Book of Remembrance 1939-45 Duke’s Grammar School

  WHO, WHERE, WHEN, HOW

  For ease of reference, I have numbered the Old Boys from one to

  fifty eight, and they are roughly in alphabetical order.  For

  each I have recorded the following information in note form:

  Full name and address, parents, date of birth, previous schools,

  Years at Duke’s School, civil occupation, service and age at date

  of death.  After each entry, I have recorded a brief account of

  Their school career, their civilian job and their service career,

  quite short, for little is known of them.  Others are short

  stories in themselves.

———————————————————————–

  1      J.R. ANDERSON

  John Ronald Anderson, son of Mr. and Mrs S. Anderson, Plough Hotel,

  Alnwick, born 28 August 1914, school in Alnwick then Duke’s from

  13 September 1926 until 27 March 1932. Insurance, then Army.

  Date of death 6 December 1942, aged 27 years.

  Ronnie excelled in sport at school, gaining both football and

  cricket colours; he was also a Prefect and was awarded the Old

  Boys’ Prize. In 1939 he joined the 4th Survey Regiment, R. A.

   (T. A.) and went to Egypt in October 1940.  In April 1941 he was

  in Greece and Crete, then the Western Desert from November 1941

  to April 1942. He then went, as a Bombardier, to Palestine, until

  the Battle of EL ALAMEIN, September 1942. He was blown up on a

  tank mine when returning from reconnaissance of German guns at

  Adge Dabia on 6 September 1942. He was 27 years old.

  ———————————————————————–

  2      T.J. BASTON

  Thomas James Baston, c/o Mrs Crosier, East Bolton, Alnwick then

  Birling South Farm, Warkworth, born 16 October 1919, South

  Charlton School, Duke’s from 14 September 1931 to 18 December

  1936. Civil Service Clerk (Dole Office, Ashington) then R.A.F.

  Date of death 17 June 1941, aged 21 years.

  Thomas was in both football and cricket XI’s at school, and a

  keen member of 1st St Laurence  Scout Troop, Warkworth. He joined

  the R.A.F. and became a Sgt Pilot. As captain of his aircraft

   (Bomber Command) he was reported missing presumed killed on 17

  June 1941 having failed to return from a raid on the Ruhr. His

  Commanding Officer stated, “He was a very popular and a most

  efficient Captain of his crew. ” He was 21 years old.

  ———————————————————————–

  3      C.L. BEATTIE

  Christopher Lowery Beattie, twin brother of William, son of Mr.

  and Mrs George Beattie, 14 Walkergate, Alnwick (Tory Agent).

  Born 19 December 1919, school in Alnwick then Duke’s from 14

  September 1931 to 18 December 1936. Lloyds Bank Clerk, North

  Shields, living at 49 South Street, Durham from 1937, then Army.

  Date of death September 1944, aged 24 years.

  Chris was commissioned in the Durham Light Infantry in 1937 and

  was with the 50th (Northumbrian) Division from 1939. He was

  awarded the Croix de Guerre in Flanders, and was evacuated from

  Dunkirk. From January 1941 to September 1943 he served with the

  8th Army in North Africa, Sicily and Italy, then landed in North

  West Europe on D-Day. For his service with the 8th Army, during

  which he was wounded on three occasions, he was awarded the

  Military Cross. At the age of 23 he was promoted to Major (in

  the Field) making him one of the youngest Field Officers in the

  British Army – he had a most distinguished military career ahead

  of him. He died of wounds received in action in North West  

  Europe in September 1944, aged 24. (His twin brother William

  served in the Royal Navy.)

  ———————————————————————–

  4      J. BERRY

  Joseph Berry, son of Mr. and Mrs J. Berry, 3 Elmfield Terrace,

  Hampeth (Deputy, Whittle Colliery) born 28 February 1920, Newton

  on the Moor School then Duke’s from 14 September 1931 to 24 July

  1936. Civil Service, then R.A.F.V.R. . Date of death, 2 October

  1944, aged 24.

  Joe was remembered at school as being small, quiet and

  unobtrusive; he started his R.A.F. career in the ranks. He was

  commissioned in 1942. In March 1944 the Gazette printed a story

  – “Alnwick D.S.O. B wins D.F.C. ” – “A 23 year old Flying Officer

  in the R.A.F.V.R., F.O. J. Berry, Pilot, has been awarded the

  D.F.C. for destroying three enemy aircraft in a long and

  strenuous tour of duty. The citation from the Air Ministry

  states that during operations in Salerno in September 1943 he

  shot down a JU88 in flames and on the following night he

  destroyed a ME210 over the Italian coast. He claimed his third

  victory over Naples in October 1943 when he shot down another

  JU88. On two occasions he has been forced to abandon his

  aircraft. As a Flight Sergeant, he was flying night fighters for

  two years. ”

  In September 1944 he was awarded a bar to his D.F.C. for being

   “ …. a highly skilled and resolute pilot. He has completed a

  large number of sorties and throughout his keenness and devotion

  to duty have been exceptional. ” “This Officer has, within a

  short period of time, destroyed numerous flying bombs, as leader

  of a Tempest Squadron. ”

  He ended up the top-scoring R.A.F. pilot at shooting down

  ‘Doodlebugs’ having shot down more than 60 in four months. The

  quotation from the Guinness Book of Records reads, “Human

  Achievements – Honours, Decorations and Awards – Top Scoring Air

  Aces – The greatest number of successes against Flying Bombs

  (V.I.’s) was by Squadron Leader Joseph Berry, D.F.C. **

  (b. Nottingham 1920, killed 20 October 1944) who brought own 60

  in four months. ”

  On 2nd October 1944 he was missing believed killed, later

  presumed to have been killed in air operations over Holland.

  Squadron Leader Berry D.F.C. and Bar was then 24 years old.

  ———————————————————————–

  5      J.H. BOLTON

  Joseph Hagan Bolton, son of Mr. and Mrs J. Bolton, 18 Dandsfield

  Place, Radcliffe, born 15 August 1920. School at Amble R. C. then

  Duke’s from 14 September 1931 to 19 June 1937. Civil Service

  Clerk (Employment Exchange, Newcastle) then R.A.F.  Date of death

  7 August 1941, age 20.

  Joe was a Sergeant Air Gunner in Bomber Command, and was shot

  down over the North Sea; lost through enemy action on 7 August

  1941. On 19 December 1941 he was presumed to be dead; he was 20

  years old.

  ———————————————————————–

  6      V.G. BREWIS

  Victor G. Brewis, son of Mr. and Mrs V. G. Brewis, 1 Walkergate,

  Alnwick (Telephone Exchange) born 17 October 1915, school in

  Alnwick, then Duke’s from 14 September 1925 to 18 December 1931.

  Assistant Clerk of Works, Estates Office, Alnwick Castle, then

  Marquis of Zetland’s Estate, then R.A.F.  Date of death 6 June

  1944, aged 29.

  Victor was a Pilot Officer in the R.A.F. (Bomber Command –

  Mosquitoes?) and in 1942 was wounded taking part in a raid over

  Germany. He spent some time in an English hospital and then

  returned to duties. He was posted missing on D-Day, 6 June 1944.

  He was 29 years old.

  ———————————————————————–

  7      F. BROWN

  Frank Brown, son of Mr. and Mrs George Brown, The Croft,

  Whittingham, (Holly House, Glanton) born 20 March 1921, school at

  Whittingham then Duke’s from 12 September 1932 to 29 October

  1937. Clerk, then Army. Date of death, 29 November 1944, aged

  23 years.

  Frank was the youngest son, and on leaving the Duke’s School with

  his School Certificate worked for Alnwick Council and the Poor

  Law Institute in Alnwick. He joined the Territorials at 18 and

  at 19 was in France with the 9th Bn R.N.F. , being evacuated at

  Dunkirk. He went with the 9th to Singapore and was captured in

  February 1942, and held prisoner at No 1 Prisoner of War Camp,

  Siam. By then he was a Lance-Corporal and he died of black-water

  fever as a Japanese Prisoner of War while working on the Railway

  on 29 November 1944, aged 23. He is buried at KANCHANABURI  

  Cemetery, Thailand, grave number 2971.

  ———————————————————————–

  8      J. BROWN

  James Brown, son of Mr. and Mrs J. Brown, 3 Gordon Street, Amble,

  born 27 May 1906, school at Amble then Duke’s from 17 September

  1918 to 27 July 1921. Merchant Marine from school. Date of

  death, 5 December 1940, aged 34.

  When Jim left school he went to sea and was 2nd Mate in Moor Line

  Steamships. By 1940 he was 3rd officer  of the “Empire Statesman”

   (London)  and sailed from Leith with a cargo of tyres on route for

  Sierra Leone. There were 39 ships in the convoy but his had

  engine failure and stopped. It was then torpedoed and he was

  lost at sea on 5 December, 1940 aged 34.

  ———————————————————————–

  9      R.M. BUCK

  Robert M. Buck, son of Mr. and Mrs George Buck, born 14 May 1913,

  Aln View, Glanton, school at Glanton then Duke’s from 14

  September 1925 to 26 July 1929. Alnwick Castle Estate Office,

  then R.A.F.  Date of death December 1943, aged 30.

  Bert trained in Canada and became a Pilot in Bomber Command,

  having joined the R.A.F. in 1940. In June 1941 he crashed and

  was seriously injured, being off duty for twelve months. As a

  Flight Sergeant he returned to operational flying and was killed

  in an air crash on return from night operations over Germany. He

  was buried at Harrogate in December 1943, aged 30 years.

  ———————————————————————–

  10      R.H. CARR

  Robert Henry Carr, son of Mr. and Mrs R. M.  Carr, 15 Centre Row,

  Radcliffe, born 17 January 1925, school at Radcliffe then Duke’s

  from 7 September 1936 to 11 February 1941. Mining Engineer, then

  R.A.F.  Date of death, 10 January 1947, aged 21.

  Robert was a Flight Engineer in Bomber Command but became ill and

  died from natural causes in Westminster Hospital, London, seven

  days short of his 22nd birthday. He actually died after the end

  of the war but from causes directly attributed to it.

  ———————————————————————–

  11      R.B. CRISP

  Robert Brown Crisp, son of Mr. and Mrs George Crisp, 13 Dovecote

  Street, Amble, born 6 September 1918, school at Amble then Duke’s

  from 16 September 1929 to 25 July 1934. Worked for uncle in

  building trade, then R.A.F.  Date of death 31 July 1941, aged 22.

  Bobby trained at Cranwell to become a Sergeant Wireless

  Operator/Air Gunner in Bomber Command. He was posted missing

  believed killed on 31 July 1941, when shot down over France. He

  was later found and buried at CAMBRAI, being given a military

  funeral by the Germans at SOLMESNIA. He was 22 years old.

  ———————————————————————–

  12      W.H. COCKBURN

  William Hugh Cockburn, son of Mr. and Mrs Chris Cockburn, 5

  Station Cottages, Akeld, Wooler, born 31 January 1920, school,

  Wooler then Duke’s from 15 September 1930 to 23 April 1937.

  Clerk at Blackshaw’s Garage, Alnwick then R.A.F.  Date of death,

  August 1944, aged 24.

  When Hughie left school he worked as a clerk at Blackshaw’s

  Garage then joined the R.A.F. at 17 years old. He became a

  Wireless Operator/Air Gunner and in 1941 was awarded the D.F.M.

  as a Flight Sergeant, for conspicuous bravery. He completed a

  tour of 30 operations with Bomber Command and was posted to Nova

  Scotia, Canada as instructor. In 1942 he married a Canadian

  girl. In his seven years in the R.A.F. he was once shot down and

  spent 17 hours in the sea, being picked up by a British vessel.

  In August 1944, as a Pilot Officer, he went missing in air

  operations over France; he was later confirmed killed, having

  been shot down by an enemy vessel – there were three survivors.

  He was 24 years old.

  ———————————————————————–

  13   D.J. COOK

  James Douglas Cook, son of Mr. and Mrs J. Cook, 7a Canongate,

  Alnwick, born 14 September 1922, school Alnwick, then Duke’s from

  10 September 1934 to 28 July 1939. Civil Service Clerk, then

  R.A.F.  Date of death, 25 April 1944, aged 21.

  Douglas was a civil servant in Meteorology and joined the R.A.F.

  in 1941. Thanks to his nephew, Gary Cook, I have been privileged

  to see his log book – a pilot’s prize possession – in which his

  whole flying career is mapped out. A summary appears below.

     1941-42   Flying PT17 (U. S. Aircraft) Lakeland

                  Florida, U.S.A.

                  BT13 Gunter Field, Alabama, U.S.A.

                  AT6A Craig Field, Selma, Alabama

                  U.S.A. (8th Aviation Cadet Class)

   Hours Flown 67 Dual 104 Solo by day

                  3 Dual     9 Solo by night

   4 May 1942 Flying Masters – No 5 F. T. S., Harrogate

   22 May 1942 Flying Masters – 57 O.T.U. , Hawarden, Chester

                  Also Spitfire I, II and Dominie

   24 Aug 1942 No 171 Squadron – Tiger Moths, Tomahawks

   20 Nov 1942 No 1 (C) O.T.U. , Silloth – Battle, Lysanders

                  No 6 (C) O.T.U. , Silloth – Martinet

   Nov 1942 –  245 hours as Pilot – classed as single-

   Oct. 1943  engined – average – employed on Target Towing

                  at No 6 O.T.U.  

   25 Oct 1943 520 Met Squadron, Gibraltar (Operational)

                  Gladiators

   This involved flying up to 24,000 ft at temperatures of

   -37º both morning and afternoon to assess the meteorological

   conditions – call  “THUM” Flights (Temperature and Humidity)

   31 Jan 1944 Gladiator N5630 – Taxying accident –

                   “carelessness”

   Feb 1944 –  Spitfire V. B. 1st Operational Tour – 199

                  hours on operational day flying

  Douglas was promoted from Flight Sergeant to Warrant Officer No

  1127087.

  On the 25 April 1944 he took off from Gibraltar on a Met. flight

  and shortly after take off was seen to crash into the sea. A

  search was made but neither he nor his aircraft was ever found.

  He was 21 years old.

  ———————————————————————–

  14      A. DOBSON

  Alexander Dobson, son of Mr. and Mrs R. Dobson, 8 Clayport Gardens,

  Alnwick, born 15 September 1922, school in Alnwick then Duke’s

  from 10 September 1934 to 25 September 1939. Clerk to Alnwick

  R.D.C. then R.A.F.  Date of death, August 1944, aged 21.

  Sandy was remembered as a brilliant scholar at school,

  particularly in mathematics, and a keen sportsman (swimming,

  boxing) winning the school mile and cycling at the Playhouse on

  rollers. On leaving school he became a Clerk to the R.D.C.  (Poor

  Law Institution) and joined the Local Defence Volunteers. He

  joined the R.A.F. in August 1941 and trained in Rhodesia in March

  1942. In October 1943 he became a Flight Sergeant Navigator/

  Observer (having crashed on pilot training) in Bomber Command.

  On his first operation from Suffolk, on a raid on Hamburg and the

  Kiel Canal, he went missing. He was presumed killed in action

  over the Kiel Canal, his body never being found. He was 21 years

  old.

  ———————————————————————–

  15      A.J. DODD

  Alan Dodd, son of Mrs and the late Mr. T. W. Dodd, Twizell Lodge,

  Belford, born 1 September 1921, school at Warenford then Duke’s

  from 12 September 1932 to 1 April 1938. Civil Service Clerk then

  R.A.F.  Date of death, March 1942, aged 20.

  Alan was the only son of Thomas Dodd, Estate Agent/Surveyor for

  Belford District Council. He became a Spitfire pilot in the

  R.A.F.V.R. and as a Sergeant he was killed on active service in

  March 1942, crashing near to his home at Belford. He was 20

  years old.

  ———————————————————————–

  16      R.L. DODDS

  Robert Leslie Dodds, son of Mr. and Mrs John Dodds, Police

  Station, Wooler, born 1 July 1921, school at Wooler then Duke’s

  from 12 September 1932 to 10 October 1935 (then to Lemington,

  Newburn). Worked for Carse and Goodger then Gazette. Joined the

  R.A.F.  Date of death, September 1944, aged 23.

  Leslie was the son of Inspector Dodds, Northumbria Police, and a

  member of the Gazette staff. He joined the R.A.F. in 1940 and by

  1943 had gained his wings. As a Pilot Officer (Navigator) he

  went missing on air operations in September 1944, aged 23 years.

  ———————————————————————–

  17      G. EARNSHAW

  George Earnshaw, son of Mr. and Mrs Albert E. Earnshaw, 12 King

  Edward Street, Amble, born 25 January 1920, school in Amble then

  Duke’s from 1 September 1930 to 30 March 1935.  Rington’s Tea

  then Army. Date of death, December 1942, aged 22.

  George was a Sapper in the Royal Engineers and was killed in the

  Battle of El Alamein, 1942, aged 22 years.

  ———————————————————————–

  18   R.D. FENDER

  Richard William (?) Miss Brown, 6 Percy Cottages, Alnmouth, born

  5 December 1924, school in Alnmouth then Duke’s from 7 September

  1936 to  26 July 1940.

  Nothing known – research continues.

  ———————————————————————–

  19      J.S. FERGUSON

  James Scott Ferguson, son of Mr. and Mrs G. Ferguson, School House,

  Whittingham (Headmaster), born 6 June 1921, school in Whittingham

  then Duke’s from 12 September 1932 to 28 July 1939. Teacher then

  R.A.F.

  Nothing known – research continues.

  ———————————————————————–

  20      T.A. FORSTER

  Thomas Alan Forster, son of Mr. and Mrs Thomas Forster, The Rigs,

  Ramsay Lane, Wooler, school in Wooler then Duke’s from

  12 September 1927 to 29 July 1932. Clerk.

  Nothing known – research continues.

  ———————————————————————–

  21      J.D. FORSYTH

  John Dickinson Forsyth, son of Mr. and Mrs John Forsyth, Hope

  Farm, Gloster Hill, Amble, born 9 February 1920, school at Amble

  then Duke’s from 14 September 1931 to 23 July 1937. Edinburgh

  University then R.A.F.V.R. Date of death, 11 July 1942, aged 22.

  Jack was the only son and gained a County Major Scholarship to

  Dick Veterinary College, University of Edinburgh, where he

  studied until he joined the R.A.F.V.R. in February 1941. He

  gained his wings in eight months training in Canada, becoming a

  Sergeant Pilot with “one of the most famous Bomber Squadrons”    

  (censorship – 1942 – actually 97 Squadron). He was 2nd Pilot

  on Lancasters and went missing from operations over enemy

  territory in a daylight raid on Danzig on 11 July 1942. He had

  already taken part in some of the larger raids. He is buried in

  a communal grave at Marlburg, near Danzig. He was 22 years old.

  ———————————————————————–

  22      E. GOODFELLOW

  Edward Goodfellow, son of Mr. and Mrs Luke Weatheritt Goodfellow,

  20 Stott Street, Alnwick, born 5 May 1924, school in Alnwick then

  Duke’s from 9 September 1935 to 26 July 1940. Apprentice Officer

  Merchant Marine direct from school. Date of death, 26 August

  1941,aged 17.

  The following account was given to me by Mrs Mary Swordy, sister

  of Edward, and I quote it in its entirety.

     “He was the fifth of six boys and three girls. Father

     ran a family tobacco business in Alnwick. He was keen

     on chess, tennis, cricket and played the latter for

     school. Average ability. Choir boy at St. Paul’s, cubs,

     scouts, keen swimmer. Left school, went to Marine

     School, South Shields, after basic training entered

     Merchant Marine as apprentice officer and joined Blue

     Star Line of Newcastle, owners Hall Bros. His first and

     only ship was the M.V. Embassage; he had two voyages to

     Canada and U.S.A. His third and last voyage was to

     Freetown, West Africa, carrying aeroplane parts. Set

     sail from Scotland early August or late July 1941.

     Travelling in convoy with usual Royal Navy escort of

     destroyers etc. Attacked by U-Boat 24 hours later off

     Oban. U-Boat thought to have been sheltering in

     Southern Irish port. Embassage torpedoed twice –

     only three of crew survived, picked up after five or

     six days drifting at sea clinging to overturned life-

     boat. I went to see one survivor, the bo’son who

     lived in South Shields, and he gave us hope. He said

     he’d seen Eddie and his friend Trevor from Alnmouth

     (Morpeth High School) on an improvised raft and with

     a torch. We hoped for years he’d been taken prisoner

     by a U-Boat but our hopes never  materialised. No

     Royal Navy vessel was permitted to leave convoy to

     pick up Merchant Navy survivors. They had to sail on

     regardless.

     Eddie never wanted to do anything other than go to sea

     and he loved the life, the travel, the sea and the

     companionship. He was 5’9”, light red hair and brown

     eyes; sturdy build and strong. He was on leave and came

     to see all of us who were at home in July. I was

     teaching at Percy Main then. ”

     Mary Swordy

  The ship was sunk on 26 August, 1941 when Eddie was 17 years old.

———————————————————————–

23      W.L. GRAHAM

  William Lilburn Graham, son of Mr. and Mrs W. Graham, 4 Prudhoe

  Street, Alnwick (later 52 Bondgate Without), born 29 May 1915,

  school in Alnwick then Duke’s from 13 September 1926 to 16

  December 1932. Insurance, then Army. Date of death, 26

  September  1943, aged 28.

  William was the only son and was a keen cyclist, played for

  Alnwick Lawn Tennis Club and was on  the Cricket XI for the

  Duke’s. He was also a chess player for Alnwick and once beat the

  English champion at Newcastle. He was an Insurance Inspector

  with Law Insurance Company, Newcastle. He became a Warrant

  Officer (S.Q.M.S. ) with R.A.M.C/R.A.O.C.  in the Central

  Mediterranean Forces, and died as the result of an accident on 26

  December 1943, aged 28 years.

  ———————————————————————–

  24   C. HALL

  Charles Hall, son of Mr. and Mrs R. Hall, Market Place, Alnwick,

  then Amble, born 18 July 1909, Duke’s Preparatory School then

  Grammar School from 2 October 1922 to 27 July 1923 (then to

  Spennymoor Secondary School). Linotype Operator, Gazette, and/or

  Pearl Assurance, then Army. Date of death, 21 January 1945, aged

  35.

  Charles was an only son and husband of Emma (nee Dixon, daughter

  of the tobacco spinner) and father of Margaret, 14 Acklington

  Road, Amble. He was a keen billiards player and played for

  D.S.O.B. Football XI and Amble Cricket Club. He was a linotype

  operator with the Gazette, later becoming assistant manager in

  Amble for Pearl Assurance. He joined the Army in 1941, becoming

  a Lance Bombardier  in the R.A. (Field) 14th Army. He was reported

  missing in Burma in January 1945 and later presumed killed in

  action at sea 21 January 1945. (Presumably being transported as

  Prisoner of War by Japanese). He was 35 years old.

  ———————————————————————–

  25      W. HALL

  Walter Hall, son of Mr. and Mrs W. Hall, High Street, Wooler, born

  8 October 1914, school in Wooler then Duke’s from 13 September

  1926 to 26 July 1929. Father’s business – grocer/general

  merchant, then R.A.F.  Date of death, April 1942, aged 27.

  Walter joined the R.A.F. in 1940 and became a Sergeant Air

  Gunner. In November 1941 he took part in several raids on

  Germany and in April 1942 he went missing from operations, having

  taken off from Lossiemouth – presumably lost over Norway. He had

  only been in the R.A.F. fifteen months and was 27 years old.

  ———————————————————————–

  26   P. HEDLEY

  Peter Hedley, son of Mr. and Mrs George R. Hedley, Castle Street,

  Warkworth, born 20 October 1921, school in Warkworth then Duke’s

  from 11 September 1933 to 10 May 1939. Joined R.A.F. from

  school. Date of death, 15 October 1941, aged 19.

  Peter joined the R.A.F. from school as a career, but was not

  accepted for aircrew due to colour-blindness. He became a

  Wireless Operator on Air-Sea Rescue Launches based at Gosport,

  Hampshire, whose job it was to rescue ditched airmen, both allied

  and enemy, from the Channel and North Sea. At that time they

  were painted bright yellow and, like the Red Cross, immune from

  attack. The launch was machine-gunned by a German aeroplane,

  killing those on the bridge. Peter went to the bridge and was

  also killed outright. He was five days short of his twentieth

  birthday. He is buried at Warkworth Cemetery. The survivors of

  the launch attended his funeral.

   (Subsequently Air-Sea Rescue Launches were camouflaged.)

  ———————————————————————–

  27      D. HORN

  David Horn, son of Mr. and Mrs James Horn, 8 Oswald Street, Amble,

  born 26 October 1901, Duke’s Preparatory School then Grammar

  School from 15 September 1914 to 3 July 1917. Merchant Marine –

  Master Mariner. Date of death, 1943, aged 42.

  LOST AT SEA, 1943. Last seen climbing down a ladder to a

  lifeboat after his ship was torpedoed.

  ———————————————————————–

  28      H.G. HUNTER

  Herbert Goward Hunter, son of Mr. and Mrs William Hunter, 36

  Chevington Crescent, Red Row, born 20 August 1920, school Red Row

  then Duke’s from12 September 1932 to 26 July 1935. Estate

  worker (Eshott) then Army. Date of death, 12 September 1944,

  aged 24.

  A keen sportsman, Herbert played football and cricket for the

  school and later had a trial for Arsenal Football Club. He

  worked for Mr. F. M. Sanderson of Eshott and joined the Territorials

  when he was 18 years old. He went with the 9th Bn. R.N.F.  to

  France – with his father in the same unit. He was evacuated from

  Dunkirk – his father was captured. He then went to Singapore

  with the 9th and was reported missing 15 February 1942. Later he

  was presumed lost at sea on 12 September 1944, from a Japanese

  transport ship on route for Japan – it was torpedoed by the

  United States Navy. He was 24 years old.

  ———————————————————————–

  29   G.T. JOBSON

  George Trueman Jobson, son of Mr. and Mrs John Jobson, 141 Hadston

  Road, Broomhill, born 8 March 1922, school at Broomhill then

  Duke’s from 11September 1933 to 23 February 1939. Worked on

  father’s farm at Broomhill, then R.A.F.  Date of death, December

  1942, aged 20.

  George was Sergeant Observer in the R.A.F. He died as the result

  of an accident on active service and was buried with full

  military honours in East Chevington Cemetery. He was 20 years

  old.

   (As part of a New Zealand Crew on a Wellington bomber he took

  part in a daylight raid on Cologne. His plane crashed while

  being guided in to Mildenhall, Suffolk.)

  ———————————————————————–

  30      R.M. KAY

  Ronald McDonald Kay, son of Mr. and Mrs D. Kay, 12 South Avenue,

  (or Lindisfarne Road), Amble, born 24 June 1919, school at Amble

  then Duke’s from 16 September 1929 to 26 July 1935. Skerry’s

  College, then Civil Service Clerk, India Office, London, then

  Army. Date of death, 20 May 1940, aged 20.

  Ronnie was an only son and became a Lance Corporal in the Royal

  Sussex Regiment. He must have been with the B. E. F. in France,

  where he was killed in action on 20 May 940, near Amiens. He is

  buried in SAOUEL Military Cemetery, near Amiens. He was 20 years

  old.

  ———————————————————————–

  31      R. LISLE

  Robert Lisle, son of Mr. and Mrs R. Lisle, 24 Ladbrooke Street,

  Amble, born 11 October 1900, school in Amble then Duke’s from

  16 September 1913 to 31 July 1917. Merchant Marine (Runciman Line –

  Wireless Operator). Date of death, 26 February 1940, aged 39.

  Robert left school  during the First War and by 1939 was a ship’s

  captain (Master Mariner). On a return trip from America the

  cargo of iron bars shifted, sinking the ship, and he was lost at

  sea on 26 February 1940, aged 39 years. (Other sources state: he

  fell overboard and was drowned; his ship was torpedoed.

  Neither confirmed.)

  ———————————————————————–

  32      A.M. LORIMER

  Alan Marriot  Lorimer, son of Mr. and Mrs J. Forbes Lorimer

  (Solicitor), Swansfield Park Road, Alnwick, born 7 November 1919,

  school in Alnwick then Duke’s from 14 September 1931 to 22

  November 1937. Clerk, Barclays Bank, Newcastle then Army. Date

  of death, 16 December 1942, aged 23.

  Alan was a noted sportsman at school, playing for the Football

  and Cricket XI’s, also an athlete, winning the 1937 Victor

  Ludorum, the Governors’ Cup and the Duke of Northumberland’s Pin.

  In 1938 he enlisted in the Northumberland Hussars (R. H. A.)  and

  served in 1940 in the Middle East (Africa), Greece and Crete as a

  Gunner. He was at Florina Gap. He was evacuated to Greece on

  H.M.S. BARHAM, and went missing on 2 June 1941 – Salonica.

  Subsequently it was found he had been taken prisoner in the

  Battle of Crete and was in hospital at Chanea, near Athens. He

  contracted beriberi and died as a Prisoner of War in German hands

  on 16 December 1942, aged 23 years. He is buried at ROTTWELL-ON-

  NECKAR  in Germany.

  ———————————————————————–

  33.   W.C. McKENZIE

  William Cecil McKenzie, son of Mr. and Mrs Roderick McKenzie, 14

  Dunstan View, Seahouses, born 11 October 1916, school in North

  Sunderland then Duke’s from 10 September 1928 to 26 July 1933.

  Railway Clerk, then Army. Date of death 31 August 1944, aged 27.

  William was a railway clerk at Seahouses Railway Station, and

  enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry. He was posted to

  Edinburgh then Folkstone, and went with the Durham Light Infantry

  to Italy where he was drafted into the Sherwood Foresters. He

  died of wounds received in Italy on 31 August 1944, aged 27 years

  and is buried at Montecchio War Cemetery, Italy. His name also

  appears on the honours list at York Railway Station.

  ———————————————————————–

  34.   A.G. MICHIE

  Andrew Gordon Michie, son of Mr. and Mrs A. Michie (Gardener),17

  Victoria Crescent, Alnwick, born 7 February 1916, school in

  Alnwick then Duke’s from 12 September 1927 to 23 May 1933.

  Clerk, then Army. Date of death, 14 November 1944, aged 28.

  Andrew was a driver with the R.A.S.C.  Little is known of his

  wartime service, other than he was accidentally killed in North

  West Europe, result of a motor accident on 14 November 1944, aged

  28. He is buried in an American War Cemetery at JALONS.  (One

  source thought he was blown up by a land mine – not

  corroborated.) No T/6213732 – Army Regimental No ?

  ———————————————————————–

  35      K.F. MIDDLEMIST

  Kenneth Forrest Middlemist, son of Mr. and Mrs James Middlemist, 1

  Sea View, Shilbottle Grange, born 9 April 1920, school in

  Shilbottle then Duke’s from 14 September 1931 to 23 July 1937.

  Civil Service Clerk, Woolwich Arsenal, then R.A.F.  Date of

  death, 15 September 1943, aged 23.

  Kenneth was a keen footballer and played outside left for the

  D.S.O.B. Also a cricketer, being on  the XI in 36/37 as a bowler.

  Two versions – neither confirmed – a Sergeant Pilot ferrying

  aircraft to North Africa, engine cut out on take-off at

  Gibraltar, crashed OR Wireless Operator on Bombers, shot down by

  own guns on returning to Italy. Memorial in Gazette, 14/9/45

  states “killed in accident in Italy, 15 September 1943”. He was

  23 years old and trained in Canada. He was promoted to Warrant

  Officer. (The Gazette of 24 September 1943 states “missing on

  active service in Sicily, result of air operations”.)

  ———————————————————————–

  36      J.W. MOORE

  John William Moore, son of Mr. and Mrs J. Moore, 8 Dunstan View,

  Seahouses, born 13 November 1907, school in North Sunderland then

  Duke’s from 14 September 1920 to 20 December 1923. Bank Clerk

  then Army. Date of death, 10 August 1944, aged 37.

  John was a bank clerk with Martin’s Bank in Berwick, moving to

  South Shields in 1931. He enlisted with the R. A. and was

  commissioned, becoming a Lieutenant. He was awarded the Military

  Medal in February 1942 in the Middle East, then was reported

  missing. In July 1942 he was confirmed as a Prisoner of War, but

  later escaped and was safe in Southern Italy. Presumably he was

  then repatriated, because he was killed in Normandy on 10 August

  1944, aged 37. He is buried at Bayeaux.  (Military Medal – to

  N.C.O. – promotion to Lieutenant after February 1942.)

  ———————————————————————–

  37   K. ORD

  Kenneth Ord. son of Mr. and Mrs W. Ord, School House, Newton on the

  Moor, born 18 July 1920, school at Newton on the Moor then Duke’s

  from 15 September 1930 to 22 July 1938. Sheffield University

  then R.A.F.  Date of death, 1948 (?), aged 28.

  Kenneth was on  the Cricket XI 1937/38 and went to Sheffield

  University in 1938 to study Geography. He was called up to the

  R.A.F. in 1939 and trained in the United States of America

  (Denver, Colorado). Ken was aircrew but was discharged due to

  ill health and died at Newton on the Moor in 1948. As he lay ill

  in bed his room was struck by lightning but he was unharmed. He

  was 28 years old.

  ———————————————————————–

  38      J.W. PATTERSON

  John Watson Patterson, son of Mr. and Mrs M. G. Watson, Peth Head,

  Wooler, born 16 December 1926, Northallerton Grammar School then

  Duke’s from 22 September 1941 to 24 July 1942. Marine School,

  South Shields then Merchant Marine. Date of death, April 1945

  aged 18.

  John was an only son and was reported missing at sea, his ship

  having been sunk by enemy action. He had been in the Merchant

  Marine since 1943 and was only 18 years old. (Report in Gazette

  April 1945.)

  ———————————————————————–

  39      R.R.G. PERETT

  Reginald R. G. Perrett, son of Mr. and Mrs George Perrett, Foxton

  Hall, Lesbury, born 1 October 1900, Lesbury school then Duke’s

  from 16 September 1913 to 26 July 1916. Apprentice Engineer     

  (Merchant Marine).

  In Merchant Marine in 1939 but cause and date of death not known.

  ———————————————————————–

  40.   N.G. RIDDELL

  Norman Grey Riddell, son of Mr. and Mrs James R. Riddell, 4 Station

  Cottages, Amble (or Garden Cottage, Radcliffe), born 7 February

  1919, Radcliffe School then Duke’s from 16 September 1929 to 27

  July 1935. Clerk for Shell Oil (New Zealand Shipping Company,

  London) then R.A.F.  Date of death, 20 December 1940, aged 21.

  Norman was a Sergeant Wireless Operator/Air Gunner in either

  Coastal or Bomber Command and, on returning from operations on 20

  December 1940, was killed in a crash landing at Thornaby on Tees.

  He was 21 years old. He was buried at Amble West Cemetery with

  full Military honours. (A report in the Gazette states his parents

  received notification of his death on 21 December, then

  on 22 December received a letter posted before his death saying

  he was coming home for Christmas on leave.)

  ———————————————————————–

  41      A. ROBSON

  Allan Robson, son of Mrs and the late Henry Robson, Roddam Dene,

  Wooperton (County House, Alnwick?), born 27 May 1920, school in

  Wooler then Duke’s from 14 September 1931 to 24 July 1936.

  Gamekeeper then R.A.F.  Date of death, 21 July 1943, aged 23.

  Allan trained in the United States and became a Pilot in Bomber

  Command, flying Wellingtons. As Flight Sergeant he went missing

  on operations on 21 July 1943. He was found and is buried in a

  named grave at Dusseldorf. He was 23 years old.

  ———————————————————————–

  42      J.V. ROUTLEDGE

  James Vincent Routledge, son of Mr. and Mrs James Routledge, 43 St

  George’s Crescent, Alnwick. Born 10 September 1915, school in

  Alnwick then Duke’s from 12 September 1927 to 19 February 1930.

  Apprentice professional Golfer at Morpeth Golf Club. Date of

  death, 17 March 1940 or 1941, aged 24 or 25.

  James was a Navigator/Observer in 42 Squadron, Coastal Command,

  and flew from Scotland on the Kiel Canal raids, in which he was

  injured. He returned to duty and was later shot down over Norway

  on St Patrick’s Day,17 March 1940/41 (?). He flew in torpedo

  bombers. (Another account states he was on the ground when a

  plane crashed, killing him. He was 24/25 years old.

  ———————————————————————–

  43      W.H. SCOTT

  William Henry Scott, son of Mr. and Mrs M. Scott, 53 High Street,

  Amble, born 29 August 1923, Amble school then Duke’s from 9

  September 1935 to 23 November 1940. Worked for R. Carse and Son     

  (Standard Telephone Cable Co?) then joined R.A.F.V.R.  Date

  of death 12/13 August 1944, aged 20.

  Harry was the only son of Henry and Catherine Scott. At school

  he was known as a good swimmer and played football for the First

  XI. In the R.A.F.V.R. he trained at East London, South Africa and

  became a Flight Sergeant Navigator. On the night of 12/13 August

  1944 he went missing, presumed killed, over Russelheim, Germany.

  A headstone was erected in Amble Cemetery in his memory. He was

  three weeks short of his twenty first birthday. As well as being

  a Navigator he was an aerial photographer and gained awards for

  his photography. One source says he was shot down while

  descending by parachute. He is buried at DURNBACH Cemetery, BAD

  TOLZ, on the German border.

  ———————————————————————–

  44      A.L.P. SHEARER

  Alexander Lloyd Percy Shearer, son of Mr. and Mrs A. M. Shearer, 4

  Kirkwell, Hauxley or 7 Council House, Hauxley or 20 Long Row

  South, Radcliffe, born 13 January 1913, school at Radcliffe, then

  Duke’s from 15 September 1924 to 21 December 1928. Fitter at

  Hauxley Colliery then Seagoing Engineer. Merchant Marine

  (Ellerman Hall Line). Date of death, 12 June 1942, aged 29.

  Lloyd was the 4th Engineering Officer, Merchant Marine, on board

  the M.V. Clifton Hall. While crossing the Indian Ocean it was

  torpedoed by the Japanese. Lloyd and a friend were sunbathing on

  deck – they were the only two killed on 12 June 1942. He was 29

  years old.

  ———————————————————————–

  45      A.C. SHELFORD

  Arthur Charles Shelford, son of Mr. and Mrs P. Shelford

  (Headmaster) Duke’s School, Alnwick. Born 16 August 1914,

  private school then Duke’s Preparatory then Grammar 15 September

  1924 to 29 July 1932. Edinburgh University – Medicine – M. B. A.,

  Ch. B., then Royal Navy. Date of death, 31 August/1 September

  1940, aged 26.

  Arthur was a keen cricketer, playing for the Cricket XI 1931/32

  and an able scholar – he won the Old Boys’ Prize 1932/33. On

  leaving school he studied medicine at Edinburgh and joined the

  R.N.V.R. as a Surgeon-Lieutenant on board H.M.S. Express. This

  was a destroyer of 1350 tons, built by Swan Hunter in 1934. In

  1940 the ship was in the 20th Destroyer Flotilla of the Home

  Fleet when, at sea off the coast of Holland, North West of Texel

  on he night of 31 August/1 September 1940, part of the Flotilla

  steamed into a German minefield. H.M.S. Esk and H.M.S. Ivanhoe

  were sunk and Express was severely damaged. Arthur was 26 years

  old.

  ———————————————————————–

  46.   G. SMAILES

  George Smailes, son of Mr. and Mrs R. Smailes, Newburgh Colliery,

  Radcliffe. Born 1 May 1921, school at Radcliffe then Duke’s from

  12 September 1932 to 1 April 1938. Civil Service Clerk, London

  then Royal Navy. Date of death, 24 December 1941, aged 20.

  George was an Able Seaman (Coder) serving on board H.M.S. Salvia.

  He took part in the battle of Crete and Cape Matapan and was

  missing at sea when the ship was sunk off Crete. (One source

  reports that the ship ran aground after striking a mine, and

  George was the only casualty.) He was 20 years old.

  ———————————————————————–

  47      G.A. SMITH

  George Armstrong Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs M. Smith, Reading

  Cottage, Broomhill. Born 1 August 1919, school in Broomhill then

  Duke’s from 14 September 1931 to 24 July 1936. Pearl Assurance,

  Alnwick then Army. Date of death, 2 June 1941, aged 21.

  George joined the R. A. just before the war and was sent out East

  with the 4th Survey Regiment as a Bombardier . He was accidentally

  killed at sea on 2 June 1941 and is buried at TOBRUK. (One

  source states he was on board a destroyer off Tobruk which was

  hit by a bomb.) He was 21 years old.

  ———————————————————————–

  48      J.T. SMITH

  John Thomas Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs J. Smith, Common Road,

  Wooler. Born 28 July 1916, school at Wooler, then Duke’s from 13

  September 1928 to 19 December 1930. Apprentice plumber then

  R.A.F.  Date of death, August 1943, aged 27.

  Jackie won the Old Boy’s Prize at school, and became a plumber

  with T. B. Ford, Glendale Road, Wooler. He joined the R.A.F. in

  1942, and by May 1943 was a Sergeant Air Gunner. In August 1943

  he went missing. In March 1944 the International Red Cross

  informed his widow that he was buried with his crew in Holland.

  He was 27 years old.

  ———————————————————————–

  49      J.G. STEWART

  John George Stewart, son of Mr. and Mrs J. W. Stewart, North Side,

  Amble, born 16 December 1916, school at Amble then Duke’s from 10

  September 1928 to 29 July 1932. Became an R.A.F. Apprentice.

  Date of death, 15 November 1940, aged 23.

  John entered the R.A.F. at 16 as an apprentice and spent some

  time at Upper Heyford; at the outbreak of war he was stationed in

  Egypt. He became a Sergeant Rear Gunner (No 566189) and was

  killed in action on 15 November 1940, aged 23 years.

  ———————————————————————–

  50      J. STOREY

  John Storey, son of Mr. and Mrs William Storey, 49 Clayport

  Gardens, then Royal Oak, Alnwick. Born 20 December 1921, school

  at Alnwick then Duke’s from 19 September 1932 to 14 July 1937.

  Clerk at Alnwick Trustee Savings Bank then R.A.F.V.R.  Date of

  death, 1 January 1944, aged 22.

  John was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs William Storey, Royal Oak.

  At school he was a most able pupil and was employed as a Clerk at

  Alnwick Trustee Savings Bank. He enlisted in the R.A.F.V.R. and

  after a year in Canada he gained his wings and was a Flying

  Officer/Navigator in Bomber Command. He was reported missing in

  January 1944 and later missing believed killed on 1 January 1944,

  aged 22 years.

  ———————————————————————–

  51      J.O. STRAFFEN

  James Octon Straffen, son of Mr. and Mrs G. T. Straffen, 13 George

  Street (or 12 Albert Street), Amble. Born 15 September 1919.

  School at Amble then Duke’s from 15 September 1930 to 24 July

  1936. Clerk for R. Carse, then R.A.F.  Date of death, 26/27 July

  1942, aged 22.

  Jimmy was a keen cricketer, Captain of Amble Cricket Club and

  played for the County XI. He joined the R.A.F.V.R. and became a

  Sergeant Wireless Operator/Air Gunner. He was mentioned in

  Despatches when his aircraft was damaged over France – he

  rendered first aid to an injured crewman, thus saving his life.

  On the night of 26/27 July 1942 he took off from Warmwell to bomb

  Hamburg but was shot down over the sea. He is listed at the

  R.A.F. Memorial, Runnymede as ‘Missing, presumed killed, no known

  grave’. He was 22 years old.

  ———————————————————————–

  52      F.W. SWAN

  Frederick William Swan, son of Mr. and Mrs W. Swan, Police Station,

  Acklington. Born 11 February 1906, school at Acklington then

  Duke’s from 7 September 1918 to 20 December 1921 then Army. Date

  of death, 8 May 1945 (V. E. Day), aged 39.

  Fred’s father was a village policeman at Accrington – he was

  locked in the mail bag box when a robbery took place at the

  Railway Station. He was a Regular Soldier in R.E.M.E., as a

  private soldier in India. He rose to the rank of Major. He was

  killed in Europe on V. E. Day, 8 May 1945, aged 39 years.

  ———————————————————————–

  53      G.A. TODD

  George Adam Todd, born 9 September 1915, son of Mr. and Mrs J.

  Todd, 24 Linhope Terrace, East Chevington. School at Red Row

  then Duke’s from 13 September 1926 to 25 July 1934. Civil

  Service, Customs then R.A.F.  Date of death 16 July 1941, aged

  25.

  George was one of three brothers at school (Todd “1,2,3” – John

  and Robert). He became a Sergeant Observer in the R.A.F.V.R.

  Bomber Command and was killed in a crash on the night of 16 July

  1941 as he returned over the South coast from a raid on Germany.

  He is buried in Chevington Cemetery. He was 25 years old and had

  been married for only six weeks.

  ———————————————————————–

  54      A.D. TROTTER

  Alexander Danham  Trotter, born 12 December 1920. Son of Mr. and

  Mrs A. D. Trotter, Eshott, Felton. School at Wakefield Secondary

  then Duke’s from 1 May 1933 to 27 May 1934 (Left in Form 2), then

  R.A.F.V.R. Date of death, 30 August 1943, aged 22.

  Alex joined the R.A.F.V.R. in March 1942 and became a Sergeant

  Navigator. He was killed on air operations on 30 August 1943,

  aged 22 years.

  ———————————————————————–

  55      F.J. TURNER

  Frederick John Turner, born 30 April 1920. Son of Mr. and Mrs M. J.

  Turner, Ember, Warkworth (Birling Cottages). School at Warkworth

  then Duke’s from 14 September 1931 to 22 June 1937. Civil

  Service, Post Office Savings Bank, London then Royal Navy. Date of

  death, 12 December 1941, aged 21.

  Little known – killed in action 12 December 1941, Egypt, aged 21

  years. Seaman in Royal Navy.

  ———————————————————————–

  56      J. WEDDELL

  John Weddell, son of Mr. and Mrs John Weddell, 3 Clayport Street,

  Alnwick. Born 13 September 1922. School at Alnwick then Duke’s

  from 10 September 1934 to 28 July 1939. Worked as a butcher for

  his father. Joined the R.A.F.  Date of death, 27 November 1944,

  aged 22.

  John was a keen cyclist for Alnwick Road Club and joined the

  R.A.F.V.R. in August 1940. He trained for six months in South

  Africa, returning to England as a Flying Officer in Bomber

  Command (Pilot Observer). He did a tour on bombers and took part

  in the dropping of the S.O.E. agents from R.A.F.  Tempsford (161

  Squadron). He was killed on air operations on 27 November 1944

  and buried at Evere Cemetery, Brussels. (Crashed on take off

  coming home on leave from Belgium – unconfirmed.) He was 22

  years old.

  ———————————————————————–

  57      G.B. WHITE

  George Baston White, born 5 October 1921, son of Mr. and Mrs J. E.

  White, 27 Panhaven Road, Amble (Coquet House). School at Amble

  then Duke’s from 11 September 1933 to 14 October 1938. Railway

  Clerk then R.A.F.V.R. Date of death 21/22 December 1944, aged 23.

  George was an only child and a nephew of an Old Boy. On leaving

  school he was employed as a L. N. E. R. Clerk at Acklington Railway

  Station; he was a member of Amble Golf Club, a keen musician and

  a member of Amble Congregational Church. He gained his wings in

  Southern Rhodesia and flew with Bomber Command, achieving the

  rank of Flight Lieutenant. He had completed 28 operations, 2

  short of a tour of 30. On the night of 21/22 December 1944 he

  was part of a force of 200 Lancasters attacking POLITZ, near

  Stettin; three planes failed to return. He was listed as missing

  from operations over enemy territory. In September 1945 his body

  was found in hills in Southern Norway and he is buried with his

  crew of six at AASERAL. He was 23 years old.

  ———————————————————————–

  58      R. WILLCOX

  Ronald Willcox, born 21 April 1916, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs V.

  C. Wilcox (N.S.P.C.C. Inspector), 18 Swansfield Park Road,

  Alnwick, then Leicester. School in Alnwick then Duke’s from 13

  September 1926 to 7 April 1933. Apprentice Clerk in R.A.F.  Date

  of death, 14 June1941, aged 25.

  Ronald was in the Football XI of 1932/33 and joined the R.A.F. as

  a clerk. He remustered as aircrew and became a pilot (Fairey

  Battles?). He was a sergeant and was missing presumed killed in

  action on a flight over France on 14 June 1941. He was 25 years

  old.

NamesA11.53