In Catania War Cemetery, Sicily is the Commonwealth War Grave of 4468079 Corporal Hector Archibald Rawlings, serving with the 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, who died 08/08/1943.
Hector Archibald Rawlings was born on the 16th November 1907, the only son of 2 children to a Thomas Archibald Rawlings, born Congleton, 1872, died 1932, and his wife Mary Jane nee Moore, born 14th March 1876, died 13th July 1942, they were married at the Holy Trinity Church, Idle, Yorkshire, on the 27th October 1903. The other child was a Mary Kathleen Rawlings, born 7th December 1906, died in 1961. She married Edward N. Cook, born 27th April 1903, in 1926, and they had 1 child, Evelyn Cook, born 25th October 1920, she married a Leonard. In 1939, they were residing at 5 Great North Road, Castle Ward, Northumberland.
Thomas Archibald Rawlings was born at Congleton, one of six children to Thomas Ebenezer Rawlings, born 1845, and his wife Louise, nee Finch, Rawlings, born 1847. Thomas Ebenezer Rawlings was a Baptist Minister. Thomas Archibald Rawlings and his parents were residing in Hemel Hempstead in 1881. By 1911, Thomas Archibald Rawlings was residing at 21 Dean Terrace, Tyne Dock, South Shields. Thomas Archibald Rawlings was a First Officer in the Mercantile Marine in WW1 and was awarded the Mercantile Marine Medal. Residing by 1919 at 157 Stanhope Road, South Shields.
Hector Archibald Rawlings was a Draper’s Agent. In 1921 he was residing at 157 Stanhope Road, South Shields.
Hector joined the Territorial Army into the 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry on the 17th October 1940, 5 feet six inches, 136 lbs, Grey Eyes, Brown hair. He had the Army number 4468079, with the rank of private. Hector was sent to the Infantry Training Centre at Brancepath, then joined the Battalion after training at Honiton. He was sent to the Middle East on the 21st May 1941 onboard the H.M.T. Duchess of Richmond, ship number 160631, leaving Gourock harbour.
The battalion docked at Durban on Friday 20th June. 23rd June the battalion headed for Aden still onboard the H.M.T. Duchess of Richmond.
Hector is appointed a Lance-Corporal on the 25th September 1941 then an unpaid acting Corporal 7th October 1941.
On the 3rd August 1942, Hector was at an Infantry Base Depot on a Pistol and Mortar course, which he qualified with distinction on the 22nd August 1942 based at Mariopolis.
Hector was promoted to a paid acting Corporal on the 7th October 1942 then granted a war service rank of Corporal on the 5th January 1943.
On the 29th June, Hector with his battalion are on board the Ruys, a dutch ship, heading for Sicily. The Battalion took part in the Invasion of Sicily.
Corporal Hector Archibald Rawlings died on the 8th August 1943 killed in action.
The family had moved to 28 Elmsleigh Gardens Cleadon, South Shields by 1943.
Sources: The National Archives; War Diary; The British Newspaper Archive; 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry by Major P.J. Lewis M.C., and Major I.R. English M.C., J and P Bealls, 1949.
Hector Archibald Rawlings is remembered at Cleadon on C79.03 and C79.05, at Harton on H104.09, at Westoe in W101.08, page 72, at Durham in the DLI Book of Remembrance, page 62 and also in the Battalion History, page 313.
