THE  DOVER WAR MEMORIAL  PROJECT

 

war memorial at dusk, photographed by Michelle Cooper

 

World War II

 

DOVER CIVILIANS WHO DIED ELSEWHERE
# = not in Book of Remembrance

Last Resting Place Unknown
Atherden, Olive Lucy Baker, Henry George Balsom, Sarah Jane Borthwick, Graham
Browne, Daphne Patricia E Carver, Marie Evelyn Cashman, Donald Frank Clayson, James Thomas E
Collard, Frederick James Court, Alan Francis Cotton, Charles James Craven, May & Meredith
Ellen, George R (Mill Hill?) Geer, Mary Gilbert, William Richard Hunt, Annie
Norris, Margaret Ellen  Olifent, Wilfred Lancefield Pegden, Derek & Jeanne Pickering, Elsie & Robert
Pollard, John Robert Podevin, Constance W Poulson, Charles William Stanley, Edward Rev
Stanley, Elizabeth Talbot, Minnie Jane Tomlin, Hubert Whitnall, Albert Arnold L
Wilson, Ernest Robert      

Allen, W.
William Allen  died on 24th March 1943, aged 65, at Godinton Road, Ashford,. He lived at 61 Beaver Lane, Ashford, and was the second son of the late William Exton Allen and Emma Allen, of 209 Folkestone Road, Dover. He was buried at Ashford cemetery, with the first part of his service taking part at the Methodist Church. His brothers E O and A D Allen, Mrs Earnest Allen (sister-in-law?), and his sisters, the Misses E. and M. Allen were at his graveside, as was his friend, Mrs St. Claire    

Atherden, O. L.
Olive Lucy Atherden died on 4th October 1940 when she was 66, at 47 Westhurst Drive, Chislehurst. She was the daughter of George Henry and Emma Atherden, of 42 Heathfield Avenue, Dover

*Baker, G. E.
1943George Elgar Baker died on 28th November 1942, aged 59, at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Waldershare, Tilmanstone. He was the husband of Nellie Baker, of 26 Tower Hamlets Road, Dover. He was a firewatcher in the A.R.P. Rescue Service. (G J E Baker in Book of Remembrance?)

He was buried on 3 December 1942 at Charlton cemetery, Dover. 21 S

#Baker, H. G.
Henry George Baker, known as George, was born in 1878 in Dover, and was a Merchant Navy man. Off work through illness, he was 68 when he was killed on the first day of the Blitz in London. He died on 7th September 1940 at 27 Varley Road, in the Docklands area

His parents were John Hunt Kittams Baker, and Mary Ann Baker, nee Smith. His mother died when he was just eight months old; his father died a few years later

George had two older brothers. George Thomas Baker, known as Tom, lived in Dover and worked for the Harbour Board. He was a veteran of the Great War, and served in the Home Guard in the second. The eldest brother, William John Baker, known as Fred, went to sea at the age of 15, and eventually settled in Port Arthur, Texas, USA. The last letter that George wrote was received by Fred shortly before George was killed 

with thanks to Elizabeth Baker Bobbitt Hebert

1943, courtesy Dover Express#Balsom, S. J.
Sarah Jane Balsom was 54 when she died at the Red Lion Inn, Sidwell Street, in the Borough of Exeter, Devon on the 4th May 1942. Her husband was John Balsom

 

Barton, C. W.
Christopher William Barton. He was an awardee of the Military Medal. A dock worker, he was injured at Dover on 12th September 1944, and died at Hurstwood Park War Emergency Hospital, Haywards Heath on 24th September 1944, age 50. He was buried on 30th September at St James, Dover. 5 CQ

His home was at 1 Approach Road, Dover 

#Blackford, E. R. St-Q.
Ellen Rita St Quentin Blackford died on 11th September 1944, aged 26, at the Hurstwood Park War Emergency Hospital, Haywards Heath, after having been injured at Dover (burial record says Brighton Mental Hospital). She was buried on 18th September at St James, Dover. 17 QK

She had been a firewoman in the NFS. She was the "dear daughter" of Ellen Lydia Stirrup, from 36 Albany Place, Dover, and the wife of Leonard Blackford, of the Merchant Navy

In 1948 an in memoriam notice was place from "her loving Mum and Wee George"

gravestone by Joyce Banks

Bocutt, A. H.
Alexander Herbert Bocutt was a fireman in the N.F.S. He died on 14th December 1943 at the Horton Emergency Hospital, Epsom, from an illness contracted while on duty during air raids at Dover. He was 37. He is buried at St Mary's, Dover. Six firemen were bearers of his coffin, which was draped in the Union Flag

He was the husband of Ivy Mary Bocutt of 30 Longfield Road, Dover, and the son of Alfred Arthur Bocutt, of the same address, and the late Jessie Bocutt. His widow, his father, and his brothers, CSM C W Bocutt and Mr R S G Bocutt, were amongst the mourners at his funeral

The headstone reads: "In Loving Memory of A. H. Bocutt. Died 14th December 1943. Aged 37. Also Ivy Mary Wife of the above. Died 15th September 1963. Aged 52. Reunited"

His brother, Alfred Arthur Bocutt, also died, in 1941, serving with the Royal Navy

Borthwick, G.
Graham Borthwick died on 1st December 1941, aged 56, at Landsdowne Road opposite the Hydro Hotel in Falmouth An officer on a telegraph ship, he was struck by falling masonry while ashore during an air raid

 He was the husband of Helen Borthwick of 99 Buckland Avenue, Dover, and a member of the Kearsney Bowling Club 

in memoriam 1942, courtesy Dover ExpressBourner, E. A.
Eliza Ann Bourner died on 14th October 1940, aged 80, at 3 Tharp Road, Wallington. Her body was not found until ten days after her death

She was the widow of James George Bourner. Her address was 47 Clarendon Place, Dover 

She was buried at St James, Dover in the grave of her late husband, 16 KW, with the funeral cortege leaving from the home of her daughter, Mrs. C. Macey, of 121 Clarendon Place. Her daughter laid a wreath, "Her sorrowing daughter and son-in-law, Elsie and Charlie"

In memoriam 1942

#?Browne, D. P. E.
Daphne Patricia Eliiot, who died at Brougham Road, Portsmouth on 24th August 1940, aged 17. She was the daughter of W H Browne, and with an address of 59 Claremont Road, may have had Dover connections. She may be the "Dolly" in the In Memoriam announcement of 1941:

announcement 1941, courtesy Dover Express, from (Babbie), Auntie, Uncle Aubrey, Auntie Bessie, Bernie, and Chips (late of Dover) Sweetest memories of our darling Dolly, who was suddenly called home through enemy action

Sleep on, dear Dolly, and take thy rest,
God taketh those He loveth best;
We miss you when the morning dawns,
We miss you when the night returns,
Dear Dolly, we miss you everywhere

So loved, so missed. Safe in God's keeping

#Burkett, M. S. 
Maria Sarah Burkett died at the age of 88 on 3rd June 1942 at 12 Oaten Hill Place, Canterbury. She lived at 96 Maison Dieu Road, Dover, and was the widow of William W. Burkett. He was Mayor of Dover in 1905

Mrs. Burkett was the daughter of the late Frederick and Florence Elizabeth Macdonald. Her relatives, Pleasant Williams and May and Meredith Craven, also died 

She was buried on 8th June at St James, Dover. 14 VK 

Carver, M. E.
Marie Evelyn Carver was 33 when she died on 8th November 1940 at Mayday Hospital, Croydon. She had been injured the day before at 71 Falkland Park Avenue, her home

Her parents were Mr.and Mrs.West, from 92 Oswald Road, Dover, of whom she was the only daughter. She was married to Walter Ernest Carver, who was also killed, at the age of 35

Cashman, D. F.
Donald Frank Cashman, was 18 when he died on 22nd November 1940. He lived at 5 Johnson's Terrace, Nonington, Kent. His parents were Mr.and Mrs. F. Cashman 

#Chambers, M. H. 
Maurice Herbert Chambers was 38 (another report states his age as 42), and died on 26th September 1940 through an air raid at Southampton. His wife was Mrs. V Chambers, from 91 Markland Road, Dover. He had been staying, with his colleague John Hawkes, who also died, at Oaklea, Upper Deacon Road. Both were clerks from the Southern Railway Marine Department, working at Southampton  

Both were buried in the same grave at St James,  Dover 22 ER, in a double funeral. His wife laid a wreath:

"His loving wife Vera, and children"

Clayson, J. T. E.
James Thomas Edward Clayson died on 15th October 1940, aged 16, at Rhette, Wrotham Heath Place, Platt,. He was the "beloved son", "darling Jim", of Thomas and A. Clayson and sister of Pat, and lived at Rambler Cottage, St Margarets-at-Cliffe, Dover  

in memoriam, courtesy Dover Express
October 1941

He had a nature you could not help loving
A heart as true as gold,
And to us, who knew and loved him,
His memory will never grow cold

Mum, Dad, and Pat

#Collard, F. J.
Frederick James Collard died on 5th August 1944, aged 46, at Malling Road, Snodland, Kent. He was the husband  of Marjorie Collard  of Alpha, Malling Road, and the son of the late William and Annie Louise Collard, of Temple Farm, Temple Ewell, Dover  

with grateful thanks for all his unstinting help to Tony Grant, who tells us that there was a V1 attack at Malling Road.  This may have been the sad cause of Mr Collard's death. There is a commemorative plaque to ten who died situated at the medical centre in Catts Alley, just off Rocfort Road, which leads from the A228 into Malling Road.  The plaque was instigated by the Town Council, and unveiled by John Gladdish, whose sister Narcissa had been killed in the attack 
Top two pictures below from the South Eastern Gazette, regenerated by Gerald Edgelar. Reproduced by permission

Malling Road Malling Road

 Malling Road after the V1

Malling Road Malling Road

Court, A. F.
Alan Francis Court was 5 when he died on 22nd November 1940 at his home, 6 Johnson's Terrace, Nonington, Kent. His parents were Francis Harold George and Lilian Alice Court

#Cotton, C. J. 
Charles James Cotton was 59 when he died at the Victoria Hospital after being fatally injured in Deal on 11th August 1942, during a raid which claimed seven or eight lives there. He was married to Matilda Cotton, from 12 Bush Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent.  He was an engine driver who had formerly lived at Dover and was well-known in that town

#Craven, M. and M. 
May and Meredith Craven. On 3rd June 1942, they died at their home, 2 Oaten Place, Canterbury, but were the daughter and granddaughter respectively of John Macdonald, from 17 Templar Street, Dover. Another daughter, Pleasant Williams, from that address, also died

Mrs Craven was the widow of Arthur Craven, and was aged 46. Meredith was 22

in memoriam 1942 courtesy Dover Express#Dobson, P
Percival Dobson died on 13th November 1941, aged 62, at the Preston Hall Emergency Hospital, Aylesford. He lived at 48 Military Road, Dover, and was injured there on 2nd October 1941 

He was buried at St Andrews, Buckland, B0 16. Amongst the mourners were Mrs T Walton from Dover Master Bakers and Mr Wilfred Chitty, Mr Gavener, and Mr Hopper from G W Chitty and Co.  Amongst the many floral tributes were those from the United Yeast Company, Dover, Dover Butchers FC, St Bart's Old Boys' FC, and from Ward 7 at Preston Hall

in memoriam 1942

also in 1943 from Arthur and Don

William and Nellie Dyer, courtesy Mike DavisWilliam Dyer, detail, courtesy Mike Davis#Dyer, W. H.
William Henry Dyer was 50 when he was killed on 22 November 1940 in Birmingham. He was a member of the Home Guard, and during the Great War had served at home in The Buffs. In June 1915 he had married Madeline Eleanor Thomas (Nellie)

Their first child was born in Dover in 1916; others were born in Shrewsbury or Birmingham. The family moved to Birmingham after William's discharge from the Army; he is believed to have served as a PT Instructor. He then became a tram-conductor and afterwards a bus-conductor. An address they occupied in Birmingham was 65 Monica Road, Small Heath, Birmingham 

On the night he died he had been out on trade union business, and was walking home with a colleague. They took shelter from an air raid in an "entry", but both were killed by the blast from a bomb which hit the pub on the other side of the road. William is buried in Yardley cemetery, Birmingham, in Section 55, Grave 57982. Nellie died at the age of 84, and her cremated remains were buried on 12th February 1971 with her husband. Muriel, one of their daughters-in-law, aged 71, married to Sydney, was buried there also on 7th February 1991

There are several inscriptions on the grave. The headstone reads: "Treasured memories of William Henry, the beloved husband of Madeline E. Dyer, who was killed by enemy action, November 22nd 1940, aged 50 years. Also of his beloved wife, Madeline Eleanor, who fell asleep February 6trh 1971, aged 84 years"

The book-shaped stone at the foot of the grave reads: "Muriel Dyer, beloved wife and mother, 1920-1991. A Treasure Lost" on the left-hand page, and on the right, "Sidney Dyer, beloved husband and father, 1919-2000. Reunited".  On the kerbstone at the foot of the grave are the words, "Dearly Loved by All", and on the flower-holder is inscribed, "Dad and Mom"

Near to the grave is a memorial garden (right) to all the civilians who died in Birmingham during WWII and who are buried at Yardley. Their names are recorded in a memorial book held in the chapel. The wreath was laid "In grateful remembrance from the Lord Mayor, Councillors, and Citizens of the City of Birmingham"

William was the eldest son of William Henry Dyer, the eldest brother of Edward George Dyer, who lived at St Andrew's Terrace, Dover, and who died on 1st December 1941. William's wife, Madeline, was a younger sister of Elizabeth Maude Thomas, Edward George Dyer's wife

photo, above right: William with his wife, and probably their second son, circa 1917

Note: the CWGC grave next to William's is that of a sixteen-year-old, Edward Harrison, of the 4th Warwickshire Battalion Home Guard. He died on 23rd November 1940. At the foot of his headstone are the words, "His brother Kenneth, Flying Officer, RAF, was lost on operations 15th August 1943, age 21. They died that we might live"

with thanks to Mike Davis

Edson, N. C.
Norah Christine Edson died on 6 November 1940, aged 14, at the Civic Centre Shelter (School of Art) in Southampton. She was the "dearly loved youngest daughter" of Mr. and Mrs. John E. Edson, of 15 Heathfield Avenue, Dover  

With an address given as 74 Balfour road, she was buried on 12 November at Charlton, Dover. 3 F9

In Memoriam, courtesy Dover Express

Not just today, but every day, in silence we remember

From her loving Mum, Dad, and Joan

Do not ask us if we miss her,
There is such a vacant place;
Can we e'er forget her footsteps,
And her dear familiar face?

From her loving Gran and Granddad

#Ellen, G. R.
George R. Ellen lived at 2 Astley Avenue, Dover, with his wife. Their home was destroyed in a raid in January 1944, and they moved to Church Road. Unfortunately, owing to the shock and the exposure, Mr Ellen became ill. He went to stay with his daughter, Mrs Alfred Romsey, but died from pleurisy on Monday 7th February at Whitton, Middlesex. He was 62. He was buried at Mill Hill on 10th February, and enquiries were to be directed to V G Ellen, of 98 Burns Lane, NW7  

Mr Ellen was born in Guston, and at an early age went to work for G. A. Clark and Son Ltd. during the Great War he joined the East Kent Yeomanry, and was transferred to the Buffs when he served in France. After being reported missing in 1917, it was discovered he had become a POW. He was released at the Armistice, and returned to work at Clark's. He left Clark's in 1941, and worked for Messrs F G Dolbear, the builders, with whom he remained until not long before his death

Mr Ellen was known for his expertise in horticulture, and detailed knowledge of the wild flowers and orchids of Kent. For some time he served as agricultural referrer for the Public Assistance Board. He was Chairman of the Guston Flower Show, and Secretary of the Dover Co-operative Gardeners' Society. He was also Secretary for the Ancient Order of Foresters for many years, having been a past grand master, and was Secretary to the Dover Branch of the East Kent Beekeepers Association, winning the County Cup for several years in succession.  He collected gifts of honey for the men of the submarine service, and at the  Pencester Gardens Hospital Fete he gave demonstrations on bee-keeping

Mr Ellen and his wife had been volunteer Air Raid Wardens at Post A5, Barton Road, Dover. He had become Deputy Post Warden, and was on duty when he lost his home

On 29th May 1944, at Post A5, a plaque was unveiled to his memory. Mr J H Mowll, the Chief Warden, gave the address, referring to the late Mr   Ellen's work as Deputy Post Warden, and to his kindly personality. The plaque was unveiled by the Deputy Chief Warden, Mr G. Youden, and dedicated by the Rev T A Roberts

Mr Ellen's brother and sister-in-law attended, as did other members of the family. Others present were Mr H. Philpott, Head Warden Group "A" , Mr T. A. Norman, Post Senior Warden, Mr F. Holmes J.P. and Mr L. Mason, Deputy Post Wardens, and the Wardens of Post A.5 

with thanks to Joyce Banks

#Geer, M.
Mary Geer died on 20 April 1941, aged 27, at her home at 2 Primrose Cottages, Rye Lane, Dunton Green, Kent. She was the wife of Frank William Geer, and the daughter of  Mr. O'Hara, of Singledge Farm Cottages, Singledge, Whitfield, Dover 

Gilbert, W. R.
The Reverend William Richard Gilbert was killed at his home at 61 Cawley Road, Hackney during an air raid on 8th December 1940. He was 33. Four lady assistants also died

He was the son of Mrs. W R Gilbert, of Chatham, and her late husband (14 Mitchell Avenue), and the husband of Kathleen E Gilbert. He was the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. W Gilbert, of 14 Market Street, Dover, and the nephew of Mr and Mrs. G Cook, from 286 London Road, Dover

The Reverend Gilbert was born in Dover in 1907, and for several years he worked in the Snargate Street Sunday School and Church. He trained at Richmond College, and entered the ministry in 1927. He worked in a number of circuits before going to London in September 1940. This was at the time when the bombing intensified, and he evacuated Mrs. Gilbert and their children to a home in Harpenden. His own home he turned into a hostel for his staff

A report from the Methodist Recorder states: " He had already shown himself to be a minister of high courage and resourcefulness, counting no cost too high in his service for the poor people of the borough. He has given his life for the cause of Christ in London's East End. A young man of outstanding ability, he had gifts that would have taken him far: he was content to devote them to the service of the humble and the afflicted. Tragic as his sudden passing must inevitably seem to his colleagues who remain to carry on the work of the mission, his earthly end was nevertheless in keeping with his sacrificial life. With the Sisters who perished in the same indiscriminate attack, he upheld to the end the highest traditions of pioneer Methodism. They visited the stricken homes of the people, maintained the regular services at the hall, provided shelter and food at the mission's community centre, and in various other ways ministered to the neighbourhood. Their lives, so unselfishly surrendered, remain an example to the living" 
in memoriam, courtesy Dover Express
December 1941

In loving memory of the Rev W R Gilbert

from his loving Wife and Children and his dear Mother

from all at 14 Market Street, Dover

Always in our thoughts

From Auntie and Uncle Cook

#Goldsack, P. J.
Percy John Goldsack was 50 when he was killed by enemy action on 10th May 1941. He had worked on the Southern Railway Line at Worth, and just after his train had left a Southern station (Worth?) it was machine-gunned. Mr Goldsack died on the way to hospital. He was buried on 16th May at St James, Dover 28 FR. His fireman, Mr Stickells, from Belgrave Road, was wounded, with a compound fracture of his left arm 

His parents were the late Henry and Mary Goldsack, from 1 Selbourne Terrace, Dover, and he was the "dear husband" of Annie Louise Goldsack, from 119 Priory Hill. He had a daughter, Rita

"Duty nobly done"

1942 - "Only those who have lost can tell, the bitter heartache without farewell"
"Loving memories of dear Perce, from Harry, Ede, Phil, and Will"

#Hawkes, J. W. 
John Walter Hawkes, husband of Mrs E. Hawkes, from Jacena, Minnis Lane, River, died in an air raid in Southampton on 26th September 1940, at the age of 37. He was an employee of the Southern Railway Marine Staff in Dover, but had been working in Southampton, as a clerk. He died at the docks

A double funeral was held at St James, Dover 22 ER, as his colleague, Maurice Chambers, died in the same circumstances.  Wreaths laid for Mr Hawkes included:

"In loving memory of of my dear husband, from Ena"
"His broken-hearted Mum and Dad"
in memoriam, courtesy Dover Express How oft there comes before us
You dear face, fond and true;
But death can never take away
Our fond memories of you.
Some may think that we forget you
When at times they see us smile
But only those who have lost can tell
What is hidden beneath that smile

Always remembered by his loving Wife, Mum, and Dad

Always in the thoughts of Win, Arthur, June and Bill

#Hunt, A.
Annie Hunt died on 21 August 1944, aged 79, at her home at 207 Wharncliffe Gardens, St Marylebone, London. She was the widow of Seymour Steventon Hunt and the daughter of the late George Dunne of Dover

Jones, C.
Charlie Jones. Probably Special Constable Charles John Austen Jones, from 31 Morehall Avenue, Folkestone. He died at his home (at the Victoria Hospital?) at the age of 33, on 29th May 1941. He was the "dearly loved" and "devoted" husband of Ivy Jones (nee Pott) and father of Marjorie, the only son of Mrs Emmie Jones and the late Mr Robert Jones of 67 Oswald Road, Dover, who died 25 August 1939, and brother of Ivy, Laurel, and Myrtle

He was buried at Buckland cemetery, Dover C9 9, with members of the Special Constabulary acting as bearers. As well as a full representation from the police forces, both Dover and Folkestone, there were many friends and relatives at the funeral, and a large number of floral tributes sent. They included one from his "broken-hearted" wife and one to "darling Daddy" from his little daughter

Mrs. Jones and Marjorie moved to 17 Markland Road, Dover, just after Mr Jones' death

"Just sleeping" "Safe home at rest"

#Jones, W. E.
William Edward Jones was an engineer, aged 26.  He died on 22 August 1944 at Knolly's Road, Streatham, having lived at no 145 in that road. His wife was Sylvia Violet Jones, and his parents were Mr. and Mrs. A E Jones, from Bryn Awelon, Tal y Bont, Conway, Caernarvonshire 

There was a William Edward Jones buried from 48 Nightingale Road on 26th August at Charlton , Dover, 18 2W

Kirby, S. T.
Sidney Thomas Kirby died on 25 October 1940, aged 40, at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Waldershare, Tilmanstone, after being injured on 24 October 1940 at Martin Farm. He was of the Dover A. F. S and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Kirby, of Waterworks Road, Martin, Kent.

With a semi-military funeral, he was buried at East Langdon. 

#Lemar, W. H.
William Herbert Lemar died on 28 July 1944, aged 34, at Lewisham High Street. He was a Corporal in the Home Guard, and an SR examiner. He was the husband of Mrs. Lemar, of 100 Courthill Road (not Dover), and the son of Mrs. Marsh (formerly Lemar), of 32 Lowther Road, Dover, and of the late W. C. Lemar 

He was buried on 5th August at Charlton, Dover. 2 ZV

Marsh, D. A.
Dorothy Ann Marsh was the 24-year-old daughter of Mrs A Marsh, from 8 Lenacre Avenue, Whitfield. She died on 18th September 1940, at her home at 54 Bromfelde Road, London, as the result of an air raid in London 

She is buried at St Peter's, Whitfield, Dover, and among the wreaths laid were: 

"To my Darling, from her heart-broken Mum"
"Her own Bill" - Mr W Lawton was Miss Marsh's fiancée

#Norris, M. E.
Margaret Ellen Norris died 18 June 1944, aged 21, at The Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks, Westminster. She lived at 28 Penywern Road, Earl’s Court, Kensington, and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George John Norris, of Godmasham, Lewisham Road, River, Dover 

#Olifent, W. L.
Wilfred Lancefield Olifent was an ARP Stretcher Bearer from 187 Norwood Road, London. He was killed while on ambulance duty at Westminster Bridge Road on 17th April 1941 at the age of 36 

He was the "beloved husband" of Dorothy Olifent, "dear daddy" of Brian and Hilary, and "dearly loved youngest son" of  H J Olifent and M Olifent of The Cliff, Grove Road, Sonning Common Reading, formerly from Dover and Capel

"He died at duties call" -Mum, Dad, Dorie, and All-1943
"Faithful unto death"-Dorothy-1943

Pegden, D. J. and J. S.
Derek John Pegden was just 22 months old and his sister Jeanne Sylvia Pegden was ten when they died at their home at 4 The Durlocks, Folkestone, on 25th September 1943. The were "two dearly-loved children" of Mr John Arthur Charles Pegden and his wife Norah, nee Keefe

#Pickering, E. G. V. and R.
Elsie Gertrude Victoria Pickering and Robert George (Bobby) Pickering. Mrs Pickering was 43, and her son was 12 when they died as the result of an air raid at Welling on 8th October 1940. They had moved there, to 17 Charmouth Road, from 31 Friars Way, Dover,  and Mrs Pickering was Dover born

Robert (Bobbie) was killed instantly at home, but Mrs Pickering died three days later, at the Woolwich and District War Memorial Hospital, as the result of her injuries. Left to mourn was her husband, Robert's father, also named Robert. He remembered his "dear son" and his "dear wife". "Love's last gift, Remembrance"

#Pollard, J. R.
John Robert Pollard died on 8 December 1940, aged 48, at Oldchurch County Hospital, Romford. He was an F. A. P. Mobile Unit Driver, and was killed while on ambulance duty at Romford, Essex

He was the husband of Bessie Florence Pollard, of 33 Vine Street, and the eldest son of the late Robert Wadsley Pollard, and Emily Pollard, of 56 Odo Road, Dover

#Podevin, C.W.
Constance W. Podevin was lost in the North Atlantic 23 January 1943, aged 49, from S.S. “Ville de Tamatave”. She lived at 16 Howick Place, London, S.W.1 and was the daughter of Amelia Caroline Podevin, of Dover, and of the late Charles Podevin

It is believed that Charles Ewart Podevin, who died from wounds on 10th November 1918, was her brother

#Poulson, C. W.
Charles William Poulson died on 29 December 1940, aged 57, at Preston Hall Emergency Hospital, Aylesford. He lived at 2 Salisbury Road, Dover  

Smith, E. I.
Ellen Irene Smith died on 25 November 1944, aged 19, at New Cross Road, Deptford. A shop assistant, she was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Basil Cyril Smith, of 65 Alfred Road, Dover. She was buried at St Mary's, Dover. 25 ZG

#Stanley, E. J. T. and E. R. F.
The Reverend Edward John Theodore Stanley BA, aged 61, and his sister Elizabeth Rebecca Frances Stanley, aged 58, were on convoy route HG from Gibraltar to the UK, said to be returning from unoccupied France, whence they had gone on missionary work. Traveling on the "S.S. Avoceta", they lost their lives  with 74 other passengers and 46 crew when she was sunk by submarine U-203 on 25 September1941. Reverend Stanley was vicar of Christchurch, Folkestone Road, Dover, between 1923 and 1934, and had famously challenged the Archbishop of Canterbury over the form of words to be used at the unveiling of the Dover Town Memorial..

They were the of the late George Wilson Stanley and Rebecca E. Stanley, of The Beeches, Ashburton Road, Croydon, Surrey

Stubbington, C.
Charles Stubbington died on 8 November 1940, aged 40, at the Royal George Hotel, Beach Street, Folkestone. He was the "dearly beloved husband" of Ivy Selina Stubbington, of 53 Devonshire Road, Dover and the son of Mrs Stubbington, of 1 Castle Cottages, Charlton Green, Dover, and of the late Charles Stubbington

He is buried at St Mary's, Dover and his wife laid a wreath, "Sweet memories, from his Wife"

In memoriam, courtesy Dover Express
November 1941

In memoriam, courtesy Dover Express

In memoriam, courtesy Dover Express

I often pause and think of you, dear,
And think of how you died,
To think I could not say good-bye
Before you closed your eyes

From loving wife Ivy, and little son Charlie

I miss his smile, his kindly ways,
With him I spent my happiest days,
I miss him when I need a friend,
On him I always could depend,
And our secrets I shall keep to the end

from his pal, Tom

Thoughts return to scenes long passed: time rolls on but memory lasts

from Maud and Philip

Death, where is they sting? Grave, where is thy victory? At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we shall remember

From his loving Mother and sister Margaret

Talbot, M. J.
Minnie Jane Talbot died on 1 July 1941, aged 57, at Preston Hall Emergency Hospital, Aylesford. She was injured on 12 June 1941 at her home at 12 Randolph Road, Dover. She was the widow of Charles Joseph Talbot

Tomlin, H. H..
Hubert Harold Tomlin was the younger son of Mrs Tomlin and the late Harold Tomlin, an old boy of Dover County (now Grammar), School, having been taught by the late Mr F Whitehouse. He was said to be well known in Dover and to have had a brilliant school career. He was a member of St James choir, as had been his father for many years

He was 36 when he was killed by enemy action at "Posada" on 3 January 1941.  A fireman of the AFS, he was in the Bristol bank, having taken a crew of eight with him to the High Street. A bomb brought down a warehouse and shops, and buried him and his crew. His body was not recovered until a week later

His mother had gone to Bristol after the sad news. The family had been doubly-struck as Mrs Leslie Tomlin, wife of Hubert's elder brother, had died the previous October after a short illness. Hubert himself had left a widow, Kathleen Blanche, nee Turner, of 45 West Town Lane, Brislington, Bristol

#Whitnall, A. A. L.
Albert Arnold Leslie Whitnall was the son of Mr and Mrs A Whitnall. He was living at 91 Walmer Road, Portsmouth, and died there from enemy action on 4th May 1941

announcement 1942
May 1942

#Williams, P.
Pleasant Williams died on 3 June 1942, aged 48, at 12 Oaten Place, Canterbury. She was the widow of Lieutenant George E. J. Williams, AEF, whom she had married in 1917, and the daughter of John Henry Macdonald, of 17 Templar Street, Dover (where she also may have lived), and of the late Pleasant Macdonald. Her ashes were interred on 8th June at St James, Dover. 10 QY

Her sister, May Craven, and niece Meredith, also died, as did her relative, Maria Burkett 

Ernest Wilson, 1917-18, courtesy Hilda BeddowsWilson, E. R.      
Ernest Robert Wilson was born in Hougham, Dover, on 14th May 1891, and served in France during the Great War 

On 22nd November 1944, he died of injuries at the Woolwich and District War Memorial Hospital, after a V2 rocket had demolished his home at 34 Orchard Rise, Sidcup, Kent. His wife, Emily, and daughter, Hilda, were also in the house at the time; they survived with minor injuries  

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson had seven  children,  two of   whom, John and Claud, also lost their lives in the Second World War. Dorothy, one of their daughters, served in the WRNS in Dover. She sadly died in 1975. Their youngest son, Sidney, and their other three daughters, Margaret, Edith, and Hilda, were evacuated to Wales.  Hilda joined the WAAF as soon as she was able

Before the war the family had lived at 6 Dour Street, a property unfortunately bombed in 1941, leading to the death of the then resident, Mr. Patrick Carberry.  In 1943 Mr and Mrs Wilson were living at 34 Orchard Rise, Sidcup.  Mrs. Wilson returned to Dover after the sad loss of her husband

pictures: Ernest Wilson, 1917/18
with thanks to Hilda Beddows

gravestone, by Joyce Banks#Wisdom, H. W.
Harry William Wisdom died on 18th September 1940 through enemy action, at Cross Keys, Rochester. He was 24 and lived at 24 Grange Way, Rochester. A fitter, he worked in Rochester in the accountants' department of the firm Shorts Seaplane Works, and before then had worked for Worsfolds, Dover. He was an old Barton Road school boy 

His parents were Bert and Emily Bertha Maud Wisdom, and they lived at 15 Astley Avenue, Dover.  Harry was buried on 4 October in his home area of Buckland, Dover C 13, and amongst the wreaths were;

"In affectionate remembrance of our loved one, from Dad, Mum, and Annie"
"In loving memory of our dear brother, with much love, from Bert and Lily"
"To my darling Harry, from your ever loving sweetheart, Carol" 

The inscription on the gravestone reads:

Affectionate Memory of our dear son Harry W Wisdom. Killed by Enemy Action, 18th September 1940, aged 24 years

photo and transcription by Joyce Banks



Copyright 2006-10 © Marilyn Stephenson-Knight. All Rights Reserved