Wakefield, R. C.      
Richard Charles Stephen Wakefield was a Steward in the Merchant Navy, aboard the Cable Ship Alert. He was 43 when he died on 24th February 1945. He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London, United Kingdom.

He was the husband of Doris Wakefield, from Plumstead, London.  

Wakerell, L.     
Leslie James Wakerell, 1319771, was an Air Gunner Sergeant in the RAFVR, 166 Squadron. He died on 31st August 1943, aged 20. He is buried in Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium, 4 D 15.

He was the son of Samuel and Maud Ellen Wakerell, from East Grinstead, Sussex.  

Wall, T. W.      
Thomas William Wall was a Donkeyman in the Merchant Navy, aboard the SS Dynamo. He was 21 when he died on 17th April 1943 and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London, United Kingdom.

He was the son of Thomas Cecil and Harriet Wall, and the husband of Evelyn Lillian Elizabeth Wall, from Dover.

Walsh, J. J.      
John James Walsh, 154262, was a Flying Officer in the 267 Squadron of the RAFVR. He died when he was 21 on 22nd August 1944, and is commemorated on the Malta Memorial, Malta.

He was the son of Michael John Walsh, and of Bridget Walsh, of Dover.

Walsh, P. J.      
Patrick John Walsh, 1248137, was a Sergeant in the RAFVR. He was 23 when he died on 16th July 1944, and is buried in the Delhi War Cemetery, India.

He was the son of Patrick John and Emily Walsh, from Dover.

Walters, E.      
Edward Walters

Walters, J.      
John James Leonard Walters (Jackie), 3974753, was a Private in the Welsh Regiment, 1st battalion. He was 21 when he was killed on active service in Libya on 27th November 1941. He is buried at the Heliopolis War Cemetery in Egypt, 1 H 7.

He had attended Charlton School, and was the dearly loved son of Mr James Robert and Mrs Lilian Eva Violet Walters, from Gillingham in Kent, late of Dover. 

"Very dearly loved by all his family. Thy will be done."

Watson, C. I.      
Colin Ian Watson Mackenzie Watson, IA/1128, was in the 2nd battalion of the 8th Punjab Regiment. He died on 21st January 1945, when he was 26. He is buried in the Taukkyan War Cemetery, Myanmar. 27 G 2.

He was the son of Colin Campbell Watson and Winifred Rosina Sarah Watson, of Dover.

Watson, J.      
Jack Watson was a Cook with the Merchant Navy, aboard the SS Orford. He was killed when he was 23 on 1st June 1940, when his ship was bombed. He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London, United Kingdom.

His parents were Herbert and Maud Lilian Watson, from 20 Percival Terrace, Dover. 

"In treasured memory of our Jack, third beloved son ...He died, that we might live"

May 1941

In treasured and unforgettable memories of our dear daughter, Joan Edith, who died April 30th 1937, aged 14 years. Also our dear son, Jack, killed by enemy action by the bombing of his ship HMT Orford at Marseilles, 1st June 1940, aged 24 years. "Our happy memories of you are gathered up and stored away ... Like faded petals that retain the fragrance of a summer's day, without you winter lingers long, yet always in my heart it seems I catch the perfume of the past, the breath of unforgotten dreams." From their loving Mum and Dad and Norah. In fadeless memory of our Jack and Joan. Our Father knoweth where they lie, And angels mark the spot;  We have only a beautiful memory To remember our life thorugh, But its sweetness will linger for ever, Dear ones, that memory of you. Until we meet - From their loving Sisters and Brothers, at home and away.

Weir, I. R.     
Ian Robert Weir, 914393, was a Sergeant Surveyor in the 97 (The Kent Yeomanry) Field Regiment. He was reported missing in Egypt on the night of 28th -29th June 1942. He is recorded as having died on 14th November 1942, when he was 23. He is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial in Egypt.

He was the only son of Mr and Mrs James Weir, from 5 Park Avenue, and brother of Moira.

West, S. M.      
Stanley Mornington West (Stan), 42778, was an Acting Pilot Officer in the RAF. he was 24 when he died from a flying accident on Saturday 13th January 1940, and is buried in Grantham Cemetery, United Kingdom, 17 J 10.

He was the "eldest and dearly loved" son of Mrs J West, from 39 Maison Dieu Road, Dover. He was born in India and came to England in 1929. He and his younger brother went to the County (now Grammar) School. He was said to be popular, and having a character of resolution and determination. He was even-tempered, considerate towards others, and gentle in manner. He was aid to have scores of friends, across the Empire, in France, and at home, to whom he was said to be loyal, as he was to the school he loved.

He loved sport, playing in the first teams for cricket, football, and rugby; he was also in the cadet corps, the RLSS, the choir, and the dramatic society. He also belonged, as did his brother, to St Mary's choir. 

When he left school he worked for a chartered accountants in London, but in 1936 joined the Metropolitan Police Force. In 1937 he came the the Canterbury Police Force. He maintained his sporting interests, playing cricket for both forces as well the the St Lawrence cricket club. Two years after coming to Canterbury later he achieved his dream of joining the RAF, passing the exam and being accepted in August 1939. There he also learnt to play squash. Just before Christmas he gained his "Wings" and was about to complete his training when he was killed.

He was due to have been married the next month to Miss Joyce Attwood, from Brixton Hill.

Acting Pilot Officer Stanley West was the first fatality of the Second World War recorded from the County School.

Whaley, G. A.      
George Alexander Whaley, 2024001, was a Lance Corporal in the 1st battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment. Aged 21, he died on 31st December 1942 at a prisoner of war camp, and is buried in the Milan War Cemetery, Italy, 3 A 2. His grave is second from the left, front row.

He was the "beloved son" of William Henry and Mary Annie Whaley, from 22 Tower Hamlets Street, Dover. 

At the bottom of his headstone are the words:

"Resting"
Forever in our thoughts.
Mother, Brother, and Sister

pictures with thanks to Elena Rossi

White, W. P.      
William Peter White, 954862, was a Gunner in 102 (The Northumberland Hussars), in the Light AA/Anti-Tank Regiment of the Royal Artillery. He died on 22nd March 1943, when he was 25, and is buried in the Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. 

He was the son of James Alfred and Edith Ella White, of Dover.

Willis, F.      
Francis Willis, 2321824, was a Lance Corporal in the Hong Kong Signal Company of the Royal Corps of Signals. He was reported missing after the sinking of the SS Lisbon Maru between 1-2 October 1942, when he was 25.  He is commemorated on the Sai Wan Memorial, China (including Hong Kong)

He was a Duke of York's Old Boy, and the son of Mary Bridget Willis, from 57 Heathfield Avenue, and the late George Willis.  He was a younger brother to James, below.  

Willis, J. O.      
James Owen Willis, 32059, was the eldest son of Mrs Willis and the late George Willis, of 57 Heathfield Avenue, and was brother to Francis, above. His CWGC record notes he was "of Southern Rhodesia".

During the War he served as a Wing Commander (Pilot) in 45 Squadron. On 18th May 1941, he was awarded the DFC. The citation reads, "This officer has displayed the utmost determination in action against the enemy. In May, 1941, he led a force of fighter aircraft in an attack against a moving transport column of some 100 vehicles, the majority of which were either destroyed or damaged. His leadership has been of the highest order."

On 22nd November 1941 he was reported missing. At 12.30 hours on that day 6 Bristol Blenheims of No 45 Squadron, led by Wing Commander Willis, took off from the desert airstrip at Landing Ground 75 in Egypt.  Their mission was to bomb enemy motor transport between Acroma and El Adem in Libya. They were escorted by South African Air Force Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk fighters; nevertheless the Blenheims were attacked by about 20 Luftwaffe Messerschmitt Me109s. They claimed four of the Blenheims shot down, one of which was the aircraft flown by Wing Commander Willis.

A year later, Wing Commander Willis was officially "presumed dead". His grave is in the Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya, 2 B 9. His two other crew members also were killed.  Next to him, in grave 2 B 8, lies his observer, Pilot Officer Lawrence Philip Bourke, from the RNZAF, aged 31, son of Lawrence and Rose Anna Bourke, from Palmerston, North Wellington, New Zealand.  Wireless Operator/Air Gunner Sergeant Michael Francis Carthy, the third crew member, is in the same cemetery, 16 B 13. He was the son of John and Catherine Carthy, from Dublin.

with thanks to Dean Sumner

Wilson, C. R.     
Claud Robert Wilson, 144288, was a Flight Lieutenant (Pilot) in 158 Squadron of the RAFVR. He died on 12th November 1945, and is buried in the Tripoli War Cemetery, Italy, 12 H 7.

His award of a Distinguished Flying Cross was announced on 17th August 1943, whilst Claud was serving as a Pilot Officer with No 51 Squadron of RAF Bomber Command.  The picture below is on the occasion of the presentation, at Buckingham Palace, on 21st November 1944. From left to right are Claud's father, Ernest Wilson, his mother, Emily Wilson, Claud himself,  his wife Muriel, his sister Hilda, and Muriel's mother, Mrs McGhie.

The day is recalled by Claud's sister as a "wonderful day of celebration", made even more special because Muriel had just announced that the couple were expecting their first child.

It is a poignant memory. The very next day Claud's father, Ernest, was killed by a V2. The new grandchild, Robert, was born on 2nd April 1945, and just a few months after his birth, Claud, his own father, was also killed. 

with thanks to Hilda Beddows

Wilson, J. E.      
 John Ernest Wilson, 124641, was in the 205 Squadron, RAFVR. He was 22 when he died on 11th June 1943, and is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial in Singapore.

He was the son of Ernest and Emily Wilson, of Dover, and brother of Claud. 

with thanks to Hilda Beddows

Winton, J. W.     
James William Winton, 2040014, was a Sapper in the 225 Field Company in the Royal Engineers. He was 24 when he died on 25th April 1943, and he is commemorated on the Medjez-El-Bab Memorial, Tunisia.

He was the son of James and Alice Winton; husband of B. M. Winton, of Longmoor Camp, Hampshire.

Wise, J. F. L.     
Joseph Francis Loftus Wise, 151301, was a Pilot Officer in the RAFVR, and he died on 18th April 1943. He is commemorated on the Ottawa Memorial, Canada.

Wise, W. H.      
William Henry Wise, 6289216, was a Private in The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment). He died on 8th February 1944, when he was 24, and is buried in the Sangro River War Cemetery, Italy, V C 44.

He was the son of Frank and Edith Annie Wise, of Buckland, Dover.

badge: with the courtesy of Daniel Borrett, from the estate of Mr John Daniel Bernard Borrett, policeman and ex-Buffs, nephew of Great War casualty, John Collon Fox

#Wright, E. J. L.       
Edwin John Loftus Wright (Teddy) was a Paymaster Sub-Lieutenant (S) in the Royal Navy. He was reported as missing, and later as presumed lost, when the HMS Glorious was sunk on 8 June 1940 after evacuating servicemen from Norway. He was 21 and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial in the United Kingdom.

He was the elder son of John Loftus Wright and Doris Bertha Wright, from Carlyon Bay, Cornwall. 

Wood, J. G.      
James Gregory Wood (Jim), was a Midshipman, RNR, with the HMS Jackdaw. He had been educated at Dover Junior College, and was afterwards in the Worcester. He was accidentally killed on 9th September 1942, on the day before his 20th birthday, while flying with the Fleet Air Arm. He is commemorated on the Lee-on-Solent Memorial, United Kingdom.

He had been mentioned in despatches. He was the son of the late Christopher James and Gladys Maud Wood, grandson of the late James Wood, and was late of 108 Folkestone Road, Dover.

Wood, M. G.     
Max Godden Wood, 526264, was in 30 Squadron, RAF, as a Leading Aircraftman. He died when he was 23 on 31st May 1941. He is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial, Egypt. 

He was the son of Matthew and Winnifred Eliza Wood, from Dover

Young, H. G.      
H. G. Young