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Post by Ken Porter on Jul 8, 2004 22:33:05 GMT 1
Is there any collection of stories about the individual names on the Spondon War Memorial in the Village?
I am particularly interested in the RAF servicemen. I served in the Spondon Air Training Corps and in the RAFVR and knew some of the men who gave their lives for us, including my cousin Jack Coxon who was missing believed killed in the Dunkirk fighting and evacuation.
Perhaps the British Legion or the RAF Association knows their stories. If so, they should be on file in the Spondon Community Library. The 60th VE-Day anniversary will soon be with us. This would be a worthy tribute to Spondon's heroes.
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Post by Steve (Spondon Online) on Jul 9, 2004 17:11:49 GMT 1
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Post by Ken Porter on Jul 9, 2004 19:11:46 GMT 1
Thanks Steve for that list and close-ups. I only knew Jack Craig, Jack Coxon, Bill Harvey and Frank Holmes on the WWII list.
Bill Harvey was a classmate in SHCS in 1939 and fellow-member of the ATC before joining Bomber Command, RAF in 1943.
Frank Holmes joined the Royal Navy as an apprentice at age 15 in 1940.He had survived the Crete evacuation on the cruiser HMS Orion, then sailed to South Africa on the way to San Francisco for repairs at the Mare Island Navy Yard. He was 18 when he was posted missing when the minelayer-destroyer HMS Welshman was sunk during the Malta convoy battles.
I hope we can retrieve more memories of Spondon's heros on this page.
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Post by kenpor2 on Jul 10, 2004 0:49:06 GMT 1
Ernest Holyoake served in France with the Sherwood Foresters in the B.E.F. and after evacuation from Dunkirk, his Battalion was sent to Singapore where, after the surrender, he became a p.o.w. and was sent to work on the infamous Death Railway in Siam. While being transported back to Japan as the Allies pushed forward, his prison ship was mistakenly torpedoed by a U.S submarine and many hundreds of Derby and Notts soldiers were drowned. Some survivors were taken on board the submarine and came back to Spondon to report the grim news that Ernest was not among them.
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Post by Ken Porter on Jul 14, 2004 5:59:05 GMT 1
F/Sgt. John Henry Coxon, Svc.No. 749430, was a member of 103 Squadron, 74 Wing, (Bomber Command) RAF, and was a rear gunner on a Fairey Battle light bomber.
History of No. 103 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Disbanded in 1919 it was re-formed in August 1936, as No. 103 (Bomber) Squadron with Hawker Hinds. During the Second World War No. 103 Squadron moved to France and made short-range day-and night-bombing attacks with Battles (including attacks on the Meuse bridges and the "invasion ports") and longer-range attacks with Wellingtons.
On 14 May 1940, German forces broke through the French front at Sedan. All remaining RAF Battles and Blenheims were ordered to attack pontoon bridges and troops in the area. Out of 71 aircraft, 39 were shot down - the highest loss in an operation of this size ever sustained by the RAF.
On 15 May 1940. After a week of heavy fighting, the Dutch Army finally capitulated at 11 am. By nightfall, the RAF in France had lost 205 aircraft, including 86 two-seat Fairey Battles.
By 19 May 1940, the rapid German advance now posed a threat to the remaining RAF aircraft in Belgium. Evacuation of the remaining squadrons was carried out over the next two days, and fighter operations over the battlefield were carried out by Hurricanes and Spitfires based in southern England.
On 3 Jun 1940 - The last day of Operation Dynamo - saw the RAF carry out 171 reconnaissance, 651 bombing and 2,739 fighter sorties. During the previous nine days, the RAF had lost 177 aircraft, including 106 fighters and the attrition was such that the first-line strength of Fighter Command stood at 331 Hurricanes and Spitfires with only 36 fighters in reserve. German aircraft then carried out the first attacks against Paris.
On 14/06/40 103 Squadron evacuated from Soulge, France, to 1 Group, Abingdon, Berkshire. Then on 16 Jun 1940 it moved to RAF Honington, Suffolk, then to RAF Newton, Nottinghamshire, where it re-equipped with Vickers Wellington bombers. By 11/07/41 Squadron 103 was stationed at RAF, Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire
The fighting in France cost the RAF a total of 1,029 aircraft and over 1,500 personnel.
F/ Sgt J H Coxon was the rear gunner on Wellington Bomber No DV699, which took off from RAF Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire on 5 June 1942 at midnight for a raid on the German city of Essen.
It was later reported that Wellington DV699 was on route to the target when it suffered a mid-air collision with another Wellington and crashed near Gelden, a small town in Germany on the River Niers and close to the border with Holland. Four of the five crew members were killed in the crash and were buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Germany, while the pilot, F/Lt Morison was captured by the Germans and became a prisoner of war.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission reports F/Sgt John Harry Coxon died on 6th June 1942, and is buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Germany, five miles south of Kleve. Grave reference/panel no. 31. E. 2. His parents John and Ethel Coxon are named as his parents. He was engaged to be married when he died.
Jack is memorialised on the Spondon War Memorial Plaque in Spondon Village, within a hundred yards of his Dad's greengrocery shop where he grew up.
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Post by Ken Porter on Jul 15, 2004 17:25:44 GMT 1
Sgt. John (Jack) William CRAIG, Flight Observer, Service No:743022 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Served in 149 Sqdn. RAF Age when killed: 20
Date of Death: 12/07/1940
Son of Thomas Roderick and Emma Craig, of Brockley, Spondon, Derbyshire.
Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave 14. E. 6-11. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany
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Post by Ken Porter on Jul 15, 2004 23:15:47 GMT 1
Additional research shows that on 12th April 1937 - 149 Squadron RAF, was reformed from 'B' Flt No.99 Squadron at Mildenhall, Suffolk.
Between 6th Sep - 5th October 1939 - The Squadron was temporarily dispersed to Netheravon, Wiltshire. Aircraft changed to Vickers Wellington I, IC and II.
In March 1940 – 149 Squadron was on detachment to Salon, France. It was when the German offensive in the Low Countries began in May 1940 that the squadron began the bombing offensive against Germany which occupied it for the rest of the war. The Wellington was soon found to be the best of the British bombers. Fifty of No.149 and the other No.3 Group squadrons were busily involved, at first in tactical bombing to try to halt the German advance on the British troops evacuating from Dunkirk, On July 3 1940, for the first time, the targets attacked by RAF Bomber Command during this day included the invasion barges being massed for a possible invasion of Britain.
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Post by Ken Porter on Jul 19, 2004 1:03:58 GMT 1
PRITCHETT, Kenneth Dennis
Rank: Artificer Electrical 5th Class Royal Navy Service No: C/MX. 118018 Unit : H.M.S. Fencer Age: 22 Date of Death: 16/07/1947
Son of Edward and Lily Pritchett, of Spondon.
Buried in Spondon Cemetery. Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave 868. Casualty Details from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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Post by Ken Porter on Jul 20, 2004 19:04:03 GMT 1
HMS Fencer was USA built at the Western Pipe & Steel, San Francisco, being laid down on 5 September 1941, and launched April 1942. She was bought by the USN on 20 February 1943 as USS AVG-14 and commissioned in the Royal Navy on 20 February 1943.
HMS Fencer was essentially a "Fighter Carrier" from 1943. She also provided convoy escort in 1944, during which time her aircraft (842 squadron) sank the German submarines U666 on 10 February 1944, U277 on 1 May 1944, U674 and U.959 on 2 May 1944. She also provided cover for Barracuda strike aircraft during the Operation "Tungsten", attack on the German Battleship Tirpitz in Norway on 3 April 1944. Later she saw service with the British Pacific Fleet in 1945 as escort for the Fleet Train.
HMS Fencer was returned to the USN on 11 December 1946. Scrapped 1975.
1832 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, Royal Navy, The squadron formed at Eglington in August 1943 as a fighter squadron with 10 Wildcat Vs, transferring to Stretton to form fighter flights to join TBR squadrons on escort carriers. In November 1943 the first fighter flights were formed for 842 squadron on HMS Fencer. Battle Honours Norway 1944, Atlantic 1944, Arctic 1944
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Post by Ken Porter on Jul 22, 2004 4:55:52 GMT 1
Pilot Officer Francis Richard Walker-Smith (Pilot), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Service No: 741213 Unit: 85 Sqdn.
Date of Death: 13/03/1941 Age: 24
Son of Arthur and Frances Walker-Smith, husband of Dorothy Walker-Smith, of Stanley Common, Derbyshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Saffron Walden Cemetery, Grave/Memorial Reference: Compt. 40. Grave 10.
Also commemorated by a plaque in St. Werburgh's, parish church, Spondon Squadron History: No. 85 Squadron was formed at Upavon on 1 August 1917 and after a period of training moved to France in May 1918. On 1 June 1938, A Flight of No. 87 Squadron was renumbered at Debden as 85 Squadron and flew Gloster Gladiators until re-equipped with Hawker Hurricanes in September 1938. On the outbreak of war, the squadron moved to France as part of the Air Component of the BEF. When the German invasion came in May 1940, it gave fighter cover to the Allied armies until its bases were overrun and four remaining aircraft retired to the UK. It re-equipped and resumed operations early in June. After taking part in the first half of the Battle of Britain over southern England, the squadron moved to Yorkshire in September and in October began night fighter patrols. In November it returned south to fly night patrols but the Hurricanes lack of radar gave little chance of success. In January 1941, it began to receive Defiants but these were soon replaced by Havocs, although the Hurricanes continued to be flown until July.
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Post by Ken Porter on Jul 22, 2004 23:45:51 GMT 1
Name: William Mawrey HARVEY, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Service No: 1582500 Rank: Sergeant (Wireless Operator.) Date of Death: 04/05/1944 Only son of William Howard Harvey and Ethel Mary Harvey, of Dale Road, Spondon. Attended Spondon House Central School, and served in 2069 Sqn. Air Training Corps before joining Bomber Command, Royal Air Force in 1943.. RAF Squadron and operational record not presently known. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Interred in Spondon Cemetery, Stoney Lane Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. E. Grave 214.
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Post by Bill Slater on Aug 3, 2004 21:43:19 GMT 1
[Re Frank Walker Smith,In 2001 I did a story for D,E,T BYgones with details of his service, his training, his action with 85 Sqdn details of his combats & 3 1/2 victories from photo copies of his hand written combat reports full details of his death in a flying accident as apassenger ,copy of aletter of tribute by Peter Townsend plus photos etc.& would be only too happy to pass on details to Ken Porter, Who I also knew when I was in 2069 Sqdn ATC Do it will be possible to bring recognition to a Hero I Believe deserves recognition
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Post by kenpor2 on Aug 9, 2004 0:29:27 GMT 1
Glad to get news of your survival Bill Slater after 60 years!! Must have been all that good RAF food they gave us?
Please e-mail to: kenpor2@msn.com so we may exchange addresses and details of Frank Walker Smith's heroic service. Please also feel free to summarise on this page so all may be aware of it.
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Post by Bill Slater on Aug 12, 2004 19:45:32 GMT 1
Pilot Officer, Francis Richard Walker-Smith(64872) Awarded Flying Badge,11-10-39. Mentioned in Despatches,London Gazette, 24/9/41, 1939/45, Star, With Battle Of Britain Clasp. Aircrew Europe Star, War Medal. Combat Victories 3 1/2 . Started Flying Training atRAFVR, Desford,& shortly after gained Pilots Wings at Burnaston. Mobilised1/9/39, Went to No9Flying Training School,No5, Operational Training Unit,before posting to 85 Sqdn at Lille-Seclin, with the BEF,in France. 18-6-40,1st, Operational Flight on Convoy Patrol, the 1st of many. 18-8-40, Sqdn in action against an estimated250 Enemy Aircraft, Combat Claim, 2, Me 110!s destroyed. 26/8/40, Combat Report Claims 1/2 a Dornier destroyed,Shared with F/O Woods-Scawen 28/8/40,Combat Report Claim 1 Me109 destroyed 29-8-40,Sqdn in action against Estimated 300 Enemy Aircraft. Frank Wounded in right foot,& hurricane badly damaged,Escaped by Parachute. February 1941,Completed a2 week Twin Engine Conversion Course, Flying Blenheims. february 1941,Sqdn receives its 1st American Havoc 1 ,Night Fighters. 6/3/41,Promoted to Pilot/Officer. 13-3-41,Went as passenger in a Havoc ,to collect another Havoc& was Killed in an accident on Take Off, Buried in Saffron-Walden Cemetery. Commerated by a Plaque in St Werburghs Church Spondon,FRom his Old Colleagues at Rolls-Royce,& unveiled by Wing Commander of Burnaston
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Post by Ken Porter on Aug 15, 2004 22:51:16 GMT 1
Sgt. Geoffrey Bowden Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Service No: 1528496 Rank: Sergeant (Air Gnr.) Unit: 78 Squadron. R.A.F.
Date of Death: 14/07/1943 Age: 20
Son of John George and Olive Bowden, of Spondon, Derbyshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot LL. Row 2. Grave 51. Cemetery: ROTTERDAM (CROOSWIJK) GENERAL CEMETERY
78 Squadron, Group 4, Bomber Command, RAF, Base Middleton St. George, County Durham Arrived July 4, 1941
Moved to RAF Croft, Yorkshire 20/10/41 Equipped with Handley Page Halifax II, 03/42.
Moved to RAF Breighton, Yorkshire 16/06/43
Sgt. Bowden was reported killed in action when his Halifax II from 78 Squadron took off from RAF Breighton on 13/14.07.43 on Ops. to Aachen, and due to enemy action crashed in the vicinity of Cologne.
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