Recce graves in England

martinb, I really appreciate the effort you made in getting 2 more Recce men for me.

Cheers
Paul

 

NETHERTON (ST. ANDREW) CHURCHYARD

15th Regt Reconnaissance Corps

Trooper CHARLES LESLIE HANCOX Sec. 17. Grave 193

 

Phil, Thankyou again, another cemetery done.

Cheers
Paul

 

OFFORD D'ARCY CEMETERY
Unknown Regt Reconnaissance Corps
Captain JOSEPH AFFORD MC, DCM Grave 34.


Joe won a well earned D.C.M. for his actions at Longueval and was promoted to Company Sergeant Major at the end of July and then to WOII on the 11th September 1916.. His DCM citation in the London Gazette, dated 22nd September 1916 reads:

"8939 Sjt. J. Afford, Bedf. R. For conspicuous gallantry during operations. When his Company Commander was brought in wounded, he carried him back under heavy shell and machine gun fire. Believing that all his company officers had become casualties he took charge, and sent in a good report of the situation though suffering from shock, after being wounded and buried."

Joe was wounded again at Morval in September 1916 and earned a Mention in Despatches for his conduct there.

C.S.M. Afford was granted a Commission for service in the field on the 3rd February 1917 and went on to serve as an Officer in the Yorkshire regiment. His promotion was recorded in the London Gazette's 6th March 1917 issue:

"York. R. - Co. Serjt.-Maj. Joseph Afford, from Bedf. R. 3rd Feb. 1917."

Between July and September 1917 Joe fought in the Third Battle of Ypres, including operations at the White House that August, which saw him rise to Temporary Captain, and in October 1917 he was awarded the Military Cross to go with his D.C.M. His Military cross citation in the London Gazette, dated 7th March 1918 reads:

"Lt. (A./Capt. Joseph Afford, York. R. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in successfully carrying out their task -allotted to his company of capturing a house under heavy fire."
On the 1st December 1917 Joe was granted a Permanent Commission in the 6th Yorkshires, where he served the remainder of the war out.

During his eventful service, Joe Afford was Mentioned in Despatches three times, commissioned, won the Military Cross, Distinguished Conduct Medal, and promotion right the way through the NCO ranks, earned a 1914 Star with Clasp and Roses, plus the Victory and British War Medals. ]
Amongst his fellow Officers in the Bedfords and later the Yorkshire's, he was known as 'Joe Afford of Offord' and was also specifically and personally congratulated by one of his Generals whilst serving. Joe would have known RSM Bartlett too, who can be seen here and was killed at Morval.
After the war Joe had 3 sons, Phillip Afford's dad being the eldest, born in 1926. It appears that after 1918 Joe, as many of his comrades, struggled coming to terms with life, having seen and done so much during the war years. Joe and his wife Constance parted company and the boys, although having fairly regular contact with their father, did not know all that much about him.

When the second war broke out Joe appears to have still been a Reservist and served as Captain 139285 when the 12th Battalion of the Green Howard's were formed in 1940, until they were amalgamated as the 161st Reconnaisance Regiment, the Green Howards, Royal Armoured Corps.
Following what can only be described as an eventful an eventful life, Joe Afford, M.C., D.C.M. died in Edinburgh Castle on the 16th February 1942, aged just 53. He is buried in Graveley Road, near St. Peters Church in Offord D'Arcy and St. Peters Church in Offord D'Arcy inaccurately lists Joe as killed in the Great War.



SOURCE : 1st Battalion Other Ranks photos and bio's (1)

 

Phil, Another cemetery done and many thanks for the additional information. Now he can be placed with the correct Recce unit. Have checked link also.

Cheers
Paul

 

OLDBURY CEMETERY, WARLEY
61st Regt Reconnaissance Corps
Lance Corporal REGINALD WOODCOCK Sec. F. Uncons. Grave 6371.

 

Phil, Thankyou very much for photo from Oldbury
Martin, Thankyou very much for photo from Cambridge.

Cheers
Paul

 

Dont know if you need these but came across them while looking for others for Andy&Diane.Greenbank cemetery Bristol.

 

Fantastic another cemetery finished. Thanks a lot Jason.

Cheers
Paul

 

Hi Paul,

Not England I know but was naming my Airborne lot and found those too Pope & Philips both in Enschede Holland...

Cheers
Tom

 

Tom, Thanks for the pics.

Cheers
Paul

 

Andy, You finally found him thank you very much.

Cheers
Paul

 

No worries mate...I thought it was a bit dodgey what the council said. I've come to the conclusion that the council's files list all graves in the care of CWGC as being without headstones.

A

 

Just going through my older threads and updating them. The ones in black are still outstanding. If anyone can help with them please contact me. Thank you to all those who have given their time and effort to assist me in my project.


Cheers
Paul

 

Just going through my older threads again and updating them. The ones in black are still outstanding. If anyone can help with them please contact me. Thank you to all those who have given their time and effort to assist me in my project.


Cheers
Paul

 

refresh photo
SMITH, JAMES JOHN
Rank:
Private
Service No:
7013940
Date of Death:
11/02/1942
Regiment/Service:
Reconnaissance Corps
56th Regt.
Grave Reference:
Sec. 2C. Row C. Grave 24. Screen wall. Panel 4.
Cemetery:
FULHAM PALACE ROAD CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Arthur and Mary Elizebeth Smith, of Fulham.

 

Clive thanks for the updated photo

Cheers
Paul

 

Not a grave, but a remembrance on a family headstone. Any use to you?

It's in Coppull Parish Churchyard Extension, Lancashire.

 

Thanks for the photo. It is much appreciated

Captain RICHARD WICKHAM DIXON
69985
Who died age 27 on 05 February 1942 At Sea KIA Air Attack Empress of Asia
Son of Walter Dixon, and of Nita L. Dixon, of Coppull, Lancashire.
SINGAPORE MEMORIAL Column 95.

Cheers
Paul