Men of Burgess Hill 1939-1946
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www.roll-of-honour.com The Men of Burgess Hill 1939 to 1946 Remembering the Ninety who gave their lives for peace and freedom during the Second World War By Guy Voice Copyright © 1999-2004 It is only permissible for the information within The Men Burgess Hill 1939-46 to be used in private “not for profit” research. Any extracts must not be reproduced in any publication or electronic media without written permission of the author. "This is a war of the unknown warriors; but let all strive without failing in faith or in duty, and the dark curse of Hitler will be lifted from our age." Winston Churchill, broadcasting to the nation on the BBC on 14th July 1940. Guy Voice 1999-2004 1 During the Second World War the Men of Burgess Hill served their country at home and in every operational theatre. At the outset of the war in 1939, young men across the land volunteered to join those already serving in the forces. Those who were reservists or territorials, along with many, who had seen action in the First World War, joined their units or training establishments. The citizens of Burgess Hill were no different to others in Great Britain and the Commonwealth as they joined the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force in large numbers. Many more of the townspeople did valuable work on the land or in industry and, living close to the sea some served in the Merchant Navy. As the war continued many others, women included, volunteered or were called up to “do their bit”. The Men of Burgess Hill saw service in some of the most pivotal battles and hard fought actions of the Second World War. Others featured in lesser known but equally vital and important engagements. Burgess Hillians were involved in the disastrous campaign in Norway. They fought and died in fierce rear guard actions in desperate attempts to hold back the advancing German forces in France. Some were killed in the retreat and subsequent evacuations at Dunkirk and other channel ports. The town lost a young Hurricane pilot in the Battle of Britain. Two men died serving with the Dambusters, one as a rear-gunner on the actual Dams Raid and the other, who was decorated for bravery, in the last weeks of the European War. Flying in famous aircraft such as the Lancaster, Halifax, Stirling, Wellington, Blenheim and the American Liberator others lost their lives on air operations over occupied Europe, including the 1000 bomber raids, or with Coastal Command on shipping protection and anti-submarine duties. Some died in the early campaigns in Greece and Crete, while many fought in the Desert Campaign, where in 1942 they inflicted the first land defeat on Hitler’s forces at El Alamein. From amphibious landings at Sicily, Salerno and Anzio to the bloody nightmare in the mountains at Monte Cassino, onwards they pushed liberating Italy and all the while holding elite German troops away from the Normandy Landing Beaches. Guy Voice 1999-2004 2 On D-Day, 6th June 1944, along with many from Burgess Hill, the allies landed in Normandy. A young widowed father died helping to build the Mulberry Harbour while others were killed in the fiercely contested battles of June, July and August as the allies moved inland. Others were killed in now forgotten battles to liberate Holland and Belgium while one young man flew a glider across the River Rhine in the largest airborne assault the world has ever seen. In the Far East lives were lost in the heroic defence of Hong Kong or in the terrible ordeal as a prisoner of the Japanese. One man served with the fabled Chindits and another with the small Federated Malay States Volunteer Force. Another young soldier lived through the war only to die on active service in 1946. The Royal Navy lost over 50000 men, including two submariners from Burgess Hill who were both decorated for bravery. The crewman of a Fleet Air Arm Avenger Dive-Bomber died when attacking heavily defended oil refineries. Hillians also fought and died on famous ships such as HMS Gloucester and HMS Illustrious with others on lesser- known vessels. For the Merchant Navy there never was a “Phoney War” and over 35000 lost their lives keeping the nation and its forces across the world supplied in food, arms, ammunition, equipment and medicines. Two came from Burgess Hill. Decorations for bravery and gallant conduct range from a Distinguished Service Order and Distinguished Service Medal, to a holder of the Military Cross and Mentions in Dispatches. Countless other deeds went unnoticed or unrecorded. Ninety did not see the peace. Most were killed in action but others died from wounds received in battle and some died of illness at home, in training or captivity. The majority now lie buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemeteries, which are dotted around the world and kept in pristine condition to remind all who visit and pass by of their sacrifice. Others lie in the churchyards of St John’s, St Andrew’s and St Edward’s with many more in other British towns and villages. Others have no known grave and are remembered on memorials from London, Plymouth, Portsmouth and Runnymeade to Singapore, Athens, Rangoon and Tunisia. Each year the town remembers them at the War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday. But here they are only names. As time passes many people will have no knowledge or connection with them and, even some families may not be aware of the things they did or men they were. Guy Voice 1999-2004 3 My hope is that this book shows something of their, often short, lives and that their interests, deeds and sacrifices will remain in peoples minds. The Royal British Legion lays a small poppy posy on those war graves within the town each November. I also hope that in the future these men’s graves will one day have their plots looked after all year round, as they are abroad, with flowers being planted regularly by schoolchildren or local people. Finally, when you pass a war cemetery, memorial or churchyard please go in and walk around; write in the visitors book and most importantly thank them for they gave it all away for your tomorrow. The Men of Burgess Hill are Churchill’s unknown warriors Guy Voice 1999-2004 4 Men of Burgess 1939 to 1946 – The Story is not finished The story about these men is not yet complete. This is my attempt since Remembrance Sunday 1999 to try and write a small piece about each of the ninety names that appear on Burgess Hill’s War Memorial for the Second World War. Originally I had envisaged writing a few words about each man’s family background, where he served, where buried or commemorated and if possible, how he died. For all but five I have been able to record their burial or memorial location and have put Christian names and ages to almost all. These few words now stand around two hundred pages. How I compiled the information The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and their very helpful team at Maidenhead, has provided the basic information needed to start a project such as this. I read through every edition of the Mid-Sussex Times from July 1939 to May 1946, located so handily on micro-film in Burgess Hill Library, in order that I might pick up next of kin and family details. I am thankful to West Sussex County Library Service for taking a copy of this study to allow wider public access. Reading and consulting a very wide variety of published sources such as histories of battles, personal memoirs and, those now rare, expensive but so very important, regimental or divisional histories has proved very helpful. Visits to the Newspaper Library at Colindale and the National Army Museum’s reading room have helped to fill many gaps. Countless letters have been written to military museums and organisations where curators and research staff have been extraordinarily helpful. To give a picture of these men’s civilian lives I tried to uncover their education, sporting achievements and employment. This has led me to write to places as diverse as Christ’s Hospital, Cambridge University, Shell UK, the British Schools Exploring Society and the Football Association. I have sought, and in many cases, made contact with a large number of regimental, squadron, corps and ship associations and through their sterling efforts and benevolence they have provided me with valuable information or put me in touch with former comrades. These men, who in every case have their own astonishing stories or have become well known in later life, always answered my many questions with good humour and as much detail as time and memory allows. Guy Voice 1999-2004 5 Burgess Hill is very fortunate to have local newspapers such as the Mid- Sussex Times, the Leader and Evening Argus. They always printed my letters or wrote articles about my project. I am also grateful to Burgess Hill Town Council’s About Town Magazine for their support. Other newspapers ranging across the British Isles and as far away as Canada published my appeals for information. I also speculatively picked names out of the phone book and wrote to people I hoped would be connected to these men. In many cases, especially through the local papers, it led relations to contact me. I am truly grateful to the relations who all provided me, with patience and kindness despite my being a stranger and asking many questions, a great deal of information.