WW2 Roll of Honour
Martin Victor Henry Private 4916958
1/6th Bn South Staffordshire Regiment
Victor was born in September 1919 in Wolverhampton, son of Ernest Henry and Selina Sarah Martin. In 1921 they were living at 10 Milton Road, Heath Town along with Victor's older sister Lilian and younger sister Ethel.
The 1/6th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment crossed the Channel in late June as part of the 59th Division and by the 1st of July had moved to the front-line facing Caen. The city was fiercely defended and earlier attempts to outflank it had been frustrated by continued German counter attacks. General Montgomery had, therefore, decided on a frontal attack preceded by heavy aerial bombardment. On the 8th of July, a strong attack was launched on a broad front and by the 9th most of the city had fallen. The Division moved quickly south to the bocage country; their task was to take the village of Noyers.
On 15th July, the troops assembled in their assault positions the 1/6th on the right of the assault. At 5.30am on the 16th the attack commenced in thick morning mist by about 6.45 am the battalion had captured the village of Brettevillette 1½ miles north of Noyers and two hours later Queudeville. Both were defended strongly and only taken at the cost of many casualties sadly Victor being one of them.
Victor was killed in action 16th July 1944 aged 24.
III. C. 13. Fontenay-le-Pesnel War Cemetery, Tessel, France.
Means Ralph Stephenson Trooper 7908910
5th Royal Tank Regiment, R.A.C.
Ralph was born 8 July 1916 in Wallsend, Northumberland son of Ralph John and Selina Means. By 1921 the family was residing at 6 Victoria Avenue, Wallsend, Northumberland, together with Ralph Stephenson’s younger sister, Alice. Their father was recorded as an unemployed miner. A further daughter, Irene, was born on 11 March 1923.
By 1939 the family had relocated to 1 Beechwood Road, Wednesfield. Ralph Stephenson was employed as a milk roundsman, while his father had returned to work in mining. It is reasonable to conclude that the move south was prompted by the search for more reliable employment. Ralph married Elsie Hartland in September 1940 at Wolverhampton.
Ralph was originally reported missing in action 9th December 1941 - on 9th December 1941, 5th Royal Tank Regiment was engaged in Operation Crusader, fighting as part of 7th Armoured Division during the final phase of the battle that forced Axis forces to abandon the Tobruk area and withdraw westwards. On the 5th of February 1942 it was reported that Ralph died of wounds as a prisoner of war 12th December 1941 aged 25.
Column 23. Alamein Memorial, Egypt.
Molineaux Granville Private 14425516
6th Bn Green Howards (Yorkshire Regt.)
Granville was born 3rd April 1925 in Wednesfield son of John and Lily Molineaux. By 1939 they were living at 34 West Avenue, Wednesfield with Granville's older siblings Patricia and John and younger brother Geoffrey; Granville was employed as a butchers assistant.
Granville married Olive Marie McNeil 8th September 1943 in Bilston, they lived together at 34 West Avenue, Wednesfield.
Granville was killed in action 11th September 1944 aged 19 the battalion war diary records 'Dawn broke with a heavy ground mist with which the enemy proceeded to mix a large amount of smoke. Much shelling of the Battalion area was experienced from field and self-propelled guns. Although the Battalion was not in direct contact with the enemy, many shells continued to fall in the Battalion area' during the day.
IV.B.10. Geel War Cemetery, Belgium.
MORRIS J. - unable to identify.
Morris Joffre French Kitchener Lance Bombardier 4913637
11 Field Regt Royal Artillery.
Joffre was born 10 June 1915 in Wednesfield clearly named after the first world war French General Joseph Joffre and two British Generals John French and Lord Kitchener. Son of Thomas and Lydia Morris, in 1921 they were living at 65 Lichfield Rd, Wednesfield along with Joffre's older siblings Albert, Maria, Samuel, Isaac, Frank, Harriet Rachel and Elizabeth and a younger brother Robert. Joffre had two older brothers Thomas and John who were both killed in the First World War and are remembered on the First War section of the Wednesfield memorial.
Thomas was killed in action 14 July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme aged 25 and John was killed in action 6th October 1918 during the last battles of the war aged 20. Joffre's father died 2nd August 1926 aged 58 and his mother died March 1933.
Joffre died of wounds 4 July 1942 aged 27 during the fighting around El Alamein, where British and Commonwealth forces were engaged in the hard defensive battles that halted Rommel’s advance toward Egypt. His death came during the weeks leading up to the First Battle of El Alamein.
Column 33. Alamein Memorial, Egypt.
Pedley Arthur Trooper 4910055
56th Regt. Reconnaissance Corps
Arthur married Beatrice Ethel Pedley September 1934 in Wolverhampton. By 1939 they were living at 22 Wood End Road, Wednesfield along with their two children Arthur and John.
Arthur died due to an accident 26th September 1943 aged 36.
XIII. C. 1. Moro River Canadian War Cemetery, San Donato, Ortona, Italy.
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Purshouse Charles Henry Lance Serjeant 1512252
64 Battery, 2 Lt. A.A./Anti-Tank Regt. Royal Artillery.
Charles was born 19th December 1918 in Wednesfield son of Bertie and Clara Purshouse, Bertie died in March 1919 aged 31. In 1921 Charles and his mother were living at 1 Church Street Wednesfield along with Charles' older siblings Bertie and Clara. Bertie died in 1933 aged 24.
Charles married Doris Muriel Clarke December 1940 in Bilston they lived at 1 Church Street Wednesfield. Their son Trevor was born 18th December 1941.
Charles was accidentally killed 11th April 1944 aged 25.
Ibadan Military Cemetery, European Other Denominations Plot G. Grave 3. Nigeria.
Reddish, Kenneth Harry D. Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.) 1177700
142 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Kenneth was born 31st May 1921 in Wolverhampton son of Horace Duke and Nellie M. Reddish. In 1939 they were living at 32 Bickford Rd, Wolverhampton along with his older sister Iris;Kenneth was employed as a credit drapers clerk. Kenneth married Lily Sharples December 1941 in Bilston.
Killed in action 10th September 1942 aged 21. He took off from RAF Grimsby in a Wellington bomber serial number IV Z1477 at 20:30 hours 10th September 1942, the aircraft was lost during a raid on Dusseldorf. The course of the loss or crash site was not established.
4. A. 17. Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.
Reynolds Francis Arthur Corporal 305430
2nd Royal Horse Guards.
Francis was born 21st July 1919 at 83 Wolverhampton Road, Heath Town, the son of James Sims Reynolds and Ada Mary Reynolds. By 1921 the family had moved to 27 Frederick Street, Heath Town, where James was employed as a toolmaker. Francis’ younger brother, Donald, was born 12th January 1928.
The 2nd Royal Horse Guards formed part of the Guards Armoured Division, which took part in Operation Goodwood, a major British armoured offensive east of Caen from 18th to 20th July 1944.
The Guards Armoured Division’s assigned axis of advance was between Cagny and Vimont, directly placing the Royal Horse Guards in this operational zone, by 21st July 1944, Operation Goodwood had ended.
Francis died of wounds received during this action 21st July 1944 aged 25.
VIII. F. 17. Ranville War Cemetery, Normandy, France.
Roberts Ernest William Gunner 1103755
135 (The Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Field Regt. Royal Artillery.
Ernest was born 6th March 1921 at 3 Plough Cottages Cannock Road, Wednesfield son of Ernest E. and Elizabeth Roberts. By 1939 he was residing with his parents at 5 Oak Terrace, Blackhalve Lane, Wednesfield, the home of his paternal grandfather, together with his younger siblings, Thomas and Christine. At that time, Ernest was employed as a lorry drivers mate.
On 15th February 1942, the Malayan Campaign ended with the surrender of Singapore, Ernest was a prisoner of war in Japanese hands. He was incarcerated in Malai 1 and Changi POW camps in Singapore and Thailand.
Ernest almost certainly died aboard the Japanese “hell ship” Hofuku Maru, which was sunk on 21st September 1944 with catastrophic loss of life. Hofuku Maru was a Japanese cargo vessel requisitioned to transport Allied prisoners of war under brutal conditions. On 21 September 1944, she was part of a convoy off the western coast of Luzon in the Philippines, the convoy was attacked by aircraft from Task Force 38 of the U.S. Navy. Hofuku Maru had no markings indicating she carried POWs, so American aircraft treated her as a legitimate military target. A torpedo struck the ship, which broke in two and sank in under three minutes. Conditions aboard were already appalling with overcrowding, disease, starvation, and almost no ventilation. Of the 1,289 POWs on board, 1,047 were killed.
Ernest died 21st September 1944 aged 23
Column 36. Singapore Memorial.
Round James Thomas Private 27029
16th Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment
James was born 1st September 1891 in Bloxwich son of Daniel and Sarah Ann Round. In 1901 they were living at 61 Leamore Lane along with James' older siblings David, Elizah, Phoebe, Lizzie and Walter and younger sister Gertrude. By 1911 James was living with his widowed mother and brother Walter at Near Four Crosses Inn, Green Lane, Bloxwich and was employed as a miner above ground. His father dying in December 1906 aged 58. James married Mary Ann Dacre June 1917 in Walsall. By 1939 they were living at 56 Cadman Crescent, Wednesfield along with their six children Pheobe, Daniel, Harold, Eric, Kenneth and Basil. James was employed as a Public Works contractor's labourer.
James died 28th November 1940 aged 49.
Row 9. Grave 38. Wednesfield (St. Thomas) Churchyard Extension.
ROWLEY J. - unable to identify.
Rowley John Edward Sergeant (Flt. Engr.) 1247821
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
John was born 23rd August 1911 in Wolverhampton son of Samuel and Rose Hannah Rowley; husband of Blanche Rowley. In 1939 John and Blanche were living at 70 Bolton Road Wednesfield, John was employed as a sales collector.
John was killed 22nd April 1944 aged 32 when the Stirling bomber in which he was flying collided with another Stirling (EH926) near the village of Eagle seven miles southwest of Lincoln when returning to Swinderby from a night navigational exercise.
Row 2A. Grave 2.
Wednesfield (St. Thomas) Churchyard Extension.
Rowley Thomas Vincent Serjeant 1512267
Royal Artillery attd. 105 Bty. 42 Mortar Regt. West African Artillery, R.W.A.F.F.
Thomas was born 21st January 1919 in Wednesfield son of Thomas Vincent and Fanny Rowley. In 1921 they were living at 4 Hadleys Fold Neachells Lane, Wednesfield along with Thomas juniors older sister Frances. By 1939 they had moved to 17 Amos Lane, Wednesfield and were joined by younger children Joyce, Bertram and Doris. Thomas was employed as a locksmith.
105 Battery, 42 Mortar Regiment (West African Artillery, R.W.A.F.F.) was serving with 82nd (West Africa) Division in the Arakan, Burma, and took part in the capture of Buthidaung on 15 December 1944. Thomas was killed in action 15th December 1944 aged 25.
Face 2. Rangoon Memorial, Myanmar (Burma).
Russell Herbert Private 4910275
1st Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment
Herbert was born in March 1909 in Wolverhampton, the son of John and Rosannah Russell. By 1911 the family was living at 83 Hickman Street, Wednesfield, together with Herbert’s younger brothers, Arthur and John. Two further children followed, George, born in 1912, and Alice, born in 1915. Herbert’s father died in June 1915 at the age of forty.
Rosannah married Sylvanus Craven in October 1916, and by 1920 Herbert had three half-siblings Miriam, Mary, and Annie. In June 1921 Rosannah was living with Sylvanus and all their children at 37 Hart Road, Wednesfield. Sylvanus died three months later, aged forty-six.
Herbert married Marion Deakin in September 1939 in Bilston. The couple lived at 5 Wood End Road, Wednesfield, with Marion’s father, Arthur, and her siblings Violet, Barbara, and Norman.
Herbert died 4th November 1944 aged 35
Row LA. Grave 15. Wednesfield (St. Thomas) Churchyard Extension.
Salt Arthur Graham Trooper 14291898
Royal Armoured Corps
H.Q. Sqn. 29th Armd. Bde.
Arthur was born 24th January 1923 in Wednesfield son of Arthur and Ellen Salt. In 1939 they were living at 27 Nordley Road, Wednesfield along with Arthur' sister Edna; Arthur was employed as an accountants clerk
Arthur' father died March 1942.
The 29th Armoured Brigade landed in Normandy in mid-June 1944, concentrating around Coulombs before entering battle during Operation Epsom. On 26th June the brigade advanced behind 15th (Scottish) Division, fighting through Cheux and Mondrainville and forcing a crossing of the River Odon at Tourmauville. The following days saw fierce combat on Hill 112, where the brigade seized the northern slopes before withdrawing under intense German pressure.
Arthur was killed in action 27th June 1944 aged 21.
XXVII. F. 20. Bayeux War Cemetery, Normandy, France.
SIMPSON C. - unable to identify.
Skidmore George Llewellin Serjeant 2124908
2nd Bn Border Regiment
George was born 14th March 1909 in Manchester son of Olive Skidmore. In 1911 George was living at 189 North Street, Wolverhampton with his maternal grandparents Charles and Isabella Skidmore. By 1921 George was living at 2 Falder Cottage, Shaw Road with his mother, stepfather Joseph Slieth and half-sister Agnes.
George married Mabel May Causer June 1939 in Wolverhampton, they lived at 34 Lawfred Avenue, Wednesfield; George was employed as a cable jointer for the Air Ministry
George died due to illness 6th October 1942 aged 33.
9. D. 3. Ranchi War Cemetery, Jharkland, India.
Spencer Robert Arthur William Ordinary Seaman D/JX 418170
H.M.S. Offa Royal Navy.
Robert was born 8 June 1924 in Wolverhampton son of Shelah and May Spencer. In 1939 they were living at 48 Tithe Road, Wednesfield along with Roberts's older brother Horace, he was employed in the stores of a steel tube company.
Robert was lost overboard 9 February 1944 aged 19.
Panel 88, Column 2. Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Smithson William John Sapper 24584
2 Depot Coy Royal Engineers
William was born 7th April 1893 in Wolverhampton son of James and Isabella Smithson; he was baptised at St. Peters Church 28th May 1893. In 1901 they were living at 16 Bagnall Street, Wolverhampton along with William's older brother James and younger brother George.
By 1911 William was in the County Reformatory for Boys at Weston-under-Wetherley a certified juvenile reformatory school for offending boys. He was recorded as being an inmate who attended part-time school and worked part-time as a farm labourer.
In 1921 William was serving in the Army with the Royal Army Service Corps in Germany as part of the Army of the Rhine. He left the Army 14th March 1922 and was living at 70 Sweetman Street, Whitmore Reans. It is not clear when he returned to the Army as William received the Long Service Good Conduct medal in 1937 while serving with the Royal Engineers. At the time of his death, he was living at 59 North Street Wednesfield.
William died 11th July 1942 aged 49 at the Royal Infirmary Halifax.
Row 1. Grave 41. Wednesfield (St. Thomas) Churchyard Extension.
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Vincent Kenneth Sergeant (Air Gnr.) 18199021658 C.U. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Kenneth was born December 1924 in Shifnal son of Alfred Roderick and Doris Vincent of March End Wednesfield. He was the second born of five children, Alfred, Esther Lawrence and Eric.
In 1939 the family were living at 3 Merrills Hall, Merrills Drive, Wednesfield.
Kenneth was killed whilst Flying 23 November 1943 aged 19 at Skipton, Yorkshire West Riding. The aircraft that Kenneth was aboard a Halifax Mark 11 bomber flew into Great Whernside near Kettlewell, Yorkshire probably due to icing in very bad weather during a night cross-country exercise.
Grave Reference: Row 3. Grave 48.
Wednesfield (St. Thomas) Churchyard Extension.
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Wallbank Cyril Sergeant (Air Gnr.) 945652
467 (R.A.A.F.) Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Cyril was born 25 April 1921 in Wednesfield son of John and Jane Wallbank. In 1921 Cyril was living with his mother at 5 Bellamy Lane, Wednesfield along with his older siblings Harry, Violet, Ruth, Grettel, and Charles.
Cyril's mother died 20 March 1931. By 1939 Cyril was residing at 96 Newhall Street, Willenhall, in the household of his sister Sarah and her husband, John Davies, together with their children Raymond and Frank. The home also included Cyril’s sister Violet and her husband, Job Rushton, as well as his brother Charles. Cyril was employed as a press operator.
Cyril enlisted into the RAF at Cardington, Bedfordshire between September 1939 and August 1940.
Cyril was killed in action 22 May 1944 aged 23. The Lancaster bomber in which Cyril was flying took off at 22:43 21 May 1944 from Waddington RAF base. The aircraft crashed at Nunhem in the Dutch province of Limburg west of the Maas.
Joint grave, 8.F. 8-9. Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Netherlands.
Waterhouse John Aircraftman 2nd Class 964788
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
John was born 6 June 1922 son of Frederick Herbert and Ada Jane Elizabeth Waterhouse. In 1939 they were living at 25 East Avenue Wednesfield along with John's older sister Emma; John was employed as a labourer metal worker.
John was taken Prisoner on 8 March 1942 when Java fell to the Japanese forces. He was instructed to go to an airfield in Tasikmalaya where thousands of RAF personnel had assembled to be taken prisoner by the Japanese. John was transferred to the notorious Japanese POW camps on Ambon Island. John was at some point moved to Harukoe POW camp. Haroekoe is a small island south of Ceram in the Moluccas group of islands near Ambon. The Japanese used POW labourers from Haroekoe POW Camp and Tantoei POW Camp on Haroekoe Island to build a single runway with taxiways surfaced with crushed coral.
Veteran Cyril Morris a RAF prisoner at Haroekoe POW Camp recalled "Dawn to dusk hard labour building an airstrip. The brutality, disease and malnutrition resulting in a death rate of ten burials a day."
Although the war had effectively ended, John died on 16 August 1945 before Allied forces reached the island. Like many POWs who survived years of captivity, he succumbed to the cumulative effects of starvation and disease in the final days before liberation.
John died from beriberi 16 August 1945 aged 23.
31. B. 9. Ambon War Cemetery, Indonesia.
George Lindsley Weir Private 5260313
6th Bn Green Howards (Yorkshire Regt.)
George was born 31st January 1922 in Durham, South Shields son of George and Ellen Weir. In 1939 they were living at 7 South Crescent, Featherstone along with George junior's older sister Wilhelmina and younger brother William. George was employed as a 'sand hopper' at a foundry. By the end of the war George's parents were living in Wednesfield.
On 6 April 1943 the 6th Battalion, Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment) took part in the Battle of Wadi Akarit. The battalion was part of 50th (Northumbrian) Division on the left of the Eighth Army’s attack. The assault began before dawn under heavy artillery fire. The Green Howards advanced through steep wadis and fortified ground held by Italian and German units. Fighting was close quarters and difficult because of the terrain, but by mid-morning the Eighth Army had broken the line. The battalion then pushed north as Axis forces withdrew toward Sfax. Records show several 6th Battalion casualties on this date unfortunately one of them being George.
Killed in action 6th April 1943 aged 21
V. E. 31. Enfidaville War Cemetery, Tunisia.
Withers Percy Jasper Private 14596572
2/5th Bn The Queen's Royal Regt (West Surrey)
Formally serving in the Leistershire Regiment.
Percy was born 24th January 1913 in Darlaston son of Percy Jasper and Edith Elizabeth Withers. In 1921 they were living at 4 Cook Street Wednesbury along with Percy's older sisters Winifred, Beatrice and Eunice and younger siblings Elsie and Ernest. Percy married Linda Annie Nicholls in October 1936 in Wednesbury; by 1939 they were living at 3 Cross Terrace Darlaston along with Linda's widowed father, her brother and sister. Percy was employed as a foreman carpenter.
Killed in action 20th February 1944 aged 32 on the front of the Anzio beachhead during the major German counter-offensives during late February.
I, G, 7. Anzio War Cemetery, Italy.
It is recorded that Linda Anne Withers was living in Wednesfield, it is unclear whether that was the family home or whether Linda move there at the end of the war.
Woolley Arthur Lance Serjeant 320069
4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards Royal Armoured Corps.
Arthur was born in Wednesfield May 1919 son of John and Elizabeth Woolley. In 1921 they were living at 31 Church St. Wednesfield along with Arthur's older siblings Ellen, John, Cyril and Elsie.
By August, the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards equipped with Sherman tanks and serving under 8th Armoured Brigade were engaged in the heavy fighting that followed the British capture of Mount Pinçon. Their role was to support the infantry of 214 Brigade 1st Worcestershire Regiment, 2nd Somerset Light Infantry, and Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry as the 43rd Division pushed south and east toward Cahagnes, Jurques, and the German defensive line beyond.
Arthur was killed in action 9th August 1944 aged 25.
IX. F. 20. St. Manvieu War Cemetery, Cheux, France.
