Cantley War Memorial
Cantley War Memorial in set into the outside wall of St Wilfred's Church on Church Lane, it reads:
PRAY FOR THE MEN OF HIS PARISH WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918 (NAMES) 1939-1945 (NAMES)
PRAY FOR THE MEN OF HIS PARISH WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918 (NAMES) 1939-1945 (NAMES)
Additional Details
Alan Drury (P/JX 311598)
Leading Seaman - Royal Navy - H.M.S. President III / SS Empire Stevenson 13 September 1942, aged 20 Born in Doncaster on 25 March 1922 Son of John and Ethel Margaret Drury, of Branton, Yorkshire. Lived at Northcote, Branton Portsmouth Naval Memorial Was a gunner on the merchant ship Empire Stevenson, a 6,209 GRT cargo ship which was built by John Readhead & Sons Ltd, South Shields. Launched on 25 August 1941 and completed in October 1941. Torpedoed on 13 September 1942 and sunk by German aircraft in the Barents Sea north of Bear Island while a member of Arctic Convoy PQ 18 (the convoy departed Loch Ewe Scotland on 2 September 1942 and arrived in Archangel on 21 September 1942). |
Reginald Anderson Gregory
Civilian War Dead 8 May 1941, aged 33 Born in Doncaster in Q3 1908 Fireman, A.F.S.; of 30 Ellers Avenue, Bessacarr. Husband of Winifred Gregory. Died At 30 Ellers Avenue Lived at 30 Ellers Avenue, Bessacar, Doncaster Married in Doncaster in Q3 1937 Doncaster, County Borough |
Harold Gretton (7587379)
Staff Corporal - Royal Army Ordnance Corps 3 May 1941, aged 26 Born in Doncaster in Q2 1915 Son of Horace and Clemeny Louisa Gretton; Husband of Phyllis Gretton, of Branton, Doncaster. Joined the Army 6 years before he died Lived at 94 Grange Road, Thorne. (wife lived with parents at The Fold, Branton) Married in Don Valley in Q4 1939 - 1 Daughter Thorne Cemetery The gravestone carries the inscription - Treasured memories of the beloved husband of Phyllis Till we meet again Reported death in Hospital - "natural causes, aggravated by War Service". [also listed on Thorne St Nicholas Memorial memorial] |
George William Hall (2657499)
Private - Coldstream Guards - 3rd Bn. 14 November 1942, aged 27 Born in Doncaster in 16 September 1915 Son of George William and Alice Hall, of Lidget Green, Bradford, Yorkshire. Alamein Memorial Was part of the units that were forced to surrender on 20 June 1942 when Tobruk was captured by German and Italian forces. Believed to have died when the ship SS Scillin carrying PoWs was sunk by the British submarine Sahib sunk off the coast of Tunisia, with the loss of nearly 800 PoWs. |
Charles Peter Hutton (573547)
Sergeant - Royal Air Force - 11 Sqdn. 21 May 1943, aged 21 Born in Doncaster in Q4 1921 Son of Charles Herbert and Lucie Hutton, of Branton, Yorkshire. Lived at Newland Cottage, Branton, Doncaster Singapore Memorial Blenheim Z7619 crashed into the sea in the Bay of Bengal near Cox’s Bazaar due to enemy action at 3am (Z) on 21 May 1943. The crash was in position 021.30N 091.55E some 60 miles south of Chittagong. The aircraft had taken off from Chittagong and was attacked by Japanese fighters and shot down. All on board were killed. |
Mary (Mollie) Hyland
Civilian War Dead
8 May 1941, aged 30
Born in Rotherham in Q4 1910
of 28 Ellers Avenue, Bessacarr. Daughter of Harry and Amy Simpson, of 10 Bridge Street, Bridlington; Wife of Philip John Hyland. Died At 28 Ellers Avenue.
In 1911 Census with parentswho where living at27 Brown St Masbro Rotherham (mother's parents - Aizlewood)
Lived at 28 Ellers Avenue, Bessacarr, Doncaster
Married in Bridlington in Q3 1934
Doncaster, County Borough
Air raid on Doncaster, died at 28 Ellers Avenue.
Civilian War Dead
8 May 1941, aged 30
Born in Rotherham in Q4 1910
of 28 Ellers Avenue, Bessacarr. Daughter of Harry and Amy Simpson, of 10 Bridge Street, Bridlington; Wife of Philip John Hyland. Died At 28 Ellers Avenue.
In 1911 Census with parentswho where living at27 Brown St Masbro Rotherham (mother's parents - Aizlewood)
Lived at 28 Ellers Avenue, Bessacarr, Doncaster
Married in Bridlington in Q3 1934
Doncaster, County Borough
Air raid on Doncaster, died at 28 Ellers Avenue.
John Bleakley Livesey (145745)
Lieutenant - Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) - 14th Bn. 6 September 1944, aged 25 Born in Doncaster in Q2 1919 Son of David Thomas Livesey and Ellen Livesey, of Everton, Hampshire. B.A. (Oxon.). Comisissoned from a cadets at Coast Artillery School, to be 2nd Lieutenant 24th August 1940 Lived at 20 St Wilfreds Rd, Doncaster Coriano Ridge War Cemetery The gravestone carries the inscription - Greater Love Hath no man than this, That a man lay down His life for his friends Originally buried at San Savino before being reburied in present location on 18 May 1945 Killed in action trying to force his way into a church which was heavily defended in the village of San Savino |
Roderick MacLeod (970783)
Sergeant (Air Gnr) - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - 158 Sqdn.
13 August 1944, aged 31
Born in approx 1913
Son of Angus and Cristina Macleod; Husband of Norah Irene Macleod, of Branton, Yorkshire
Married in Don Valley in Q3 1941 - 1 Daughter
Becklingen War Cemetery
The gravestone carries the inscription - Grant unto him, O Lord, Eternal rest and peace
Originally buried at Geestemunde, Germany before being reburied in present location on 2 September 1946
Halifax MZ760 code NP-N was one of two 158 Squadron Halifaxes lost on this operation, the other being MZ367. MZ760 was airborne at 21:24 on 12 August 1944 from Lissett from a raid on Brunswick. Two minutes behind MZ367. Cause of loss and crash-site not established.
Sergeant (Air Gnr) - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - 158 Sqdn.
13 August 1944, aged 31
Born in approx 1913
Son of Angus and Cristina Macleod; Husband of Norah Irene Macleod, of Branton, Yorkshire
Married in Don Valley in Q3 1941 - 1 Daughter
Becklingen War Cemetery
The gravestone carries the inscription - Grant unto him, O Lord, Eternal rest and peace
Originally buried at Geestemunde, Germany before being reburied in present location on 2 September 1946
Halifax MZ760 code NP-N was one of two 158 Squadron Halifaxes lost on this operation, the other being MZ367. MZ760 was airborne at 21:24 on 12 August 1944 from Lissett from a raid on Brunswick. Two minutes behind MZ367. Cause of loss and crash-site not established.
Douglas Robert Campbell Prentice (96405)
Captain - Royal Army Ordnance Corps
15 April 1942, aged 25
Born in Doncaster in Q4 1916
Son of Arthur and Marjorie S. Prentice, of Bessacarr. Yorkshire. B. Met., Hons.
London Gazette 20 Sept 1939 announced Douglas Robert Campbell PRENTICE (96405) (late Offr. Cadet, Sheffield Univ. Contgt., Sen. Div., O.T.C.) to be Lt. (O.M.E. 4th Cl.), 2nd Sept. 1939, with seniority 2nd Dec. 1938.
Lived at 10 'Birman' The Avenue, Bessacar
Reykjavik (Fossvogur) Cemetery
The gravestone carries the inscription - In sacred and loving memory of our dearest Douglas Always in our thought
Died on Iceland
Captain - Royal Army Ordnance Corps
15 April 1942, aged 25
Born in Doncaster in Q4 1916
Son of Arthur and Marjorie S. Prentice, of Bessacarr. Yorkshire. B. Met., Hons.
London Gazette 20 Sept 1939 announced Douglas Robert Campbell PRENTICE (96405) (late Offr. Cadet, Sheffield Univ. Contgt., Sen. Div., O.T.C.) to be Lt. (O.M.E. 4th Cl.), 2nd Sept. 1939, with seniority 2nd Dec. 1938.
Lived at 10 'Birman' The Avenue, Bessacar
Reykjavik (Fossvogur) Cemetery
The gravestone carries the inscription - In sacred and loving memory of our dearest Douglas Always in our thought
Died on Iceland
Wilfred Shaw (4697323)
Private - Argyll And Sutherland Highlanders - 2nd Bn.
20 February 1945, aged 32
Born in approx 1913
Son of George Edward and Annie Shaw; Husband of Gladys Shaw, of Doncaster, Yorkshire.
Doncaster Rovers Footballer. Resided Doncaster
Lived at 23 Bridge Road, Bessacar, Doncaster
Married in Doncaster in Q3 1937
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery
The gravestone carries the inscription - He came from afar To serve his country. Wife
Originally buried at near Goch, Germany before being reburied in present location on 24 October 1946
Died in Germany in the battle for the Rhineland, p KIA at Buchholt near Goch
[also listed on Rossington memorial]
Private - Argyll And Sutherland Highlanders - 2nd Bn.
20 February 1945, aged 32
Born in approx 1913
Son of George Edward and Annie Shaw; Husband of Gladys Shaw, of Doncaster, Yorkshire.
Doncaster Rovers Footballer. Resided Doncaster
Lived at 23 Bridge Road, Bessacar, Doncaster
Married in Doncaster in Q3 1937
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery
The gravestone carries the inscription - He came from afar To serve his country. Wife
Originally buried at near Goch, Germany before being reburied in present location on 24 October 1946
Died in Germany in the battle for the Rhineland, p KIA at Buchholt near Goch
[also listed on Rossington memorial]
Geoffrey Chadwick Stacey (278004)
Lance Corporal - Royal Army Service Corps
5 April 1946, aged 31
Born in Doncaster in 5 April 1915
(son of Arthur and Annie Stacey)
Lived at 127 Osborne Rd, Jesmond / Quarry Crest, Bawtry Road, Cantley
Married in Ryedale - Q2 1941 - 1 Daughter
Hamburg Cemetery
Originally buried at (appears to be moved within same cemetery - only a few weeks after he died) before being reburied in present location on
20 June 1946
Died in post war Germany
Lance Corporal - Royal Army Service Corps
5 April 1946, aged 31
Born in Doncaster in 5 April 1915
(son of Arthur and Annie Stacey)
Lived at 127 Osborne Rd, Jesmond / Quarry Crest, Bawtry Road, Cantley
Married in Ryedale - Q2 1941 - 1 Daughter
Hamburg Cemetery
Originally buried at (appears to be moved within same cemetery - only a few weeks after he died) before being reburied in present location on
20 June 1946
Died in post war Germany
Esmond Frank Towler (98891)
Captain - Royal Artillery - 129 Field Regt.
11 November 1943, aged 26
Born in Croydon on 6 September 1917
Son of Frank and Lucie Elizabeth Primrose Towler; Husband of Mary Kathleen Towler, of Bessacarr, Doncaster Yorkshire. B.A. (Oxon.).
(The-Queens-College-Oxford-Liber-Vitae-Reginensium-1939-1945 - ESMOND FRANK TOWLER was born on 6th November 1917 at Croydon, Surrey, and was the son of Frank Towler of Bessacarr, Doncaster. He entered the College from Leigh Grammar School as an Open Scholar in Modem Languages, and matriculated in 1936. He read Modem Language Groups, then changed to the School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics, in which he obtained Third Class Honours in 1939. He was a member of the University O.T.C. and in 1939 rowed in the 1st Torpids and 1st VIII. He joined the Army at the outbreak of war and was commissioned in December 1939 in a Scottish Regiment of the Royal Artillery. Posted to India in June 1942, he served with this regiment for almost four years and at the time of his death was its Adjutant. He was killed in a road accident in India in 1943 and was buried at Nowgong, in the Brahmaputra Valley, Assam. He leaves a widow, and also a son whom he never saw.)
Lived at 10 The Oval, Cantley
Married in Leigh - Q1 1941
Gauhati War Cemetery
Died in a road accident in India
Captain - Royal Artillery - 129 Field Regt.
11 November 1943, aged 26
Born in Croydon on 6 September 1917
Son of Frank and Lucie Elizabeth Primrose Towler; Husband of Mary Kathleen Towler, of Bessacarr, Doncaster Yorkshire. B.A. (Oxon.).
(The-Queens-College-Oxford-Liber-Vitae-Reginensium-1939-1945 - ESMOND FRANK TOWLER was born on 6th November 1917 at Croydon, Surrey, and was the son of Frank Towler of Bessacarr, Doncaster. He entered the College from Leigh Grammar School as an Open Scholar in Modem Languages, and matriculated in 1936. He read Modem Language Groups, then changed to the School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics, in which he obtained Third Class Honours in 1939. He was a member of the University O.T.C. and in 1939 rowed in the 1st Torpids and 1st VIII. He joined the Army at the outbreak of war and was commissioned in December 1939 in a Scottish Regiment of the Royal Artillery. Posted to India in June 1942, he served with this regiment for almost four years and at the time of his death was its Adjutant. He was killed in a road accident in India in 1943 and was buried at Nowgong, in the Brahmaputra Valley, Assam. He leaves a widow, and also a son whom he never saw.)
Lived at 10 The Oval, Cantley
Married in Leigh - Q1 1941
Gauhati War Cemetery
Died in a road accident in India
Edward Preston Walker (997639)
Flight Sergeant - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - 607 Sqdn.
12 February 1942, aged 21
Born in Doncaster in 2 September 1920
Son of Edward Holsworth Walker and Annie Walker, of Doncaster, Yorkshire.
Lived at "Sandilands" 5, St Eric's Road, Doncaster
Runnymede Memorial
Died during Operation Fuller, the counter to the Channel Dash, in Hurricane IIe serial BE499
Flight Sergeant - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - 607 Sqdn.
12 February 1942, aged 21
Born in Doncaster in 2 September 1920
Son of Edward Holsworth Walker and Annie Walker, of Doncaster, Yorkshire.
Lived at "Sandilands" 5, St Eric's Road, Doncaster
Runnymede Memorial
Died during Operation Fuller, the counter to the Channel Dash, in Hurricane IIe serial BE499