Davison, R. A.

Reginald (Reggie) Alvan Davison, 1258580, was an Aircraftman, 2nd Class, serving in 110 Squadron in the RAFVR

Born at 9 Bulwark Street, Dover, Reggie was the son of Jessie and William Davison, who had married at Holy Trinity Church on 25th February 1918. They were the landlord and landlady of The Green Beret, formerly The Royal  Arms, in Canada Road, Walmer, Deal. They also lived at 37 Bunn's Lane, Mill Hill, Middlesex

Victor, Leslie, and their father, William	Jessie, two of her sons, Victor and Reggie, and her mother, Martha	Leslie and his mother, Jessie

He had two brothers, Leslie Ronald, who served in the Army, and Victor Charles, who was a "Bevan Boy". They were the grandsons of Alfred Charles and Martha Ann Gatehouse (nee Howell), who lived at 13 The Ropewalk, Dover

During the war, Reggie was stationed at Wattisham

While attempting with others to clear the airfield on 11th November 1940, after an air raid, he was killed when an unexploded bomb suddenly detonated. He was 20. He is buried at St Catherine's Church, Ringshall, Wattisham, Suffolk. Row B

The words on his headstone read:

Parted
Yet in Spirit Meeting
Every Minute of Every Hour
of Every Day

Reggie's father, William, died in Deal in 1974, and his mother, Jessie, died in Folkestone, in 1978, while residing at a local rest home 

with thanks to Valerie Nice

 

November 1941

We know not why death's frosty fingers touched a soul so sweet The little story of that life was brief and incomplete, And yet God cut that strong green stem that held youth's opening flower, And left us only memories to fill each empty hour Our dearly loved son In ever loving memory of our dear brother Les and Vic The call was sudden, the blow severe, To part with one we loved so dear; Only those who have lost can tell The bitter parting without farewell Gran and Grandpa Gatehouse

He was the son of Tom and Emily Day, and brother to Edward, below. He was an old St Mary's school boy

1943 At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them" In every loving and proud memory from their loving Aunt, Uncles, brothers and sisters (Persian Iraq Force, Birchington, Luton)

Day, E. F. B.    
Edward ("Eddie") Frank Bennett Day, D/SSX 27042, was a Signalman in the Royal Navy, with the H.M.S Hunter. He was 20 when he died on 10 April 1940. He is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial. Panel 39, Column 2

He was the son of Tom and Emily Day, from Dover, and brother to Charlie, above

"In loving memory of my dear boy ... Loved by all who knew him. From Mum and Uncle Will"

In 1941 his brothers inserted an In Memoriam announcement "In loving and proud memory of our dear brother Eddie ... "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends". From his loving brothers Charlie, "Rosso", Jack, and Fred

His uncles Frank and Harry also placed an announcement "In loving memory of our dear nephew 

"Sleeping peacefully, leaving loving memories
To remember our whole lives through,
But those memories will linger for ever
Those memories, dear one, of you" 

Dixon, H. D.       
Herbert Dixon Dixon, 40809, was the son of Charles Dixon Dixon and Maggie Dixon, from Helston, Cornwall, and was the nephew of Mr T N Dixon of Dover

He was a Pilot Officer in the RAF, 26 Squadron, and died on Monday, 27th May 1940. On the previous night Calais had fallen into enemy hands; British forces had been besieged and had relied on air drops for re-supply. On the morning of 27 May  the RAF sent aircraft to drop further supplies by air, not knowing the town had been overrun. Still unaware, more aircraft set out to drop ammunition and water into the Citadel on the western edge of Calais, in the belief that British troops were still there. Westland Lysanders from 26 Army Air Co-operation Squadron had set out across the English Channel from Lympne to conduct both reconnaissance and re-supply missions to the Citadel, but three of the squadron aircraft were shot down, with six crewmen being killed. One of the Lysanders lost was L4782 flown by Pilot Officer Herbert Dixon (pilot) and Leading Aircraftman Daniel Nimmo (air-gunner) who were conducting an armed reconnaissance. They crashed at 5:40 am near Sangatte.

Herbert Dixon is buried in Les Baraques Military Cemetery, Sangatte, France. Plot 12, Row A, Grave 3. At the foot of his headstone are the words, "One of the Few to whom we Many owe so much"  Next to him is buried Daniel McLellan Nimmo, 536679, aged 24. His parents were Daniel McLellan and Agnes Nimmo, of Bo'ness, West Lothian. At the foot of his headstone are inscribed the words, "To live in hearts he left behind is not to die"

On this same day, a Hawker Hector serial K8116 from 613 'City of Manchester' Squadron crashed at 10:30 am on Shakespeare Cliff at Dover in fog after returning from bombing enemy artillery positions at Calais. Pilot Officer Kenkyns (pilot) was badly injured and Leading Aircraftman Reginald Brown (air-gunner) died of his injuries. He was 25, and is buried in Sidmouth Cemetery in Devon.

RAF information with thanks to Dean Sumner
illustration: Westland Lysander at RAF Museum, Hendon, by Dean Sumner

Dixon, R. J.      
Ronald James Dixon, 14887768, was a Signalman in the Royal Corps of Signals. He died when he was 22, on 19th September 1947. He is buried in the Kuala Lumpur (Cheras Road) Civil Cemetery, Malaysia. Grave 901

His parents were James F W Dixon and Hilda Dixon, from Dover

In Loving Memory Of A Dear Wife Hilda Dixon Died 10th March 1963 Aged 64 years

Also Eldest Son Ronald James Dixon Royal Corps of Signals Who Died at Kuala Lumpar Malaya 17th Sept. 1947 Aged 23 A Loving Memory Left Behind

Also Of James Frederick William Dixon Husband of The Above Died 30th August 1965. Aged 71 Years Reunited photo and transcription, Joyce Banks

"Silent thoughts and loving memories of our dear son and brother ... who died as the result of an accident at Kuala Lumper" - 1949 -  Much loved and sadly missed by Mum, Dad and Dennis

Drury, J. E.     
James Edward Drury, 2023869, was a Corporal in the 2nd battalion, Middlesex Regiment. He was 29 when he died on 31 May 1940. He is buried in Dunkirk Town Cemetery, France. Plot 2, Row 13, Grave 3

His parents were James and Sarah Mary Drury, and his wife was Daisy Drury, from Gosport,  Hampshire

This may be the Corporal J Drury who was reported missing since June 1940, and in late 1941 as being presumed as having died of wounds. His parents were Mr and Mrs J Drury, from 19 Lambton Road