The WW2 casualties of Aspatria, Cumbria
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| 1. Entrance to Aspatria War Memorial Recreation Ground |
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| 2. St Kentigern's Parish Church, Aspatria, Cumbria |
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| 3. WW2 Memorial tablet and R.B.L. standard |
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| 4. St Kentigern's Parish WW2 Memorial (detail) |
posted by ritsonvaljos at 10:16 pm
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Additional information
Aspatria War memorial
(WW2 casualties)
At the main entrance to Aspatria's War Memorial Recreation Ground is a metal tablet listing the names of Aspatrians who have lost their lives in the service of their country during WW1 (1914 - 1918) and WW2 (1939 - 1945) [Photograph No. 1]. Of the names listed on the entrance gates, the bottom two lines list the 28 names of Aspatrians who lost their lives during WW2.
Around the park one tree has been planted for each Aspatrian who died in the service of their country. Thus, there are 28 trees representing the 'Fallen' of WW2. Some of the trees planted to preserve the memory of Aspatria's 'Fallen' can be seen in the background of Photograph No. 1 (above).
The Parish Church of Aspatria (Church of England) is dedicated to St Kentigern [Photograph No. 2]. Inside the church, next to the Royal British Legion standard, is a wooden commemorative tablet listing the names of Aspatria's WW2 casualties [Photograph No. 3].
The wording on this memorial, which can be seen in Photograph No. 4, is as follows:
"In Memory of the Men of Aspatria
Who made the Supreme Sacrifice
During the World War
1939 - 1945"
Jonathan Holliday Allan
Davidson Barnes
Richard Stanley Baty
Joseph Davidson Beattie
Joseph Blackburn
Robert Horace Brough
Roger Connelly
Thomas Cooper
George W.H. Demand
George Barbour Douglas
Harry Douglas
John George Douglas
Henry Glencross
Kenneth C. Graves
Donald Hodgson
Leonard Hodgson
Arthur Little
Robert Henry Monkhouse
James Pattinson
Robert Gordon Reay
John T. Richardson
Alexander A. Robin
Robert Salmon
Robert Skelton
Gordon Steele
John Thomas Stoddart
Lewis Bejamin Tunstall
Thomas Tunstall
"Their Name Liveth For Evermore"
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CWGC citations for Aspatria's WW2 casualties
Below are the CWGC citations for the 28 WW2 casualties of Aspatria listed on the St Kentigern's Parish memorial:
1. Jonathan Holliday Allan
Name: ALLAN, JONATHAN HOLLIDAY
Rank: Private
Service No: 4859205
Date of Death: 28/11/1943
Age: 22
Regiment/Service: Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment, 5th Bn.
Grave Reference: XVII. E. 22.
Cemetery: SANGRO RIVER WAR CEMETERY, Italy
Additional Information:
Son of Isaac Allan, and of Annie J. Allan, of Aspatria, Cumberland.
..............................
2. Davidson Barnes
Name: BARNES, DAVIDSON BELL
Rank: Able Seaman
Service No: C/SSX 15020
Date of Death: 12/12/1939
Regiment/Service: Royal Navy, H.M.S. Duchess
Panel Reference: 33, 1.
Memorial: CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent
Additional Information:
Son of Dan and Evelyn Barnes.
.............................
3. Richard Stanley Baty
Name: BATY, RICHARD STANLEY
Rank: Private
Service No: 3183638
Date of Death: 17/06/1940
Age: 34
Regiment/Service: King's Own Scottish Borderers
Panel Reference: Column 54.
Memorial: DUNKIRK MEMORIAL, France
Additional Information:
Son of Joseph and Sarah Baty.
............................
4. Joseph Davidson Beattie
Name: BEATTIE, JOSEPH DAVIDSON
Rank: Sergeant
Service No: 987379
Date of Death: 25/03/1942
Age: 21
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 50 Sqdn.
Panel Reference: Panel 78.
Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL, Surrey
Additional Information:
Son of James Davidson Beattie and Mary Beattie, of Aspatria, Cumberland.
..............................
5. Joseph Blackburn
Name: BLACKBURN, JOSEPH
Rank: Private
Service No: 3597936
Date of Death: 17/08/1942
Age: 30
Regiment/Service: Border Regiment
attd. 10th Indian Div. Provost Unit.
Panel Reference: Column 62.
Memorial: ALAMEIN MEMORIAL, Egypt
Additional Information:
Son of Dohinson and Rhoda E. Blackburn.
.........................
6. Robert Horace Brough
Name: BROUGH, ROBERT HORACE
Rank: Sergeant
Trade: Air Bomber
Service No: 1544100
Date of Death: 07/06/1944
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 578 Sqdn.
Grave Reference: Plot 10. Row 1. Coll. grave 1-5.
Cemetery: VILLENEUVE-ST. GEORGES NEW COMMUNAL CEMETERY, France
Additional Information:
(None given)
..........................
7. Roger Connelly
Name: CONNELLY, ROGER
Rank: Serjeant
Service No: 2696251
Date of Death: 06/09/1943
Age: 23
Regiment/Service: Scots Guards, 2nd Bn.
Grave Reference: 7. D. 5.
Cemetery: TRIPOLI WAR CEMETERY, Libya
Additional Information:
Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Connelly, of Carlisle.
.....................
8. Thomas Cooper
Name: COOPER, THOMAS
Rank: Flight Sergeant
Service No: 511303
Date of Death: 18/06/1944
Age: 33
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force
Grave Reference: Sec. E. Grave 70.
Cemetery: MARYPORT CEMETERY, Cumberland
Additional Information:
Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Cooper, of Maryport;
Husband of Winifred Cooper, of Marchwood, Hampshire.
..........................
9. George W.H. Demand
Name: DEMAND, GEORGE WILLIAM HEDWORTH
Rank: Lieutenant
Service No: 250965
Date of Death: 29/03/1945
Age: 23
Regiment/Service: General List, attd. Special Operations Executive
Awards: Mentioned in Despatches
Panel Reference: Panel 22. Column 1.
Memorial: BROOKWOOD MEMORIAL, Surrey
Additional Information:
Son of Rene and Annie Demand;
Husband of Freda Demand, of Aspatria, Cumberland.
........................
10. George Barbour Douglas
Name: DOUGLAS, GEORGE BARBOUR
Rank: Private
Service No: 3598439
Date of Death: 26/10/1945
Age: 31
Regiment/Service: Border Regiment, 2nd Bn.
Panel Reference: Panel 11. Column 3.
Memorial: BROOKWOOD MEMORIAL, Surrey
Additional Information:
Son of Thomas and Mary E. Douglas, of Aspatria, Cumberland.
........................
11. Harry Douglas
Name: DOUGLAS, HARRY
Rank: Lance Corporal
Service No: 3605650
Date of Death: 11/11/1941
Regiment/Service: Border Regiment, 7th Bn.
Grave Reference: Grave 395.
Cemetery: ASPATRIA (ST. KENTIGERN) CHURCHYARD, Cumberland
Additional Information:
Husband of L. Douglas, of Aspatria.
...........................
12. John George Douglas
Name: DOUGLAS, JOHN GEORGE
Rank: Flight Lieutenant
Trade: Pilot
Service No: 146139
Date of Death: 22/10/1944
Age: 26
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 1435 Sqdn.
Grave Reference: (None)
Cemetery: TIRANA PARK MEMORIAL CEMETERY, Albania
Additional Information:
Son of John and Mary Ann Douglas;
Husband of Winifred Cawdell Douglas, of Bridlington, Yorkshire.
..........................
13. Henry Glencross
Name: GLENCROSS, HENRY
Rank: Able Seaman
Service No: P/JX 296665
Date of Death: 26/11/1945
Age: 23
Regiment/Service: Royal Navy, H.M.S. Berry Head.
Grave Reference: Sec. 17B. 10239.
Cemetery: HONG KONG CEMETERY, Hong Kong (China)
Additional Information:
Son of William John and Sarah Glencross, of Aspatria, Cumberland.
.........................
14. Kenneth C. Graves
Name: GRAVES, KENNETH COSTALL
Rank: Lieutenant
Service No: 190619
Date of Death: 15/01/1943
Age: 29
Regiment/Service: Royal Armoured Corps, Nottinghamshire Yeomanry
Grave Reference: 7. F. 23.
Cemetery: TRIPOLI WAR CEMETERY, Libya
Additional Information:
Son of John W. and Lottie Graves, of Morecambe, Lancashire. B.A. (Manchester).
.....................
15. Donald Hodgson
Name: HODGSON, DONALD
Rank: Corporal
Service No: 950068
Date of Death: 27/03/1947
Age: 28
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Grave Reference: Grave 503.
Cemetery: ASPATRIA (ST. KENTIGERN) CHURCHYARD, Cumberland
Additional Information:
Son of Joseph William and Mary Ann Hodgson, of Aspatria.
.....................
16. Leonard Hodgson
Name: HODGSON, LEONARD
Rank: Private
Service No: 3717681
Date of Death: 28/08/1944
Age: 34
Regiment/Service: King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster), 1st Bn.
Grave Reference: III. B. 29.
Cemetery: AREZZO WAR CEMETERY, Italy
Additional Information:
Son of John W. and Emma Hodgson, of Aspatria, Cumberland.
........................
17. Arthur Little
Name: LITTLE, ARTHUR
Rank: Aircraftman 2nd Class
Service No: 1024612
Date of Death: 06/03/1941
Age: 27
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Grave Reference: N.W. of church.
Cemetery: ASPATRIA (ST. KENTIGERN) CHURCHYARD, Cumberland
Additional Information:
Son of Thomas and Frances Little; husband of Jane P. Little, of Aspatria.
........................
18. Robert Henry Monkhouse
Name: MONKHOUSE, ROBERT HENRY
Rank: Fusilier
Service No: 3460177
Date of Death: 29/12/1942
Age: 32
Regiment/Service: Lancashire Fusiliers, 10th Bn.
Panel Reference: Face 9.
Memorial: RANGOON MEMORIAL, Myanmar (Burma)
Additional Information:
Son of Riston and Frances Alice Monkhouse;
Husband of Mary Monkhouse, of Aspatria, Cumberland.
........................
19. James Pattinson
Name: PATTINSON, JAMES
Rank: Warrant Officer
Trade: Navigator /Bomber
Service No: 1130078
Date of Death: 29/12/1944
Age: 22
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Grave Reference: Grave 488.
Cemetery: ASPATRIA (ST. KENTIGERN) CHURCHYARD, Cumberland
Additional Information:
Son of James and Jessie Pattinson, of Aspatria;
Husband of Eleanor Pattinson, of Aspatria.
..........................
20. Robert Gordon Reay
Name: REAY, ROBERT GORDON
Rank: Sergeant
Service No: 1543666
Date of Death: 23/08/1943
Age: 22
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 100 Sqdn.
Panel Reference: Panel 162.
Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL, Surrey
Additional Information:
Son of Robert Henry Reay, and of Daisy Constance Reay, of Aspatria, Cumberland.
........................
21. John T. Richardson
Name: RICHARDSON, JOHN THOMAS
Rank: Lance Serjeant
Service No: 3598110
Date of Death: 10/02/1942
Age: 21
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery, 85 Anti-Tank Regt.
Panel Reference: Column 7.
Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL, Singapore
Additional Information:
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Richardson, of Aspatria, Cumberland
..........................
22. Alexander A. Robin
Name: ROBIN, ALEXANDER ARTHUR
Rank: Lieutenant
Service No: 185926
Date of Death: 18/01/1943
Age: 36
Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers
Grave Reference: Grave 428.
Cemetery: ASPATRIA (ST. KENTIGERN) CHURCHYARD, Cumberland
Additional Information:
Son of Mathew and Mabel Mylius Robin;
Husband of Eva Robin, of Aspatria. A.R.I.B.A.
.............................
23. Robert Salmon
Name: SALMON, ROBERT
Rank: Lance Corporal
Service No: 4859991
Date of Death: 16/08/1944
Age: 25
Regiment/Service: Leicestershire Regiment, 1st Bn.
Grave Reference: I. E. 6.
Cemetery: SAI WAN WAR CEMETERY, Hong Kong (China)
Additional Information:
Son of Joseph Thomas Salmon and Sarah Salmon, of Aspatria, Cumberland.
........................
24. Robert Skelton
Name: SKELTON, ROBERT
Rank: Sergeant
Service No: 954437
Date of Death: 08/12/1942
Age: 27
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 15 Sqdn.
Panel Reference: Panel 93.
Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL, Surrey
Additional Information:
Son of William and Eleanor Skelton, of Aspatria, Cumberland.
........................
25. Gordon Steele
Name: STEELE, GORDON
Rank: Telegraphist
Service No: P/JX 578551
Date of Death: 28/11/1944
Age: 19
Regiment/Service: Royal Navy, H.M.S. Odyssey.
Grave Reference: Plot 9. Row 7. Grave 39.
Cemetery: OOSTENDE NEW COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Belgium
Additional Information:
Son of William and Isabella Steele, of Aspatria, Cumberland.
.......................
26. John Thomas Stoddart
Name: STODDART, JOHN THOMAS
Rank: Fusilier
Service No: 3460144
Date of Death: 09/01/1943
Age: 32
Regiment/Service: Lancashire Fusiliers, 10th Bn.
Grave Reference: 3. K. 15.
Cemetery: TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY, Myanmar (Burma)
Additional Information:
Son of Robert and Isabella Stoddart;
Husband of Ethel Stoddart, of Wigton, Cumberland.
.....................
27. Lewis Bejamin Tunstall
Name: TUNSTALL, LEWIS BENJAMIN
Rank: Flight Sergeant
Trade: Wireless Operator
Service No: 938890
Date of Death: 26/06/1941
Age: 21
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Grave Reference: Grave 228.
Cemetery: ASPATRIA (ST. KENTIGERN) CHURCHYARD, Cumberland
Additional Information:
Son of Thomas and Jane Anne Tunstall, of Aspatria.
......................
28. Thomas Tunstall
Name: TUNSTALL, THOMAS
Rank: Serjeant
Service No: 14351002
Date of Death: 26/12/1943
Age: 33
Regiment/Service: Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Grave Reference: 11. B. 23.
Cemetery: KOHIMA WAR CEMETERY, India
Additional Information:
Son of Richard and Agnes Tunstall;
Husband of Ethel Tunstall, of Carlisle.
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Dedication
This article is dedicated to the sons of Aspatria who gave their lives during the Second World War. Some of them were laid to rest in the churchyard of their home town of Aspatria, some were laid to rest in cemeteries elsewhere and some have no known resting place. Wherever they lie, Aspatria was dear to their hearts and minds.
In their turn, the townsfolk of Aspatria have continued to remember the sacrifice of their fellow citizens who died in the Second World War. In conclusion, one may think of the following poem "I Vow to Thee, My Country" by Sir Cecil Spring-Rice, subsequently set to music by Gustav Holst:
I Vow to Thee, My Country
I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above,
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;
The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.
I heard my country calling, away across the sea,
Across the waste of waters she calls and calls to me.
Her sword is girded at her side, her helmet on her head,
And round her feet are lying the dying and the dead.
I hear the noise of battle, the thunder of her guns,
I haste to thee my mother, a son among thy sons.
And there's another country, I've heard of long ago,
Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;
We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;
Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;
And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,
And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace.
...................
[Words by Sir Cecil Spring-Rice
Music by Gutav Holst].
May they rest in peace!
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