Hadley, G. R.
George Robert Hadley, C/JX 127338, was a Petty Officer in the Royal Navy, aboard the HMS Dido. He died on 29th May 1941, when he was 31. He was the third son of Mr and Mrs H W Hadley, from 10 Granville Road, Dover.

He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. 

May 1942 - "None but those who have lost know the grief of parting with no farewell. Never forgotten by his Mum and Dad" "Never forgotten by his Brothers and Sisters"

*Halford, L. H.
Leonard Hendley Halford, C/J 21502, served in the Royal Navy as a Chief Petty Officer aboard the HMS Beaver. He died on 20th November 1943, when he was 46, and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

His parents were John George and Louise Halford, and he was married to Harriett Halford, of Eltham. London.

Halke, D. J.
Donald John Halke, 1802238, was a Flight Engineer Sergeant in the RAFVR (Unit no 460 RAAF Squadron). At 20.24 hours on 24th February 1944, he took off in Avro Lancaster LM315 AR-K2 from Binbrook, Lincolnshire. The mission was a raid on the main German ball-bearing factory in Schweinfurt, a follow-up raid on the daylight attack carried out on 24th February by the United States 8th Air Force.  

The Lancaster crashed in unknown circumstances in the hours after midnight. All of the crew, who are believed to have been in the early stages of their operational tour, were killed, and are buried in the Durnbach War Cemetery, Germany.  Donald is in grave 7 A 4.

The raid on Schweinfurt comprised 734 RAF aircraft, and was Bomber Command's first attack of the war on this target. A total of 33 bombers were lost, including LM315.  Dovorian Sergeant Frederick Albert Goodwin also lost his life in this raid.  

The crew were:

Notes:

F/O Mark was the son of David McKillop and Catherine Mark, of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Sergeant Goldman was the son of Harry and Anna Goldman, of Antwerp, Belgium
P/O De Celles was the son of Leo and Maud De Celles, of Westmount, Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada

In loving remembrance of our dear son and only brother Sgt/FE Donald John Halke, missing after air operations 25th-26th Feb 1944. Sadly missed by his Mum, Dad, sister Phyllis and Harold February 1947

(Memorial)
with thanks to Dean Sumner

Harper, C. A. P.
Cyril Alfred Percy Harper, 7883306, was a Serjeant in the 42nd (23rd Bn. The London Regiment) of the Royal Tank Regiment, RAC. He died on 26th November 1941, when he was 29, and is buried in the Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery, Egypt.

He was the "beloved only son" of Alfred Harry and Flora Catherine Harper, of The Admiral Harvey, Dover, and brother to Cath. 

"Fear naught, a beautiful memory clings".
"Fear naught. Splendid you passed, the great surrender made, into the light that never more shall fade." 

Harris, J. R.
James Richard Harris, 1475736, was a Private in the Army Catering Corps. He died aged 20 on 26 December 1941, and is buried at Buckland, Dover.

He was the son of John and Emily Elizabeth Harris, from Buckland.

in memoriam 1942

Harrison, J. R.
James Richards Harrison, 89822, was a Pilot Officer in the RAF, 217 Squadron Coastal Command. Former head of Crescent House, captain of the hockey XI, and full back for the Rugby XV at Dover College, he was the son of the late Captain F C Harrison, from Dover, and of Mrs Harrison, from Farnborough, Kent.

At 11.50 hours on 26th September 1941, he took off with other squadron aircraft in Bristol Beaufort W6483 WM-A for an attack on a reported enemy merchant vessel. Owing to bad visibility, Beaufort W6483 hit Tregonning Hill to the northwest of Helston, Cornwall. All the crew were killed. He is buried at Farnborough (St Giles the Abbot) churchyard, UK, grave 619.

The crew were:

Note: Sergeant Carter was the son of Private Bernard William Carter, 1st Battalion, London, who was killed in action in France on 15th September 1916, and of Kathleen Carter, of Lewisham.

with thanks to Dean Sumner
illustration: Bristol Beaufort, Wikimedia commons

*Harvey, R. C.
Robert Charles Harvey, C/KX 75712, was a Petty Officer Stoker in the Royal Navy, aboard the HMS Penzance. He was 36 when he died on 24th August 1940, and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

His parents were Isaac and Emily Harvey, and his wife was Lilian Beatrice Harvey, from Gillingham, Kent.

Hawkins, F. A.
Francis Albert Hawkins. This could be 1336493, the Flight Sergeant, 282 Squadron, RAFVR, who lost his life at the age of 22 on 21 December 1944.  He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial

He was the son of David and Elsie Constance Hawkins, and the husband of Jean Robertson Smith Hawkins, of Glasgow.

Hempsall, F. A.
Frank Abdy Hempsall was a Carpenter in the Merchant Navy. He died on the Cable Ship Alert on 24th February 1945, when he was 47. He is commemorated on the Tower Hill memorial.

He was the husband of Gertrude Hempsall, from Dover.

Hewish, W.
Wilfred Hewish, 538041, was a Wireless operator Sergeant in the RAF. He was 23 when he died on 21st March 1941, and is buried at Llantrisant (CefnYParc) Cemetery, Sec B, 636.

He was the son of William and Ellen Hewish, and the husband of Lydia Evelyn Hewish, from Pontyclun.

in memoriam 1943

Hill, H.
Herbert Hill, 5672328, was a Sergeant in the Somerset Light Infantry, 4th battalion. He died at the age of 24 on 29th May 1944. He is buried at SS Peter and Paul, Eythorne, row 6 grave 3.

He was the son of George Francis and Elizabeth L Hill, and the husband of Muriel Helena Hill, from Elvington. 

At the bottom of his headstone are the words:

We loved him well, God loved him best,
And took him home with Him to rest.

Himsworth, R. H.
Richard Henry Himsworth (Dick), C/JX 189339, was an Ordinary Seaman in the Royal Navy, aboard the HMS Southampton. He was 23 when he died on 11th January 1941. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

He was the "dearly loved" son of Beatrice and the late Richard a Himsworth. and the husband of Brenda Mary Himsworth, from Forstall House, Eythorne, near Dover.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Hodgson, C.
Cyril Hodgson, EC/10503, was a Captain in the 11th Sikh Regiment, 7th Battalion. He died when he was 25, on 20th August 1944. He is buried in the Karachi War Cemetery II C 3

He had attended St Mary's School. He was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs A C Hodgson, from 1 Leighton Road, and was married to the former Molly Stokes. He was granted his commission in India in late 1942

Hogben, C.
Charles Hogben, C/KX 97610, was a 1st Class Stoker in the Royal Navy, aboard the HMS Hereward. He died on 29th May 1941, and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

He was the "dear son" son of George James and Ethel Hogben, from Dover

Hogben, J. H. T.
John Henry Thomas Hogben, C/KX 93531,  was a 1st Class Stoker, aboard the HMS Imogen in the Royal Navy. He died on 16th July 1940 at the age of 20, and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

He was the son of John William and Alice Louisa Hogben, from Dover.

"Loving memories - from Mum and Dad and sweetheart Bess"

July 1941

In treasured memory of our dear son, John Hogben (Stoker), drowned on active service July 1940. From his loving Mum and Dad, Brothers and Sisters. We think of him in silence, We often speak his name, What would we give to clasp his hand, And see him smile again? In loving memory of John Hogben (Stoker), drowned on active service July 1940. From his loving sweetheart, Bessie. No one knows how much I miss him, No one in the world can tell Of the heartache borne in silence For the one I loved so well. 'Tis sad, but true, we wonder why, The best are always the first to die.

Hogg, G. M.
George Mallinson Hogg, LT/KX 104959, was a Stoker in the Royal Naval Patrol Service, on the HM Trawler Gairsay. He died on 3rd August 1944, when he was 25. He is commemorated on the Lowestoft Naval Memorial.

He was the son of Alexander and Agnes Hogg, and the husband of Lilian Hogg, of Dover.

Hope, F.
Frank Hope ("Shiner") was a Cable Engine Driver. He died, aged 47, on 24th February 1945, when the Cable Ship Alert was sunk, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial. .

He was the husband of Florence H Hope, from Perivale, Greenford, Middlesex

"In loving memory of a dear husband and Daddy" (February 1945)

Hopkins, W. H.
William Henry Hopkins was a Trinity House Pilot. He died, aged 67, on 19 December 1940, when the mv Arinia was destroyed by a mine off Southend Pier, bursting into flame. He is commemorated on the Tower Hill memorial.

His parents were Thomas and Jane (nee Payton) Hopkins, and his wife was Fanny Edith Hopkins, from Whitfield.  

Hopper, D. A.
Dennis Albert Hopper, 1890043, was a sergeant in the 419 (RCAF) Squadron of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He was 19 when he died on 15 February 1944. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

He was the son of Henry William and Edith Alice Hopper, of Dover

He was the husband of Elizabeth Amelia Hopper, from Dover. 

May 1941

To the beloved memory of Walter John Hopper, Chief Engineer, who lost his life when the hospital ship "Maid of Kent" was bombed and sunk by enemy action, May 21st 1940 - His Wife and Son

Hudson, A. E.
Albert Euryalus.Hudson, C/JX 149695, was a Petty Officer in the Royal Navy, aboard the HMS Boadicea. He died on 13th June 1944, and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

Hudson, D. J. (F.?)
Douglas Jack (Foch?) Hudson, C/SSX18824, was a Telegraphist in the Royal Navy, HMS Liverpool. He was "killed in Eastern waters" on 15th October 1940, when he was 21. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

He was the brother of Henry Hudson, who lost his life with the HMS Hogue in 1914. "Their grave - the sea". His parents were Mr Hudson of 70 Balfour Road, and his wife Elsa Emily, who died on18th June 1933, aged 57, and who is buried at Charlton.   

in memoriam 1942

Hughes, J. A.
John Alfred Hughes, 6287893, was a Private in the 4th battalion of The Buffs (attached to the RAOC). He was 21 when he died on 7th September 1940 through enemy air action, and is buried in St Andrew's churchyard, Tilmanstone, Kent, Row 3, Grave 18

He was the only son of  Alice May Hughes, from Tilmanstone, and her late husband, Alfred.

"Until the day break." - 1942

*Hulse, J.
John Hulse, 634691, was a Sergeant in the 358 squadron of the RAF. He died on 25th March 1945, when he was 21, and is buried in the Chittagong War Cemetery, in Bangladesh.

He was the son of John and Kate Hulse, from Buckland, Dover.

#Hunt, L. J.
Lawrence John Hunt, 549999, was a Leading Aircraftman in the RAF. He was reported as missing and later as died on 2 June 1940, and is buried at the Kiel War Cemetery, Germany, J 2 15.

He was the "dearly loved only son" of Captain and Mrs J W Hunt, from 54 Priory Hill, Dover.

Hunter, W. T.
William Thomas Caleb Hunter was a Seaman in the Merchant Navy. He was aboard the Cable Ship Alert when he died on 24 February 1945, at the age of 26. He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial.  

His parents were Albert Thomas Hunter and Catherine Hunter, from Dover. 

Huntley, W. J.
William James Huntley, 1890773, was a Sergeant Air Gunner in No 77 Squadron of the RAFVR. He was the son of Ernest Alfred William and Mary Alice Huntley, from Dover.

On 21st January 1944 he took off at 20.10 hours in Handley Page Halifax II JD471 KN-A from Elvington, near York for a raid on Magdeburg. The aircraft crashed in flames at Zeitz, a small village south east of Magdeburg.

At 20:10 hours on the night of 21st January 1944, Handley Page Halifax JD471 took off from Elvington in Yorkshire to take part in the first large-scale raid on Magdeburg. During the early hours of 22nd January 1944, Halifax JD471 crashed in flames at Zeitz, a small village between Schönebeck and Barby about fifteen miles south of Magdeburg.

All of the crew except Sgt Gumm were killed and were subsequently buried at the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery. William is buried in grave 2 M 1. Next to William lies the other gunner, Thomas Berry, and the remainder of the crew are buried beside him, in collective grave 3-6. Sergeant Gumm was issued a prisoner number 270039, and was held in Stalag IVB at Mühlberg-Elbe

648 RAF bombers took part in the raid and 57 were lost, 35 of which were Halifax's including JD471. Many of the RAF aircraft shot down were victims of Luftwaffe nightfighters. Notwithstanding the high losses, the raid was not deemed a success due to a number of operational failures and effective German decoy markers.

The crew that night were:

Right - William's younger brother Alf, visiting the graves of the crew in 2002. He and William's sister Mary are now in their 80s; William's other brother, Ernie, died in 1988.

with thanks to Mary Smye-Rumsby
RAF information with thanks to Dean Sumner