Stoker Wilfred Tubman, R.N. (HMMTB 602)

(Top): Stoker Wilfred Tubman, P/KX 137260.
[One of 7 crew of HMMTB 602 K.I.A. on 29 March 1944]
(Bottom): Wilfred Tubman's headstone
[Whitehaven Cemetery, Cumberland (now Cumbria)]

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Private William Lithgow, R.A.O.C.

Remembering Pte. William Lithgow, R.A.O.C.
Drowned at Normanton-on-Soar, 17 May 1942
Interred at Whitehaven Cemetery, Cumberland.

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"Just taking the girls home from a dance"

A "jerry can" of petrol - an "essential supply"

During WW2 the Home Guard could get a petrol ration .... so could farmers. Both the Home Guard and farmers needed petrol to carry out their duties.

Now, what if a young farmer was also in the Home Guard happened to have a vehicle, had received a petrol ration and wanted to go to a dance (with two young ladies)?

This almost sounds like the basis for an episode of "Dad's Army". Yet, this is a true Home Guard story from WW2.

To read the story see below.

"Wartime Christmas"

(Top): The BBMF Spitfire in flight (June 2011)
(Bottom): The Christmas Candle: a light for the world

In December 1942 Father T.A. (Ambrose) Agius, O.S.B., a Benedictine priest, looked out over the moonlit Kent coastline. He heard the sound of planes overhead and said a prayer for peace. A light shone through in the darkness. He was also inspired him to write a poem, "Wartime Christmas". He sent this to Whitehaven, Cumberland where he had previously been parish priest at St Begh's R.C. Parish (1932 - 1934).

To read this poem, click on 'Comments' below.

A Calendar of Heroes and Heroines

Pages from the 2006 BBC "People's War" Calendar:
A Calendar of Heroes and Heroines.

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Margaret Finley, died at Singapore (1942)

Postcard view of the Merlion at Singapore
(Symbol of the modern day Singapore)

The modern day city state of Singapore is a vibrant city of business and commerce. It is also a popular tourist destination with many things to see and do. Yet, how different it was for those who found themselves in Singapore in February 1942.

The British Garrison at Singapore surrendered to avoid further needless loss of lives. Even so, many civilians - including women and children - were lost while trying to evacuate. Relatives of many of those who died had no news of their loved ones, good or bad, for several years. One of those who was lost during the evacuation from Singapore was a British nursing sister, Margaret R. Finley, QAIMNS of Worcestershire. This is Margaret's story, or at least what is known of it.


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This, in honour of our Canadian and American liberators.

The plaque can be seen in downtown Menton, the French city closest to the Italian border, hence one of the last to be liberated.

It seems appropriate to post this some time before the Canadian and American Thanksgiving holidays, so we can all remember those 66 who lost their lives to save us.