Wade, C
Christopher Wade. He died on 12 September 1944, aged 78 (65). He lived at 6 St. John's Road and died at Folkestone Road.

He was buried at St James, 21 CQ.

Wakefield, M. A
Mabel Agnes Wakefield. She died on 25 September 1944, aged 59, at London Road. She was the wife of Thomas William Wakefield, of 1 Erith Street, Buckland

Walker, J. G
John George Walker. He died on 11 September 1940, aged 54, on the beach opposite Granville Gardens. He had been sheltering under his boat with his dog, which also died (RH).

He was the husband of Sarah Ann Walker, of 8 Princes Street, and father of Lallie, and had been one of the Town Councillors who had opposed a suggestion from London that evacuation in Dover should be ninety percent of the population, and that the Council should be reduced to nine members.

"Ever in our thoughts. One of the best" (September 1941)

Warman, W. E. and E. A.
William Elgar and Ethel Ann Warman. They died on 3 April 1942 at Union Road Trenches. William was a coal merchant, aged 58, and Ethel was 53. They lived at 86 Union Road. Ethel was the daughter of Thomas and Ann Cassons.

They were buried at Buckland, C11-11, with the first part of the service taking place at Primrose Road Mission Hall. Members of the ARP were bearers of the Union Flag draped coffins, and many family and friends were present at the graveside. 

Wells, B. J.
Basil John Wells. He died on 10 September 1940, aged 17. He was injured on 9 September 1940 at Taylor's Garage, Elms Vale Road, where he worked as a garage hand, and died at the Casualty Hospital, Union Road.

He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Wells, of 121 Snargate Street. "Ever in our thoughts"

He was buried at St Mary's, where his parents laid a wreath, "To our dearest son, John, from his ever-loving Mum and Dad" and their family, "In remembrance, from his ever loving brother and sister, Ernie and Bessie"

"Too dearly loved to be forgotten" - Mum, Dad, Brother and Sister (September 1941)

Wells, E. A.
Edith Agnes Wells. She was an Ambulance Sister in the Dover Nursing Division of the St John Ambulance Brigade, having been one of the original members in 1928. She had been in charge of the Cadet Division for a while, and since 1942 had been Storekeeper. She had been a very much valued member of the division before the war, and it was said that practically all her spare time was given to ambulance work in public duties and in the training of ARP personnel.

She died peacefully in her sleep on 6 June 1940, aged 55, at  Brookfield House, Buckland Avenue, and was cremated at Charing. It was requested that there should be no mourning. Amongst those who attended were her son, Mr N G Wells, and her daughters and in-laws, Mr and Mrs Hawkins and Mr and Mrs Harris. Floral tributes included, "To dearest mother, from Boy and Peggy" and "To darling mother, from her broken-hearted daughter, Stella and Charles"..

She was the wife of A. I. H. Wells.

details, Joyce Banks

Wheeler, R.
Robert Wheeler. He died on 1 September 1944, aged 55. He was injured by his home at Pavilion Bungalow, Lower Road, Kearsney, and died at the Casualty Hospital, Union Road. He was a Special Constable. He was the widower of the late Kathleen Wheeler and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler, of 107 Charles Street, Tredegar, Monmouthshire

White, L. W. P.
Leonard Wilfred Pearman White was a farm worker. He died on 7 September 1942, aged 37, at the Casualty Hospital after being injured the day before at 21 Pioneer Road. He was buried on 10th September at Chalrton, 14 SK.

Whitewood. H. J.
Henry John Whitewood. He died on 16 June 1944, aged 60 at the Casualty Hospital after having been injured on 7 June at the Marine Station. He had been a fitter on the Southern Railway, and several SR workmates acted as bearers: G. Brown, F. Chant, R. Easton, T. Joyner, J Partridge, W. Twist.  The coffin was draped with the Union Flag. The first part of the service was held at St Martin's church, near Henry's home at 36 Markland Road. The Rev W F Jenkins officiated. Henry's grave is unmarked, but is at 3 FR at St James, and lies in this area, behind the graves of Cyril Coe and Jack Pulham, marked by CWGC headstones.

Mrs Alice Lottie Whitewood (nee Leveridge) was Henry's wife. They had been married nearly 38 years, having wed at Peckham on 27th July 1907. After the funeral she thanked her friends and neighbours for their sympathy, and also the Casualty hospital and members of the Southern Railway for their kindness, and for all the floral tributes sent.  Mrs Whitewood died in the 1980s, aged around 90. She was a seamstress, making dresses for Danny La Rue amongst others.

The Whitewood family came from the Isle of Wight, but Henry and Alice (née Leveridge) probably married in London. A family story says they were evacuated from London to Dover.                     with thanks to Terry Cleaver

note: R. Easton, coffin bearer, was Maggie S-K's granddad

Wildey, S. A.
Sarah Annie Wildey. She was the wife of A. Wildey. She died on 20 September 1940, aged 67, at 7 Maison Dieu Place.

Amongst the mourners at her funeral were her husband, Mr A Marsh, her brother, and Mr Alfred Thomas W  Lund, her son-in-law, married to her daughter Edith.

Wills, J. C, H. M., H. A., V. and B. J.
James Cauty, Hilda May, Horace Alfred, Vera, and Brian John Wills. They all died on 12 June 1941, killed by a parachute mine. James, Hilda, and Brian died at their home at 14 Randolph Road, and Vera and Horace died at the Casualty Hospital, Union Road, after having been injured at home. James was 54, Hilda 50, Horace 25, Vera 16, and Brian 4. 

Hilda, aged 22, daughter of James and Hilda, and married to Private Ronald Mills, also died. They were buried at Charlton on 18th June, in neighbouring graves; Brian and his parents in one, 2 T3, his brother and sisters in another, 2 T7. Another son, Frederick, and Horace's fiancee Lille Crofts, were among the many mourners at the graveside. Frederick had been fighting abroad, and like his brother Douglas had not been in the house when the mine fell.

Pictured left - Before the storm clouds gathered: the Wills family in the mid 1930s. The lad in the flat cap is Horace Wills, on his right is Jesse Wills, and on his left is his sister Hilda. Next to her is Frederick, then little Vera. At the back is James Cauty Wills, holding Douglas. Next to him, in front, is his wife, Hilda, mother of the children. Little Brian had not then been born.  

*

June 1942

with thanks to Lynda Mackintosh

Willson, E. A.
Elizabeth Ann Willson. She was the wife of William Charles Willson. She died on 25 September 1944, aged 50, at her home at 37 Edred Road, Tower Hamlets. She was buried on 29th September at Charlton, 7 YW.

The headstone is at Charlton. It reads:

Treasured Memories Of A Dear Wife and Mother Elizabeth Ann Willson Who Died From The Result of Enemy Action 4th September 1944. Aged 50 "In Memory’s Garden We Meet Again"   photo and transcription, Joyce Banks

Also William Husband of Above. Died 11th July 1979. Aged 90

Wilshire, E. E.
Ernest Edgar Wilshire. A house decorator, he died on 9 September 1940, aged 47, at his home at 5 Monins Road. He is buried at St James, 26 FR.

He was the husband of Ethel Wilshire, and the son of Mr and Mrs William E Wilshire. They had lost another son, Charles Eric Wilshire, in the Great War. Two other brothers attended the funeral, with their parents and mr Wilshire's widow. Mr Dawn represented the neighbours of Monins Road, and Mr G W Davies represented the Ancient Order of Shepherds.  

"RIP" "Cherished in memory's garden" (September 1941)

funeral details: Joyce Banks

Young, A.
Arthur Young. He died at the Casualty Hospital, Union Road, after being injured on 8 October 1940 at the Shipyard. He was 34.

He lived at 2 Endeavour Place and was the husband of Rose A. Young. He was the only son of Mrs. I. Young, of 15 Winchelsea Terrace, whence the funeral cortege departed.

He was buried at St Mary's, and amongst the wreaths laid were:

"His loving Wife, Rose"
"Mum and Dad"
"The Ship's Company, Transit Camp"
"Directors, Staff, and Employees, Bulwark Engineering Co"
"Tower Hamlets and Winchelsea Caves" 

October 1941

I often sit and think of you, dear, And think of how you died; To think you could not say good-bye Before you closed your eyes. Do not ask me if I miss him, Life for me is not the same: All the world would be like heaven Just to have him back again. From his loving wife, Rose Some may think that we forget him When at times they see us smile But they little know the heartache That is hidden all the while. Sleep on, dear son, 'till the dawn breaks and we meet again. From his loving Mum The call was sudden, the shock severe, To part with one we loved so dear; Only those who have lost can tell The bitter parting without farewell. He died doing his duty. From his loving sister Vera, brother-in-law Harry, and Boys