Ironbridge Gorge Community Archive

 

The War Memorial in its original position in the market square

The memorial now stands across the road near to the Ironbridge

A Bellamy

F Beddoes

E Brooks

W Dodd

W Gethin

R Goring

H Russell

R Steventon

J Wall

F C Williams

Please contact us if you would like more information regarding these men.  If any one notices any mistakes in our web site please advise us.

Bellamy A.

 

1604778- Gunner Albert Bellamy was born in 1910.  He married Constance Mary Childs in Ironbridge Church 28th October 1934.  Albert and Constance had at least two sons, John and Eric.  He joined the Royal Artillery, 7 H.H. Regiment and died in the U.K, as a result of enemy action 16th November 1940, age 30.

1604778 Gunner

A. BELLAMY

ROYAL ARTILLERY

16th NOVEMBER 1940 AGE 30

 

Albert is buried in Broseley Cemetery, Shropshire

The photograph of Albert was donated by his niece Carol.

The photograph of his grave was donated by Rosemary.

 

Frederick Beddoes

5117245- Private Frederick Beddoes (as spelt on Memorial) was the son of Frederick and Annie Beddow, 9 Hillside, Ironbridge.

He joined the Pioneer Corps and died in Birmingham Hospital, 11th June 1941, age 27.

5117245 PRIVATE

F.W. BEDDOW

PIONEER CORPS

11th JUNE 1941 AGE 27

TO BE WITH US IN

THE SAME OLD WAY

IS OUR UNDENIABLE WISH TODAY

MISSED BY ALL

Frederick is buried in Broseley Cemetery, Shropshire.

Photograph by Rosemary.

Ernest Leslie Brooks

Medjez-el-Bab Cemetery, Tunisia

(private collection – ML Newport)

7044883-Corporal Ernest Leslie Brooks (some times spelt Brookes) was born in 1914, the son of Mr. and Mrs William Brookes.  He married Rose Morgan and lived on Ropers Hill, Ironbridge.

He joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.  It was reported in the London Gazette on 18th March 1943 that  “The King had been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North Africa.  The Military medal to :No. 7044883 Corporal Ernest Leslie Brookes, Infantry (Ironbridge, Salop)”

Ernest was killed in action in Tunisia 6th April 1943, and is buried in Medjez -el- Bab, War Cemetery, ref. 9. H.Z

Mr Brookes was the great uncle of Maureen Lilian Newport (nee Palin). Maureen has sent us the following account of his life:

“Ernest Leslie Brookes was the youngest child of William Brookes and Catherine Higgins and the only son to survive childhood. He was born on Sunday, 27^thJuly 1913 at Crown Street, Dawley and the family moved to Attwood Terrace, Dawley in 1936. Before 1942 he was a member of the Stirchley Methodist Football Club and the Hadley Castle Football Club.

 

 

Ernest & Maureen

(private collection – ML Newport)

 

On Saturday, 8^thJune 1940 he married Rose Morgan, aged 20, spinster, of New Bridge Road, Ironbridge, and he was then working as a Crusher Attendant at a Stone Quarry.

.

 

 

 

Ernest & Rose on their wedding day

(private collection – ML Newport)

.

 

He was ‘deemed to have enlisted into the Royal Irish Fusiliers embodied Territorial Army’ on 11^th June 1940 – just three days after he was married. Three months later, on 10^th September, he was posted to the 407^th Battalion and four months after that, on 9^th October, to the 6^thBattalion The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

 

By January 1943 he was a Corporal and on 27^th he was part of a patrol sent out to destroy the enemy in FARM 654139. When the patrol reached the farm they were attacked by light machine gun and rifle fire and the patrol thinned out. An enemy machine gun then opened on him from 30 yards range. He skirted the fire, ignoring the sentry, threw two grenades at the machine gun which was immediately silenced. Owing to a misunderstanding about signals he found himself alone in this action – thereby achieving success single-handed by his own bravery and resolution.

 

For the above action he was awarded the Military Medal and the award was published in The London Gazette on 18^th March 1943.

 

 

A Military Medal – not the one that was presented to Ernest.

 

In the Regimental Magazine of the Enniskillen Battalion ‘The Sprig of Shillelagh’ the following appeared:

 

Then there was Corporal Brookes who was sent out on patrol to destroy an enemy post holding an isolated farm. The patrol was spotted after they had got to within thirty yards of the farm, but Brookes went on alone and succeeded in silencing the machine-gun with his grenades.

 

On 19^thMarch 1943 he was promoted to Unpaid Acting Serjeant by Captain J. Norman.

 

On the evening of 4^thApril 1943 Sgt. Brookes and fifteen others were on patrol past a native village. Dogs starting barking so they veered off and continued until they reached the river bank when they turned left and made their way across a ploughed field. When the leading man was about half way across the field there was a loud explosion and flash as both Toller (sic) and shrapnel mines exploded. They went to ground and laid down for a minute and then heard groans and the sounds of men running about in confusion. Six men collected together, two were sent back with one wounded and three remained to try and assess the damage. A Lieut. and L/Cpl. were found dead and Sgt. Brookes mortally wounded. No more survivors were found. The explosion took place at about 2130 hours on 4^th April 1943 and the minefield was estimated to be about 80 yards square.

 

Ernest died on Tuesday, 6^th April 1943, just over 24 hours after being fatally wounded. He is buried in the Medjez-el-Bab Cemetery, Tunisia, in plot 9, Row H, Grave 3. Medjez-el-Bab is a small country town which lies on the banks of the River Medjerda, 50 kilometres west of Tunis. The War Cemetery is situated in a lovely spot – backed by the Atlas Mountains with fields to the right and left. The road which runs past it is very quiet and the feeling in the Cemetery itself is one of peace.

 

Ernest’s name is recorded on the Roll of Honour Plaque at the Holy Trinity Church, Dawley and on the War Memorial at Ironbridge. His Military Medal was collected posthumously by his wife from the King at Buckingham Palace. His other medals were:

 

1934/45 Star

Africa Star with 1^st Army Clasp

War Medal 1939/45

 

I have not been able to ascertain if the other medals were applied for and am trying to trace his Military Medal.”

Walter Dodd

4035851-Lance Corporal Walter Dodd, the son of Joseph and Annie Dodd, 21 Waterloo Street, Ironbridge, was born on 16th October 1917.

Walter joined 2nd Battalion Kings Shropshire Light Infantry, and was killed on D Day 6th June 1944.

4035851 L.CPL

W. DODD

THE KINGS

SHROPSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY

6th JUNE 1944 AGE 26

TILL WE MEET AGAIN

Walter Dodd is buried in Ranville War Cemetery, France.

Photograph by Gill and Ron

 

Walter Gething

 

2736470 GUARDSMAN

W. GETHING

WELSH GUARDS

11th AUGUST 1944 AGE 28

 

2736470-Guardsman Walter Gethin, (as spelt on memorial) the son of Robert and Alice Anne Gething, was born in 1916.

Wellington Journal 2nd September 1944

Killed in Action:  News has been received that Guardsman Walter Gething, age 28, youngest son of Mrs. and the late Mr. R Gething, 12, The Woodlands was killed in action in Normandy, in August.  He joined the Welsh Guards in May 1940.  He leaves a wife and two children residing at Bank Cottage, Leighton.  His wife received the news from his Major, who regarded him with highest respect and expressed his deepest sympathy.

Walter died on 11th August 1944 age 28, and is buried in Bayeux War Cemetery, France.

The photograph of Walter was donated by his daughter.

The photograph of Walter’s grave was donated by Gill + Ron

 

Richard Goring

4035452-Corporal Richard Goring and his twin brother Frederick were born on 29th June 1919.  They were the sons of John and Ellen Goring, 2 Severn Terrace, Ironbridge.

Wellington Journal 20th August 1943

Killed in Action: Mr and Mrs W Goring, 3 Severn Terrace, Ironbridge, have been notified that their twin son Corporal Richard Goring, has been killed in action in the Middle East.  Corporal Goring was 24 years of age, and was in the Kings Shropshire Light Infantry attached to Durham Light Infantry.

A photograph accompanies this article

Richard was killed 17th July 1943 age 24, and is buried in Catania war Cemetery, Sicily.

Wellington Journal 21 August 1943

Killed In Action- Official intimation has been received by Mrs Goring 60 Dawley Bank, that her husband Copl. Richard Goring was killed in action in Sicily in July, while serving with the Durham Light Infantry.  Mrs Goring has also received a letter from her husband’s company commander.  Aged 23, Corporal Goring was a son of Mr and Mrs. Goring, Iron-bridge, and before the out-break of war was a member of the Territorials. He had been abroad, serving with the 8th Army, for about twelve months. His twin brother is now in the Middle East, and an elder brother is with the Forces in England.  In civilian life he was employed at the Pipe Workes, Iron-bridge in which district he was well known as an amateur boxer.

 A different photograph accompanies this article.

Henry Russell

7044958- Gunner Alfred Henry Russell was born on 23rd August 1913, the son of Walter and Mary Ann Russell, 66, Wesley Road, Ironbridge. He joined the Royal Horse Artillery and was awarded  The  French Croixe de Guerre.  He was killed in action in Libya, 16th March 1942 age 29.

Reg, an 90 year old resident of Coalbrookdale, remembers Henry Russell.  He recalled “that the wagon Henry was travelling on in the desert, was hit by a bomb at Mersy-Metto (sic)”  He was deployed in the desert himself at one time, and was able to visit Henry’s grave.

Alfred is buried in Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma. ref 10. K. 11.

 

A French Croixe de Guerre, not the medal awarded to Henry.

Robert Steventon

14377567-Gunner Robert Steventon, born 24th July 1924.  He was the son of Joseph and Agnes Steventon, 16, Severnside, Ironbridge.

Robert joined the Royal Artillery, 12th Battalion, Staffordshire Regiment, and was killed 12 May 1944, at Monte Casino, Italy.

14377576 GUNNER

R. STEVENTON

ROYAL ARTILLERY

12th MAY 1944 AGE 19

IN LOVING MEMORY OF BOB

ALWAYS REMEMBERED

Roberts grave arrowed

In every War Cemetery in Italy is placed a broken column, this depicts a life half lived.

Photographs by Rosemary.

John Wall

4030706-Warrant Officer Class (RSM) John Henry Wall was the son of William and Mary Letitia Wall.  He married Jessie Elizabeth ?, date unknown.

He joined 4th Battalion Kings Shropshire Light Infantry, and was killed at the Battle for Baron, Normandy as part of the D-Day invasion, on 1st July 1944, age 35.

John Henry Wall is buried in Ryes War Cemetery, Brazenville, France

4030706 W.O.I. RSM

J.H. WALL

THE KING’S

SHROPSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY

1st JULY 1944 AGE 35

MY DEAREST HUSBAND JACK

YOU LEFT AN ACHING HEART

WHICH LOVED YOU MOST SINCERE

YOUR LOVING WIFE JESSIE

Photograph by Gill and Ron

Frederick Charles Williams

937303-Sergeant Frederick Charles Williams was born in 1921, to Frederick and Lily Williams.

Wellington Journal 5th July 1941.

Ironbridge- Airman Missing- News was received on Sunday by his widowed mother that Sgt. Pilot F.C. Williams, 41 Lincoln Hill, Ironbridge, is missing following a flight over enemy territory.  Sgt. Pilot Williams is 20 years old and had resided in Ironbridge since he was 2 years old.  He received his early education at the Blue School, Ironbridge, where he won a scholarship to Coalbrookdale High School, where he later passed the Oxford Examination.  For some time he was on the staff of the West Midlands, J.E. Authority. He joined the Royal Air force when he was 18 and was attached to Bomber Squadron.  He obtained his wings 12 months ago.  He was very popular in the district and was a member of the Coalbrookdale Cricket Club, Ironbridge Rowing Club and the Toc H Concert Party.

Frederick was lost at sea when his aircraft crashed off Flamborough Head, 28th June 1941.  He is remembered on the Runnymeade Memorial.