Barnsley British Co-Op
Additional Details
Stanley Athorn (2202890)
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - 178 Sqdn
5 November 1944, aged 20
Son of Henry and Clara Athorn, of Barnsley, Yorkshire.
Belgrade War Cemetery
Liberator KH243 - This aircraft was one of twelve from the squadron, which formed part of a large force of fifty six Wellingtons and thirty five Liberators led by a single pathfinder Halifax of 614 Squadron, sent to drop supplies to partisan forces in the 'CUCKOLD' and 'TOFFEE' areas of Yugoslavia. The Liberator was attacked by enemy aircraft.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - 178 Sqdn
5 November 1944, aged 20
Son of Henry and Clara Athorn, of Barnsley, Yorkshire.
Belgrade War Cemetery
Liberator KH243 - This aircraft was one of twelve from the squadron, which formed part of a large force of fifty six Wellingtons and thirty five Liberators led by a single pathfinder Halifax of 614 Squadron, sent to drop supplies to partisan forces in the 'CUCKOLD' and 'TOFFEE' areas of Yugoslavia. The Liberator was attacked by enemy aircraft.
Charles Edwin Blacker (P/LX 26507)
Steward - Royal Navy - H.M.S. Indomitable 14 August 1942, aged 28 Born in Barnsley in Q4 1913 Son of Joseph Thomas Blacker and Lilian Blacker; Husband of Dorothy Beatrice Blacker, of Barnsley, Yorkshire. Married in Barnsley in Q4 1940 Portsmouth Naval Memorial Killed when the aircraft carrier was hit by 3 bombs whilst part of convoy WS12S, the massively protected convoy to relieve Malta - Operation Pedestal. |
Leslie Blacker (2763258)
Corporal - Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) - 5th Bn.
18 March 1943, aged 27
Born in Barnsley in Q3 1916
Son of Joseph Thomas Blacker and Lilly Blacker, of Barnsley, Yorkshire.
Sfax War Cemetery
The gravestone carries the inscription - Rest on, dear Leslie In peace. In memory's garden We meet every day
Originally buried close to where he fell before being reburied in present location on 25 May 1944
Died in North Africa
Corporal - Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) - 5th Bn.
18 March 1943, aged 27
Born in Barnsley in Q3 1916
Son of Joseph Thomas Blacker and Lilly Blacker, of Barnsley, Yorkshire.
Sfax War Cemetery
The gravestone carries the inscription - Rest on, dear Leslie In peace. In memory's garden We meet every day
Originally buried close to where he fell before being reburied in present location on 25 May 1944
Died in North Africa
Walter Bramwell (1051374)
Sergeant - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - 75 (R.N.Z.A.F.) Sqdn. 30 May 1943, aged 22 Born in Barnsley in Q3 1920 Son of Stanley Bramwell, and of Lucy Bramwell, of Hoyland Common, Yorkshire. Father died in 1925 Lived at 17 Hoyland Rd, Hoyland Common (previously Jubilee Cottage, Tankersle) Runnymede Memorial Lost on Short Stirling EF398 (AA-A) on a bombing raid to Wuppertal. It was airborne 23:32 on 29 May 43 from Newmarket and shot down by a night-fighter (Oblt Manfred Meurer, 1./NJG1) crashing between Vlodrop and Roermond (Limburg), Holland. Although two gunners were buried in Holland the rest of the crew have no known grave. [also listed on Hoyland / Tankersley memorials] |
John Edward Burley (943928)
Sgt - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - 95 Sqdn. 11 June 1942, aged 25 Born in Atherstone, Warwickshire in Q3 1917 Son of Walter and Edith Burley, of Burton Grange, Yorkshire. Malta Memorial Lost when Sunderland flying boat L 5805, detailed to escort a ship to Freetown, Sierra Leone on 11 June 1942 went missing. The aircraft was last seen circling the ship on a bearing of 284 degrees approx 135 miles from Freetown in the early hours of 11 June, after which it proceeded in a north easterly direction. At 14:00 hours a possible white light was sighted at a low height, but no sound of engines was heard. During the next three days extensive air and sea searches were carried out, but no trace of the aircraft or crew were found. It was presumed that the aircraft forced landed at sea during the night patrol and that the crew were lost at sea. [also listed on Ardsley / Monk Bretton memorials] |
Frank Cooper (2356667)
Signalman - Royal Corps of Signals - 68 H.A.A. Regt., R.A., Sig. Sec. 14 November 1942, aged 36 Born in Rotherham in Q2 1906 Son of Moses and Edith Annie Cooper; husband of Gertrude Cooper, of Wath-on-Dearne, Yorkshire. In 1911 was living with parents at 4 Carnelly Street West Melton Nr Rotherham Was show as 4 in 1911 census, born West Melton. Father was a coal miner. Parents married 10 years, 2 children, 2 alive Lived at Walden, Buckleigh Road, Wath Alamein Memorial Died as a PoW, captured in North Africa. Was being transported on the Italian ship SS Scillin when the ship was sunk by the British submarine Sahib off the coast of Tunisia, without the knowledge of her cargo. Over 800 PoWs were on board, most them perished. |
Ronald Cottam (14449256)
Lance Corporal - Northamptonshire Regiment - 4th Bn.
20 September 1945, aged 19
Born in Barnsley in Q3 1926
Son of Thomas and Nellie Cottam, of Cudworth, Yorkshire.
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery
The gravestone carries the inscription - The years have passed But memories stay, As near and dear As yesterday
Originally buried at Kapellen, Germany before being reburied in present location on 15 November 1946
Died of gunshot wounds in post-war Germany
[also listed on Cudworth memorial]
Lance Corporal - Northamptonshire Regiment - 4th Bn.
20 September 1945, aged 19
Born in Barnsley in Q3 1926
Son of Thomas and Nellie Cottam, of Cudworth, Yorkshire.
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery
The gravestone carries the inscription - The years have passed But memories stay, As near and dear As yesterday
Originally buried at Kapellen, Germany before being reburied in present location on 15 November 1946
Died of gunshot wounds in post-war Germany
[also listed on Cudworth memorial]
George Dransfield (2123802)
Royal Engineers - 71 Field Coy 6 June 1944, aged 36 Son of Amos and Sarah Ann Dransfield, of High Green, Sheffield; husband of Madge Dransfield, of High Green. Benouville Churchyard Killed at 17:00 on D-Day, the first casualty from his unit, following a landing on Sword Beach at 11:00 |
Frank Frogson (1538347)
Sergeant (Air Gnr.) - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - 210 Sqdn. 24 August 1943, aged 21 Born in Barnsley in Q2 1922 Son of Herbert and Ruth Frogson, of Hoyland. Lived at 21 Mount Crescent, Hoyland Hoyland Nether Cemetery Was killed when Catalina FP287 coded E crashed whilst returning to base at RAF Hamworthy following a training exercise. The aircraft encountered think fog before first light, it made a normal approach after waiting 25 minutes for the flare path to be set and touched down at second flare. In an attempt to abort the landing it opened up, took off and flew into mist failing to regain height and crashed into the marshes off Round Island in Poole Harbour at 04:35. Rescuers had difficulty locating the position of the crashed craft and eight of the crew of 12 were killed. [also listed on Hoyland memorial] |
Leslie Gillespie (P/JX 275191)
Able Seaman - Royal Navy - H.M. Submarine Splendid
2 May 1943, aged 23
Born in approx 1920
Son of Joe and Alice Gillespie, of Cudworth, Yorkshire
Portsmouth Naval Memorial
(also known as Leslie Gillispie)
HMS Splendid was sunk on 21 April 1943 south of Isle of Capri, Italy by depth charges from the German destroyer ZG-3/Hermes. Five officers, including the Commanding Officer, and 25 ratings were picked up by the destroyer, 18 men were lost with the ship and their deaths were recorded as 2 May 1943 when the submarine was overdue and posted missing.
[also listed on Cudworth memorial]
Able Seaman - Royal Navy - H.M. Submarine Splendid
2 May 1943, aged 23
Born in approx 1920
Son of Joe and Alice Gillespie, of Cudworth, Yorkshire
Portsmouth Naval Memorial
(also known as Leslie Gillispie)
HMS Splendid was sunk on 21 April 1943 south of Isle of Capri, Italy by depth charges from the German destroyer ZG-3/Hermes. Five officers, including the Commanding Officer, and 25 ratings were picked up by the destroyer, 18 men were lost with the ship and their deaths were recorded as 2 May 1943 when the submarine was overdue and posted missing.
[also listed on Cudworth memorial]
Frederick Walter Glasswell (3325093)
Lance Corporal - Gordon Highlanders - 5/7th Bn.
5 November 1944, aged 21
Born in Doncaster on 14 August 1913
Son of Richard and Lydia Elizabeth Glasswell; Husband of Gladys Glasswell, of Balby, Doncaster, Yorkshire.
Lived at 65 High St, Goldthorpe
Married in Don Valley in Q2 1940 - 1 Son
Uden War Cemetery
The gravestone carries the inscription - For ever honoured For ever mourned
Originally buried at Boxtel before being reburied in present location on 5 September 1946
DoW in Holland
[also listed on Dearne / Goldthorpe / Thurnscoe memorials]
Lance Corporal - Gordon Highlanders - 5/7th Bn.
5 November 1944, aged 21
Born in Doncaster on 14 August 1913
Son of Richard and Lydia Elizabeth Glasswell; Husband of Gladys Glasswell, of Balby, Doncaster, Yorkshire.
Lived at 65 High St, Goldthorpe
Married in Don Valley in Q2 1940 - 1 Son
Uden War Cemetery
The gravestone carries the inscription - For ever honoured For ever mourned
Originally buried at Boxtel before being reburied in present location on 5 September 1946
DoW in Holland
[also listed on Dearne / Goldthorpe / Thurnscoe memorials]
Herbert Riding (1096579)
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
9 August 1942, aged 20
Son of Martha Riding, of Dodsworth, Yorkshire, England.
Montgomery (Oakwood) Cemetery Annexe
Killed on Active service in USA
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
9 August 1942, aged 20
Son of Martha Riding, of Dodsworth, Yorkshire, England.
Montgomery (Oakwood) Cemetery Annexe
Killed on Active service in USA
Clifford Shaw (1674657) DFM
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - 635 Sqdn 24 December 1944 Rheinberg War Cemetery A member of the crew of Lancaster ND524 coded F2-F airborne at 12:31 from Downham Market to attack the airfield at Lohausen which was believed to be a key supply point for the German Ardennes Offensive. |
Ben Naylor (1624128)
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - 37 Sqdn 21 July 1944, aged 20 Son of Arthur and Ellen Naylor, of Mapplewell, Yorkshire. Malta Memorial Part of the crew of Wellington JA521 LF-U which was lost on a raid against the Pariubice Oil Refinery in Czechoslovakia from a base in Tortorella, Italy. Crash into a lake in Stostikovice/Znojmo, Czechoslovakia. |
John Arthur Prosser, (4694843)
King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry - 1st Bn
22 January 1944, aged 29
Son of Arthur and Lillie Prosser; husband of Agnes Joyce Prosser, of Whitworth, Lancashire
Minturno War Cemetery
Died in Italy
King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry - 1st Bn
22 January 1944, aged 29
Son of Arthur and Lillie Prosser; husband of Agnes Joyce Prosser, of Whitworth, Lancashire
Minturno War Cemetery
Died in Italy
Kenneth Sickler (7371189)
Private - Royal Army Medical Corps 10 May 1942, aged 25 Born in Rotherham in Q2 1917 Son of William Henry and Anne Elizabeth Sickler, of Wath-On-Dearne, Yorkshire. Lived at 27 Burman Road, Wath Alamein Memorial Lost when hospital ship Ramb IV was sunk in the Mediterranean off Alexandria by German aircraft [also listed on Wath / Wath - All Saints memorial] |
C Smith
unsure of casualty - more than one with this initial
Stanley Stewardson (967338)
Royal Artillery - 112 (The West Somerset Yeomanry) Field Regt.
18 September 1944, aged 28
Son of Elijah and Mary Ann Stewardson; Husband of Evelyne Stewardson, of Leeds, Yorkshire.
Leopoldsburg War Cemetery
Died in Belgium
J Taylor
unsure of casualty - more than one with this initial
John Stephen Taylor (932623)
Royal Artillery - 94 The Dorset and Hampshire Yeomanry Field Regt
1 March 1945, aged 21
Son of Arthur and Ivy Winifred Taylor, of Barnsley, Yorkshire.
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery
Died on the borders of Germany
E Walker
unsure of casualty - more than one with this initial
W Ward
unsure of casualty - more than one with this initial
Robert Alan Whittlestone (T/171707)
Royal Army Service Corps - 308 Res Mt Coy
27 April 1941, aged 25
Son of Charles and Myra Whittlestone, of Jump, Yorkshire; Husband of Gladys Whittlestone, of Havercroft, Yorkshire.
Athens Memorial
Died during the Greek Campaign
unsure of casualty - more than one with this initial
Stanley Stewardson (967338)
Royal Artillery - 112 (The West Somerset Yeomanry) Field Regt.
18 September 1944, aged 28
Son of Elijah and Mary Ann Stewardson; Husband of Evelyne Stewardson, of Leeds, Yorkshire.
Leopoldsburg War Cemetery
Died in Belgium
J Taylor
unsure of casualty - more than one with this initial
John Stephen Taylor (932623)
Royal Artillery - 94 The Dorset and Hampshire Yeomanry Field Regt
1 March 1945, aged 21
Son of Arthur and Ivy Winifred Taylor, of Barnsley, Yorkshire.
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery
Died on the borders of Germany
E Walker
unsure of casualty - more than one with this initial
W Ward
unsure of casualty - more than one with this initial
Robert Alan Whittlestone (T/171707)
Royal Army Service Corps - 308 Res Mt Coy
27 April 1941, aged 25
Son of Charles and Myra Whittlestone, of Jump, Yorkshire; Husband of Gladys Whittlestone, of Havercroft, Yorkshire.
Athens Memorial
Died during the Greek Campaign
John Vallance (14278126)
Sapper - Royal Engineers - 626 Field Sqn
9 May 1945, aged 21
Born in Barnsley in Q3 1923
(Son of Robert H and Elizabeth Vallance)
Udine War Cemetery
Died in Italy. Was one of 23 men from 626 Field Squadron, Royal Engineers that were killed when a bridge at Pietratagliata they were repairing collapsed. A fellow sappers remembers, ‘The mood in the Squadron was on the up with the news, everybody thinking that there would be no more trouble and looking forward to peacetime again, but that was soon to be dashed as tragedy struck on the afternoon of the 9th of April. We had moved further up near to the village of Pontebba where bridges were needed. As there was no need for radio communications on the jobs I was left behind and given the job of making a trailer for the cooks wagon. In the middle of the afternoon Sid Foulkes the troop DR arrived back in a bit of a state with the news that there had been an accident, a bridge had collapsed and we were needed to help. Everybody but I went to the scene and were away for quite a while arriving back in the early evening in a very sombre mood. What had happened was that Jerry had blown two arches of a three arched bridge and owing to the shortage of bridging it had been decided to prop the remaining arch and build off that instead of off the bankseat as was normal. It was while doing the propping that the arch had collapsed killing twenty three NCOs and Sappers. Among those killed were some who had joined the Squadron from Ripon and had gone through the whole of the campaign the Squadron had taken part in.’
Sapper - Royal Engineers - 626 Field Sqn
9 May 1945, aged 21
Born in Barnsley in Q3 1923
(Son of Robert H and Elizabeth Vallance)
Udine War Cemetery
Died in Italy. Was one of 23 men from 626 Field Squadron, Royal Engineers that were killed when a bridge at Pietratagliata they were repairing collapsed. A fellow sappers remembers, ‘The mood in the Squadron was on the up with the news, everybody thinking that there would be no more trouble and looking forward to peacetime again, but that was soon to be dashed as tragedy struck on the afternoon of the 9th of April. We had moved further up near to the village of Pontebba where bridges were needed. As there was no need for radio communications on the jobs I was left behind and given the job of making a trailer for the cooks wagon. In the middle of the afternoon Sid Foulkes the troop DR arrived back in a bit of a state with the news that there had been an accident, a bridge had collapsed and we were needed to help. Everybody but I went to the scene and were away for quite a while arriving back in the early evening in a very sombre mood. What had happened was that Jerry had blown two arches of a three arched bridge and owing to the shortage of bridging it had been decided to prop the remaining arch and build off that instead of off the bankseat as was normal. It was while doing the propping that the arch had collapsed killing twenty three NCOs and Sappers. Among those killed were some who had joined the Squadron from Ripon and had gone through the whole of the campaign the Squadron had taken part in.’