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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. |
