Sevenoaks War Memorial, Kent

WOODHAMS, MAURICE FREDERICK
Rank: Sergeant (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 29
Date of Death: 23/03/1941
Service No: 1161131
Additional information: Son of Frederick and Rosa Sarah Woodhams, of Sevenoaks; husband of Mabel Nikita Woodhams.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. A. Gen. Grave 1218.
Cemetery: SEVENOAKS (GREATNESS PARK) CEMETERY

23 March 1941

10 OTU
Whitley V P4999
Training

Took off Abingdon for circuit training. Bounced on landing and while attempting to go round again clipped a tree and crashed 2120 hrs into Wooton Road, Abingdon and caught fire.

BCL Vol.7 - Chorley

 

ROYAL AIRFORCE

KEVIS, ALLEN JAMES
Rank: Flight Sergeant (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 100 Sqdn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 17/12/1943
Service No: 1432344
Additional information: Son of William Henry and Margaret Daisy Kevis, of Sevenoaks.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. A. Cons. Grave 124.
Cemetery: SEVENOAKS (GREATNESS PARK) CEMETERY

16-17 August 1942

100 squadron
Lancaster III JB674 HW-Q
Op. Berlin.

Took off 1611 hrs from Grimsby. Collided in the air with another Lancaster from the Squadron, (Lancaster III JB678 HW-F) both bombers falling at 0040 hrs near Grimsby, Lincolnshire.

BCL. Vol.4 - Chorley

Brother of:-

KEVIS, LESLIE WILLIAM
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Royal Naval Reserve
Unit Text: H.M. Trawler Northern Princess (on loan to U.S. Navy)
Age: 28
Date of Death: 07/03/1942
Additional information: Son of William Henry and Margaret Daisy Kevis; husband of Kathleen Helen Kevis, of Romford, Essex.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 8, Column 1.
Memorial: LOWESTOFT NAVAL MEMORIAL

Also commemorated on the Seveoaks Memorial and on the same gravestone. The Royal Navy & RAF crests can just be seen at the bottom right and left of this stone.

 

ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS

BAKER, FRED EDWIN NOEL
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Royal Tank Regiment, R.A.C.
Age: 32
Date of Death: 07/01/1945
Service No: 130766
Additional information: Son of Arthur and Harriet Baker; husband of Ethel Mary Baker, of Haywards Heath, Sussex.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. B. Cons. Grave 3112.
Cemetery: SEVENOAKS (GREATNESS PARK) CEMETERY

 

ROYAL ARMY SERVICE CORPS

PRICE, GEORGE WILLIAM FREDERICK
Rank: Driver
Regiment/Service: Royal Army Service Corps
Age: 19
Date of Death: 20/11/1942
Service No: T/10687566
Additional information: Son of George F. Price and Caroline E. Price, of Sevenoaks.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. B. Cons. Grave 3339.
Cemetery: SEVENOAKS (GREATNESS PARK) CEMETERY

 

ROYAL ARMY SERVICE CORPS

GLOVER, LESLIE ALEXANDER
Rank: Driver
Regiment/Service: Royal Army Service Corps
Age: 25
Date of Death: 29/10/1943
Service No: T/141056
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Bertie Thomas Glover, of Sevenoaks; husband of Joyce Lillian Glover, of Sevenoaks.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. B. Cons. Grave 3321.
Cemetery: SEVENOAKS (GREATNESS PARK) CEMETERY

 

ROYAL AIRFORCE

COTTON, STANLEY HARRY
Rank: Flying Officer (Nav.)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 140 Sqdn.
Date of Death: 18/03/1943
Service No: 106047
Additional information: Son of Margaret Cotton, of Sevenoaks.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. B. Gen. Grave 788.
Cemetery: SEVENOAKS (GREATNESS PARK) CEMETERY
18 March 1943

140 Army Cooperation Squadron
Blenheim IV N3612

Flash bomb exploded under the aircraft on release at Odstone bombing range blowing off the tail.

'The Bristol Blenheim' - Warner

 

Hi Peter, I have just joined and am researching information on my uncle Sgt David George Watt - 844595 , he sadly lost his life on 25.2.41. He was in 103 Squadron, the Wellington IC T2621 which exploded in the air over Germany. We hope to visit Germany in the summer, mainly the Reichswald Forest Cemetary where he is buried. If you have any further information regarding the squardron & T2621 it would greatly be appreciated. Many thanks. Jim. My email is sueandjimrayner@gmail.com.

 

Hello and welcome James, you'll have noted that this lists men and women on the Sevenoaks War Memorial.
Were his parents living in Sevenoaks at any time, or his widow?
WATT, DAVID GEORGE. Sergeant (Air Gunner). Service Number 844595. Died 25/02/1941. Aged 31.
103 Sqdn. Royal Air Force (Auxiliary Air Force)
Son of David Charles and Mary Ann Watt; husband of Joyce Mary Watt, of Farnborough, Hampshire.

Since this thread started a while ago, it may not have mentioned that there is a file at Kew in the National Archives that may have more for you..
Sergeant D G Watt, Sergeant A E Laing: killed; Pilot Officer J K C Ralston, Sergeant J R... | The National Archives

It was reported to have exploded in mid air and Laing and your uncle, David Watt (rear gunner) were identified in the wreckage. Obviously it's possible that the others were also still aboard but unable to be recovered from the wreckage. David was possibly still in his turret, which assisted identification, whereas the rest of the crew were not so separate.

Extracted fro Bomber Command War Diaries: There had been a winter enforced lull in bomber operations from late October 1940 which started again in early February 1941, although Bomber Command was only just gearing up to the new heavy bombers of Stirlings and Halifaxes, so the twin engined bombers were still takig the fight to the enemy. A force of 80 aircraft, 43 Wellingtons; 22 Hampdens and 15 Whitleys were dispatched to bomb Dusseldorf, which was completely covered in cloud so only 64 claimed to have bombed the target, but German records showed that only 7 loads actually fell within the city boundary.
Only one Wellington was lost during the attack, but 2 more crashed on landing after being attacked by an intruder night fighter.
Sadly we know which was that one aircraft lost.
EDIT to add: From the CWGC records, the Concentration Report indicates that David was initially buried at Lohmannsheide Cemetery, just north of Duisburg, itself just north of Dusseldorf, so they may have been hit by flak as the made their run in to the target...

However, Laing was initially buried at Griethausen Civil Cemetery, and the only one I can find is near Kleve, very far away from Duisburg... perhaps someone knows better?

 

Hello James and welcome
have you applied for his service records
Get a copy of military service records

regards
Clive

 

Thank you for the information. Do you have any photos please. Jim.

 

Hi Clive
No we haven't, I will do that, thank you. Jim.

 

Thank you Kevin, very helpful. Sorry, no connection with sevenoaks, I just found Peters info on this thread. Really appreciate the help. Jim