Coalbrookdale Memorial W.W.2
Coalbrookdale Memorial date unknown
World War 2
Frank. A. Edwards
Arthur Garbett
Harry Griffiths
Frank Jones
Venon. D. Jones
John. R. Owen
John Whittingham
Below is a sample of the information we have on these soldiers. If any one notices any mistakes please advise us.
Frank A. Edwards.
2662545 – Guardsman Frank Arthur Edwards was the third son of George and Ethel Edwards, 23, Coalport Road, Madeley. He married Mildred Elizabeth Lloyd on 8th April 1939, at Coalbrookdale Church. He enlisted in 5th Battalion Coldstream Guards and spent four years in the army, before he was killed on 3rd September 1944. His family were told that whilst Frank was trying to evade capture, he “kept to the woods and away from the roads”. He was eventually shot and killed, age 33.
This photograph was donated by Mary Edwards.
Wellington Journal 30th September 1944.
Killed in action- News has been received by his wife that Guardsman Frank Arthur Edwards has been killed in action this month in North West Europe. Aged 33, he was the third son of Mr. and Mrs. George Edwards, 23, Coalport Road, Madeley. He was married to Miss. M. Lloyd daughter of Mr. and Mrs W. Lloyd, Dale Road, Coalbrookdale, and resided at 8, Dale Road, Coalbrookdale. He was formerly employed by Messrs Kallenders Cables L.T.D. and had been in the army four years. He attended the Madeley Wesleyan Schools.
( a very grainy photograph of Frank accompanies this article)
Frank was killed near Port A Marg, France and is buried in Lille Southern Cemetery, plot 5. Row B. Grave 33.
Arthur Garbett
1594231- Gunner George Arthur Garbett was the son of Arthur Henry and Sarah Garbett, born on 24th August 1914. The family lived at 29, Wellington Road, Coalbrookdale.
Arthur joined 5th Battalion the 402-122 Anti Tank Regiment (Royal Warwickshire regiment) and was killed on 9th January 1945, age 30.
He is buried in Taukkyan War cemetery, Burma. ref 7.A. 18
Harry Griffiths
7403309- Private George Henry Griffiths was born on 11th May 1912, to John and Sarah Griffiths. Harry joined the Royal Army Medical Corps and served in various areas of the war. He was kept back from travelling with his unit to their next posting by his commanding officer, to play a vital game of cricket. He was thought to be an excellent player. Thus fate had him travelling on his own to his next posting, on the S.S. Ceramic.
Harry was lost at sea on 6th/7th December 1942, age 30.
A report into the loss of the Ceramic can be provided on request.
He is remembered on the Brookwood Memorial, Surrey.
This photograph was donated by Susan Griffiths.
Frank Jones
4041740-Private Frank Jones was born on 30th January 1907, to William and Georgina Jones.
Wellington Journal 7th October 1944
Died of Wounds; News has been received by Mr. W. Jones, 23 Paradise that his youngest son Pt. Frank Jones died of wounds received in action in France in September. Deceased who was 37 and a bachelor had been in the forces for nearly three years and had previously been employed by Messrs Maw and Co. He was a member of the Old Ironbridge Comrades Club.
Frank is buried in Leopoldsburg Military Cemetery.
Remembrance day parade, Coalbrookdale, date unknown.
Vernon. D. Jones
1701562- Gunner Vernon Duncan Jones was born in 1913, the son of Clifford and Martha Jones, The Wynde, Coalbrookdale. Vernon was employed by the Coalbrokdale Company until he joined A.A, Battery the Royal Artillery.
Vernon died in hospital of malaria in East Africa, 26th May 1943, age 30.
John. R. Owen.
7644901 Private John Richard Owen was born in 1914 to John and Elizabeth Owen (nee George). John married Edith Mary ? and they had one son born in 1939. The family lived at 3, Strethill, Coalbrookdale, where John was a milk rounds-man. He joined the Royal Army Ordnance Depot, Donnington, Shropshire.
John was killed when he stepped off the pavement into the path of a lorry, 3rd February 1941, age 27.
John Richard Owen is buried in St. Mary’s Churchyard, Acton Burnell, S.W. of the church.
This photograph was donated by his son.
Permission for us to use the photograph on this website has been kindly given by Neil Evans. Neil has set up a website which aims to record all the War Memorials in Shropshire. Click here for link.
John Whittingham
4035077-Private John (Jack) Whittingham was born in 1921, the son of Mr George and Mrs Marian Whittingham, 57, Hodgbower, Ironbridge.
Jack was employed at the Goodhope Colliery, Horsehay before he enlisted in the 1/3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment.
Wellington Journal 9th September 1944.
Coalbrookdale
Killed in Action- News has been received that Pt. Jack Whittingham was killed in action in France in August. He was 23 and was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs Whittingham, 19 Paradise, Coalbrookdale. He leaves a wife and baby ( 3 months old) who resides at Wolverhampton. Prior to joining the forces at the outbreak of war he was employed at Goodhope Colliery, Horsehay.
John was killed 14th August 1944, in France.
John has no known grave and is remembered on the Bayeux memorial, Normandy. ref panel 14. coumn 2.