Marjoram, A. V
Alice Violet Marjoram. She died at 19 St Andrews Terrace (but lived at Chestnut Cottage, Crabble Avenue) on 29 August 1944, aged 61. She was buried on 1 September at St James, Dover. 31 DR

She was the widow of David John Marjoram

Marklew, H.
Henry Marklew. A ganger, he died on 14 November 1940, aged 59 in the Sick Bay, H.M.S. Lynx (Dover College). He was buried at St Mary's, Dover. 13 YH

He was the husband of Mrs Marklew, of 134 Folkestone Road

 

November 1941

The time is passing swiftly, But we shall never forget; In the hearts of those who loved you Your memory lingers yet From his wife Mag Beautiful memories are all we have left of him we loved, and shall never forget From his sons Jack, Peter and Frank, and daughter Betty Never forgotten Fondly remembered by his brothers and sisters, Roland, Ernest, Ada and Jenny

Marsh, D. G. and E.
Dorothy Georgina Marsh died, aged 13, on 3 April 1942, in the Union Road Trenches. She was the daughter of Sidney George and Rosina Elizabeth Marsh, of 84 Union Road. Her grandmother Emma also died, aged 71. She was the daughter of Henry and Ann Hopper, of West Langdon and the widow of George Marsh. She lived at 96 Union Road

They had a double funeral on 8 April, with the first part of the service being held at the Primrose Mission Hall. Dorothy is buried at Buckland, Dover,  in Grave T 1, and Mrs. Emma Marsh in Grave H 10

1943

Mrs. Easton, sister

Marsh, F.
Florence Jane Marsh. She died on 26 September 1944, aged 67, at her home at 41 Salisbury Road. She was probably the last civilian casualty in Dover, as just over four hours later, at 19.15 the last shell fell on the town before the guns were captured by Canadian troops. She was buried on 3 October at Charlton, Dover. 7 2S

The badge was given by a Canadian to Mrs. F D Heasman, who worked in the Ferry Cafe at Snargate Street. Before she was married she and her fiancé narrowly escaped becoming the last victims themselves (see more at Last Shell)

The badge is a German Coastal Artillery Badge, awarded for "merit in action" in Coastal Defence. It is believed the badge was obtained when the guns were captured. Accompanying it is a piece of shrapnel, believed to be air-burst, and probably from a 16" calibre shell, and a Canadian forces badge. The shrapnel is sized 2.5" by 0.5" by 0.5" and weighs about 2oz 

with thanks to Tim Heasman for badge photo and information

see also Frontline Britain

Marsh, W. G.
William George Marsh. He died on 5 October 1942, aged 36 at his home at 28 Adrian Street. He was the son of Mr W H Marsh. His father and mother were injured and were rescued from beneath deep rubble (RH)

He was buried on 10 October at St Mary's, Dover. 26 ZE. The cortege left from 239 London Road and his coffin was draped with the Union Flag, borne by workmates from Messrs Hoare, Gothard, and Bond Ltd

In memoriam 1943

May, E. N.
Ethel Nellie May. She died on 7 May 1941, aged 21, at the Market Square, during a shelling attack at sunset, and remained unidentified until the following day. She was buried on 13 May at Charlton, Dover. Grave 2 D

She was the daughter of T C and E M May, of Hougham Lodge Farm, Church Hougham, who laid a wreath, "Her broken-hearted Mum, Dad, and family"

Cherished memories of our dear daughter and sister
"Resting where no shadows fall,
In perfect peace, she awaits us all."
From her loving Mother and Father, Sisters and Brothers. May 1942

Maycock, M. A. and W. C.
Mary Alice Maycock and William Charles Maycock. They died around 10 o'clock on Saturday night, 24 August 1940 at their home 15 Chevalier Road, Elms Vale, after an aircraft crashed onto theirs and a neighbouring house and burst into flames

The aircraft was an RAF Coastal Command Bristol Blenheim, from 53 Squadron. It had taken off an hour earlier from Detling, Kent, to conduct a patrol along the Hook of Holland to the Ostend line. All three of the crew, Stephen Rochford, aged 24, William Briggs, and  Dennis Brook, 21, were also killed

Mr and Mrs Maycock's funeral was held at St James' cemetery, Dover. 22 FX (EX?) A large number of mourners attended and there were many floral tributes

Mary was the daughter of the late Charles Francis Coughlan and Ethel Lilian Rose Coughlan, of Folkestone, while her husband William,  was 31, and son of Louisa Maycock, of 20 Chilham Road, Cheriton, Folkestone, and of the late William C Maycock

PC Maycock had joined the force in 1931, and was a keen athlete. He was a swimmer and water polo player, member of the Police and Dover Swimming Clubs, and was also a boxer, having on three occasions competed in the Police Boxing Finals at the Albert Hall, London

When they died, PC Maycock had just arrived home from duty. It was Mrs Maycock's thirtieth birthday, and she had that week travelled home from Southall Middlesex, in order to spend the day with her husband. One of their cousins recollected the tragedy. "I saw the plane come down and explode ... They said at the time the plane may have hit a barrage balloon cable. They were both killed. I remember going over to see it (the wreckage). There was nothing left, not a brick standing. ... So very sad, they were such a lovely couple"

Mrs. Maycock had been expecting the couple's third child.  Their son, Peter, aged 6, and their daughter, Stella, aged 2, had remained in Southall, where they had been evacuated with their mother 

In 1960, Stella qualified as a SRN at Charing Cross Hospital. She is married to Keith, and they had three sons, Andrew, Mark, and Clive, near to whom they live. Her brother Peter joined the Royal Navy, and was serving as a Lieutenant when he was sadly killed on 27 November 1962, with five others, in a flying accident at Greencastle, Northern Ireland. He was 27. He is buried at Helston, Cornwall, in the RNMAS Culdrose RC Section 

 

The bench is on the sea front at Dover	The plaque reads: This seat was presented by former members of the Dover Police Force in memory of PC W Maycock and PC R Thain, killed in World War II
	The headstone reads: In loving memory of William Charles Maycock, late Dover police, aged 31 years, also of Mary Alice, wife of the above, killed by enemy action on 24 August 1940, and of their son Lieut Peter Maycock RN, killed on active service 27 November 1962, aged 27 years
The grave is at St James' cemetery. Two kind volunteers have adopted it and are cleaning the stones.

Stanley Maycock, William Maycock's brother, continued the family's sporting  traditions. He was a President of the Channel Swimming Association, and, like William, swam in cross-Channel relay teams. He also joined the police force, and was a keen boxer. He died in 1986, his beloved wife Grace in 2003

*

Flying Officer Stephen Rochford, the Pilot of the Blenheim, is buried at Hertford. He was the son of Joseph and Lena Rochford, of Little Berkhampstead. Sergeant William Briggs, the Observer,  was the son of William and Elizabeth Briggs, of Coventry, and is buried at St John the Baptist, Westwood, Warwickshire. Sergeant Dennis Brook, the Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, is buried at Haltemprice (Anlaby Tranby Lane), Yorkshire.  He was the son of John and Edith Brook, of Anlaby Common

Left: a memorial plaque to William Briggs, in the Memorial Park at Coventry

with thanks to Stella Scott-Green
with thanks to Chris Cooke
with thanks to Dean Sumner
with thanks to Trevor Harkin

McDonald, W.
William McDonald. A boilermaker, he was killed by a shell on 9 September 1940, aged 54, at his home at 5 Clarence Lawn. He was the "darling husband" of Cicely Sophie McDonald

His funeral was on 14 September at St Mary's, Dover. 29 WG. His wife laid a floral tribute "To my darling husband, from his sorrowing Wife"

McGuire, E. L.
Ernest Lionel McGuire. He was aged 15 when he died at Folkestone Road on 12 September 1944. He was the son of John Joseph McGuire, of 27 Clarendon Road

He was buried on 16 September at St James, Dover. 10 NF

McKenzie, D.
Donald McKenzie. He died on 23 March 1942 at the Conservative Club, aged 53. He had been the bakery manager at the Co-op for some ten years. He was the husband of  Thirza Ada McKenzie and lived at 69 Barton Road

His funeral was held on 27 March, with the first part of the service at the Methodist Church, in London Road. He was buried from 69 Barton Road at Charlton, Dover in grave 18 QV. His coffin was draped with the Union Flag. Along with his family there were a large number of work colleagues and managers, with representatives from the Oddfellows Manchester Union Club, the Conservative Club, from Women's Own at London Road, and from the Freemason Peace and Harmony Lodge, No 199

The headstone is difficult to read but some words are:

Loving memory of my dear husband Donald McKenzie, who was called home 23 March 1942. Aged 53 years

Mead, F. W.
Frederick Wilshaw Mead. He was a smallholder, and died on 10 September 1944, aged 53, at London Road. He was the husband of Dorothy Adelaide Mead, of 7 De Burgh Street. and the son of the late Mr and Mrs Mead, of Hull. He was buried on 16 September at Charlton, Dover. 23 TT

The inscriptions on the grave read:

In Loving Memory of Fred Wilshaw Mead Killed by Enemy Action 10 Sept 1944 aged 53 years Rest in the Lord

also his Beloved Wife Dorothy Adelaide Mead who Passed Away Peacefully 11 Feb 1983 aged 89 Years Re-United

Dear Dad and Dear Mum Sadly Missed and Never to be Forgotten In God's Care and of their Daughter Vera Emma Mead 1929 - 1993 Re-United in Heaven

Mills, E. K. and Y. M.
Ellen Kate and Yvonne Mary Mills. They died on 1 September 1944, as they were running across the High Street towards Peppers Close and Lagoon Cave to shelter  They lived at 9 Peter Street

Ellen was the wife of  Private Bert Thomas Mills, Corps of Military Police, and Yvonne, their  daughter Yvonne's grandmother, Ellen's mother-in-law, just escaped, as she had remained on the pavement  

Ellen and Yvonne Mills were buried on 5 September at Charlton, Dover. 15 2S. The headstone reads:

Mills, H. M.
Hilda May Mills. She died on 12 June 1941, aged 22, at her home at 14 Randolph Road. She was the wife of Pte Ronald Edward George Mills, The South Lancashire Regiment, and daughter of James and Hilda Wills, who, with her brothers Horace and Brian and her sister Vera, also died. Hilda May appears to have been entered twice in the Book of Remembrance, under Mills and Wills (as Hilda Mary)

She is buried with her brother and sister at Charlton, Dover. 2 T7. Her parents and young brother Brian lie in the neighbouring grave

Mische, F. C.
Frederick Charles Mische. He died on 23 March 1942, aged 45, at the East Kent Garage. He was the husband of R. Mische and lived at 11 Winchelsea Street. He was in the Home Guard and an A.R.P. Ambulance Driver

His funeral was held on 28 March, at St James, Dover. 10 (19?) JL and six East Kent Road Car Company employees carried the Union Flag draped coffin. Many of his colleagues attended with his family, and there were representatives from the West Mount First Aid Party and the Transport and General Workers' Union

Moore, D. W. A.
Doris Winifred Agnes Moore. She died at the Casualty Hospital, Union Road, on 12 December 1942, aged 16, the day after being injured at her home at 31 Victoria Street. She was buried on 26 December at Charlton, Dover. 26 2S

She was the daughter of Rose Doris Lillian Potter (formerly Moore). the annoucnements were placed in 1943

Moore, F. W., I. V., M. E. and F. R.
Frederick Walter, a Lorry Driver, Ivy Victoria (daughter of Mrs. A. E. Chatwin (formerly Wilson), of 201 London Road, and of the late H. J. Wilson), and their children, Minyon Elsie and Frederick Ronald Moore. They died at their home at 20 Randolph Road on 12 June 1941

Their funerals left from the "Duke of Wellington", 201 London Road, on 16 June and their coffins were draped with the Union Flag. Little Freddy was laid in the same coffin as his mother. There were many mourners at their graveside, in Charlton cemetery, Dover

Their gravestone at 2 T2 reads:

	In Loving Memory of Frederick Walter Moore Aged 33 Years Also Ivy Victoria Moore Wife of the Above Aged 26 Years	Also Minyon Elsie Moore Daughter of the Above Aged 4 Years And Frederick Ronald Moore Son of the Above Aged 10 Weeks Killed by Enemy Action 12 June 1941
Loved in life, treasured in death, A beautiful memory they have left, Now it’s only a grave that needs our care, The ones we loved are sleeping there photo and transcription, Joyce Banks

"At rest, loved ones. Sudden death; sudden glory"

See Memorial for In Memoriam verses 1942

He was the husband of Daisy Mullane

Nicholls, R.
Rosa Nicholls. She died on 31 March 1941, aged 77/8, at the Casualty Hospital, Union Road, after being injured at 22 Bartholomew Street

She had two sons, Arthur and Edward, and she was buried on 9 April at St James, Dover. 9 FR. Major Flannigan, from the Salvation Army officiated  

"Always in our thoughts" - Arthur, Elise, and grandchildren, March 1942

Norley, W. J.
William John Norley. A stoker, he died on 1 November 1941, aged 52, at Astor Avenue. He was the "dear husband" of A. M. Norley, of 4 (16?), Northbourne Avenue, and the "dear Dad" of Phyllis, with Albert and little Glenis. His son Ronald Norley, RAFVR, died in 1943

He was buried at Charlton, Dover. 30 2S. Many floral tributes were sent

"Forever in our thoughts" - 1943, from his loving Wife and family

Parfitt, J. T.
John Thomas Parfitt. He died on 28 June 1943, aged 54, at the General Post Office. He was the husband of Frances Winnie Parfitt, of 5 Halisfredd Terrace, Lower Road, River. He was a telephone operator and a Corporal in the Home Guard

His coffin was draped with the Union flag and borne by members of the Home Guard when he was buried in River churchyard, Dover. Amongst the mourners were Mrs Parfitt, his widow, and their sons Ron, AB.RN and G Parfitt, and their daughter Peggy

1949 - Pascall - Ricketts. In loving memory of our dear ones, Mabel, who died 26 August 1946, ages 40 years and Lill, killed by enemy action 1 September 1944, aged 43 years. Always in our thought - From their loving Mother, Brothers and Sisters

Note: Mabel became Mrs Pascall in 1924, while Lydia became Mrs Ricketts in 1922

Payne, P. S.
Phoebe Sarah Payne. She died on 25 October 1943, aged 58, at her home at 20 Glenfield Road. She was the wife of Edmund John Payne and the daughter of Mr Mockett, of Whitstable. She was buried on 30 October with her daughter, Alice Shearn, and grandchildren, at Charlton, Dover. 1 3S

Pearson, W.
William Pearson. A bus conductor, he died on 23 March 1942, aged 56, at the East Kent Garage. From 134 Mayfield Avenue, he was the husband of Mrs Pearson, later of 140 Mayfield Avenue

His funeral took place on 30 March at St James, Dover. 14 CR. His coffin borne by six work colleagues.  His two sons were away on war service, and sadly unable to attend, but his widow and many workmates were present  

Perkins, P. M. A.
Patricia May Ann Perkins. She died on 25 September 1944, aged 7, at London Road. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Perkins

She was buried on 30 September at Buckland, Dover. Grave C 5(?)

Pilcher, V. W.
Victor William Pilcher. He died at the Casualty Hospital, Union Road, on 27 (26?) March 1942, aged 43, after being injured on 23 March 1942 at the East Kent Garage. He was the "dearest husband" of G. E. L. Pilcher, of 2 Knights Way, Buckland

He was buried at Buckland churchyard, Dover. C11 16. His coffin draped with the Union Flag and six EKRC Home Guards were bearers

1943 - "Until we meet again", from his ever-loving Wife

Playford, C. T.
Cyril Thomas (John?) Playford. He was a shipwright, and died on 8 October 1940, aged 20, at Crosswell Lockgates, Dover Harbour. He was the "beloved son" son of Mr Robert S and Mrs Florence B (nee Giles) Playford, of 2 Pilgrims Way, and brother to Maurice. Miss Sylvia Morris was his fiancée. Two of his brothers had predeceased him, George William, born 1918 on 11/13 March 1937 and Philip Spencer, born 1925, on 11 December 1932

Wreaths laid on his Grave, 5 WJ, when he was buried on 23 October at St Mary's included, "From his sorrowing Mum, Dad, and Maurice" and "To Ginger, his old pal, Owen (River)"

Victor, Cyril's brother, born in 1922, perhaps expressed the wishes for home and the longing for peace of many serving when he wrote while on service with the RAF in North Africa in 1943:

Oh! to ride on a Dover Bus, “Mid” all the clatter and all the fuss, And like a kid on the upper deck, To sit in the front and crane my neck,

To see the Bridge and Market square And London Road, and everywhere; To mingle with a picture throng To feel again where I belong,

To breath the sweet, salt laden air To be at home with one so fair, And finally above all choice To hear St, Mary’s bells rejoice

Pratt, W. A.
William Ashworth Pratt. Major Pratt died on 13 November 1940, aged 50, at the Salvation Army Citadel, High Street, and was the Commanding Officer of the Salvation Army. He had been in charge for nearly three years, before his death. He lived at 24 Charlton Avenue and was the husband of N. S. Pratt. His wife chose to retire after his death. They had a son, Will (Billy), who later became a Commissioner in the Salvation Army

Major Pratt was buried on 16 November at Charlton, Dover. Q V2. His cortege was led by the band of the Salvation Army, who also led the singing of the hymns at the cemetery chapel and at the graveside. Amongst the mourners were Mrs. Major Pratt, his widow, and his sons and daughter, Captain Wycliffe Pratt, Lieutenant Doreen Pratt, Lieutenant Bramwell Pratt, and Corps Cadet Billy Pratt. Wreaths included those from "your loving life's partner" and the "local officers and soldiers of the Dover Corps"

Price, J. A.
John Arthur Price. He died at Kearsney Avenue on 13 September 1944, aged 40. He was the husband of Ruth E. Price, of Elstow, Laleham Road, Margate and the son of Mr and Mrs J Price, of 26 Windsor Avenue, Margate. He was in the Home Guard

Pritchard, L. E.
Louie Elizabeth Pritchard (Lou-Lou). She died on 7 May 1941, aged 18 and ten months. She was a firewatcher and was injured at 'Igglesden and Graves', Market Square by plate glass blown from their window (RH) during a shelling attack at sunset. She died at Royal Victoria Hospital, High Street, and was buried on 12 May at St James, Dover. 16 ER

She was the "dear daughter" of Mr and Mrs Ernest James Pritchard, of 142 Clarendon Place

A light is from the household gone,
A voice we loved is stilled,
A place is vacant in our home,
Which never can be filled
From her loving Dad, Mum, Brothers and Sisters. May 1942