Grave Rheuben Packer

Grave Rheuben Packer

William Rheuben Packer (Service No. 14711407) was killed in action on 29 September 1944 near Oploo. He was aged 29 and a Private in the 3rd Battalion of the Monmouthshire Regiment. He was initially buried on the premises of G. Kruijsen, B 153 Oploo and re-interred on 18 July 1946 in Grave I. D. 9 at the CWGC Cemetery in Overloon.
 
No photo of William Rheuben Packer 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 3rd Battalion of the Monmouthshire Regiment was mobilised in September 1939 as part of the 159th Infantry Brigade and trained in Northern Ireland and England. In May 1942 the battalion, together with the rest of the 159th Brigade, were transferred to the 11th Armoured Division and trained for another two years before, on 14 June 1944, the battalion landed in Normandy, just eight days after D-Day. They spent several weeks attempting to break out of the bridgehead in the vicinity of Caen as part of Operation Goodwood and Operation Bluecoat. On 5 August they were nearly surrounded by enemy forces on Bas Perier Ridge and suffered heavy casualties and were reduced to half strength, forcing them to temporarily amalgamate with the 1st Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment of the 185th Brigade, of 3rd Division, which was temporarily attached to the 11th Armoured Division.
 
Reinforced, the battalion advanced after the retreating German forces, passing through Belgium and taking part in the liberation of Antwerp in early September 1944. They were engaged in fighting in the Netherlands in September 1944 on the right flank of the Allied thrust north towards Arnhem in an attempt which failed to link up with the airborne forces which had landed on the north Bank of the Rhine. The Monmouths were supported by tanks from 3rd Royal Tank Regiment and helped to clear the enemy from villages and woods in the flat low lying country, but progress was slow as they were hampered by the many bridges that the Germans had blown up across the canals.
 
They had reached St Anthonis by 25 September, but plans were changing following the Allied failure to take the bridge at Arnhem. They withdrew to Westerbeek just south west of Oploo on the 26th. It was while the battalion was resting here on 29 September 1944, a mile behind the front line, that William Rheuben Packer was killed. The exact circumstances of his death is not known.

Family Background

William Rheuben Packer was the son of Albert E Packer and Phoebe Bissell who had married in 1913 in Birmingham, though his second name is generally spelt as Reuben.
 
Albert E Packer was the son of Reuben Packer and Elizabeth Walton who had married in Aston, Warwickshire in 1873. Reuben (Snr) was born in 1851 in Paddington in London and Elizabeth was born in 1848 in Birmingham.
 
They had children as follows: William Reuben 1874, Henry J 1876, Albert E 1877, Ellen E 1879, Florence Louise 1880,  
Charles Arthur 1884, Alice Gertrude 1886 and Elsie Beatrice 1890. William, Henry and Florence were born in Aston, Warwickshire and the others in Birmingham.
 
As will be seen, several members of this family had strong connections with the jewellery trade. In 1881 Reuben and Elizabeth were living at Back of 119 Wheeler Street, Aston, Warwickshire. Reuben was working as a Gold Chain Maker but was unemployed. Elizabeth was described as “formerly a jewel case liner”. With them were their first five children. In 1891 they were living at Hingeston Street, Birmingham with all eight of their children. Reuben was now working as a Jeweller’s Porter. William was a Jeweller’s Clerk, Henry was a Heraldic Engraver and Albert was a Jeweller’s Office Boy. By 1901 they were living at 5, St Silas, The Grove, Aston Manor, Aston. Reuben was still working as a Jeweller’s Porter. All their children except William and Ellen were with them. Henry and Charles were working as Engravers of Gold and Silver, Albert and Florence were Jeweller’s Clerks. Alice was working in a Manufacturer’s Warehouse.
 
Reuben died in 1909 in Birmingham and so Elizabeth was widowed. In 1911 she was living at 212 Berners Street, Lozells, Birmingham, Aston Manor. All her children except William, Henry and Ellen were with her. Albert was working as a Silversmith Dealer, Florence as a Clerk for a Manufacturing Jeweller, Charles as an Engraver of Precious Metals and Alice as a Clerk at a Coach Builders.
 
Phoebe Bissell was the daughter of James Bissell and Phoebe Pitt who had married in Dudley, Staffordshire on 2/6/1855. She appears to have had a considerable amount of tragedy in her life.
 
James Bissell was born in 1830 in West Bromwich while Phoebe (snr) was born in 1834 in Sedgley, Staffordshire. James’ older brother, Isaac Bissell (born 1828), had married Phoebe’s older sister, Caroline Pitt (born 1830), the previous year.
 
It seems that shortly after their marriage, Isaac and Caroline Bissell moved to Glasgow where they had at six children. James and Phoebe followed them after their marriage and again, all their children were born in Glasgow: Benjamin 1856, John 1857, Joseph 1860, James 1864, Mary 1867, Caroline 1870 and Phoebe on 30/4/1876.
 
In 1861 James and Phoebe were living at Garngad Hill, Springburn, Glasgow. With them were their first three sons. Isaac and Caroline were also living at Garnard Hill with their first five children. James was working as an Iron Roller and Isaac was a Hammerman. However, Isaac died in 1869 and Caroline married Robert Rutherford the following year.
 
In 1871 James and Phoebe were living at 27, Ronald Street, Barony, Glasgow. With them were their first six children. James was still an Iron Roller. Benjamin was an Iron Worker and John was a Messenger Boy for an Iron Monger. Robert and Caroline Rutherford were living at 226 Castle Street, Townhead, Glasgow with Robert’s six step-children. Robert was a Millwright. However, James and Phoebe’s son, James, died aged 8 in 1872.
 
Phoebe was born at 27 Ronald Street, Glasgow on 30/4/1876, by which time her father, James, was an Iron Roller Foreman. However, he died at that address, less than six months later, on 21/10/1876. The cause of death was Phthisis which he had had for a month – an old name for tuberculosis. Then, just 7 days later, on 28/10/1876, his wife, Phoebe, also died. The same surgeon said that she died of Consumption which she had had for 6 months, also a name for tuberculosis. Both deaths were reported by Robert Rutherford of 226 Castle Street in Glasgow, described as their brother-in-law. This left young Phoebe as a six month old orphan.
 
In 1881 Phoebe, aged 4, was living in the household of a widow, Mary Neale, at 66, William Street, West Bromwich, Staffordshire. Mary Neale was Phoebe’s aunt –  her mother’s sister. Mary Pitt was born in 1837 in Sedgley, Staffordshire and was a dressmaker. She had married John Neale in 1859 in Dudley, Staffordshire. They had children as follows, all in Dudley: Alfred 1859, Mary Emily 1861, Elizabeth Ann 1868 and Florence May 1871. In 1881, only Alfred and Florence were living with their mother. Alfred was working as an Iron Moulder.
 
In 1891, Phoebe Bissell was an inmate at Sir Josiah Mason’s Orphanage in Aston, Warwickshire.
 
By 1901, Phoebe was again living with her aunt, Mary Neale, in the household of Mary’s married daughter, Florence May Baker, and her son in law at 32, Monument Road, Birmingham. Phoebe was working as a Factory Telegraphist. Mary was still living with her daughter and son in law in 1911 at 29 Selwyn Road, Birmingham, but it isn’t known where Phoebe was at that time.
 
Albert Ernest Packer and Phoebe Bissell married on 30/4/1913 in Birmingham. His address at the time was 152, Murdock Road, Handsworth, Birmingham. They had just one child, William Reuben Packer, on 19/2/1915 while living at the same address.  
 
It seems that Albert joined the Army Reserve on 1/12/1915 during WW1 and joined the 2/5th Battalion of the Essex Regiment on 17/8/1916 (Service No. 6190). However, he had suffered from flat feet since infancy and struggled to walk in Army boots. He was discharged as being medically unfit to serve on 25/1/1917.
 
In June 1921, Albert Ernest Packer was living at the same address as at the time of his marriage. However, his wife, Phoebe, was not with him. His son, William Reuben Packer was present. Albert was working as a Wages Clerk for Guest Keen & Nettleford Ltd, Screw Manufacturers. Phoebe seems to have been a patient at the Birmingham & Midland Eye Hospital in Church Street, Birmingham.
 
Albert E Packer died in 1925 in Birmingham aged just 47, leaving Phoebe as a widow.
 
By September 1939, Phoebe Packer was living with William R. Packer, at 57 Heathfield Road, Birmingham. William was working as a Storekeeper for Motor Accessories. In the same household was Kathleen Harrington, born 8/4/1907, who was single and an Employment Officer and also Henry and Bertha Packer. Henry was William’s great uncle. He was born on 2/5/1854 and was retired. He was the brother of William’s grandfather, Reuben Packer. Bertha Pearsall was his second wife whom he had married in 1922 in Birmingham. She was born on 23/1/1897. It isn’t known if Kathleen Harrington was related in any way.
 
It is thought that William Reuben Packer never married. Sadly, he was killed in action on 29/9/1944 in Westerbeek near Oploo. This was the third tragedy in his mother’s life, having been orphaned at 6 months’ old and widowed at 49 when William was just 10.
 
Henry Packer died in 1946 and Bertha remarried the same year – to Archie R Baker in Eastbourne, Sussex.
 
Phoebe Packer died in 1948 in Birmingham, just four years after her son.

From FindMyPast website: Civil and Parish Birth, Marriage and Death Records; England Census and 1939 Register Records; Military Records, Electoral Rolls
From Ancestry: Military records
From Scotland’s People: Scottish Civil and Parish Birth, Marriage and Death Records and Census records.
Wikipedia 3rd Battalion of the Monmouthshire Regiment
War Diaries from Traces of War Website

Research Elske Dusselaar-van Kammen en Elaine Gathercole

Francis Clifford Parkinson (Service No.14413483 ) was killed in action on 17 October 1944 between  Overloon and Venray. He was aged 19 and a Corporal in the 1st Battalion of the Royal Norfolk Regiment. He was initially buried at Cemetery Venraysweg in Overloon. He was re-interred on 14 May 1947 in Grave III. B. 1 at the CWGC Cemetery in Overloon. His inscription reads “Dear son you have not travelled far, just stepped inside God’s loveliest garden.”

Military Career

It isn’t known when Francis Clifford Parkinson joined up in the 1st Battalion of the Royal Norfolk Regiment though given his age, it is likely to have been in 1943.
 
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 then spent the next few years training in Scotland and elsewhere in preparation for what was to come.
 
It landed in Normandy at Sword Beach on D-Day (6 June 1944). It played its part in the 1st and 2nd Battles for Caen which succeeded on 9 July after which the Battalion had its first rest period since D-Day. It continued the fight in Normandy through mid July and early August and was involved with Operation Goodwood and then in the preparation for the break out from Normandy which succeeded in late August.
 
From 17 August until 3 September the Battalion had a rest period which also allowed them to take on reinforcements to replace the substantial number of men they had lost. It then moved to Villers en Vexin until 17 September.
 
By this time, the Allied troops were making a fast advance through France and Belgium to the Escaut canal south of Eindhoven in readiness for Operation Market Garden. On 17 September, airborne troops landed in a corridor from the Belgian/Dutch border via Eindhoven and Nijmegen to Arnhem to secure bridges and allow ground forces to move forward with speed – then to reinforce and strike east into Germany.
 
The role of the Battalion along with others was to protect the main line of communications northwards along this corridor. It moved on from Villers en Vexin on 18 September and reached Peer on 19 September then Asten on 23 September. They entered Helmond, just east of Eindhoven, on 25 September. It had just been taken by another Battalion and they received an uproarious welcome from the Dutch people.
 
On 29 September, it moved out of Helmond and on over the River Maas at Grave through Heumen and on to Maldens Vlak. Here they spent time patrolling the area facing the Reichswald Forest in Germany not far to the east. On 9 October the Battalion retraced its steps to Grave, then south to dominate a stretch of the River Maas in the Cuijk area.
 
However, problems with supply lines had resulted in the failure of the Allies to hold the bridge at Arnhem, so plans changed. The Allies found themselves in a narrow salient through the Netherlands and so it was decided to clear the enemy to the south in Overloon, Venray and Venlo while also securing Antwerp to help with supply issues. American Troops initially attempted to take Overloon, but did not succeed so the British Army took on the task.
 
On 11 October, the Battalion therefore moved on foot from Cuijk  through Haps and St Hubert and on again the next day to Wanroij, St Anthonis and Oploo, arriving north of Overloon on 13 October.  At this time, other British Troops were engaged in capturing Overloon, using an artillery barrage which caused heavy damage to the village.
 
The Battalion spent the night of 13 October in the woods around Overloon. The ground forward of the woods was flat and featureless and about midway between Overloon and Venray ran a stream called the Molenbeek. From its far bank the enemy had a clear view over a distance of 1000 yards of the British Troops leaving the shelter of the woods.
 
At 0700 hrs on the morning of 14 October, two companies led the attack to the south with support from two troops of Churchill tanks. The advance was a difficult one, as once through the thick woods there was very little cover. Some tanks were hit and others retreated back into the woods, leaving the Infantry without support. The Battalion succeeded in reaching a point about 400 yds short of the Molenbeek that day, though were left in a very exposed position. They had to remain there the following day while other units reached their positions in order to carry out a co-ordinated attack on the Molenbeek the following day.
 
The Molenbeek was between 10 and 15 feet wide and had slopping banks about 5 feet high creating an effective gap of about 30 feet. The approaches were difficult with cratered tracks and waterlogged ground. The area was extensively mined. The success of the operation depended on crossing the beek silently by night. Any attempt by day would be suicidal as the road bridge was blown. It was therefore planned that the infantry would cross using floating pontoon bridges while a bridging tank would use a girder bridge for vehicles, including tanks.
 
The Royal Engineers successfully built the two pontoon bridges overnight – one on each side of the road. At 0500 hrs on 16 October B and D Companies crossed without incident – though it was later discovered that D Company had walked through a minefield of Schumines. Later A Coy did the same with no casualties. By 0600 hrs the leading Companies were keen to press on as they were lying in the open in full view of the enemy and getting casualties. However, other units hadn’t fared as well and so the Norfolks weren’t allowed to push on. The bridging tank failed to lay the bridge under intense fire. On the second attempt a flail tank was half way across when the whole lot toppled into the Beek. The Battalion’s  Churchill tanks had all been knocked out – but thankfully the enemy tanks had withdrawn. By 0700 hrs the leading companies were allowed to progress. Casualties mounted up. By the afternoon, A and C Companies were able to push on to about 1000 yds south of the Molenbeek. The Battalion had succeeded in securing the crossing and forcing the enemy to withdraw. Seventeen men of the Battalion were killed on this day.
 
The Battalion had a less tough time the following day as the bridge had been completed sufficiently to allow some vehicles over and physical contact with the enemy had finished – but they still had to endure shell, mortar and “Moaning Minnie” fire. However, Francis Clifford Parkinson was killed on this day, having survived the horrors of the day before.
 
By 18 October Venray had been taken. Between 13 and 18 October, the Battalion incurred 43 fatal casualties and about 200 wounded.

Family Background

Francis Clifford Parkinson was the son of Frank and Helena Parkinson of Surbiton, Surrey.
 
Francis Parkinson had married Helena Coyle in 1924 in Kingston, Surrey.
 
Little more is known of Francis Snr’s background except that he was born on 1/11/1900.
 
Helena Coyle was born on 7/9/1905 at Walworth, Surrey. She was the daughter of Daisy Eleanor Coyle but no father’s name was given. Daisy, who was born in 1885, was the daughter of James and Mary Coyle. She and her twin sister, Hettie Rose Coyle, were two of twelve children born between 1880 and 1900 in Southwark.
 
In 1901 Daisy was living with her parents and eight of her siblings at 8, Otto Street, Newington, St Saviour, Southwark. Twins Daisy and Hettie were working as Ironers. Daisy was still at the same address in 1911, but her mother, Mary, was now a widow. Daisy was still working as an Ironer. Her daughter Helena was with her. There too were  three of Mary’s other children.
 
Daisy’s twin sister, Hettie, married William James Covill in 1910 in Kingston, Surrey then Daisy herself (shown as Daisy H – so possible Daisy Helena) went on to marry Ernest E Covill in 1913, again in Kingston. Ernest had been born in 1886 in Bexley, Kent.
 
It seems that both William and Ernest Covill served in WW1. William was a Lance Corporal in the East Surrey Regiment (Service Nos. 2811, 31098). Ernest was initially a private in the same Regiment (L/9028) but was transferred to the East Kent Regiment on 4/9/1916 (L/809, L/11016).
 
In June 1921, Ernest and Daisy Covill were living at 1, Spring Cottages, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey. Ernest was a self employed jobbing gardener. They had four children with them: Nellie (presumably Helena) who was working as a Laundry Maid for the Royal Thame Laundry at Kingston on Thames, Sidney E L b 1914, Doris b 7/4/1917 and Irene b 1920.
 
Daisy’s mother, Mary J Coyle was living nearby at 3 Spring Cottages. With her was her son, Edward R Coyle, who was working as a Motor Driver for Gaydons & Son Jewellers, but also two granddaughters, Ivy Gladys Covill b 13/8/1910 and Florence V Covill b 1915, both born in Kingston who seem to have been Hettie and William’s children. It is possible that Hettie and William Covill had separated.  
 
Ernest Covill died in 1927, so by September 1939, Daisy Covill was widowed and living at 104 Mount Pleasant Road, New Malden, Surrey. She was working as a school cleaner. Living with her was her daughter Doris but also three other Covill children who had been born after June 1921: Lillian E b 18/11/1921, William b 5/2/1923 and Evelyn R b 28/1/1924. Doris was working at the Glad Iron Laundry, Lillian as a Packer/Sorter at a Laundry and William as a Steelwork Labourer. Present too was Frederick Hoy born 15/12/1917 who was a Machinist at a Steelworks. It was indicated that Doris later married someone called Goodbody. Another Covill child, Stanley, had been born in 1921 but died the same year. Lillian, Stanley and Evelyn were all born in Kingston.
 
After their marriage in 1924, Francis and Helena Parkinson had children as follows: Francis Clifford 1925, Avis M 1929 and Brian J 2/6/1931. Francis and Avis were born in Kingston while Brian was born in Surbiton. At Brian’s birth, Helena gave her maiden name as Covill rather than Coyle.
 
In 1939 Frank and Helena were living at 25 Addison Gardens, Surbiton. With them were 2 children who were not named, presumably Francis and Avis, and also Brian who was named. Frank was working as a General Labourer.
 
Sadly, Francis Clifford Parkinson died near Overloon on 17/10/1944.
 
It is though that is father, Francis, died in 1961 in Surrey and his mother, Helena, in 1987 in Kingston upon Thames.

From FindMyPast website: Civil and Parish Birth, Marriage and Death Records; England Census and 1939 Register Records; Electoral Rolls; Military Records
Information from “Thank God and the Infantry – from D-Day to VE-Day with the 1st Battalion, the Royal Norfolk Regiment” by John Lincoln
History of the 1st Battalion The Royal Norfolk Regiment
Wikipedia Royal Norfolk Regiment

Photo courtesy of David Parkinson (Francis’ nephew) and Hope Parkinson (Francis’ great niece).

Research Elaine Gathercole

Albert Victor Bushell was killed in action on 15 October 1944 in the vicinity of Overloon. He was aged 21 at the time. He was a Rifleman in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Ulster Rifles (Service No. 6215937). He was initially buried at Cemetery Helderse Bossen, Overloon and re-interred on 29 May 1947 in grave IV. D. 10. in the Overloon CWGC Cemetery. The inscription on his grave reads “God takes our loved ones from our homes but never from our hearts.”

Military Career

It isn’t known when Albert (who was known as Vic) joined the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Ulster Rifles, but given his age, it is likely to have been around 1940.
 
The battalion took part in the D-Day landings in June 1944 and fought in the Battle of Normandy, specifically in Operation Charnwood where they were the first British troops to enter the city of Caen, which had previously seen bitter fighting in the British attempt to capture it.
 
From mid July until mid September they remained in France, alternating between spells of fighting and spells of rest and training.
 
On 16 September they made the long journey from their last base in France at Hacqueville to Naast near Soignes in Belgium. The War Diary states that “from Albert to Mons people lined the streets of the towns giving us a very warm welcome and presented us with fruit. In some places the crowds which congregated made it rather difficult for the convoy to get through”. They moved on a further 112 miles the following day to Kolis near Lille St Hubert. Again “cheering crowds welcomed us in every town and village, presenting us with coffee and more fruit.”
 
On 18 and 19 September the Battalion was involved in extending and solidifying the bridgehead over the Escaut Canal which had already been made by 50 Division.
 
On 21 September, they crossed from Belgium into the Netherlands at Maarheeze, where they rested until the 24th before moving on to Deurne on the 15th, Bakel on the 29th, Beers on 1 October and then Cuijk on 2 October. They remained in the vicinity of Cuijk until 11 October, experiencing some shelling but also undertaking training and relaxation. The War Diary reports that “The Battalion  football team played a local Eleven at Beers, our team gaining an easy victory by 5 goals to 1. The game was watched by a large number of spectators & the Band was loudly applauded when they played during the interval & after the game.” 

Read here the detailed story about 8 october 1944, the day of the match, told after the war by the son of Sergeant Reginald Hammersley who played along and survived the war himself.
 
On 12 October, the Battalion moved about 10 miles south of Cuijk to near St Anthonis. It was decided that the 3rd British Infantry Division, of which the Battalion was a part, would clear the area of woody country as far as Venray and possibly further. The role of the Battalion was to lead the Brigade with the intention of capturing & clearing the large wood to the south west of Overloon. The following day they therefore marched from St Anthonis southwards and the initiative started at 0900 hrs. They had a few casualties crossing the open ground but had more cover once in the wood. However, the wood presented its own problems as it varied in thickness, tracks through it were soft and sandy and the tracks and woods on the map bore little relation to tracks and woods on the ground. Most of the enemy had, however, left the wood and they reached their intended position by 1800 hrs. Tanks had been unable to help as they could not follow the infantry through the wood. Indeed, no vehicles could reach the forward companies because tracks had not been cleared of mines so food, water, blankets and greatcoats had to manhandled up to the company positions by relays of working parties. They also had to dig in – so little sleep was had that night. Casualties during the day had not been heavy and these few were caused principally by mortar fire.
 
On 14 October, the Battalion stayed in position while the 2 Lincolns passed through and carried out an attack on woods 500yds to the south. Much of the day was spent pulling sand trucks out of the sand which had been bogged on the move of the previous evening. The forward Companies were able to return in small numbers at a time to the furthest point that the transport could reach which saved manhandling the food forward.
 
Under cover of darkness that night A and C Companies moved down the wood to assist the Lincolns in holding it during the night and the following day. Unfortunately, just as A coy were entering this wood a dead salvo from a Nebelwerfer landed right amongst them. It killed 2 men and wounded 10 more.
 
The Battalion remained in the same positions the following day, 15 October, until after dark. All Companies’ positions were shelled and mortared during the day. After dark Battalion HQ and the remaining Companies moved down to positions in the Lincolns’ wood and dug in for the night.
 
An account in a book (The Rifles are There) about the Regiment states the following:
“Bushell, Albert Victor, Rifleman, No. 6215937
Served in D and later Headquarters Company, he was mortally wounded by shrapnel to the back on 14/15 October 1944 at Overloon. He was the son of Albert and Daisy Bushell of Harlesden, Middlesex. Buried in Overloon War Cemetery, grave IV. D. 10, he was 21 years old.”
 
A report in the Marylebone Mercury of 2 December 1944 reported his death as follows:
“Rifleman Albert Victor Bushell, eldest son of Mr & Mrs A Bushell of 85 Tubbs Road, Harlesden, has been killed in action in Holland. Rifleman Bushell who was 21 was a stretcher bearer attached to a famous infantry regiment”.

Family Background

Albert Victor Bushell (Vic) was the son of Albert Bushell and Daisy Jones who had married in Willesden in 1921.
 
Vic’s father, Albert Bushell, was the son of Albert Bushell and Matilda Hounsham who had married in Hartley Witney, Hampshire in 1881. Albert and Matilda had both been born in Crondall, Hampshire, Albert in 1857 and Matilda in 1856. They had seven children between 1883 and 1897, all in Farnham in Surrey. Of these, Albert (Jnr.) was the second youngest, born on 26/1/1894. It seems that their eldest child, Mary, lived with Albert’s parents in Dippenhall Street, Crondall.
 
From at least 1891 to at least 1921 Albert and Matilda lived at Dippenhall, Burles Bridge, Farnham, Surrey. Albert was a Farm Labourer. In 1891 their first four children except Mary were with them. In 1901 all but Mary and one other were at home. The eldest boy was working as a Journeyman Baker. By 1911 only two of their sons were still at home, one working as a Farm Labourer and the other as a Poultry Boy. Albert (Jnr.) was now living as a boarder at 145 Railway Cottage, Acton, Middlesex in the household of James and Mary Sherrington and their family. Mary Sherrington was born in Crondall where Albert’s parents had been born so may have been a relative or a friend of the family. Albert (Jnr.)  was working as an Engine Cleaner. James Sherrington was a Railway Guard at St Pancras Station. By 1921 Albert’s parents were living on their own, still in Burles Bridge. By 1939 Matilda was widowed and was living at 6 Trimmers Alms Houses, West Street, Farnham, Surrey.
 
Vic’s mother, Daisy Jane Jones, is thought to have been the daughter of William George Jones and Alice Elliot who married in 1884 in Wandsworth, London. William had been born in 1860/1 in the Paddington district and Alice in 1867/8 in the Putney district. They appear to have had around 12 children between 1886 and 1908, though one died in infancy in 1891 and another in 1901. Most were born in Kensington, though the first was born in Chelsea, the second in Paddington and the last two in the Hendon district in 1906 and 1908. Daisy herself was born on 25/2/1896.
 
In 1891 William and Alice were living at 12, Treverton Street, Kensington with their first three children. William was working as a Painter’s Labourer. By 1901 they were living at 21, Rackham Street, Kensington with their eight surviving children born by then, including Daisy. William was now a House Painter and their eldest boy was a Sheet Repairer. By 1911 they had moved to 62 Carlyle Avenue, Willesden, but William was not present. All but their eldest son was still at home. Daisy was working as a Brass Finisher and Packer while her eldest sister was working at an Electric Lamp Works. The second eldest boy was working in Photographic Enlarging and the third eldest was a Milk Boy. A 24 year old male boarder was also present, working as a Locomotive Engine Fireman. By 1921 Alice had died and William was a widower. The family were at a similar address in 1921 – 94, Carlyle Avenue. William was working as a Photographic Paper Emulsion Maker for Illingworth, Photo Materials Makers. Only five of the children were now at home, generally the younger ones. One boy was working for the same company as his father as a Spooler of Photo Paper and another was working as a Farm Labourer for H. Brazier, Dairyman. A 20 year old daughter was looking after the home while a 15 year old daughter was working as a Laundry Worker for the White Heather Laundry in Stonebridge.

Daisy Jones married Albert Bushell in early 1921. They had four children as follows, all in Willesden: Albert Victor (Vic) born 21/12/1922, Rodney Dennis (known as Dennis) born June1926, Sheila Mary born April 1929 and Dorothy in November 1936.
 
In June 1921 Albert and Daisy were living as boarders in the household of Frederick and Florence Williams and their family at 51 Bruce Road Harlesden, Willesden. Albert was working as a Locomotive Fireman for the London and North West Railway – and so was Frederick Williams.
 
By September 1939 Albert and Daisy were in their own household at 85 Tubbs Road, Harlesden. Vic and Dorothy were present as was a lodger, a single man called Charles Fletcher who was a Wood Machinist aged 21. Albert was now employed as a Railway Locomotive Driver and Vic was a Factory Despatch and Loader. Shortly after war broke out, Dennis and Sheila were evacuated to Crondall to stay with their Aunt Mary, their father’s sister who had been widowed twice. Being only two, Dorothy remained at home in Harlesden. However, Dennis threatened to run away, so as soon as London was deemed safe enough, they returned home.

When the Blitz started Sheila and Dorothy were both evacuated to Crondall where they stayed for over two years. By this time Dennis had enlisted (early) in the Royal Marines and spent his 18th birthday on a boat waiting to cross to France for the D Day landings. Dennis thankfully survived the war.
 
Sadly, Vic was killed in action on 15/10/1944.

On 21/9/1945 the Lieutenant Colonel of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Ulster Rifles wrote to Vic’s parents and enclosed a book entitled “The History of the 2nd Bn. The Royal Ulster Rifles in North West Europe 1944/45” which had been written by Captain K. Bradshaw of the Battalion. He commented on how those in the Battalion had lost many of their best friends in the war. He mentioned how the Battalion had fought as a team through from Normandy to the Port of Bremen.

He concludes by saying:

“At all times these men accepted willingly the hazards and dangers which faced them. The stakes were high. The liberty of free peoples was tottering. Their duty was clear. They died as soldiers of a great Nation fighting for a just and worthy cause.
 
It was with this knowledge that I feel consoled in thinking that their sacrifice was not unwillingly made. It is for us, who remain, to see that it was not in vain.”

During the war, Vic’s father, Albert, had worked as a fire spotter at Willesden Junction. After retiring from the railway he worked as a porter at Central Middlesex Hospital and sadly died waiting at a bus stop outside the hospital on his way home in 1962. Daisy died at home, 85 Tubbs Road, Harlesden, in 1974.

From FindMyPast website: Civil and Parish Birth, Marriage and Death Records; England Census and 1939 Register Records; Electoral Rolls; Military Records; British Newspaper Archive
Wikipedia 2nd Bn Royal Ulster Rifles
Traces of War – 2nd Bn Royal Ulster Rifles War  Diary
2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles in WW2: (royal-ulster-rifles-ww2.blogspot.com)
The Rifles Are There: 1st & 2nd Battalions The Royal Ulster Rifles in the Second World War
by David Orr (Author), David Truesdale (Author), C.W.B Purdon (Contributor) 
Marylebone Mercury 02 December 1944
Photos and assistance from Janice Barnard, Vic’s Niece

Research Elaine Gathercole  

Hubert Raymond Perrins is born on 15th November, 1923, He was the youngest of 5 children born to Thomas and Harriet Perrins at 36 Freeman Street in the Brynhyfryd area of Swansea.  Hubert had been named after his uncle, Hubert Perrins, who had died shortly before his birth on 12th October, 1923 aged 22.  His siblings were, William Glanville known as Glyn, born 29th June, 1910; Thomas Frank Perrins known as Frank, born 24th August, 1912; Edna May born 8th October, 1914 and Winifred born 17 June,1920.

Hubert attended Brynhyfryd Infants and Junior Schools, a five-minute walk from their house in Freeman Street, from 5 to 11 years of age.  Like all children of his age when he was 11 he transferred to the senior school in Manselton and left when he was 15 years old.
 
At the time of his enlistment Hubert had been working as a labourer in the barmill department for Messrs. Baldwins a tinplate works based in nearby Landore. Hubert’s father and other relatives also worked there.
 
Hubert was an accomplished musician having learnt to play the guitar and loved to play during his spare time for family and friends. 
 
Like all the family he regularly attended Wesley Methodist church in Eaton Road, Brynhyfryd. His father supplied the church with flowers, mainly chrysanthemums, grown in a greenhouse in the back garden of their home and his mother helped to clean the church and arranged the flowers ready for the daily services. Hubert also taught Sunday school for the children at the church every Sunday when not working. 

Family history

Hubert’s great grandfather, William Perrins (1823 – 1903) and his wife Jane, nee Abraham, (1821 – 1905) had married in1846 in Littlehempston in Devon and had one daughter Mary Elizabeth (1847 – 1849) before moving to Chepstow where they had another 2 daughters, Jane (1849 – 1850) and Mary Ann (1850 –  ) and then finally to Swansea soon after. William was a railway labourer whilst in Chepstow.  By 1861 they had moved to the Brynhyfryd area of Swansea where William found work as a labourer in the nearby copper and smelting works.  From 1853 William and Jane had a further 5 children – William (1853 – 1923) who was Hubert’s grandfather, John (1859 – 1936), Richard (1860 – 1941), Sarah Ann (1863 – 1933), Abraham (1867 – 1939). Most of the family remained in and around the Brynhyfryd/Cwmbwrla/Manselton area with William and Jane’s sons also working in Copper and Tinplate works.  
 
In 1901, William and Jane were living at 12 Caerowland Street, Manselton with their youngest son Abraham.  William’s occupation had been a Copper smelter in a local foundry which was also the occupation of Abraham.
 
Hubert’s grandfather had married Ann Beynon, Hubert’s grandmother, on 16th April, 1879 in Swansea and from 1879 until 1904 had 10 children – William John (1879 – 1935), Mary  Ann (1881 – ), Thomas, Hubert’s father (1883 – 1967), Robert (1885 – 1955), Sarah (1887 – ), Gilbert (1889 – 1979), Emma (1891 – ), Sophia (1893 – 1960), Hubert (1901 – 1923), Edward (1904 – 1904).
 
By 1921 the family had moved to a rented accommodation at 36 Freeman Street.  William was by this time widowed, and his son Thomas, Hubert’s father, and his family had moved in with him. Hubert’s grandmother, Mary, Harriet’s mother, was also living with them.
 
The family remained at 36 Freeman Street, Hubert’s sister Edna and her husband, having moved in with Thomas and Harriet after Hubert’s death and remained there until the house was sold in 2012 shortly after Edna’s death.

Military career

Very little is known by the family about Hubert’s service in the Royal Artillery. It isn’t known at what point Hubert joined his regiment. However, the 33 Field Regiment of the Royal Artillery landed on Sword Beach on D-Day as part of 3 Division. They were involved in heavy fighting in Normandy and in the bombardment fired before Operation Goodwood on 18 July 1944. At the beginning of September, they left for Belgium and Holland, acting as right-flank protection for Operation Market-Garden, the attempt to smash a way across the Rhine by way of Eindhoven, Nijmegen and Arnhem. The Allied advance was outrunning its supplies, and for a while the Division had to eat German rations: “The honey biscuits and frozen vegetables were approved, but the meat was not popular”.  After the failure of Market-Garden, in October 1944, 3 Division was involved in the successful capture of the village of Overloon, a costly and bloody battle. For the next four months, 3 Division held the bank of the River Maas from Cuijk to Vierlingsbeek. However, on 28 October 1944, German counter-battery fire struck 33 Field, with over a hundred shells raining down on the 25-pounder gun positions. Hubert was one of their ten casualties killed that day. He was injured but died later that day from wounds sustained. 

He was temporarily buried on the Rieterdreef in Overloon (near Huysmans) with a total of five of the ten fatalities of the volcano hit on 28 October 1944; D. C. Langham-Mason, G. R. Olsen, A. C. Pearce and Aylmer Penrose. In May 1947, they were all reburied in Overloon War Cemetery on Plot I, Row E.

Hubert’s parents, with the aid of the Royal British Legion and residents of Overloon, were able to visit his resting place. His sister, Edna and her son, daughter in law and granddaughter also visited his grave in 1987.  Hubert is also commemorated on his parents’ grave in Morriston Cemetery in Swansea. His guitar remains with and is cared for by the family.

Text and photo’s from Jane Hope, daughter in law of Edna, Hubert’s sister. 

  
William Henry Lewis was killed in action on 15 October 1944 in the vicinity of Overloon. He was aged 34 at the time. He was a Lance Corporal in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Ulster Rifles (Service No. 5726309). He was initially buried at Cemetery Helderse Bossen, Overloon and re-interred on 29 May 1947 in grave IV. D. 7. in the Overloon CWG Cemetery. The inscription on his grave reads: “Rest in peace not forgotten.”

Military Career

William was attested for the Army on 6/2/1939 and was mobilised on 8/2/1940. At the time of his attestment he was working as a Kitchen Porter. He expressed a wish to join the Dorset Regiment but was initially enlisted in the Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey). He seems to have transferred into the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Ulster Rifles on 30/8/1943.
 
This battalion took part in the D-Day landings in June 1944 and fought in the Battle of Normandy, specifically in Operation Charnwood where they were the first British troops to enter the city of Caen, which had previously seen bitter fighting in the British attempt to capture it.
 
From mid July until mid September they remained in France, alternating between spells of fighting and spells of rest and training. However, while at Troarn in France on 27 July, it was reported that shelling in the early morning had caused four casualties. A Casualty Report indicated that Rifleman W. Lewis of the Royal Ulster Rifles had been wounded but was remaining at duty. He will have been promoted to Lance Corporal at some point after this time.
 
On 16 September they made the long journey from their last base in France at Hacqueville to Naast near Soignes in Belgium. The War Diary states that “from Albert to Mons people lined the streets of the towns giving us a very warm welcome and presented us with fruit. In some places the crowds which congregated made it rather difficult for the convoy to get through”. They moved on a further 112 miles the following day to Kolis near Lille St Hubert. Again “cheering crowds welcomed us in every town and village, presenting us with coffee and more fruit.”

On 18 and 19 September the Battalion was involved in extending and solidifying the bridgehead over the Escaut Canal which had already been made by 50 Division.

On 21 September, they crossed from Belgium into the Netherlands at Maarheeze, where they rested until the 24th before moving on to Deurne on the 15th, Bakel on the 29th, Beers on 1 October and then Cuijk on 2 October. They remained in the vicinity of Cuijk until 11 October, experiencing some shelling but also undertaking training and relaxation. The War Diary reports that “The Battalion football team played a local Eleven at Beers, our team gaining an easy victory by 5 goals to 1. The game was watched by a large number of spectators & the Band was loudly applauded when they played during the interval & after the game.” During this period there was much mention of rain and wind.

Read here the detailed story about 8 october 1944, the day of the match, told after the war by the son of Sergeant Reginald Hammersley who played along and survived the war himself.

On 12 October, the Battalion moved about 10 miles south of Cuijk to Haps, St Hubert and Wanroij to near St Anthonis. It was decided that the 3rd British Infantry Division, of which the Battalion was a part, would clear the area of woody country as far as Venray and possibly further. The role of the Battalion was to lead the Brigade with the intention of capturing & clearing the large wood to the south west of Overloon. The following day they therefore marched from St Anthonis southwards and the initiative started at 0900 hrs. They had a few casualties crossing the open ground but had more cover once in the wood. However, the wood presented its own problems as it varied in thickness, tracks through it were soft and sandy and the tracks and woods on the map bore little relation to tracks and woods on the ground. Most of the enemy had, however, left the wood and they reached their intended position by 1800 hrs. Tanks had been unable to help as they could not follow the infantry through the wood. Indeed, no vehicles could reach the forward companies because tracks had not been cleared of mines so food, water, blankets & greatcoats had to manhandled up to the company positions by relays of working parties. They also had to dig in – so little sleep was had that night. Casualties during the day had not been heavy and these few were caused principally by mortar fire.
 
On 14 October, the Battalion stayed in position while the 2 Lincolns passed through and carried out an attack on woods 500yds to the south. Much of the day was spent pulling trucks out of the sand which had been bogged on the move of the previous evening. The forward Companies were able to return in small numbers at a time to the furthest point that the transport could reach which saved manhandling the food forward.
 
Under cover of darkness that night A&C Companies moved down the wood to assist the Lincolns in holding it during the night & following day. Unfortunately just as A coy were entering this wood a dead salvo from a Nebelwerfer landed right amongst them. It killed 2 men and wounded 10 more.
 
The Battalion remained in the same positions the following day, 15 October, until after dark. All Companies’ positions were shelled and mortared during the day. After dark Battalion HQ & the remaining Companies moved down to positions in the Lincolns’ wood and dug in for the night. It was on this day that William Henry Lewis was killed in action. 
 
A battalion history gives the following account of his death: “Served in D Company and was fatally wounded by shrapnel on Sunday, 15 October 1944 at Overloon; he was 35 years old. The son of Alfred and Louisa Walton Lewis of Bermondsey, London. He is buried in Overloon War Cemetery, grave IV.D.7.”

Family Background

William Henry Lewis was the son of William Henry Lewis and Louisa Dennis who married in Bermondsey, London in 1909. William (Snr) and Louisa were both born in 1885 in Bermondsey. They had five children as follows, all born in Bermondsey: William Henry on 23/1/1910, Louisa in 1911, Susannah in 1912, James on 21/1/1914 and Alfred in 1915, though Alfred died shortly after birth.
 
In 1911 William and Louisa were living at 66 Leroy Street, Bermondsey with their first two children, William and Louisa. William (Snr) was working as a painter’s labourer.
 
However, William Henry Lewis (Snr) was killed in action on 10/6/1916 in France or Flanders while serving with the 6th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France. All four surviving children were mentioned on his military record. They were all under 7 at the time of his death. Many papers relating to his death, the letter of condolence from the King, his medals and his WW1 Memorial Death Plaque are still held by his wife’s descendants.
 
By June 1921 Louisa was living at 84, Leroy Street. She was working as a Factory Hand for E Lazenby & Son Potted Meat Manufacturers. Her four surviving children were with her. Her widowed mother, Louisa Dennis aged 63 was living with her and they had a 34 year old married female visitor called Susan Andrews with them at the time.
 
Louisa Lewis went on to marry Alfred W Walton in late1921 in Southwark.
 
Alfred W Walton was the son of William and Sophia Caroline Walton. In June 1921 he was single and living with his parents at 53, Ladywell Park, Lewisham. He was born on 23/4/1889 in Brockley, London and was working as a Painter & Decorator for Messrs H & J Taylor, Builder & Decorators etc.
 
Louisa went on to have three more children with Alfred, all again in Bermondsey: Alfred on 5/2/1924, Annie L on 14/6/1925 and Arthur J Walton in 1927. However, Arthur died in 1928.
 
It is thought that Louisa’s daughters by her first marriage married in the 1930s. Louisa (Jnr) married William Shenstone in 1933 in Southwark and Susannah married Charels H Parker in 1936 in Deptford.
 
By September 1939, Alfred and Louisa Walton were living at 25 Allotments, Dermody Road, Lewisham. Alfred was now working as a Builder & Handy Man but was unemployed at the time. However, it would appear that four of Louisa’s children: William and James Lewis and Alfred and Annie Walton (Jnr), were living at 64 Crosby Row, Bermondsey in the household of Alfred and Annie Walton. William Lewis was working as a Shop Porter, James Lewis was working as a Carpenter and Annie Walton was working as a Needle Worker. The relationship between this Alfred Walton and Alfred W Walton is not known. This Alfred Walton was born on 24/11/1888 so just a few months older than Alfred W Walton. He was working as a Carman, or delivery driver. Annie Walton was born on 21/4/1886.
 
Sadly, William Henry Lewis died on 15/10/1944 near Overloon. In his will which he wrote on 10/6/1944 he left his mother, Mrs L. Walton of 25 Major Road, Bermondsey all his property and effects.
 
In WW2 his brother James Lewis served in the Royal Artillery and his half brother, Alfred Walton, served in the Royal Navy, with both surviving the war.
 
Louisa Walton’s husband, Alfred Walton, died in 1967 in Lewisham. Louisa herself died on 3/3/1974 in Braintree, Essex.

Football teams

Composition football team Royal Ulster Rifles
Rfm. Robinson, Rfm. Sleafer, Sgt. Hammersley, Capt. Alexander, Sgt.-Inst. Bell, Rfm. Ferrie, Sgt. Rafelli, Rem. Worton, Rfm. Pearce, Lt. Rapkins, Lc. Nesbitt
 
Composition football team VIOS I Beers
M. Huberts, A. Thijssen, M. Terburg, G. Derks, A. Cuppen, N. Peters, A. v.d. Lockant, M. Derks, H. Kerstens, H. Ebben, R. Hermanussen Capt.

From FindMyPast website: Civil and Parish Birth, Marriage and Death Records; England Census and 1939 Register Records; Electoral Rolls; Military Records; British Newspaper Archive
Wikipedia 2nd Bn Royal Ulster Rifles
Traces of War – 2nd Bn Royal Ulster Rifles War Diary
2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles in WW2: (royal-ulster-rifles-ww2.blogspot.com)
Photos and information from Donna Dale, William’s niece.
Photos and information football match in Beers, Anny Huberts

Research Elaine Gathercole

Henry James Gundry (Service No.14558915) was killed in action on 29 September 1944 near Oploo. He was aged 19 and a Private in the 3rd Battalion of the Monmouthshire Regiment. He was initially buried near the water mill at Oploo and re-interred on 18 July 1946 in Grave I. D. 7 at the CWGC Cemetery in Overloon. His inscription says “Rest in Peace.”

Henry James Gundry’s Birth Family

Henry James Gundry was the son of William Gundry and Ethel Frances Gundry (nee Durrant).

William and Ethel had married in 1918 in the Hampstead district of London.

In 1921, William and Ethel were living with Ethel’s parents, Frank and Edith Durrant, at 48, Royal Oak Road, Woking, Surrey. William was 28 and had been born in Addlestone, Surrey. He was working as a Night Watchman, reporting to the Officer in Charge of records for the Royal Army Medical Corps at their records office in Woking. Ethel was 23 and had been born at Maybury in Surrey. With William and Ethel were their first two children, Ethel Frances, who was born on 6/8/1918 in Marylebone and Sidney Frank who was born on 25/2/1921 in Guildford in Surrey. Ethel’s father was 49, from Wonersh in Surrey and was a Printer Stereotyper for Unwin Bros Key & Whiting Ltd (Printers) Publishers. Her mother was 46 and born in Binstead, Hampshire. Present too was Ethel’s 25 year old sister, Edith with her husband, Ernest Davies and their baby daughter Mary. Ernest was 37, from Shropshire and working as an Engine Driver for Accumulatore Ltd, Woking (Electric Battery Works).

William and Ethel went on to have two more children, both in the Chertsey district of Surrey: William George on 13/8/1923 and Henry James himself on 28/10/1924 – who was known as Jim.

Sadly, Jim’s father, William Gundry, died unexpectedly of an abnormal heart condition on 2 February 1925 aged just 32. He was living at 21 Kirby Road, Horsell, Woking at the time. He had been working as a news vendor. At the inquest his wife said that he had suffered from heart trouble for a long time. He had enlisted in1912 and was discharged from the Army in 1916. The post mortem confirmed that the heart condition had caused his death.

It may be that Ethel was expecting another child at the time as a fifth child, Norman, was registered in Spring 1926, again in the Chertsey district. It is possible that, with the trauma of her husband’s death, the birth was registered late. Sadly, this child died in 1930 aged just 4.

It is likely that Ethel found it difficult to cope following the death of her husband as the family was no longer together by 1939. Ethel herself couldn’t be found at that time. Her eldest child, Ethel Frances aged 20, was working and living in as a House Parlourmaid at St Marys Hill School, Seaton, Woking. Her second eldest, Sidney aged 18 was working as a Boot & Shoe Salesman and living with two other young single men in the household of Henry and Grace Walters at 97 Lawn Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.

Henry James Gundry’s Adopted Family

William and Henry (Jim) had been adopted by William Henry and Rose Strong.

William Henry Strong, aged 38, had married Rose Knight, aged just 22, on 25 October 1904 at Lambourn Woodlands near Hungerford in Berkshire. She was living nearby at Woodlands St Mary while he was living at Upton Gray near Basingstoke and working as a gardener. In both 1911 and 1921 they were living at Woodlands St Mary. William had been born in Stockbridge, Hampshire while Rose had been born in Newbury, Berkshire. William was working as a gardener for David Claude Trier, a land agent for a landowner based at Camberwell Park in London. They do not appear to have had any children of their own.

It isn’t known how they came to adopt William and Jim. However, Ethel Gundry’s mother’s maiden name was Knight – and both of Rose Strong’s parents also had that same surname, so they may have been related in some way.

By September 1939 William and Rose Strong were living at The Haven, Hall Lane, Upper Farringdon, Alton R.D., Hampshire. It may be no co-incidence that this is close to Binstead where Ethel’s mother was born. William was now described as an old age pensioner. Present too was Rose’s sister, Nellie Knight, born 31 July 1884. Rose was working as a Part Time Child’s Nurse as well as undertaking domestic duties while Nellie was just doing the latter. There was one closed record indicating the presence of a child. It is odd that only one child is indicated. Jim would have been just under 15 years of age while William would be 16 and may have left home.

Military Career

Jim’s eldest brother, Sidney, joined the Royal Artillery in 1941 and William also served in WW2 as a Corporal in the Army. However, they both survived.

Jim completed his basic training with the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment and it seems that he saw active service with the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire TA Battalion – the 2nd Hertfordshire Regiment. This Battalion had an important role on D-Day, the 6th June 1944. It formed the main part of No. 9 Beach Group with responsibility to follow in behind the initial assault in order to secure and make safe the beachhead while the main attack pushed inland. They then had to organise the smooth transit across the beach of later waves of the invasion and subsequent reinforcements and supplies. A major task was clearing mines and obstacles and setting up the first storage dumps. The Hertford’s task was completed in mid July when proper port facilities became available to the Allied forces.

In August, the battalion was broken up with the troops being drafted as reinforcements to other units. It is known that the 3rd battalion, the Monmouthshire Regiment, was resting at Antwerp in August to refit and absorb reinforcements. It is likely that this was when Jim was transferred to the Monmouths. Here, he met up with Dennis Andrews who was also from Farringdon and a year younger than him.

The Monmouths were engaged in fighting in the Netherlands in September 1944 on the right flank of the Allied thrust north towards Arnhem in an attempt which failed to link up with the airborne forces which had landed on the north Bank of the Rhine. The Monmouths were supported by tanks from 3rd Royal Tank Regiment and helped to clear the enemy from villages and woods in the flat low lying country, but progress was slow as they were hampered by the many bridges that the Germans had blown up across the canals.

They had reached St Anthonis by 25 September, but plans were changing following the Allied failure to take the bridge at Arnhem. They withdrew to Westerbeek just south west of Oploo on the 26th. It was while the battalion was resting here, a mile behind the front line, that Jim was killed by a shell that hit the billet where he was quartered. Sadly, Dennis Andrews had arranged for him to move to his house, but not in time. He was able to attend his funeral. Dennis himself was killed two months after Jim.

The Aftermath

On the 1st anniversary of his death, the local paper published the following:
“Gundry – In proud and loving memory of (Jim) Pte HJ Gundry the Monmouth’s and Late of the Beds. and Herts. Regt. killed on active service in N.W. Europe, September 28th, 1944. Aged 19. ‘He died that we might live’ from Mum and Dad the Haven Upper Farringdon and from Bill serving in Germany.”

Jim’s adopted father, William Strong, died aged 79 in 1946 and was buried on 31 October 1946 in Farringdon.

It isn’t known whether Jim’s birth mother or his sister Ethel or brother Sidney will have known of Jim’s death. Ethel had married Willliam Basque in Surrey in 1943 and no more is known about them. Sidney married Rose M Hamerton in 1945 in Brentford, Middlesex and had three children. He died in Newbury, Berkshire in 1983.

His brother William married Elfried E Ehlers in Glinde in Germany in 1948 when he was still in the Armed Forces. She was known as Freda. He returned to Upper Farringdon and they lived in Parsonage Close. They had four children, the eldest of which was named Henry J Gundry. William died there in 1992 and is buried there. Some of his children still live in the area.

Jim’s adopted mother, Rose Strong, died in 1972 in Farringdon and is also buried there. His birth mother, Ethel Frances Gundry, died in Brighton, Sussex in 1987.

Jim is commemorated on the war memorial in Farringdon village along with other men from the village, including Dennis Andrews.

From FindMyPast website: Civil and Parish Birth, Marriage and Death Records; England Census and 1939 Register Records; Military Records, Electoral Rolls
War Diaries from Traces of War Website
Farringdon Remembrance Book and associated articles: Denise Maughan
Surrey Advertiser 09 February 1925
Photos of Jim’s memorial in Farringdon courtesy of his nephew Paul Gundry.
Photo of Jim and Bill courtesy of Harry Gundry (Bill’s son) via Wendy Gundry (wife of Michael Gundry, also Bill’s son).

Research Tim Edwards, Hans Ooms, Elaine Gathercole