Folks, A Gentleman who lives in Blitterswijck, The Netherlands has found a torn and bloodied pair of army uniform trousures in the loft of his house. Along with these are a used Morphine Ampule, live 9mm Bullet and a Royal Ulster Rifles cap badge. Research has revealed that this house was used as an Observation Post and shelled on the 29th November 1944 resulting in a Signaller being wounded. The suspicion is that the Signaller was from 2nd Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles and the only member of 2 R.U.R. injured on that day was Rifleman H Ravenscroft - 14746461. I believe Ravenscroft is a common name in the Cheshire Area I have attached pictures of the Trousures, Ampule, Bullet and Cap Badge. The Signaller was carried to safety in the cellar by a Captain Henry Shearer Taylor of the Royal Artillery who was subsequently awarded the MC for his bravery in this action and remaining at the post for 4 days despite heavy shelling and loss of his signaller. I have attached a copy of the Recommendation of Award to Captain Taylor. I would like very much to make contact with relatives of Rifleman Ravenscroft and establish whether he was the Signaller injured at the time (and the owner of the trousers!). Andy
Have you spoken to the museum to see what they have? Its going to be difficult to find relatives just going on the fact that Ravenscroft is a common name in Cheshire, although having said that there is a possible Name: Herbert H Ravenscroft Registration Date: Jan 1916 [Feb 1916] [Mar 1916] Registration Quarter: Jan-Feb-Mar Registration district: Cheater Inferred County: Cheshire Mother's Maiden Name: Hewitt Volume Number: 8a Page Number: 575 He seems to be the only Ravenscroft born with a first name starting 'H' others have the 'H' as a middle initial, plus hes the only one in Cheshire, although there are several born in Lancashire. I assumed a birth range of 1918 +/- 5 years TD
Hi I emailed the Royal Ulster Rifles Museum who could do nothing for me. Said all information was held in Glasgow however because I am not a direct relative I cannot get anything due to Data Protection which is extremely frustrating when I am trying to contact the Family. Emailed local press in Cheshire. No reply so have tried another Cheshire Magazine. It can be frustrating when the Dutch People are showing considerably more interest than people here. I am not giving up. Just have to try a little harder. Andy
Ravenscroft is a name encountered in Northern Ireland both as a surname and a place name. There are also Roads and Streets with this name. This fits with the RUR. Is there a reason you haven't said why you are looking in Cheshire?
Andy You can still apply for service records even if you are not 'direct relative' Request records of deceased service personnel Next of kin form: Next of kin form (v6.2) (PDF, 120KB, 2 pages) or Next of kin form (v6.2) (MS Word Document, 158KB) Part 1 not the immediate next of kin forms: for use by third party applicants Application part 1 form: General enquirer's form (v6.1) (PDF, 99KB, 2 pages) or General enquirer's form (v6.1) (MS Word Document, 134KB) AND Part 2 service specific form: for use by all applicants. Complete the relevant service form. Royal Navy/Royal Marines part 2 (PDF, 56KB, 1 page) or Royal Navy/Royal Marines part 2 (ODT, 15.5KB) British Army part 2 (PDF, 28.2KB, 1 page) or British Army part 2 (ODT, 11.2KB) Royal Air Force part 2 (PDF, 38.9KB, 1 page) or Royal Air Force part 2 (ODT, 18.2KB) When complete send both Application Part 1 and Application Part 2 to the address provided on the Service specific search form. Send the supporting documents with your application. Part 1 tells them who you are - Part 2 tells them who you are looking for TD
I thought this one looked familiar? Assistance with Tracing Casualty from 2 Royal Ulster Rifles 29 November 1944?
Following TD's train of thought, I assumed him to be born a little later as he has a General service number. There may be others but I found this one. Harold born 9th August 1924, mothers maiden name Annie Johnson, Father Robert W. Ravenscroft, Runcorn Cheshire. 1939 still living with parents at 9 canal side cottage, Runcorn. Good luck with your search and hope for a good outcome. I got NO results with Ireland as place of birth/residence.
Following 51highlands train of thought England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007 Name: Harold Ravenscroft Death Age: 79 Birth Date: 9 Aug 1924 Registration Date: Jan 2004 Registration district: Warrington Inferred County: Cheshire, Lancashire Register Number: B71C District and Subdistrict: 346/1B Entry Number: 18 TD
The family name of the late DJ John Peel was Ravenscroft. His family hailed from Hoylake area - then Cheshire. Steve
Cheshire Marriages: 1924 RAVENSCROFT, Robert W JOHNSON, Annie Grappenhall, St Wilfrid Children: Ravenscroft, Harold - Johnson - Runcorn - Sep 1924 Ravenscroft, Irene - Johnson - Runcorn - Mar 1930 Ravenscroft, Sheila - Johnson - Runcorn - Dec 1933 1939 REGISTER 9 Canal Side Cottage, Runcorn R.D., Cheshire Name - DOB - Occupation - Marital status Robert W Ravenscroft - 14 Oct 1891 - Formerly Shedman, Heavy Worker - Married Annie Ravenscroft - 03 Jan 1904 - Unpaid Domestic Duties - Married Harold Ravenscroft - 09 Aug 1924 - Wire Works Labourer - Single Irene Blease (Ravenscroft) - 04 Jan 1930 - At School - Single The record for this person is officially closed. Marriages Mar 1954 BLEASE, Eric - RAVENSCROFT - Runcorn - 10a 1031 RAVENSCROFT, Irene - BLEASE - Runcorn - 10a 1031 (no children found) Some of the family moved to Devon: NAME: Robert William Ravenscroft BIRTH: 14 Oct 1891 DEATH: Jun 1984 - Torbay, Devon NAME: Ms Irene Blease BIRTH: 4 Jan 1930 DEATH: 11 Aug 2009 RESIDENCE: Paignton, Devon NAME: Eric Blease BIRTH: 21 Jun 1927 DEATH: Nov 2005 - Torbay, Devon
Could not find a Ravenscroft connected to the Royal Ulster Rifles from Northern Ireland. If you can locate the family I would be very grateful. Thanks for your support. Andy.
New to this thread & hope I'm not duplicating any research on the other threads for this fascinating search. Harold RAVENSCROFT who died in 1994 did not leave a will or letters of administration, but his sister Irene BLEASE left a will. You can purchase it here for £ 1.50, not sure of current timescales, but pre lockdown was about a month. Find a will | GOV.UK This was the only probable Cheshire marriage I could find for Harold's sister Shelia: Name: Sheila Ravenscroft Registration Date: Jul 1955 [Aug 1955] [Sep 1955] Registration Quarter: Jul-Aug-Sep Registration district: Runcorn Inferred County: Cheshire Spouse: Derek Jennings Volume Number: 10a Page Number: 1278 This couple seem to have had two sons.
Thanks very much for this. I emailed a couple of local Press in the area however got no response. Disappointing when the people in the Netherlands are so interested in this however in the U.K. people are not interested. Shame. Andy.
