TEMPSFORD,
ST PETER WAR MEMORIAL
World War 1 & 2 & Boer - Roll of Honour
with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © 2002 Martin Edwards
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The Memorials are located inside the church. There are two lists of
men, those who died in World War 1 and those who served. In addition
there are memorials to the RAF personnel and the SOE operatives who
died. A list of the RAF Personnel
killed can be found here. See also the Stuart
memorial Hall plaque.

Photographs Copyright ©
Martin Edwards 2001
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World
War 1 - Died
THIS
WINDOW IS DEDICATED TO
THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE MEN OF
TEMPSFORD WHO NOBLY GAVE THEIR LIEVES FOR
KING AND COUNTRY
IN THE GREAT WAR OF 1914-1919
BARLOW |
Joseph
F |
[Listed on memorial as Private.] Gunner 2135, 17th Div. Ammunition
Col., Royal Field Artillery. Killed in action on Saturday 8th July
1916 in France & Flanders. Age 20. Born St Mary's, Cambridge,
enlisted Bedford. Son of Fred and Martha Barlow, of Church End,
Tempsford. Buried in DANTZIG ALLEY BRITISH CEMETERY, MAMETZ, Somme,
France. Plot IX. Row A. Grave 8. |
BARNES
|
Frank
|
Sapper
131873, Railway Troops Depot (Longmore), 276th Railway Company,
Royal Engineers. Died at home Tuesday 29th January 1918. Age 24.
Born and resident Tempsford, enlisted Bedford. Son of Henry and
Mary A. Barnes, of Bakers Lane, Tempsford. Buried in the North-East
part of St Peter Churchyard, Tempsford, Bedfordshire.
[From
National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]
BARNES,
F., Private, Bedfordshire and Essex Regiments; and Sapper Royal
Engineers.
Volunteering in 1914, he was drafted to the Western Front in September
of the following year, and there, after seeing much severe fighting,
was wounded in action at Loos and invalided in home in October 1915.
On his recovery in 1916, however, he proceeded to Palestine, where
he served at various stations until 1918, when he was again sent
to England, having been severely injured in an accident. He unhappily
died in 1918. He was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, and the General
Service and Victory Medals.
Baker's
Lane, Tempsford, near Sandy, Bedfordshire. - Z1192/B. |
BASON
|
Thomas
|
Private
20333, 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Saturday
10th February 1917 in France & Flanders. Born and resident Tempsford,
enlisted Ampthill. Buried in ANCRE BRITISH CEMETERY, BEAUMONT-HAMEL,
Somme, France. Grave VII. F. 56. |
DARLOW
|
Frederick
T L |
Sergeant
9793, 1st Battalion, Border Regiment. Died Monday 26th July 1915
in Malta. Born Tempsford, resident Roxton, enlisted Bedford. Buried
in PIETA MILITARY CEMETERY, Malta. Grave B. III. 2. |
HARDWICK |
Samuel
Ezekiel |
Private G/21971, 8th Battalion, Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment).
Died of wounds Saturday 7th April 1917 in France & Flanders.
Age 36. Born Tempsford, enlisted Finchley, Middlesex. Son of Samuel
and Mary Ann Hardwick, of Tempsford. Formerly 23044, East Surrey
Regiment. Buried in CALAIS SOUTHERN CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France.
Plot F. Row 5. Grave 11. |
HARRIS
|
Thomas
|
Lance
Corporal 26355, 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in
action Wednesday 9th August 1916 in France & Flanders. Age 19.
Born and resident Tempsford, enlisted Ampthill. Son of Mrs. E. Walker,
of Station Rd., Tempsford. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme,
France. Pier and Face 2 C
[From
National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]
HARRIS,
T., Lance Corporal, 6th Bedfordshire Regiment.
He joined in February 1916, and a few months later was drafted to
the Western Front, where he took part in much severe fighting on
the Somme. He was unfortunately reported missing, and afterwards
killed in action, on August 9th, 1916, and was entitled to the General
Service and Victory Medals.
"Whilst
we remember, the sacrifice is not in vain."
Station
Road , Tempsford, near Sandy, Bedfordshire. - Z2271/B. |
HARVEY |
Lewis
Alban |
Private
73211, 11th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire
Regiment). Killed in action Wednesday 27th September 1916 in France
& Flanders. Born Bedford, enlisted Ampthill, resident Tempsford.
Buried in ADANAC MILITARY CEMETERY, MIRAUMONT, Somme, France. Grave
V. F. 17.
[From
National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]
HARVEY,
L.A., Private, Bedfordshire Regiment and Sherwood Foresters.
He volunteered in May 1915, and after a period of training in the
following year was sent to France, where he took part in the Battle
of the Somme. He made the supreme sacrifice, being killed in action
on September 27th, 1916, and was entitled to the General Service
and Victory Medals.
"And
doubtless he went in splendid company."
Station
Road , Tempsford, near Sandy, Bedfordshire. - Z2791. |
HUMPHRIES
|
Herbert
Sidney |
Private
18625, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action Sunday
24th March 1918 in France & Flanders. Born Papworth Everard,
Cambridgeshire, enlisted Bedford, resident Tempsford. Commemorated
on POZIERES MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Panel 28 and 29 |
IBBITT |
Frank
Alfred |
[Listed
as Corporal on memorial and National Roll of the Great War] Lance
Corporal 20163, 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Died of wounds
9th February 1917 in France & Flanders. Born and resident Tempsford,
enlisted Ampthill.
[From
National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]
IBBITT,
F., Corporal, 4th Bedfordshire Regiment.
He volunteered in 1915, and after a period of training proceeded
to the Western Front in the following year, and there saw much severe
fighting in various sectors. Mortally wounded in action on the Somme,
he unfortunately died on February 9th, 1917. He was entitled to
the General Service and Victory Medals.
"A
costly sacrifice upon the altar of freedom."
Station
Road , Tempsford, near Sandy, Bedfordshire. - Z2642/B. |
MASON
|
William
H |
Private,
possibly William Herbert MASON,
Gunner 70548, 223rd Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Died
on Tuesday 8th April 1919. Age 27. Husband of Annie Mason, of Eaton
Ford, St. Neots, Hunts. Buried in COLOGNE SOUTHERN CEMETERY, Koln
(Cologne), Nordrhein-Westfal, Germany. Grave III. E. 23. |
NORTH |
Frederick
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Stoker
1st Class 312071, H.M.S. "Formidable", Royal Navy. Killed
when his ship was was torpedoed by German U Boat on Friday 1st January
1915. Age 27. Son of James and Annie North, of Church St., Thame,
Oxfordshire; husband of Frances Jane North, of Church End, Tempsford.
Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 12. |
PARTRIDGE
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Thomas
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Private.
No further information currently. |
STUART |
William
Esme Montague |
2nd
Lieutenant, "C" Company, 6th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal
West Kent Regiment). Killed in action Saturday 7th October 1916.
Age 20. Only son of Lt. Col. and Mrs. Dugald Stuart, of Tempsford
Hall, Sandy. Commemorated on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, Somme, France. Pier
and Face 11 C |
WILSON
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Clarence
Edward |
[Listed
as Private on memorial] Drummer 7986, Suffolk Regiment. Died Thursday
21st March 1918. Aged 26. Son of John and Sarah Wilson, of Wyboston,
St.
Neots, Hunts. Born at Tempsford. Buried in the North-East part of
St Peter Churchyard, Tempsford, Bedfordshire.
[From
National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]
WILSON,
C., Drummer, 2nd Suffolk Regiment.
He was already serving in Ireland at the outbreak of war in August
1914, and was immediately drafted to France, where he took part
in the Battle of Mons. He was also in action at La Bassée
and Ypres, and was gassed udring the Somme Offensive of 1916. He
was sent to England for treatment, and was discharged as unfit in
April 1917, but unhappily died on March 21st of the following year.
He was entitled to the Mons Star, and the General Service and Victory
Medals.
"His
memory is cherised with pride."
Wyboston,
Bedfordshire. - Z2432. |
WOOTTON |
Albert |
[Not
listed on CWGC] Private 235266, 12th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess
of Wales's Own (Yorkshire Regiment). Died 27th March 1918 in France
& Flanders. Born and resident Tempsford, enlisted Biggleswade. |
World
War 1 - Served
THE
GREAT WAR
1914-1919
The men of, or closely connected with, Tempsford who served their King
and Country at Home or Abroad and whose lives were spared.
THANKS BE TO GOD
Where
information is available links have been provided from these men to the
detailed information.
Detailed
Information of Men Listed Above
Albert
V |
BARNES |
[From
National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]
BARNES,
A.V., Private, Bedfordshire Regiments and Royal Scots.
Ater volunteering in 1914, he underwent aperiod of training prior
to being drafted to the Western front in 1916. There he saw much
severe fighting in various sectors, and took part in the Battles
of Vimy Ridge and the Somme and many other important engagements,
until invalided home in 1918 suffering from fever. Later in that
year, however, he proceeded to Russia, finally returning home for
demobilisation in June 1919. He holds the General Service and Victory
Medals.
Baker's
Lane, Tempsford, near Sandy, Bedfordshire. - Z1192/C. |
Harry
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BARNES |
[From
National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]
BARNES,
H., Sergeant, 5th Bedfordshire Regiment.
A Reservist, he was called to the Colours in August 1914, and in
the following year was drafted to the Dardanelles, where he saw
severe fighting at Sulva Bay, and was wounded in action in August
1915. He afterwards served in Egypt, and, taking oart in the Advance
into Palestine, fought in the Battles of Gaza and the capture of
Jerusalem and Jaffa. He was discharged on his return home in March
1919, and holds the 1914-15 Star, and the General Service and Victory
Medals.
Baker's
Lane, Tempsford, near Sandy, Bedfordshire. - Z1192/A. |
Robert
A |
BEAUMONT |
[From
National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]
BEAUMONT,
R.A., Private, 2nd Bedfordshire Regiment and Hertfordshire Regiment.
Volunteering in September 1914, he landed in France two months later
and took part in the Battles of Ypres, the Somme and Arras. During
his service on the Western Front he was twice wounded and was invalided
home, later being sent to India, where in 1920 he was still serving.
He holds the 1914-15 Star, and the General Service and Victory Medals.
Tempsford,
near Sandy, Bedfordshire. - Z1245. |
William
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BRADSHAW |
[From
National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]
BRADSHAW,
W., Pte., 2nd/6th Royal Sussex Regiment.
He joined in 1916, and, on completing hist training later in the
same year, was drafted to India. There he saw active service on
the NOrth-West Frontier and was also engaged on garrison duty at
Bombay, where he did much useful work with his unit. He returned
home for demobilisation in December 1919, and holds the 1914-15
Star, and the General Service, Victory and India General Service
Medals (with clasp, "Afghanistan, N.W. Frontier, 1919").
Baker's
Lane, Tempsford, near Sandy, Bedfordshire. - Z1388. |
Walter
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BROWN |
[From
National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]
BROWN,
W., Private, Royal Defence Corps.
He volunteered in 1915, and, after a period of training, was engaged
at various stations on important duties with his unit. He rendered
valuable services whilst employed in guarding bridges and railways,
and later worked on a farm until he was discharged in September
1918 as medically unfit for further duty.
Station
Road, Tempsford, near Sandy, Bedfordshire. - Z1470. |
Herbert
A |
GOODSHIP |
[From
National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]
GOODSHIP,
H., Private, Bedfordshire Regiment.
He joined in September 1916, and, in the following year, was sent
to the Western front, where, after taking part in the Battles of
Arras and Ypres, he was wounded in action. Invalided home, he returned
to France, however, in 1918, and was again wounded at Bapaume in
September of that year. He holds the General Service and Victory
Medals, and in October 1919 was demobilised.
Station
Road, Tempsford, near Sandy, Bedfordshire. - Z1470. |
Thomas
W |
GURNEY |
[From
National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]
GURNEY,
T., Sapper, Royal Engineers.
Shortly after joining in 1917 he was drafted to Egypt, where he
was engaged on important duties on the railways at various stations.
Je also served in Palestine, and was present at the Battales of
Gaza and the entry into Jaffa and Jersusalem, finally returing to
England for demobilisation in January 1919. He holds the General
Service and Victory Medals.
Station
Road, Tempsford, near Sandy, Bedfordshire. - Z2702. |
Frederick
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HARRIS |
[From
National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]
HARRIS,
F., Private, 6th Bedfordshire. Regt. and Royal Scots.
He joined in March 1916, and in the following July was drafted to
France. Whilst in this theatre of war he took part in much heavy
fighting in the Ypres sector, but later contracted trench feet and
fever and was consequently invalided home. He was discharged in
march 1918 as medically unfit for further service, and holds the
General Service and Victory Medals.
Station
Road, Tempsford, near Sandy, Bedfordshire. - Z2771/A. |
Sydney
E |
JACKSON |
[From
National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]
JACKSON,
S.E., Pte., 2nd R. Warwickshire Regt..
He joined in May 1918, and, procedding to the Western Front in the
following August, took part in heavy fighting on the Somme and at
Havrincourt before being badly wounded in action in September and
invalided home. On his recovery he was sent to India, and was stationed
at Klanspur in 1920. He holds the General Service and Victory Medals.
Station
Road, Tempsford, near Sandy, Bedfordshire. - Z3073/C. |
either
William or
Walter - W A |
JACKSON |
[From
National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]
JACKSON,
W.A., Private, 4th Bedfordshire Regt.
He volunteered in December 1915, and, proceeding to France in the
following year, was engaged as a transport driver with his unit.
Whilst on the Western front he took an important part in the Battles
of the Somme, Arras, Messines, Ypres and Cambrai. He was demoblisied
in March 1919, and holds the General Service and Victory Medals.
Station
Road, Tempsford, near Sandy, Bedfordshire. - Z3073/B. |
either
William or
Walter - W H |
JACKSON |
[From
National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]
JACKSON,
W.H., Private, Oxford. & Bucks. L.I.
He joined in July 1918, and two months later was sent to france,
where he was engaged with the transport section of his unit and
took part in heavy fighting in the Ypres and Cambrai sectors. He
was demobilised in March 1920, holding the General Service and Victory
Medals.
Station
Road, Tempsford, near Sandy, Bedfordshire. - Z3077. |
Bert |
KIRBY |
[From
National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]
KIRBY,
B., Private, 1st Bedfordshire Regiment.
Volunteering in January 1915, he was drafted in the following June
to the Western Front, and in this theatre of war took part with
his unit in many important engagements, including the Battles of
Loos, the Somme, Ypres, Arras and Cambrai, and performed consistently
good work. Returning home after the Armistice he was demobilised
in February 1919, and holds the 1914-15 Star, and the General Service
and Victory Medals.
Station
Road, Tempsford, near Sandy, Bedfordshire. - Z3246. |
William
W |
NUNN |
[From
National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]
NUNN,
W.W., Private, Essex Regiment.
Volunteering in September 1914, he was later drafted to the Western
fro9nt, where he saw much service during the heavy fighting at the
Battles of Loos and the Somme, and was wounded at Festubert in July
1917. On his recovery he took part in other enggagements in various
sectors until being invalided home with illness and discharged as
medically unfit for further service in September 1919. He had been
recommended for the Military Medal for devotion to duty in the Field,
and holds the 1914-15 Star, and the General Service and Victory
Medals.
Station
Road, Tempsford, near Sandy, Bedfordshire. - Z3688. |
Harry |
RANDALL |
[From
National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]
RANDALL,
H., Private, 3rd Bedfordshire Regt.
After volunteering in August 1915, he underwent a period of training
and proceeded to France. In the course of his service in this theatre
of war he took part in the heavy fighting at the Battles of Loos
and the Somme. Later in 1916 he was invalided to England, and, after
a long period of hospital treatment, was finally discharged as medically
unfit for further service in March 1918. He holds the 1914-15 Star,
and the General Service and Victory Medals.
Station
Road, Tempsford, near Sandy, Bedfordshire. - Z3899. |
Walter
J |
ROOK |
[From
National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]
ROOK,
W., Sapper, Royal Engineers.
Shortly after joining in 1917 he proceeded to Egypt, where he was
engaged on important duties at Cairo and various other stations.
Taking part in the Advance into Palestine, he saw much severe fighting
on the River Jordan and was also present at the fall of Jerusalem.
He returned home in 1919, and in January of the following year was
demobilised, holding the General Service and Victory Medals.
Station
Road, Tempsford, near Sandy, Bedfordshire. - Z4026. |
Albert
V |
USHER |
[From
National Roll of the Great War Section XII - Bedford & Northampton]
USHER,
A.V., L/Corporal, 26th Royal Fusiliers.
Volunteering in December 1915, he saw active service in France,
where he took part in the Battles of the Somme, Ypres and Passchendaele.
Badly wounded in action in 1917, he was inavlided to England, and
on his recovery was enegaged on important duties in Ireland and
Somerset. He was demobilised in May 1919 and holds the General Service
and Victory Medals.
1,
Baker's Lane, Tempsford, near Sandy, Bedfordshire. - Z2214. |
World
War 2 RAF and SOE Memorials
IN
THANKSGIVING
FOR ALL WHO OPERATED FROM
R.A.F. TEMPSFORD AIRFIELD
1941-1945
FOR THE RESISTANCE WORKERS
WHO WERE FLOWN TO ENEMY-OCCUPIED EUROPE
AND IN REMEMBRANCE OF
THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR FREEDOM |
TE
DEUM LAUDAMAS
Boer
War Memorial
William
Walter |
WILSON |
[Listed
on Bedfordshire Boer War memorial as Private] Lance Corporal. 2nd
Battalion. Bedfordshire Regiment died at Bloemfontein Hospital 12th
July 1901, aged 28.

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MEMORIAL
PLAQUE - 138 SQUADRON
Within the
church is a memorial plaque to 138 Squadron. The
airfield
at Temspford was constructed by John Laing & Son, with Balfour
Beatty, and it was ready in December 1941 with the arrival of Wellingtons
of No 11 Operational Training Unit; this was only temporary whilst their
home base of Bassingbourn was being improved. Several other units came
on a temporary basis including experimental and intelligence flights so
it is perhaps not surprising that two Special Duties squadrons arrived
and were to remain for the duration engaged on secret operations. RAF
3 Grp. Bomber Ops., No 138 Squadron. arrived in the middle of March 1942,
they were operating as the air arm of the Special Operations Executive
and were equipped with Lysanders, Whitley Vs and a few Halifax IIs.
During
the second week of April No 161 Squadron. joined them from Graveley;
they were newly formed and were engaged in the skilled duties of landing
and picking-up 'passengers' behind enemy lines with the Lysanders which
had very short take-off and landing space requirements.
During
1943 the Lockheed Hudsons were used increasingly for these hazardous pick-up
operations; they were faster, quieter, of greater capacity and had more
sturdy undercarriage than the Lysanders. A fine book written by
161 Squadron.'s flight commander, Squadron. Ldr. Hugh Verity, D.F.C.,
entitled We Landed By Moonlight gives detailed accounts of the
secret landings.
In
a nearby barn there is an impromptu memorial to the SOE agents who flew
from here during WW2. Major France Antelme OBE, was an SOE agent dropped
into France from Tempsford. On his third operation he was captured by
the Germans in 1944 and executed in 1945. Denis Barret, landed twice in
France, in 1943 and 1944. While trying to assist an SAS unit which had
become surrounded, was captured, and executed in Buchenwald just before
wars end. George Frederick Nichols flew missions for 138 Squadron in 1944.
He was posted to the base as flying officer in August 1944, flew nine
missions and failed to return from the December 2nd mission to Denmark,
he was flying a Stirling which was lost without trace. Sgt E Markson 2211419,
161 Squadron. Aircraft crashed near Cugny France all the crew killed,
the aircraft a Halifax. He was lost with all the Crew on the night of
August 8/9th 1944 from Tempsford. Richard 'Dick' Wilkin RCAF, who flew
with 138, was killed returning from Poland when his Halifax was shot down.
Another
flight from Tempsford saw Halifax NF/R LL306 leave Tempsford airfield
on 7th June 1944 on route to France on operation Periwinkle and Walt 3.
The crew were attacked by a nightfighter on 8th June 1944 at 03:12hrs
and crashed at Veauville-les-Baons, Seine Maritime, France. The crew are
buried at Veauville-les-Baons churchyard, Seine-Maritime, France. The
crew are listed as:
JONES
|
Herbert
Clifford |
Flight
Lieutenant 410365, Pilot, Royal Australian Air Force. Age 28. Son
of Herbert Henry and Jovita Jones, of Thornbury, Victoria, Australia.
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JOHNSTONE |
Douglas
Scott |
Flying
Officer 429344, Air Bomber Royal, New Zealand Air Force. Age 22. Son
of Thomas Scott Johnstone and Gladys Mary Johnstone, of Mount Somers,
Canterbury, New Zealand. |
CHADWICK |
John
Grant |
Flight
Sergeant 1557429, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer
Reserve. Age 22 . Son of John and Mabel Chadwick, of Manchester; husband
of Margaret Patricia Chadwick, of Wythenshawe, Manchester. |
MONSEN-ELVIK |
Harold
Annalls |
Flight
Sergeant 1394482, Navigator, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. |
KEMP |
Douglas
James Ashley |
Sergeant
1861978, Flight Engineer, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Age 20.
Son of James William and Edith Kemp, of Romford, Essex. |
HERBERT |
Frederick
William |
Sergeant
1806771, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Age 23. Son
of Sidney H. and Ellen M. Herbert, of Earlsfield, London. |
MOORE |
Graham
Bernard Charles |
Sergeant
1608629, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Age 20. Son
of Thomas Henry and Winnifred Ivy Moore, of Honicknowle, Plymouth.
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Photographs
Courtesy & Copyright Dave Orton 2002 |
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Last
updated
13 September, 2016
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