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
Private JOHN HENRY DARE Royal Warwickshire Regiment attached to RAF Station, Gosport. Age 18 Died 16.7.1942
The Hampshire Telegraph dated 24th July 1942 on page 19 carried this report: This unfortunate accident is a very good example of the danger of mixing live and dummy ammunition.” said the Coroner in recording a verdict of “Accidental death” at an Inquest held at the an air station in the Southern Command an Monday, on Private John Henry Dare, who was killed on Thursday 16th of July 1942, aged 18, his home address was given as 208 Phillips Street, Aston, Birmingham, Warwickshire, was shot in the right cheek whilst he and other men of his unit were being instructed in the use of a light machine gun. Sgt. Jack Canavan said be could not get the correct number at dummy rounds, so he used one live round. He told the men who were seated on the ground, that a live round was being used, and that they must not walk in front of the gun. After a magazine filling demonstration, he showed how to unload the magazine by releasing the tension at the spring in action; he turned to speak to one at the men when the gun went off.
FIRING PIN NOT REMOVED He had forgotten for a moment about the live round. He did not take the firing pin out. All the men were trained soldiers and had been taught that they must never walk in front of a gun. Captain L.T. Valentine said he questioned the squad, none of whom saw Dare walk in front of the gun. Live ammunition was used in training, due to lack of dummy rounds and also to accustom the men to handling live ammunition. Strict orders had been given that live and dummy ammunition must not be mixed.
Private JOHN HENRY DARE, was the son of John Henry and Gertrude Anne May Dare, of Aston, Birmingham. He was buried with full military honour’s, on Wednesday 22nd July 1942, and is laid to rest in the War Graves Section (see plan on back pages), Row 4 Space 4, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Mr JOHN EDWARD DARRINGTON 7 Bedford Street, Gosport. Age 29 Died 16.8.40 – SEE – MR GEORGE WILLIAM CRIPPS
Battery Sergeant Major THOMAS JOHN DAVIES, R.A. 1068997, Battery Sergeant Major, No. 10 Battery, 4th Light Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery Age 38 Died 28.7.1945
Battery Sergeant Major THOMAS JOHN DAVIES, Royal Artillery, was the son of William and Margaret Jane Davies. He was also the husband of Doreen Elizabeth Davies, and they lived at No. 13 Oval Gardens, Gosport. He passed away on Friday 28th of September 1945, at the Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton. Cause not given in cemetery records. Battery Sergeant Major THOMAS JOHN DAVIES, R.A., was buried on the 1st of October, 1945, he is laid to rest in the War Graves Section (see plan on back pages), Row 3 Grave 4, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Seaman HARRY EDWARD DAVIS, M.N. Seaman Cook, Merchant Navy Age 61 Died 25.4.1942
Seaman HARRY EDWARD DAVIS (61), of the Steamship ‘Athlone Castle’, Merchant Navy. He came from No. 22 Henry Street, Gosport, died on Saturday 25th April 1942, at the Royal Infirmary Hospital, Liverpool, cause not given. Returned to his hometown, Seaman HARRY EDWARD DAVIS, M.M., was buried on Wednesday 30th April 1942 in the War Graves Section (see plan on back pages), Row 3 Grave 4, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Gunner ALFRED FREDERICK DAWES, R.A.1476732, 529th Hants Regiment, Royal Artillery Age 17 Died 10.1.1941 SEE – Mr GEORGE THOMAS CAMP
Mrs ETHEL LYDIA KATHLEEN DAWES – Miss ELIZABETH ALICE SLYVIA DAWES – Miss KATHLEEN EDITH JEAN DAWES Age 35, 6, and 5. Of No. 6 Windsor Road Died 10.3.1941 SEE – Mr WILLIAM BURRIDGE
Sapper DENNIS ROBERT DEWELL, R.E. 1875445, Sapper, 79th Assault Squadron, Royal Engineers. Age 25 Died 2.6.1944
Sapper DENNIS ROBERT DEWELL, Royal Engineers, was the son of Walter James and Eleanor Kate Dewell, of Deal, Kent. He had been awaiting the mobilisation of allied forces for the Invasion of Normandy. The troops were all briefed as to their objectives and targets, and had been placed under guard in one of the many sealed camps, which were located around the Gosport area. On the 2nd June 1944, he and his assault unit, were embarking their armoured vehicles onto L.C.T.’s (Landing Craft – Tank) on the foreshore at Stokes Bay, Gosport. The weather was not the best for that time of the year; a sea swell was kicking up moderate surf waves onto the shore. This made the loading of the heavy, armoured vehicles, a very difficult and dangerous job. When it came to Sapper Dewell’s armoured vehicle to be embarked, a particularly high wash caused the vehicle to slide across the landing craft, pinning Sapper Dewell to the side of the craft. He was taken to the closest medical facility, which was at Fort Gomer. The Allies, of Europe had fit out the fort for emergency medical treatment, in preparation for the D-Day Invasion. Sapper Dewell was at first thought to be have suffered only slight and minor injuries, but unknown to those around him, he had serious internal bleeding. When it was suspected that this was the case, it was too late; he died before an ambulance could take him to hospital. As far as I am aware, it may well be that he was the first fatality of the D-Day landings.
Sapper DENNIS ROBERT DEWELL, R.E., was buried on the morning of the landings took place in Normandy, (6th June 1944), and is laid to rest in the War Graves Section (see plan on back pages), Row 3 Grave 10, he is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Oberfeldwebel THEODOR DICKEL, German Air Force Age 23 Died 12.8.1940
Oberfelwebel THEODOR DICKEL, German Air Force, was born on 17th May 1917, serving with 3/KG51 unit of the German Luftwaffe. Portsmouth Dockyard and the other military targets of Gosport were to the area destined for an attack by Dickel’s Unit on the 12th of August 1940. The Junker’s Ju 88A-1, coded 9K+CL aircraft of Theodor Dickel made its bombing approach over the Solent, a heavy anti-aircraft flak was put up. The aircraft was hit and so badly damaged that it began to lose height. It soon became obvious that the plane could not make it back to base. Over Fareham the crew, were ordered to bale out, the raider had turned vainly towards the Isle of Wight, loosing one engine, the aircraft entered a steeper dive. The crew having abandoned the aircraft, it flew on still descending, finally crashing near Godstone on the Isle of Wight, were it caught fire and was completely destroyed. Of the crewmember’s, only one survived, Gefr Flieschmann. Who was taken prisoner, the others, Oberfw Hannsmann, Gefr Czepik and Oberfw Dickel were all killed.
Oberfeldwebel THEODOR DICKEL, was buried on Thursday 15th August 1940, and is laid to rest in the War Graves Section, Row 7 Grave 3, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
GEORG DIFFLIP Soldier, German No. 201 B.L.A. Born 3.8.1924 Died 11.6.1944 Age 19
GEORG DIFFLIP, died on Sunday 11th June 1944, at the Royal naval Hospital, Haslar, Gosport, of war wounds received in the Normandy, France, on war operations. GEORG DIFFLIP, was buried on Thursday 15th June 1944, in the War Graves Section(German Section), Row 4 Grave 6, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Gunner DAVID LANCELOT CHARLES DINE, R.A. 2055399, Gunner, 395th Battery, 49th Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery (6th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment.) Age 34 Died 9.4.1945
Gunner DAVID LANCELOT CHARLES DINE, Royal Artillery, was the son of David and Daisy Eleanor Dine, and was the husband of Laura Elsie Dine, who came from Ipswich, Suffolk. He lived at No.49 Village Road, Alverstoke. Gunner Dine, passed away at the War Memorial Hospital, Gosport, on Monday 9th April 1945, cause was not given. Gunner, DAVID LANCELOT CHARLES DINE, Royal Artillery, was buried on the 12th April 1945, and he is laid to rest, Plot 17 Space 49, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Ordnance Artificer Apprentice ARTHUR PETER DISCOMBE, R.N.D/MX 54040, Ordnance Artificer Seaman 5th Class, R.N., HMS Drake – H.M.D. Devonport Age 19 Died 22.4.41
Ordnance Artificer Apprentice ARTHUR HENRY PETER DISCOMBE Royal Navy, was the son of Archie James and Lucy Winifred Discombe, who came from Portsmouth. He was killed in a large-scale air raid on Devonport Dockyard! on the night of Tuesday, 22nd of April 1941. During this enemy raid the resulting casualties were heavy, many being killed, the Barracks area of the Dockyard was badly damaged. Artificer Discombe was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs Discombe, he was formerly a pupil at Gosport Central School, and sang in St Faith’s choir. He joined the Roya1 Navy as an apprentice in 1937 and was rated as Artificer in January of this year.
Ordnance Artificer Apprentice ARTHUR HENRY PETER DISCOMBE, R.N., was buried on Wednesday 30th of April 1941, the funeral service was conducted at St Faith’s Church by the Rev. H. Farmer. The chief mourners were; Mr and Mrs Discombe (parents), Mr A. Wright (uncle), Mrs Heath, Mrs Pitcher and Mrs Harfield (aunts) Mrs J. Discombe (sister in law), and Miss Peggy Bennett (fiancée). Floral tributes included tokens from Mum and Dad, Jack and Ruby, Grannie. Aunt Phil, Uncle Owen and Anne and Aunt Hett and family, Aunt Mar and family, Aunt’s Maude and Elsie, Uncle Arthur and Nancy, his Sweetheart Peggy. The Ordnance Staff at Devonport. Fellow classmate’s at Devonport, and Portsmouth. Mr & Mrs Bennett, George and Pearl, Mr and Mrs Bradley, and Mrs Haskell. Mr and Mrs Passmoor, Mr and Mrs Coles and Jack. Mrs Bamber and family. Annie, Fred and Harold. Mrs Pink and family. Mrs Pitcher and Phyl. Carrie, Bill and Milly. Mrs Morley and family.
Ordnance Artificer Apprentice ARTHUR HENRY PETER DISCOMBE, R.N., laid to rest, Plot 61 Space 52, and his final resting place is commemorated by a Family Memorial.
Sergeant MALCOLM DOBBIE, R.A.F. 1292325, Sergeant Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, Royal Air Force. Age 20 Died 16.8.1943
Flight Sergent, WILBER JOSEPH SHAVER, R.C.A.F. 137419, Flight Sergeant, Pilot, Royal Canadian Air Force. Age 21 Died 16.8.1943
Sergeant Wireless Operator/Air Gunner MALCOLM DOBBIE, R.A.F., was the son of John and Edith Dobbie, of Mile End, Essex. And Flight Sergeant Pilot, WILBUR JAMES SHAVER, R.C.A.F., the son of Joseph I and Nina M. Shaver, who came from Lancing, Michigan, in the United States of America. They took off in a Bolton Paul Defiant DR 896. The aircraft was an old obsolete night fighter, which was used at No 2 Anti Aircraft Co-operation Flight based at RAF Gosport for target towing; the date was 16th of August 1943.
The routine flight to the Anti Aircraft Range off Eastney, Portsmouth, was trouble free, however, during the exercise, the aircraft nose-dived into the sea from a height of about 200 feet, killing the pilot, Bill Shaver and Winchman, Malcolm Dobbie instantly. During operations to locate and recover the bodies and wreckage of the aircraft, the body of another airman was found (Sgt. Moffatt -see entry below).
Flt. Sgt. ‘Bill’ Shaver was an American from Lansing, Michigan, crossed Lake Huron into Canada, where he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force at Windsor, Ontario, on 21st November 1941. After his training, he was posted to this Country on 30th November the following year, posted to 1601 Flight on the 13th April 1943. He was transferred to 1622 Flight a week later.
Sergeant MALCOLM DOBBIE, R.A.F. and Flight Sergeant WILBUR JAMES SHAVER, R.C.A.F., were buried on the 16th of August 1943, next to each other, in the War Grave Section (see plan on back pages), Row 6 Grave 7, and Row 5 Grave 7 respectively. CWG headstones commemorate them both.
Able Seaman LESLIE JOHN DODSON, R.N. F/JX 289242, Able Seaman, Royal Navy. Age 23 Died 27.4. 1943
Able Seaman LESLIE JOHN DODSON, was the son of John henry and Ethel May Dodson, their home was in Hill Park Road. Gosport. He had been drafted HMS Fernieness Range, a so-called ‘Stone Frigate’ or shore-base, situated in East Lothian, Scotland. A/B Dodson was undergoing a course in gun laying.
On Tuesday 27th April, A/B Dodson travelled to Aberlady situated on the Firth of Forth. The blackout regulations were rigidly enforced. Especially as the Royal Air Force Station at Drem was only some 3—4 miles to the south east of the town. Out in the countryside, and with severe restrictions on the use of lights. The darkness was only partly eased by star or moonlight. Unable to see in the gloom, a bus struck A/B Dodson, and ran over him. He was taken to hospital, where he was found to have died of his injuries. Able Seaman, LESLIE JOHN DODSON’S remains, were returned to Gosport, where on Monday 5th May 1943. He was laid to rest in the War Graves Section (see plan on back pages), Row 6 Grave 6, his final resting-place is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Petty Officer GEORGE JAMES DOLAN R. N. Regulator P/M 39927 9927 HMS Victory Age 34 Died 17.4.1941
Regulating Petty Officer GEORGE JAMES DOLAN, R.N., was the son of William and Ellen Dolan, he was married to Dorothy R. Dolan, and they lived in Bramber Road, Gosport. He was on duty at the Royal Naval Barracks at Portsmouth on the night of Thursday 16th April 1941; the Portsmouth area was subjected to another heavy air raid, which lasted into the early hours of the next day (17th). The City centre of Portsmouth and Southsea area, as well as Gosport, were all targeted by the large force of Junkers 88’s and Heinkel 111’s, the naval ratings in the barracks of Portsmouth Dockyard were to suffer considerable damage and sustain many casualties one of those killed by the enemy action that night was P.O. Dolan who was busy organising, the rescue of his fellow servicemen.
Petty Officer GEORGE JAMES DOLAN, R.N., was buried on Monday 28th April 1941, and was laid to rest, Plot 27 Space 26. A CWG headstone commemorates his final resting-place.
Lieutenant WILLIAM HENRY DOLLERY, R.M.L.I. Lieutenant, Royal Marine Light Infantry. Age 22 Died 23.4.1918
Lieutenant WILLIAM HENRY DOLLERY, Royal Marine Light Infantry, was killed in the amphibious raid on Zeebrugge. This was a daring plan to outflank the German Defensive line. The assault cost the lives of many men including Lt. Dollery, who died on 23rd Aril 1918. He was brought back to this country aboard one of the vessel’s, which had taken them into the attack on the port
Lieutenant WILLIAM HENRY DOLLERY, Royal Marine Light Infantry, was buried on 29th April 1918, plot 59 Space 22, and is commemorated by a Family Memorial.
Corporal ALBERT EDWARD DOREY 7064, Corporal, 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers. Age 31 Died 10.3.1917
Corporal ALBERT EDWARD DOREY, 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers, was husband of Flora Ethel, and they lived at No. 148 Forton Road, Gosport. He was wounded in Flander’s, and brought back to the Cottage Hospital, Runcorn, Chester. He was recovering, when he suffered a relapse, and died two days later, on 10th March 1917. He was brought back to his hometown, and was laid to rest on 15th March 1917, Plot 81 Space 13, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Mr CHARLES FREDERICK DOWNES Australian, Munitions Worker Age 47 Died 3.8.1917
Mr. CHARLES FREDERICK DOWNES, was a joiner/carpenter, who worked in the Royal Naval Armaments Depot at Priddy’s Hard, Elson, Gosport. Amongst most of his work, were the making of ammunition crates for shells and bullets. He was taken ill at the end of June, having contracted a high temperature. Admitted to the Blake Isolation Unit, Ham Lane, Gosport, which was used as a contagious infection hospital. He was diagnosed as suffering from Diphtheria. This infection was extremely contagious, and at that time, no effective cure was available. Mr Downes passed away on the 3rd of August 1917. Mr CHARLES FREDERICK DOWNES, was buried three days later (6th), and is laid to rest, Plot 50 Space 68, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Private DORIS DUGAN A.T.S. W/190714 Private, Auxiliary Territorial Service, Manchester Age 22 Died 18.7.1946
Private DORIS DUGAN, Auxiliary Territorial Service, was the daughter of John Henry and Catherine Dora Frances, of No. 72 Palmyra Road. Gosport. She passed away at the War Memorial Hospital, Gosport on Thursday 18th of June 1946, as a result of contracting pneumonia. Private, DORIS DUGAN, A.T.S, was buried on Monday 22nd of July 1946, is laid to rest, Plot 13 Space 21, and her final resting place, is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Chief Petty Officer GEORGE DOUGLAS DUGAN, R.N. 10619, Chief Petty Officer, Stoker, Royal Navy, HMS Victory. Age 51 Died 1.9.1944
Chief Petty Officer GEORGE DOUGLAS DUGAN, Royal Navy, was the son of George and Rose Dugan, of Gosport. He was also the husband Grace Mary Dugan; they both lived in Gosport. He passed away on Friday 1st September 1944, at the Royal Naval Hospital, at Haslar, Gosport. The cause was not given, but a verbal account, has it that he died of a heart attack, which had been brought on by the stress of the preparation for the allied Invasion of Europe. Chief Petty Officer GEORGE DOUGLAS DUGAN, Royal Navy, was buried on Wednesday 6th September 1944, Plot 70 Space 49, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Mr CHARLES R. DUPREE No. 54 Balflour Road, Southall, Middlesex Age 59 Died 16.8.1940 – SEE – Mr GEORGE WILLIAM CRIPPS
Leading Stoker HENRY ARTHUR DYER, R.N. P/K 5421, Leading Stoker, Royal Navy. Age 52 Died 7.5.1944
Leading Stoker HENRY ARTHUR DYER, Royal Navy, was the husband of Rose Northey Dyer, and they lived in Gosport. He died on the 7th of May 1944; the place and cause are unknown.
The date he was buried is also unknown, Plot 33 Space 59, and is commemorated by a Family Memorial headstone.
Private ALBERT VICTOR EARWICKER 24936, Private, 4th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Age 25 Died 13.5.1917
Private, ALBERT VICTOR EARWICKER, was the son of Henry and Elizabeth Earwicker, his lived with his parents at their home, No. 46 San Diego Road, Gosport. He died after being admitted to the Military Hospital, at Parkhurst, on the Isle of Wight on the 13th May 1917, the cause is not known. Private, ALBERT VICTOR EARWICKER, was brought back to Gosport, where he was buried on 17th May 1917, being laid to rest, Plot 81 Space 3. No memorial marks the site of his final resting-place.
Feldwebel GERHARD EBUS, German Air Force 5700/4 German Air Force, Feldwebel Born 4.3.1914 Died 24.8.1940 Age 26
Feldwebel, GERHARD EBUS, German Air Force, was born on the 4th of March 1914, he was a fighter pilot of 6/JG2, the unit flying the Messershmitt Bf 109. With the fall of France this unit was moved to the forward base of Beaumont-le-Roger, near Caen, in the Normandy area of Northern France, and played a major part in the Battle of Britain. On the 24th of August with the desperate air war rapidly approaching its climax, Gerhard Ebus along with his unit were tasked with providing fighter escort for the slow bombers, the target on that day was to be the Portsmouth area. As the formation approached, the fighters employed their usual ploy of circling over the Solent, whilst the bombers made their raid. RAF Hurricanes of 238 Squadron were scrambled, arriving a few minutes later, during the aerial combat Gerhard Ebus’ plane was hit and so badly damaged that he had to bale out. The time 4.30pm, despite frantic efforts, Ebus came down in the sea, and it is thought that he became entangled in his parachute shrouds, by the time he was pulled from the water off Lee-on-Solent, he was dead.
Feldwebel GERHARD EBUS, was buried on the 26th August 1940, in the war Graves Section (see plan on back pages), Row 7 Grave 2, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
WALTER ECKHARDT Soldier, German Artillery, 2nd Company, 79th Regiment. Born 14.6.1900 Died 8.7.1944 Age 44
WALTER ECKHARDT, died on Saturday 8th July 1944, in the Royal Naval Hospital, at Haslar, Gosport, of wounds received during war operations in Normandy. WALTER ECKHARDT was buried on Monday 10th July 1944, in the War Graves Section German Section, Row 2 Grave 1 and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Able Seaman ERNEST FRANCIS EDEN, R.N. P/J 86396, Able Seaman Rigger Age 44 Died 6.4.1946
Able Seaman, ERNEST FRANCIS EDEN, Royal Navy, was the son of Ernest Francis and Isabel Mary Eden, and the husband of Lily Irene Louise Eden. And they lived at No.46 Station Road, Gosport, died on Saturday 6th April 1946, at home; the cause not recorded, but was attributable to war service. Able Seaman, ERNEST FRANCIS EDEN, R.N., as buried on Tuesday 9th April 1946, Plot 8 Space 38, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Private EDWARD LEDGER EDWARDS 23876, Private, 1st (Garrison) Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. Age 31 Died 14.7.1916
Private EDWARD LEDGER EDWARDS, Died after being admitted to the County of Middlesex War Hospital, at St. Alban’s, on 14th July 1916, As the result of wounds received during the Battle of the Somme. He was brought back to Gosport, and was buried on the 20th July 1916. He is laid to rest, Plot 48 Space 55, and is commemorated by CWG headstone.
Marine HAROLD JAMES EDWARDS, R.M. PO/21624 Marine, Royal Marines Age 41 Died 19.1.1946
Marine HAROLD EDWARDS Royal Marines, was the son of Job and Mabel Gertrude Edwards of Gosport. He was also the husband of Eileen Ena May Edwards, and their home was at No. 5 Grove Road, Gosport. He passed away on Saturday 19th January 1946, after being admitted to the Eye, Ear and Nose Hospital, Plymouth, Devon; the cause is not recorded, but is thought to have been due to his maltreatment at the hands of his Japanese captors. Marine, HAROLD JAMES EDWARDS, R.M., was returned home to Gosport, where he was buried on Monday 21st January 1946, a CWG headstone commemorates Plot 7 Space 81, and his final resting place.
Lance Corporal, FRANK WILLIAM EGGS 6912983, Lance Corporal, 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade. Age 25 Died 25.11.1940
Lance Corporal, FRANK WILLIAM EGGS, of the Jellibad Barracks, Tidworth, Hampshire, was the son of Frank and Lily Elizabeth Eggs. He was the husband of Dorothy Susan Eggs of Gosport. He Died on Monday 25th November 1940, at the Military Hospital, at Tidworth. He died as a result of injuries suffered during an air raid on the barrack blocks of the garrison town of Tidworth. Lance Corporal, FRANK WILLIAM EGGS was returned to his home town of Gosport, where he was buried on Saturday 30th November 1940, in the War Graves Section (see plans on back pages), Row 3 Grave 2, and his final resting place is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Captain RONALD NEWMAN EKINS 48905, Captain, Northamptonshire Regiment. Age 46 Died 4.10.1939
Captain RONALD NEWMAN EKINS, lately attached to the Royal Engineers, passed away on Wednesday 4th October 1939, in the Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, Gosport, the cause was not given, but was attributable to war service. Captain, RONALD NEWMAN EKINS, was buried on Saturday 7th October 1939, in the War Grave Section (see plans on back pages), Row 1 Grave 1, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Pilot Officer HENRY EDGAR CHARLES ELLIOTT, R.A.F.V.R. 80785, Pilot Officer, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Age 20 Died 7.2.1942
Pilot Officer HENRY EDGAR CHARLES ELLIOTT, R.A.F.V.R., came from the Perry Bar area of Birmingham. He was a member of the Volunteer Reserve of the R.A.F., with the outbreak of hostilities, he joined the regular service, he was 20 years of age, and the son of Harry and Fanny A.M. Elliott. P/O Elliott’s first posting was to 86 Squadron, on whose strength he remained until being posted to RAF Gosport for flying duties with the Torpedo Development Unit. On the 7th of February 1942, the day dawned fine but with haze and some local fog, wind strength force 5 from north to north-west, with a visibility fluctuating between 1 to 3 miles.
P/O Elliott was lined up on the grass runway No. 2, at RAF Gosport Air Station. The purpose of the flight was to gain experience of the type of aircraft. The other person aboard was, 1188825 Aircraftsman Class 1, St Clair Roderick James Andrews R.A.F.V.R., age 24 who came from the Torquay area of Devon. Engaging full power, the Bristol Beaufort Mk 2 service number AW 335, thundered down the grass runway, at the critcal moment of take-off. The aircraft lost power bounced back to the ground only to rise again to a height of 10-15 feet over the old Rowner Road, where it crashed into a tree outside St. Mary the Virgin Church, and immediately burst into flames. Emergency services rushed to the scene in a vain bid to rescue the crew of two, but as reports stated they could not get near enough owing to the flames and heat to render any assistance.
The Board of Inquiry could not positively state the cause of the crash, owing to a lack of evidence, but it was strongly believed that one or both engines failed during take off.
Pilot Officer HARRY EDGAR CHARLES ELLIOTT, R.A.F.V.R., was buried on Monday 12th January 1942, and is laid to rest in the War Graves Section (see plan on back pages), Row 3 Grave 5, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone, . A/C1 James R.A.F., is buried Section S.X. Grave 14881), at Torquay Cemetery, Devon.
OTTO ELLMAURER Soldier, German Army. Born 21.10.1900 Died 8.6.1944 Age 43
OTTO ELLMAURER, was seriously wounded during allied liberation of Europe, on the day of the Normandy landings. He was given emergency treatment aboard a hospital ship. He was brought back to this country, upon which he was admitted to the Royal naval Hospital at Haslar, Despite all efforts to save him; Otto Ellmaurer never recovered from his wounds. He passed away on the 8th June 1944. OTTO ELLMAURER was buried in the German Section, of the War Grave Section (see plans on back pages), Row 4 Grave 2, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Sapper WILLIAM FREDERICK ENRIGHT, R.E. 59922, Sapper, Postal Section, Royal Engineers. Age unknown Died 5.4.1915
Sapper WILLIAM FREDERICK ENRIGHT, Royal Engineers, died on the 5th April 1915. The place and cause of death is not known, as is the date he was buried. He was buried on the 9th April 1915, and is laid to rest, Plot 35 Space 11. No memorial marks the site of his final resting-place.
Driver JOHN PHILLIPS ETHERIDGE, R.F.A. 12972, Driver, Royal Field Artillery. Age 25 Died 16.11.1918
Driver JOHN PHILLIP ETHERIDGE, Royal Field Artillery, was the son of John Phillips Etrheridge, and lived at home at, No. 8 Blakes Building, Rachel Street, Gosport. He passed away on the 16th November 1918, after having been admitted to the Outback War Hospital, at Glasgow. It is thought he died 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. Driver JOHN PHILLIPS ETHERIDGE, was laid to rest, Plot 39 Space 15, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.