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​War Memorial in Masham
 
The War Memorial for Masham is a cross outside St. Mary's Church, with an
octagonal base on which are carved the names of those who died in both  
WW1 and WW2.
 
IN PROUD AND GRATEFUL
MEMORY OF THE MEN
OF THIS PARISH WHO
DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY
IN THE GREAT WAR
1914 - 1918.
"THEIR NAME LIVETH
FOR EVERMORE"
 
The names of those recorded on the memorial for the First World War are:
 
1915
GEORGE BANKS
HAROLD CODLBECK
GEORGE DUFFIELD
JAMES HOLLAND
1916
DIGBY BESWICK
HERBERT F BRUCE
GEORGE A COLDBECK
JAMES COLE
CHARLES R E EDMUNDSON
THOMAS W FALSHAW
FRED JACKSON
MARK ROPER
FRED TUCKER
BERTRAM WOODWARD
1917
RUPERT H ASTWOOD
JOHN B BRADFORTH
GEORGE H BROWN
EMERSON B CLARKSON
GEORGE CLARKSON
JOSEPH R W COLDBECK
GEORGE FURBY
WILLIE FURBY
PETER F MALLABY
PERCIVAL MOOD
GEORGE SPENCE
JOSEPH W SPENCE
CHARLES G STEEL
ARTHUR L TIMMS
ROBERT WINTERSGILL
ALFRED WINTERSGILL
1918
EDWARD W COLEMAN
JOHN K HANDLEY
GORDON HANDLEY
THOMAS HESLOP
RAYMOND MOOD
HERBERT W MOOD
FREDERICK RUDDICK
THOMAS A WILSON
1919
GEORGE W BANKS
1920
JOHN H BOLTON
1921
ALFRED E DALE
1923
JOHN DEIGHTON
 
KILLED IN MASHAM BY ENEMY BOMBING
APRIL 16 1941
MR AND MRS H SCAIFE
MR AND MRS D WATKINSON
 
1939-1945
GEORGE ANSON
CHARLES ATKINSON
JOHN Y CUNILIFFE-LISTER
WILLIE FURBY
JOHN S HEDDON
ROY LAMB
ALBERT LAMBERT
F YEOMAN MALLABY
ERNEST METCALFE 
 
There is a WW2 Memorial Plaque in the Church
 
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THIS
PARISH WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY
1939 – 1945
 
GEORGE ANSON                 JOHN S HEDDON
CHARLES ATKINSON                       ROY LAMB
JOHN Y CUNILIFFE-LISTER            LAMBERT ALBERT
WILLIE FURBY                                  FRANCIS Y MALLABY
ERNEST METCALFE
 
GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A MAN
LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS
 
The Memorial to the victims of the Bombs
 
THIS STONE STANDS AS A MEMORIAL TO THE
FOUR CIVILIANS AND TWO SOLDIERS KILLED
ON THE NIGHT OF 16 APRIL 1941 WHEN
TWO ENEMY PARACHUTE MINES LANDED ON
THIS SITE DESTROYING THE ORIGINAL
WHITE BEAR HOTEL AND SEVERAL HOUSES
 
THIS MEMORIAL WAS UNVEILED BY THE EARL OF SWINTON ON THE
8TH MAY 1995 THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF VE DAY
MR & MRS H SCAIFE            -           MR & MRS D WATKINSON
PTE H C PAGE                      -           PTE A L SWEET
 
 
The Fallen in WW1
 
1915
 
BANKS, George
Private, 2nd Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own, (Yorkshire Regiment), Brigade, Division.  Army no. 3/8540
He was killed in action on 15 June 1915. He was 34
He was the son of Peace and Jane Banks and the husband of Lilian Banks, Cross Hill, Masham
He is remembered on The Le Touret Memorial.
 
COLDBECK, Harold Ralph
Private, 7th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own, (Yorkshire Regiment), Brigade, Division.  Army no. 12786.
He was the son of Alfred Burton and Phillis Hariet Colbeck, Cross Hill, Masham
He was killed in action on 4 August 1915. He was 21.
He is buried in Voormezeele Enclosure No.3.
Born Stainsley (Ripon), Enlisted Masham.
 
DUFFIELD, George
Sergeant, 7th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own, (Yorkshire Regiment) Brigade, Division.  Army no.12791
He was the son of John and Emmeline Duffield, of Masham
He was killed in action on 31 December 1915. He was 21.
He is buried in Brandhoek Military Cemetery.
Born Masham (Yorks), Enlisted Masham.
(Number = 12791 in SDGW and also Green Howards Gazette database.
CWGC register = 12793).
 
HOLLAND, James
Private, 6th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry, Brigade, Division. Army no.  13264 13164 swd
He was killed in action on Saturday 25 September 1915. He was 21
He was the son of the late Fred and Fanny Holland, Masham
He is remembered on The Ploegsteert Memorial
 
1916
 
BESWICK, Digby
Private, 4th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own, (Yorkshire Regiment), 150 Brigade, 50th Division.  Army no. 3940
He was killed in action on Monday 14 February 1916. He was 22.
He was the son of Henry and Isabel Beswick of Middleham, both predeceased him.
He is buried in Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm) near Ypres, Belgium
He is also on the memorial in Middleham
 
BRUCE, Herbert Foster
Private, 4th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own, (Yorkshire Regiment), Brigade, Division.  Army no. 5445
He was the son of Charles F and Elizabeth Bruce, Silverdale, Masham
He was killed in action on 17 September 1916. He was 19.
He is remembered on The Thiepval Memorial.
Born Masham (Yorks), Enlisted South Shields.
 
COLDBECK, George Alfred 
Lance Corporal, 11th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps, Brigade, Division. Army no R/13906
He died from his wounds on Monday 18 September 1916. He was 24
He was the son of Alfred B and Phyllis Harriet Coldbeck, Cross Hill, Masham
He is buried in Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte  Somme Inscription “Thy Will Be Done”
 
COLE, James
Private, 7th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own, (Yorkshire Regiment), Brigade, Division.  Army no. 12824.
He was killed in action on 1 July 1916. He was 32.
He had been working or Albert and Maude Newsome. Lamb Hill, Masham.
He is buried in Fricourt British Cemetery.
 
EDMUNDSON, Charles Robert Ewbank  MC
Captain, 8th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, Brigade, Division. Army no
He was killed in action on Saturday 1 July 1916. He was 24.
He was the son of Charles F P and Mary E Edmundson, Masham and the husband of Grace Maude Edmundson, 14 Cathcart Hill, Tufnell Park, London.
He is buried in Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont
 
FALSHAW, Thomas William 
Private, 90th Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) Brigade, Division. Army no 30704 He had also seved as Private, Army no 32/269 with the Northumberland Fusiliers.
He was killed in action on Sunday, October 15, 1916. He was 22
He was the son of Francis and Agnes Falshaw, Red Lane, Masham
He is remembered on The Thiepval Memorial
 
JACKSON, Fred 
Private, 15th Battalion, The Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment), Brigade, Division. Army no 15/1204
He was killed in action on Saturday 1 July 1916. He was 29.
He was the son of John and Jane Ann Jackson, Spelderbanks, Masham
He is buried in Serre Road Cemetery No.1
 
ROPER, Mark
Private, 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.  Army no. 5697. He also served as Private, Army no. 28614 with Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own, (Yorkshire Regiment)
He was killed in action on Sunday 5 November 1916. He was 38.
He was the son of Thomas Richard and Mary Ann Roper, The Square, Masham and husband of Florence Edith Roper, The Schoolhouse, Well, Bedale.
He is buried in Warlencourt British Cemetery, near Bapaume, France. His headstone is inscribed “until the day breaks and the shadows pass away”.
He also appears on the Memorial in Well.
 
TUCKER, Frederick Edmundson 
Private, 15th Battalion, The Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment), Brigade, Division. Army no 15/1064
He was killed in action on Saturday 1 July 1916. He was 27.
He was the son of Charles W H and Sarah A Tucker, Park Avenue, Harrogate.
He is remembered on The Thiepval Memorial.
 
WOODWARD, Bertram
Private, 4th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own, (Yorkshire Regiment), Brigade, Division.  Army no. 4555
He was the son of Catherine Miller, Sunnyside, 58 Boroughbridge Road, Knaresborough.
He was killed in action on 17 September 1916. He was 38.
He is remembered on The Thiepval Memorial.
 
 
1917
 
ASTWOOD, Rupert Harold
Gunner, 6th Battery, 40th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Army no 129702
He was killed in action on Monday 14 May 1917. He was 26.
He was the son of William and Sarah Astwood, Masham.
He is buried in Faubourg d’Amiens Cemetery, Arras
 
BRADFORTH, John Bertram 
Private, A Company, 8th Battalion, The East Yorkshire Regiment, Brigade, Division. Army no 30951
He was killed in action on Monday 9 April 1917.  He was 32.
He was the son of George and Margaret Bradforth, Nottingham and the husband of Evelyn Bradforth, 28, Marlborough Avenue, Hornsea
He is buried in Tilloy British Cemetery, Tilloy les Mofflaines and his headstone is inscribed “Faithful unto Death”
 
BROWN, George
Lance Corporal, 8th Battalion, The Prince of Wales’s (North Staffordshire Regiment), Brigade, Division. Army no. 40495. He also served as Private Army no. 3021 with
Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own, (Yorkshire Regiment)  
He was the son of Richard L and Jane Brown, Park Street, Masham.
He died from his wounds on 6 August 1917. He was 19.
He is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord).
 
CLARKSON, Emmerson Bowes 
Private, 8th Battalion, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, Brigade, Division. Army no 28000. He also served as Private, Army no 34462 with the Royal Lancashire Regiment.
He was killed in action on Sunday 15 July 1917. He was 34
He is remembered on The Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres
He was the son of John and Agnes Clarkson, Masham and the husband of Agnes Clarkson, Lancaster.
 
CLARKSON, George
Private, 18th Battalion, The Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment), Brigade, Division. Army no 33090
He died from his wounds on Saturday 12 May 1917. He was 33.
He was the son of and the husband of Henrietta and the late John Clarkson, 54 Dent Street, Pontefract Lane, Leeds.
He is buried in Duisans British Cemetery, Étrun
 
COLDBECK, Joseph Robert William 
Private, 10th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) , Brigade, Division. Army no 205446. He also served as Private, Army no 19270, with The Northumberland Fusiliers
He was killed in action on Tuesday 31 July 1917. He was 19.
He was the son of Alfred and Mary Coldbeck, Cross Hill, Masham although he appears to have been brought up by his grandparents, Joseph and Annie Clark, Masham.
He is remembered on The Menin Gate Memorial Ypres
 
FURBY, George
Pioneer, "P" Special Company, Royal Engineers, Brigade, Division. Army no 220395
He was killed in action on Thursday 18 October 1917. He was 29
He was the son of George and Martha Furby, Market Place, Masham.
He is remembered on The Tyne Cot Memorial
And his brother
FURBY, Willie
Private, 12th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment, Brigade, Division. Army no 48622
He was killed in action on Wednesday 25 April 1917. He was 26
He was the son of George and Martha Furby, Market Place, Masham.
He is remembered on The Arras Memorial
 
MALLABY Peter Francis 
2nd Corporal, 56th Company, Army Ordnance Corps, Brigade, Division. Army no 08176
He died on Wednesday 31 October 1917, probably of natural causes, whilst on active service. Hadra was a major Hospital Centre. He was 33.
He was the son of Peter and Mary Mallaby, 122 Dominion Street, Barrow-in-Furness.
He is buried in (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery Alexandria Egypt and his headstone is inscribed Rest in Peace.
Native of Masham
 
MOOD, Percival known as Percy
Lance Corporal, 2nd Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales’s (Royal Berkshire Regiment), Brigade, Division. Army no 19717
He was killed in action on Sunday 18 November 1917. He was 23.
He was the son of Thomas and Minna Mood, The Square, Masham.
He is remembered on The Tyne Cot Memorial.
His two brothers Raymond and Herbert William were to die the following year.
 
SPENCE, George
Private, 7th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own, (Yorkshire Regiment), 50 Brigade, 17th Division.  Army no. 28235.
He died from his wounds on 17 October 1917 in the aftermath of the fist Battle of Passchendaele.
He is buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery.
 
SPENCE, Joseph White 
Private, 10th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, Brigade, Division. Army no 32939
He was killed in action on Saturday 13 October, 1917. He was 22.
He was the son of Christopher John and Annie Spence, Park Dene, Vernon Road, Scarborough.
He is remembered on The Tyne Cot Memorial.
 
STEEL, Charles Gilbert 
Private, 13th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), Brigade, Division. Army no B/19917
He died from his wounds on Wednesday 3 October 1917. He was 19.
He was the son of Charles and Mary I Steel, College Lane, Masham.
He is buried in Voormezeele Enclosures No 1 and 2.
 
TIMMS, Arthur Leslie
Private, 9th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own, (Yorkshire Regiment), Brigade, Division.  Army no. 242713
He was the son of George and Isabella Timms, Cross Hill, Masham
He was killed in action on 20 September 1917. He was 21.
He is buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery.
Born Ellington (Yorks), Enlisted Masham.
 
WINTERSGILL, Robert
Private, 7th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own, (Yorkshire Regiment), Brigade, Division.  Army no. 12823
He was killed in action on 22 December 1917. He was 23
He was the son of Robert and Charlotte Wintersgill
He is buried in Neuville-Bourjonval British Cemetery.
Born Masham (Yorks), Enlisted Msham, Resided Snape (Bedale)
 
WINTERSGILL, Alfred
Private, 2nd/8th Battalion, The King's (Liverpool Regiment), Brigade, Division. Army no 53319. He also served as Private, Army no 242251 with The East Surrey Regiment.
He died from his wounds on Tuesday 25 December 1917. He was 21.
He was the son of Matthew and Alice Wintersgill, Low Ellington, Masham.
He is buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery and his headstone is inscribed Peace Perfect Peace with Loved Ones Far Away.
 
1918
 
COLEMAN, Edward William
Gunner, Y Company, 5th Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Field Artillery, Brigade, Division. Army no 72997.
He died from his wounds on Tuesday 23 April 1918 but another record says the previous day. He was 30.
He was the son of William and Sarah A Coleman of Masham and the husband of Evelyn Coleman, Spring Mount, Bentley, nr. Beverley.
He is buried in Aire Communal Cemetery near St Omer and his headstone is inscribed “Thy Will be Done”
 
HANDLEY, John Kidson
Rifleman, 1st/8th Battalion, The Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment), Brigade, Division. Army no 36692
He was killed in action (missing presumed dead) on Saturday 20 July 1918. He was  
He is remembered on The Soissons Memorial
He was the son John and Hannah Hanley, Masham and the husband of Maud Handley, 21 Pine Street, Bilton, Harrogate
And his brother
HANDLEY, George Gordon
Sergeant, 1st Battalion, The East Yorkshire Regiment, Brigade, Division. Army no 220686. He also served as Private, Army no 2960 with the Yorkshire Hussars.
He died from his wounds on Monday, September 23, 1918. He was 28
He was the son of John and Hannah Handley, Masham. Gordon according to Probate records was living at 27 Station Square, Harrogate.
He is remembered on The Vis-En-Artois Memorial
 
HESLOP, Thomas      MSM, Mentioned in Despatches
I am not sure that this is the correct man but he certainly deserves to be remembered
Regimental Sergeant Major, 50th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) , Brigade, Division. Army no 21742.
He died in the Spanish Flu epidemic on Wednesday 6 November 1918. He was 27
He was the son of Rachel Agnes and the late Thomas Heslop, Thatch House, Tweedmouth.
He is buried in Busigny Communal Cemetery Extension and his headstone is inscribed “In loving memory ever remembered by Mother, Sisters and Brother”
 
MOOD, Raymond
Private, 2nd Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own, (Yorkshire Regiment) Brigade, Division.  Army no. 39027
He was the son of Thomas and Minna Mood, The Square, Masham
He was killed in action on 31 August 1918. He was 23.
He is buried in Dury Crucifix Cemetery.
Born Masham (Yorks), Enlisted Leyburn, Resided Masham
 
MOOD, Herbert William
Private, Labour Corps. Army no 351116. He had also served as Private, Army no. 5274
with Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own, (Yorkshire Regiment).
He was the son of Thomas and Minna Mood, Market Place, Masham.
He died on 28 November 1918. His death is recorded in the Civil Registrations so he had been discharged from the Army but the Authorities obviously recognised that it was a result of his military service.  He was 30.
He is buried in Churchyard of St Mary’s Church, Masham
 
RUDDICK, Frederick Robert 
Lance Corporal 1st/6th Battalion, The Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment), Army no 200388.
He died on Wednesday 8 May 1918 whilst he was a Prisoner of War of the Germans and in Hospital. The cause of death was pneumonia. He had been reported missing on 24 April and there was no news of him until after his death. He was 30.
He was the son of James and Ann P Ruddick of Newby but he had been living for some years with his brother John for whom he had worked.
He is buried in Schoonselhof Cemetery, near Antwerp.
 
WILSON, Thomas A
Private, 1st Battalion, The King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry), Brigade, Division. Army no 36949. He had also served as Private, Army no 30019 with The East Riding of Yorkshire Yeomanry.
He was killed in action on Thursday 7 November 1918.
He is buried in Dourlers Communal Cemetery Extension, northern France.
 
1919
 
BANKS, George William  
Driver, Royal Army Service Corps. Army no 293718
He died in the Norfolk War Hospital, Norwich on Friday 7 March 1919. His death is recorded in the Civil Registrations so he had been discharged from the Army but the Authorities obviously recognised that it was a result of his military service. He was 32
He was the son of John and E. Banks, Masham and the husband of Norah Banks, Market Place, Masham.
He is buried in Churchyard of St Mary’s Church, Masham
 
1920
 
BOLTON, John H
Private, 10th Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers. Army no 50535
He died on Wednesday 15 December 1920. His death is recorded in the Civil Registrations so he had been discharged from the Army but the Authorities obviously recognised that it was a result of his military service. He was 21
He was the son of John T and Rhoda Bolton, Cross Hill, Masham.
He is buried in the Churchyard of St Mary’s Church, Masham and his headstone is inscribed “Loved and Remembered”
 
There are two others who are mentioned on the War Memorial
 
DALE, Alfred E
died in 1921 age 35 in Bedale RD
No birth recorded c 1886 in Yorkshire
Nothing found in census
 
John DEIGHTON : died 1923
It is possibly:
Deighton, John Russell
HMS Vivid II
Born Chester le Street RD in quarter ending June 1900.
He served in the Royal Navy from 22 February 1918, signing on for 12 years.
He transferred to HMS Vide II on 14 May 1919.
He was the son of Frederick and Hannah Deighton.
died in quarter ending December 1923 in Chester le Street RD age 23.
But what was the connection to Masham?
 
At the moment, I have not identified either of them
 
 
The Fallen in WW2
 
6 people died as a result of German bombs falling on Masham on 16 April 1941.
4 were local civilians who lived at Cross Hills where there is now a memorial
 
SCAIFE, Ann and Herbert
Ann was 61, born 17 February 1879 engaged on unpaid domestic duties.
Herbert who was 57
Born 22 February 1882, he was a Malt Roaster.
They lived at 12 Crosshills, Masham
 
WATKINSON, Douglas and Elsie Irene 
Douglas was 33, born 5 March 1909, a grocery and provisions Manager.
He served in the Home Guard.
and was married to
Elsie Irene born 24 February 1910 who was 31 engaged on unpaid domestic duties.
She was the daughter of John Robert and the late Polly Kitching, 9 Rigby Terrace, Aiskew.
They lived at 13 Crosshills, Masham.
 
The two soldiers who were stationed in Masham were:
 
PAGE, Hubert Charles 
Private, 12 Company, Pioneer Corps. Army no 13032691.
He was killed by a German bomb on Wednesday 16 April 1941. He was 26.
He was the son of John Thomas Page and Sarah Jane Page, Wootton Bassett.
He is buried in Wootton Bassett Cemetery and his headstone is inscribed God's Great Gift, Remembrance.
 
SWEET, Alfred Louis 
Private, 12 Company, Pioneer Corps. Army no 13032695.
He was killed by a German bomb on Wednesday 16 April 1941. He was 25.
He was the son of William Frederick and Ethel Bertha Sweet, Tuckingmill.
He is buried in Churchyard of All Saints Church, Tuckingmill, Cornwall and his headstone is inscribed What Better Gift Could He Give Than Die For Those He Wished To Live.
 
 
The Fallen in WW2
 
ANSON, George ALBERT
Sergeant, 77 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve RAFVR no 1017913.
He was killed on active service on Monday 16 February 1942. He was 29.
He was the son of John C and Rose Anson of Selby.
He is buried in Selby Cemetery and his headstone is inscribed a life of great promise now lived to the full in the master's presence
Additional information
Whitley V Z9229 KN-M took off from RAF Leeming on a mission to St Nazaire. The aircraft crashed on its return journey after failing to maintain height flying on one engine at 20 past midnight on 16 February.  The crash was 3 miles from Warwick. 4 of the crew were killed.
 
ATKINSON, Charles
It may be:
Private, 2nd/4th Battalion, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Army no 4540372.
He died on active service on Monday 13 September 1943. He was 24.
He is buried at Salerno War Cemetery, Italy.
But whilst he appears to be the most likely candidate I cannot find a clear link to Masham.
 
CUNCLIFFE-LISTER, John Yarbrough The Hon,
Captain, Stafford Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps, Eighth Army (A Desert Rat) Army no 88329.
He was killed in action on 14 April 1943. He was 29.
He was the son of Rt Hon Philip Cuncliffe-Lister, PC, GBE, CH, MC, DL, 1st Earl Swinton and of the Countess Swinton of Swinton and the husband of Annie I Cuncliffe-Lister.
He is buried in Enfidaville War Cemetery, Tunisia.
Additional information
On 8 April his unit encountered more enemy tanks including 13 of the new Tiger tanks. In the advance on Enfidaville, he was severely wounded during concentrated shelling and died shortly afterwards.
 
FURBY, Willie
Sergeant/Wireless Operator, 40 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. RAFVR no 537429
He died on active service on Thursday 6 June 1940, the time of Dunkirk. He was 23.
He was the son of George and Amy Furby, Masham.
He is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey
Additional information
Blenheim IV L9410 took off from RAF Wyton, Cambridgeshire on a mission to Le Touquet and was reported missing without trace with all its crew.
He had been with 1st Masham Scouts
 
HEDDON, John Sampson
Lieutenant, 51st The Leeds Rifles, Royal Tank Regiment. Army no 277895.
He died on active service on 23 May 1944 in the Battle for Monte Cassino. He was 24.
He was the son of John William and Helena Heddon, Masham.
He is buried in Cassino War Cemetery, Italy.
Additional information
His unit had landed at Naples and joined the 1st Canadian Infantry Division in the assault on the defensive system known as the Hitler Line where he was killed.
His Probate records simply confirm that he died on War Service and that his home address was College Lane, Masham.
 
LAMB, Roy
Private, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Army no. 10574962.
died 27 May 1944 aged 22.
He was the son of George E and Annie Lamb of Fewston, Yorkshire.
He is buried in the churchyard of St Mary The Virgin, Masham
Additional information
His Probate records confirm that he died on War Service and that his home address was College Lane, Masham.
 
LAMBERT, Albert
Gunner, 125th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery, Army no. 944386.
He died whilst on active Service on 21 August 1943. He was a Prisoner of War of the Japanese Army. He was 25.
He was the son of Robert and Ethel Rachel of Warthermarske near Masham.
He is buried at Chungkai War Cemetery, Thailand and his headstone is inscribed Resting in god's heavenly garden. Let perpetual light shine upon him.
Additional information
The notorious Burma-Siam railway, built by prisoners of war, was a Japanese project to support the large Japanese army in Burma. During its construction, approximately 13,000 prisoners of war died. An estimated 80,000/100,000 civilians also died in the course of the project, chiefly forced labour from Malaya, Dutch East Indies, Siam (Thailand) and Burma (Myanmar).
The labour forces based in Siam and in Burma, worked towards the centre. The Japanese aimed at completing the railway in 14 months. Work began in October 1942 to be finished in December 1943 and all 424 kilometres was completed on time.
The graves of those who died on the railway were transferred from camp burial grounds and isolated sites into cemeteries at Chungkai and Kanchanaburi in Thailand and Thanbyuzayat in Myanmar. Chungkai was one of the base camps on the railway. There was a hospital and church built by Allied prisoners of war.
 
MALLABY, Francis Yeoman
A baby of this name was registered in the Bedale Registration District in the quarter ending March 1919. The parents were Robert and Hannah Mallaby.
There is a civilian death registered in the Registration District of Middlesbrough in the quarter ending September 1941. He was 22.
I cannot add to this very basic information.
 
METCALFE Ernest
Marine, HMS Tamar, Royal Marines, PO/215951,
He died on 2 October 1942. He was 50.
He was the son of James and Lucy Metcalfe and the husband of Doris May Metcalfe, Ripon.
He is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire
Additional information
He had been captured when Hong Kong was captured by the Japanese as HMS Tamar was the shore HQ for the area.
The Japanese used “Hell Ships” to transport their prisoners. These ships held the prisoners in their holds and the conditions were appalling. Couple this with the Japanese refusing to display the Red Cross meant that Allied Forces believed that the vessels were a normal part of the Japanese commercial navy and attacked them.
Such a ship was the Lisbon Maru, a Japanese steamship carrying POWs, which was sunk by US submarine Grouper off Shanghai.
When she was sunk by USS Grouper (SS-214) on 1 October 1942, she was carrying, in addition to Japanese Army personnel, 1,816 British and Canadian prisoners of war captured after the fall of Hong Kong in December 1941. The ship was not marked to alert Allied forces to the nature of its passengers.
 
 
 
 
 

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