Cadman, R. W.
Ronald William Cadman, 1165794, was the son of Henry William and Edith Harriet Cadman, and the husband of Winifred Cadman, from South Street, Faversham, Kent

He was a Flight Engineer Sergeant in the RAFVR, 61 Squadron. He took off in Avro Lancaster R5759 from Syerston, Nottinghamshire, at 18.05 hours on 1 October 1942, for a raid on the town of Wismar, Northern Germany. It was a relatively small raid with 78 Lancasters, of which two were lost. R5759 crashed later that evening at Sildemow, south of Rostock. Only one crew member, Sergeant Bartells, survived, to become a PoW The remainder of the crew are buried in the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Germany. 8 B 34

The crew were:

Notes:

Flight Sergeant Dale was the son of Ernest James and Caroline Lucie Dale, of Whangarci, Auckland, New Zealand
Sergeant Dare was the son of Joseph Penric and Ida May Dare, of Yanco, New South Wales, Australia
Sergeant Williamson was the husband of Theresa Williamson, of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

with thanks to Dean Sumner

Cairns, J.
John Desmond Cairns, 1894992, was the son of Edward and Helen Cairns, from Dover, and an old St Mary's school boy. He was an Air Gunner Sergeant in the RAFVR, 15 Squadron

In Avro Lancaster LL752 LS-A he took off from Mildenhall in Suffolk at 22:36 hours on 11 May 1944, for a raid on the railway yards at Leuven (Louvain) in Belgium. The raid was carried out by 105 Lancasters as part of the extensive operations carried out to destroy and disrupt German supply and transport facilities in preparation for D-Day. Four Lancasters were lost including LL752, which was shot down by a Luftwaffe night-fighter at 00:30 hours, and crashed to the northwest of Leuven. All of the crew are buried there in the Leuven Communal Cemetery, Belgium. John Cairns is in Row B, Grave 4

Notes:
Flight Sergeant Jones was an extra crew member on operational experience
Sergeant Wilson was the son of John and Lily Wilson, of Cape Town, South Africa
Flight Sergeant Watson was from Queensland, Australia
Flight Sergeant Cronk was from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Sergeant Whittaker was the son of Harry and Hilda Mary Whittaker, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

1949- "In loving memory of our dearest son and brother ... and his crew" from Mum, Dad, Eddie and June

RAF information with thanks to Dean Sumner

*Cant, P. W.
Possibly Percy Augustus Cant, who was an Assistant Steward on the Merchant Navy Cable Ship Alert. Born on 6 April 82, he was 62 when he died on 24 February 1945, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London. Panel 4.

Notes on Alert

Carter, J. A. J.
Joseph Albert John Carter, 156320, was born in Dover in 1912. He was the "dearly beloved and only son" of Ellen and Joseph Carter; Mr Carter was a boot and shoe repairer, with a shop in the centre of Dover. They lived at 28 Church Street

He married Edith Annie Brookman, and they had two children - Michael, who was born in 1939, and Jeanette, born 1941

Joseph became a Lance Bombardier in the Royal Artillery, 33 Battery, 11 (City of London Yeomanry) Lt A A Regiment. He died of wounds at the age of 32 on 18 January 1943, and is buried in the Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery, Tunisia. 16 G 1

with thanks to John Brookman
John, please contact us

Carteret, H. G.
Harvey George de Carteret, 200235, was a Lieutenant in the 71 Field Regiment of the Royal Artillery. Mentioned in Dispatches and with two bars, he was 27 when he died on 8 January 1945. He is buried in the Hotton War Cemetery, Belgium. I D 6

His parents were Harvey Forbes de Carteret and Nellie de Carteret, from Guston, Kent

Cassingham, J.
Jack Cassingham, was born on 9th April 1905. With ten years service, he was a Third Engineer Officer in the Merchant Navy Cable Ship Alert. Born on 9 April 1905, he was 39 when he died on 24 February 1945, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. Panel 4

He was the son of John Odion and Kate Cassingham from 10 Monins Road, Dover, and the husband of Violet Cassingham, from Folkestone

Notes on Alert

Castle, R. V.
Ronald Victor Castle, was a Fourth Engineer Officer in the Merchant Navy Steamship "Empire Crossbill". He was 22 when he died on 11 September 1941, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. Panel 39

His parents were Mr and Mrs S E Castle, from River, Dover

Castle, T. A.
Thomas Alfred Castle, 10547175, was a Private in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. He was 22 when he died on 3 April 1943, and is buried in the Tripoli War Cemetery, Libya. 6 C 10

He was the third son of John W. and Ellen M. Castle, of 21 Pilgrim's Way, late of 11 Military Road, Dover. Their second son, Albert George, serving with The Buffs, was reported missing in November 1943

Chapman, E. C. W.
Edward Charles William. Chapman, 6287784, was a Private in the 4th battalion of The Buffs, attached to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. He was 21 when he died as the result of enemy air action over Olympia in London on 7 September 1940, just after he had finished a week's leave at Dover. He is buried at St Mary's Cemetery, Dover, and the first part of his funeral service was held at Christchurch, Folkestone Road. Section YHX Grave 27

Known as Teddie, he was an old St Martin's schoolboy. He was a keen cricketer and footballer, and a member of the Dover Football Supporters' Club. Until a week before the outbreak of war he worked at Barwick's, the builders, but was then called up with the Dover Company of the Buffs Territorials. He went to France and became attached to the RAOC

He was the "dearly loved only son" of Albert Edward and Harriett Chapman, from 116 Clarendon Street, Dover, who laid a wreath "In affectionate remembrance of our dear one". He had a "loving sweetheart", Marjorie, who came from Canterbury

"Ever in our thoughts"
"He did his duty bravely and died beloved by all"

Charlwood, H. S.
Harold Sydney Charlwood, T/17104,was a Serjeant in the 308 Reserve MT Company, Royal Army Service Corps. He was reported missing, and later as presumed killed, on 26/27 April 1941, when he was 39. He is commemorated on the Athens Memorial, Greece. Face 8

His parents were Cecil Oliver and Laura Charlwood, and he was married to Kitty Charlwood, of Denver, late of 10 Maxton Road, Dover. His wife asked the friends and members of the Congregational church to note that he was reported as presumed killed

Cheeseman, H. M.
Harold Montague Cheeseman, 62825910, was a Lance Corporal in The Buffs, 1st battalion. He died on 15 August 1941 and is buried at El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt, XXX F 24.

He was the son of George and Elizabeth Cheeseman, from Reading, Berkshire.

He was an old County (now Grammar) school boy, between 1920 and 1932, and was married to Emma Foster Chell, of Glasgow

Clarke, A. T.
Alfred Thomas Clarke, 175596, was the son of Henry and Evelene Matilda Clarke, from 6 Lowther Road, Dover. An old St Bart's schoolboy, he was employed before the war by the East Kent Road Car Co, and was one of the earliest members of ATC, Dover. He was the secretary of the sports club, which he had formed

As a Pilot Officer in the RAFVR, No 76 Squadron, he took off on 22 June 1944 from Holme-on-Spalding Moor, Yorkshire, at 23.07 hours, in a Handley Page Halifax, LW620 MP-G, on a raid to bomb railway yards at Laon, France

At some point during the flight, Halifax LW620 was assumed to have been attacked and badly damaged by a Luftwaffe night-fighter. As the crippled Halifax returned to land at its home base something on the port-inner engine failed causing the propeller to shear off. Wildly spinning, it cut into the cockpit and presumably killed the Pilot. The stricken Halifax went out of control and crashed in the early hours of 23 June at 03:21 hours, about 10 miles south-west of Beverley in Yorkshire. All the crew were killed

Alfred's body was recovered, and he is buried at Charlton Cemetery, Dover. Section 3T, Grave 14, his coffin draped for the service with the RAF Ensign. Mourners included his parents, Mr H W Clarke, his brother, and Mr and Mrs Hingston, brother-in-law and sister. There were over fifty floral tributes

A total of 100 Halifax bombers took part in the raid on Laon, and 4 were lost including LW620

Cock, C. E.
Charles Edward Cock, 6191167, was a Serjeant in the 4th Battalion of The Buffs. He died on 23/24 October 1943, with the Eclipse. He was 43, his birthday being 8 August. He is commemorated on the Athens Memorial, Greece. Face 4

His wife was Clara Sophia Cock, from Dover, and he was born at 3 Woolcomber Lane, Dover

Cole, T. C.
Thomas Charles Cole, 2612948, was a Guardsman in the 2nd Grenadier Guards. He was 27 when he died at Nijmegen on 20 September 1944, and is buried at the Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Netherlands. 22 B 3

"In ever loving memory of our dear daddy and my brother" - 1949 - from Brian, Tommy, Teddy and his sister Gladys

Coles, P. E.
Peter Ernest Coles, 1389953, was a Leading Aircraftman (Obs UT) in the RAFVR, having previously attended Sandhurst and having been educated at the Boys' Grammar. He was 24 when he died on 31 October 1941, and was buried with full service honours at the Killead (St Catherine) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Ireland. Section 23, Grave 4

Born on 1 April 1917, he was the son of Ernest James Coles and Alice Maud Coles, and the twin brother of Paul Charles Coles, also a Leading Aircraftman in the RAFVR. Their sister was Mary Davies, from Ninham House, Digswell, Welwyn, Herfordshire. Mrs Davies was amongst the mourners, accompanied by Mr Dennis Taylor, who was her brother's friend and colleague, and who represented the Special Branch of the CID, Scotland Yard

picture: Killead (St Catherine) Church of Ireland Churchyard, with thanks to Bob Carson

Collier, W.W.
William Willis Collier, 400970, was a Corporal in the Royal Armoured Corps, Royal Dragoons. He was 33 when he died on 28 December 1941. He is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial, Egypt. Column 15

His parents were John and Kathleen Collier, and his wife was Eveline G Collier (nee Crascall), from Elvington, formerly from 6 Whittington Terrace, Shepherdswell

January1943

Note: Eveline was first cousin to Maggie S-K's grandfather

Cook, D. H.
Douglas Henry Cook, 6297406, was a Gunner in the 4th battery of the 2nd Maritime Regiment of the Royal Artillery. He died, aged 40, on 22 May 1945 at Sumatra, while a POW. He is buried in the Jakarta War Cemetery, Indonesia. 4 A 10

He was the son of Henry and Rose Edith Cook, from Dover

1949 - Treasured and happy memories of our dear son and brother" From his loving Mum, Dad, Connie, Kath and Bill

Cornwell, W. F.
William Frederick Cornwell was born on 29 September 1914. With 7 years service he was a Seaman Cable Hand, Merchant Navy on the Cable Ship Alert. Born on 29 September 1914, he died on 24 February 1945, when he was 30. He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. Panel 4

His parents were William John and Ellen Susan Cornwell, from Dover, and his wife was Olive Cornwell, from 6 The Grove, Dover

Notes on Alert

Cox, C. C.
Cecil Charles Cox, 7594509, was a Private at the 1 Base Ordnance Depot in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. He was 24 when he died on 17 June 1940, and is commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial, France. Column 145

Cox, F. H.
Frank Herbert Cox, C/KX 84647, was a Petty Officer Stoker aboard HMS Suffolk. He was 26 when he was accidentally killed on 3 June 1942. He is buried in the Tynemouth (Preston) Cemetery. Grave K 14480

He was the youngest son of Alfred James Thomas and Alice Elizabeth Cox, from Felderland Lane, Worth, Kent, and the husband of Marjorie Cox, from St Margaret's-at-Cliffe, Kent

1943

Crepin, F. T. G.
Frederick Thomas George Crepin, 629113, was a Trooper in the Royal Armoured Corps, with the Yorkshire Hussars. He was 29 when he died from wounds on 14 March 1944. He is buried in the Cassino War Cemetery, Italy. VII E 14

Crighton-Pascoe, W. J. C.
William Thomas.Crighton-Pascoe, 220937, was a Captain in the Reconnaissance Corps, RAC. He was mentioned in dispatches. He died from wounds on 20 January 1946, Military Hospital, Shaftesbury. He was 27. He is buried at St Mary's, Dover. G H 7, on 26 January from 47 Astley Avenue

He was the son of Chief Engineer Officer in the Merchant Navy Norman Cecil Pascoe and Ellen Rocina Pascoe, of Dover, and was engaged to be married to Margaret (Lanark, Scotland)

*Cronin, H. G.
H. G. Cronin - this could possibly be Henry Treverton Cronin, who was a Purser, Merchant Navy, aboard the Cable Ship Alert. He died when he was 35, on 24 February 1945, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. Panel 5

He was married to Doris, née Hutchings, of 18 East Cliff, Dover, and, born on 29 September 1909, was the son of David Treverton Cronin and Eliza Priscilla, née Creed.

Notes on Alert

Curran, P.
Patrick Curran, 2034993, was in the 468 battery of the 20th Searchlight Regiment of the Royal Artillery. He died at the age of 21 on 19 August 1940. He had been returning to his unit after 24 hours leave, and was killed by entering a restricted area which had been mined

His death was witnessed by Second Lieutenant Charles Digby Crumpton, who was in charge of a working party, and by Private Alfred George Bird in that party. Private Bird had called to Gunner Curran, warning him not to go over a wire into the restricted area. Gunner Curran had replied, "There's a footpath, and I'm going through." Approximately two minutes later there was an explosion so large it threw forward the two witnesses in their truck. 2nd Lt Crumpton rushed towards the wire, and saw half of Gunner Curran's body in the field

The Coroner returned a verdict of death by misadventure, and a strong warning was issued over the dangers of disobeying military notices. This was the second death within a fortnight from the same cause. The Coroner expressed his sympathy to the regiment and to the relatives, while 2nd Lt Pain expressed to the relatives the sympathy of the CO, officers, and men of the Battery

Gunnar Curran was buried at St James Cemetery, Dover, Row E, Joint Grave 2, with full military honours. He was the son of Hetty Curran, from 66 Manor Road, Maxton, Dover, and she laid a floral tribute, "To one of the best, with all my love, from his heartbroken Mum"

In 1944 an in memoriam notice in the Dover Express read:
Curran – Treasured memories of our dear son and brother Patrick Curran, accidentally killed 19 August 1940. From his loving Mum, Sisters and Brother (Normandy)

from Joyce Banks

Curtis, G. A. J.
Gilbert Alfred John Curtis, 178241, was a Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force, serving with the 431 "Iroquois" RCAF Squadron. He was the son of Alfred Ernest and Amy Afra Curtis, and the husband of Margaret Ellen Curtis, of Dagenham, Essex

On a raid to bomb railway targets at Versailles, France, he took off from Croft, Yorkshire on 7 June 1944, at 23.54 hours, in a Handley Page Halifax MZ602 SE-U. The Halifax crashed in unknown circumstances during the early hours of 8 June at Blevy about 11 miles south-west of Dreux in France. All of the crew were killed and are buried at Blevy Communal Cemetery, France, in a Collective Grave

A force comprising almost 340 RAF bombers attacked various railway targets in France on the night of 7/8 June, and 28 were lost including MZ602

The crew were:

Pilot Officer John Peter ARTYNIUK - RCAF	Captain (Pilot)	aged 23
Sergeant William TEAPE	Flight engineer	aged 20
Flying Officer Hugh Allan MORRISON - RCAF	Navigator	aged 29
Flying Officer Peter Joseph GANDY - RCAF	Bomb aimer	aged 21
Flight Sergeant Donald Angus FLETT	Wireless operator/Air gunner	age unknown
Pilot Officer Gilbert Alfred John CURTIS	Air gunner	aged 21
Pilot Officer Gordon Beverley JOSE - RCAF	Bomb aimer	aged 20
Sergeant William Dakin MULLIN - RCAF	Air gunner	age unknown