John Russell (Service No. 14325954) was killed in action on 6/12/1944. He was aged 22 and a Sapper in the Royal Engineers, 253 Field Company. He was initially buried at Cemetery Huijsmans, Rieterdreef and subsequently re-interred on12/5/1947 in grave I. E. 8 at the Overloon Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Overloon. His inscription reads “Too good in life to be forgotten in death. Mum, Dad, Brothers and sisters.”

Family background

John Russell, who was known as Jack, was the son of Arthur Albert Russell and Mary Ann Huntington who had married in 1900 in Aston, Warwickshire.
                 
Jack was born on 26/2/1922 and was the second youngest of eleven children as follows, all born in Aston: Arthur Leonard 1900, Albert 1901, Wilfred George 1903, Dora 8/1/1907, Frederick William 1909, Leonard 6/6/1911, Ernest 1914, Lillian 3/8/1916, Henry 1919, John (Jack) 26/2/1922 and Howard R 19/3/1924.
 
Arthur Russell had been born on 6/10/1881 and Mary on 6/11/1881 – both in Birmingham.
 
In 1901 Arthur and Mary were living at 2, Webster Street, Victoria Terrace, Aston Manor, Aston, Warwickshire. With them was their first child, Arthur Leonard. Arthur (Snr) was working as a Machine Tool Maker and Mary was a Jeweller’s Polisher. However, Arthur Leonard died in 1905 aged 5.
 
In 1911 Arthur and Mary were living at 77 Clarendon Street, Aston Manor, Warwickshire. Arthur was working in the Gun Trade. With them were their first four surviving children. However, Frederick William died in 1912 aged 3 and Ernest in 1918 aged 4.
 
By June 1921, Arthur and Mary were living at 2, Back 112, Clarendon Street, Aston, Birmingham, Warwickshire with their first five surviving children. Arthur was working as a Machine Tool Maker for Scott Ltd. Albert was working as a Tin Smith, Wilfred as a Glass Blower at John Welford (but was suspended until a strike was over), Dora was working in a Warehouse for Miller & Co.
 
Albert married Beatrice L Hall in 1928 and had three children. Wilfred married Winifred Rose Stokes in Yardley in 1928 and had four children between 1929 and 1936, though Wilfred died in 1937 and Winifred remarried.
Dora married Robert J Thornton and Leonard married Annie Nash in 1933 in Birmingham. Dora had four children between 1936 and 1945. Leonard and Annie had two children in 1934 and 1938.
 
In September 1939, Arthur and Mary were living at 98 Clarendon Street, Birmingham. With them were their children Lillian, Jack and Howard. Arthur was working as a Turner (General Engineer). Lillian was working as a Dress Finisher, Jack as a Sheet Metal Worker in the Motor Trade and Howard as a Transformer Draughtsman. It is not certain what had happened to Henry by this time.

Military Career

Jack enlisted on 5/11/1942 in the Royal Engineers. On 16/12/1942 he was in the 3rd Training Battalion Royal Engineers. He was assigned to 224 Field Company on 11/5/43. This company had joined  VIII Corps Troops, RE in March 1943. By July this Corps formed part of Second Army in 21st Army Group, training for Operation Overlord.
 
His older brother, Leonard, served as a Private in the 1st Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment in WW2 (No. 5258398). Sadly, he was killed in a tragic accident on 20/1/1944, aged 32. He was one of a Platoon which got lost in the mist in an exercise on Brighton beach while practicing for the D-Day landings. They had corrected their mistake and were heading towards their correct objective when they were subjected to heavy machine gun fire from tanks. A safety officer said that when he realised the machine gun fire was hitting the ground he fired his pistol for them to stop. However, they did not do so until he fired again. Leonard received several bullet wounds and was taken to hospital. A telegram was sent to his wife to say he was at Brighton Hospital and she left for the train straight away. After she’d left, another telegram came to say he was actually at Hove Hospital, but she didn’t find this out until she arrived in Brighton. By the time she got to Hove, he had died. A verdict of death by misadventure was returned at his inquest. The Captain in charge of Leonard’s platoon described him as one of the finest soldiers in it.
 
Jack himself seems to have required hospital treatment at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Westbury, Wiltshire on 3/5/1944. He was discharged on 13/5/1944. On 22/5/1944 he was assigned to 50 Reinforcement Holding Unit and embarked for France on 3/6/1944 as part of 39 Reinforcement Holding Unit, landing on 6 June, D-Day. He was then assigned to No. 2 Platoon of 253 Field Company on 14/6/1944. A Royal Engineers Field Company was manned by men from a wide variety of trades so they were equipped to deal with almost anything that confronted them. Jack’s civilian role as a sheet metal worker will have stood him in good stead.
 
The Company spent June, July and August in Normandy, supporting the other regiments in road clearance, mine laying, road making, bomb disposal, bridge building and other tasks such as the creation of water points.
 
By 17 August they had reached Frenes. The book “History of the 253rd (West Lancashire) Field Company Royal Engineers D-Day to VE Day” says “And now began the real period of liberation, Sappers working on checking road verges were greeted with joy and excitement, they came back in the evening with their trucks decorated with flowers and scribbled all over with autographs in chalk. They waved from the top of their vehicles and knocked back calvados and cider shouting ‘Vive la France.’ No one’s spirits could have been higher and by the time the Company entered Flers on August 18th contact with the enemy had been lost. It was not to be regained until we reached the Escaut Canal in Belgium.” They were able to enjoy an ENSA show in the town’s theatre. However, work continued as in late August they were also involved in training the Division in assault river crossings.
 
On 3 September, the Company moved from Flers to Richeville, crossing the Seine at Les Andelys. There was a period of rest with training on bridging operations and watermanship. On 10 and 11 September they continued their progression northwards, crossing into Belgium and past Louvain to reach the village of Rillaar after a 28 hour continuous journey. While here, they spent time training for an assault river crossing but also having a good time in Brussels in the evening. It was noted in the War Diary that “A grand welcome has been extended to the troops by the civil population.”
 
They remained here for some time before proceeding on 17 September across the Albert Canal to Petit Brogel just north of Peer. The unit was now in the front line on the opposite side of the Escaut canal which was held by the enemy. During the night of 18/19 September No. 1 and 3 Platoons assisted 9th British Infantry Brigade to cross the junction of the canal at Lille-Saint-Hubert, with the entire Company ending the day in the Hiekant area. On 20 September, No. 3 Platoon proceeded with road sweeping equipment in the area towards Maarheeze over the border of the Netherlands while the other two were held in readiness to demolish bridges over the Maastricht Canal on the Dutch side of the border near Weert. However, it transpired the next day that the enemy had already demolished the bridges. By 23 September, two Platoons moved into the Netherlands near Hamont, ending the day at Zomeren. The other remained with 9 Infantry Brigade and were at Deurne by 1 October.
 
By this time, it was known that Operation Market Garden had failed to take the bridge at Arnhem so the hopes of a rapid end to the war were fading.
 
On 1 October, the Company as a whole moved north again to Escharen which is between Nijmegen and Mill. From 7 to 10 October, they were involved in route maintenance and organising mine clearance teams with little idea of what was to come next. On 10 October it was decided that the west bank of the Maas was to be cleared down through Overloon and Venray to Venlo.  
 
On 11 October the unit moved south to Oploo and, on 13 October, two platoons supported Operation Aintree by clearing gaps through mine belts and developing forward routes in support of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Ulster Rifles and the 1st Battalion of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers. This continued the following day with route clearance south of Overloon. Overloon had finally been captured that day. Some of the troops remained at an advanced location while others returned to Oploo.
 
The focus then shifted to the route from Overloon to Venray where there was a need for bridge laying activities to cross the Molenbeek which was a major obstacle en route for Venray. During the night on 16 October No. 1 Platoon built a trestle bridge over the Molenbeek and No. 2 Platoon laid down culverting and filled in the gap opening the road to tanks the next morning. To do so involved an army of tippers pushing down ruined houses to provide the rubble to fill this formidable gap which could not be bridged by a Bailey owning to the presence of a capsized tank midstream. This was later to be known as “Forth Crossing”. Shortly afterwards, the 185th Brigade took Venray and the advance came to a halt with enemy still on the west bank of the Maas.
 
By 19 October the entire Company was based at Overloonsche Vlak which is on the Oploo road to the west of Overloon. Bad weather and bad roads were making supply difficult so work continued on the maintenance of routes and crossing approaches and mine clearance – and also the clearance of tracks for tank recovery. During the rest of October, the company continued with these tasks. They also assisted the REME with the recovery of an Assault Bridge north west of Venray, clearing lanes for tank recovery and even with the recovery of bodies. Many of these latter tasks would have been in the aftermath of the difficulties encountered in capturing Overloon and crossing the Molenbeek.
 
The Company remained at Overloonsche Vlak into November with similar activities. They helped to build a corduroy road called the “Fir Track” and provided  training to infantry regiments in the laying of mines. Mines were laid at Mullen and Vierlingsbeek to protect the Venray thrust from an attack from the east. Among other tasks, on 7 November, it was also noted that there was an almost daily task of burying dead cattle.
 
On 12 November the platoons’ personnel acted as infantry, patrolling and manning forward areas at Vortum which is south of Boxmeer, facing the River Maas. At this point the unit was relieved of route and road tasks. The men assigned to patrol duty also laid trip wires and mines. It was while here that the Company lost Sgt Edgeley who is also buried at Overloon. They were relieved of the patrolling duties on 16 November.
 
By 20 November, there was word of a fresh push to the south (Operation Peacock) so the unit moved its base from Overloonsche Vlak  first to Heipt on the outskirts of Venray and then, on the 24th, to Heide a few miles south. On 21 November No. 3 Platoon constructed a 30ft Bailey Bridge over a gap to the south of Heide and prepared a track in readiness for an attack on Horst. On 22 November, the British 9th Infantry Brigade began the advance and, finding Horst abandoned, pushed further south reaching the railway line at Grubbenverst. During the follow up on 23 November the Company had to clear roadblocks of trees between Venray and Horst. On 24 November, No. 2 Platoon assisted with the erection of a Bailey Bridge at Horst.
 
On 28 November, the Company HQ moved back to Hoofbrooding near Mill, leaving the three platoons at Heide. On 29 November, No. 2 Platoon started building a 70ft Bailey Bridge at Meerlo, to the south east of Venray. No 1 and 2 Platoons then joined HQ at Hoofbrooding. Meanwhile on 29 and 30 November No. 3 Platoon supported the 2 RUR for an attack in the Meerlo/ Wanssum/ Blitterswiijk area. This attack was heavily opposed and the RE parties were not used so withdrew to Meerlo. The other platoons were employed in road maintenance on the St Hubert / Haps / Oeffelt  and  St Anthonis /Boxmeer roads.
 
The last of the enemy had been cleared from the western bank of the Maas. The winter was now well advanced and the weather was wet and cold, making it impossible for either side to make any big move before Spring.
 
On 2 December, the platoon based at Meerlo returned to the rest of the Company near Mill. They were again involved in maintaining roads. Their area of responsibility was modified to align with that of 185 Infantry Brigade. It was generally to the south of Cuijk, north of Overloon and west of the Maas. Over the next two days maintenance continued. A party examined the Vortum to Verlingsbeek area for enemy mines and another group were making a railway line from Mullem into a track for jeeps. A ten day Field Engineering course was instigated for some members of five infantry regiments.
 
However, on 6 December the War Diary states that an “R mine exploded when being neutralised killing Spr Russell and wounding L/Cpl Johnson, Sprs Crooks & Dilks.” It says that on December 7 Spr Russell was buried at an informal cemetery at Huijsmans’ farmhouse on Rieterdreef which is close to the base they had used at Overloonsche Vlak.

Aftermath

Jack’s father, Mr A Russell of 98 Clarendon Street, Birmingham who was his next of kin was informed officially of his son’s death on 12/12/1944. This news would reach him just 11 months after the death of his other son, Leonard. He also received a message of sympathy from the King and Queen.
 
Shortly after that, Mr Russell received a letter from Major ET Collins of the 253 Field Company, Royal Engineers which was written on 7 December, the day after Jack’s death. He says:

 “Dear Mr Russell.
 
I wish to extend to you, on behalf of myself and the whole company, our very deep sympathy in your great loss.
When you receive this letter, you will already have been notified of Jack Russell’s death yesterday, but I am sure you will want to know more about it.
 
He was engaged in lifting and finding German mines when one exploded and killed him instantly. The mine must have been damaged by shellfire or some other cause and thus became unsafe to handle. He was extremely clever with mines, but in this case, it was quite impossible for anyone to tell that the mine had been affected. Three of his friends, who were with him were wounded, but will, I think, be all right.
 
Your son was a splendid soldier, always volunteering first for any duty, and always very cool and good in everything he did. He was immensely popular in his platoon and is greatly missed.
 
He was buried today quite near here and beside one of his friends. The service was conducted by a Church of England Chaplain in my presence and in the presence of your son’s officers and friends.
 
We who remain are determined that his sacrifice will not be in vain.
 
Yours sincerely,
Edward Collins.”

The friend he was buried alongside would be Sgt. Frank Edgeley and he is still alongside him at Overloon.
 
Major Collins himself was killed in action on 28 March 1945.
 
Jack’s brother Howard had written to his brother on 7 December, not knowing that he had been killed the previous day. This letter was returned to Howard in an envelope with post mark 15 December with the following stamp “It is regretted that this item could not be delivered because the addressee is reported deceased.”
 
It must have been extremely sad for Howard to re-read the hopeful words he had sent to Jack which he never received. Neither did he hear this latest news of his family and friends. His letter said the following:

“Dear Jack,
 
We had a letter off you yesterday and in it you have said how you wished to dispose of your Ten Pounds.
 
Well, Jack, all of us at home very much appreciate the fineness of this thought, and altho’ you more or less said that you were determined that we should accept it, we all feel that we couldn’t possibly do so. When you sent your letter it is most likely that you had not heard of leave that all you chaps will be getting.
 
So what we think the best thing to do is to keep it for you for when you have your leave and then you can have a good time with your savings and what a time we shall have. I tell you, Jack, if I don’t get drunk when you come home on leave, I swear I shall never have another drop.
 
Well, Jack, I hope that you won’t be annoyed at us for not accepting the money, but if we did, we should never seem to have a clear conscience.
 
Well Jack, to change the subject, Reg. came home on Tuesday, but up till now everything in the garden seems lovely. She stayed at the house, which surprised me very much, and it seems as though they are Darby and Joan.
 
About those newspaper cuttings that you said you didn’t receive, I have thought of another possible thing that happened. In my last letter I sent you some newspaper cuttings, but I wrote out the letter before I cut them from the paper and I actually sealed the envelope up without putting them in, but I remembered them in time. Well you see Jack this might of happened then only I didn’t remember them.
 
Arthur Bramall is home now. He came on Friday. His leave is indefinite. The fact that he has to go back is because he has got to have his artificial leg fitted.
 
I was in the Clarendon with him on Friday and Sunday and somebody else as you would never have guessed it was Billy Pearson. He’s in the army, the artillery. He has been in two years. One thing that surprises me was his age. He is nearly thirty one. He’s married now, been married 12 months. I’m going to see him again on Friday. We are going to a dance. He said when he came up to the Clarendon, he had one of the best times that he’s had of any of his leaves.
 
We won again at football on Sunday, beating the Co-op Dairy 4-1. We’re still fifth in the league, with only two points separating the first five, except that two teams have a match in hand. We’ve got a tough match this Sunday. We are playing Springhill Celtic, a team that’s only lost one match and that was when we beat them 5-3, but we had a better team then than we have now, but still here’s hoping. Well, Jack, I think that’s about all for now, except that I hope that your name is one of the first to be drawn out of the drum then we can expect to see you soon after Xmas pity it isn’t for Xmas still the party that we shall have will be better than a Xmas party.
 
Well Jack I’ll say cheerio and all the best from your loving brother,
Howard.”

Even Jack’s employer, Wasdell Ltd of Holdford Road, Witton, Birmingham, sent their condolences to the family. The letter was dated 18 December 1944 and the headed notepaper described the company as “Mudguard and Light Pressing Specialists, Motor and Aircraft Sheet Metal Workers in Steel, Duralumin and Alloys”. It said:

 “Dear Mr and Mrs Russell,
 
On behalf of this Firm and all employees, we send you and your family our deepest sorrow at the loss of your son Jack killed in action in this World War.
 
Jack had been employed with us for many years, and was always held in the highest esteem by his shop mates and Directors, and I can assure you that our cherished memories of your son will be perpetual.
 
Your son Jack always gave of his very best, and to, his life in the course of freedom for this world.
 
 May your brave son rest in contentment, with always kindest thoughts of his family and friends of which he had memories.
 
I trust my dear Mr and Mrs Russell and family you may be given health and strength to bear up to your sad loss of which time is the only healer, and with the full knowledge that Jack’s memories with us will always live.
 
A Loving Son
A Grand Workman
A Brave Soldier.
 
We are sending you out of our services fund the sum of £5 of which we would like you to spend in the memory of Jack in some way suitable to yourselves. May you all keep well and God be with you.
 
Yours faithfully
Wasdell Ltd.
SE  Willson
Secretary.”

A few months later, Jack’s brother, Howard, received a letter dated 17 April 1945 from Sapper Jack Roberts (Service No. 1896862) of No. 2 Platoon, 253 Field Company who was based in Egypt at the time. It said:

 “Dear Mr H Russell,
 
I have been asked by Sapper Ray Eccles, who is of the same company as I, if I would write you a few lines, as you wish to know more of your brother Jack.
 
To begin with, I first met Jack on D + 2 in Normandy when he came to our platoon and got to know him quite well as we both had much in common being that we both come from Birmingham.
 
After a swift advance through France, Belgium into Holland, our division took up opposition along the River Maas north of Venlo. The main job which our company was clearing mines for the infantry and armour to get through. The area was thickly covered with mines and there had been many casualty.
 
Your brother Jack was out one day with a party of men to clear a track in the area of Venray and Overloon, and Jack by this time had the reputation of being fearless. Anyway, lifting of the mines is no picnic, for Jerry had a way of booby trapping them, they had picked up quite a number of Regal mines and everything was going alright. Jack was seen carrying one of these mines when it went up. He was killed instantly and three other men received wounds.
 
Next day a corporal and myself and another sapper had to go and fetch your brother’s body out of the line, which we did, and we buried him in a corner of a field where 20 Artillery Gunners and another Sapper of our company was buried. He was buried by a Church of England Padre, for he was the only Padre available at the time.
 
The people of Overloon are erecting a sort of Hall of Memory for the men who fell in the 3rd British Infantry Division in the area Overloon, and every man who was buried in that area will be re-interred in a Military Cemetery in Overloon and his name and number inscribed in the Hall of Memory of Overloon.
 
That is all I can tell you, Mr Russell. I hope you are a bit more at ease in your mind.
Goodnight, yours truly,
Jack Roberts.”

Howard had replied to Jack Roberts and received the following reply dated 21 May 1945:

 “Dear Howard.
 
Here’s very many thanks for your welcome letter which I received the other day. It took quite a while to reach me as I have just come out of hospital and it followed me around.
 
I am glad to know that you are more contented in mind with the information I gave you. I missed one thing out concerning Jack. It is about a Bailey bridge which we built in the Venray area. You see, Howard, every bridge which our company built, we had to name it, and they was all named after fellows of our company who were killed. The bridge I have already mentioned was named the Russell Bridge in memory of Jack.
 
You said, Howard, that you would like to become a pen pal. I don’t mind at all, but it will be rather short as I am 34 group and will be leaving this country known as Egypt around the 20th June. I guess you are wondering what sort of bloke I am. Well, I am aged 24, joined the Army in 1940. I am married to a London girl and London is where I shall make my home when I get that Montague Burton’s they are lashing out at the Demobb Centre. My people live in Yardley and I shall be up there sampling Mitchells and Butlers and see that set of rags who pipped that team who amble around in claret and blue for top position in the League South. I guess you are a supporter of Aston Villa.
 
I will certainly call around to your home, Howard, as I would like to meet you.
 
This is all I can think to write of at present and the time is getting on and the paraffin lamp looks as if somebody as slipped it a dose of arsenic, well, thanks again, for writing.
 
Goodnight
Your friend Jack.
 
Ray Eccles is doing alright.”

Montague Burtons was a Leeds tailoring company that supplied suits to men coming out of the Army. Mitchells & Butlers is an old established Birmingham brewery.  It sounds like Jack Roberts supported Birmingham City while Howard was supported Aston Villa who still play in claret and blue today. Birmingham City had just won the league, finishing on the same number of points as Aston Villa but with a better goal ratio.
 
The Bailey Bridge which was named Russell Bridge was erected in the last days of January, 1945 when the Company were based at a Monastery at Meterik near Horst.

After the War

It is thought that Jack’s father, Arthur A Russell, died on 1/1/1950. He was living at 182 Lincoln Road North Acocks Green Birmingham. His mother died the following year, so neither survived long after their two sons had died in the war.
 
Leonard’s wife married John Taroni in Birmingham in 1946 and had another child.
 
Jack’s sister Lilian married William G Burborough in Birmingham in 1947 and went on to have three children. She died in 1979 in Nottingham.
 
His brother Albert died in 1979 and his sister Dora in 1981.
 
Howard R Russell married Doris K Dean in 1954 in Birmingham and had three children. He died in 1996 in Birmingham.

From FindMyPast website: Civil and Parish Birth, Marriage and Death Records; England Census and 1939 Register Records; Electoral Rolls; Military Records
Normandy War Guide website – War Diary 253 Fd Coy RE
History of the 253rd (West Lancashire) Field Company Royal Engineers D-Day to VE Day Edited by Major E.J. Hoadley, RE – thanks to Jane Smith for a copy
Ancestry for locating family trees created by Jane Smith and Emma Bullock
Assistance, photos and letters from Jane Smith (Howard Russell’s daughter)
Assistance and photo from Emma Bullock (Leonard’s great granddaughter)

Research Elaine Gathercole

Fred Seddon Langton (Service No. 1043747) was killed on 21 February 1945 when his RAF aircraft came down near Deurne. He was aged 23 and a Sergeant in the Royal Airforce Volunteer Reserve, 50 Squadron. He was initially buried at Woensel Cemetery “de Oude Toren” in Eindhoven and re-interred on 10 May 1947 in Grave II.B.2. at the CWGC Cemetery in Overloon. His grave is inscribed “Always loving, always kind beautiful memories left behind. Mum and Dad”

Family background

Fred Seddon Langton is stated in military records as being the son of Ernest and Hannah Langton of Southport, Lancashire.

Ernest Langton married Hannah Rimmer in 1903 in Ormskirk, Lancashire which is north of Liverpool and just inland from Southport, which lies on the west coast.

Ernest Langton was born on 2/10/1878 in Long Sandall which is near Kirk Sandall, just north east of Doncaster in Yorkshire. His mother was Sarah Jane Langton. In 1881 he was living with his grandparents, Robert and Elizabeth Langton at nearby Long Sandall, Doncaster. His grandfather was born in 1818 at Topcliffe, near Thirsk in Yorkshire and his grandmother in 1820 at Kirk Sandall. His grandfather was a labourer, working on roads. In the same household was Robert and Elizabeth’s son, also called Robert, born 1860 in Kirk Sandall and working as a Tailor.

In 1891 Ernest was still living with his grandparents at Edenthorpe, Kirk Sandall. Robert was now an agricultural labourer. With them was another grandchild, Annie Langton, born 1876 in Kirk Sandall. It is thought that at the time of the 1901 census, Ernest was a visitor in the household of John and Emily Gardener at 9, Craven Street, Harrogate. He was employed as a Butcher’s Assistant. John Gardener was a Grocer’s Assistant. With them was their 2 year old daughter, Miriam.

Hannah Rimmer was born on 6/3/1881 to Thomas Edwin Rimmer and Peggy Wright who had married in the Ormskirk district in 1879. Thomas was born in 1855  and Peggy in 1856. All three were born in Churchtown which was part of North Meols which is on the north east edge of Southport. Later in 1881, Thomas, Peggy and Hannah were living at 84, High Park Road, North Meols. Thomas was working as a blacksmith and Peggy as a charwoman.

In 1891, they were living at Pauls Lane, North Meols. Thomas was now working as a Pig Dealer and Peggy as a Laundress. With them were now three children: Hannah born 6/3/1881, Betty born 12/4/1883 and Alice born 14/8/1886. All were shown as born in North Meols. Five other families called Rimmer and two called Wright lived very close to them.  

In 1901 Thomas and Peggy were living at 60, Lytham Road, Southport. Thomas was now a Shopkeeper selling groceries and pork. Betty and Alice were still at home, with Betty working as a dressmaker. At this time, Hannah was a visitor in the household of Thomas F and Eliza J Shell at 149, Sefton Street. Southport. She was working as an assistant in a pork shop. Thomas and Eliza Shell were from Liverpool and Birkdale respectively and had ten children with them, born mainly in Southport. Thomas was a Carver and Gilder and five of the children were working. It isn’t known if the Shells were related to Hannah Langton in some way.

Hannah married Ernest Langton in 1903. Betty married Samuel Spencer in Ormskirk district in 1905 and Alice married John Charles Buckley in 1910 in Chester.  

Hannah and Ernest Langton went on to have three children as follows: Thomas Edwin 16/4/1904, Robert Ernest 5/8/1905 and Maude Lilian16/12/1909. Maude Lilian was always known as Phyllis within the family. Thomas and Robert were born in the Ormskirk district, but Maud Lilian (Phyllis) was born in the Chester district. Robert seems to have been transferred to a school in Boughton which is part of Chester on 1/4/1909, suggesting that the family had just moved there. The home address given was 13 Beaconsfield Street.

At the time of the 1911 Census, Ernest and Hannah Langton and their three children, and also Hannah’s parents, Thomas and Peggy Rimmer, were visitors in the household of Robert and Amy Jane Kingham at 53 New Street, Coventry, Warwickshire. Ernest Langton was working as a Pork Butcher and Thomas Rimmer as a Blacksmith. Robert Kingham was a Tool Fitter, born in 1887 in Coventry and his wife, Amy Jane, was born in 1888 also in Coventry. With them was one 3 year old child, Robert Edward Kingham. It isn’t known if the Kinghams were related to Hannah Langton in some way.

In 1911, Hannah’s sister, Betty Spencer, her husband Samuel and daughter Doris May Spencer (born 2/5/1909 in Southport) were boarding with Margaret Wright at 7 Manning Road, Southport. She may have been related to Betty’s mother, Peggy Rimmer, whose maiden name was Wright. Margaret was a married woman born in 1861 in Bury, Lancashire, but her husband was not present. With her were six children born between 1888 and 1904 in Southport. One of the girls was a waitress and another a milliner. Samuel Spencer was shown as born in 1883 in Southport and he was working as a Tram Guard.

Hannah’s other sister, Alice Buckley, and her husband John Charles Buckley were living at 45 Linaker Street, Southport. John Charles Buckley was born in 1885 and was a Grocer’s Assistant, born in Mossley, Cheshire. Living with them was a 25 year old boarder, Enoch Paull Kramer, a Confectionery Trade Worker. On 21/8/1911, Alice and John had a child, Thomas Edward Buckley, in Southport.

Ernest Langton signed up for the Army in WW1 on 24/2/1916, giving his address as 145 Woodland Road, Nottingham. He was placed on reserve the next day. He was described as a Master Butcher. Hannah was initially shown as next of kin at this same address – but this was later amended to 6 Lawson Street, High Park, Southport. On 9/5/1917 an official letter was addressed to the area commander in Nottingham instructing him to send Ernest Langton of 117 Alfred Street South, Nottingham to the Mechanical Transport Depot, Army Service Corps, Grove Park, Lee, London on 14/5/1917. However, he deserted on 22/6/1917 and was struck off the strength on 16/7/1917. This was noted by No 5 M.T. of the A.S.C. at Sydenham on 17/7/1917. The Army then sent three similar letters to Hannah with dates in July, September and October 1917 asking what she knew of his whereabouts. Each time she told them that the last she had heard from him was around the beginning of June when he said he was being moved on. The last address she had for him was No. 1 Section, Ladywell Centre, Sydenham. She makes it clear that it was in her interest as much as theirs that he was found as she was struggling to support herself and her three children. His army records include two letters written in August 1917, one from Hannah and another to her from a friend in Nottingham. The friend was trying to help her find Ernest. It seems that Ernest had been living with a Mrs A Evans of 117 Alfred Street, Nottingham immediately before he enlisted. She had recently cleared out a shop, probably at that address, and moved away. Hannah told the Army that Ernest was well known in the butcher’s trade in Nottingham having been a buyer and dealer at Midland and Norfolk cattle markets and gave details of some of his contacts there and also some of Mrs Evans’ friends so that they could try to find him. Hannah never did find out where he went – and that is still not known today. However, Phyllis later told her son a story from her childhood. She received a doll which was said to have come from her father in France.  Her mother, arriving home and finding Phyllis playing with the doll, took it and threw it on the fire. It was never mentioned again. As will be seen, Hannah eventually divorced him in his absence.

In June 1921, Hannah was a visitor at 43, Ash Street, Southport. The head of this household of 15 people was Elizabeth Sydney Rimmer, born 1867 in Devon who was a General Trained Nurse working on her own account. Given her name, it is likely that she was a relative of Hannah’s mother. The household included Elizabeth’s mother and stepfather, a boy of 4 whom she described as her son, though she was 54, a niece of 16, a male boarder who was a widower aged 50, two female servants, both called Sheard, one being 70 and the other 34, then seven visitors, one of whom was Hannah. Four, including Hannah, were women aged between 25 and 40. One had a child under 1 month with them, and another had a child aged 1 with them. One was divorced, two were married and one was single. The other visitor was a 76 year old widow who was an invalid.

It was only a few days after this census was taken that Hannah Langton gave birth to Fred Seddon Langton (known as Freddie) on 24/6/1921 at that address in Southport, though living in Duke Street at the time the birth was registered. Although he was given the surname Langton, as that was his mother’s surname at the time, it is understood that he was actually the son of Frederick Seddon, hence the choice of his middle name. It is likely that the house where Hannah was visiting was somewhere she had been sent for her confinement. This would explain the number of apparently unrelated young women visitors who were present.

At this time, Hannah’s three children were being looked after by her sisters, suggesting a close bond between them.

Her eldest child, Thomas Edwin Langton, was living with Hannah’s sister Alice Buckley at 73, London Street, Southport. He was working as a Shipping and Banking Clerk for J Jackson & Sons, Bankers & Agents which was based at 19 Water Street, Liverpool. Alice was shown as a widow as John Charles Buckley had died in 1919. She was working as a Grocer’s Manageress for E L Buckley, Grocer. E L Buckley was her father in law. Her son, Thomas Edward Buckley, was with her. Also living with her were her parents, Thomas Edwin and Peggy Rimmer. Thomas was working as a Pork Butcher for E L Buckley, Grocer of 77 Shakespeare Street, Southport.

Her other two children, Robert Ernest and Maud Lilian (Phyllis) Langton, were boarding with Hannah’s other sister, Betty Spencer and her husband Samuel at 6, Lawson Street, Southport. This was the address given for Hannah sometime after Ernest enlisted. Robert was working as a House Painter for Wollfall & Rimmer. Samuel Spencer was still working as a Tram Driver for Southport Corporation. With them was their first child, Doris May Spencer, but also another daughter, Peggy Rimmer Spencer, born 10/11/1916 in Southport.

Hannah’s father, Thomas E Rimmer, died in 1925 in the Ormskirk district.

Her eldest son, Thomas Edwin Langton, married Dorothy Heaps in Ormskirk district in 1927. They had children as follows in that district: June H 1928 and Norma H 1930. They may have spent some time in Greenford, Middlesex, but by September 1939, they were living at Beechtrees, Hillcroft Road, Liverpool with their two children. Thomas was working as a Shipping Agent.

Hannah’s daughter, Phyllis, married Herbert Johnson in 1936 in Southport. They moved to Chelmsford shortly after their marriage and had a child called Barry A Johnson by September 1939.

In September 1939, Hannah was shown initially as Hannah Langton but this was overwritten as Hannah Seddon. She was living at 35 Riding Street, Southport and was working as a Shop Assistant. Living with her was her eldest son, Robert Langton, who was working as a Tourist Agent’s Bookeeper and also Fred S Langton (Freddie) who was a Shop Assistant – Provisions. Living there too was Frederick Seddon, born 25/9/1891, who was working as a Drainage Inspector. Also there was William Rimmer, born 13/10/1867 who was a widowed, retired butcher and presumably an elderly relative of Hannah’s.

Living as a separate household at the same address as Hannah in September 1939 was Hannah’s sister Alice Buckley who was working as a Shop Assistant – Confectionery. Living with her was her son, Thomas E Buckley, who was working as an Unqualified Dispenser and also her widowed mother, Peggy Rimmer.

At this time, Hannah’s other sister, Betty Spencer, was living at 8 Palm Grove, Southport with her husband Samuel, who was now a General Labourer, and her younger daughter, Peggy R Spencer, who was described as a “Maker & Children’s Dress Machinist.”
 
Frederick Seddon is thought to have been born in 1891 in Southport to Frederick and Mary Ann Baines who had married in Southport in 1882. Frederick (Snr) was born in 1863 and Mary Ann in 1861, both in Southport. In 1901, Frederick and Mary Ann were living at 73, Swire Road, Birkdale with seven children born in Southport between 1883 and 1899, Birkdale is just down the coast from Southport. Frederick (Snr) was a carter and his eldest son was a Railway Porter. Also present was his mother in law, Elizabeth Marshall, who was a widow born in 1824 in Southport and a brother in law, Thomas Baines, born in 1866 in Southport who was a plumber.  It seems that Mary Ann’s mother, Elizabeth Baines, had married John Marshall in 1874 in Ormskirk.

In 1911, Frederick was still living with his parents, now at 193 Upper Aughton Road, Birkdale. Five of the children were still present but the two eldest boys had left home. Both Frederick Snr. and Frederick Jnr. were Carters and another son was a van driver. One daughter was a Laundry Maid and another was a Dressmaker. Living with the family was Ralph Seddon, Frederick Snr’s brother who was 44 and a cab driver, and Luke Woodward who was described as a 1 year old nephew of Frederick Snr.

Frederick Seddon served in the 1/7th  King’s (Liverpool Regiment) during WW1 (Service Nos. 3064, 265891). He enlisted on 7/11/1914 and was discharged as no longer physically fit for war service on 14/12/1918. He served in France. He was awarded the Silver War Badge, Campaign Medals and was the holder of the Military Medal.

In June 1921, Frederick Seddon was living at 170, Linaker Street, Southport. He was working as a General Labourer for Southport Corporation Highways Dept. His mother, Mary Ann Seddon, was shown as the head of this household. Frederick Snr. was not present, though Mary Ann was still described as married vs widowed. Two other children were also living at home. One son was working as a Boot & Shoe Maker but was out of work at the time. One daughter was working as a Waitress. Also living with her was a grandson, Luke Woodward, born 1910 in Ormskirk, whose father was shown as dead. It may be he who was shown as a nephew in 1911. Three visitors were also present: Margaret Powsey born 1894, Percival Edward Powsey born 1919, both in Southport, and William Broster Smith born in 1852 in Liverpool. Margaret was Mary Ann’s married daughter with her child. It is not known who William Broster Smith was. He was a Retired Home Trade Clerk with Messrs I J & G Cooper Ltd Manchester.
 
On 12/6/1942 it was reported in the Liverpool Evening Express that:

“A decree nisi was granted by Justice Henn Collins in a divorce court today to Mrs Hannah Langton of Riding Street, Southport, on the ground that her husband, Ernest, deserted her. The suit was not defended.

The marriage took place in May 1903 at West End Congregational Church. Lord Street, Southport, and Mr and Mrs Langton, who have three children, lived at Duke Street, Southport.

Mrs Langton’s case was that her husband left home in January 1916, and she had not seen him or heard of him since. She had made inquiries and advertised for him without result.”

In early 1943, Hannah Langton married Frederick Seddon in Southport.

Military Career

Freddie had enlisted in the RAFVR at No. 3 Recruits Centre at Padgate, Lancashire on 15/3/1941, but he was not called up to serve until September that year. On 16/9/1941 he was assigned to No 10 (Signals) Recruits Centre at Blackpool, then the Parachute & Cable Establishment at Denham, Uxbridge on 26/11/1941. From there he went to No 65 Maintenance Unit, Fred Edlin’s Garage, Blaby Wharf, Leicester on 14/3/1942 where he remained until 22/6/1943, apart from a two week temporary placement at No 7 Radio School in London. He then joined No 80 Maintenance Unit at Escrick in Yorkshire where he remained until 25/10/1943. However, during his time at Escrick he spent a day at the Aviation Candidates’ Selection Board at Doncaster.

This presumably set him on track to switch from maintenance to Air Crew as, after leaving Escrick, he was first assigned to No 3 Air Crew Reception Centre, Regent’s Park, London quickly followed by No 14 Initial Training Wing at Bridlington, Yorkshire on 13/11/1943, then Elementary Air Gunners’ School at Bridgnorth, Shropshire on 8/1/1944 and then No 8 Air Gunners’ School at Evanton, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland on 26/2/1944. On 16/5/1944 he went to No 4 Operational Training Unit at Alness, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland before attending No.14 Operational Training Unit at Market Harborough, Leicestershire. From there on 23/8/1944 he was assigned to No 51 Base at RAF Swinderby in Lincolnshire, though he was immediately sent for a brief period to No 5 Group Air Crew School (a Lancaster Finishing School).

On 2/11/1944 he was posted to No 50 Squadron at RAF Skellingthorpe in Lincolnshire along with the rest of the crew with whom he flew on the fatal night. This crew were as follows:

The crew flew 15 missions before 21 February, 1945.

On that night they took off from RAF Skellingthorpe at 17:02 in Avro Lancaster I (VN-X) with serial number LL741. This was named  ‘Expectant’ and was a Mark 1 delivered to 50 Squadron in 1943. By 1945 it had completed 92 Operations. They flew with around 165 Lancasters and 12 Mosquitoes to attempt to attempt to break the Mittelland Canal at Gravenhorst. The mission was successful with reports that the target had been rendered totally unserviceable. However, 13 Lancasters were lost with 53 crew losing their lives, 19 taken as prisoners of war and 11 evading capture.

LL741 succeeded in dropping fourteen 1,000 lb. bombs at 20:37 over enemy territory from an altitude of about 10,000 ft. During the bombing it was hit, presumably by flak. However, according to witnesses, all four engines were still working when the Lancaster began its return journey.

At about 09:15, when approaching Deurne at 7,000 ft. the aircraft was attacked by a German night fighter, thought to be Hauptmann Heinz Rokker, causing a fire on both sides of the cockpit. Freddie’s nephew believes that the Night Fighter Aces claiming to have shot down ‘Expectant’ were using the ‘Upward Firing Cannon’ (Schrage Musik) – hence the fires on both sides of the cockpit.

The pilot ordered the crew to leave the aircraft. Sgt. Lewis made his way to the front escape hatch when he saw Flt. Sgt. McCauley preparing to jump as well. Both crew members exited the ‘plane but it appeared that McCauley’s parachute was on fire, causing him to fall to his death. The rest of the crew, including Freddie, did not manage to escape from the ‘plane and were killed when it crashed. Sgt. Lewis injured his right leg on landing so spent the night wrapped in his parachute trying to sleep. He was found by two Dutch soldiers as he had landed in the already liberated part of the Netherlands. He returned to England and re-joined operations in April 1945.

In the morning of 22 February 1945, rescue and recovery units, composed of members of ground crew (volunteers) were sent out to search for three Lancaster bombers which had crashed in the area the previous night. They found the remains of LL741 in Helenaveen. Eight bodies from the three wrecks which were found were buried the next day with full military honours at the cemetery “de Oude Toren” in Woensel, including Fred Seddon Langton and Denis Alphonsus McCauley.

The four Canadian men were buried in the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery.

In 1947 the bodies of Fred Seddon Langton and Denis Alphonsus McCauley were re-interred at Overloon War Cemetery.

Aftermath

Hannah’s mother, Peggy Rimmer, died in 1944 in Southport so would be unaware of her grandson’s subsequent death.
 
Hannah Seddon died on 6/8/1962 and Frederick Seddon on 1/2/1970, both in Southport. Both are commemorated on a grave stone in Duke Street Cemetery along with their son, Fred Seddon Langton. The ashes of Phyllis Maud Lilian Johnson (nee Langton) are buried alongside this memorial.

 “In Loving Memory of our dear son, Sgt. Fred S. Langton A.C. R.A.F.  V.R. who was killed during operations over Germany on February 21st 1945 aged 23 years Interred at Overloon, Holland
Sweet is the memory silently kept of one we loved and will never forget.
Also of Hannah Seddon mother of the above who died August 6th 1962 aged 81 years
Also of Frederick (Fred) Seddon beloved husband of the above who died February 1st 1970 aged 79 years
Reunited
Life’s work nobly done
Also the ashes of Phyllis Maud Lilian Johnson (nee Langton)
December 16th 1909 – November 8th 1984
In God’s Own Keeping”
 
Hannah’s two other sons and son in law were also involved in WW2 but survived. Thomas Edwin Langton served in the Royal Engineers in WW2 in Movement Control. Robert Ernest Langton served in the RAF and it is known that he was aboard a Troop Ship travelling to India in September 1942. Phyllis’ husband, Herbert Johnson, worked for Marconi and was recalled back into the Signals Regiment as war threatened. Because of the risk of bombing to Marconi, Phyllis returned to Southport to live when their son Barry was 6 weeks old.

Hannah’s sister Alice Buckley died in 1951 in Southport. Her sister Betty’s husband, Samuel Spencer, died in 1952 and Betty herself in 1968, both in Southport.

Hannah’s son, Robert Ernest Langton, married Vera L Chambers in early 1951 in London. This was Vera’s second marriage. Vera Woodcock (or possibly Peacock) who was born on 8/10/1913 had initially married Douglas H Chambers in 1936 in Romford district. Robert and Vera had one child, Edwina A L Langton, in late 1951 in London. They lived in North Acton. They moved to Rottingdean, Brighton where Robert died on 20/7/1968. Both he and Vera are buried in St Margaret’s Church, Brighton.

Thomas Edwin Langton went on after WW2 to develop the Package Holidays concept and founded Sky Tours and Britannia Airways amongst other companies. These were bought out in the 1960’s by Thomson Travel now TUI. He died on 5/7/1978 and was buried in Majorca where the family was living. On their return to the United Kingdom, he was re-interred in the Churchyard of Christ Church, Long Load, Somerset.

Hannah’s daughter, Maude Lillian (Phyllis) Johnson, died in Oakley, Basingstoke, Hampshire on 8/11/1984.

After the war, the grave of Fred Langton was adopted by the Vloet Goemans family. This photo was taken in 1948 and clearly shows how badly their house was damaged in the war.

The following persons are on the photo:

1. Maria, 2. Nico, 3. Gerrit, 4. Antoon, 5. Annie, 6. Miny, 7. Theo, 8. Bets, 9. Jan, 10. Father, Piet Vloet, 11. Mother, Marie Vloet-Goemans, (van de Gent), 12. Henk, 13. Piet. 

From FindMyPast website: Civil and Parish Birth, Marriage and Death Records; England Census and 1939 Register Records; Electoral Rolls; Military Records; British Newspaper Archive
Extracts from FS Langton’s Service Record from Richard Schoutissen
https://www.oorlogsslachtoffers.nl/deurne/fred-seddon-langton/
http://aircrewremembered.com/anderson-peter-gordon.html
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18394816/fred-seddon_langton
Liverpool Avond Express 12/6/1942
Stichting de Oude Schoenendoos
Thanks to Freddie’s nephew, Barry Johnson, for photographs and information

Research Richard Schoutissen, Elaine Gathercole

Patrick Sweeney (Service No. 3315414) was killed in action on 16 October 1944 aged 26. At the time of his death he was a Lance Corporal in the 4th Battalion of the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. However, a military record indicates that he was initially in the 10th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry. He was initially buried at near G. van Herpen, Langstraat, Vierlingsbeek and subsequently re-interred on 2 June 1947 in grave IV. E. 6 at the Overloon Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Overloon. His inscription reads “Death has left a vacant place this world can never fill”.

Patrick’s family

Patrick was the son of Annie Sweeney from Port Dundas in Glasgow.
 
Patrick McManus Sweeney was born in Glasgow Maternity home at 5:15 am on 2 May 1918. His birth was registered in the St Rollox area of Glasgow. His mother was given as Annie Sweeney – a domestic servant of 15 Bridge Street, Maryhill, Glasgow. No father’s name was given.
 
In June 1921 Patrick was living with his mother, shown as Annie C. Sweeney at 68 Whitelaw Street in the Maryhill Parish of Glasgow. Annie was born at Campsie in Dumbarton around Feb 1897. She was working as a Brickfield Worker for P&M Hurll Ltd., Brick Makers. The brick making firm of P&M Hurll was located at Drumchapel and operated from about 1903 to November 1941. She and Patrick were living with her parents who were James and Helen C. Sweeney. James Sweeney had married Helen C. Coll in 1897 in the Maryhill area. James had been born in Letterkenny in Donegal, Ireland around January 1876. He was a general labourer for McColl & Welsh, Iron Merchants. His wife was born at Balmore in Stirling around July 1866. A large number of other families were also living at 68 Whitelaw Street suggesting it was probably a Glasgow tenement. The family of four people were all living in one room.
 
Patrick McManus Sweeney married Annie McQuade on 13 March 1940 at St Aloysius Church, Glasgow. Banns had been read according to the forms of the Roman Catholic Church. The marriage was registered in the Milton Burgh of Glasgow. Patrick was living at 6 Swan Street, Glasgow. He was aged 21, a bachelor and a Brickfield Labourer – as well as being a Private in the 10th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry. His mother was recorded as Annie Sweeney – a Domestic Servant – and it was stated that she was now married to Francis Duncan, a Railway Porter. It is noted that Patrick now signed his name as Patrick Sweeney with no reference to McManus. Annie McQuade was aged 23, a spinster and working as a Sewing Machinist. Her address was also given as 6 Swan Street. Her father was named as Neil McQuade, a Chemical Works Labourer, and her mother was Elizabeth McQuade (Maiden Surname McAllister). The marriage ceremony was performed by Joseph Dempsey S.J. a Roman Catholic Clergyman at St Aloysius Church, Glasgow. The S.J. indicates that Fr Dempsey was a Jesuit Priest. The witnesses were David Kane of 6 Swan Street and John Glen of 5 Swan Street. Given David Kane’s address, it is likely that 6 Swan Street was again occupied by a number of families and was again a Glasgow tenement. Today, Swan Street would be described as being in Port Dundas.
 
Patrick and Annie Sweeney had one child, Francis Joseph, in 1944 in the Townhead area.

Annie McQuade’s family

Neil McQuade married Lizzie McAllister in 1906 in the Blythswood area of Glasgow. They seem to have had children as follows, all registered in the St Rollox Parish of Glasgow. : Margaret 1906, Mary 1907, Elizabeth 1910, Helen (known as Ellen) 1912, Catherine 1915, Annie 1916 and Rebecca 1920. Catherine died in infancy and they may have had another daughter whom they called Catherine F McQuade in 1925.
 
In 1921, Neil and Elizabeth McQuade were living with their children at 6 Swan Street in the St Rollox Parish. Neil was born around June 1886 in Glasgow. He was working as a Grinder for the Caledonian Railway Locomotive Department. Elizabeth was born around April 1995 in Glasgow. Their daughter Margaret was working as a Bookbinder for J. Cree Junior & Co. Stationers. Again, several families were living at 6 Swan Street. The family of 8 people were shown as living in 2 rooms. A family called Kane were recorded next to the McQuades. A David Kane later witnessed Annie’s wedding.

Military Career

It is clear that Patrick was already a Private in the 10th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry at the time of his marriage in March 1940. However, by the time of his death he was a Lance Corporal in the 4th Battalion of the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry.
 
The 10th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry was formed in 1939 as a duplicate of the 5th Battalion in Glasgow. The 10th served as part of the Orkney and Shetland Islands’ defences, before moving to NW Europe for the 1944-5 campaign. They landed in Normandy on 18 June 1944 as part of the 227th (Highland) Brigade. They took part in Operation Epsom, engaging in heavy fighting around Cheux. They advanced through Normandy, fighting alongside the 6th Guards Tank Brigade. They moved on through France and Belgium, reaching Eindhoven on 23 September and Milheeze on 1 October where they remained until 19 October.
 
It isn’t known at what point Patrick Sweeney moved to the 4th Battalion of the Kings Shropshire Light Infantry, but it was certainly by 4 September 1944.
 
The 4th (Territorial) Battalion of the Kings Shropshire Light Infantry landed in Normandy on 14 June 1944 and fought its way through France, the Netherlands and Germany until May 1945.
 
By 3 September the 4 KSLI had reached Ninove in Belgium, south of Antwerp. Their objective for the following day was Antwerp. About four miles out of the town the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry, who were ahead of the 4 KSLI, reported that the outer perimeter of forts was not held by the enemy and that the city, held by some 2000 enemy, had been taken by surprise at the speed of the advance. The Battalion therefore continued in its transport to the outskirts of the town. A dense crowd, cheering and embracing “their liberators” made military operations very complicated. Their first objective was to take a park in the centre of the city. No opposition was met during the approach to the park and milling crowds made it like a triumphal march. At the park however, the enemy had strong defences and the leading company came under very heavy machine gun fire. After desperate hand to hand fighting, the enemy surrendered. A company was then sent to clear the mayor’s house. The garrison there held out until dark, when they finally surrendered. During the night one company was sent to hold one of the bridges on the Northern outskirts of the city. The War Diary reports that all operations were carried out with the greatest difficulty, due to the enthusiasm of the civilians who literally carried off complete Platoons and Companies shoulder high. The Battalion HQ established itself in the park behind the German wire and sentries were mainly concerned with keeping out the cheering populace. During this day, Lance Corporal P Sweeney was at first reported missing and then later it was reported that he was now not missing. Perhaps he had been one of those carried away by the populace!
 
The 4 KSLI remained in and around Antwerp until 8 September when they moved to Louvain, Heusden then Hecteren which they reached on 11 September and where they remained until 21 September. By this time, they had taken on men from various regiments and it was stated that they were becoming a mixed bag. While here on 15 September they were told of a planned large drive for Arnhem and on 17 September they saw lots of fighters and heavy bombers overhead in support of the greatest airborne operation ever launched. This would be the push for Arnhem in Operation Market Garden.
 
On 18 September they moved to near Bree and took part in a deception plan to disguise a bridging operation across the Escault Canal. They crossed this at Lille St Hubert on 20 September and crossed into the Netherlands. They spent that night at Budel. The diary states that “Everyone seemed quite pleased to see us and they waved orange flags with much gusto”. They moved on to Vaarsel on 21 September where they waited for the Herefords to build a bridge over the Willems Canal. The following day, with the Fife and Forfars, they captured Asten. On 25 September they moved on to Gemert where they got an excellent reception and then on to St Anthonis. The following day they heard that the bridgehead at Arnhem had been evacuated. They remained at St Anthonis until 29 September, defending the village and patrolling the surrounding area including Boxmeer.
 
They were relieved of their duties at St Anthonis by American troops, enabling them to return to a rest area at Gemert where they remained until 7 October. They had the pleasure of having bathing and entertainment facilities there. On 7 October they headed to the Mullem area to take over defensive positions from the US 7 Armoured Division. They remained in this area, carrying out extensive patrols, until 15 October.
 
On 15 October the Battalion were ordered to carry out an attack from an area occupied by the 2 KSLI directed on the village of Smakt, the limit of exploitation to be the railway line running N-S a few hundred yards to the west of Smakt. They passed through Overloon with some difficulty as heavy traffic had turned the roads and tracks into a very bad state. Overloon had only just been captured a day or two previously. The attack included assistance from the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry and a rolling Artillery barrage which was to move at a rate of 100 yards every 2 minutes. The barrage was to dwell on the opening line for 10 minutes. Unfortunately, some guns fired short, dropping in the area of the KSLI causing some casualties. The barrage eventually moved on, but the momentum of the attack was halted until the offending guns ceased. The attack proceeded and the barrage was called off, concentrations being fired instead. The ground over which the Battalion moved was a large sandy waste, scarred with dunes – impassable for all vehicles except tanks and carriers (with difficulty). The C.O.’s Scout Car was towed by the Fife and Forfar Regimental Commander’s Tank all the way in order to maintain communications with the rear radio link. Various companies met with some opposition but reached the railway line. When the Battalion consolidated its position, the enemy began to  shell and mortar the area with the companies on the right being subjected to heavy ‘stonking’ from 105 mms, 88 mms, mortars and Nebelwerfer. There was quite an amount of airburst fired. The action cost the Battalion 4 man killed and 29 wounded. It was for his actions on this day that Sgt George Harold Eardley was awarded the Victoria Cross.
 
The following day, the shelling and mortaring continued as actively as on the previous day. This was the day on which Lance Corporal Patrick Sweeney was killed in action. Later that day, the Battalion was relieved by 1 KOSB and moved to a harbour area in Heidewoude then Milheeze on 17 October.

Patrick’s Family after his Death

Annie Sweeney married for a second time in 1952, following Patrick’s death. The marriage took place in the Townhead district of Glasgow and her husband was James McNiff Campbell. James McNiff Campbell was born in 1923 in St Rollox Parish. They had children as follows, three of whom were triplets: James McNiff 1953, Donald 1953, Elizabeth 1953 and Anne 1959. The first three were registered in the Milton district and Anne in Campsie.
 
Annie Campbell died in 1993 in Glasgow aged 76.
 
James McNiff Campbell died in 2008 in Glasgow. His obituary in the Evening Times on 12 February 2008 read as follows:
“CAMPBELL — JAMES McNIFF. Peacefully, at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, on 9 February 2008, James (formerly of Swan Street), beloved husband of the late Annie, father of Frank, James, Donald, Liz and Anne, a loving grandfather and great-grandfather.”
 
Francis Joseph Sweeney died on 16 October 2020 in Glasgow – on the anniversary of his father Patrick’s death.

From Scotland’s People website: Civil and Parish Birth, Marriage and Death Records; Scottish Census Records
From FindMyPast: Electoral Rolls; Military Records
Wikipedia:  King’s Own Shropshire Light Infantry
King’s Own Shropshire Light Infantry War Diary from Traces of War website
Highland Light Infantry Website
Light infantry Website
War Diary – Campaign in Europe -10 Highland Light Infantry by Fred Vogels
Legacy-ia website for James McNiff Campbell Obituary
Photo provided by Patrick’s grandson, Michael Francis Sweeney, son of Francis Joseph Sweeney, with assistance from Jackie Craven of Shettleston Library in Glasgow.

Research Elaine Gathercole  

John Dyason was born in Lambeth, London on 17 April 1920 and was the son of Robert Dyason (1888-1968) and Phoebe Jane Nash (1888-1931).
He had five brothers: Robert George (1905-1942), Frederick John (1907-1971), Thomas William (1909-1970), William Charles (1910-2010) and George Mark (1923-1986).
He married Doreen May Bolt (1923-2012) on 26 January 1943 and lived with her in Tiverton, Devon in England. He had no children.

Military career

At this moment it is not known yet when John joined the Royal Artillery, het 63 (The Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars) Anti-Tank Regt.

QUEENS OWN OXFORDSHIRE HUSSARS

In 1938, the Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars regiment was transformed from an artillery role to that of an anti-tank unit and renamed the 53rd Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery (TA) (Worcestershire and Oxfordshire Yeomanry). In 1939, the Oxfordshire Yeomanry was designated the 63rd Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery (TA) with headquarters in Oxford and the Worcestershire Yeomanry remained with the 53rd Anti-Tank Regiment. Four batteries were formed: 249 and 250 in Oxford and 251 and 252 in Banbury. 

The regiment took part in the coastal defence of England after Dunkirk in 1940 and was then sent to Northern Ireland as part of the 61st Division, a defence force in case the enemy landed troops in neutral Ireland to invade England.

The regiment’s two-pounder anti-tank guns were later replaced by six-pounder anti-tank guns, which were in turn replaced by seventeen-pounder anti-tank guns. These were pulled by Crusader tanks with the upper turret removed to allow the crews to easily get in and out. Quads, four-wheel drive vehicles, were also introduced to tow the guns.

The regiment was stationed in Ireland for the next three years, with the exception of the 251 Banbury Battery. In 1941, this battery was detached and became part of the 85th Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery, part of a hastily assembled force needed to defend Singapore against the invading Japanese army.

Lieutenant-colonel John Thompson commanded the Oxfordshire Yeomanry from 1942 to 1944.
Batteries 249, 250 and 252 returned to England in February 1943 and took part in large-scale exercises with American and other troops in preparation for the Normandy landings.

Sir Winston Spencer Churchill became Honorary Colonel of the regiment from 1942 to 1965. The regiment did not take part in the D-Day landings because it had remained in reserve to supplement other frontline units. Lieutenant-colonel John Thompson mediated to request a combat mission for the regiment. He contacted Winston Churchill, ex-officer of the Oxfordshire Yeomanry and honorary colonel, now prime minister and minister of defence, who agreed to the request.

The regiment left for France in October. After arriving in Dieppe as part of the second army, they were merged with another regiment, the 91st Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders. In the following months, the Oxfordshire Yeomanry, together with their new Scottish colleagues, advanced with the army through France, Belgium and the Netherlands, while the enemy was driven back towards Germany.

Following the failure to capture the bridge at Arnhem in Operation Market Garden in late September 1944, the Allied Forces found themselves in a narrow salient through the Netherlands. Operation Aintree in mid October successfully captured Overloon and Venray and succeeded in widening the salient in that area. However, German patrols continued to threaten the Allied Troops in no-man’s-land in the Boxmeer area by crossing the Maas during the night.

On 7 November 1944, some 400 servicemen of the 63rd Anti-Tank Regiment entered the Boxmeer area. The unit was carrying 17-pounder guns and M10 tanks. One of the first targets was the church tower in Afferden, on the other side of the Maas, which the Germans were using as an observation point. On 9 November, they aimed their tank across the Maas at the church and successfully blew it to pieces.
Although the unit’s task was to use their M10 tank destroyers and 17-pound cannons to disable enemy tanks, the Maas unit was given another task: guarding lines, infantry work, in fact

The soldiers needed to guard three strong points in the area. These strong points marked the first time that structural action was taken in the Boxmeer no man’s land to stop German patrols that crossed the Maas, especially at night. Unaccustomed to this, they engaged in hand-to-hand combat in the dark and got beaten up badly. German patrols and grenade fire made their days far from easy. Despite their inexperience, the men of Battery 250 initially came through unscathed.

But their success quickly pales and is overshadowed by a major tragedy.
On 17 November, at 8.30 in the morning, Battery 250 on Sint Anthonisweg in Boxmeer, near the Bacon factory, came under heavy fire. The men sought cover in a trench, but they were directly hit. Seven British soldiers from this battery were killed in the attack and six were wounded. John Dyason sadly was one of them who was killed. 

The seven who were killed, R.F. Quainton, Sgt. J. Dyason, Korp. G.L.J. Hankin, R.B. Bland, E. Cleall, H.A. Wisker and Sgt. John Arthur Painting, were buried later that day in a field grave on Boxmeerseweg in Sint Anthonis. In May 1947, they were all reburied at Overloon War Cemetery.

Soldiers of Oxford Museum

“Tot Frontgebied verklaard” door Guido Siebers en Geurt Franzen. 

Research Sue Reynolds, Anny Huberts

Albert William Halls was killed in action on 14 October 1944. He was initially buried in the Venrayseweg Cemetery in Overloon then later transferred on 1/5/1947 to Grave III. B. 9. in the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery there. He was only 18 years of age and was a Private in the 1st Battalion of the Royal Norfolk Regiment (service number 14714650). The inscription on his grave reads: “There’s some corner of a foreign field that is forever England.”

Military career

The 1st Battalion of the Royal Norfolk Regiment was still in India on the outbreak of the Second World War. It remained there until July 1940, when it returned home. It landed at Sword Beach in Normandy on D-Day (6 June 1944). It played its part in operations in Normandy throughout June, July and August before being able to have a more extensive rest form 17 August at Tinchebray where it was also able to receive reinforcements to replace the many casualties.

During September, it moved through France and Belgium, reaching Helmond in the Netherlands on 25 September. Here, they were met with uproarious crowds, despite still attempting to fight the enemy. B Company had been assigned the task of defending the eastern end of the town having been assured by higher authority that the Germans would counter attack that night and were most anxious to settle in and sort out fighting positions, fields of fire, etc. Lt. GDH Dicks MC of B Coy. later related his story. He remembers after checking accommodation for the platoon:

“I turned to leave the house. I was immediately attacked by approximately 50 nurses who insisted that I come with them to the hospital opposite to give the inmates their first view of liberation. I had no option -in spite of the preoccupation of my mind – I was hauled across the road by each arm by a couple of lusty Dutch nurses, followed by at least eight of the lads being meted out with the same pleasant treatment. The scene inside the hospital of patients waving white and feeble hands at a dirty, begrimed, equipped and armed British subaltern would have been fit for any academician.

At last I made my escape and then had to sort out the others who had been hauled inside. I have often thought since about that bunch of boys – how happy they were at that moment. Cariello (killed March 1), Halls (killed October 14), Gorbell (killed October 14), McMorrine (wounded October 14), Taylor (wounded October 16).”

They moved out of Helmond on 29 September, crossing the Maas at Grave, through Heumen on to Maldens Vlak on 1 October. Here they remained until 11 October when they moved to Cuijk then to St Anthonis and Oploo on 12 October.

Movement forward by Allied Forces had been halted short of Arnhem, but a large pocket of resistance remained to the east, in the area up to the River Maas, and the intention in October 1944 was to turn south to clear the area down to the town of Venray. Overloon, which lay to the north of Venray, was taken on 13 October and the 1st Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment spent the night of the 13th in the woods around Overloon. The aim on the 14th was to move south towards Venray, but this involved crossing a stream called the Molenbeek. However, the enemy had a clear sight over a distance of 1,000 yards of the British troops as they left the shelter of the woods.

In May 1945, Lt. GDH Dicks MC wrote a personal account of his experiences that day while convalescing from wounds received in March 1945, of which this is an extract.

“Next morning, 14 October 1944, we received our orders for the attack. B Company was to be one of the two forward companies having the thankless task of first bumping and locating the enemy. Friar ([Lt. D.B. Balsom) was given the task of being the leading platoon with Company HQ next, then my platoon, then Ray’s (Lt. R. S. Hilton) platoon. Ray and I would travel with Company HQ.

Inevitably, we soon came under fire from the German lines and Friar’s platoon suffered casualties. Everybody took to the deep ditches either side of the road and crawled forward cautiously. I have a constitutional aversion to crawling, so very soon I began to shuffle along using my hands and feet, with my knees off the ground. Result – one bullet through my haversack. I subsided for a time but soon my constitution overcame my caution and once more I raised my body. Result – another bullet through my haversack. I did not risk a third chance. Eric (Major, E.A. Cooper-Key MC, OC B Coy)  and his batman soon after rose and did a spirited dash forward to Friar to get information and then called us up to receive orders for the assault.

The plan was for Friar to remain where he was and by fire to keep the Germans’ heads down. Ray and I were to form up on each side of the road – Ray on the right and I on the left.

I formed up behind a ramshackle farm-house and then moved out into the open on the left of the road with two sections in line as per battle drill with about 5 yards between each man. I felt as naked as the day I was born.

We moved forward at a walking pace with the Churchill tank rumbling along behind. A Spandau opened up and I saw the tracer bullets go through our ranks and a figure fall. It was Halls, 8 Section Bren gunner  – shot (as I afterwards learnt) through the heart. He was on the extreme left of the section, and the fire had come, I noticed, from a projecting copse on our left front. The sections had automatically gone to ground. Cpl. Smith recovered the Bren gun from the body of the dead soldier; and L/Cpl. Grimble, the other Bren gunner in the forward sections, was blazing away merrily although I feel he only had a vague idea in which direction the Spandau lay.”

A total of eleven men of the Royal Norfolk’s were killed that day, including Albert William Halls. The Battalion succeeded in crossing the Molenbeek on 16 October and Venray was taken by the 18th. Between 13 and 18  October the Battalion suffered 43 fatal casualties and almost 200 wounded and the towns of Overloon and Venray were badly damaged.

Family background

Albert William Halls (known to his family as Albie) was the son of Cyril Halls and Beatrice E Taylor who married in 1925 in Ely, Cambridgeshire.

Cyril Halls was the son of William Halls and Selina Halls (nee Chilvers). William was born in 1856 in Wilny, Norfolk and Selina in 1863 in Clenchwarton, Norfolk. They seem to have had children as follows: Frederick A 1886, Claude E 1890, Cyril 25/1/1898. Frederick was born in Saham Toney, Claude in Terrington St John and Cyril in Wiggenhall St Germans.

In 1901, William and Selina Halls were living at Church Road, Terrington Saint John, Norfolk. William was a Police Constable. With them were Frederick, Claude and Cyril. Frederick was working as a Bricklayer’s Labourer. The family were still in Terrington St John in 1901 and William was now a Police Pensioner. Only Claude and Cyril were with there. Claude was working as a farm labourer.

By June 1921, Cyril had moved to Ely and was living as a boarder in the house of William and Sarah Jane King in Broad Street, Ely. Cyril was working as a Ticket Collector for the Great Eastern Railway. William King was 54 and a Labourer at a timber yard. With them was their 10 year old daughter and a married 28 year old daughter, her son and her husband, who was a Locomotive Driver for the Great Western Railway. There was also another 29 year old boarder, who was a Train Examiner for the Great Eastern Railway. 

Beatrice Edith Taylor was the daughter of Harry Albert Taylor and Priscilla Taylor (nee Turner). Harry was born in 1879/80 and Priscilla in 1879/81, both in Ely. They seem to have had children as follows, all in Ely: Albert James 1897, Elizabeth Ann 1899, Beatrice Edith 22/10/1902, Harold 1905, Ivy Gladys 1907, Frances Amelia 1909, William A 1911, Harry Arthur O 1914 and Mary K 1916.

In 1911, Harry and Priscilla were living at Chapel Street, Ely. Harry was a boot repairer. With them were there first six children, including Beatrice.

By June 1921 Harry and Priscilla were living at 10, The Range, Silver Street, Ely. Harry was still a Boot Repairer. With them were all their children except James and Ivy, though Elizabeth was married and her husband and daughter were there too. Harold was working as an Insurance Clerk and Elizbeth’s husband as a Ticket Collector for the Great Eastern Railway.

Cyril Halls married Beatrice Edith Taylor in 1925 in Ely. They had children as follows, all in Ely: Albert William 4/2/1926, Kenneth C 1929, Frederick A 12/6/1932, Keith H 1934, Terence E 1936, Geoffrey C 1938 and Gena L 1940.

In September 1939 they were living at 72 St John’s Road, Ely with all  six children born by then, including Albert. Cyril was working as a Travelling Railway Ticket Inspector.

Cyril Halls died in the Cambridge district in 1942 so would not have known of his son’s fate.

Albert William Halls was killed in action on 14/10/1944 near Overloon.

Beatrice Edith Halls died on 20/4/2001 in the Cambridge district.

From FindMyPast website: Civil and Parish Birth, Marriage and Death Records; England Census and 1939 Register Records; Electoral Rolls; Military Records
Royal Norfolk Regiment Museum website
Information from “Thank God and the Infantry – from D-Day to VE-Day with the 1st Battalion, the Royal Norfolk Regiment” by John Lincoln
Photo courtesy of Patrick Halls (Albert’s nephew) and Albert’s brothers and sister.

Research Elaine Gathercole

Graf Patrick Fisher

Graf Patrick Fisher

Patrick Fisher was killed in action on 28 September 1944. He was 25 years of age and was a Private in the 1st Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment (Service No. 5829866). He was initially buried on Premises D 86c Klotterpeel, Bakel-Milheeze which is just south of De Rips and north of Milheeze and later re-interred on 20 May 1947 in Grave II.E.14 in the Overloon War Graves Cemetery. His inscription reads “Our thoughts in silence fly to the days you were with us for memories do not die.”

No photo of Patrick Fisher has yet been found. Should anyone reading this have a photo of him or further information regarding him – or if they are aware of any errors in his biography below can they please contact the Foundation?

Military career

The 1st Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment was stationed in Devonport as part of the 8th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division and served with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France from late 1939 to May 1940. With the rest of the BEF, it was evacuated from Dunkirk in 1940.
 
The next four years were spent training in the United Kingdom for the invasion of Normandy in 1944, otherwise known as D-Day on 6 June. The 1st Battalion landed on Sword beach and was involved in attacking and taking the Hillman Fortress on D-Day itself. They continued to progress through France, including severe
battles which cost many lives at Chateau de la Londe and at Tinchebray. Private Paddy Fisher is briefly mentioned in Mark Forsdike’s book “Fighting Through to Hitler’s Germany“ while at the Chateau de Londe in late June which at least indicates his presence there.
 
On 13 August he was wounded during the Battle at Tinchebray. The 1st Suffolks played their part in this joint attack with the Americans which started on 11 August 1944, though their role only began in earnest at midnight on the 12th. They met with strong opposition in places and the attack was hampered by the loss of many of the Brigade’s leading officers who were injured when a shell landed close to a planning meeting at Brigade HQ. On the 12th and 13th, the Battalion suffered many casualties before meeting their objective.
 
The Battalion progressed through Belgium before arriving in the Netherlands on 21 September, entering Weert on the 22nd where they were welcomed by the local population. Mark Forsdike says: “The whole town now came alive. From the streets and houses people emerged. Girls dressed in skirts of red, white and blue and the national colour of orange emerged to hug and kiss their liberators.” They remained in Weert until 27 September – patrolling along a canal to assess the strength of the enemy and attempting to deal with those they found.
 
They moved to the edge of a small wood south of the village of De Rips. German troops were believed to be in the village. Two attempts were made to send out a fighting patrol towards a small dyke in front of the village but both encountered difficulties. A platoon went over the canal on a little hump backed bridge in single file. Beyond it was scrubland with small bushes about 4 or 5ft high. They began to be picked off by a rifleman. Lieutenant Cray indicated that they were to withdraw. Private Ken Wright got one wounded man on his back but then thought he had died and so put him down and went back for another whom he helped across the canal, going through the water rather than risking the bridge. The two men lay down by Paddy Fisher. Lieutenant Cray came back across the bridge instead of through the water and then returned the same way to find the man whom Private Wright had left behind. He couldn’t find him, but came back across the bridge, not even bent down. There was a rifle shot, and he went down. Private Wright ran across to the bridge and dragged him off to the first aid post.
 
When Private Wright went back to the side of Paddy Fisher, he heard a Forward Observation Officer of the artillery shouting for an artillery barrage. The first shell that came over fell short and killed Paddy Fisher.

Family background

Patrick was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Dennies Fisher and the husband of Marjory Annie Fisher, of Alderton, Suffolk. A military record suggests he was born in the south of Ireland.
 
In September 1939 Patrick Fisher, born 5/8/1919, was working as a Cowman and living at 42 Bawdsey Road, Alderton, Deben District, Suffolk in the household of John and Winifred D Garnham. John was born on 22/4/1907 and was a Stockman on a farm. Winifred was born on 8/5/1906. They seem to have had three children with them, though their names were not disclosed.
 
Patrick married Marjory A Cowling in Deben District in 1940. However, he is shown there as Frederick P Fisher.
 
Marjory was the daughter of James Frederick Cowling and Annie Gibson who had married in Woodbridge District in October 1919. Annie was living in Alderton at the time and James in Horsford, Norwich.
 
In 1901, James F Cowling was living at Dog Street, Horsford, St Faiths, Norfolk. He was born on 16 June 1892 in St Faith’s, Norfolk and was living in the household of Albert and Edith Howe. He was described as Albert’s son. Albert Howe had married Edith Catherine Cowling in 1895 in St Faith’s, Norfolk. Albert was born in 1868 in Horsford and was a Bricklayer while Edith was born in 1870 in Drayton, Norfolk. In the household were two older children called Cowling, of whom James was the elder and four younger children called Howe, so it seems that the two older children were born before Albert and Edith married. The four youngest were born in Horsford.
 
James F Cowling (Service Number K7419) signed up in the Royal Navy on 19/7/1910. He signed up for 12 Years. He was initially a Stoker Class II and was promoted to Stoker Class I on 4/8/1911. Between various periods at HMS Pembroke II and I (which was the name for Chatham shore establishment) he served on HMS Antrim from 17/2/1911 to 4/8/1911, then HMS Diamond to 21/10/1911. He was on HMS Forte from 9/12/1911 to 4/6/1913, though with two brief periods of leave. He was an HMS Forward from 16/7/1913 to 20/4/1915 and again from 25/5/1915 to 14/8/1916. He served on HMS Blenheim (Colne) from 15/8/1916 to 31/3/1918 followed by HMS Egmont (Colne) from 1/4/1918 to 13/11/1918. Thereafter until when he was discharged on 18/7/1922 he seems to have been based at various shore establishments.
 
It isn’t known how he met Annie Gibson, but in the second half of 1919 he was based at HMS Tyne (Northolt).
 
Annie Gibson was born on 13/1/1895 to William and Alice Gibson in Alderton, Suffolk. In 1911 she was living with her parents in Alderton. William was a labourer on a farm. Ten of their children aged from 6 to 31 were present, all born in Alderton. A grandchild aged 1 was also present. The three eldest boys were Labourers on a farm and the two eldest girls, one of whom was Annie, were Domestic Helps.
 
James and Annie Cowling had seven children, all born in Woodbridge district, of whom Marjorie was the eldest:
Marjorie A 5/8/1920, Edgerton R 19/7/1922, Gerald N 27/9/1924, Albert G 21/5/1926, Eileen J 1929, Lilian K 1929 and Audrey J E 7/8/1934.
 
Neither James, Annie nor Marjorie Cowling could be found in the June 1921 Register, though James was still in the Navy.
 
In 1939, James and Annie were living at 3 Council House, Alderton, Deben district, Suffolk. James was working as a Warriner on a farm. All seven children were present. Marjorie was shown as “Incapacitated”. The two eldest boys were farm labourers. It was indicated that Marjorie later married someone called Fisher and that Audrey married someone called Broyd.
 
After their marriage, Patrick and Marjorie Fisher had twin girls in1941 in the Deben district called Margaret A Fisher and Mary K Fisher. Sadly, both died shortly after birth.
 
Apparently, Marjorie suffered from epilepsy which was made worse by the pregnancy followed by the loss of her children and then her husband. This caused a deterioration in her mental health which affected her badly for the rest of her life.
 
Marjorie Annie Fisher, born 5/8/1920, died on 8/11/1981. She was a resident of Ipswich and was described as of St Audreys Hospital Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk.

From FindMyPast website: Civil and Parish Birth, Marriage and Death Records; England Census and 1939 Register Records; Military Records, Electoral Rolls
Suffolk Regiment War Diary
Wikipedia and Friends of the Suffolk Regiment websites for information on the regiment
“Fighting Through to Hitler’s Germany” by Mark Forsdike
Assistance from Kerry Marie Steff, Marjory Fisher’s great niece.

Research Elaine Gathercole