And to Record and Commemorate

Born December the 4^th, 1923, entered the School November the seventeenth 1938 and left July the twenty-fifh 1941. Served in the Royal Armoured Corps, 1^st Northamptonshire Yeomanry. Trooper. Killed in action near Lataille in Normandy June the twenty-seventh, 1944.

PGSA Number 542, 9^th July 1937. Craigmillar, 5 Aldwych Drive, Ashton. Junior Member till 1938. Membership Register. Died of head wounds received during an enemy air attack. He was one of the founders of the University Section, H7-1945.

Born October the twenty-sixth, 1913, entered the School September the sixteenth 1925 and left July the twenty-sixth, 1933. School Prefect. Served in the Royal Corps of Signals from January 1941. Corporal. Died of wounds at Lubeck in Germany May the third,, 1945

The 64^th British Military Hospital Cemetery. Died of wounds in the last week of the war in Europe.

Russell, E No details, but an enigmatic comment of a letter from his Colonel about his future and what he should do with it.

Russell, W E Signaller
Saunders, Aircraftsman A Has a good billet in a popular resort where he is training to be a flight rigger, H7-1940.
Saunders, Signalman (F Hayes contact), H12-1940.
Saunders, E H Private Still in England in a Regiment, serving with Harold Jones, H4-1940.
Seed, E F Sergeant Major left PGS about 13 years ago and has seen Service from Singapore to the North West Frontier, H12-1940.
Seed, Francis William PGSA No 259, 27^th May 1927. DFC, Croix de Guerre.

Suspend October 6^th 1938. See 1914-18 for F W Seed, which war produced the medals?

Date of Birth 14^th July 1918. PGS 1928 - 1935. PGSA 25^th August 1938, No 584. 2 Hastings Road Ashton-on-Ribble Preston. Killed in Action July 1940 serving with the Fleet Air Arm. Membership Register.

Officer Cadet John Arthur “Pop” Seed, University Section, Fleet Air Arm, killed in action only a short time before he was due to receive his wings, H12-1940

Memorial Book: Fleet Air Arm John Arthur Seed

Born July the fourteenth, 1918, entered the School September the tenth, 1928 & left July the twenty-fourth, 1935Served in the Fleet Air Arm from February 1940. Officer Cadet. Killed in training whilst on Active Service July the twenty-first, 1940.

(Note: No other information is given on the CWG record. Daedalus is a Fleet Air Arm Base.)

Was studying architecture at Liverpool University, has been recommended for a commission in the Fleet Air Arm, H4-1940. Is training for a commission in the Fleet Air Arm, H7-1940.
Seed, Richard Leading Aircraftsman, wireless operator.
Severs, Ronald Ernest PGSA No 788, 20^th December 1942. Ingledene, Hazelmere Road, Broughton, Nr Preston. Athletic Section. Card: Ronald Ernest. 13, later 19 Conway Drive, Fulwood, Preston. Telephone 774021. 1939. Life Member. Re-numbered 1802. HM Forces. Entry 19 Left 1939. Joined March 1974 and re-numbered 1802, and (2009) transferred back to 788. 19 Conway Drive, Fulwood, Preston PR2 3EN. Worked at Horrockses at 10/- for a 48-hour week. RAF India. Newsletter October 2007.
Shadlock, G Indian Ocean
Sharples, Jack By 20 years old was a radio operator in the First Commando Brigade, D-Day landings 1944, Crossing the Rhine 1945. (LEP)
 Sharples, John Frederick Memorial Book

Memorial Book: Royal Air Force John Frederick Sharples

Born December the ninth, 1922, entered the School September the nineteenth, 1934 and left July the twenty-seventh, 1939. Served in the Royal Air Force from 1942. Leading Aircraftsman. Died on Active Service July the third, 1944

Born April the eleventh, 1920, entered the School September the fourteenth, 1931 and left July the twenty-sixth, 1933. Served in the Royal Army Medical Corps from June 1940 and in the Airborne Division in 1944. Private. Died of wounds at Arnhem on or about the twenty-first of September 1944.

Shufflebottom, C PGSOB team secretary, left during the season to join the Forces, H-Midsummer-1943.

Arthur born 7^th January 1897. Bangor Grammar School, Co Down. PGS 16^th January 1911 to 25^th July 1914. Oxford and Cambridge Schools Examination July 1913, School Certificate. Harris Football First XI, inside right, 1913, H12-1913. Higher Certificate 1914. Private coaching for Belfast Matriculation Examination in preparation for study of Medicine and Surgery.

PGSA No 372, 26^th April 1930. Dr, MD, DPH, DPM. Mental Hospital, Brentwood, Essex. Life Member. Card: Flerrison Hospital, Flerrison, Dorchester. Delepsed. HM Forces. (“Delepsed” is plainly written and seems to be a combination of deleted and lapsed!)

May be in the Navy, met S Barker.

Born April the twenty-sixth, 1914, entered the School April the twenty-third 1925 and left July the twenty-fourth, 1929. Served in the Royal Air Force, Bomber Command, from March 1940. 77 Squadron. Sergeant Engineer. Missing presumed killed in operations over Germany September the seventh, 1943

77 Squadron flew Halifax heavy bombers. William Smirk appears to have been the flight engineer of Halifax II DT793 KN-E which left Elvington during the evening of 6^th September for Munich. The raid by 404 Lancasters and Halifaxes sustained sixteen losses.

Born May the twenty-ninth, 1916, entered the School September the sixteenth, 1925 and left July the twenty-fourth 1928. Served in the Corps of Royal Engineers from 1939. Captain. Mentioned posthumously in Despatches for distinguished service. Killed in action in Normandy June the sixth, 1944 (D-day)

Sowerby, Second Lieutenant E W is immensely proud of his regiment “the oldest in the world” (Royal Artillery), H7-1940. 11^th Indian Division, missing at Singapore now reported as a prisoner, H-Midsummer-1943.

Born December the sixth, 1918, entered the School September the eleventh, 1929 and left on July the twenty-fourth, 1935. Served in the Royal Regiment of Artillery, 88^th Field Regiment, from September 1939. Lance Bombardier. Died October the sixteenth, 1943, at Chungkai in Thailand whilst a Prisoner-of-War in the hands of the Japanese.

PGSA No 630, 24^th February 1940. PGS June 1932 - June 1938. 78 Prospect Terrace, Preston.

Born November the ninth, 1920, entered the School September the thirteenth 1932 and left November the fourth, 1938. Served in the Fleet Air Arm from November 1942. Sub-Lieutenant. Killed whilst on Active Service December the fifteenth, 1944

HMS Nightjar was the RN airfield at Inskip. The Fleet Air Arm names its Bases after appropriate birds to be found in the area. Thus, the temporary aluminium strip put down in the Falklands for the Harriers and helicopters which was capable of coming apart when it shouldn’t was appropriately named HMS Sheathbill, a local seabird of unprepossessing appearance and disgusting habits!

Taylor, J H PGSA Magazine editor now in the Forces , H4-1940. Has a grim determination to rid the world of the Nazis, H7-1940. Gunner, played cricket for his Company. Apparently in an AA battery from comments about occasionally assisting in shooting down German planes, H12-1940.

PGSA No 630, 24^th February 1940. PGS June 1932 - June 1938. 78 Prospect Terrace, Preston.

RAF H12-1939. Membership Register states Casualty HMF.

Stationed in Canada, has married a Canadian cousin.

Born February the twenty-fourth, 1916, entered the School September the fifteenth, 1926 and left July the twenty second, 1932. Served in the Royal Air Force, Bomber Command, from September 1939. 50 Squadron. Squadron Leader. Killed in operations over Europe June the twelfth, 1944.

The village is 51 kilometres west of Arras, there are ten British graves. No 102 ‘Ceylon’ Squadron at one period was Commanded by Leonard Cheshire. The Squadron flew Halifax heavy bombers.

323 aircraft attacked various flying bomb sites. 102 Squadron was in 4 Group which lost two Halifaxes in a raid on the Montorgueil site. This was a daylight raid. Halifax III LL549 KN-N of 77 Squadron from Full Sutton collided with Guy Treasure’s similar Mk III MZ753 DY-M from Pocklington, both planes crashing at Fontaine l’Etalon in the Pas-de-Calais, near Hesdin.
Treasure, J S Cadet REME. Lieutenant. PGSOB centre half, called up part way through the season, H7-1944.
Trewby, John Preston Memorial Book

RAF Flying Officer, son of the late Rev Norman Trewby, a former Headmaster. Reported missing, believed killed in action, H4-1940.

Born August the sixteenth, 1913, entered the School September the fourteenth, 1921 and left October the twentieth, 1925. Served in the Royal Air Force, Bomber Command, from September 1939. 99 Squadron. Flying Officer. Missing presumed killed in operations over Heligoland December the fourteenth, 1939

He is shown as RAF, not RAFVR, and was probably a Regular. 99 Squadron was the first to receive the new Vickers Wellington, classed at that time as a heavy bomber. Based at Mildenhall, moved on the outbreak of war to Newmarket Heath, the racecourse, and used the Rowley Mile as the landing and take-off strip. All RAF bases were grassed, hard surfaced runways came later. The accepted policy was that daylight bombing by a close formation of bombers with their defensive armament would always fight their way to a target. Crews were instructed to avoid civilian property and personnel damage including the instruction to drop bombs so as to lodge in the superstructure of moored ships! There were several patrols and sweeps against shipping targets. A flight from 99 Squadron made the first RAF raid, in December 1939, and returned unharmed. A second, larger, raid by 12 Wellingtons of 99 Squadron was launched against German naval targets at Wilhelmshaven on 14^th December 1939, met Messerschmitt Me 109 and 110 fighters, lost five Wellingtons and a sixth crashed on landing. There was an immediate re-appraisal of the bombing tactics. John Trewby was co-pilot of a Wellington IA which was hit by an Me 109 and turned towards the German mainland, presumably crashing in the sea.

Born May the sixteenth, 1921, entered the School September the twelfth, 1933 and left July the twenty-fourth, 1937. Served in the Royal Air Force, Bomber Command, from September 1939. 101 Squadron. Sergeant Air Gunner. Killed in operations over Europe April the third, 1942.

There are 30 1939-1945 war casualties in this cemetery.

The Squadron in 1941-42 changed rapidly from Blenheim to Wellington to Lancaster bombers. In April 1942 was flying Wellington Mk III, and X3709, SR-J, was Gardening (mine laying) in the Lorient area. No reason is known for the loss. Three bodies were recovered.
Varley, Douglas Agnew Entry 12^th September 1933, Leaving 6^th March 1939.

PGSA No 631, 26^th February 1940, 279 North Road, Preston.

HM Forces 12^th July 1941.

Varley, Private D A recently joined the Army. Athletic Section. New member since June 30^th 1939, H4-1940.

Gunner, Desert Rat
Walker, J B Royal Engineers
Wallwork, H C Captain
Walmsley, D V Royal Marines
Walmsley, F Staff Sergeant To France in 1939; Greece, Albania with the Greek Army; Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Tripolitania, Italy.
Walsh, R B Lance-Bombardier H12-1940. May be Prisoner of War in Malaya.
Ward, R H met his brother T E in Italy.
Ward, T E Craftsman Met his brother R H in Italy.
Watson, Roger S Aircraftsman, Flight Mechanic, with a Squadron overseas, H-Christmas-1942.
Waud, H E Trooper Eighth Army in North Africa, tank crew, interviewed by British United Press correspondents, H-Christmas-1942.
 Waud, Thomas Edward Memorial Book

At PGS September 1921 to December 1926. PGSA No 255, 9^th April 1927. 11 Addison Road West, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston. 37 Newton Road, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston. Struck off membership 1936-37.

Younger brother of Alfred Edward, also at the School.

HMS Martin, G44, was laid down by Vickers Armstrong on the Tyne on 23^rd October 1939, launched on 12^th December 1940 and completed on 4^th April 1942. An L and M-Class Destroyer. She was torpedoed by U-431 when north east of Algiers on 10^th November 1942. There were 63 survivors but 161 lost their lives.

Born April the twentieth, 1910, entered the School September the fourteenth 1921 and left December the twenty-first 1926. Served in the Royal Navy from December 1941. His Majesty’s Ship Martin. Able Seaman. Missing presumed killed off Algiers, during the landings in North Africa, November tenth, 1942.

Father - John Harold Webster, 12 Rose Avenue, Preston. Universal Miller (engineer).

Douglas born 22^nd November 1918. Roebuck School. Application for PGS 3^rd July 1930. [Douglas Roland]

Sub-Lieutenant RNVR. Killed in action off the coast of France, H7-1940.

Born November the twenty-second, 1918, entered the School September the tenth 1930 and left November the twenty-eighth, 1934. Served in the Royal Navy from September 1939. His Majesty’s Ship Vimy. Sub-Lieutenant. Killed on board whilst bringing wounded out of Boulogne May the twenty-fourth, 1940.

The destroyer HMS Vimy was launched on 28^th December 1917 as HMS Vancouver. She was not modernised between the wars. On 9^th August 1939 she recommissioned with a Reservist company. During the next few months she was engaged on convoy escorts in the Western Approaches, the Channel, North Sea and several Gibraltar convoys. On 6th February 1940 convoy OBM85G was under escort off Bishop’s Rock when an Anson of Coastal Command, 217 Squadron, lost control during a turn and dived into the sea. One member of the four-man crew survived and was rescued by Vimy. An ‘OB’ convoy was outward bound from Liverpool and M probably indicates to the Mediterranean. In May 1940 came under Dover Command, and on the 13^th escorted to UK from Ymuiden the Blue Funnel Line’s Perseus carrying the Dutch gold reserves together with some members of the Dutch Royal Household. On 22^nd May she bombarded Calais and brought out a detachment of Welsh Guards. On 23^rd May she took Irish and Welsh Guards and a Royal Marines’ demolition team [Operation XD(G)] into Boulogne and brought out wounded. The Royal Marines were to demolish the locks so as to render the dock system unusable, the Guards were to defend the Marines whilst they carried out their demolitions.

Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of the Army from France, began on the evening of 26^th May. Prior to that the Navy brought out wounded and specific Units. The destroyers Keith and Whitshed had delivered troops to Calais before joining Vimy in Boulogne. Keith and Whitshed berthed side by side at the quay, Whitshed taking stretcher cases. She fought an artillery battle against German troop movements, tanks, artillery and machine gun positions. Fully loaded, she backed out of the harbour, and when a machine gun post in a warehouse overlooking the quay came within her arc of fire it was obliterated at point blank range, and then also destroyed several others. Once outside the harbour she continued to attack tanks, artillery, and destroyed a French fort which had been taken over by the Germans. Reports stated that the troops ashore enjoyed and were greatly heartened by the strange experience of a Navy destroyer waging an artillery battle with her 4.7-inch main armament against tanks and artillery. As Whitshed left Vimy took her place and continued the battle. Shortly afterwards there was a co-ordinated attack by massed Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers, machine guns, mortars and troops. Near misses to Keith by dive bombers with hits from mortar shells and machine gun fire damaged the bridge and gun positions, killed the Commanding Officer, other Officers and Men. Vimy’s CO was seriously injured and one Officer and several Men were killed. That one Officer would appear to be Douglas Webster. When fully loaded the two destroyers began to withdraw, Vimy on fire aft and with a list, but not seriously damaged. Whitshed returned to give support and the three destroyers continued the artillery battle. Keith and Vimy were ordered to Dover. Keith buried her dead at sea and Vimy presumably did likewise.
^{Westley, Arthur B Has returned to civilian life, H-Christmas-1942.
Westrope, F Sapper later, Lance Corporal. Italy. Returned from war service.
Whalley, B Officer in local 541 Squadron ATC, H-Christmas-1942.
Whalley, H Marine, previously in Lancashire Constabulary CID, H-Christmas-1942. Lance Corporal, Royal Marines but has been moving between Units which caused him to lose and then recover his stripes. Corporal, H-Midsummer-1943.}
Whalley James Memorial Book

Memorial Book: Royal Aur Force James Whalley

Born August the fourteenth, 1913, entered the School September the sixteenth, 1925 and left July the twenty-fourth, 1929. Served in the Royal Air Force, Bomber Command, from December 1940. Sergeant Observer. Missing presumed killed in operations over Europe July the twenty-sixth, 1942.

Vire is a small town in the Calvados prefecture, about 37 miles south west of Caen. There are four graves from the 1939-1945 war.

138 Squadron was a Special Duties squadron operating for the Special Operations Executive (see George Harris). On Saturday / Sunday, 25^th/26^th July 1942, the Whitley V bomber Z9282 - NF - M, Flight Sergeant John Owen, captain, crashed at Vire during an SOE mission on Cholet, which is about 50 miles east-south-east of St Nazaire, Nantes halfway between the two. The Whitley had a crew of five, one survived and became a prisoner of war.

Whalley, William PGSA No 320, 9^th February 1929. 28 Station Road, Bamber Bridge, nr Preston. 18 School Lane, Bamber Bridge, nr Preston. 4 Grove Road, Walton-le-Dale. 5 Chorley Road, Walton-le-Dale. 188A Victoria Road, Walton, Preston. Glengarth, Higher Walton Road, Higher Walton, Preston. Card: Glengarth, 314 Higher Walton Road, PR5 4HT. 1926. Life Member. HM Forces. Aircraftsman, based near home so able to continue playing football for PGSOB, H-Christmas-1942. Overseas on a long voyage which means he missed his weekly game of football, H-Midsummer-1943. L A C, RAF, Ceylon. Later, Corporal.

RAF Born 5^th December 1922. PGS September 1934 - August 1938; PGSA No 681, 12^th October 1940, Athletic Section. 20 Woodside Avenue, Ribbleton, Preston. Membership Register. Memorial Book: Royal Air Force Geoffrey Prater Wilkinson

Born December the fifth, 1922, entered the School September the twelfth, 1934, and left July the twenty-sixth, 1938. Served in the Royal Air Force, Coastal Command, from February 1941. 248 Squadron. Flight Sergeant Pilot. Missing presumed killed in a flying accident whilst on Active Service September the seventh, 1943.

CWG: Geoffrey Prater Wilkinson Flight Sergeant RAFVR 248 Squadron 20 years Died 7^th September 1943 Service Number 1236806. Son of Charles S and Ada Wilkinson, of Ribbleton, Lancashire. Memorial Reference: Panel 140, Runnymede Memorial.

248 Squadron flew Blenheims from Cornwall providing fighter escort for strike aircraft attacking shipping off the French coast and the Bay of Biscay. In June 1943 they changed to Beaufighter X, flying from Predannack, Cornwall.

Born March the sixth 1922, entered the School September the twelfth, 1933 and left July the twenty-sixth, 1938. Served in the Royal Air Force, Bomber Command, from August 1941. 196 Squadron. Sergeant Air Gunner. Killed in operations over Germany March the thirtieth, 1943.

South east of Apeldoorn.

196 Squadron badge is a mailed fist holding a dagger, hilt downwards. The mailed fist indicates the power of bombing whilst the dagger being handed down indicates supply dropping. Motto: Sic fidem servamus Thus we keep Faith. It was a night bombing squadron flying, from January 1943, the Wellington X, based at Leconfield. On a raid to Bochum HE385 was shot down by a night fighter over Zwiep, Holland. There were no survivors.
Wilson, H Ball Nothing is yet known about this Old Boy other than that he was a fighter pilot, then entered civil aviation administration, and was alive in 1951.
Wilson, J S Lieutenant With the Guards in Italy. Son of Colonel J B Wilson of Fulwood.
Wilson, M C Officer in local 541 Squadron ATC, H-Christmas-1942, (see Great War).
Wilson, R P ‘Tug’
Winwood, H C H7-1944.
Withington, Peter H Signal Training Regiment, Royal Artillery, H-Christmas-1942. Army October 2008 Newsletter.
Woodall, Mr left early in the term to join the Army, H12-1940.
Woodruff, T W RAF
Woods, B N REME Craftsman. Left PGS 1926. In India, H-Midsummer-1943.
Woods, G L Flight Sergeant G L Woods, RAFVR, aged 24, enlisted in July 1941 and has since done over 40 operational flights. He has been awarded the DFM in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty, H7-1945.
 Worsley, George Herbert Memorial Book

Memorial Book: George Herbert Worsley Gordon Highlanders

Born July the tenth, 1913, entered the School April the twenty-second, 1925 and left July the twenty-fourth, 1929. Served in The Gordon Highlanders, First Battalion, from 1939. Private. Died of wounds received in action near Caen in Normandy July the eighteenth, 1944.

Worth, Edwin Lieutenant, Royal Army Medical Corps.

Missing at sea, H-Midsummer-1942.

Born December the tenth, 1921, entered the School September the twelfth 1933 and left July the twenty-fourth, 1937. Served in the Royal Navy, His Majesty’s Ships Raleigh, Drake, and Edinburgh, from June 1941. Ordinary Seamen. Missing presumed killed in a torpedo attack off Murmansk April the thirtieth, 1942.

Served on HMS Edinburgh, sister ship to HMS Belfast now moored on the Thames at Tower Bridge. Edinburgh was launched by Swan Hunter on the Tyne on 31^st March 1938, a 10,000 ton cruiser, 12 x 6” guns main armament, complement of 850. Was on Russia to UK convoy QP11 escort duty and was carrying £45 million in gold bullion payment by the Soviet Union for armaments being supplied. She was torpedoed in the Barents Sea by U-456, her stern being blown off. A tug was towing her back to the Kola Inlet at Murmansk when she and her escort were attacked by three German destroyers. Z-24 hit Edinburgh with another torpedo which had been aimed at one of the escorts. The cruiser still had one operational turret and her second salvo so badly damaged Hermann Schoemann that the Germans had to scuttle her. Edinburgh herself was now too badly damaged to save and had to be scuttled on 2^nd May. There were 57 casualties in the two attacks. The bullion has since been recovered!

HMSs Raleigh and Drake are Training Establishments.
Yates, Norman Company Sergeant Major, H-Christmas-1942. Met his brother Cyril in Italy.
Yates, Ronald Met his brother Jack in Egypt.
Youds, J Aircraftsman Likely to be sent overseas, H-Midsummer-1943.
Copyright Alick Hadwen October 2009
“Just in Case” - No evidence as yet that Don Windle of PGS is the same Donald Windle as below but the information has been assembled ready to insert when and if proof turns up.
Windle, Donald 580928 Sergeant London Gazette 30^th August 1940 DFM awarded with DFC to Pilot Officer C R Hattersley.
Recommendation:

In August 1940 PO Hattersley was the pilot and Sergeant Windle the navigator/bomb aimer of an aircraft detailed to carry out a bombing attack on an aircraft factory at Dessan. Two reconnaissance runs were made over the target during which PO Hattersley carefully selected the most vital parts to attack. On the third run he descended to a low altitude, regardless of enemy fire, and enabled Sergeant Windle, by skilful bomb aiming, to obtain three direct hits which destroyed the main power house and severely damaged the assembly shops and the metal shop. The success of this operation, which lasted eight hours, was in no small measure due to the accurate navigation of Sergeant Windle and the determination, courage and skill displayed by PO Hattersley in carrying out the attack.

Windle, Donald 580928 Sergeant No 44 Squadron Immediate

London Gazette 30^th August 1940 Air Observer
On the night of 13^th / 14^th August 1940, Sergeant Windle was Air Observer to Pilot Officer C R Hattersley in Hampden aircraft L.4154. By accurate navigation and skilful bomb aiming, he successfully bombed the Junkers aircraft factory at Dessau, severely damaging the assembly shop and the metal shops and destroying the main powerhouse in a flight which lasted over eight hours.

15^th August 1940.

Donald Windle became a Forestry Officer in the Environment Section of Lancashire County Planning Department until the Estates Department was established when he moved Departments to carry out similar duties within the new organisation.

Copyright Alick Hadwen October 2009