Portland

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Burials at Portland Naval Cemetery, St. George's Cemetery, and the Strangers Burial Ground
Research by Richard Smith into the lives and deaths of the CWGC War Casualties buried in Portland.

Burials at Portland Naval Cemetery

ABBEY Samuel Ordinary Seaman No. C/JX 648840 HMS Boadicea
Born at Rounds Green, Worcestershire in March 1926 son of James Abbey, a foundry labourer, and his wife Phoebe Jane Barnett. On 13th June
1944 he was serving on HMS Boadicea a destroyer supporting the D day landing in Normandy when she was hit by two torpedoes. These caused a
massive explosion sinking the ship - only 12 of a crew of 182 survived. Samuel aged 18 was buried in the C of E section grave 750.

ADAMS William George Alexander Stoker 1st Class No. K/25237 HMS Implacable.
Born at Widnes, Lancashire on 15th April 1892 son of William Adams, a house painter, and his wife Isabella McBride. His Naval
Service record says he joined on 9th April 1915, but I wonder if he joined much earlier as he is missing in the 1911 census. On 25th March 1919 his
body was recovered from Portland Harbour, and an inquest recorded a conclusion " Found drowned probably returning from shore leave ". He was 27
and buried in grave 590. Probate granted much later on 6th August 1926 to his mother Isabella was for just £25. He had a cousin Annie Rowe living at
11 Porter Street, Runcorn, Cheshire.

ADAMS William James Stoker 1st Class No. P/KX 61172 HMS Chasseur 07
Born at Hinton Ampner, Hampshire on 27th February 1900, son of William Adams a farm cowman who died in 1914, and his wife Mary Ann
Hunt. In the 1911 census he was living at home with his parents at Hinton Ampner. Joined the Royal Navy as a boy sailor on 8th September 1915 and had
a long career until he was killed on 12th October 1940 aged 40. HMS Chasseur 07 was one of several French submarine chasers seized after
Dunkirk and transferred to the Royal Navy. She was sunk in action with German boats off Weymouth Bay. He was buried in grave 705.

ASHBRIDGE Robert William Private No. 7063 King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Born at Carlisle, Cumberland on 18th March 1877, son of John Ashbridge, a horse keeper at a colliery who died in 1907, and his wife
Mary Hickey who died in 1905. Robert enlisted first in Northumberland Fusiliers 1. 7. 1896 to 1. 4. 1898, then on 28th March 1898 he joined the
K O S B and was posted to South Africa in the Boer War where he served in Cape Colony, Transvaal and Orange Free State. Placed on the reserves on 19.
2. 1906, married Mary Ann Shaw at Houghton le Spring, Durham on 4th August 1906. By 1911 he had found work as a coal miner in Scotland, before
rejoining the K O S B on 6th August 1914. It seems that he died in hospital at Weymouth on 16th January 1915, cause not recorded, and was buried in grave 541.

ASKILL Josiah William Telegraphist No. P/WX 554 HMS Chasseur 07
Born at Rugby, Warwickshire on 23rd May 1918, son of Josiah Askill, a civil servant, and his wife Ether Fennell. I have not found when
Josiah enlisted, but he was serving on HMS Chasseur 07, one of several French submarine chasers seized after Dunkirk and transferred to the Royal
Navy. She was sunk on 12th October 1940 in action with German boats off Weymouth Bay. He was buried in C of E grave 702.

ATKINS Leslie Jack Ordinary Seaman No. P/JK 192336 HMS Delight.
Born at High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire on 4th October 1917, son of Alfred Thomas Atkins, a builder who died in 1931, and his wife Hetty
Elizabeth Craft. After Alfred died Hetty remarried in 1935 to Albert Christopher Small and they were living at 677 London Road, High Wycombe in 1939.

HMS Delight was a destroyer sunk in the English Channel by German dive bombers. It seems Leslie died at Portway Hospital, Weymouth from a
fractured skull, an injury received during the sinking of his ship. He was buried in C of E grave 689.

BABER Ernest Alexander Lane Leading Seaman No. J/2055 HMS Formidable.
Born at West Ham, Essex on 6th October 1891 son of Walter Samuel Lane Baber, a printer's compositor, and his wife Kate Johnson who died in
February 1939. Ernest enlisted on 11th June 1908, and joined HMS Formidable on 13th July 1914. She was sunk on 1st January 1915 by two torpedoes from
German submarine U-24 off Start Point, Devon. Only 199 were save from her compliment of some 750, and Ernest was buried in grave 545. In 1939 his
widowed father was retired and living at 283 Katherine Road, East Ham, Essex.

BADHAM Ronald Private No. 5679180 10th Battalion Somerset (Prince Albert's Own) Light Infantry.
Born at Barnes, Surrey on 29th May 1916, son of Henry Balham, a plumber who died in 1938, and his wife Margaret Sarah Holland. In the 1939 pre war census he is living with
his widowed mother at 10 Grove Road, Barnes. I have not found when he enlisted or how he died, but his death on 15th April 1941 was registered at
Weymouth so I wonder if it was an illness. He was buried in C of E grave 709.

BAGGS Frederick William Petty Officer 1st Class No. 117207 HMS Victory.
Born at Gravesend, Kent on 9th May 1866, son of Frederick Baggs, a fishmonger in 1881 who died in 1909 and his wife Elizabeth Warren
who died in 1875. He joined the Royal Navy as a boy sailor on 20th August 1881 and served until 1st April 1904, then joined the Naval Reserve on 8th
June 1906. He had married Ada Emma Baggs on Portland on 17th July 1904, and in 1911, as a Naval Pensioner, was employed in Boom Defence of Portland
Harbour, living at 26 Mallams, Portland. He died of unspecified disease on 26th December 1914, aged 48, and was
buried in grave 538. Letters of Administration of his estate to his widow Ada on 4th March 1915 was for £161. 2s.

BAKER Frank Nixon Ordinary Seaman No. SS/4919/CH HMS Formidable.
Born at Crewe, Cheshire on 10th October 1894, son of Alfred Baker, an engineer/fitter, and his wife Jane Sowerby Baker. In the 1911 census they
were living at 7 Ship Street, Cubitt Town, Poplar, London whilst Frank was at the Royal Hospital school for the sons of seamen. Frank enlisted in the
Royal Navy on 24th April 1914, and posted to HMS Formidable. She was sunk on 1st January 1915 by two torpedoes from German submarine U-24 off Start
Point, Devon. Only 199 were save from her compliment of some 750, and Frank was buried in grave 547

BAMFORD Frank Able Seaman No. D/JX 314486 HMS President 111.
Born at Tottington, Lancashire on 18th March 1906 son of Robert Bamford, an engraver, and his wife Selina Rothwell. I have not found his
Naval service record showing when he enlisted. In January 1935 at Wigan, Lancashire he married Annie Woodstock, and in 1939 they were living at 31
Bury Road, Tottington. HMS President 111 is a shore establishment train gunners. Naval death records suggest he died at sea on M/V Leny on 23rd
June 1942, but no more details, and he was buried in grave C of E 726.

BARBER R. Stoker 1st Class No. SS/109181 CH HMS Vengeance
CWGC record says that he died on 8th September 1914 when Vengeance was in the Home Fleet patrolling the English Channel. I have
found nothing about him, and he is not listed on Naval Death records. He was buried in grave 533.

BARRON Frederick Petty Officer Telegraphist No. P/JX 147574 HMS Submarine Statesman.
Born at Bolden Colliery, Co. Durham on 15th March 1920, son of Herbert Ernest Barron, a coal miner K/as Fred, and his wife
Lily Morris. He died at Sherborne, Dorset Royal Naval Hospital on 24th September 1946 aged 26 of cancer related illness. He was buried in C of E
grave 770. His probate to his mother living at 23 Charles Street, Bolden Colliery on 7th March 1947 was for £163. 1s. 7d.

BELCHER Douglas Able Seaman No. P/JX 425729 L.C.A. Flotilla
Born at Mitcham, Surrey on 31st May 1924, son of Henry (K/as Harry) Belcher who died in 1925 and his wife Daisy Wyatt. In October 1942
he married Kathleen Joan Wood in Surrey, and was killed at sea in action on 7th / 8th June 1944 related to the D Day landings. He was buried in C o E grave 742.

BELL Ernest Joseph Petty Officer No. P/J 239558 HMS Boscawen.
Born at Portsea, Hampshire on 15th February 1892, son of Ernest Lionel Bell. He was an Able Seaman who died at Malta Hospital of enteric
fever in August 1895 serving with the Royal Navy. His wife was Louisa Sarah Reeds who died in 1908. Ernest Jnr. attended the Royal Hospital School
for Children of Seamen, and enlisted in the Royal Navy as a boy sailor on 5th September 1907, before marrying Edith Ivy Harckham at Portsmouth on
14th May 1915. He had a long career and was serving at Portland when he died on 17th June 1941 aged 49. An inquest held that " he shot himself with
a revolver whilst the balance of his mind was disturbed ". He was buried in C of E grave 714. His probate to his widow Ivy on 11th August 1941 was for
just £164. 0s. 4d. Their address was given as 7 Kirton Road, Portsmouth.

BEST Edwin Steward No. P/LX 611519 HMS Grasshopper.
Born at Birmingham on 22nd September 1920, son of Samuel Best, an iron worker who died in February 1936, and his wife Laura Gill. In the 1939
census Edwin was lodging in Birmingham working as a labourer. He died of acute appendicitis at the R. N. Hospital at Portland and was buried in C of E grave 734.

BETSWORTH John Henry Petty Officer 2nd Class No. 135709 HMS Victory.
Born at Portsea, Hampshire on 26th January 1871 son of George Gilbert Betsworth who was an Able Seaman R.N. who died in 1884, and his
wife Emma Eliza Kennett. John joined as a boy sailor on 22nd December 1885, and married Ada Elizabeth Millington at Newton Abbot, Devon in
Apr-June 1903. In the 1911 census he is noted as a coastguard at Plymouth but on 8th January 1914 he was transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve No.
A4001, and worked at Portland on Boom Defences. He died of acute cirrhosis of the liver and is commemorated at Portland cemetery. His widow Ada was
living at 2 Stanley Street, Teignmouth, Devon.

BLAKE James Victor John Gunner No. RMA/14910 Royal Marines Artillery.
Born at Portland on 3rd July 1898, son of James Blake and his wife Minnie Louisa Bailey. In the 1911 census his father was
foreman plate layer at Portland Dockyard and the family were living at 8 Cove Cottages, Portland. James enlisted on 29th March 1916 and he died of
unspecified disease at the R.M.A. H/Q at Eastney, Hampshire on 14th July 1918 just after his 20th birthday. He was buried at Portland in grave 581.

BRADLEY Harold Able Seaman No. P/JX 517141 HMS Queen Emma.
Born at Sandal, York, Yorkshire on 28th May 1925, but I have failed to locate his parents. He was serving on HMS Queen Emma, a commando landing
craft, after Normandy and is recorded as having died of accidental drowning on 14th July 1944, the death registered at Weymouth. He was buried in C of E grave 754.

BRAND Thomas Eric Ordinary Seaman No. 8612 Royal New Zealand Navy HMS Isis.
Born at West Ham, London in May 1925 son of Thomas Hedley Brand and his wife Maud Amelia De La Mare, who had married at
Limehouse, London in May 1908, but later were living at Clive, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. In 1943, living at Clive, N Z Thomas was a wool worker, but
enlisted on 1st February 1944 and was serving on HMS Isis which was supporting the Normandy landing when she struck a mine on 20th July 1944
and was a total loss. Thomas was one of ten of her crew from New Zealand who were killed and he was buried in C of E grave 758.

BRIGGS Walter Private No. PLY/7891 Royal Marines Light Infantry.
Born at Waddington, Lincolnshire on 10th June 1878, son of George Briggs, a farm labourer, and his wife Harriet Way. It seems he enlisted on
18th March 1896, and I suspect was later transferred (1908 ?) to the Reserve as in 1911 he was a brickyard labourer at Waddington with his
family. He had married Priscilla Ridley at Waddington in 1899. He died on 11th January 1915 but his cause of death is unclear - it was not enemy
action or disease. He was buried in grave 539.

BROWN Henry Thomas Private No. 3969718 Welsh Regiment.
Born at Rotherhithe, Surrey on 5th July 1914 son of William Thomas Brown, a Labourer who had died before the 1921 census, and his wife Louisa Emily
Baker. In 1921 she was living at 19 Delamere Road, Rotherhithe. Henry's death on 23rd October 1940 was registered at Weymouth, but I do not know
the cause. He was buried in C of E grave 706.

BUNGEY Herbert Walter Private No. 20172 3rd Battalion Wiltshire (Duke of Edinburgh's Own) Regiment and formerly No. 83623 Royal Garrison Artillery.
Born at Titchfield, Hampshire in April 1895, son of
Walter Bungey, a draper's assistant who died in 1899 and his wife Caroline Jennings who died in 1914. In 1911 Herbert was living with his widowed
mother at West Street Titchfield. His Army record says that he died at home on 17th September 1915 aged 20, but no cause recorded. He was buried in grave 559.

BURNS H. Private No. 5079 3rd Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Died 3rd September 1914 and buried in grave 531 - I have failed to find his details

BURRANS George Frederick Able Seaman No. 220397 (DEV) HMS Q.7.
Born at Cardiff, Wales on 6th April 1884, son of Frederick William Burrans, a Plumber who died in 1897, and his wife Anne Elizabeth
Wheaton who died in 1891. He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 24th March 1902 and was transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve on 5th February 1911 No. B
3600. In the 1911 census he was living with his brother William in Cardiff. He rejoined on 2nd August 1914 and was posted to HMS Q.7 on 13th June 1916.
She was operating off Cherbourg, France when he was killed by enemy action at sea, and was buried in grave 570. His first probate to his brother
William, a gunner in H M Army, on 24th February 1917 was for £505. 9s. 6d. His brother was then killed in France in November 1917 and a later probate
was granted to his sister Louisa, wife of Frederick Leonard Conway on 23. 2. 1924 for £110. 1s. 8d. The Conways were living at 31 Frederick Street, Cardiff.

CAIN George Able Seaman No. C/JX 255632 HMS Boadecia.
Born at Peckham, Surrey in 1911 son of James Cain, a mineral water salesman, and his wife Mary Wilkin who died in 1931. He married Hilda
Gladys Dobson in the quarter Apr-June 1937 at Orsett, Essex. On 13th June 1944 HMS Boadecia was escorting a convoy of ships off Lyme Bay when struck
by a torpedo dropped from a German plane which caused a massive explosion and she sank in minutes. Some 150 officers and crew died, only about 12
were saved. George was buried in C of E grave 755. His probate to his widow Hilda on 19th December 1944 was for £1,484. 16s. 11d. She was living at 94
Giffords Cross Roads, Corringham, Essex.

CAREY William Francis Henry Private No. RMA/7425 H M Yacht Iliona.
Born at Kingston Upon Hull, Yorkshire on 15th March 1884 son of William Carey, a Sergeant in Royal Marines Artillery, and I think
his mother was Bertha Kate Goldsmith (although that differs from memorial at K upon Hull). William enlisted on 30th April 1898 and in 1911 was a
bombardier serving in Portsmouth. He died on 13th December 1918 of an unspecified disease, registered at Weymouth, and was buried in grave 585.

CARPENTER Thomas William Leading Sick Berth Attendant C/SBRX 6570 HMS Mercury.
Born at Hull, Yorkshire on 17th March 1901 son of Thomas William Carpenter, a starch labourer who died in 1935, and his wife
Margaret Ellen Taylor. In 1911 they were living at 25 Alaska Road, Hull. In July 1927 Thomas married Jessie Olive Hobbins at Sculcoates, Yorkshire.
He died on 26th August 1940 as a result of injuries sustained in a motor accident, and was buried in C of E grave 695 - he was aged 39. His probate
to his widow Jessie on 2nd December 1940 was for £247. 11s.0d.

CATTELL Charles Sergeant Ply/10241 HMS London Royal Marines Light Infantry.
Naval records show he was born at Wells, Somerset on 25th May 1881, but family say 26th May 1883. Son of Samuel Cattell, a
labourer who died in 1923, and his wife Emma Hawkins who died in 1921. In the 1911 census he was a corporal serving in China, and he died of
pneumonia in Portland Royal Naval Hospital on 21st January 1915, being buried in grave 542.

CHAMBERS Stanley Able Seaman No. KX/433 RNVR Hood battalion.
Born at Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne on 2nd August 1895, son of John Chambers, a coal miner, and his wife Sarah Ann Dixon. Enlisted first
in Northumberland Fusiliers on 4 Sep 1914 but switched to RNVR on 9 Sep 1914. In 1911 the family were living at 4 Crossley Road, Forest Hill,
Northumberland. Stanley died on endo carditis at Portland Royal Naval Hospital, and was buried in grave 550. In 1915 the family were living at 55
Holly Avenue, Wallsend, Northumberland.

CHIDLEY Edward Charles Gunner No 1834116 277 Battery, 83rd Light Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery.
Born at Medway, Kent on 15th May 1916 son of Edward Chidley, a builder's labourer, and his wife
Charlotte Pound. In 1939 the family were living at 39 Hawthorn Road, Rochester, Kent. Edward died in an unspecified accident on 18th January
1942, and was buried in C of E grave 716.

CHIVERS Arthur Frederick Private No. 5679233 10th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry Prince Albert's Own.
Born at Peckham, London on 15th May 1916, son of Arthur James Chivers, a chemical packer who
died about April 1916, and his wife Mary Ann Geneste, who had married at Southwark, London in 1902. Arthur is first listed as " missing believed
killed in Western Desert " later corrected to " Killed in action on 15th April 1941 ". He was buried in grave C of E 707. His widowed mother Mary
married Alfred Robert Moore, and in 1921 they were living at 48 Cornice Road, Camberwell, Surrey.

COLE Thomas William 2nd Hand No. LT/JX 179739 H M Trawler Damito.
Born at Pakefield, Suffolk on 14th May 1897, son of Thomas William Cole who died in March 1924, and his wife Bertha Lavinia Lilbourne.
Thomas Jnr. first married Alice Eliza Allum at Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire in July 1920, but after Alice died in January 1936, Thomas married Violet
Sarah Rachel Adams at Lothingland, Suffolk in July 1936. In the 1939 census he is an ice cream salesman living at 8 Crossways, Lowestoft, Suffolk. The
trawler Damito was built in 1917 and taken over by the Royal Navy in 1939. Thomas died on 13th July 1940, aged 42, at the R N Hospital Portland (
cause not known) and was then buried at Warmwell in grave C o E 676.

COLLINS George Henry Able Seaman No. P/JX 125803 HMS Foylebank.
Born at Portsmouth, Hampshire on 28th July 1910, son of Henry Ernest Collins, a Petty Officer R.N., and his wife Ethel Louise Abbott. In
the 1921 census the family were living at 36 Fortuneswell, Portland, before George enlisted as a boy sailor on 19th January 1926. HMS Foylebank was a
5,500 ton merchant ship converted into a floating anti aircraft guard ship and moored in Portland Harbour. At about 8. 30 am on 4th July 1940 she was
attacked by German Stuka dive bombers and, despite her gunners shooting down two aircraft, she was hit by an estimated 22 bombs in an attack
lasting 8 minutes. Some 176 of her officers and crew were killed, and many others injured. She sank the following day on 5th. George was buried in C
of E grave 678. His probate to his mother Ethel on 14th September 1940 was for £127. 5s 3d - his parents were living at 71 Fortuneswell.

COLLINS John William Chief Steward Naval Auxiliary Personnel HMS Warrior 11.
Born at Bloomsbury, London on 20th May 1880 son of John Valentine Collins, a publican in 1881 who died in 1907, and his
wife Jane Mary Adams who died in 1914. John Jnr. enlisted in the Border Regiment No 5096 in 1896 and then in Royal Navy on 16th September 1909 to
1st February 1928 - it seems he was invalided out from R N Hospital Haslar, Portsmouth. At some point around 1917 he married Gertrude Josephine Hennessy
and in 1921 they were living at 3 Wilton Terrace, Southsea, Hampshire. HMS Warrior 11 was a luxury yacht taken over by the Royal Navy and on 11th July
1940 off Portland Bill she was attacked and sunk by a German bomber. John was buried in the C of E grave 677. He is noted as having been Mentioned
in Dispatches but I did not find details.

COMBEN Harry Reginald Lance Corporal No. 2358302 Royal Corps of Signals - also served in the Long Range Desert Group.
Born at Portland in April 1913 son of Edward Comben, an ironmonger who died in 1937,
and his wife Lelia Mary Lewis, who died in 1938. They had married at Bath, Somerset in 1906. In 1921 the family were living at 40 Straits, Portland
before in the quarter Apr-June 1939 Harry married Phyllis Mary Pearce at Weymouth. I did not find the details of Harry's death on 28th April 1945,
but he was buried in the Non Conformist grave 763. His probate to his brother John Comben, an ironmonger, on 20th October 1945 was for £1,727.
15s. His address then was 128 Fortuneswell, Portland.

COUCH Thomas Bickford Leading Stoker No. P/KX 83270 HMS Chasseur 11.
Born at Gloucester on 6th September 1914 son of John Henry Bickford, an upholster, and his wife Elizabeth Charlotte Mary Couch who
died in 1918. In 1921 the family were living at 6 Memmon Terrace, Charlton Kings, Gloucestershire. HMS Chasseur 11 was sunk in a fight with German E
Boats in the English Channel. Thomas was buried in the C of E grave 704.

COVENTRY John Henry Able Seaman R.N. No. J/5773 (CH) HMS Vulcan.
Born at Hackney, London on 11th February 1893, son of Henry George Coventry, a boot and shoe maker. His mother is unclear - described as step
- mother Henry married Keziah Elizabeth Sadgrove in Hersham, Surrey in November 1898. John enlisted in the Royal Navy as a boy sailor on 16th
October 1909, working as a baker, and on 2nd April 1920 he was on HMS Vulcan at Portland. Last seen that day on the Floating Dock, he went
missing until his body was recovered on 28th April from Portland Harbour. An inquest declared " Found Drowned " and he was buried in grave 602.

COWLES George William Private No. PO/17636 Royal Marines Light Infantry Deal R.N. Division.
Born at Lakenham, Norwich on 20th December 1896 son of James George Cowles, a Garden labourer, and his
wife Eliza Florence Melville Johnson. In 1911 the family were living at 15 Burnaby Road, Lakenham, Norwich. George enlisted on 1st September 1914 and
did not serve overseas before he died on unspecified disease at Weymouth on 22nd February 1915, and was buried in grave 546.

COYLE Anastasia Wren No. 62865 HMS Boscawen.
Born at Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo, Ireland on 28th April 1915, daughter of James Coyle and his wife Alice Connolly. Naval records say she died of bacterial
endocarditis at Royal Auxiliary Hospital at Minterne Magna on 30th June 1944, and she was buried in Roman Catholic grave 749.

CURRIE Frank Sergeant No. 2045034 87 Light Anti Aircraft Regiment Royal Artillery.
Born at Gorleston, Suffolk on 18th April 1908 son of Samuel Beeding Currie who died in 1923 and his wife Eliza Ann Shortland.
Samuel in 1891 joined the Royal Artillery No. 86128, but in 1921 the family were living at 35 New Road, Brentford where he worked as a storeman at
Brentford Gas Works. Frank married Mabel Stanton at Brentford in 1933, and he died on 17th April 1944 in the Royal Naval Hospital, Portland of
multiple injuries incurred whilst on duty. He was buried in C of E grave 736. His probate to his widow Mabel on 15th August 1944 was for £1,779.
15s. 5d - their address then was 11 Leamington Place, Grange Park, Hayes, Middlesex.

DALEY Harry Robert Leonard Able Seaman No. C/J 108599 HMS Mercury.
Born at Chatham, Kent on 1st June 1907, son of Harry William Daley, a cabinet maker, and his wife Elizabeth Margaret Jane Watkins. He
enlisted on 12th March 1929 and transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve on 1st June 1937 No. B 24328. He married Nellie M Wiles at Westminster in
January 1938, and died from injuries in enemy action whilst minesweeping off the Scottish Coast. He was buried in C of E grave 671.

DANDO Wyndham George Able Seaman No. J/44115 (DEV) HMS Erin.
Born at Bristol, Somerset on 23rd August 1899, son of George Dando, a butter warehouseman in 1911, and his wife Annie Hartnell.
Enlisted in Royal Navy on 20th September 1915, and he died on 2nd October 1919 aged 20. A Court of Enquiry found that he had fallen overboard and
drowned at night from drifter " Mist ", and that no one was at fault. He was buried in grave 599. His parents were living at 495 Gloucester Road, Horfield, Bristol.

DASH Charles Arthur Private No. 8404 1st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment.
Born at Clerkenwell, London on 10th March 1882, son of Charles Arthur Dash, a printer's labourer who died in 1899, and his wife
Maria Emillie Findley who died in 1894. He enlisted on 16th July 1897, and on 27th July 1913 at St Helier, Jersey he married Louise Alice Touzel.
It seems he was on furlough prior to being discharged and working as a stone cutter, but was admitted to hospital and died on 6th September 1914.
He was buried in grave 532.

DAVIS George Raymond Able Seaman No. P/JX 398952 HMS Affleck.
Born at Smethwick, Staffordshire on 10th September 1921 but I have failed to find full details of his parents George and Sarah. He
married Elizabeth Dougherty at Smethwick in quarter July - Spt. 1941, and he died from enemy action at sea on HMS Affleck on 10th July 1944. He was
buried in C of E grave 753. His probate to his widow Elizabeth on 12th October 1944 was for £326. 17s. 3d. Their address was 93 Middlemore Road, Smethwick.

DAY Cyril H. Ralph Leading Seaman No. P/JX 1331111 HMS Delight.
Born at Alverstoke, Hampshire on 16th September 1913, son of Cyril George Day, a Royal Naval seaman and later coastguard, and his wife
Mary Varney. In 1921 the family were living at 5 Coastguard Cottages, Waterford, Lymington, Hampshire. I did not find when Cyril Jnr. enlisted
but he was serving on the destroyer HMS Delight when she was sunk off Portland by German dive bombers on 29th July 1940. He died, presumably of
injuries from the attack, at Portway Auxiliary Hospital, Weymouth, and was buried in C of E grave 690. His probate to his mother Mary on 23rd October
1940 was for £137. 17s. His parents address then was "Sunnypatch", All Saint's Road, Lymington.

DEMPSTER George Stewart Ordinary Seaman Clyde/ X/2701 Collingwood Battalion Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve.
Born at Edinburgh, Scotland 20th June 1896 (Naval Records) son of George and Mary Dempster
of 47 Montrose Road, Edinburgh. George Jnr. died of meningitis at Royal Naval Hospital, Portland on 6th February 1915 and was buried in grave 544.

DICKIE Brenda Margaret Junior Commander No. 239537 Auxiliary Territorial Service and previously Women's Transport Service and Army Service Corps.
Born in 1911 at Renfrewshire, Scotland, daughter of
John Archibald Dickie, a spinning mill manager, and his wife Edith Adelaide Krell. In 1939 John had retired and they were living at 34 Sydenham
Avenue, Liverpool. Brenda died as a result of an unspecified accident on 28th May 1944 and was buried in C of E grave 738. Her probate granted to
her spinster sisters Anne Catherine and Edith Ursula on 8th July 1944 was for £1,086, 18s 3d. Brenda's address quoted was her parent's 1939 address.

DICKIE John. Private No. 6330 King's Own Scottish Borderers.
He died on 28th April 1915 and was buried in grave 553, appears to have been a Merchant Seaman possibly born 1886 in Glasgow.

ELPHINSTONE George Stoker No. TS/ 1327 H M Trawler 'William Purdy' Royal Naval Reserve, Aberdeen.
Born at Kirkwall, Orkney, Shetlands on 29th October 1872 son of Thomas and Mary Elphinstone. I think
he was lodging in London in 1901 working as a postman, before returning to Scotland to marry Elizabeth May Wilson on 23rd April 1903. He died of
disease of the brain on 20th March 1915 at Portland Royal Naval Hospital, and was buried in grave 551. His widow Elizabeth moved to Australia in
1919 and was living at 11 Hatchett Street, Balmain East, New South Wales. She died in N S W in 1955.

EVANS Norman Ordinary Seaman No. D/JX 420830 HMS Blackwood.
Born at West Bromwich, Staffordshire on 13th June 1925, son of Isaac Evans, a bricklayer, and his wife Nellie Florence Hartle. In the 1939
census the family were living at 153 Friar Park Road, West Bromwich. Norman was serving on the frigate HMS Blackwood when on 15th June 1944 she
was hit by a German Acoustic Naval Torpedo (a Gnat) from U-764 and Norman was killed, aged just 19, along with 57 other crew, 98 survived. HMS
Blackwood was taken in tow but sank off Portland on the 16th. Norman was buried in C of E grave 744.

FARRELL Thomas Greaser No. 778340 Mercantile Marine Reserve HMS Sachem.
He was born between 1866 and 1870 (Naval Records) but I failed to find anything definite about him or his marriage. His wife Mrs A. Farrell was
living at 38 Crown Street, Victoria Dock Road, London. He died (actual cause of death not known) on 7th August 1917, and was buried in grave 573.

FLOCKHART Albert Leading Stoker No. C/KX 133812 HMS Hornet.
Born at Bedlington, Northumberland on 12th July 1922, son of John Flockhart, a coal miner who died in 1928, and his wife Jenny Hedley. In
the 1939 census she was living at 28 Peel Street, Carlisle, Cumbria. Albert died on 12th February 1944 at Royal Auxillary Hospital, Minterne Magna,
Dorset of 1) an internal obstruction and 2) tuberculosis. Note that Albert had an older brother Thomas born 17. 10. 1921 who also joined the Royal
Navy as a stoker. He died at the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth on 19th June 1940 aged 19, and his death also caused by an internal obstruction.

FREDERICKS Arthur Hector Ordinary Telegraphist No. J 54669 HMS Myosotis.
Born at Reigate, Surrey on 27th February 1900, son of Frederick Fredericks and his wife Laura Eleanor Stanford who married at
West Ham, Essex on 8th December 1902. He was a house painter and decorator in 1921 when they were living at 43 Khedive Road, Forest Gate, Essex. I
could not find Arthur's actual cause of death on 6th January 1919 aged 18. He was buried in grave 588.

FYDO Alfred Reginald (sometimes FIDO) Constable No. 212598 Royal Marine Police Force - previously Royal Marine Artillery.
Born at Langport, Somerset about April 1889, son of Harry Powell Fido, a labourer in a coal yard in 1891 who died in 1899, and his wife Sarah Cann
who died in 1907. He enlisted in the R.M.A. on 17th February 1911, and married Joan Samways Appleby at Portsmouth in July 1922. He died at the
Royal Auxillary Hospital, Minterne Magna, Dorset on 2nd September 1945 of an acute cerebral thrombosis. He was buried in C of E grave 766, and his
probate to his widow Joan on 4th January 1946 was for £280. 5s. His address was No 5 Royal Marine Police H/Q, Portland.

GARRETT Frederick Arthur Able Seaman No. D/JX 348091 HMS Blackwood.
Born at Peasedown St. John, Somerset on 29th March 1923, son of James Garrett, general labourer, and his wife Sarah Ashman. I do not know
when he enlisted but he was serving on the frigate HMS Blackwood when on 15th June 1944 she was hit by a German Acoustic Naval Torpedo (a Gnat)
from U-764 and Frederick was killed, aged just 21, along with 57 other crew, 98 survived. HMS Blackwood was taken in tow but sank off Portland on
the 16th. Frederick was buried in C of E grave 745. In the 1939 census his parents were living at New Buildings, Batheaston, Bath, Somerset.

GASKIN Thomas Petty Officer Stoker No. 298849 PO HMS Victory.
Born at Coventry, Warwickshire on 4th December 1882, son of Thomas Gaskin, a sometime carpenter and insurance agent who died in December 1912,
and his wife Jane Ellen Salisbury who died in 1910. Thomas enlisted in the Royal Navy on 4th October 1901, but died at Portland Naval Hospital of
Nephritis on 28th April 1915 and was buried in grave 530. Thomas Snr. had married Mary Cook in Jan-Mch 1911 at Coventry, and she was living at 9
London Road, Coventry in 1915.

GILPIN H. is GILPIN William Henry Able Seaman No. R/JX 213358 HMS Minster.
Born at Dulwich, Surrey on 25th October 1917, son of Henry Gilpin, a Private in the Scots Guards (1911) and later a road
repairer before he died in 1935, and his wife Eleanor Elizabeth Noble. In 1921 the family were living at 11 Archdale Road, Dulwich, whilst in 1939
Willian Henry was working as a wine cellarman in London and single. He married on 22nd March 1944 at Poplar, London Lilian Elizabeth Sullivan nee
Rawlings (her first husband was killed in 1942). William was serving on HMS Minster which struck a mine off Utah Beach, Normandy on 8th June
1944, causing it to sink quickly, and 58 crew were killed including Henry as he is listed on the CWGC website. He was buried in C of E grave 739.
Later his widow Lilian on 19th April 1947 married William's brother James Douglas Victor Gilpin at Poplar.

GLEESON Walter John Lewis Deck Hand No. 4994 (DA) HM Trawler Caliph and HMS Research.
Born at Adelaide, Australia on 21st April 1893, son of John William Gleeson and his wife Mary Ann Collins. Aged 12 1/2
in November 1905 he was charged with larceny and sentenced to Reform School until aged 18, so it is unclear when he came to England. He married Ruth
Rebecca Dew at Cardiff, Wales in July 1913. He died of tetanus and an injury to his arm on 25th October 1917, and was buried in grave 574. His
widow Ruth was living at 15 Nicholas Street, Weymouth.

GREEN Alfred George Private No. 5679210 10th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert's Own).
The CWGC website gives no family background but his death on 15th April 1941 was registered at
Weymouth, and he was buried in grave 708. He may have been born in London in 1916, but I have failed to find a definite family.

GUNN John Bernard Stanley Leading Seaman No. P/J 114888 HMS Scimitar.
Born at Portsmouth, Hampshire on 27th February 1909, son of John Bernard Gunn, a Lieutenant Royal Navy and later Coastguard, and his
wife Barbara Kate Holloway. He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 11th June 1929, and in July 1933 he married Phyllis Emma Pett at Portsmouth. In the
1939 census they were living at 126 Chantry Road, Gosport, Hampshire. John Jnr. died at the Portland R N Hospital of multiple wounds as a result of
enemy action, and was buried in C of E grave 692. When his probate amounting to £554. 17s was granted to his widow Phyllis on 17th August
1945, she had remarried to Reginald Arthur Langley.

HALLAM Arthur Basil Able Seaman No. Z/5254 3rd Reserve Battalion Royal Naval Reserve (Tyneside).
Born at Ilkeston, Derbyshire on 7th August 1896, son of Henry Oliver Hallam, a blacksmith and shoeing
smith, and his first wife Annie Marshall, who died in March 1904. In 1911 the family were living at 35 Station Road, Ilkeston, with Arthur aged 13 a
pony driver at a colliery. He died at 6. 30 am of a fractured skull at Portland Royal Naval Hospital but I do not know details of the accident or
how the injury was incurred. He was just 19, and was buried in the Non Conformist grave 557. His father remarried at Basford, Nottinghamshire in
Apr-June 1906 to Sarah Wright and they were living at 3 Essex Street, Ilkeston in 1915.

HALLING Arthur Samuel Sergeant No. 5182953 Gloucestershire Regiment.
Born at Tredegar, Monmouthshire on 11th May 1917, where his father Samuel was a coal miner, with his wife Sarah Ann Stott. I
could not find his enlistment but in 1939 he was a Corporal in Bristol where he married Doris May Williams in July that year. His death on 31st August
1940 was registered in Weymouth, but I found no details of the cause of death, nor a Probate record for him.

HARDING Arthur L. Leading Boatman No. PO 161128 H. M. Coastguards Royal Navy.
CWGC has no details except he died on 2nd August 1919, aged 44. He was buried in grave 594.

HARRIS Albert Augustus Leading Seaman No. C/J 16519 HMS Hertfordshire.
Born at Paddington, London on 8th February 1896, son of Augustus Albert Harris, a gas fitter who died in 1926, and his wife Agnes
Maud Garrard who died in 1910. Albert first enlisted in the Royal Navy on 13. 3. 1912 to 4. 9.1928, reenlisted on 19. 11. 1930 to 28. 12. 1935, and
finally rejoined on 3rd October 1938. He is listed as serving during the Battle of Jutland in May 1916 on HMS Nonsuch. On 20th October 1936 at
Portland he married Olive Annie Nethercutt, and in the 1939 census they were living at 8 Higher Lane, Portland, and Albert was a labourer at the R
N Hospital. He died on 31st March 1940, but I could not find a record of 'cause of death' - he was buried in C of E grave 666.

HENDRY James Samuel Gunner No. RMA 9777 HMS Barham.
Born in Tullylin, Co. Sligo, Ireland on 10th March 1892, son of Matthew Hendry, a farmer, who died in 1919 and his wife Jane Irwin who died in
1894. There are few details about him, but he died by drowning on 15th October 1920, circumstances and place not known, and he was buried in grave 604.

HOLLOWAY Rex Stanley Able Seaman No. P/SSX 26116 HMS Foylebank.
Born on Guernsey, Channel Islands on 10th December 1918 son of Clifford James and Lena Alice Holloway. It seems Clifford enlisted for the
Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Jan. 1917 to Dec. 1919 and in 1921 was a gas stoker. I found nothing about Rex's enlistment in the Royal Navy. HMS
Foylebank was a 5,500 ton merchant ship converted into a floating anti aircraft guard ship and moored in Portland Harbour. At about 8. 30 am on
4th July 1940 she was attacked by German Stuka dive bombers and, despite her gunners shooting down two aircraft, she was hit by an estimated 22
bombs in an attack lasting 8 minutes. Some 176 of her officers and crew were killed, and many others injured. She sank the following day on 5th.
Rex is listed as having died on 7th July, so it appears he was wounded in the attack on the 4th. He was buried in C o E greave 674.

HOLMES James Private No. Ply 17083 Plymouth Division Royal Marines Light Infantry.
Born at Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Ireland on 6th May 1896, son of Thomas and Annie Holmes. He was an apprentice cabinet
maker in 1911 living with his parents before he joined up with the R M L I. He died of unspecified disease on 2nd March 1915, aged 18, and was buried
in grave 549.

HOMBURG Ernest Sydney Ordinary Seaman No. P/SR 8682 HMS Delight.
Born at Catford, London on 20th August 1918, son of Ernest Charles Homburg and his wife Ellen Maud Lelean. His father was a Stoker Petty
Officer R. N. serving on HMS Opal when he died on 12th January 1918 in a snow storm off the Orkneys, Scotland. In 1921 his widow Ellen was living at
73 Brookdale Road, Lewisham. Ernest Jnr. died at Portland R.N. Hospital of wounds on 30th July 1940 received when HMS Delight was sunk by German dive
bombers off Portland on the 29th July. He was buried in C of E grave 687.

HOUSTON John Jordan Able Seaman No. 1/218 Mersey Hood Division Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.
Naval records and 1881 census say he was born on 26th May 1878, but his birth was registered July - Sept 1878
at Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire where his mother Jane nee Taylor was staying with her father Thomas. John's father is said by CWGC to also be
John Jordan Houston, but I can find nothing about him or his death prior to 1881 when it says Jane was a widow. John Jnr. served in the Calcutta
Volunteers and I think married his wife Nina Alice in India (on 24 May 1902 ?) as she was born there in 1877. In 1911 John and Nina were living
with his mother Jane at 10 Castle Hill, Co. Louth, but then there is a workhouse record at Newport Gwent from 15th to 23rd January 1912 for John,
Nina and two children. John Jnr. died at Portland R N Hospital of a cerebral Haemorrhage on 26th February 1915 aged 38 and was buried in grave
548. His widow Nina married John E. Ellis at West Derby, Lancashire Apr-June 1916 and they were living at 14 Church Street West, West Kirby, Cheshire.

HOWE Arthur George Petty Officer No. 209255 HMS Gibraltar.
Born at Chalfont St. Giles, Buckinghamshire on 14th August 1884, son of Thomas Howe, a corn/hay dealer and carrier who died in November
1890, and his wife Florence Charlotte Reeves. Arthur enlisted in the Royal Navy on 21st April 1900 and was promoted Petty Officer on 6th December
1910. He died from tuberculosis in Portland R N Hospital on 25th June 1921, and was buried in grave 607. His probate to his mother Florence on 26th
October 1921 was for £207. 18s 3d.

HOWE Norman Ernest Leading Air Mechanic No. D/JX 287923 HMS Kestrel.
Born at St. Pancras, London on 25th June 1923 son of Henry Ernest Howe, a shop assistant in 1911, and his wife Caroline Amelia
Susannah Fisher. Norman was under training as a wireless operator/air gunner flying in a Percival Proctor from RAF Worthy Down, Hampshire when
the plane made a forced landing near Abbotsbury, Dorset, but it landed in a minefield and blew up. Norman was buried in C of E grave 721. In 1939 his
parents were living at 61 Stirling Road, Wood Green, Essex.

HOY Alfred John Officer's Cook No. 362365 (PO) HMS Serapata.
Born at Chatham, Kent on 9th February 1862 son of John Hoy, a manservant in Kent in 1871 before he died in 1879) and his wife Susan
Bowyer who died in 1901. By then Alfred had married Annie Snow at Chatham on 21st August 1888. In the 1901 census the family were living at Dover,
Kent and Alfred was working as a railway guard. He enlisted in Royal Navy on 3rd March 1904, described as a Cook. He died at Portland R N Hospital
from appendicitis on 2nd September 1919 and was buried in grave 596. In 1939 his widow Annie was living but incapacitated at 7 Douglas Road, Dover.

HUSSEY Percy Boy Telegraphist No. J 83490 HMS King George.
Born at Market Lavington, Wiltshire on 12th November 1901, son of Henry Hussey, a cabinet maker, and his wife Agnes Andrews. He enlisted on
24th january 1918, but died of pneumonia on HMS King George on 13th September 1919 and was buried in grave 598. I don't know why but Percy is
listed by CWGC as having a Guardian - Fanny Knight, The Green, Walburton, Arundel, Sussex. In 1939 Percy's parents were both still alive living at
'West View' High Street, Devizes, Wiltshire.

JENKINSON Ernest Able Seaman No. P/JX 142175 HMS Delight.
He was born at Blackburn, Lancashire on 23rd February 1918 son of Robert Jenkinson, a cotton weaver in 1911 and gardener in 1921, and his wife Alice
Jackson. In 1921 the Jenkinson family were living at 98 Johnson Street, Blackburn. Ernest married Emily May Hackforth at Grimsby, Lincolnshire in
January 1940, but he died at Portland R.N. Hospital of wounds on 30th July 1940 received when HMS Delight was sunk by German dive bombers off Portland
on the 29th July. He was buried in C of E grave 688.

JOHNSON Albert Edward Private No. 5671546 30th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert's Own).
He was born about 1922 and his death on 4th July 1943 registered in Weymouth before being buried in C of E grave 733, but I failed to find definite details for
him.

JONES Herbert Cavendish Lieutenant (Engineer) O.B. E. HMS Boscawen.
Born at Toxteth, Lancashire in January 1882, son of Edward Lewis Jones, a tobacco sampler who died in 1908, and his wife Hannah
Charnell. He married Mabel Rose Vooght at Stretford, Lancashire on 28th December 1913. He had a long and varied military career including the Royal
Indian Marine and the Royal Engineers No. 72749, where whilst serving with the latter attached to Inland Waterways Transport he was awarded the Order
of the British Empire on 18th November 1918. He was attached to Boom Defence Depot, Portland on 2nd November 1942 until he died at the Royal
Auxillary Hospital, Minterne Magna, Dorset on 18th April 1943 aged 61, and was buried in non conformist grave 732.

JONES Rodney John Able Seaman No P/J 42430 HMS Attack ( a coastal forces base at Portland).
Born at Shoreham, Sussex on 3rd October 1899 son of John James Jones, a market gardener in 1923 who died in
1943, and his wife Ellen Eliza Manning (K/as Helen). Married Emily May Coleman at Enfield, Middlesex on 1st September 1923 whilst serving with the
R.N. He enlisted on 2nd July 1915 until transferred to Royal Naval Reserve on 3rd October 1929. In the 1939 pre War census he was a copper wire
pickler living at 3 Tenby Road, Enfield. He was called up on 2nd October 1939 but died of shock after an accidental fall on 2nd July 1944 which was
ruled as " Misadventure ". He was buried in C of E grave 751.

KARTNER Walter (Korosec) Ordinary Seaman No. 4905 Royal Canadian Navy HMCS Niobe.
Born in Yugoslavia on 16th February 1925 son of Frank Krosec Kartner and his wife Maria Eppich. Mary and Walter
sailed from Cherbourg, France on 4th April 1930 to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada arriving on 13th April. Walter was an industrial X Ray Technician
when he joined the R C N on 5th February 1945 with a family address at 538 Railway Avenue, Steveston, British Columbia, Canada. I do not know what he
was doing in Weymouth, but he died suddenly there on 11th December 1945 and was buried in the Roman Catholic grave 767.

KENNELL Jack Edward Able Seaman No. C / SSX 20935 HMS Mercury.
Born at Coventry, Warwickshire on 19th July 1917, son of Joseph Edward Kennell, a car factory inspector, and his wife Eleanor Annie
Windows. In both 1921 and 1939 the family address was 16 Leicester Causeway, Coventry. Jack was killed during enemy action on 7th July 1940
aged 22, and buried in Coll. grave 671

KNIGHT Albert Stanley William Cornelius Stoker 1st Class No. P/SS 124367 Also J67553 HMS Attack.
Born at Colchester, Essex on 21st May 1901 son of Albert Louis Knight, a hotel barman in 1911who died in
1923, and his wife Annie Reynolds. In September 1922 he married Mary Matilda Grief at Portsmouth, but later divorced her. He had enlisted on
21st June 1919, but died of carcinoma of the bronchus at Mount Vernon Hospital, Middlesex on 30th August 1944 aged 43. He was buried in C of E
grave 759. The CWGC website says his wife was Lena Mary Campbell Knight of Portland - I believe they married in Scotland in 1940 but I could not find
the marriage.

LAVINGTON Charles Malcolm Signalman No. C/LD/X 3590 H M Trawler Loch Monteith.
Born at Norbury, Surrey on 29th October 1918 son of Malcolm Lavington a company director and his wife Edith Kate Hurst. Loch
Monteith was a trawler converted for anti submarine duties. Patrolling off Portland on 24th September 1940 she was attacked by a German bomber and six
crew were killed. Charles died at Portland R N hospital on 5th October 1940 (from his injuries ?) aged 21 and was buried in C of E grave 701.
Probate to his father Malcolm on 5th December 1940 was for £285. 9s.

LEGG John Thomas Boy 1st Class J/78784 (DEV) HMS Ramilles.
Born at Weymouth on 25th March 1902, son of William Walter Legg, a dockyard labourer, and his wife Florence Jane Moore. He enlisted on 24th
September 1917, and later promoted to Boy 1st Class. He suffered a fractured skull and other injuries from which he died aged 17 on 19th May
1919 in an accident on board ship, and a Court of Enquiry found " No one to Blame " He was buried in grave 591.

LEGH John Alan Pennington Captain R.N. D.S.C. and Inspector of Coastguard.
Born at Holmwood, near Dorking, Surrey on 13th January 1889, son of John Robert Legg and his wife Agnes Mabel Brotherton.
He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 15th May 1905 and had a distinguished Naval career, being awarded the D.S.C. by the King on 14th September 1918
for anti submarine warfare, including the sinking of U-110. He was serving as an Inspector of H M Coastguard on 13th October 1944 when he
drowned off Chesil Beach trying with others to save the crew of American built tank landing craft HM LCT (A) 2454 on passage from Dartmouth to
Portland that had become wrecked in a violent storm there. Robert Treadwell (above) and 9 of the 13 crew of the landing craft were also lost.
NOTE - I have included this entry from CWGC even though he is not buried on Portland, but only has an online commemoration
as his body was never recovered from the sea. He was the other Coastguard casualty with Robert Henry TREADWELL below.

LITTLE Joseph Charles Robert Seaman No. LT/X/21756A Royal Naval Reserve Patrol Service on H M Trawler Loch Monteith.
Born at Felixstowe, Suffolk on 21st September 1920, son of Walter Christopher
Little, a fisherman, and his wife Eveline Grace Hawkins. In 1921 they were living at 1 Orwell Terrace, Langer Road, Felixstowe. Loch
Monteith was a trawler converted for anti submarine duties. Patrolling off Portland on 24th September 1940 she was attacked by a German bomber and six
crew were killed including Joseph who was buried in C of E grave 699.

LOWER Richard John Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class No. D/MX 57158 HMS Minster.
Born at Belfast, Ireland on 21st September 1916, son of John Little who, in 1921, was working for a shipbuilding Co. at Falmouth
Cornwall, and his wife Blanche Lanxson, living at 9 Berkeley Place, Falmouth. On 8th June 1944 HMS Mister was involved in the Normandy landings
when she struck a mine and sank quickly. 58 crew were killed including Richard who was buried in non conformist grave 741.

MacIVER Malcolm (K/as Collum) Seaman No. LT/JX 265429 Royal Naval Patrol Service H M Trawler Grassholm.
Born at Stornaway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland on 2nd January 1907, son of John MacIver, a
fisherman, and his wife Christina Morrison. He had served many years in the Royal Naval Reserve, but died on board HMS Grassholm from a burst artery
and bacterial endocarditis. He was buried in Non Conformist grave 752.

MacLEOD Norman Seaman No. Lt/JX 166020 HMS Fortitude Royal Naval Patrol Service.
Born on 6th August 1921 at Barvas, Stornaway, isle of Lewis, Scotland son of Angus and Margaret MacLeod. Naval records
say he died on HMS Mercury from enemy action on 7th July 1940 and was buried in C of E grave 673. He was 18 years old.

MacMAHON P. Private No. 34290 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusilliers.
I found nothing except his death record at Weymouth on 11th January 1920 aged 23, where he was buried in grave 601.

MacRITCHIE John Seaman No. 5303A Royal Naval Reserve HMS Fisgard11.
Born at Stwainbost, Ness, Stornaway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland son of Malcolm MacRitchie, a crofter, and his wife Catherine
MacKenzie. He died on 17th September 1914 when HMS Fisgard 11 sank in a bad storm off Portland, with the loss of 21 of her crew of 64. He was
buried in grave 534.

MACK William Trimmer No. 1169/ST HMS Research.
Born at Turnham Market, Norfolk on 25th May 1874, son of James Mack, a farm labourer who died in 1915, and his wife Ellen Strangroom who died in 1920.
Life was obviously hard in agricultural Norfolk as in 1881 William aged 8 was with two older brothers in Docking Union Workhouse. He was lodging as a
farm labourer in 1891, and by 1901 had moved to Yorkshire where in 1898 at Middlesborough he married Ellen Taylor (K/as Nellie), and in 1911 still
in the town living at 6 Slate Street, William was working as a stevedore. He died on board HMS Research at Portland on 3rd September 1918 aged 46,
but I did not find a cause of death. He was buried in grave 584.

MAELE Adolf Olai Karl Sailor No. A/R 1036258 Norwegian Merchant Navy.
Born at Dverberg, Nordland, Norway on 29th February 1892 so of Ole John Danielsen who died 1916 and his wife Anna Christina
Jakobsdatter who had died in 1887. He is noted as having died at sea and his death registered at Weymouth, so was he aboard a ship in Portland
Harbour - no cause of death is listed. He was buried in Roman Catholic grave 724.

MANTLE Jack Foreman Leading Seaman/ Gunner V.C. M.I.D. No. P/JX 139070 HMS Foylebank.
Born at Wandsworth, Surrey on12th April 1917 son of Lisle John Foreman Mantle, an insurance clerk, and his wife Jeannie
May Jackson who died in 1919. HMS Foylebank was a 5,500 ton merchant ship converted into a floating anti aircraft guard ship and moored in Portland
Harbour. At about 8. 30 am on 4th July 1940 she was attacked by German Stuka dive bombers and, despite her gunners shooting down two aircraft, she was
hit by an estimated 22 bombs in an attack lasting 8 minutes. Some 176 of her officers and crew were killed, and many others injured. She sank the
following day on 5th. Leading Seaman Jack Mantle was in charge of the starboard pom pom and despite being seriously wounded he kept firing until
he died . He was buried in C of E grave 672, and was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his heroic efforts despite being mortally wounded.

MANTON Joseph Maurice Artificer Engineer No. 28174 HMS Bulwark.
Born in London on 7th August 1870 son of James William Manton, a publican in Greenwich who died in 1883, and his wife Martha Flack who died
in 1889. He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 21st May 1894, and in January 1898 at Portsea, Hampshire he married Ada Florence Ellis. He was serving on
HMS Bulwark moored at Sheerness, Kent when she blew up in a massive explosion. Faulty cordite was thought to have caused a fire setting off the
ship's ammunition and 741 officers and crew were killed. Joseph was buried in grave 535. His probate issued on 26th November 1914 to his widow Ada was
for £313. Their address was quoted as 102 Balfour Road, North End, Portsmouth. Later Ada was living at 20 Telegraph St. Southsea, Hampshire.

McGREGOR John Able Seaman No. D/JX 346893 HMS Blackwood.
Born 6th January 1924 at Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland, son of James Melvin McGregor and his wife Ann Drew who died in 1929. John was
serving on the frigate HMS Blackwood when on 15th June 1944 she was hit by a German Acoustic Naval Torpedo (a Gnat) from U-764 and John was killed,
aged just 20, along with 57 other crew, 98 survived. HMS Blackwood was taken in tow but sank off Portland on the 16th. John was buried in C of E grave 746.

MERRICK William Frederick Able Seaman No. D/MD/X 3031 Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve H M Trawler Damito.
Born at New Ferry, Cheshire on 23rd May 1910, son of Ernest Albert Merrick, a marine engineer
who died in 1924, and his wife Florence McNeil. In July 1938 at Port Sunlight, Cheshire he married Dorothy Mary Speed, and in 1939 they were
living at 40 Greendale Road, Bebington Cheshire. He was killed whilst Damito was performing minesweeping duties at sea in the English Channel,
and was buried in C of E grave 715.

MILLER Harold Able Seaman No. P/J 12179 HMS Delight.
Born at Portsmouth on 15th November 1895, son of Robert Miller a dock labourer who died in 1902, and his wife Violet May Augusta Tomlins. He
attended the Royal Hospital School for the Children of Seamen before he enlisted as a boy sailor on 1st May 1911 and served on HMS Porpoise at the
Battle of Jutland. In January 1922 he married Sarah Rosetta Wood at Portsmouth, but she died in January 1934. He was serving on HMS Delight
when she was sunk on 29th July 1940 by German dive bombers. He suffered multiple injuries and died on the 31st July, before being buried in C of E grave 686.

MONTEITH Hugh Thomas Stoker 1st Class No. K/13553(CH) HMS Agamemnon.
Born at Millwall, London on 16th February 1893, son of James Monteith, a dock labourer who died in 1923, and his wife Sarah Jane McIlroy
who died in 1935. Hugh enlisted in the Royal Navy on 4th September 1911, but died of Septicaemia at Portland Royal Naval Hospital on 15th September
1915, and was buried in grave 556.

MOTT Reginald George Chief Petty Officer No. P/M 876 HMS Boscawen.
Born at Bracknell, Berkshire on 23rd March 1889, son of Joseph Mott, a tailor's cutter who died in 1918, and his wife Ellen Turnham
who died in 1930. He enlisted on 6th April 1909 and on 13th April 1914 married Edith Minnie Carver in Sussex. He died at Portland R N Hospital
on 20th June 1944 from self administered carbolic acid whilst the balance of his mind was disturbed. His probate to his widow Edith on 23rd August
1944 was for £309. 18s. 5d. Their address then was 42 Alexandra Drive, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead, Cheshire.

MURRAY Alexander Stoker 1st Class No. P/KX 166966 HMS Diadem.
Born at Edinburgh, Scotland on 24th October 1924, son of Thomas Murray and his wife Maud.
Alexander was accidentally drowned off Weymouth Pier on 27th November 1945, and was buried in the non conformist grave 768.

NEALE George Leading Stoker No. 311133 H M T B 81
Born at Foyle, Hampshire in May 1887, son of William George Neale a farm labourer who died in 1924, and his wife Mary Hawkins who died in 1904.
George enlisted in the Royal Navy on 4th January 1904, but was found drowned returning to his ship at Portland on 1st November 1914. He was
buried in grave 540. His younger sister Annie born 1894 was living at Elm Cottage, Bentley, Farnham, Surrey.

NICHOLAS Desmond Vernon Dudley Lieutenant Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve HM Minesweeping Yacht 2279.
Born in Cardiff, Wales in April 1908 son of Cuthbert Ivor Nicholas, a civil service clerk
in 1921, and his wife Maud Francis Nicholas. In 1921 they were living at 4 Gloster Row, Clifton Bristol. It seems that Desmond was an artist and
model maker, but I have not found details of Desmond's Naval service, nor the cause of his death on 30th January 1946 aged 37. He was buried in C of E grave 769.

OLDALE George Raude Ordinary Seaman No. C/SSX 769113 HMS Nelson.
Born at Cairo, Egypt on 28th November 1928, son of Harry and Paula Oldale of Sheffield. He died of a pulmonary embolism at Portland R N
hospital on 14th December 1946, and was buried in C of E grave 771.

OWEN Fred Petty Officer Stoker No. 293326 (PO) HMS Monarch.
Born at Cardiff, Wales on 1st October 1879, but I failed to pin down his parents. He enlisted in Royal Navy on 13th September 1899, served
on HMS Monarch at the Battle of Jutland in 1916 and died at Portland R N Hospital of pneumonia on 8th September 1919, being buried in grave 597. He
had a sister in law Alice Hudson Owen living at 33 Cranbrook Street, Cathys, Cardiff. Her husband Charles Hudson Owen had died in 1905.

PAIN Alfred William Electrical Artificer 1st Class No. P/M 36343 HMS Vernon.
Born at Hackney, London on 2nd June 1901, son of Alfred Pain, a boot clicker in 1881 who died in 1907, and his wife Emily
Edwina Harper. It appears he had a difficult childhood owing to poverty ? Twice in 1906 (three months) and for one day in 1909 he was taken to Sidney
Road Children's Home in Hackney (workhouse ?) before his mother re-married to John Agar Walford, a warehouseman late in 1907. He enlisted in the
Royal Navy on 15th March 1921, working as a fitter and turner, and in October 1925 he married Emily Edwina Dangerfield at Portsmouth. He died of
a cerebral haemorrhage at home at 21 Kempston Avenue, Rodwell, Weymouth on 12th November 1939 aged 38, and was buried in C of E grave 665.

PALMER Albert Private No. 17755 3rd Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers.
Born at Hunslet, Yorkshire in March 1875, son of James Palmer, a fishmonger who died in 1900, and his wife Sarah Elizabeth
Donovan. Served in 3rd Battalion West Yorkshire Reserve before enlisting on 17th March 1895. Served in the Punjab, India 1897/8. Married a widow
Elizabeth Eliza Ann Morton (nee Whittam) at St Silas church, Hunslet on 19th October 1907. He died at Portland on 9th or 10th April 1915, (cause
not found) and was buried in grave 552. His widow Elizabeth was living at 6 Grove Place, Whitehouse Street, Hunslet, Leeds.
NOTE - there is a Find a Grave record saying that an Albert Edward Palmer born Melcombe Regis 1878 is this burial record, but that is wrong as he
married Elizabeth Annie Haynes at Melcombe Regis in 1905 and I think he was alive in 1939.

PARR Richard Ordinary Seaman No. SS/4543 (PO) HMS Victory.
Born at Gainsborough, Lincolnshire on 30th November 1894, son of Samuel Parr, publican at Sun Inn, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln (1914).
Richard enlisted in the Royal Navy on 18th December 1913, but died at Portland R N hospital of pyarmia (?) or acute sepsis on 14th November
1914, and was buried in grave 536.

PERKINS Robert Ordinary Seaman No. LT/JX 179492 Royal Naval Patrol Service H M Trawler Loch Monteith.
Born at Worksop, Nottinghamshire on 17th December 1917, son of Samuel Perkins, a railway
worker, and his wife Ethel Baggeley, and in 1921 they were living at 6 Montrose Avenue, Gibson Street, Hull, Yorkshire. Loch Monteith was a
trawler converted for anti submarine duties. Patrolling off Portland on 24th September 1940 she was attacked by a German bomber and six crew were
killed, including Robert who was buried in C of E grave 697.

PHILLIPS Roy Sub Lieutenant Royal Naval Reserve H M Trawler Recoil.
Born at Cardiff, Wales in 1906, son of Edwin Charles Phillips, Master of a tug boat who died in 1933, and his wife Jane Jones
who died in 1936. In July 1935 at Cardiff he married Olive Corner, but he was killed when Recoil hit a mine and sank off Portland on 27th September
1940. He was 34 and buried in C of E grave 703.

PITCAIRN Colin MacKenzie Commander (Rtd.) Merchant Navy and Royal Naval Reserve HMS Boscawen.
Born at Streatham Hill, London on 5th May 1893, son of Charles Dalbiac Pitcairn, a clerk at Bank of
England who died in 1896, and his wife Helen Mary Whyte who died in 1922. Colin joined the British India Steam Navigation Co. as a cadet on 9th July
1909 and had a long career in Merchant Navy. He married Emily Gwendoline McCrae at Axbridge, Somerset in 1920. On 12th April 1940, he was found
drowned in Portland Harbour whilst on Easter leave, and was buried in C o E grave 667. His widow Emily was living at Wedmore, Somerset.

POTTS Robert Trimmer No. 1082/TS Royal Naval Reserve H M Trawler John Donovan.
Born at North Shields, Northumberland on 3rd December 1883, son of John William Potts. a coachman/groom in 1881 who died
in 1901, and his wife Jane Anne Robson. On 11th June 1905 Robert married Margaret Ross Ponton at North Shields. It appears that he died on 12th
August 1915 aged 33 at Portland R N Hospital, from wounds after enemy action, and was buried in grave 555. His widow Margaret was living at 25
Church Way, North Shields.

PURVIS Arthur Lee Able Seaman No. Z/2675 Hood Battalion Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.
Born at Blaydon, Co. Durham on 20th April 1896, son of Stephen Purvis, a coal miner, and his wife
Elizabeth Charlton. He enlisted in Royal Navy on 4th January 1915, but after a posting abroad, developed dysentery and was brought home but died
on 16th September 1915 at Portland R N Hospital. He was buried in grave 558. His father was living at No 5, Aged Miners Homes, Emmaville, Rydon on Tyne,
Co. Durham.

RATTRAY Norman MacLeod Engineer Sub Lieutenant Royal Naval Reserve HMS Research.
Born at Dundee, Scotland in 1887, son of Henry Rattray, a Merchant Navy ship's Captain, and his wife Catherine
Rattray. He died on 21st July 1918 aged 31 at Portland R N hospital from injuries arising from a motor cycle accident and was buried in grave 582.

REID John Frederick Winder Lieutenant 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Born at Hampstead, London on 4th June 1897, son of Frederick John Reid, listed as " Living on Own Means " who died in
1929, and his wife Ann Harriet Farmiloe. John died on 25th March 1921 registered at Weymouth, and was buried in grave 606, but I found no
reference to place or cause of death.

REILLY Gordon Ordinary Seaman No. Clyde Z/3415 Royal Naval Reserve R.N. Division.
Born at Aberdeen, Scotland on 3rd May 1894, son of William Joseph Reilly, an insurance agent who died in 1927, and his
wife Deborah Sycamore. I do not know the circumstances of Gordon's death on 28th April 1915 aged 21, but he was buried in grave 554.

ROBERTS George Hislop Michie Private No. 3971974 Welsh Regiment.
Born at Fulham, London on 9th August 1913, son of David Roberts, a woodworker and carpenter who died in 1926, and his wife Margaret
MacDonald Roberts. In 1939 he was a milk roundsman living with his widowed mother at 133 Wandsworth Road Fulham. His death on 11th August 1940 aged 26
was registered in Weymouth, but I did not find the circumstances of it - he was buried in C of E grave 691.

ROBERTSON George Corporal 47 Commando Royal Marines.
Born in 1916, son of Mr and Mrs F George Robertson, and husband of Agnes Strachan Bayson of Cumbernauld, Dumbartonshire, Scotland. He died on 14th
June 1944 aged 28 and was buried in non conformist grave 743, but I found nothing out about his background, or how he died.

ROWE George More Allender Commander Royal Navy HMS Conqueror.
Born at Kensington, London on 4th April 1883, son of George William Rowe, a Solicitor at Lincoln's Inn, London, and his wife Mary Moore
Allender who died in 1883. George was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy on 15th June 1897. His father remarried in 1904 in London to
Louisa Jane Goode, and in 1911 they were living at 7 Pembroke Gardens, Kensington. I do not know the circumstances of George's death on 30th
April 1920, before he was buried in grave 603. His probate to his father on 9th June 1920 was for £7,395. 3s. 3d. and quoted an address Manor Farm
Chesham Bbois, Buckinghamshire.

SCHRODER Frederick Joseph Lieutenant Engineering HMS Boadecia.
Born at Portsmouth, Hampshire on 22nd February 1897, son of Frederick Schroder, a fishmonger, and his wife Gertrude Emma Melling. He
enlisted in the Royal Navy on 22nd July 1912, and commissioned as a Lieutenant (E) on 15th June 1927. In the Quarter Jul-Sept 1921 at
Portsmouth he had married Winifred Greshina Naomi Essery. He was serving on HMS Boadecia on 9th June 1944 when she was sunk by German aircraft off
Portland whilst escorting a convoy from Milford Haven, Wales to the Normandy beaches. He was buried in C of E grave 748. His probate to his
widow Winifred on 23rd February 1945 was for £317. 11s. 9d. His address quoted was 4 Fawley Road, Portsmouth.
His brother John Charles Schroder born June 1904 also died in World War Two when HM submarine P.38 was sunk on 23rd February 1942 off Tripoli, North Africa.

SELWAY Henry James Chief Engine Room Artificer 1st Class No. 344628 (PO) HMS Sarpetia.
Born at Portsea, Hampshire on 27th October 1880, son of Henry Selway, a shoemaker, and his wife Eliza Jane Saunders.
Enlisted in the Royal Navy on 2nd November 1901, and married at Portsmouth in 1909 Hilda Maud Pudney. In 1911 they were living at 284 Powerscourt
Road, Buckland, Portsmouth. Henry died of malaria on 25th August 1919 and was buried in grave 595.

SETFORD George Henry Ordinary Telegraphist No. C/JX341853 H M Steam Gunboat 6.
Born at Barking, Essex on 7th October 1923, son of William Ernest Setford, a GPO Overseer, and his wife Harriet Agnes Tomlin who died in 1933. George
was lost overboard and found drowned off Portland on 31st January 1943 aged 19 and a Court of Enquiry ruled it as Misadventure. He was buried in C of E
grave 730. His probate to his father on 17th May 1943 was for £113.7s 6d. giving his address as 24 Sandringham Road, Barking, Essex.

SEYMOUR Leonard George Ordinary Seaman No. P/JX 172726 HMS Foylebank.
Born at Stepney, London on 23rd May 1919, son of George Andrew Seymour, a wheelwright and barrow maker, and his wife Gertrude Ida
Coates. HMS Foylebank was a 5,500 ton merchant ship converted into a floating anti aircraft guard ship and moored in Portland Harbour. At about
8. 30 am on 4th July 1940 she was attacked by German Stuka dive bombers and, despite her gunners shooting down two aircraft, she was hit by an
estimated 22 bombs in an attack lasting 8 minutes. Some 176 of her officers and crew were killed, including Leonard, and many others injured. She sank
the following day on 5th. Leonard was buried in C of E grave 680. His parents were then living at 2 The Gardens, Whitehorse Lane, Norwood, Surrey.

SHARLAND Walter Private No. 19252 11th Battalion Devonshire Regiment previously served in 4th Dragoon Guards and No 20299 (TRG) 4th Battalion Training Regiment.
Born at Exeter, Devon in January 1878 son of Richard Sharland, a plush maker, and his wife Ellen Sandford.
On 3rd September 1899 he married Lily Grace Ingram at Paddington when working as a bricklayer. He was on guard duty at Portland station on 21st
November 1916 when he was accidentally killed by a train at the station. He was buried in grave 567. His widow Lily remarried in July 1917 to James David Ratty at Paddington.

SMEETON James Yeoman of Signals No. 130622 HMS Research.
Born at Derby, Derbyshire on 10th November 1869, son of Thomas Smeeton, a gas worker, and his wife Elizabeth Baggeley who died in 1879. He enlisted
in the Royal Navy on 2nd February 1885, and had a long career, moving to the Royal Naval Reserve No. A/3271 on 24th April 1911 and rejoining on 2nd
August 1914. He married Ada Bashford at Portsmouth in July 1911, but died of pneumonia at Portland R N Hospital on 15th January 1918 and was buried
in grave 575. His widow Ada was living at 20 Mallams, Portland, and she remarried at Weymouth in January 1922 to Arthur Hallett.

SMITH Charles. Able Seaman No. Z/6486 7th Reserve Battalion Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (Tyneside).
Died aged 20 of bronchiactasis at Portland RN Hospital on 20th February 1916 and buried in grave 563.

STAPLES George Arthur Leading Seaman No. P/JX 269594 HMS Boscawen.
Born at West Norwood, Surrey on 4th May 1906, son of John Edward Staples, a public works labourer, and his wife Jane Maria Simmonds.
George worked at a stock and shares clerk in the City, and in 1939 the family were living at 29 Pitman Street, Camberwell, London. On 24th March
1943 he was found drowned at Portland, but a Coroner ruled there was no explanation how he came to be in the water. He was buried in C of E grave 731.

STEPHENSON (sometimes TINSON) John Duesbury Chief Petty Officer (Sick Berth) No P/M 417.
Born at Toronto, Canada on 15th September 1888, son of George Stephenson (sometimes Tinson) a bricklayer who died in
1927, and his wife Margaret Jessie Waldie who also died in 1927. John married Margaret Louise Crowhurst at Stockton on Tess, Co. Durham in
January 1936 but died of heart failure at Royal Auxillary Hospital, Minterne Magna, Dorset on 27th February 1943 aged 54, and was buried in
C of E grave 729. His probate to John Mason on 10th July 1943 was for £1991 19s 1d, and his address was 14 Roseberry Terrace, Billingham, Co. Durham.

SUMNER John Thomas Seaman No. LT/X21495A Royal Naval Patrol Service H M Trawler Loch Monteith.
Born at Fleetwood, Lancashire on 30th December 1919, son of Robert Sumner, a fisherman, and his wife Violet
Cross. Loch Monteith was a trawler converted for anti submarine duties. Patrolling off Portland on 24th September 1940 she was attacked by a German
bomber and six crew were killed, including John aged 20 who was buried in C of E grave 698. In 1939 the family were living at 234 Poulton Road,
Fleetwood, Lancashire.

SUTTON Charles Abele Seaman No. 185901 HMS Mars previously Royal Fleet Reserve No. B 5956.
Born at Elloughton, Yorkshire on 4th July 1879 son of George Sutton a gardener, and his wife Elizabeth
Young. Was at sea in 1911 and died as a result of an unspecified accident aboard HMS Mars, based briefly at Portland, on 14th December 1914. He was
buried in grave 537. His widow Jennie Sutton later Sheaf was living at 11 Regent Street, Ipswich, Suffolk.

TAYLOR Walter Frederick Seaman No. LT/JK 174499 H M Trawler T R Ferrans Royal Naval Patrol Service.
Born at Castletown, Isle of Man on 20th August 1920, son of William Taylor, a mason, and his
wife Susan. He is reported to have fallen overboard and drowned from the T R Ferrans on 7th June 1940 before his body was recovered and buried in C of E grave 668.

TAYLOR Thomas Vaux. Skipper of H M Trawler Stelma Royal Naval Reserve.
Died at RN Hospital Portland on 3rd February 1919, death due to dislocation of the spine. He was buried in grave 586.

THOMPSON Thomas Paling Able Seaman No. Z/3955 HMS President 111 Royal Naval Reserve.
Born at Derby, Derbyshire on 30th December 1885, son of John William Thompson a clerk who died in 1911, and
his wife Mary Alice Paling who died in 1919. He died on 22nd July 1917 from carcinoma of the liver, and was buried in grave 572. In 1911 his widowed
mother was living at 17 Heyworth Street, Derby.

TREADWELL Robert Henry Coastguard formerly Royal Navy.
Born at Plymouth, Devon on 9th July 1909, son of George Andrew Treadwell, a merchant navy seaman, and his wife Jane Sargent. He enlisted in the Royal
Navy on 9th July 1927 and married Audrey Ellen Mould at Plymouth in 1936. In 1939 they were living at 19 Weston Street, Portland. He was serving as a
coastguard on 13th October 1944 when he drowned off Chesil Beach trying to save the crew of a landing craft on passage from Dartmouth to Portland that
had become wrecked in a violent storm . John Legh (see end) and 9 of the 13 crew of the American built tank landing craft HM LCT (A) 2454 were also
lost. Robert's body was recovered the next day, and he was buried in C of E grave 760. Robert was awarded the Silver Sea Gallantry Medal, Lloyds of
London Silver Medal for Saving Lives at Sea, and a Royal Humane Society Testimonial on Vellum.

TRENT John Richard Stoker 1st Class No. R/KX 98890 HMS Boscawen.
Born at Paddington, London on 19th January 1881, son of Henry Valentine, a journeyman baker, and his wife Sarah Dow. Enlisted in the
Royal Navy on 1st July 1902, and in March 1940 he married Mary Blanche Otter. She was the widow of John Albert Trent who had died in 1916 on
Portland. James died of stomach cancer at Royal Naval Auxiliary Hospital at Sherborne, Dorset on 22nd August 1945, when they were living at 11 High
Street, Portland. He was buried in C of E grave 765.

WALKER Anthony Ordinary Seaman No. P/JX 178292 HMS Foylebank.
Born at Salford, Lancashire on 18th August 1919 son of Arthur Walker and his wife May F. Porter. HMS Foylebank was a 5,500 ton merchant
ship converted into a floating anti aircraft guard ship and moored in Portland Harbour. At about 8. 30 am on 4th July 1940 she was attacked by
German Stuka dive bombers and, despite her gunners shooting down two aircraft, she was hit by an estimated 22 bombs in an attack lasting 8
minutes. Some 176 of her officers and crew were killed, including Anthony, and many others injured. She sank the following day on 5th. Anthony was
buried in C of E grave 675.

WATTS Albert James Able Seaman No. P/J 41456 HMS Scawfell.
Born at Portsmouth Hampshire on 25th January 1900, son of William Watts, a ship's harbour pilot at Portsmouth who died in 1929, and
his wife Susan Stevens. Enlisted in the Royal Navy on 25th June 1916 to 21. 2. 1928, then rejoined on 3rd January 1933. He had married Dorothy
Thornton Woolgar at Portsmouth in 1924, and he died at Portland R N Hospital on 19th July 1940 from congenital heart disease. He was buried in
C of E grave 679. His widow Dorothy remarried at Carisbroke on the Isle of Wight where she
lived in 1943 to Frederick B. DAISH.

WELLINGTON William Henry Stoker 2nd Class No. K/21248 Anson Battalion Royal Naval Division.
Born at Kingswear, Devon on 5th July 1895 son of Henry Wellington a farm labourer, and his wife Susan Ann Uren.
Enlisted on 14th November 1913 and posted abroad, but Naval records show he was hospitalised from 15. 9. 14 to 14. 9. 1915 then invalided home on 31st
October 1915 with Debility and Cardiac Enteritis. He died of dystentery at Royal Naval Hospital, Portland on 5th February 1916 aged 21, and was buried
in grave 562. His parents were living at Boohay Cottage, Kingswear, Devon.

WILES Stanley Marwood Petty Officer 2nd Class No. 155727 HMS Research.
Born at Langton Matravers, Dorset on 23rd June 1874, son of Absalom Wiles, a police pensioner who died in 1909, and his wife Eliza
Burpitt who died in 1880. He enlisted on 14th June 1890 through to 19th February 1915, then the R F R No. POA 4202. He had married Annie Gale at
Powerstock, Dorset on 3rd October 1903, but he died at home on 28th July 1919 from unspecified disease and was buried in grave 593. His widow Annie
was living at 2 Guernsey Street, Portland.

WOOD Benjamin Thomas Ordinary Seaman No. P/JX 800505 HMS Duke of York.
Born at Grimsby, Lincolnshire on 18th January 1928, son of Benjamin Thomas Wood, a R N Patrol Service skipper, and his wife Emily
Maria Burgess. It seems he was with a working party on 6th August 1947 from Duke of York at Portland, but later found drowned aged 19, but the
circumstances are not clear. He was buried in C of E grave 772. His parents were living at Cullercoates, Northumberland.

WOOLLEY John Frank Paymaster Commander HMS Boscawen.
Born at Hampstead London on 16th April 1886, son of Frank Lucas Woolley, a wine merchant and his wife Louisa Ether Boyd who died in 1923. Married
Edith Dorothea Guy at Kensington, London in October 1922. He had enlisted in the Royal Navy on 15th June 1903, having a long career ending as a
Paymaster Commander, and in 1939 was retired and living at Penleonard, Magellan Road, Exeter. He died at Portland on 14th August 1945 aged 59,
but I could find no explanation of cause of his death. He was buried in C of E grave 764.

YULE David Signal Boy No. 1875/SB HMS Implacable.
Born at Galashiels, Selkirkshire, Scotland on 3rd February 1902, son of John T. Yule and his wife Margaret Yule. He was found drowned at Weymouth,
circumstances not known, and buried in grave 589. His parents were living at 52 Elm Row, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Burials at St George's Cemetery and the Strangers Burial Ground.

ALLBERRY Sidney Francis Lance Corporal No. 14955 3rd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment.
Born at Portland in June 1899 son of Edwin James Allberry, formerly H M Army and a general labourer, and his wife Mary
Bowring who died in 1908. In 1911 Sidney was living with his widowed father at 143 Chiswell, Portland, but he died of unspecified illness at South
Tidworth Military Hospital, Hampshire on 9th February 1917. He was buried at St George's in grave A. 3. 37 on February 14th.

ATTWOOLL John Rod Acting Bombardier No. 126315 45th Anti Aircraft Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.
Born at Portland in April 1879 son of John Rod Attwooll, a stone cutter who died in 1916, and his
wife Rebecca Lowman Pearce who died in 1908. He married Lilian Jane Mann at Weymouth on 6th February 1909. In 1911 his widowed father was living at 30
New Street, Portland. John Jnr. had served 6 years in R. G. A. Reserve before he enlisted on 1st November 1916. He died of pneumonia on 20th
February 1919 aged 39 having been discharged from the Army, and was buried at St George's in grave A. 6. 13 on 28th February. His widow Lilian was
living at Chantry House, 80 Grove Fields, Easton, Portland.

BARTER William John Private No. 16335 Dorsetshire Regiment Depot.
Born at Portland in December 1884, son of John Barter, a dairyman, and his wife Jane M. Cole. In 1911 they were living at 111
Reforme, Portland with William working as a farm labourer aged 16. I do not know when he enlisted but he died on the Isle of Wight on 9th February
1919 and was buried at St George's in grave 50 in Old Cemetery.

BINKS Richard Mortimer Gunner No. 1668191 522 Coast Regiment Royal Artillery previously enlisted 28 January 1890 No 122096 R.G.A. discharged 3 February 1919.
Born at Portland in 1892 son of Alfred Mortimer Binks, a sawmills worker who died in 1924, and his wife Hannah Chislett
Collins who died in 1921. He married at Woolwich, London Florence Parker in April 1917, and in 1921 they were living at 72 Wakeham, Portland where
he was working as a traction engine driver. He died, cause not known, on 12th November 1940, and was buried at St George's on 14th in grave A. 8. 65.

BOLLEN William John Chief Stoker No. 127602 HMS Hermoine previously Royal Naval Reserve No. PO/A/1152.
Born on Portland on 2nd march 1865 son of George Bollen, a stone mason who died in 1883, and
his wife Elizabeth Lovell. I did not find his full Royal Naval service but he married Sarah Mother Way on 26th October 1892 at St. John's church,
Portland when serving on HMS Agamemnon. He died of unspecified disease at Haslar Royal Naval Hospital, Portsmouth on 22nd March 1916, and was buried
at St George's in grave B. 3. 15 on March 27th. His probate to his widow Sarah on 1st November 1916 was for £ 388. 7s. 10d. Their address was 5
Spring Gardens, Portland.

CLARK Reginald John Sergeant Wireless Operator / Air Gunner No. 1208623 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Born at Portsmouth, Hampshire on 8th May 1920 son of Lt. Commander John Henry Clark R.N. (Rtd.?)
and his wife Florence Fanny Scard. In 1939 the family were living at 36 Marlborough Avenue Weymouth, and Reginald was a capstan lathe operator. On
24th December 1941 Reginald was in the crew of a Stirling bomber on a training flight from RAF Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire when it flew into a
tree near Kempston, Bedfordshire and he was killed aged 21. He was buried at St George's on December 31st in grave C. 3. 57.

DINE Joseph Richard Sergeant No. 52866 7th Depot Co. Royal Engineers.
Born at Portland on 7th October 1866 son of John Dine, a blacksmith who died in 1912, and his wife Elizabeth Winter who died in
1905. He married Mary Fall at Portland on 13th July 1893 by which time he was already a Corporal in the Royal Engineers. Having served 20 years
there, by 1911 he was a labourer living back with the family at 82 Channel View, Portland. He re-enlisted on 7th October 1914, but died at home on
Portland of pneumonia and influenza on 12th December 1915. He was buried at St George's in grave B. 6. 55 on 16th December.

DINE Samuel John Painter 1st Class No. P/M 5956 HMS Victory.
Born at Portland on 7th February 1884 son of William Thomas Dine, a quarry worker who died in 1918, and his wife Sarah Elizabeth Anthony. On
11th November 1915 at Bemerton, Wiltshire he married Elsie Clara Penny when serving on HMS Woolwich, as he had enlisted in the Royal Navy on 2nd May
1913. He served until 2nd March 1935 gaining the Long Service and Good Conduct medal, then rejoined on 31st July 1939. In the 1939 pre war census
Elsie and their son Royston aged 20 were living at 10 Brougham Road, Portsmouth. He died at R N Hospital Haslar, Portsmouth of acute kidney
failure and nephritis and was buried in the central part of Strangers Burial Ground on 30th January 1942. His probate granted to Elsie's brother
Sydney Walter Penny on 27th June 1942 was for £251. 5s. 6d. Their son Royston died at Portsmouth in January 1942, and Elsie died shortly after
Samuel at 2 Victory Cottages, Quidhampton, Wiltshire on 15th May 1942.

FARWELL Charles Walter Gunner No. 858495 522 Coastal Regiment Royal Artillery.
Born on Portland on 28th January 1917 son of Archer Farwell and his wife Helen Matthews (k/as Nellie). Charles
married Charlotte Mabel Grace Smith (k?as Lottie) at Weymouth in January 1940. On 15th April 1941 an enemy bombing raid dropped a bomb on 15 Queens
Road, Portland killing Archer, his wife Nellie and daughters Violet aged 18 and Marion aged 14, along with Charles Farwell and his wife Charlotte.
They were buried at St George's on the 19th - Charles in grave A. 13. 55.

FLEW Thomas Private No. 73824 3rd Battalion Somerset Light Infantry.
Born on Portland in January 1900 son of William Lano Flew, a quarry man, and his wife Edith Comben. in 1911 the family were living at
73 Avalanche Road, Portland. I do not know when Thomas enlisted but he died of unspecified disease at Woburn, Bedfordshire on 30th August 1919 and was
buried at St George's in grave D2. K6 on September 4th.

FROST Rosina Alice Leading Aircraftwoman No. 2069724 Women's Auxiliary Air Force Costal Command.
Born at Pontypridd, Glamorgan, Wales on 25th February 1917, daughter of William Frost, a coal miner later
a labourer, and his wife Alice Ann Eleanor Ibell. In 1939 the family had move from South Wales and were living at 30 Grove Road, Portland. Rosina is
listed as dying on 16th February 1943 aged 25 from 'Natural Causes' in hospital at Limandry, Co. Londonderry, Ireland and was buried at St
George's on 20th February in grave B. 14. 11.

GIBBS William Thomas Aircraftman 2nd Class No. 926798 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Born at Portland on 14th September 1920 son of William Gibbs, a quarry worker, and his wife Annie Gould. In 1939
the family were living at 17 Grosvenor Road, Portland. It seems William was at the Technical Training Command, Kirkham, Lancashire when he died on 7th
April 1941 aged 20, but his cause of death is not stated. He was buried at St. George's on 11th April in grave A. 13. 47.

GODDARD William Henry Private No. SE/9780 Royal Army Veterinary Corps.
Born at Frome, Somerset in April 1874 son of Frederick George Goddard, a house painter and plumber who died in 1915, and his wife
Ellen Rosina Watts. On 28th April 1900 at Bothenhampton, Dorset he married Annie Elizabeth Watts, whilst working as a carter, and in 1911 they were
living at Loders, Dorset, by then working as a plate layer for Great Western Railway. He was on demobilisation furlough when he died in Portland
R N Hospital of multiple injuries (was it a railway accident ?) on 23rd April 1919 and was buried at St George's in grave A. 4. 39 on April 26th.
In 1921 his widow Annie was living at 121 Reforme, Portland.

HOSKINS William Benjamin Stoker 2nd Class No. K/39133 HMS Victory previously RNVR No. 9625.
Born on Portland on 1st May 1885 son of Benjamin Blomfield Hoskins, a stone quarryman and his wife Marjory White
Spencer Elliott. In 1911 his parents and William, working in the quarries, were living at 83 Wakeham, Portland before in April 1911 he married Susan
Stone Flew. He re-enlisted on 11th january 1917, but then died at R H Hospital Haslar, Portsmouth on 24th January 1917 aged 31, of acute
bronchitis and cardiac failure. Note CWGC give his age as 41 - incorrect. His widow Susan continued to live at 82 Wakeham and died at Harrison
Hospital, Charminster, Dorset in 1878.

HOWARD Thomas Company Sergeant Major No. 6241 3rd Battalion Somerset Light Infantry.
Born at Hoxton, London in 1885 son of Thomas Howard, a baker, and his wife Clara Wapshire. In 1911 they were
living at 49 Lyttleton Road, Leyton, Essex. I have not found Thomas's Army career but on 3rd February 1913 he was a Sergeant H M Army when he married
Emily Maud White at Portland. He died of an unknown cause at the Belfast Military Hospital, Ireland on 3rd July 1919 and was buried at St George's
on 9th July in grave A. 4. 45. Note CWGC give his date of death as 30th July - an error.

KING William Robert Gunner No. 1097368 12 Medium Regiment Royal Artillery.
Born 6th May 1909 at Seacombe, Cheshire son of William King, a watchman in 1931, and his wife Isabella Leatherbarrow. He
married Priscilla Elfreda Farager at Seacombe on 3rd October 1931, and in 1939 they were living at 157 High Street, Portland. William was then
a labourer. He died on 30th June 1944 aged 35, cause not known, and was buried in the Central part of Strangers Burial Ground on 5th July.

LEES Christopher Robert Leading Aircraftman No. 1170845 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Born at Portland in October 1919 son of Albert Arthur Lees, a stone mason, and his wife Charlotte Ayles. In 1939
the family were living at 15 Grosvenor Road, Portland. It seems Christopher was at the Army Co-operation Command at Weston Zoyland, Somerset when he
died on 5th December 1942, but cause of death is not stated. He was buried at St George's on December 9th in grave B. 14. 3.

NEIL Robert Craig Lieutenant Telegraphist RNVR HMS Black Cap.
Born at Chepstow, Monmouthshire on 17th June 1920, son of William Craig Neil, a landscape gardener, and his wife Louise Irene Lynham, who had
been born on Portland in 1896. In 1939 the family were living at 7 Courteney Road, Sutton Surrey. It seems Robert was the observer in a night
flying exercise on 15th December 1944 with 814 Squadron Fleet Air Arm from Machrihanish, Argyll, Scotland in a Fairey Barracuda where his plane flew
into a hill in the dark. He was buried at St George's in grave B. 9. 11. His probate to his father on 21st February 1945 was for £ 582. 14s. 4d.

PEARCE Edward William John Private No. 30427 7th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry.
Born at Portland in January 1899 son of Edward Pearce, a civil service pensioner and quarryman, and his wife
Rebecca Lano Way who died in 1909. Edward died at Dudley, Warwickshire Military Hospital, cause not specified, on 28th February 1919 and was
buried at St. George's on 5th March in grave A. 5. 8.

PEARCE Henry Lieutenant M.M. 44th Reserve Battery Royal Field Artillery.
Born at Portland on 16th April 1883, son of Joseph Pearce, a stone dresser, and his wife Mary Skinner Rod who died in 1895. I
found nothing about his military service, or how he was awarded the Military Medal referred to on CWGC. He married Emily Carrie Rodenhurst on
Portland on 17th February 1907, and in 1911 they were living at Ellesmere House, Avalanche Road, Portland, where Henry was working in the quarries.
He died registered at Weymouth on 13h October 1919, cause not known, and was buried at St George's in grave C. 4. 8 on the 17th March.

PYE Clifford Private No. 4925 2nd Battalion West Yorkshire (Prince of Wales' Own) Regiment.
Born at Castlebar, Ireland on 2nd July 1884 where his father was a Sergeant in H M Army, and his wife
Mary Ann Skinner. The CWGC says Clifford served in the South African Boer campaign and in 1911 he was a Sergeant Instructor lodging at Bradford
Yorkshire. He died in hospital in Birmingham, Warwickshire on 9th April 1917, and was buried at St George's on 13th April in grave B. 7. 11. His
parents were then living at 14 Moorfield Road, Easton, Portland.

REED Edgar Walter Private No. 35901 1st / 4th Wiltshire (Duke of Edinburgh's) Own Regimen previously No. 07445 R.A.O.C.
Born at Devonport, Devon on 9th April 1896 son of Joseph Reed, a Royal Naval Persioner and Prison Warder, and his wife Elizabeth Shepherd. In
1911 the family were living at 6H Quarters, The Grove, Portland and Edgar aged 14 was a telegraph boy for the Post Office. I did not find details of
his Army service but he died at Weymouth on 8th August 1919 from malignant malaria and was buried at St George's on March 11th in grave A. 4. 3. His
parents were then living at 7 Goldsmith Street, Heavitree, Exter, Devon.

SAUNDERS George Henry Pump Man No. 563369 Mercantile Marine Reserve HMS Petroleum.
Born at Weston Super Mare Somerset on 28th May 1888, son of Thomas Saunders, a railway porter, and his wife Constance
May Thresher. In 1901 the family were living at 41 The Mallams, Portland. I do not know details of his Naval service but George died in
London on 18th March 1918 aged 29 of unspecified disease, and was buried at St George's in grave B. 1. 45 on March 23rd.

SAUNDERS Nicholas George Gunner No. 338 Royal Garrison Artillery.
Born at Portland in April 1885 son of James Jay Saunders, a Council labourer and his wife Ann Parker. In 1911 the family were living at
50 King Street, Portland and Nicholas was working as a crane driver. He died of unspecified illness at Sidney Hall, Military Hospital, Weymouth on
31st March 1916 and was buried at St George's in grave B. 12. 16 on 4th April. His parents were then living at 15 Hambro Road Portland. His
younger brother William James Jay Saunders born April 1891 died in France on 11th June 1918.

STONE Thomas Alexander Corporal No. 334056 Royal Garrison Artillery.
Both at Yarraville, Victoria, Australia in 1893 son of William Stone, a stone quarryman, and his wife Ann Rebecca Stone. He
enlisted on 1st March 1910 and his parents were living then at 64 Wakeham, Portland, before in October 1915 he married Emma Elizabeth Carter at
Portland. He was discharged from the Army on 9th March 1918 and died, registered in Weymouth, on 14th October 1918, cause not known. He was
buried at St George's in grave A. 4. 12 on the 17th October. In 1921 his widow Emma was living at 52 Mallams Portland, but then on Portland on 17th
March 1923 she married William Edward Beer Dyer.

WAY William Edward Trimmer No. TS/4137 HM Trawler Vera Grace Royal Naval Reserve.
Born at Portland on 15th May 1888, son of Robert John Collins Way, a blacksmith who died in 1899, and his wife Susan
Emily Hibbs. After Robert had died, his widow Susan had married Gideon Short Bower at Portland in October 1902, and in 1911 they were living at 62
Channel View, Reforme, Portland, where William was working in the stone quarries. I do not know when he joined the R. N. R. but he died of
influenza at the R N Hospital Portland on 1st December 1918 and was buried on December 5th at St George's in grave B. 12. 21. In 1939 his mother and
step father are living at Castle Street, Portland.

WHITE Dorothea Maria Clerk No. G/5160 Women's Royal Naval Service HMS Research.
Born on Portland on 15th November 1898 daughter of William White, a fisherman, and his wife Rebecca Stone. In
1911 the family were living at 139 Chiswell, Portland. Dorothea died on 22nd October 1918 of influenza and pneumonia and was buried at St George's
in grave A. 4. 18 on October 25th. Her parents were then living at 21 Cove Cottages, Portland.

WILLS Leonard James 3rd Engineering Officer Merchant Navy M/V Port Freemantle.
Born at Portland on 12th June 1915 son of James Alfred Wills, a representative for a Coal Co., and his wife Mabel Stockman.
Leonard married Alberta Jackson in Yorkshire in last quarter of 1940, but died at Colindale Hospital, Hendon, Middlesex (cause of death not stated)
on 6th November 1945, and was buried in the Strangers Burial Ground on the 9th. His probate to Alberta on 27th November 1945 was for £374. 0s. 2d.
They were living at 12 Albert Terrace, Portland.

12 February 2025

Richard Smith

orchidgrower@btinternet.com

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