And to Record and Commemorate

Born February the nineteenth, 1913, entered the School May the ninth, 1924 & left March the twenty-third, 1932. Served in the Royal Air Force, Bomber Command, from 1941. Sergeant Observer. Missing presumed killed in operations over Germany May the fifth, 1943.

83 Squadron flew Lancasters.

On 4^th/5^th May 596 aircraft made the first major attack on Dortmund, two steel producing factories were seriously damaged as were many port facilities. 83 Squadron was one of the original Pathfinder Squadrons. 6 Lancasters out of 255 were lost. The Lancaster I, R5629 OL-J, with an 8-man crew - normally 7 - took off from Wyton, crashed in the Dortmund area, the crew being buried initially in a city cemetery.

Hale, Maurice Wolfenden RAF PGS 1936 - 1942; PGSA 17^th June 1943 No 795. 27 Walton Park, Walton, Liverpool.

Hall, Signalman R (Bob) Can now clean his boots properly. Was the Harris goalie but now is playing inside left. Had been hoping for some leave to get married, H7-1940. Serving in the East, sailed on the same troopship as Len England. Sergeant, an instructor.

Sergeant Gunner, may have been in the Pathfinder force; has been on a St Nazaire raid, H-Midsummer-1943.

Born February the eighteenth, 1923, entered the School September the twelfth, 1934 and left March the twentieth, 1940. School Prefect. Served in the Royal Air Force from April 1942. Special Duties Branch. Warrant Officer. Missing presumed killed in operation over Norway December the thirtieth, 1944.

138 Squadron was formed on 25^th August 1941 as a mixed aircraft squadron tasked for Special Operations Executive duties, usually parachuting personnel and supplies behind enemy lines. A Stirling Mk IV was used on this operation. The early Short Stirling was under-powered as a heavy bomber but engine changes made it effective in other roles. On 30^th/31^st December 1944 Stirling LK 283 - NF - L was lost at sea from sea-borne anti-aircraft fire during Operation Crupper 10; George Harris was listed as a crew member.

Born August the tenth, 1921, entered the School September the twelfth, 1933 and left July the twenty-fourth, 1937. Served in the Royal Sir Force, Bomber Command, from May 1941. Sergeant Navigator Missing presumed killed in operations over Germany June the twelfth, 1943.

On 12^th June 1943 the Lancasters of 100 Squadron took off from RAF Waltham, Grimsby, just before midnight for a raid on Bochum at the heart of the Ruhr. 503 aircraft were in the raid which destroyed 130 acres. Lancaster III W4989 HW-F2 crashed near Essen and the crew were buried initially at Dusseldorf.

Army Dental Corps, RAMC, H12-1939. Lieutenant. Dentist, working flat out on the teeth of recruits, H4-1940. Younger brother of Roger, still in Britain as an Army dentist, H4-1940.

Born April the sixth, 1915, entered the School September the sixteenth, 1925 and left July the twenty-ninth, 1931. Served in the Army Dental Corps from 1940. Captain. Died on Active Service March the thirteenth, 1941.

Plays bassoon in the School orchestra. Junior Gym Master. One of the best sprinters in the country. Enlisted in the Army as a PTI and promoted to Sergeant-Instructor The first member of the teaching staff to join or to be called up, H4-1940. Sergeant-Inspector John, APTS, won the Forces 100 and 220 yards at Manchester on 6^th July 1940, H7-1940. (The rank ought to be Sergeant-Instructor; Army Physical Training Service.)

Left two terms ago to become a PTI in the Army. The Government now has a scheme to provide physical training to youths between fourteen and eighteen who would not otherwise have such facilities. Has been released from the Army under this scheme and returned to the School, H12-1940. ^{Recalled to the Physical Training Corps, H7-1944. Returned from war service and is Captain of PGSOB football team but has an appointment in Blackpool, H7-1947.}
Helm, Francis Memorial Book

Memorial Book: Royal Air Force Francis Helm

Born March the eleventh, 1922, entered the School September the twelfth, 1933 and left July the twenty-sixth, 1938. Served in the Royal Air Force, Bomber Command, from 1941. Flight Sergeant. Missing presumed killed in operations over Germany January the thirtieth, 1944

The list of names in the Minster gives him as Frank.

100 Squadron flew Lancasters from RAF Grimsby, otherwise known as RAF Waltham. It had flown 86 sorties without loss in the previous six raids on Berlin. On 30^th January 1944 Lancaster III ND398 HW-B took off about 1700 hours for Berlin and return time was to have been about 2330 hours. Three of the Squadron’s Lancasters were lost. There were burials reported from Karwe, near Karstädt, and there was one survivor who became a prisoner of war. 540 aircraft were dispatched on this raid, 33 were lost; 193 crew members were killed and 53 prisoners of war. The raid was over the target for 14 minutes, dropping 1,896 tons of bombs.
Henthorn, C T Gunner. Sapper, in Malaya, H7-1947.
Heppell, James R M His PGS history states 3^rd (Queen Alexandra’s Own) Gurkha Rifles in India and Burma. India, Cadet, hoping for a commission soon. Same station as Kenneth Nightingale, H-Christmas-1942. Second Lieutenant, H-Midsummer-1943.
Heys, J C Aircraftsman in Photographic Section, H-Christmas-1942. Has left Blackpool for overseas, H-Midsummer-1943.
Heyworth, R Army
 Hill, Kenneth Walter Memorial Book

PGSA Number 782, 8^th November 1942. 22 Symonds Road, Preston. Membership Register.

Born November the twenty-first, 1922, entered the School September the twelfth 1934 and left July the twenty-sixth 1938. Served Royal Corps of Signals. Signalman. Killed in action in North Africa January the twenty-first, 1943.

Reported as missing during air operations over India. He left the Agricultural Department of the County Offices to join the RAF is 1941, H7-1945.

Born March the twenty-second, 1922, entered the School September the twelfth, 1933 and left February the eighth, 1938. Served in the Royal Air Force from March 1940. 159 Squadron. Flight Sergeant. Missing presumed killed in operations over Burma December the twenty-ninth, 1944.

Ronald Denis Hilton was the Rear Gunner of “X”, KH 276, Liberator Mk VI, Flight Sergeant A J Stewart, Captain. The Liberator was shot down by anti-aircraft fire off Elephant Point on 29^th December 1944.

Gunner, a despatch rider in the Royal Artillery, was killed in a collision whilst on active service on 17^th September 1939, H4-1940.

Born December the third, 1912, entered the School September the seventeenth, 1924 and left July the twenty-fourth, 1929. Served in the Royal Regiment of Artillery from September 1939. Gunner. Accidentally killed whilst on Active Service September the seventeenth, 1939

Born November the twenty-fourth, 1916, entered the School April the tenth, 1929 and left July the twenty-sixth, 1933. Served in the Royal Air Force Regiment from May 1940. Squadron Leader. Died of fever whilst on Active Service in North Africa August the sixteenth, 1943

2930 Squadron formed at Castel Benito in February 1943 in the Light Anti-Aircraft role. Served at Mareth, Gabe, Azizia, Benghazi, Khanka, Helwan, Gaza East, Hadera, and was disbanded April 1944.

PGSA No 382, 6^th September 1930. 22 Victoria Parade Preston 22 Fishwick Parade, Preston. September 1925 - July 1930. 189 High Road, Halton, Lancaster.

Born January the twentysixth, 1916, entered the School September the fourteenth, 1927 and left March the second 1932. Served in the Parachute Regiment. Lieutenant. Killed in action in Normandy June the sixth, 1944 (D-day)

This is some 18 miles north east of Caen and 13 miles north west of Lisieux. There are 12 war graves.

9^th Paras were part of the forces detailed to destroy, early on D-Day before the invasion fleets arrived, the Merville Battery - a huge heavily fortified coastal defence position dominating a landing beach.

See David Fisher Kerr, Glider Pilot Regiment.

H7-1940. Sergeant F J Ireland is working hard. Seems to be in or attached to the RAF, H12-1940. Flight Sergeant, stationed in a village, H-Christmas-1942.

Born July the twenty-second, 1921, entered the School September the thirteenth, 1932 and left July the twenty-sixth 1938. Served in the Royal Air Force, Bomber Command, from August 1940. Sergeant Pilot. Killed in a flying accident whilst on Active Service July the twenty-fifth, 1941.

Jones, Arthur Served in the Navy, brother of Harry, now at Wadham, Oxford, since January, H7-1947.

Jones, Frederic D Signalman, now overseas.

Born November the eighth, 1920, entered the School January the seventeenth 1936 and left December the twenty-second, 1936. Served in the Royal Air Force, Overseas Despatch Carrying Unit from October 1940. Sergeant Air Gunner. Killed in a flying accident whilst on Active Service September the twenty fifth, 1941.

Born February the twelfth 1922, entered the School September the twelfth, 1933 and left July the twenty-sixth, 1938. Served in the Royal Regiment of Artillery from July 1942. Gunner. Killed in action in North Africa April the eighth, 1943.

PGSA about 1940, No 620. 30 Ribblesdale Place, Preston. Membership Register.

David Kerr married Doreen Flannery, sister of an Old Boy, on 3^rd March 1943, at St James’ Church. H-Midsummer-1943. On 19^th December 1943, to Mr and Mrs D F Kerr, a son, Neil David, H7-1944.

Memorial Book: Army Air Corps David Fisher Kerr

Born 27 Ap. 1920, entered the School 14 Sep. 1927 & left 26 July 1938. School Prefect. Served in the East Lancashire Regt. from Sept.. 1940 & in the Glider Pilot Regt. from 1942. Staff Sergt. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for gallant conduct in Normandy 6 June 1944 (D-day) when he engaged in heavy fighting with German reinforcements whom he prevented from reaching their objective. Killed in action at Arnhem October 1944.

Operation Tonga. His glider Chalk 27, Sgt H Walker was Second Pilot, was towed into Merville by an Albemarle of 297 Squadron, Flt Lt Thompson. (Chalk 27 - the wooden gliders had their numbers chalked on them!) It carried 21 Men of A Company 9 Para and 591 Para Squadron Royal Engineers, Lieutenant Hugh C Pond, 9 Para, commanding. Different books claim unspecified Stirling and Halifax as tugs. In training for the raid the paratroopers flew repeatedly in the glider with Kerr landing on a small circle, at which he became expert. The Paras were most impressed with his skill. At least three main force gliders were lost in the Channel and were carrying all the mortars and signalling equipment for use at Merville to identify the target for the three gliders. The intention was to land between two casements which would tear off the wings and leave the glider open for the Paratroopers to make their attack directly onto the Battery. As he was just touching down he saw a large notice warning of a minefield, lifted the nose in a difficult manoeuvre (there was no power), regained flight, cleared the field and was going in to land, deployed his parachute which caught in trees and brought him up just short of landing as planned between the concrete casements. There is a painting for the Regiment of the glider, wings torn off and the fuselage broken in two and on fire, as the paratroopers fought their way out. The direct assault on the Battery did not have a separate Operation name, just “Battery” as part of Operation Tonga. There were 98 gliders in total, each with a 2-man crew. Only ten DFMs were awarded. Some of the Glider Pilots were awarded Military Medals, which may suggest that David Kerr’s DFM was awarded primarily for his flying skills. The three gliders from “B” Squadron took off from Brize Norton. The RAF tug pilots always practised with the same glider pilots, including messing together. On the way across the Channel, which included a very difficult time in huge cumulo-nimbus cloud formations near Odiham, Flt Lt Thompson decided to take the glider all the way to the Battery. The gliders were all heavily overladen: the paratroopers took every piece of armament they could carry, including “hand luggage” - bags or buckets full of grenades. Over 700 men took off for the raid on Merville and other tasks. The 9^th Battalion was scattered over a wide area and only some 65 men were gathered together in time to make the attack on the Battery. With no signalling equipment, the troops under attack but holding the Battery could not inform the cruiser HMS Arethusa, standing off the beach, of the success of the raid. A few minutes before she was due to move in and open fire a Verey light fired by a Paratrooper was seen by a plane which radioed the news just in time to stop the bombardment.

Sicily 1943, there was a shortage of RAF tugs and pilots. The GPR suffered 57 fatalities almost all due to the American tug pilots of USAF Transport Command casting off the gliders as soon as they encountered flak, forcing 60% of the gliders to ditch. Brigadier (General Sir John) Hackett placed the Regiment under arrest for several days to prevent them seeking out the Americans, especially as the latter held a parade at which bravery awards were handed out.

David Kerr was wounded at Arnhem and officially reported as missing but for some time was believed to be a prisoner of war.

Kinnear, Ray HM Forces, H-Christmas-1942.

Date of Birth 18^th April 1921; PGS April 1932 - October 1937; PGSA 16^th August 1938 No 579. 14 Gosforth Road, Blackpool N. 95 Broadway, Morecambe. Casualty HM Forces. Membership Register. Born in Preston.

Born April the eighteenth, 1921, entered the School April the tenth, 1929 and left October the twenty-second 1937. Served in the Royal Armoured Corps, 144^th Regiment, from May 1941. Lieutenant. Killed in action in Normandy June the thirteenth, 1944.

Brian Kirby was in the 8^th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment. It converted from Infantry to Armoured and was badged with the Armoured Fist of the 144^th Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps. He is listed in the East Lancashire’s Roll of Honour as a Second Lieutenant, died 13^th June 1944, and is buried in the Cemetery at Hottot-les-Bagues, near Bayeux.

Brian Kirby married Joyce Hill of St Annes-on-Sea.
Kirby, Aircraftsman R D has passed out as a flight rigger, second in the examination, H12-1940. LAC, East Africa, attack of sand-fly fever in Egypt. Now further south in a fertile country, H-Midsummer-1943.
Kitchen, D Leading Telegraphist on battleship HMS Duke of York.
Lacey, Peter Aircraftsman, draughtsman at the Air Ministry.
Lake, Lt-Gen Sir Percy H N KCB, KCMG, Vice President PGSA, H4-1940. H7-1940.
Lambert, John Lieutenant Artillery. May be Prisoner of War in Malaya. Prisoner in Java, H-Midsummer-1943.
Lambert, Robert Flying Officer, Qualified Officer of the Watch in the Flying Control Service. Flight Lieutenant, Iceland.
Lang, G H7-1944.
Laraway, Corporal E has been in the RAF, ground staff, about two and a half years, H12-1940. Corporal, somewhere on the Western seaboard of USA.Sergeant, in the Bahamas.

A bit ahead of things but it establishes that Ted Laraway survived the war and had a career in the RAF. On 15^th May 1957 a Valiant bomber of 49 Squadron, based at Wittering, dropped the first British nuclear weapon at Christmas Island in the Pacific. It had a 5-man crew which included Flight Lieutenant Laraway. His duties are not at present known but he was the last named. The Navigator / Bomb Aimer was Flight Lieutenant Alan Washbrook, of Blackburn, cousin of Cyril Washbrook. Squadron Leader Edward Laraway of Ingol obtained a coat of arms, which up to now has not been seen nor its blazon turned up. The crest is a blue seated greyhound with upraised black wings and in its front paws is holding something which possibly was part of the insignia of Bomber Command. The crest is on a “wreath” of white and blue. “Wreath” is more like a curved length of rope with alternating vertical stripes of the principal colours of the arms.

H-Christmas-1942.
Law, J A May be Prisoner of War in Malaya.
Leeming, Rifleman J Fred Is in the Army and finds it cold sweeping floors, H4-1940. Has not been passed for overseas service and is acting as a guardian angel to convoys. Which he prefers to footslogging with the L.I.R. (Which presumably means a Light Infantry Regiment, although the abbreviation is more normally LI. Unless it is something like Liverpool Irish.), H7-1940. University Section, now a cook, H12-1940. Still a cook - 1942. H-Christmas-1942.
Lendrum, K L Sub-Lieutenant, RNVR, H-Christmas-1942.
Lewis, Eric PGSA No 927. 7^th April 1945. 10 Church Avenue, Penwortham. Card: (Captain). 19 Denford Avenue, St Annes-on-Sea, Lancashire. 1 Links Avenue, Southport. 1928 to 1932. Life Member. Army February 1940 - Private - to June 1946 - Captain. North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Austria. Newsletter October 2007.
Lindsay, Derrick D Bombardier May be Prisoner of War in Malaya. Interned in Tai Camp, H-Midsummer-1943.
Line, Gerald W PGS 11^th January 1933 - 26^th July 1938; PGSA 18^th July 1938 No 578. University Section member. 12 St Andrew’s Avenue, Ashton; 202 Long Lane, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston. HM Forces 18^th June 1941. Membership Register. Known as Falstaff. Sergeant Instructor in the Orkneys. Sergeant-Instructor, Army Education Corps, H-Midsummer-1943.
Liver, A R Army
Lucas, Norman Memorial Book

Memorial Book: Royal Navy Norman Lucas

Born January the second, 1913, entered the School September the seven-teenth, 1924 and left July the twenty-fourth, 1930. Served in the Royal Navy from 1940. Motor Torpedo Boats. Ordinary Telegraphist. Missing presumed lost in the North Sea October the seventh, 1942.

HM Motor Torpedo Boat 29, was designed and built by Vosper in 1939-1940; 35¾ tons, 70’ long, 3 x Isotta-Fraschini petrol engines totalling 3,450bhp, 40 knots; 4 x 0.5” machine guns, 2 x 21” torpedo tubes; complement of 10. The engines were Italian, supplies of which halted when Italy entered the war. Later boats had USA Packard-built Rolls-Royce Merlins. MTB 29 and her sister 30 were both lost in 1942.

On 5^th October 1942, late evening, a section of MGBs and MTBs set out from their Base, HMS Beehive at Felixstowe, to ambush a large merchant ship and other vessels heading north east off the Dutch coast. If they travelled at speed on a still night their engines could be heard up to fifteen miles away. When in position and with some time to wait they cut the outer engines and switched in the silencer on the centre engine. The power-driven armaments and some other equipment took their power from drives on the outer propeller shafts. Shortly after midnight two 600-ton German torpedo boats and several E-boats (larger and more powerfully armed equivalents to MGB / MTBs) attacked the section which did not have speed or armaments until there was full power on all engines. Numbers 29 and 30 collided, the former was severely damaged, turned away heading back to base but sank.
Lumley, P Indian Army
Lund, Douglas F N Wireless Operator, prisoner in the same camp as Clifford Nightingale whose letter contained the first references that Douglas was safe and relieved his mother’s anxiety. He had been posted as missing since last January. He is in Stalag XB (I lag), H12-1941. Prisoner in a Stalag, H-Midsummer-1943.
MzacDonald, J Officer Cadet stationed at Mhow, near Indore, H7-1945.
Major, Jack Private. Eighteen months as a Section Officer in the AFS (Auxiliary Fire Service), now in the Reconnaissance Corps. Corporal, training assault troops, first cousins to the Commandos. Stood up to the strain but it is a young man’s job, H-Christmas-1942.
Malcolm, Alexander George Father - Alec R Malcolm, Bull & Royal Hotel, Church Street, Preston. Hotel Proprietor.

Alexander born 19^th August 1889. PGS January 1900. Studies at the discretion of Head Master.

United States WWII Draft Registration Card 1942, Roll WWII-2372618, Serial Number U 824. Date of Birth 18^th August 1889, Preston. Address: Previously 35 Rokeby Place, (Brooklyn?), 128 Marine Avenue, Brooklyn, NY; current was 10 Walbrook Avenue, West Brighton, New York. Wife, Gladys, 10 Walbrook Avenue, W.B.S.I. Employer - Mersey & Hudson Wharfage Corp, Pier 20, Staten Island. Registered at the Local Board No 292, 288 Broadway, Corner of Castleton Avenue, West New Brighton, Staten Island, New York. There is no further information. His age on registration, 53 years, would rule him out in UK - he wouldn’t have had to register unless he had previous Service. There is one soldier with the same name recorded in a Scottish Regiment in the Great War, with no identifying details.
Margerison, L Army
Marland, John Colin Memorial Book

Memorial Book: Royal Air Force John Colin Marland

Born February the third, 1922, entered the School September the twelfth, 1933 and left March the twenty-fifth, 1937. Served in the Royal Air Force, Bomber Command, from October 1941. Pilot Officer. Missing presumed killed in operations over Germany May the twenty-second, 1944.

John Marland was captain of the Lancaster III, ND879 DX-H, which left East Kirkby at 10pm on the 22^nd bound for Braunschweig. The seven man crew died and are buried in Germany.

57 Squadron motto was Corpus non animum muto I change my body, not my spirit. Its badge has two logs across each other as a saltire with a phoenix rising above them. At one stage during the Great War within a short period of time all the flying personnel became casualties but the Squadron remained operational with new personnel. Based at East Kirby from August 1943, flying Lancaster I and III heavy bombers. The Lancaster had the biggest bomb bay of any aircraft of any country of WW2, and carried the heaviest bomb load. On a raid to Berlin a typical bomb load of mixed weapons would be around 9,000 pounds but could load 14,000 lbs in a small number of large or very large bombs. It was the only aircraft - with some weight saving modifications - capable of delivering Barnes Wallis’ 10 ton (22,000lb) “earthquake bomb”.
^{Marsden, S In Canada on initial training as a pilot for the Fleet Air Arm. Returned from war service.}
Marsden, William Memorial Book

Reported as missing believed killed after a flight over enemy territory. His plane was known to have crashed in Belgium, H7-1945.

Born July the eighteenth, 1924, entered the School September the tenth, 1936 and left Novemer the first, 1939. Sered in the Royal Air Force, Bomber Command, from November 1943. Sergeant Engineer. Missing presumed killed in operations over Germany March the fifth, 1945.

514 Squadron was formed on 1^st September 1943 in 3 Group and its Lancasters flew 3,675 operational sorties. On 5^th March 3 Group, 170 Lancasters, raided a benzol plant at Gelsenkirchen, one being lost. On 5^th/6^th March 1,223 aircraft made raids on several synthetic oil plants, Squadrons not yet identified.

Reported missing after night bombing operations. He went to Canada eleven years ago under a Government Training Scheme, was a schoolmaster in Ontario and was married shortly before leaving for England with his unit, early in the war, H12-1941.

Born March the twenty-seventh, 1914, entered the School September the sixteenth, 1925 and left April the seventeenth, 1930. Served in the Royal Canadian Air Force, 78 Squadron, from September 1939. Sergeant Pilot. Missisng presumed lost in the North Sea after operations over Germany July the ninth 1941

78 Squadron RAF motto is Nemo non paratus - Nobody unprepared. In July 1941 they were flying Whitley Mk V bombers, based at Middleton St George. On late evening of 8^th July 1941 aircraft from 10, 44, 58, 78 and 83 Squadrons raided Hamm. The Whitley V, Z6555, EY- , Sgt O W McLean, Royal Australian Air Force, captain, with Clifford Martin as second pilot, left Middleton St George at 2303hrs. It crashed at 0251 which indicates it was on its return journey and over the eastern sector of the North Sea. Only one body was washed ashore.

University Section.The first Old Boy to be decorated in this war. Operations off Dunkirk, with near misses from shells and bombs, he traversed the Channel repeatedly with troops being taken out of Dunkirk. He appears to have been in command of one of the Navy’s small craft, H7-1940. Nicknamed by the local press where he is based as “Bombproof”, H12-1940. Lieutenant, RNVR.

Now in Royal Navy serving afloat. HMS Kenya 20^th June 1941. Possibly in India but known to have been in Ceylon. Signaller. Has crossed the Equator sixteen times. Membership Register.

In the Mediterranean, met Norman Sheridan in Gibraltar. In May 1941 Kenya took part in the hunt for the Bismark, following which the RN set about a systematic find and destroy the pre-positioned supply ships for the Bismark. Len Moore gives a graphic account, minus the details, of what must have been finding on 3^rd June the tanker Belchen refuelling a submarine in the Davis Straits. The cruiser opened fire on the tanker which soon was ablaze before blowing up in a huge explosion. On 14^th November with two British and two Soviet destroyers, Kenya went down the Norwegian Arctic coast and bombarded Vardo before taking over the escort of convoy PQ.3 to Archangel. The following day they did the Vardo shore batteries again, culminating in a very satisfying explosion. (The wartime censor has removed all the detail but Len Moore gives enough information for the actions now to be traced.)

Kenya was the flagship of the commander of the escort for a Malta re-supply convoy June 1942. His next letter is from a north-east seaport where he is staying for quite some time and also refers to the gruelling time on a big Malta convoy. That must have been probably the most famous of the Malta convoys - Operation Pedestal, when in August thirteen large fast freighters and a tanker had an escort of four cruisers, one was Kenya, plus destroyers and others with a covering force of two battleships, four aircraft carriers, cruisers, over thirty destroyers were involved, and other warships. Three of the freighters were escorted into Malta followed later by another and the tanker, both damaged. Kenya was torpedoed but was able to continue. Presumably then had to be repaired and the Tyne is probably where Len wrote from, H-Christmas-1942. In the Tropics, H-Midsummer-1943.
Mowbray, P G Sapper In France. In hospital after fighting in Holland. Was at Walcheren and whilst in hospital was seen by a psychiastrist from Whittingham. (Doesn’t say whether it was a friendly or professional visit.)
Mott, C W RAF, Pilot Officer, H-Christmas-1942. Flight Lieutenant
 Muir, James Leslie Memorial Book

Memorial Book: Royal Regiment of Artillery James Leslie Muir

Born December the third, 1909, entered the School September the fifteenth 1920 and left July the twenty-eighth, 1926. Served in the Royal Regiment of Artillery, 88^th Field Regiment, from September 1939. Bombardier. Died October the twenty first, 1943 at Kami Sonkrai in Thailand whilst a Prisoner of War in Japanese hands.

Father - James C Muir, 42 or 41 Frenchwood Street, Preston. Architectural Draughtsman.

James born 3^rd December 1909. Christ Church Boys’ School. PGS 15^th September 1920 to 28^th July 1926. Upper 3C to 5B. Exemption from fees September 1920, Governors of the School, Indeterminate period. Northern Universities School Certificate July 1926. Clerk, Borough Surveyor’s Department, Town Hall, Preston.

In the 1960s Mrs Mabel Muir was on the County Treasurer’s staff, in the Computer Control Section, and Esmond Sowerby (qv), an ex-Japanese PoW, was the Section Head.

Father - Frederick Mullineaux, (21 East View), Sunnyside, Victoria Road, Fulwood. 1922. Leather Factor.

Rowland born 23^rd July 1905. Miss Ketton’s Private School. PGS 16^th September 1914 to 23^rd July 1921. Then private tuition in book-keeping, typewriting, etc. Intends to become a purser’s clerk.

There is a reference to him having been born in Preston and died at sea. No record has been found of any warship being lost on 12^th July. RASC and Royal Engineers had large numbers of small craft and larger ships - “the Army’s Navy”.

His brother Leonard was at the School 19^th January 1916 to 2^nd September 1922.

Born August the nineteenth, 1920, entered the School September the fourteenth, 1931 and left July the twenty-fourth, 1936. Served in the Royal Regiment of Artillery from September 1939. Gunner. Killed in action at the Sangro crossing in Italy January the nineteenth, 1944

Newhouse, N T School Captain 1942-1943 but left since Christmas, Oxford Open Scholarship but entered the Army, transferred into Intelligence Corps, H-Christmas-1942. At Wadham since October 1946, appears to have served in India, H7-1947.

Born November the twelfth, 1924, entered the School September the tenth, 1936 and left May the twenty-ninth, 1940. Served in the Merchant Navy from October 1942. Second Radion Officer. Killed in a torpedo attack in the Indian Ocean September the twelfth, 1943.

Born September the twenty-first, 1914, entered the School September the fifteenth, 1926 and left July the seventeenth, 1931. Served in the Royal Air Force, Operational Training Unit. Sergeant Observer. Killed in a flying accident whilst on Active Service, December the second, 1942.

On 2^nd December 1942 at 27 Operational Training Unit, Lichfield, Wellington III, X3944, Sgt R E Mitchell, RAAF, captain, took off in poor visibility and crashed at 0008 hrs in the River Tame near Chetwynd, or Sater’s Bridge, a hamlet near Alrewas and very close to the boundary of the airfield. All five crew were killed.

Born June the fifteenth, 1914, entered the School Septembe the sixteenth, 1925 and left July the twenty-fourth, 1930. Served in the Royal Air Force Regiment from 1942. Sergeant. Killed in a torpedo attack on a landing craft off Normandy June the eighth, 1944.

The Squadron formed on 19^th December 1941 as 817 Squadron and then with all other Squadrons of the Regiment added the “2” prefix. It took on a Light Anti-Aircraft role in May 1943. It was placed in the 2^nd Tactical Air Force in April 1944 and crossed the Channel in the invasion of Normandy in LCT46 (Landing Craft Tank). It was attacked by a German coastal battery, killing some, wounding others. LCT43 took off the dead and survivors before LCT46 sank. The Squadron landed on Juno Beach on D+2 and deployed to Grange-sur-Mer.

Born May the twenty-fourth, 1917, entered the School September the eleventh, 1929 and left July the twenty-ninth, 1931. Served in the Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) from January 1940. Private. Died October the second, 1942 in Korea whilst a Prisoner-of-War in Japanese hands.

 Parr, John Martland Memorial Book

PGSA No 553, 12^th October 1937. 2 Prospect Place, Ashton, Preston. PGS 1933-1937. HM Forces 28^th November 1941. Membership Register.

Memorial Book: Royal Air Force John Martland Parr

Born August the second, 1921, entered the School September the twelfth, 1933 and left July the twenty-fourth, 1937. Served in the Royal Air Force, Bomber Command, from August 1941. Sergeant Pilot. Missing presumed killed in operations over Italy August the fourteenth, 1943.

420 Squadron was Royal Canadian Air Force, it’s badge was a Canadian snowy owl which hunts by night, and it’s motto was Pugnamus Finiturn - We fight to a finish. The Squadron had moved to North Africa in May 1943, flying Wellingtons and attacking targets in Italy.

Born August the twenty-ninth, 1914, entered the School April the twenty-third, 1928 & left July the twenty-second 1932. Served in the Royal Navy from September 1939, Submarine Service. Lieutenant. Mentioned in Despatches for taking a captured Italian sloop from Alexandria to Sollum with ammunition during 1940. Missing presumed lost with the submarine Tetrarch October 1941.

HM Submarine Tetrarch, N77, laid down by Vickers on 24^th August 1938, launched 14^th November 1939, Commissioned 15^th February 1940. It was the last RN submarine built to be capable of laying mines. The design of the mine required it to be laid in shallow waters such as the channel approach to a port, which meant the submarine could not submerge to escape detection, and if it did submerge it might detonate its own mines. The mines were to be laid out of the bow with the submarine then sailing over its own mines, supposedly safe long enough for the mine layer to leave the area. The difficulties were viewed with disfavour and it is probable that Tetrarch did not lay any mines.

On 23^rd April 1940 sank UJB/Treff V, German submarine chaser; in the Skagerrak 20^th May 1940 captured the Danish fishing vessel Emmanuel in the North Sea and took it as a prize into Leith, after scuttling the Danish fishing vessel Terieven. 16^th June 1940 torpedoed and sank the German tanker Samland, 5,978grt, off Lista, Norway.