Christ Church Tettenhall Roll of Honour
The Roll of Honour is situated within the Church, Church Road (near the traffic lights), Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton.
Second World War Roll of Honour.
Cain Arthur Percy Able Seaman C/JX 151568.
H.M. Submarine Seahorse, Royal Navy.
Arthur was born on 15 November 1915 in Wolverhampton, the son of John and Lucy Cain. In 1921 the family was living at 38 Bridgnorth Road, Whittick, together with Arthur’s older siblings Reginald, Emily, Jessie and Dorothy, his younger brother William, and his paternal grandmother, Mary Ann Cain. By 1939 the family home remained at 38 Bridgnorth Road, Whittick.
An article in the Express and Star dated 18th January 1940 records the thoughts of Arthur’s sister-in-law about him. She said that “Arthur had been in the Royal Navy since 1934 and was on the destroyer HMS Gallant when it was bombed during the Spanish Civil war. He had been in submarines for the past two years serving on the Seahorse as a torpedo man since the beginning of the war. Arthur had come home on leave just before Christmas, he never came home on leave without a present for his mother, we can hardly bring ourselves to believe he has gone."
HMS Gallant was involved in enforcing the arms blockade imposed by Britain and France on both sides of the conflict. The ship was attacked by a Spanish Nationalist aircraft off Cape San Antonio on 6th April 1937, but it was not damaged.
H.M. Submarine Seahorse was a British S-class submarine commissioned in the late 1930s and deployed with the 2nd Submarine Flotilla at the outbreak of the Second World War. In early 1940 she was operating in the North Sea, carrying out offensive patrols against German naval activity during the critical months following the invasion of Poland.
Seahorse sailed from Blyth on 7th January 1940 to begin a patrol off the Heligoland Bight. She failed to return and was declared overdue and lost. The exact circumstances of her sinking remain uncertain, but the most widely accepted conclusion is that she was destroyed by German anti-submarine forces, either mines or patrol craft during the second week of January 1940. All hands were lost.
Arthur was killed in action 12th January 1940 aged 24.
35, 1. Chatham Naval Memorial, United Kingdom.
W. Cowan - unable to identify.
Clueit Robert Cecil Private 14758333
1st Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment.
Robert was born 2 October 1921 in Wolverhampton, the son of Clement and Jane Clueit. In June 1921, four months before his birth, Clement and Jane with their children Edith, Thomas, William, Richard, Gladys, Theresa, and Clement (junior) were living at 26 Castlecroft Road.
By 1939, Robert was residing at the same address with his parents, along with Gladys, Clement, and Ronald. He was employed as an apprentice wood machinist.
On the 1 May 1945 the 1st Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment moved to Pegu, Burma a base until 6 May, fighting patrols were sent out to find the Japanese.
On 7 May the Battalion move to Pyu a town in southern Burma which was a base for several days. An entry in the War Diary reads - 'May 8, VE day in Europe No cigs, No soap, No booze, No razor blades, NO AMENITIES WHATSOEVER.'
Fighting patrols were sent out with orders to kill the Japanese with several fights resulting in Japanese dead. On 29 May a patrol encountered a party of Japanese, and a Japanese soldier was heard shouting a warning in English, 'watch out, English are here'. Robert was killed during this patrol. Poignantly from the beginning of July soldiers were transferred out of the Battalion for returning home.
Killed in action 29 May 1945 aged 23.
1. C. 17. Rangoon War Cemetery, Myanmar (Burma).
Dalton Frank Fusilier 4924312
7th Bn. Royal Welch Fusiliers.
Frank was born 1st May 1910 in Tettenhall, Wolverhampton son of Benjamin and Florence Dalton. In 1911 they lived at 6 Shaw Lane, Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton along with Frank's older siblings Benjamin, Leslie, Frederick, Norah, Jessie and Edith. By 1939 Frank was living with his parents and younger brother Norman at 13 Woodland Avenue, Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton; he was employed as a builder's labourer.
Frank married Irene Patricia Cooper March 1940 in Wolverhampton, they had a son Anthony born in December 1941.
The 7th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers belonged to 158th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division, which fought one of the most brutal forest battles of the war the clearing of the Reichswald Forest during Operation Veritable.
The fighting lasted from 8th February to mid-February 1945, with extremely high casualties.
Once the forest was cleared, the Division moved forward into Germany to prepare for Operation Plunder, the assault crossing of the Rhine (23–28 March 1945).
The 7th RWF were part of the build-up and subsequent advance after the crossing. Several men of the 7th Battalion were killed on 28th March and are buried at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery including Frank.
Frank was killed in action 28th March 1945 aged 34.
50. H. 8. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.
A. Daley - unable to identify.
Gardner, Neville Pilot Officer (Nav.) 169214
107 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Neville was born June 1923 in Wolverhampton son of William Henry and Mabel Edith Ada Gardner. In 1939 Neville his parents and yonger brother Geoffrey were living at Cambas-O-May Windmill Bank Wightwick.
Nevill was appointed a Pilot Officer 9th October 1943
Neville was killed in action 22nd October 1943 when his aircraft a Boston IIIA BZ203 was shot down by flak near Veere, Holland during a raid on an aircraft factory at Courcelles, Belgium.
Row G. Grave 29.
Flushing (Vlissingen) Northern Cemetery, Zealand, Netherlands.
Guest Cyril Private 4918564
South Staffordshire Regiment.
Cyril was born on 6th November 1912 in Trescott, the son of Henry and Jane Guest. By 1921 the family was residing in Trescott, Compton, Wolverhampton, together with Cyril’s older siblings Henry, William, John, Sidney and Florry. His father and brothers were all employed in agricultural labour.
Cyril married Beatrice Royall in March 1936 at Bilston. By 1939 they were living at 65 Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton, with their two daughters Jean and Brenda; Cyril was employed as a general labourer.
Cyril died as the result of an accident 30th December 1939 aged 27.
Row 9. Grave 1. Whittington (St. Giles) Churchyard.
Hudson Leonard Able Seaman D/J 93804
H.M.S. Westward Ho Royal Navy.
Leonard was born 5th August 1903 in Compton, Wolverhampton son of John and Emma Hudson. In 1911 they were living at Somerford, Brewood, Staffordshire along with Leonard's older siblings Elizabeth, Paul and Robert. John Hudson was employed as a blacksmith, Leonard's mother died in 1918.
Leonard married Minnie Amelia Holford June 1928 in Wolverhampton, they had a son Roy born in June 1932. By 1939 the family home was 163 Bridgnorth Road, Compton, Wolverhampton; Minnie as the head of the household lived there with Roy her brother-in-law Paul and his wife May.
Leonard joined the Royal Navy 11th January 1929, before joining he was employed as a fitters mate.
Leonard was fatally injured 10th March 1940 aged 36 by the ship’s minesweeping equipment while HMS Westward Ho was conducting minesweeping operations.
Plot C. of E. Div. 1. Old portion. Grave 2420. Stafford Cemetery.
Marlow Albert Henry Colour Sergeant PLY/21821
Royal Marines H.M.S. Daedalus.
Albert was born 3rd March 1887 at St. Edmonds, Northants son of Joseph and Charlotte Marlow. In 1901 they were living at 84 Stanhope Road, Kingsthorpe Northants along with Albert's younger siblings Lizzie, Joseph and Nellie.
Albert enlisted in the Royal Marines at Birmingham in 1905 he took part in humanitarian operations in Italy in 1908 and the Coronation Fleet Review in 1911. The 1911 census records Albert aboard the battleship HMS Exmouth at Malta.
During the First World War he served from August 1914 aboard the armoured cruiser HMS Bacchante, he took part in the early North Sea patrols that formed Britain’s maritime shield against the German fleet. From 1916 he served on the patrol vessel HMS Eileen, engaged in coastal defence and anti-submarine duties during the height of the U-boat campaign. In 1917 he was posted to the West Indies Station, protecting vital Atlantic trade routes and oil convoys from German raiders and submarines His post war service included drafts to HMS Royal Oak and several depot and fleet establishments.
His medal entitlement was the Messina Earthquake Medal, (the Messina Earthquake Commemorative Medal was created in 1908 to recognise those who aided victims of the devastating earthquake in Sicily and Calabria on 28th December 1908. Awarded mainly to Royal Naval personnel who landed to assist in the relief effort) the Coronation Medal 1911.
First World War awards -1914–15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and Long Service and Good Conduct distinctions - awarded after 15 years of exemplary service.
Albert’s service record notes that on 24 March 1919 his mother was recorded as next of kin, living at 15 Lower Vauxhall, Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton. He married Mabel Bland St Aubyn 4th September 1920 in Wolverhampton, after which the couple settled at 48 Collins Road, Southsea, close to Eastney Barracks in Portsmouth. Mabel, born in Barbados and described as British born, had travelled to Britain aboard the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company vessel Artilla, arriving on 31st August 1920. It is entirely plausible that Albert first met her during his period of service on the West Indies Station.
By 1939 the family had moved to Wolverhampton and were living at Fern Place, Finchfield Hill, together with their five daughters: Eileen (born in Portsmouth), Doris (born at East Stonehouse, Devon), and Hilda, Sylvia, and Josephine, all born in Wolverhampton. At this time Albert was employed as a civilian instructor with the Royal Air Force.
At the outbreak of the Second World War, Albert re-enlisted for further service.
HMS Daedalus was one of the Fleet Air Arm’s key shore bases. Its location on the south coast made it a frequent target for German raids in 1940. HMS Daedalus was hit in a major Luftwaffe air raid on 17th August 1940, according to contemporary accounts, Ju 88s and Bf 110s struck the air station at around 1:10pm, killing personnel and several buildings were seriously damaged, including operational facilities.
The attack formed part of the wider German assault on airfields during the Battle of Britain.
Albert was killed in action 17th August 1940 aged 53.
E. 54. 8. Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery, United Kingdom.
Price John William Private S/159015
Royal Army Service Corps.
John was born 2nd October 1915 in Wrottesley son of Thomas William and Mary Jane Price. In 1921 they were living at Trescott, Staffordshire along with John's younger siblings Ethel, Marian, Laura and Nellie. Another sister Brenda was born in 1924.
By 1939 John was living with his parents and Brenda at 1a Council House, Trescott, Seisdon, he was employed as a bread maker.
John married Sarah Jane Bedward in June 1941 in Bilston.
John died of illness 21st September 1944 aged 28.
V. B. 28. Arezzo War Cemetery, Italy.
Salt Donald Sidney 7044048
1st Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers
Donald was born on 20th October 1919 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the son of Sydney and Gladys Salt. Sydney and Gladys had settled in Canada before the outbreak of the First World War, and Sydney enlisted in the Canadian Army at Lethbridge, Alberta, on 28th June 1916. He subsequently served in France and Flanders with a Canadian field artillery unit.
On 30th April 1920, Donald and his mother arrived at Liverpool, having sailed from Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada aboard the Empress of France of the Canadian Pacific Line. The passenger list records their destination as Heatherwood, Hartley Street, Wolverhampton.
In the 1921 Census, Donald and his mother appear as visitors at 9 Hartley Street, Wolverhampton, the home of Casebow and Mary Ann Weaver, Gladys’s parents. At some point thereafter, Sydney rejoined his family in Wolverhampton following his return from Canada.
By 1939, Donald was living with his parents and younger brother Gerald, born in 1930, at 7 The Holloway, Compton, Wolverhampton. He was employed at that time as a printer’s apprentice.
Donald died 19th April 1942 age 22. Donald was riding a bicycle on the Wergs Road, Tettenhall when he was hit by a lorry, he died on the way to the Royal Hospital.
Tettenhall Regis (St. Michael) Churchyard.
Shelley Ronald Arthur Ordinary Seaman D/JX 366725
H.M.S. Northney (shore base), Royal Navy.
Ronald was born 15th November 1923 in Wolverhampton the son of Edward John and Selina Margretta Shelley. Ronald's father Edward served during the First World War with the Lincolnshire regiment enlisting 11th December 1915. He and Selina had only been married six months and were living at 40 Regis Road, Tettenhall Wolverhampton. Edward received a gunshot wound to his left forearm 31st July 1917 and never returned to active service.
Ronald had two older sisters both born in Tettenhall Phyllis Margretta born 3rd January 1916 and Freda May born 6th February 1917. In 1939 Ronald was living with his parents and sisters at 15a School Road, Tettenhall and employed as an apprentice garage assembler.
Ronald died 22nd January 1944 aged 20. He was serving with a small craft unit 574 Flotilla when he died at sea likely through accidental drowning, his body was never recovered.
Coastal Forces flotillas such as 574 carried out a wide range of duties essential to the defence of Britain’s coastal waters. Their small, fast craft undertook anti-submarine patrols, convoy escort, and inshore defence, as well as the hazardous work of minelaying and mine-recovery. They supported clandestine operations, conducted air-sea rescue, and maintained constant harbour and estuary patrols to safeguard naval and merchant traffic. These flotillas also handled the training and movement of personnel.
Remembered on Panel 87, Column 2. Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Southwick Arnold William Private 4928035
2nd Bn. North Staffordshire Regiment.
Arnold was born 1st September 1922 son of Alfred William James Southwick and Amy Annie Southwick. In 1939 they were living at 40 Woodland Avenue, Tettenhall along with Arnold's younger siblings Amy, Ernest and Alfred; Arnold was employed as an apprentice bricklayer.
Arnold was mortally wounded on 30th January 1944 during the bitter fighting on the Anzio beachhead in Italy. His battalion, part of 2nd Infantry Brigade, 1st British Division, was holding exposed positions north of Anzio under constant German shelling, mortar fire, and probing attacks as the enemy sought to compress and break the newly established Allied perimeter.
Arnold died 31st January 1944 of wounds received 30th January 1944 aged 21.
III, A, 6. Anzio War Cemetery, Italy.
Whitehouse Gilbert Harry Lance Corporal 5125694
9th Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment.
Gilbert was born 23rd May 1923 in Tettenhall, Wolverhampton son of Thomas and Ellen Whitehouse. Gilbert had a brother Thomas who was born 3rd April 1907. Ellen died 2nd September 1923 aged 40, Thomas married Emily Wheeler June 1934 in Wolverhampton.
In 1939 Gilbert was living with his father and Emily at 181 Trysull Road, Wolverhampton, and he was employed as a gentleman's gardener.
In the summer of 1944 the 9th Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment was engaged in jungle operations between Maungdaw and Buthidaung, clearing Japanese positions and securing the Mayu Peninsula. Gilbert was killed in action on 6th August 1944, aged 21 during one of these engagements.
7. A. 20. Taukkyan War Cemetery, Myanmar (Burma).
Williams Thomas Private 4922092
2nd Bn. Essex Regiment.
Thomas Williams was born on 22 March 1920 in Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, the son of Joseph and Alice Williams. In 1921 the family was living at 11 School Road, Tettenhall Wood, together with Thomas’s older siblings Joseph, Albert, Sidney, Richard, Harold, Gladys, and Daisy.
By 1939 the family had moved to 1 Woodland Avenue, Tettenhall, where Thomas was still residing with his parents and siblings Joseph, Albert, Richard, and Harold. At that time, he was employed as a packer in an electrical goods despatch department.
On 11th June 1944, the 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment was involved in significant fighting during the Normandy invasion. They initially landed on Gold Beach and then moved inland to Bayeux, where they encountered fierce resistance from German forces. The battalion later engaged in actions at Verrieres Wood (now called Essex Wood) and continued their advance towards Lingèvres. They faced heavy resistance and received many casualties, Thomas being one of them he was killed in action 11th June 1944 aged 24.
XIV. D. 3. Bayeux War Cemetery, Normandy, France.
Wynn Norman William Warrant Officer 1194206
105 Operational Training Unit,
Transport Command, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Norman Wynn was born on 6 February 1913, the son of James and Emma Wynn. In 1921 the family was living at 29 Horsehills Terrace, Finchfield, together with Norman’s younger siblings Winifred and Dennis. By 1939 Norman, his mother, and his siblings were still residing at the same address. At that time Norman was employed as an aircraft fitter. No record of James’s whereabouts appears in the 1939 Register; Emma was listed as married, indicating that James was still living but not present in the household.
Norman was killed 11th May 1945 aged 32 at Bitteswell, Harborough District, Leicestershire, when his aircraft a Wellington bomber stalled during an emergency landing at Bitteswell due to engine problems during the pilot's first night solo flight.
Tettenhall Regis (St. Michael) Churchyard.
