Every now and again somebody who makes a request, offers us a photo and information about the person who's grave or memorial image they are requesting. As we believe its always good to be able to put a face to a name, we have decided to devote this page of the site to the photo's that we receive.

Leslie Frederick Noel Roy

Signalman. Royal Corps of Signals

 Leslie was the youngest of 3 children born to James Edward and Florence Maud Roy. He was born in Marylebone, London on 25 December 1915. His father, James Edward, was a Plumber, Gas & Hot Water Fitter with a his own shop in Marylebone.

Leslie was captured by the Japanese and spent three and a half years in Prisoner of War camps in the Far East. At the end of the War Leslie was rescued and was being evacuated to Rangoon when the plane he was in crashed into the sea. Leslie was 29 years old.

 The following report describes what happened. 

Flight 66 of 117 Squadron RAF Dakota left Rangoon Mingladoon on the 8th September 1945 for Saigon to evacuate British Prisoners of War in the area who had been prisoners under the Japanese for three and a half years, all were suffering from starvation and tropical diseases. On arrival the plane, loaded with 24 POW's and the RAF crew of four, took off on the return flight, landing at Bangkok to refuel. It is then reported that about 1pm on that day villagers to the village of Nuaunggangle about 13 mile north west of Moulmein in Burma and about 150 miles south east of the final destination of Rangoon heard an aircraft out at sea, followed by an explosion. The same evening at high tide they found various articles washed ashore and the next day at low tide saw the wreckage scattered over a sandbank. Several bodies which were unidentified were recovered but no trace of survivors were found. 

The following is a list of crew and exprisoners who were known to be on the aircraft and died. All their names are recorded on the Singapore Memorial in Kranji War Cemetery Singapore.  

Crew: Wing Cdr Samson AJDFC (30); Sq Ltd Grotrian RPD (36); Flt/Lt Bridge R (39); Flt/Lt Cuthbert JF DFC (37); all of 117 Squadron RAF. 

POWs: Cpl Ablitt HR (33) RAMC; L.Sgt Arthur EA (34) 51 Fld RA; Gnr Bruce JB (38) k; Gnr Cotterill H (44) RA; Gnr Crawford JJ (29) RA; Bdr Daws F (33) RA; L/Sgt De Roux MF (40) RNF; Pte Edwards H (26) RAMC; L/Sgt Edwards EJ (29) Gordons; Sgt Hawthorn RH (37) RA; Gnr Hendy RH (37) RA; Pte Marskell GE (23) Suffolks; Gnr Payne JD (39) RA; L/Bdr Randell WJ (39) RA; Pte Ferrow J (25) 6 Norfolks; Pte Gadd RGV (23) E Surreys; Pte Jeeps L (24) 2 Cambs; L/Bdr Murfin R (28) RA; Gnr Pears JP (29) RA; Dvr Price M (33) RASC; Sgm Roy LFN (29) R Sigs; Pte Skeldon A (29) Argylls; Sgt Thomas V (29) RA; L/Cpl Warren FJ (31) RASC.

Photograph & Information supplied by Gail Weaver

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SIDNEY HANNINGTON

   Sidney Herbert Hannington was born in Hammersmith, London on 18th May 1888 to George and Emma Hannington. The 1911 census shows him living at home with his widowed mother, four sisters and a brother. He was a Draughtsman. The census also states his mother had 13 children of which 10 survived. Sidney enlisted in the West Yorkshire Regiment, 10th Battalion and his Medal Roll shows he went to France on 18th August 1915. He obviously had some home leave as he married Margaret Stevens on 7th December 1915 at Hammersmith Register Office by which time he was a Sergeant. He was killed in action five months later on 5th May 1916. He is buried in the Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres.

Photograph and Information supplied by John Greenham.

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HENRY BYRNE & SAMUAL BYRNE

THE STAFFORDSHIRE EVENING SENTINEL

FRIDAY 7th. MAY 1943

TUNSTALL BROTHERS KILLED

Two Tunstall Brothers are reported killed in action, one having been posted

In May 1940 as missing. They are Cpl. Samuel Byrne and Pte Henry Byrne

Sons of Mr and Mrs E Byrne 8 Goodfellow street Tunstall. Cpl. Byrne was

married his wife residing at 117, Lower Williamson St. Tunstall. He was

recalled to the colours on the outbreak of war having previously served in

India for eight years, he was a keen boxer and had won several trophies. His

brother Henry was employed at the Brownhills Tileries Before being called

up in January last year. Their brother James is serving in India while another

brother Thomas has been discharged following an accident which has

incapacitated him.

Photographs supplied by Ken Perkins

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Inscription On Tyne Cot Memorial

 

Percy J B Bowsher was born in Queens Park in West London in August 1894 to Edward and Elizabeth Bowsher, his father was a railway engine boiler washer with GWR.He enlisted at Marylebone in January 1915 into the Royal Engineers, his profession when he joined up was listed as 'skilled mason'Percy was posted to the 130th Field Company Royal Engineers and crossed to France with them in September 1915, he saw action at the Battle of Messines and the Battle of Passchendale and was awarded the Military Medal for bravery at Westhock Ridge on August 10 1917. He took part in operations on the Somme in March 1918 and the Battle of the Lys in April 1918. During the defence of the village of Dranoute on April 17th 1918 Percy was killed, he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

 

 

 

      

   

     

Cecil Rice served with 3rd Bn Sherwood Foresters, on coastal defence at the Sunderland (Tyne Garrison). He only served a short time before transferring to 472 Agricultural Coy.of the Labour Corps. Cecil fell ill and died of "Pneumonia with influenza" (-probably the Spanish 'flu pandemic) in 1918. He died at his parents house in Belper. His brother William died in 1920 from the effects of wounds received while serving with the Leicestershire Regiment. They are buried together in Belper Cemetery, Derbyshire.

Cecil & William Rice, Belper Cemetery

Photo and information supplied by Tim Whieldon

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Joseph Harris

Before the war Joseph lived in Sutton-in-Ashfield with his wife Florence and daughter Connie. He worked as Depot manager at the Bowring Petroleum Company Limited. Joseph began his war service on the 11th August 1916; he was 28 years of age. He was originally Private 59465 with the Sherwood Forrester's. On 12 February 1917 he was transferred to The MCG. They embarked from Folkestone on 31/8/1917 disembarked later that day at Boulogne. Joseph was wounded whilst fighting at Bailleul in the Second Battle of Lys on 12/13th of April 1918. His injuries were described as GSW to the left thigh and abdomen. He was evacuated to Etaples and then back to the UK where he was admitted to Edinburgh War Hospital. Joseph died of Septicaemia on the 2nd of May 1918.

Photo and information supplied by David Harris

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