Mr GEORGE JULES – MINNIE ALBERTA VAN-QUACKEBEKE Age 60, 60.
On the night of 5th December 1940, a large-scale air raid occurred causing considerable damage in the Gosport and Portsmouth area. On the site of what is now known as the ‘JET’ Garage, by the side of St. John the Evangelist Church stood a row of shops, and their owners lived on the premises. By the time the ‘all clear’ had sounded, these properties had been reduced to rubble.
In the remains of No.135 Forton Road Mrs KATHLEEN MAY HUNT and her sons DAVID JAMES, ALFRED JOHN and ROY were killed outright, as were the neighbours on either side of them, in No. 133 Forton Road, Mrs IVY ELLEN PITT the wife of Donald, and her mother in law, MAUDE LOUISA PITT and Mr FREDERICK GEORGE GILBERT, and No 137 Forton Road, Mr GEORGE JULES, and his wife MINNIE ALBERTA VAN QUACKEBEKE, who owned the Boot Shop, all of them stood no chance.
During the same raid other fatalities occurred, at No. 3 Railway Cottage’s, Mrs VIOLET GLADYS TOPP and at No.52 Albert Street, which backed onto Railway Cottages, Mr WILLIAM HENRY CHARLES CANDY, known by wife Emily and friend’s as Charles. He worked for the Gas Board, as a coin meter collector. He was killed when his home was badly damaged during the air raid. His wife survived. From the pattern of where the bombs fell, it could be seen that the target was the Railway Station and Goods Yard. Indeed during this raid, the roof of the station was destroyed by fire, and numerous incendiary bombs caused many problems, stories of many acts of personal courage on that night, became local folklore.
Burial details: Tuesday 10th December 1940: Mrs Ivy Ellen and Maude Louisa Pitt, buried Plot 53 Space 69, commemorated by a Family Memorial headstone. Mr William Henry Charles Candy, buried Plot 43 Space 18, commemorated by a Family Memorial headstone. Mr Frederick George Gilbert, buried Plot 165 Space 40 and Mrs Violet Gladys Topp, were buried Plot 28 Space 40, are commemorated by Civilian War Grave headstones.
Wednesday 11th December 1940: Mrs Kathleen May Hunt and her three children, were buried, Plot 54 Space 51, they are commemorated by a Civilian War Grave headstone.
Friday 13th December 1940; Mr George Jules and Minnie Alberta Van-Quackebeke were buried, Plot 52 Space 80, and are commemorated by a Family Memorial headstone.
Sapper FRANCIS SYDNEY CARTER R.E. 14208624, Sapper Royal Engineers Age 24 Died 11.2.1946
Sapper, FRANCIS SYDNEY CARTER, was the son of Albert and Rose Carter. He was the husband of Clara Norah, and they lived at 19 Victoria Street, Gosport. He passed away at Queen Alexandria Hospital, Cosham, on the 11th of February 1946. Sapper Carter was taken prisoner of War, and was held in Italy. When the allied forces invaded Italy, all prisoners of war were moved to Germany. As a direct result of his treatment as a Prisoner of War firstly by the Italians and then the Germans, Francis Sydney Carter, died within 11 months of returning home. He was laid to rest on Friday 15th February 1946, in the War Graves Section Row 3 Grave 9, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Mr JAMES FREDERICK CARTER -Mrs BENJAMINA CARTER Age 29, 21 Died 27.4.1941 SEE – Mrs ELIZABETH BLACKBURN
Lieutenant JOHN WILLIAM PLUSH CARTWRIGHT R.A.F. 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Air Force. Age 23 Died 13.5.1919
Lieutenant John William Plush Cartwright was the son of Kate Ellen Starling (formerly Cartwright) and the late Walter George Cartwright. With war being declared against Germany in 1914 he enlisted, serving with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, during which time he worked his up to sergeant.
Fired by the thought of aviation he applied to join and was accepted by the Royal Flying Corps, after having served as an Observer for some months. Qualifying for his pilot’s wings he continued to fly throughout the war, serving with such distinction as to be mentioned in dispatches. The details as to the cause of the fatal air crash in which he was killed on the 13th of May 1919, are sketchy, his aeroplane crashed at Old Sarum Aerodrome, Ford, Salisbury, he was 23 years of age. The fact that he is buried at Gosport may indicate he was based at RAF Gosport.
Lt. John William Plush Cartwright, R.A.F., is buried at AHC in the old section, plot 115b grave 77, commemorated by a CWG headstone.
BQMS ALFRED HENRY CHAPMAN, R.A. 726646, battery Quarter Master Sergeant, 117th Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. Age 49 Died17.4.1945
Battery Quarter Master Sergeant, ALFRED HENRY CHAPMAN, was the husband of Minnie Margaret (Min) Chapman; they lived at No. 19 Prince Alfred Street, Gosport. He was mentioned in despatches during the 1914-18 War. He passed away in the General Hospital, Ramsgate, Kent, on Tuesday 17th April 1945. The cause was not given. He was buried on Saturday 21st April 1945, Plot 7 Space 56, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Lieutenant Commander WILLIAM ALFRED CHEER, R.N. Lieutenant Commander, Shipwright, R N, H.M.S. Victory. Age 56 Died 3.9.1946
Lieutenant Commander, WILLIAM ALFRED CHEER, Royal Navy, lived at No. 7 Strathmore Road, Gosport. He was based at H.M.S. St. Vincent, Gosport, a shore base training establishment. Very little is known about him. We do know that he passed away on the 3rd of September 1946, at HMS St. Vincent, it appears as a result of a heart attack. Lieutenant Commander WILLIAM ALFRED CHEER, R.N., was buried on the 7th of September 1946, and is laid to rest, Plot 22 Space 54. No memorial marks the site of his final resting-place.
Private GEORGE RUEBEN CHILDS 17590, Private, 15th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. Age 36 Died 15.9.1915
Private GEORGE RUEBEN CHILDS, 15th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment was the son of Mr and Mrs James Childs, and was husband of Mabel Kate Childs, and lived at ‘The Retreat’, Trinity Street, Fareham, Hants. Private Childs was taken ill during the particularly cold autumn, admitted to the South General Hospital, Fawcett Road, Southsea, with a high temperature. His condition worsened, and he contracted pneumonia, from which he failed to recover. He passed away on 15th September 1915, and was laid to rest, Plot 47 Space29 on the 20th September 1915, and is commemorated by a CWH headstone.
Leading Aircraftsman CHARLES HENRY CHILLCOT, R.A.F. 654152 Leading Aircraftsman, No. 930 Barrage Balloon Squadron, Royal Air Force Age 20 Son of Harry Harris Chillcott and Florence Chillcott, of Cheriton Fitzpaine, Devon. SEE – Corporal ARTHUR REGINALD BARRELL RAF
Corporal ERNEST GEORGE CHRISMAS 73177, Corporal, Machine Gun Corps (Inf.). Age 23 Died 16.7.1918
Corporal ERNEST GEORGE CHRISMAS, of the Machine Gun Corps (Inf.), was the oldest son of the late Company Quarter Master Sergeant Ernest Chrismas, who had been killed earlier in the war, and who has served with the Royal Garrison Artillery. Corporal Chrismas died on 16th July 1918, as a result of contracting the ‘Spanish Flu’ epidemic, which raged throughout war torn Europe. Somewhere in the region of a million people died after becoming infected. Corporal ERNEST GEORGE CHRISMAS, was laid to rest, Plot 38 Space 48, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Lieutenant (E) ROGER CHURCHER, R.N. Lieutenant, Royal Navy, HM Auxiliary Ship Sluys. Age 35 Died 19.5.1947
Squadron Leader CECIL CHRISTAIN CLARK, RAF 70130, Squadron Leader, Royal Air Force Age 42 Died 30.11.1939
70130, Squadron Leader CECIL CHRISTAIN CLARK, RAF, was the son of Henry and Katherine Marie Clark. He was the husband of Katherine Haswell Clark, of North Berwick, East Lothian. He was flying a ‘Skua’ aircraft L 2981 of No 2 Anti Aircraft Co-operation Unit based at RAF Gosport. It was late afternoon of Thursday 30th November 1939, the visibility was closing in, Squadron Leader Clark an experienced pilot knew that he would have to return to his airfield, returning from the Fraser AA Range off Eastney, Portsmouth, the visibility became nil. What happened next is unsure, but his aircraft was seen to go out of control and drop from the sky, plunging into the shallow water of the upper reaches of Portsmouth Harbour, at a point off Bedenham Point, known locally as Fareham Creek.
With dusk fast approaching, a boat was dispatched from the shore, in an attempt to rescue the downed aviator. With hardly any visibility and light failing, the searchers could not locate the pilot. The aircraft had plunged deep into the mud of the shallow water. Hope of rescue faded, and was finally abandoned until the following day, when the search was resumed. The aircraft was located late in the afternoon, but unfortunately the body of Squadron Leader Clark was not in the cockpit. Days went by and, as no sign of the body had been found, a memorial service was held in Squadron Leader Clark’s memory. It was not until the 20th of April the next year that Clark’s body was found, probably dislodged by the strong Spring tides, recovered from Portchester Creek, half a mile from where he had crashed.
Squadron Leader CECIL CHRISTAIN CLARK, R.A.F., was buried on the 24th April 1940, and is laid to rest in the War Graves Section Row1 Grave 2, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Lieutenant RONALD ADAM RONALDSON CLARKE, M.C., RFC Lut, 10th Training Squadron, Royal Air Force. Age 24Died 19.10.1918
Lieutenant RONALD ADAM RONALDSON CLARKE, Military Cross, Royal Flying Corps, came from Douglas, Isle of Man, was a member of the 10th Training Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. aged 24, on the 19th 0f October he made an ascent from Grange Aerodrome in a Camel E service no 1507, during the course of which his aeroplane crashed to ground inside the confines of the aerodrome. The cause of which was attributed to a sudden squall of heavy wind, which took the inexperienced pilot by surprise. He was at time some two hundred feet in above the airfield, and had insufficient height in which to recover the trim of the aeroplane. His death was put down to an accident.
Lt. RONALD ADAM RONALDSON CLARKE, M.C., R.F.C., was laid to rest on the 25th of October 1918, and is buried Plot 51 Grave 5, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Private JAMES CLAXTON D/35393, 8th (Home Defence) Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. Age 43 Died 14.4.1940
On Sunday 14th April 1940, Private JAMES CLAXTON was on guard duty, he had been called up to serve under the National Defence Corps (N.D.C.) act, and was serving with the 8th Battalion, Hampshire regiment and they were attached to Royal Air Force Station, Gosport forming the airfield’s ground defences.
At some point during the night, a single shot rang out, and the air base was immediately placed on the alert, and the station sealed off. The subsequent search revealed the body of Private James Claxton, lying dead outside No 2 hangar on the air station. Because of the obvious possible implications of a security breach, the Coroner was immediately informed, and later that day an inquest was held, presided over by Major jot G. H. Warner, Coroner for South Hampshire. The Royal Military Police having investigating the matter presented their evidence at the inquest after due consideration, the Coroner, Major G.H. Warner, announced that Private James Claxton, had shot himself whilst the balance of his mind was disturbed! He returned a verdict of Suicide.
Private JAMES CLAXTON was buried on Thursday 18th April 1940, being laid to rest in the War Graves Section, Row 1 Grave 2, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Mrs ETHEL COLE – Mr THOMAS PERCY COLE Age 40, 46 Died 14.6.1941 – SEE – Mr WILLIAM HENRY BARNES
Lieutenant ALAN COWEN COLEY, R.F.C. Royal Flying Corps Age 19 Died 6.3.1918
2nd Lieutenant, ALAN COWEN COLEY, R.F.C., was 19 years of age. He was born in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire. He was a pilot serving with the School of Co-operation with Coastal Defences. He was killed on Wednesday 6th of March 1918, when the aircraft (a Be2E) he was flying at night, suddenly nose-dived throwing him out of his machine and into the sea, over which he was flying over at the time. Immediately rescue vessels were sent to search for him, but by the time he was recovered from the sea he was found to be unconscious, he was taken to Reed House, at Fort Rowner where he died of his injuries.
Lt. Coley had been patrolling the area, tasked with being airborne so that quick response could be made to intercept any German airship or the later design of enemy aircraft who were making air-raids on south coast targets, indeed one such airship had dropped bombs over the Portsmouth area a few months before, thankfully the bombs landed in the sea, and no damage or casualties resulted.
Lt. Alan Cowen Coley R.F.C., was buried on Monday 11th March 1918, with full service honours, Plot 50 Grave 77, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Private, GEORGE COOMBES 2932, Private, 2nd/6th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. Age 41 Died 26.12.1915
Private, GEORGE COOMBES was taken ill, and admitted to the Military Hospital, at Brockhurst, where he was diagnosed as having contracted tuberculosis of the lung. He had been there for some weeks, when his health failed, and he passed away on 26th December 1915. Private GEORGE COOMBES, was laid to rest in his hometown of Gosport, on 29th December 1915, Plot 132 Space 88, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Mr ERNEST VICTOR COPE – Mr FREDERICK VICTOR COPE Age 40, 17 Died 10.3.1941 – SEE – Mr WILLIAM BURRIDGE
Leading Seaman THOMAS COSSENS, R.N. 190013, Leading Seaman, Royal Navy, HMS President III. Age 38 Died 25.10.1918
Leading Seaman THOMAS COSSENS, Royal Navy, was the husband of Fanny Maria. They lived at No. 2 Jessie Road, Gosport. L/S Cossens was serving on HMS Victory III, a shore base posting in London. He became yet another person taken ill during late 1918. He was admitted to the Royal Naval Hospital at Haslar, where he died on 25th October 1918, as a result of contracting the ‘Spanish Flu’ epidemic, which raged throughout war torn Europe. Somewhere in the region of a million people died after becoming infected. Leading Seaman THOMAS COSSENS, R.N., was laid to rest on the 29th of October 1918, and is buried, Plot 79 Space 33, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Leading Seaman ARTHUR HENRY COTTON, R.N. 215180, Leading Seaman, Royal Navy, HMS Attentive II. Age 24 Died 15.2.1918
Leading Seaman ARTHUR HENRY COTTON, Royal Navy, was the son of William and the late Sarah Cotton, he was the husband of Louisa, and they lived at No. 54 Priory Road, Hardway, Gosport. L/S Cotton, was serving aboard HMS Attentive II. Whilst the vessel was off Dover, Kent, on the 15th February 1918, she was engaged by a German warship. In the resulting action, both ships suffered major damage and casualties. On HMS Attentive II, L/S Cotton, was manning his gun, the turret was hit and the whole of the gun crew, were killed outright. Badly mauled both ships disengaged, and made their way back to the port of Dover. Emergency treatment was given to those wounded, and those killed, were sent back to their hometowns for burial.
Leading Seaman ARTHUR HENRY COTTON, R.N., was laid to rest on 21st February 1918, Plot 38 Space 2, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Sergeant WILLIAM DONALD COTTON, R.A. 1459736, Sergeant Driver, 215 Battery 57th Heavy Anti Aircraft regiment, Royal Artillery. Age 36 Died 29.1.1947
Sergeant WILLIAM DONALD COTTON, Royal Artillery, was the son of Francis Donald and Agnes Annie Cotton. He was also the husband of Doris May Cotton, and they lived at No. 9 Sedgeley Grove, Gosport. He Died on Wednesday 29th January 1947, whilst at home. The cause was not given. Sergeant WILLIAM DONALD COTTON, R.A., was buried on Saturday 1st February 1947, Plot 174 Space 45, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Sergeant Pilot WILLIAM BAKER COURTNEY-COX, R.A.F. 1019155, Sergeant Pilot, Royal Air Force Age 31 Died 4.6.1943
Sergeant Pilot WILLIAM BAKER COURTNEY-COX, R.A.F., was the son of Francis Thomas and Mabel Eileen Cox. He was serving at RAF Gosport, and was the pilot of an Avro Hampden aircraft L 4070, which crashed into trees on the 3rd of June 1943. The aircraft overshot the runway Sgt Courtney-Cox attempted to boost the engine power and climb. The aircraft stalled, and crashed into trees. The crash occurred at 17.36 hrs, and two of the crew were injured. The aircraft was from No 1622 Flight Aerial Torpedo Trials Unit. At the time of the crash the aircraft was non-operational, and therefore carried no explosives. Sgt. Pilot Courtney-Cox died of his injuries in the Royal Naval Hospital at Haslar, the following day.
Sgt. WILLIAM BAKER COURTNEY-COX, R.A.F., was buried on Wednesday 9th June 1943, and is laid to rest in the War Grave Section, Row 4 Grave 7, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Corporal BRUCE SIDNEY HUBERT COWDREY, M.M. 1852666, Corporal, Royal Engineers Age 48 Died 2.6.1940
Corporal BRUCE SIDNEY HUBERT COWDREY, Military Medal, was THE SON OF William and Isabelle Mary Cowdrey, of Gosport. He was part of the British Expeditionary Force, sent to France. Units of the Royal Engineers Regiments, were engaged in re-inforcing the Maginot Line, which formed a major part of the defensive line between France and Germany. A tremendous amount of work was done building supporting roads, and other defensive positions. However the line stopped at the Belgium border. At that time, it was not considered possible for the German Forces to penetrate through the Ardennes Forest region. No armoured vehicles could negotiate that very tough terrain, or so they thought!
This misconception cost the allies heavy casualties, not to mention their foothold on the continent. Pouring through the Ardennes Forest, the German Forces, merely sidestepped the ‘Impregnable’ Maginot Line Fortifications. Sweeping the allies before them. Forcing a fighting retreat, which culminated in the evacuation of Dunkirk and other ports along the Channel coast.
Corporal Cowdrey was badly wounded, whilst awaiting evacuation back to these shores. On arrival he was transported to the Army Military Hospital at Tidworth, Hants. Where sadly he lost his battle to survive the wounds he had received. He passed away on Sunday 2nd June 1940. Brought back to his hometown, of Gosport. Corporal, BRUCE SIDNEY HUBERT COWDREY, R.E., was buried on Thursday 6th June 1940, Plot 78, Space25, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Mr GEORGE WILLIAM CRIPPS Age 30 Died 12.8.1940
Corporal SIDNEY A. EDWARD CROKER, RAF 864272, Corporal, No. 933 Balloon Barrage Squadron, R A F. Age 41 Died 12.8.1940 at St. F. Vincent Sports Ground, Gosport. SEE Corporal ARTHUR REGINALD BARRELL R.A.F.