In memory of the old boys of this school who gave their lives in the Second World War, 1939-45.

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 Queens School, Wisbech, Wisbech and Elm

Extract from 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 a lot 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 apprenticed 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.

Sergeant (Observer) 581270, 82 (United Provinces) Squadron, Royal Air Force (Bomber Command). Flying in a Bristol Blenheim IV, serial number L8829, out of R.A.F. Watton in a day operation, Foret-de-Gault, his aircraft was presumed to have crashed in the North Sea 13 June 1940. Aged 23. Born 14 December 1916, admitted to school 10 January 1929, left 31 July 1934. Son of Frank Henry and Violet Mary Carlile, of Hunstanton. Norfolk. Cousin of John Vyvyan Carlile (listed above). Buried in HARLINGEN GENERAL CEMETERY, Friesland, Netherlands. Plot E. Row 2. Grave 15. See also Elm and Wisbech Queens School

Extract from local newspaper:

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 Algeiba 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.

Sgt, 2091253, 18th Division HQ Royal Engineers. Died of cerebal malaria 26-8-43, age 28, Prisoner of War. Died at Sankra Camp,Thailand. Born 14-6-15, admitted to school 17-9-25, left 30-7-29. After leaving March Grammar School, he went to Wisbech Grammar School. Son of Thomas William & Mary Ann Jude, of Halls Farm, Guyhirn. Employed as sorting office clerk & telegraphist at Wisbech Post Office. Buried Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery, Myanmar. Also listed Guyhirn and Rings End, and also Wisbech St Mary, and also Wisbech Conservative Working Mens Club.

Mr, and Mrs. T. W. Jude, of Hall's Farm, Guyhirn, have received the tragic news that their third son, Sergt. Harold Albert Jude, died on August 24th, 1943, while a prisoner-of-war in the Far East. This information comes from a friend of their son, who was with him when he died, and the grieving parents are now expecting an official notification from the War Office.

Sergt. Jude, who was serving with 18 Div., H.Q., R.E., is stated to have died, of cerebral malaria while a prisoner in Sonkra Camp, Thailand.

Aged 28, Sergt. Jude was educated at March Grammar School for two years and at Wisbech Grammar School for four years; he was then employed as a sorting clerk and telegraphist in the Wisbech Post Office until the outbreak of war, when he joined the Royal Engineers. He was with the 287 Field Company until a few weeks before he sailed for Singapore, when he was transferred to 18 Div. H.Q. and left this country for the Far East on October 25th, 1941.

Mr. and Mrs. Jude and family wish to thank all friends for kind inquiries during their anxious waiting, and for sympathy in their sad bereavement; also R.S.M. Morris for his great kindness.