Hugh

Private 36524, 6th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment formerly 4637, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Killed in action 7 October 1916. Aged 22. Born Elm, enlisted Wisbech (Elm), Youngest son of James and Suzannah Allen, of 3 Chapel Row, Elm. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 11 D.

Charles

Private 18545, 'A' Company, 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 21 August 1915. Aged 15 (Fifteen, correct). Son of Mr Frederick and Mrs Susan Barker, of Fridaybridge Road, Elm. Buried in Wulverghem-Lindenhoek Road Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot I. Row D. Grave 18.

James

Private 26797, 'Y' Company, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 16 August 1916. Aged 23. Son of James and Susannah Booth, of West View, Elm. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 1 C and 2 A.

George

Private 27894, 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Died of wounds 20 March 1917. Aged 33. Son of James and Susannah Booth, of West View, Elm. Buried in St Leger British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Row D. Grave 10.

Thomas William

Private 325498, 1st/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Killed in action 31 July 1917. Aged 25. Eldest son of John and Anne Bates, of Halfpenny Lane, Elm. Brother of Leonard below. No known grave. Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 50.

Leonard

Rifleman A/205273, 7th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps. Died of wounds 30 March 1918. Second son of John and Anne Bates. Brother of Thomas William above. Buried in St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France. Section P. Plot VII. Row C. Grave 78.

George William

Private 31378, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 4 November 1918. Aged 26. Resident Low Road, Elm. Buried in Preux-au-Bois Communal Cemetery, Nord, France. Row B. Grave 3.

Leonard William

Second Lieutenant (Pilot), 2 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps and 4th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. Killed in action while flying an Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8, serial number A2726, in France 6 July 1917. Aged 32. Native of Peterborough, Northamptonshire. Elder son of John and Emma Brooks, of Church Street, Peterborough. Owned bakery and corn business, at Elm Bridge. Buried in Bully-Grenay Communal Cemetery, British Extension, Pas de Calais, France. Plot IV. Row B. Grave 9.

Walter Wade

Private 16821, 7th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Killed in action 13 October 1915. Aged 24. Son of Charles and Rosanna Brown, of Elm. No known grave. Commemorated on Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 30 and 31.

Robert Hugh

Gunner 121908, 'D' Battery, 15th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Wounded 25/25 June 1918, died of wounds 2 July 1918. Aged 31. Son of Walter and Ellen Burton, of 32 Friday Bridge Road, Elm. Buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row C. Grave 48.

Luther

Gunner 100843, Royal Garrison Artillery. Died 10 July 1917, Amara Hospital, Mesopotamia. Aged 22. Second son of Arthur and Laura Burman, of Elm Bridge. Buried in Amara War Cemetery, Iraq. Plot IV. Row E. Grave 18.

George Robert T

Private 40371, 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Wounded and PoW 24 March 1918, Died of wounds 22 May 1918. Aged 32. Son of Thomas and Ruth Burgess, of Lynn Rd., Chapel Lane, Elm, Wisbech; husband of Mrs. F. V. M. Burgess, of 1, Hampden Villas, Chase St., Wisbech, Cambs. Buried in Berlin South-Western Cemetery, Stahnsdorf, Brandenburg, Germany. Plot XII. Row C. Grave 7.

Frederick

Private 2007, 1st/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Killed in action 29 August 1916. Aged 29. First son of Mr and Mrs William Cooper, Redmoor Cottages, Wales Bank, Elm. Husband of Harriett, of 3 Burgess Square, Sandyland, Wisbech. Buried in Knightsbridge Cemetery, Mesnil-Martinsart, Somme, France. Row C. Grave 13.

Archibald 'Archie' Bertram

Lance Corporal C/8049, 'D' Company, 2nd Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps. Wounded 9 September 1916, died of wounds 30 November 1916, 1st Southern General Hospital, Birmingham. Youngest son of Henry and Charlotte Crofts, of The Cherries, Elm Bridge. Buried Elm (All Saints) Churchyard, Cambridgeshire. See also Wisbech Conservative Working Mens Club.

Lancelot Stanton

Private 53202, 10th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment. Died of wounds 3 September 1918. Aged 19. Son of Walter and Ada Curston, of Speedwell Farm, South Brink, Waldersea, Elm. Buried in Lebucuiere Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Plot II. Row E. Grave 11.

Edward

Sergeant 3/9967, 9th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 16 September 1916. Aged 37. Son of Frederick and Elizabeth Drew, of Elm. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 1 C and 2 A.

Jesse

Private 15839, 11th (Cambridgeshire) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died of wounds 23 March 1918. Aged 38. Son of George and Mary Ann Drew, of Elm. Buried in Bac-du-Sud British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row B. Grave 26.

Harry Clifton

Gunner 61055, 'Y' Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Killed in action 19 October 1917. Aged 26. Son of Mr and Mrs Thomas Foote, 34 Duke Street, Walsoken. age 26. Son of Thomas Foote; husband of A. J. Stratton (formerly Foote), of 38, Duke St., Walsoken, Wisbech, Cambs. Buried in Artillery Wood Cemetery, Boesinghe, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot II. Row A. Grave 20.

James Edward

Lance Corporal 36905, 6th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment. (Priness Charlotte of Wales) formerly 12105, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Died of wounds 17 February 1917. Aged 30. Born Chatteris, enllisted Spalding, Lincs (Wisbech). Son of Benjamin Grange, of Begdale Elm, Wisbech, Cambs. No known grave. Commemorated on Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Pier and Face 11 D.

William Elijah

Saddler 311378, No 2 Section, 3rd Division Ammunition Column, Canadian Field Artillery. Died from mediastinal growth, 22 December 1918. Aged 35, 53rd General Hospital. Son of Mrs N Gibbs, Chapel Lane, Elm; husband of Daisy Getrude Gibbs, of 31, Mercer Street, Toronto, Canada. Buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, Pas de Calais, France. Plot XII. Row D. Grave 34.

Edward

Private 325467, 1st/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Killed in action 31 July 1917. Aged 34. Son of Edward Harvey; husband of Rebecca Ann Harvey, of Chapel Lane, Elm. No known grave. Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 50.

Percy

Private 42066, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Killed in action 27 September 1918. Aged 19. Son of George and Mary Ann Haw, of Gosmoor Lane, Elm. No known grave. Commemorated on Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Panel 4 and 5. See also March

Henry

Private G/20315, 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. Killed in action 28 April 1917. Aged 33. Fruit farm manager. Exemption disallowed March 1916. Third son of William Etherington Jewson and Fanny Elizah Jewson, of 81 Begdale, Elm. No known grave. Commemorated on Arras Memorial to the Missing, Arras, Pas de Calais, France. Bay 7.

Frank

Private 325254, 1st/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Killed in action 3 July 1918. Aged 20. Son of Mr and Mrs Bridges Mews, of Elm Low Road, Elm. Buried in Harponville Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. Row D. Grave 10.

Cecil Robert

Private TR/9/82347, 25th Training Reserve Battalion, Recruits Distribution Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Died 5 November 1918. Aged 19. Son of Ernest and Jessie Nurse. Buried in new ground, East of church, in Elm (All Saints, Churchyard, Cambridgeshire.

Charles Robert

Private 326334, 1st/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Killed in action 31 July 1917. Aged 31. Son of William Reeve, of 26, Carpenter's Arms Yard, Wisbech. Lived Redmoor Lane, Elm. No known grave. Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 50.

Arthur George

Private 18669, 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Died on service in Salonika 15 February 1917. Aged 33. Born Elm, Cambrigeshire, enlisted Wisbech. Son of Frederick and Margaret Ringham; husband of Alice Ringham, of Low Road, Elm. Buried in Struma Military Cemetery, Greece. Plot VIII. Row C. Grave 5.

Arthur

Private 2405, 'B' Company, 1st/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Wounded 1 June 1915, died of wounds 2 June 1915. Son of William and Susannah Roper, of Chapel Lane, Elm Bridge. Buried in Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard, Nord, France. Plot I. Row D. Grave 3.

Herbert Ernest

Private 1990, 1st/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Died of wounds 23 September 1916. Aged 20. Second son of John and Elizabeth Singletary, of Stone Cottage, Elm. Buried in Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. Plot II. Row C. Grave 11.

Wilfred Parker

Private G/9863, 6th Battalion, East Kent Regiment (The Buffs). Killed in action 7 October 1916. Aged 21. Son of Mrs W Smalley, Magdalen Fen. Husband of Throney Orpah Smalley, 14 New Street, Wisbech. Had lived in Low Road. Buried in Bancourt British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. Plot VII. Row B. Grave 14.

Arthur

Private 9359, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action 20 July 1916. Fourth son of Mrs Emily Spendelow, of Elm. Buried in Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, Somme, France. Plot XIV. Row E. Grave 27.

Benjamin James

Sapper 480682, 446th Field Company, Royal Engineers. Wounded 19 June 1917, died of wounds 19 June 1917. Aged 41. Son of Frederick and Mary Ann Storey; husband of Ellen Gertrude Storey. Buried in Aichet le Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France. Plot I. Row L. Grave 27.

John Henry

Private 15427, 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Killed in action 13 January 1916. Aged 32. Son of David and Frances Taylor; husband of Lily May Taylor, of Lakenham Terrace, Wisbech. Buried in Vermelles British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. lot V. Row F. Grave 2.

Percival Henry

Lance Corporal 9305, 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. Killed in action 25 September 1915. Aged 21. Eldest son of Henry and Melinda Walker, opposite the Boys' School, Main Road, Elm. No known grave. Commemorated on Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing, Hainaut, Belgium. Panel 3.

Percy John

Private 326734, 1st/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Killed in action 26 September 1917. Eldest son of William and Sarah Jane Ward, Near Station, of Elm. No known grave. Commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 148.

Fred

Lance Corporal L/16199, 'Y' Company, 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Died of wounds 19 June 1915. Aged 23. Son of Fred and Julia White, of Sunnyside Cottages, 2, Aurora Cottage, Elm High Road, Elm. Buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, Nord, France. Plot I. Row E. Grave 60.

Wilfred Edgar

Private 20683, 'D' Company, 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Wounded 30/31 March 1916, died of wounds 1 April 1916. Aged 21. No 8 CCS, Bailleul. Son of Alfred and Edith White, of Cargill, Meadowgate Lane, Elm. Buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France. Plot II. Row B. Grave 57.

Richard

Private 328062, 1st/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Wounded 26/27 September 1918. Died of wounds 28 September 1918. Aged 34. 55th CCS. Eldest son of Mr and Mrs Joseph Wing, Dun Cow, Terrington St Clement. Husband of Kate Wing, of Strathmore Cottages, Fridaybridge Rd, Elm. Awarded Military Medal for 26 and 29 September 1917. Buried in Doingt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. Plot I. Row E. Grave 40.

Arthur Horace

Private 65794, 1st/5th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Wounded and Prisoner of War 10 April 1918, died 22 April 1918. Aged 19. Son of Frederick and Emma Wright, opposite Elm Boys' School, Main Road, Elm. Buried in Tourcoing (Pont Neuville) Communal Cemetery, Nord, France. Row Q. Grave 9.

Through their death we live

1939-45

Charles Stanley

Corporal 14371107, 969 (I.W.T.) Company, Royal Engineers. Missing presumed accidentally drowned on active service in India 7 November 1945. Aged 35. Born 21 June 1910. Enlisted 3 December 1942. Son of Charles and Ellen Beart; husband of Ivy Elizabeth (nee Hanslip) Beart, of Ieus Cottage, Colletts Bridge, Elm, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, married July to September Quarter 1935 in Wisbech Registration District, Cambridgeshire. In the 1911 census he was new born, born Elm, Cambridgeshire, son of Charles and Ellen Beart, resident Fridaybridge Road, Elm, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. In the 1939 Register he was born 21 June 1910, Ganger on County Council Road, married to Ivy E Beart, resident Back Road,Colletts Bridge,Elm, Friday Bridge, Wisbech R.D., Cambridgeshire. No known grave. Commemorated on Rangoon Memorial, Myanmar (Burma). Face 3.

Aubrey Verdun

Trooper 5777408, 53rd Regiment, Reconnaissance Corps, Royal Armoured Corps. Killed in action in North West Europe 30 August 1944. Aged 28. Born and resident Cambridgeshire. Born 7 March 1916. Son of Mary Ann Drew, of Elm. In the 1921 census he was aged 5, born Elm, Cambridgeshire, son of John and Mary Ann Drew, resident Wesn, Elm, Cambridgeshire. In the 1939 Register he was born 7 March 1916, single, a General Labourer, residet with his parents at Low Road, Elm, Wisbech R.D., Cambridgeshire,. Buried in London Cemetery and Extension, Longueval, Somme, France. Plot 13. Row G. Grave 36.

George [Henry Richad]

Private, 5932821, 2nd Battalion (Cambridgeshire Regiment), Suffolk Regiment. Killed in action during the Japanese invasion of Malaya 17 January 1942. Aged 27. Born Cambridgeshire, resident Norfolk. Son of John Henry and Maud Louiesa Elsagood, of Oldfield Cottage, Fridaybridge Road, Elm. In the 1921 census he was aged 6, born Littleport, Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire, son of John Henry and Maud Louisa Elsagood, resident Wades Farm, Middle Fen, Ely, Ely Holy Trinity and Ely College, Cambridgeshire. No known grave. Commemorated on Singapore Memorial, Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore. Column 58.

Extract from local paper:

KILLED IN ACTION

Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Elsagood, of Oldfield Cottage, Friday-bridge-road, Elm, have been notified that their son, Private George Elsagood, of the Cambridgeshire Regiment, has been killed in action in the Far East. Pte. Elsagood, who in civil life was an agricultural worker, belonged to the Territorials in Wisbech before the outbreak of war. His father served for four years in the Great War, 1914-1918, was wounded and taken prisoner-of-war in Germany.

Sidney George

Private 5777087, 5th Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment. Died from disease as a Japanese Prisoner of War 19 May 1943; taken prisoner 15 February 1942 in Singapore. Aged 27. Born and resident Cambridgeshire. Son of Alfred and Emily Fordham, of Elm. In the 1921 census he was aged 5, born Norfolk, son of Alfred and Emily Fordham, resident Ferry Lane, Newton, Cambridgeshire. Buried in Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand. Plot 2. Row O. Grave 46.

Extract from Wisbech Standard in 1945:

PTE. S. G. FORDHAM

Mr. and Mrs. A, Fordham, of Collett's-bridge, Elm, have learned that their second son, Pte. Sidney George Fordham, of the 5th Batt, Royal Norfolk Regiment, died on May 19th, 1943, while a prisoner of war in Japanese hands.

They received this tragic news from the War Office on Saturday morning. Pte. Fordham was in-terned in a Thailand P.O.W. Camp, and the last card his parents received from him arrived on Christ¬mas Eve, 1943—when he was already dead.

Pte. Fordham was educated at Emneth School, afterwards being employed by Mr. Ron Hammond haulage contractor, of Elm. He was called up in 1940 and was captured at the fall of Singapore. His parents received only two cards from him during his captivity.

He was 27 years of age when he died. He has two brothers serving overseas, who are both drivers one in the Royal Artillery and one in the R.A.S.C.

Extract from England and Wales Government Probate Death Index 1946:

FORDHAM Sidney George of Colletts Bridge Elm Cambridgeshire died 19 May 1943 on war service Administration Norwich 24 April to Emily Fordham married woman. Effects £147 10s. 6d.

John Cecil

Extract from England and Wales Government Probate Death Index 1946:

FRANCIS John Cecil of Low-road Elm Cambridgeshire died on or since 2 April 1945 on war service Administration Norwich 28 May to Elizabeth Anne Francis widow.
Effects £927 17s. 9d.

Extract from Wisbech Standard in 1945:

LOCAL AIRMAN
PRESUMED DEAD
Sad News of Flt.-Lieut.
J. C. Francis

Flt./Lieut. John Cecil Francis, R.A.F., who was reported missing on April 2nd of this year after a Mosquito training 'plane in which he was the pilot had failed to return, has now been presumed dead. This sad news has been received by his mother, Mrs. J. E. Francis, of Low-road, Elm, from the Air Ministry.

Flt./Lt. Francis, who was 27 years of age and who was better known to his many friends in the Isle as "Joe," was educated at Wisbech Grammar School and at St. Paul's College, Cheltenham. A school teacher by profession, his first post was at Whittlesey, and he had been there about two years when he was called up in June, 1940. After some time in England, he went over to Canada to receive training and he gained a commission there. He remained in Canada for some time after this as a station pilot, and then returned to England in the early months of 1944 to complete his training.

A keen sportsman, he played for the Wisbech Town Football Club during his stay at, Whittlesey. Another of his great interests was bell-ringing, and wherever he was stationed he endeavoured to spend some of his time in the local Church for the pleasure this afforded him.

Bernard

Private 5933898, 2nd Battalion (Cambridgeshire Regiment), Suffolk Regiment. Killed during the Japanese capture of Singapore between 13 and 14 February 1942. Aged 30. Born and resident Cambridgeshire. Son of William Smith Nicholls and Emily Nicholls; husband of Hilda Nicholls, of Elm. In the 1921 census he was aged 9, born Walpole, Norfolk, son of William Smith Nicholls and Emily Nicholls, resident Walpole Highway, Wisbech, Walpole St Peter, Cambridgeshire. No known grave. Commemorated on Singapore Memorial, Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore. Column 60. See also Wisbech

“THE ODDS were heavily against us and your husband, together with every man there, showed a courage beyond all imagination.”

This passage as part of a letter confirming the death in action against the Japanese In February, 1942, of Pte. Bernard Nicholls, will help to sustain his wife during the many hours of heart-break that this news must inevitably cause.

Mrs. Nicholls, who, with her seven-year-old son, lives at Allotment Cottages, Elm, was informed by the War Office in July that her husband was believed to have been killed in 1942 but that it was advisable to let a little time elapse before being certain of his death. The arrival of returned prisoners from Japanese camps mid the news they bore did little to raise Mrs. Nicholls' hopes and these were finally dashed when, following a letter of inquiry, she heard from Colour-Sgt. Badcock, Cambrldgeshires Inquiry Office, Cambridge, to say that her husband had definitely been killed in February, 1942.

JAPANESE ATTACKED JUST
AFTER MIDNIGHT

In this letter, which she received on Wednesday, it stated: “Your husband was in action on the night of February 13th/14th, 1942, with Advanced Battalion Headquarters. The Japanese attacked us just after midnight. We had very few men, but we engaged them until about 8 o'clock the following morning. The odds were heavily against us and your husband, together with every man there, showed a courage beyond all imagination. Unfortunately your husband was wounded in the leg during the action, and it was decided to take him to the rear in his own carrier for treatment. The only way out was by the road which was partly held by the Japanese and an Officer and a Private (whose names I cannot disclose, as they' might not wish it) volunteered to attempt to force this road. It was a hard task, but for your husband's sake they decided to make the attempt. Over a hundred yards were covered when a grenade or hand-bomb landed in the carrier and immediately exploded. Your husband was killed outright and the Officer and Private badly wounded. The Private I believe, has since died of his wounds.

“ENEMY DEAD GREATER THAN
OUR OWN”

“Eventually we were forced to retire, as we had lost our Commanding Officer, our Adjutant and eight other ranks and almost every man had been wounded of those who remained alive. Later we went back and it helped a little to know that the enemy dead were greater than our own.

"We buried our dead, including your husband, in a cemetery where the action was fought and later we erected a cross to mark the grave. Your husband's number, rank and name appears on the cross, also his unit and the date he died. The War Office Graves Commission will be notified so that his grave can receive the attention it so richly deserves. I have told you all because I believe it is your wish to know the truth. Please accept my deepest sympathy.”

The elder son of Mr. and Mrs. W, Nicholls, of West-drove, Walpole St. Peter, Pte. Nicholls was 30 years of age when he died. He joined the Territorials in May, 1939, and was called up as part of the 2nd Cambs. Regiment on the outbreak of war. Later he was transferred to the Suffolk Regiment and was drafted abroad in October, 1941. Before the war he assisted with the unloading..

Eric [C]

No Military details currently found, Died October to December Quarter 1945 in Cambridge Registration District, Cambridgeshire, aged 25. In the 1921 census he was aged 1, born Elm, Cambridgeshire, son of C and R Pye, resident Fridaybridge Road, Elm, Cambridgeshire. In the 1939 Register he was born 12 September 1919, single, a Carpenter, resident with his parents, Daniel C and Ruth Pye, at Wales Rand Inn, Elm, Wisbech R.D., Cambridgeshire.

George Morris

Fred

ANOTHER YOUNG
LIFE CUT SHORT
- Driver F. White Killed in
Accident

Yet another gallant Wisbech lad has given his life for the cause for which we are fighting—freedom.

He is Driver Frederick White, of the R.E., and the news that he was killed in an accident in the forward battle area in Western Europe on February 5th has been received by his wife, Mrs. F. White, who lives at 20, Horseshoe-terrace, Wisbech.

Dvr. White was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. White, of Elm-low-rd., Wisbech, who have also received this tragic news.

Aged 26 years, Dvr. White had been in the Army for five years; he served with the “Desert Rats” from El Alamein on to Italy and then went on to France soon after D-Day.

Two very nice letters have been received by Mrs. White from Capt. Desa and Major Carr, for whom her husband used to drive. The following appreciation of Driver White appeared in the letter from Major Carr: “He has left his mark on the Unit, having contributed in many ways to its battle honours and left behind a fine example to the younger members.” One letter also states that Dvr. White was buried in a military cemetery in Sittard in Holland.

John

The marriage was solemnised quietly at Chippenham. Wiltshire. on Saturday. of Mr. John Whitsed. second son of Mrs. A. Whitsed. Holland-on-Sea, and formerly of Downham, and the late Mr. J. Whitsed, to Miss Brenda Shawl Carlile. only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. R. Carlile, Algethi, Lynn-road. Wisbech.

Miss Carlile has been in training as a nurse at a London hospital and Mr. Whitsed, before becoming a solicitor, was articled with Messrs. Ollard and Ollard at Wisbech. He was a law tutor in London before war broke out. He is now in training in the R A.F. as an observer.

It is with regret that we record the death of Pilot-Officer John Whitsed, of the Royal Air Force, who was killed on active service.

Pilot-Officer Whitsed was well-known locally. He was the son of Mrs. Whitsed (who is at present living at Holland-on-Sea, Essex, and who formerly resided at Downham Market) and the late Mr. John Whitsed, of Ely.

Educated at Kings' School, Ely, and Cambridge, he was articled to Messrs. Ollard and Ollard, solicitors, Wisbech, and after qualifying as a solicitor became a law tutor in London. He was 25 years of age.

During the time he was at Wisbech he made a large number of friends. In July of this year he was married at Calne, Wilts., to Miss Brenda Shawl Carlile, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. R. Carlile, of “Al-gethi,” Lynn-road, Wisbech. A week previous to his death he spent a leave at Wisbech.

He joined the R.A.F. as a volunteer in August, 1939, and was appointed to a Commission a short time ago.

Members of the family attended the funeral, which took place on Friday. Full military honours were accorded.

Also listed for this parish in the Ely Cathedral Second World War Book of Remembrance:

John Vyvyan

Flight Sergeant (Pilot) 968433, 260 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, North Africa Command. Killed in action flying out of LG 85, Egypt, in a Kittyhawk, when the aircraft was shot down by a Bf109 near Mersa Matruh during an escort for SAAF Bostons 26 June 1942. Aged 20. Native of Wsibech, Cambridgeshire. Son of John Weatherley Robinson Carlile and Muriel Louisa Carlile, of Wisbech. No known grave. Commemorated on ALAMEIN MEMORIAL, Egypt. Column 249. See also Wisbech and Wisbech Queen's School.

Note: 260 Squadron flew Kittyhawks from LG85, Egypt.

London Gazette 27 July 1943

Details from his recommendation AIR 2/9596

Pilot 260 Sqdn

During recent hard fighting in the Western Desert, F/S Carlyle has especially distinguished himself. In one day, he twice turned to attack a greatly superior enemy force and each time brought his aircraft home successfully in spite of extensive damage to it which made it extremely hard to handle. He is a fearless and determined fighter pilot and recently destroyed an enemy fighter when our forces were outnumbered by at least four to one. During the present battle, his characteristic keeness to engage the Hun has inspired confidence and courage in all who witnessed his energy and drive, his conduct throughout being such as to prove a valuable contribution to the successes his squadron has achieved. This airman was reported missing on 26th June 1942, and the recommendation was intiated on 2nd June 1942.

(Note - the D.F.M could not be awarded posthumously, so alot of the time the recommendation would be post dated to the day before the airman went missing)

Extract from local newspaper:

WISBECH PILOT
MISSING.
Shot Down at Least One
Enemy Plane.

Pilot-Officer John Vyvyan Carlile, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J, W. R. Carlilet of Algethi, Lynn-road, Wisbech, has been reported missing as the result of air operations.

Mr. and Mrs. Carlile, who were first notified by telegram, have now received a letter of confirmation, stating that their son has shot down at least one enemy aircraft.

This is the second tragic bereavement of the war for the Carlile family. Mr. and Mrs. Carlile's daughter, formerly Miss Brenda Shawl Carlile, was married in July, 1940, to Pilot Officer John Whitsed, of the Royal Air Force, who was killed on active service towards the end of that year.

Leaving March Grammar School, Pilot-Officer Carlile became appren¬ticed to Wisbech Produce Canners. At the outbreak of war, when he was barely 18, he volunteered for service with the R.A.F., and after passing all his tests with great success, he qualified as a fighter pilot at the end of 1940. In May of last year he went to the Middle East, having previously been on operational duties in England for about six months.

Mr. Carlile only received news of his son's promotion to Pilot-Officer on Tuesday.

“Tony,” as he was known at the works and to his many friends, was very popular in Wisbech. He was a keen swimmer and was a member of the Wisbech Swimming club. He is 20 years old and was reported missing on June 26th.

Neville Wiliam

ELM AIRMAN MISSING
“Old Boy” of March
Grammar School

An Elm airman has been posted as missing after a recent flight over France. He is 23-year-old Sergt.-Observer Neville William Carlile, of A;geiba House, Elm.

In a letter to Mr. Carlile, the airman's commanding officer states: “Your son has been doing extraordinarily good work and has set a fine example to everyone. He will be missing by us all.”

Sergt. Carlile was educated at March Grammar School, and, afterleaving there he spent some time at an English college in Rome, studying the priesthood. He returned home, however, to become articled to Mr. T. F. Parker, a Wisbech architect. He joined the Royal Air Force in June.

Albert A

Montie Louis aka Monty

Sapper 209334, 287 Field Company, Royal Engineers. Died as a Japanese Prisoner of War from Tropicaql Ulcers and Dysentery 22 September 1943; captured at Singapore 17 February 1942. Aged 23. Born 30 June 1920 in Elm, Cambridgeshire, resident Cambridgeshire. Son of Louis Crawford Jefferson and Ellen Jefferson, of The Bungalow, March Road, Friday Bridge, Cambridgeshire. Wheelwright by trade. Enlisted 12 July 1939. Buried in Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, Myanmar (Burma). Plot B1. Row M. Grave 10.

Extract from England and Wales Government Probate Death Index 1946:

JEFFERSON Montie Louis of March-road Friday Bridge Cambridgeshire died 22 September 1943 on war service Probate Peterborough 15 July to William George Stannard estate clerk. Effects £333 12s. 4d.

Leslie [William]

Gunner 11415652, 4/2 Maritime Regiment, Royal Artillery. Killed in action at sea 26 November 1942. Aged 22. Born 24 July 1920. Son of Robert and Charlotte Newton, of Friday Bridge. In the 1921 census he was born Walpole St Peter, Norfolk, son of Robert and Charlotee Newton, resident Middle Drove, Tilney St Lawrence and Tilney All Saints and Walpole St Peter and Walpole St Andrew and Terrington St John and Terrington St Clement and West WA, Cambridgeshire. Royal Engineer Card states he was born Walpole St Andrew, Cambridgeshire (Norfolk) and resident Wibesch, Cambridgeshire. In the 1939 Register he was born 24 July 1920, single, a Carpenter and Painter, resident with his parents at The Stitch, Friday Bridge, Wisbech R.D., Cambridgeshire. No known grave. Commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire. Panel 72, Column 2. See also Friday Bridge.

Gordon

Leslie Cyril George

Aircraftman 1st Class 1212904, 152 Operational Training Unit, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 2 March 1944. Aged 25. Based at Peshawar, India. Native of Leverington Common, Cambridgeshire. Son of George William and Daisy Maud Wadlow; husband of Kathleen Joyce Wadlow, of Leverington Common, married October to December Quarter 1942 in Wisbech Registration District, Cambridgeshire. In the 1921 census he was new born, born Elm, Cambridgeshire, son of George William and Daisy Maude Wadlow, resident near the Church, Elm, Cambridgeshire. Buried in Karachi War Cemetery, Pakistan. Plot 7. Row A. Grave 4. See also Friday Bridge and March.

The tragic news that their only son. A c.1 Cyril Wadlow, R.A.F., had died while on active- service in India, was received by Mr. and Mrs. G. Wadlow, of Station Yard, March, on Tuesday.

The details were supplied by the Air Ministry, who informed Mr. and Mrs. Wadlow that their son died yesterday (Thursday) week in a military hospital in India, from the effects of small-pox.

A/c. Wadlow, who was only 23 years of age, was educated at Fridaybridge School and his last employment before joining H.M. Forces was as a porter at the goods depot of the L.N.E.R., Wisbech,

He was well known in Wisbech and district and much sympathy has been extended to his parents, and his wife, formerly Miss Kath¬leen Setchell, of Leverington Common, to whom he was married in December, 1942, and who is serving in the A.T.S.

Deceased was a member of the Oddfellows and a very keen mem¬ber of the Cambs. 19 Division, British Red Cross Society.

In April, 1941, he volunteered for service with the R.A.F., and in August of last year was sent abroad.

The last letter his mother re¬ceived from him was dated Feb. 7th.

Stanley Ambrose

Able Seaman, C/JX 139420, H.M.S. Arethusa, Royal Navy. Died at sea while on Operation Stoneage, a torpedo from an Italian aircraft struck Arethusa and caused heavy casualties including him 18 November 1942. Born 30 March 1918 in Wisbech. Son of James William and Kate Eileen Wenn, of Friday Bridge. In the 1921 census he was aged 3, born Cambridgeshire, son of James William and Kate Elizabeth Wenn, resident Friday Bridge, Elm, Cambridgeshire. No known grave. Commemorated on Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent. Panel 56, Column 3. See also Friday Bridge.