THE LINCOLN SCHOOL MEMORIAL FOR WORLD WAR 2

From the Garton Archive at Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School

Occasional Paper

by

David Pape

With a foreword by Chris Williams

Foreword This article in the Occasional Paper series from the Garton Archive was inspired by earlier work by Graham McAdam on those former pupils of Lincoln School who were lost in the Great War, and whose names are remembered on the War Memorial in the cloisters at Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School (LCHS). The Occasional by Graham McAdam, referenced below, was developed from contemporary copies of The Lincolnian and external sources. It also contains additional detail from other sources including major research work by Mick Wall, a member of the staff of LCHS. Past Heroes of Our School by Michael G Wall BSc is the source of the individual records of all Old Lincolnians lost in both world wars; the result of years of diligent research and collation. It is possibly unique in state schools in the UK. The folder includes all information on the fallen from all three services in both world wars. For our RAF100 display on Heritage Open Day in September 2018 we only included airmen, albeit two from the , formed in 1924 as part of the RAF, and then placed under command in 1939. Until then no-one had attempted to create a table for the Second World War comparable to the McAdam one. A first rudimentary table on airmen from both wars was compiled by me in September 2018. It required further work, but even in its basic state allows some at-a-glance comparisons with the Great War. From looking at the overall totals on the LCHS memorial, rounded up slightly to 50 in each war, there are a number of key points that immediately emerge: - proportions – in the Great War 10% of the Lincoln School deaths (5) were in the RAF and its predecessors; in War World Two it was over 40% (21%); - global spread – in the First War all were lost on the Western Front or , whereas in 1939-1945 the deaths occurred in conflict areas across Europe, Africa and Asia, and ‘safe’ training areas in Canada, Kenya and South Africa; - ’s title as “Bomber County” is illustrated clearly by the types of aircraft being flown by the casualties, especially Lancasters; - Accidents or air-raids were responsible for 20% (1/5) of the Great War deaths from this small sample, but 33% (7/21) of those in the Second World War.

One need, which became apparent on Heritage Open Day, was to create a core document in a table similar to Graham McAdam’s, again relying heavily on Mick Wall’s research. Dave Pape volunteered to take on this task and produced the following splendid document, which goes far beyond the original ambition, and expands on Mick Wall’s seminal document. September 2019 will mark the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of World War Two. We are publishing this Occasional Paper at the beginning of the year for two main reasons. The first is to provide a fuller and public record to commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The second is to launch a search for narrative, photographs and possibly memorabilia relating to the wartime experiences of the young men and women from the schools which merged in 1974. There are probably former pupils of the schools who have personal memories of the war either as civilians or combattants. They may also have tales told to them later by their parents. These stories were often suppressed for many years after the fighting ended, but this may now be an opportune moment for them to be shared with a wider audience before they are forgotten. Please contact the Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School Archivists via our Main Reception on 01522.881144 or by email on [email protected]

The Records

Name Rank Unit Death History Memorial

ADAMSON Flying 570 Sqn RAF 4th March Thomas Adamson was an Air Bomber (bomb aimer), he completed extensive Buried in Thomas Johnston RAFVR 1944 operations over Germany and Italy with 78 Sqn. He was awarded the Distinguished Orleans Main No 146346 Flying Medal DFM, after 25 operational sorties “some of which over the most heavily Cemetery, with defended areas of Germany” – “shown great pluck” – “guided his captain over the target four crewmates. with determination” (London Gazette 11/6/43) at that point he held the rank of Sergeant. Plot 2, Row A, In 1942/3 78 Sqn was a night bomber squadron flying Halifax heavy bombers from RAF Grave 20. Middleton St George (now Durham Tees Valley Airport) and RAF Linton on Ouse, North Yorks. Sgt. Adamson was Commissioned, to the rank of , (London Gazette 10May43) Flying Officer Adamson died 4th March 1944. Whilst serving with 570 Sqn which was stationed at RAF Hurn, Dorset and amongst other things was tasked with supporting the SOE in occupied France. Fg Off Adamson took off with four other crew in Armstrong Whitworth Albermarle V1641, Sqn code TT, at 9.12pm on 3rd March 1944 on a supply dropping mission to the French Resistance. The aircraft did not return. It was reported shot down near Chateaudun. There was no German night fighter claim, so it was possibly shot down by ground fire. There is talk on one of the websites that the crew survived the crash and were executed by the Germans along with the family who were hiding them. (this last info is quoted from a family member and is not from an official source) ANDREW Jack Sergeant RAF, unit not 15th Feb Jack Andrew was killed while flying a Beaufighter from RAF Ford, Sussex. Classed as Buried in St RAFVR known. 1943 killed on active service. Chad’s No 1042366 churchyard extension, Dunholme. BAILEY Norman RAFVR 5th Sept Norman Bailey joined the RAFVR, but was diagnosed with Epilepsy and classed as . Thomas 1945 unfit. He died whilst swimming at Boultham Baths. Not included on the School War Memorial but included here as volunteered for service Name Rank Unit Death History Memorial

BARTON John Chaplain 4th Army Padre 25th Sept Revd. John Barton was awarded the Military Cross during the Tunisian Campaign in Buried in Godfrey Class 1944 November 1943. Coriano Ridge No 144935 In Sept 1944 allied forces were involved in fierce fighting at Coriano Ridge, Revd. Cemetery, BARTON was probably a victim of this. Riccione, Italy. Grave ref xvii.H.3 BIGGIN Douglas Ordinary HMS Canopus 27th Apr Douglas Biggin served on HMS Fernie, involved in evacuation of Le Havre Plymouth Naval Alan Elmhurst Seaman, 1942 and Cherbourg in 9th June 1940 and convoy escort duties. Memorial, Panel Royal Navy HMS Canopus was RN shore based establishment in Alexandria, Egypt, school records 67 Column 1 D/JX228982 indicate died at sea. no details known. BISHOP Denzil Flight 625 Squadron Reported Flt Sgt Bishop was a pilot. In 1944 625 Squadron was based at RAF Kelstern, north No known Yorke Sergeant RAF missing west of Louth and flew heavy bombers. grave, RAFVR and Lancaster ME731 Sqn code CF-S, piloted by Flt Sgt Bishop, took off from RAF remembered on No 947234 recorded Kelstern at 23.47 on 20th April 1944. The target for the sortie was Cologne. At 03.02 on Runnymede as died 21st April 1944 the aircraft was shot down by a German night fighter northwest of Memorial, 21st Apr Westkapelle and crashed into the North Sea. All members of the crew were posted Surrey, Panel 1944 missing in action. 215. Also Memorial Gates, Saxilby Playing Field BROWN Dennis Not Known Not Known School Presumably served in the armed forces but currently no further information known. Not Known records In March 1943 the British Eighth Army was advancing along the North African coast show - leading to the surrender of Axis forces in North Africa in May 1943. missing in North Africa presume d Killed March 1943 CLARK Raymond Sergeant Flying 9th Dec Sgt Clark was a flying instructor. He was reported as being killed in a flying accident in Vulcan Arthur RAFVR Instructor 1942 Alberta Canada. Cemetery, No 1218320 Alberta Canada, Name Rank Unit Death History Memorial

During WW2, 42,110 RAF Aircrew were trained in Canada. Sgt. Clarke’s Grave is in Grave ref. plot Vulcan Cemetery. Alberta. RCAF Station Vulcan was an airfield close to the town of 226 Vulcan, in southern Alberta, Canada and in 1942 hosted No.2 Flying Instructor School. Also on War Memorial Lincoln High St. CULLEN Charles Flight 153 Squadron 23rd Jan Served in the Lincolnshire Constabulary and enlisted in the RAFVR in 1941 and Runnymede Leslie Sergeant RAF 1945 became an Air Bomber, training in South Africa in 1942 and Canada in 1943. Memorial, panel RAFVR In January 1945 153 Sqn was based at RAF Scampton. 270. No 1439614 At 16.45 hrs, 22nd Jan 1945, Lancaster PB636, Code P4-D, took off from RAF War Memorial Scampton on an operation to target the Benzol plant in the Bruckhausen area of High Street, Duisberg, Germany. Flt Sgt Cullen was listed as the Air Bomber (bomb aimer). The Lincoln aircraft and crew failed to return and no trace was ever found of them. DRUMMOND Lieutenant 7th Bn. Argyll 21st Jul Lt Drummond joined the regular army, Black Watch Regiment from school. After 18 Catania War Angus Hamilton and 1943 months he transferred to 4th Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment. He also served with Royal Cemetery, Sutherland Sussex and Highland Light Infantry, Reconnaissance Corps and the Royal Marines. He Sicily. Grave ref. Highlanders served with the Highland Div. during the Libian and Tunisian campaign and arrived at I.D.32 the Western Front just before the Battle of El Alamein. War Memorial He had presumably fought at El Alamein in Oct/Nov 1942, he had clearly been involved Lincoln High St. in the invasion of Sicily on 9/10th July 1943, which met very stiff resistance. Newspaper reports tell that he was blown up on a Bren Gun Carrier and thrown clear. He hitched a ride on a tank, found another Bren Gun Carrier and was blown up again. Lt Drummond died of his wounds on 21st July 1943 at the age of 23. (what a life!) EDYE David Sergeant 142 Sqn RAF 30th April On leaving school Sgt Edye joined the RAFVR and attended a short course at EI Alia Vincent RAFVR 1943 Edinburgh University. He became an Air Bomber. Cemetery south No 1385460 He was killed in action 30th April 1943 whilst flying with 142 Sqn and is buried at El Alia west of Algiers. Cemetery, near Algiers, with 6 other aircrew killed on the same day. (A Wellington did Grave Ref. 12 H not normally fly with a 7 man crew?). 25 In April 1943, 142 Squadron were operating bombers, based at Blida Airfield, northern Algeria, about 30 miles south west of Algiers/El Ali Cemetery. EVERTON Leslie Sergeant 12 Sqn RAF 4thJul School records show Sgt EVERTON was an air Gunner with 12 Squadron. Remembered Harold RAFVRT 1943 It is recorded that he failed to return from a sortie on 4th July 1943 at the age of 22. on Runnymede No 1119284 Memorial, Name Rank Unit Death History Memorial

In July 1943, 12 Sqn was based at , north east of Lincoln, and was equipped Surrey, Panel with Avro Lancaster heavy bombers. 149. Also remembered on the War Memorial in Welton Village, Lincoln FINES Ronald Aircraftsman RAF 6th May Commonwealth War Graves Commission record that AC2 FINES died on 6th May 1942 Recorded on Arthur 2nd Class 1942 at the age of 20. Cause of death not known. Singapore RAFVR As Japanese forces advanced on Singapore regular day and night bombing raids Memorial, No 1052385 commenced on 8th December 1941. To counter these air raids RAF personnel and column 419 fighter aircraft were deployed to support the Royal Australian Airforce who were being overwhelmed. In December 1941 51 RAF Hurricanes were deployed and in late January a further 48 Hurricanes were delivered by aircraft carrier. Most of these were destroyed in the fighting and by 9th February the Japanese had complete air superiority. On 15th Feb 1942 allied forces in Singapore surrendered to the Japanese as part of the largest surrender of British led forces in history. Almost 85,000 personnel were captured. FRESHNEY Gunner 276th AA 30th April Note on school files states “discharged – died” on 30th April 1942. Cause of death not On school War Thomas Patrick Battery Royal 1942 known. Not recorded by Commonwealth War Graves Commission. No trace on Forces Memorial Artillery War Records. With no other information it is assumed he died from some illness. GIBBINS Peter Royal Corps of 15th June Peter left school and after working for a local solicitor served with the Royal Signals for Michael Signals 1949 about 4 years, until he contracted tuberculosis and was forced to leave the army. He died from the disease on 15th June 1949, not recorded on war memorial. HARRISON Peter Sub- His Majesties 4th Oct Sub-Lt HARRISON joined the RN Volunteer Reserve and was serving on His Majesties’ Buried in Motte Lieutenant Motor Launch 1943 Motor Launch HMML, 206 when he died on 4th Oct 1943. Ramsgate and Royal Navy 206 Initially designed as a submarine chaser the HMMLs were adapted into many rolls. St Laurence Volunteer Altogether about 650 were built between 1940 and 1945 Cemetery Grave Reserve Ref. Ramsgate Div. Sec. M. A. Grave 159 Name Rank Unit Death History Memorial

HIRD Phillip Trooper 46th Regt. 26th Whilst serving in Italy Trooper HIRD was killed in action. Buried in Benedict No 10600103 Reconnaissan October (point of interest - records show that the area the cemetery is located was not liberated Minturno War ce 1943 from German forces until 17th January 1944, most of the burials reflecting the heavy Cemetery, Corps, Royal casualties suffered at this time) Grave Ref – VII, Armoured K, 4. Corps HOLLAND Corporal Royal Artillery, 29th June Cpl. Holland joined the Royal Artillery. A record in school indicates that he was Buried in Naples Raymond No. 4804979 attd. (The 1944 accidentally killed whilst serving in France. This is presumably wrong as he is buried in War Cemetery, Hampshire Italy. Italy. Grave Ref Yeomanry) When War was imminent the 95th Brigade The Hampshire Yeomanry was redesignated – I. M. 8. Bty. 72 H.A.A the 72nd (Hampshire) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. From 1942 they Regt. R.A. served in the North African and Italian Campaigns. Also on war Allied forces entered Naples on 1st October 1943 after the town’s residents and the memorial, resistance threw the Germans out, in an uprising on 27th – 30th September. Langworth Rome, 150 miles north of Naples, was liberated on 4th June 1944 so presumably Village. Lincoln. ground action in the Naples area in late June 1944 had ceased, but it is well feasible that the city with its port facilities, would be given Anti-Aircraft cover and Cpl Hollands Regt. would be in a position to provide that cover. HOULE David Flying Officer 231 Squadron 23rd May Brother of Fg Off John Kenneth Houle, see below. Buried in Charles RAFVR RAF 1943 Fg Off David Charles Houle joined the RAFVR as a Pilot. School records indicate he Newport No 123122 was killed in a flying accident. Cemetery, In May 1944 231 Squadron were based in Yorkshire where they were flying Tomahawk Lincoln. Grave aircraft, with a detachment of Westland Lysanders in Ulster patrolling the Irish Border. Ref. Sec G. The Tomahawks began to be replaced by North American Mustangs in April 1943 the Grave 365 changeover was completed by July. This indicates that conversion training was taking place during the time of FO Houle’s death. Research shows Fg Off Houle, along with his brother, also appears on the war memorial at Bosham, Sussex. (South Name Rank Unit Death History Memorial

coast, near Chichester) HOULE John Flying Officer 621 6th Nov Brother of Fg Off David Charles Houle, see above. Remembered Kenneth RAFVR Squadron? 1945 School records show Fg Off John Kenneth Houle joined the RAFVR he is shown as on Alamein No 164738 RAF being aircrew. Memorial In November 1945 whilst on a flight from Aden to Mersa Matruh, on the Mediterranean Column 283. coast of Egypt, his Aircraft went missing. He has no known grave. Much of this route is War Memorial, over the Red Sea and desert. Lincoln High St. Research shows Research shows that from December 1943 621 Squadron, operating Vickers Wellington Fg Off Houle, Bombers, were stationed at RAF Khormaksar in Aden and on 12th November 1945 (6 along with his days after his death) they are shown as having moved to Mersa Matruh. I presume all brother, also their aircraft made this flight during the move. This might shed a little light on this appears on the incident. war memorial at Bosham, Sussex. (South coast, near Chichester) The indication is that he was born there. HOWSAM Stores HMS 30th Oct After leaving School Stephen Howsam joined Kesteven Constabulary and later joined Buried Kirkee Stephen Assistant Chembur, 1945 the Royal Navy. Recorded as having died on active service at the Royal Naval War Cemetery, No Royal Navy Hospital, Bombay. He was 30 years old. HMS Chembur was a shore base, a Royal Bombay India, P/MX726950 Marine transit camp near Bombay. Grave ref -5 F 6. HUNTER Eric Lance Royal Corps of 15th April School records show that Lance Sgt Hunter joined the Royal Corps of Signals. Buried in Sergeant Signals 1943 He was on active service in India and contracted diphtheria and died on 15th April 1943. Columbo No 2326782 There was a military hospital in Colombo and patients who died there were usually (Kanatte) buried at the cemetery mentioned. General Cemetry, Sri Lanka. Gave ref – Plot C6. Row F. Grave 13 Name Rank Unit Death History Memorial

LAING Albert Aircraftman 2nd RAFVR 2nd Feb AC2 Laing joined the RAFVR in April 1939. He had just completed his wireless Buried in Thomas Richard Class 1941 operator/gunner training when he was killed in a motorcycle accident in Kent. Newport No 1359179 Cemetery, Lincoln. Grave Ref – Sec J. Grave 367. Also on War memorial, Dixon St. Lincoln. LEASK John Lieutenant Cdg. 3rd Bn, 15th Nov The German forces retreated up Italy in 1944, ahead of the advancing allied forces. The Buried Forli Edward Mercer Colonel MBE 18th Royal 1944 advance stalled as winter 1944 set in and there was heavy fighting in the Cemetery, Ewart No 394 Garhwal Rimini/Ravenna area. Forli was taken by the allies in November and Forli cemetery outskirts of Forli, Rifles. was selected as the last resting place for those killed in the area. Italy. Grave ref – The 18th Royal Garhwal Rifles was unit recruited in India and from I, A, 2 photographs published on the internet there are the graves of many Indian soldiers in the military cemetery in Forli. LEES Malcolm Pilot Officer 14 O.T.U. RAF 12th July Pilot Officer LEES joined the RAF in 1939, becoming an observer. He is buried in George RAF 1942 He died on 12th July 1942. Lincoln No 31160 14 Operational Training Unit OTU, was formed in April 1940 at RAF Cottesmore, near Bracebridge (All Stamford, to train Night Bomber Crews. Saints) churchyard. War Memorial Lincoln High Street. LOCKWOOD Sergeant 172 Squadron 13thAug In 1939, before the outbreak of war, Sgt Lockwood joined the Leicestershire Yeomanry, Buried in St Jack Saul RAFVR RAF, Coastal 1943 he was an accomplished horseman. In 1941 they changed their horses for tanks and John the Baptist No 1359179 Command. Jack applied for and joined the RAF. He trained as a pilot in Canada and Pensacola, Churchyard, Florida, USA. Completing his training at RAF , he was posted to 172 Sqn, Scampton, Coastal Command and stationed at RAF Chivenor in North Devon. Lincoln. On the night of 13th August he was piloting Wellington no 630 back to Chivenor in adverse weather when it crashed and he was killed. Name Rank Unit Death History Memorial

LONG Norman Engineer Motor Vessel 6th Feb Norman Long joined the Merchant Navy and worked as 7th Engineering Officer on the Remembered McMillan Officer Opawa 1942 MV Opawa, owned by the New Zealand Shipping Company, London. On 6th Feb 1942, on Tower Hill Merchant (Plymouth) MV Opawa was 400 miles N.E. of Bermuda when it was torpedoed, shelled and sunk Memorial, Navy by German U-Boat, 106. Norman was one of 56 members of the crew who were killed, London. Panel only 15 surviving. He has no known grave. 76. LOWE Leonard Third Officer S.S. Khedive 12th Feb On leaving school Leonard Lowe joined the British India Steam Navigation Company Tower Hill Arnold Merchant Ismail 1944 and eventually became third Officer on the S.S. Khedive Ismail. Memorial, Navy (London) On 12th Feb 1944 the ship, an ex-liner, was being used as a troop ship was part of London. Panel Convoy K.R.8 in the on route to Burma. Japanese Submarine I.27 fired 60. two torpedoes into the ships boiler room, blowing her boilers. The ship sank quickly with the loss of 1297 lives, one of which was Leonard Lowe. He has no known Grave. MACINNES Sub- HMS Swift 24th June On completing his education Sub-Lt Macinnes joined the Royal Navy Volunteer Buried in Donald Charles Lieutenant 1944 Reserve. He became a Sub-Lieutenant serving on HMS Swift, a destroyer. Sassetot-le- William Royal Navy The ship was part of the 23rd Destroyer Flotilla, a multi-national group of ships Mauconuit Volunteer supporting the D day landings. On the night of 23rd/24th June 1944 the ship was taking Communal Reserve station off Sword Beach when it was blown in half by an enemy mine, 5 miles off Cemetery, Oustreham. Sub. Lt. MacInnes was one of the 44 crew who lost their lives. Seine Maritime, France MARRIOTT Fred Corporal 2724 16th Nov On leaving School Cpl Marriott lived, worked and married in Lincoln, he joined the Buried in Hugh RAFVR Squadron. 1942 RAFVR. It is recorded that he died on 16th Nov 1942 there is no record of the Boultham (St No 1502129 RAF circumstances of his death. Helens) 2724 Squadron was an RAF Regiment Squadron, which is recorded as being stationed Churchyard, at RAF Aston Down, Gloucestershire. Lincoln. Grave Ref – Row S, Grave 5. MARTIN Arthur Ordinary H.M.S. Pintail, 10th June HMS Pintail was a Corvette used for coastal escort duties. On 10th June 1941 was No known William Coder Royal Navy 1941 escorting a Convoy of vessels from the Thames to the Firth of Forth. Near 62 – Buoy, grave, No C/JX 30 miles off the Humber, one of the Convoy, Steam Ship Royal Scott, hit a mine and remembered on 211384 sank. Whilst rescuing survivors HMS Pintail also struck a mine and sank almost Chatham Navy immediately. She sank 28 miles East-South-East of Spurn Point, 53-30N 00-32E. Memorial, Arthur Martin was one of the 54 crew members who lost their lives. Reference 46, 2. MARTIN Eric Pilot Officer RAFVR 16th Nov On leaving School PO Martin attended Jesus College Cambridge and later joined the Buried in Arthur Proctor RAFVR 1942 RAFVR and became a pilot. Newport Name Rank Unit Death History Memorial

No 115837 It is reported that he died on 16th November 1942, at the age of 21, on active service, Celerity, Lincoln. but no details of the circumstances are recorded. Grave ref. – Sec.1 No 418. Also remembered on the War Memorial, High St. Lincoln. MORTON George Sergeant Middlesex 24th/25th George Morton was a Sergeant in the Middlesex Regt. It is recorded that he dies He has no Robert No 6201853 Regt. Dec 1941 sometime between 24th and 25th December 1941. known grave. More than 2000 allied servicemen died in the battle for Hong Kong or later as prisoners He is of the Japanese. They have no known graves. There was intense fighting before the remembered on fall of Hong Kong on Christmas day 1941 and from the dates quoted it is likely that Sgt. the Sai Wan Morton died during this fighting. The mass graves used by the Japanese after the Memorial, battle prevented identification of the bodies. column 13. He is brother of Trooper Harold Morton, (see below). North east of the Private Leslie Wells (see below) was also killed during this battle for Hong Kong island of Hong Kong. MORTON Harold Trooper 8th Bn. (The 13th June Trooper Morton joined the Army and served with 8th Bn. (The Royal Northumberland Buried La No 6848505 Royal 1944 Fusiliers) Regt. Reconnaissance Corps. R.A.C. Delivrande War Northumberlan The D Day landings were on 6th June 1944. Reference the date of his death, it would Cemetery, d Fusiliers) appear that Trooper Morton survived the landing, but was killed in the fierce fighting, 7 Douvres, Regt. days into the advance from the beach towards Caen. Calvados, Reconnaissan He is the brother of Sgt. George Morton, see above. France. About ce Corps. 14 km North of R.A.C. Caen. Grave ref – V111. H10. NEWTON John Captain 1 Airborne 17th Nov John Newton became a civilian Surveyor at RAF , and in 1942, joined the Buried in Mitchel No 295558 Squadron, 1946 Army. After 5 months in the ranks he was selected for officer training and became a 2nd Ramleh War Royal Lieutenant he was promoted Lieutenant in 1944, he was posted to the Airborne Division Cemetry, Israel. Engineers becoming a full paratrooper in Jan 1945. He served in Norway and Palestine where he Grave ref – 9 was promoted to Captain in October1946. On 17th November 1946 he was dealing with C.6 a terrorist mine when it exploded killing him and injuring his Corporal. Name Rank Unit Death History Memorial

PARKER Richard Sergeant RAFVR 6th May Sgt Parker joined the RAFVR and became a Pilot. Records show he was killed in a Buried in Michael No 1439212 1943 training accident on 6th May 1943. Nakuru North 70 operational Training Unit, OTU, RAF, was based in Nakuru Kenya from 1941 to June Cemetery, 1943. RAF aircrews were training to operate in middle eastern conditions. In 1943 the Kenya Grave ref unit was equipped with Martin Baltimore bomber aircraft. These aircraft usually - 498 operated with a crew of 4. He is buried alongside two other RAF Sergeants, a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner and a Navigator/Bomber, who died on the same date. It is presumed they were members of his crew. PICKERING Bombardier 60 Field Regt. 26th May Geoffrey Pickering joined the Army and became a Bombardier. Buried in Geoffrey Wilfred No 898220 Royal Artillery 1940 He was with the British Expeditionary Force which faced the German invasion of Oosttavern Belgium in May 1940. He was in a forward observation post in a farmyard only 200 Wood meters from the German front line. His position became precarious and he was Cemetery, ordered to withdraw. He failed to respond, members of his battery later recovered his Heuvelland, body under cover of darkness he had a fatal bullet wound. West- Vlaanderen, Belgium. Grave ref – V. AA. 7. Also on the War Memorial, High St., Lincoln PLANT Richard Pilot Officer RAF 14th Mar Pilot Officer Plant was commissioned into the RAFVR in and whilst on a Golders Green Brian RAFVR 1944 short course in London on 14th March 1944 was killed in an air raid. Crematorium No 170375 Memorial, London. Ref. Panel 3. Also the War Memorial, High St., Lincoln PORTAS Robert Flying Officer RAF 22nd Sept After school Robert Portas joined Lindsey Constabulary, and later joined the RAFVR Buried in George William RAFVR 1945 and became a pilot. He was killed in an aircraft crash in Australia just after the war Rockhampton No 177602 ended. War Cemetery, Queensland, Name Rank Unit Death History Memorial

He was detailed to fly one of three Royal Australian Airforce Kittyhawk fighters and one Australia. Grave Beaufighter from Garbutt Airfield to Oakhampton Airfield where they were to be ref – Plot A. scrapped. Somewhere west of Rockhampton they encountered a storm. The other Row C. Grave 4. three aircraft successfully landed. Flying Officer Portas diverted to the west and near Also on the War the town of Dingo suffered engine failure. He bailed out but hit trees before his Memorial, High parachute opened and was killed St, Lincoln. REES Edwin John Ordinary HMS Barham 25th Nov After leaving school Edwin Rees worked for the Midland Bank, but in 1941 joined the No known Telegrapher Royal Navy 1941 Royal Navy and served on HMS Barham as a Telegrapher. On 25th November 1941 grave. No HMS Barham was one of three battleships, accompanied by eight patrolling Remembered C/JX198222 off Alexandria in the Mediterranean. German U Boat U-331 penetrated the defences on Chatham and hit HMS Barham with three torpedoes. Fire quickly spread to the magazines, which Naval Memorial. exploded, blowing the ship apart. The ship sank within two and a half minutes of being Ref – 46. 1. struck. Edwin was one of 862 men killed. U – 331 escaped. There is a complicated background to the story which is detailed on the HMS Barham website. RUMSEY Eric Leading Sick HMS Cossack. 23rd Oct Eric Rumsey joined the Royal Navy and served as a Leading Sick Berth Attendant on Remembered George Henry Berth Royal Navy 1941 HMS Cossack, a Destroyer. On the night of 23rd October 1941 she was performing on the Plymouth Attendant convoy escort duty from to the UK. In the Atlantic German U Boat, U – 563 hit Naval Memorial. No P/MX HMS Cossack with a torpedo blowing off the front third of the ship. Attempts were Ref Panel 57 58359 made to tow the remainder of the ship to port but she sank. Eric Rumsey’s body was Column 2. never found and he is recorded as ‘Missing Presumed Dead’. He was one of 158 crew members killed in the attack. RYDER Noel Flight 69 Squadron 11th May Noel Ryder joined the RAFVR and became a pilot. 69 Squadron was a recognisance Buried in Vivian Sergeant RAF 1945 unit and from May 1944 flew Wellington XIII bombers in the night recognisance role. Eindhoven RAFVR They were based in France then Belgium and in April 1945 moved to Eindhoven in (Woensel) No 1042446 Holland. General Flt. Sgt. Ryder was killed two days after VE Day when his aircraft crashed in Holland. Cemetery, He is buried alongside two other RAF Aircrew who died on the same date and it is Holland. Grave assumed they were part of his crew, who also died in the crash. ref – Plot RR. Grave 71. SCARFE Eric Leading RAF 2nd Nov Eric Scarfe joined the RAFVR. Records show that he was training to become a fighter Buried in Osmond Aircraftman 1942 pilot in South Africa when on 2nd November 1942 he was killed in a flying accident. Bloemfontein (In RAFVR There is an airfield outside Bloemfontein where the Empire Air Training Scheme Memoriam) No 1430099 operated. Cemetery, Name Rank Unit Death History Memorial

South Africa. Grave Ref – Plot A. Grave 199. SPALDING Acting Sub HMS Argus 14th Jun Geoffrey Spalding joined the Fleet Air Arm, Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. From Remembered Geoffrey Lieutenant (A) 1942 letters he wrote to school, he was a pilot, he completed his first deck landing on HMS on the Lee-On- RN Volunteer Ark Royal in September 1941. He later served on another aircraft carrier, HMS Argus. Solent Memorial Reserve He was posted as missing whilst flying escort to convoy Harpoon. It is recorded that he Ref Bay 4 Panel died on 14th Jun 1942, at the age of 21. He has no known grave. 2. Also In June 1942, Convoy Harpoon was tasked to resupply the besieged island on . remembered on On entering the Mediterranean the convoy was under constant attack from the German the War and Italian air forces. HMS Argus was equipped with Sea Hurricanes and Fulmar Memorial, High aircraft and it is likely that Geoffrey Spalding died whilst fighting off these attacks. St., Lincoln. TEAR Frank Leading HMS Condor 13th May Frank Tear joined the Royal Navy in October 1941 after completing his ground training, Buried in William Airman 1942 he began his flying training and was to take a Navigators Commission. He was killed in Arbroath Royal Navy action whilst attached to HMS Condor, a shore based training station at Arbroath, Western No FX90669 Scotland, before he completed his training. Cemetery, Grave ref- Compt. D North Border, Grave 41. Also remembered on the War Memorial, High St., Lincoln. Also at St Nicholas’ Church Newport, Lincoln. WELLS Leslie Private Royal Army 21st/22nd Leslie Wells joined the Army and became a Private in the Royal Ordnance Corps. And No known Herbert No 7593132 Ordnance Dec 1941 was posted to Hong Kong. It is recorded that he died between 21st and 22nd December Grave, Corps 1941. remembered on Name Rank Unit Death History Memorial

More than 2000 allied servicemen died in the battle for Hong Kong, or later as prisoners the Saiwan of the Japanese. They have no known graves. There was intense fighting before the Memorial in the fall of Hong Kong on Christmas day 1941 and from the dates quoted it is likely that North East Private Wells died during this fighting. The mass graves used by the Japanese after corner of Hong the battle prevented identification of the bodies. Kong Island. Sgt George Morton (see above) was also killed during this battle for Hong Kong Ref. Column 22. Also remembered on the War Memorial, High St., Lincoln. WELSH Leslie Private 1st Bn. 2nd May Leslie Welsh joined the regular army from school. He became a Private in the He has no No 4802979 Lincolnshire 1944 Lincolnshire Regt. School records and the Commonwealth War Grave Commission known grave. Regt. show that he was killed in action in Burma in on 2nd May 1944. And is The Rangoon Memorial has the names of 27,000 Commonwealth land forces who died remembered on during the Burma Campaign and have no known graves. Because of civil unrest after the Rangoon the war the Army Graves Service was not able to complete their work in the area. Memorial in Myanmar (Burma) Ref. Face 6. WHITE Geoffrey 2nd Lieutenant Royal Septemb Geoffrey White joined the Army and became a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers. Remembered Moran Engineers er 1940 He went to France and Belgium with the British Expeditionary Force and survived the on the Lincoln Dunkirk Evacuation. He was killed in a motorcycle accident in September 1940. He is School War not recorded as a war casualty. memorial at LCHS. FOWLE Edith Civilian Lincoln Girls 22nd July Edith Fowle was a French Teacher at the Lincoln Girls High School. Remembered Catherine Teacher High School 1941 In the early hours of 22nd July 1941 a 44 Squadron, AD983, on the School based at Waddington, crashed onto the staff boarding house of the Girls High School War Memorial on Greestone Stairs. The aircraft was returning from an operation, laying mines near the Frisian Islands. The Crew, all Sergeants, DH Bruce (pilot),WR Relyea (RCAF) (Air Observer), WA Connolly (Wireless Op/Air Gunner) and PJ Lynch (Air Gunner) were killed. Along with Edith Fowle who was in her accommodation. She is officially recorded as a Civilian War Casualty. References

In addition to the work by Mick Wall, Peter Harrod has already written extensively on matters relating to Lincoln School in World War Two. Items published on the LCHS website by January 2019 include Occasional Paper 43: “The Way of a Ship” based on Jack Shirley’s account of his years in the Royal Navy Item of Interest 15: Evacuation to Lincoln Item of Interest 19: The Hampden Bomber Crash 1941 (which killed Miss Fowle) Item of Interest 20: Potato picking at LHS Item of Interest 50: Alex Henshaw MBE (Spitfire test pilot) Item of Interest 53: Edward Cuthbert Johnson– Dambuster (Les Knight’s crew) Picture of the Month 75: Edith Fowle

About the Author David Pape worked as the Exams Administrator at Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School from 2007 to his retirement in 2017. His previous background was 30 years serving in the Lincolnshire Police followed by 2 years with the United Nations. He was born 7 years after the end of the hostilities, but his interest in World War 2 history was sparked from an early age by the things all around; stories from relatives, bomb holes in his grandfather’s farm fields, the piece of parachute cord from a German parachute mine which still hangs in his fathers shed and of course all the RAF airfields scattered across Lincolnshire. He has had a life time interest in aviation which led to him becoming a member of the both as a cadet and then as training staff and being an active private pilot for over thirty years. He flew for several years from the old RAF Wickenby, which was a Bomber Command Station mentioned in the research. The amount of research completed to date for this document, from school archive and other open sources, raises more questions than answers for a nosey ex-cop (his words!), and David plans to conduct further research on several of the stories.