Men Who Died in WW2
Reginald Johnson
Reginald was born in East Keswick on the 12th June 1919, one of at least seven children of Henry and Edith. Henry was a horseman working on various farms in the area notably in Gateon House farm in 1939 where he lived with his family including Reginald.
Reginald married Freda Violet Johnson, who lived in The Grove, East Keswick, in 1940.
20 year old Reginald worked as a driver before the war which may have been significant in his military service as he became a driver for the Royal Army Service Corps with service number T/130311.
We don’t know the circumstances of his death but Reginald was killed on active service on the 18th February 1945 after Germany had fallen and just months before the end of the war.
He is buried in St Mary Magdalene Churchyard.
His widow, Freda, remarried after the war living in West End for a few years before leaving the area.
He is buried in St Mary Magdalene Churchyard.
His widow, Freda, remarried after the war living in West End for a few years before leaving the area.
Walter John Mitchell
Walter was the son of Douglas and Emily Mitchell, both of whom were from Bradford. Douglas, who had been an army major, was an accountant in a bank by the time that he and Emily moved to East Keswick just before or during WW1. Later Douglas became a bank manager and inspector.
Walter was born in 1913 and spent his life in the village initially in Briardene and later Bank View.
Walter joined the royal Artillery, service number 165464, and graduated from a cadet to a 2nd Lieutenant on 28th December 1940 before joining the 60th Battery of the 23rd Regiment which was formed in February 1941. They were stationed in the UK until the end of 1942 when they moved to Africa.
In April 1943 the battery was involved in the battle for Longstop Hill, which was the last natural barrier on the way to Tunis. The battle raged for over three weeks before the German troops finally capitulated and within another week the Allied forces marched victoriously into Tunis ending two years of setbacks in North Africa.
Walter, who was now serving as a Captain, was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French for his part in this battle.
In September 1943 the regiment boarded US Navy landing craft destined for Amalfi and were involved in the Allied advance north through Italy until they reached the infamous Monte Cassino, between Naples and Rome.
In September 1943 the regiment boarded US Navy landing craft destined for Amalfi and were involved in the Allied advance north through Italy until they reached the infamous Monte Cassino, between Naples and Rome.
After two unsuccessful attempts to breach the German defences in January and February of 1944 the third battle commenced on the 15th March. Unfortunately despite heavy bombardment unexpectedly poor weather hampered the Allied attack.
A soldier who was there described how difficult the conditions were-
”Torrents of rain flooded bomb craters, turned rubble into a morass, and blotted out communications, the radio sets being incapable of surviving the constant immersion. The dark rain clouds also blotted out the moonlight, hindering the task of clearing routes through the ruins”
On the 23rd of March, the day the attack was called off, Walter, now an acting Major, was killed.
The Allies were finally victorious on the fourth attempt to tame Monte Cassino on the 18th May which led to a full German retreat and the capture of Rome on the 4th of June.
Walter is buried in the Cassino War Cemetery
A soldier who was there described how difficult the conditions were-
”Torrents of rain flooded bomb craters, turned rubble into a morass, and blotted out communications, the radio sets being incapable of surviving the constant immersion. The dark rain clouds also blotted out the moonlight, hindering the task of clearing routes through the ruins”
On the 23rd of March, the day the attack was called off, Walter, now an acting Major, was killed.
The Allies were finally victorious on the fourth attempt to tame Monte Cassino on the 18th May which led to a full German retreat and the capture of Rome on the 4th of June.
Walter is buried in the Cassino War Cemetery
Harry Seekins
Harry was born in 1906. He was one of three children son of Walter and Frances Elizabeth who died when Harry was only three. Walter, who was a boot repairer, brought up the three children in Meanwood.
In 1927 Harry married an electrician’s daughter, Alice Seal and they subsequently moved to Doncaster before ending up in East Keswick by the late 1930s where they were recorded as living in 6 Brooklands with their two children, Donald and Olive, as well as a niece and a nephew. Harry was recorded as a wall tiler.
Harry, service number 1606172, served in 205 battery of 68 light anti-aircraft artillery which was formed in Cumbria in December 1940 before relocating to Tyneside.
0n the 31st of August Harry was taking part in anti-aircraft training in Consett, County Durham. The training consisted of low level attacks on gun positions. During one of them the starboard wing of the attacking Hurricane struck the sandbagged gun emplacement at the end of Parliament street before crashing into a garage and catching fire.
The pilot, John Wire, was killed as was Harry who was tragically hit by the plane.
As a result of the investigation into the incident the minimum height for such training exercises was increased from 300 to 500 feet.
Harry is buried in St, Mary Magdalene churchyard.
His widow, Ada, remarried after the war and moved to Leeds with the children.
The pilot, John Wire, was killed as was Harry who was tragically hit by the plane.
As a result of the investigation into the incident the minimum height for such training exercises was increased from 300 to 500 feet.
Harry is buried in St, Mary Magdalene churchyard.
His widow, Ada, remarried after the war and moved to Leeds with the children.
Lawrence Ritelli Wright
Lawrence was born in Lambeth in 1920. He was the son of a house painter and decorator, Robert, and his wife Mary.
In 1939 he was living with his parents and his brother Robert in Greenwich and he was recorded as working as a clerk in a Lead Oxide and Red Lead manufacturer.
He seems to have enlisted in the RAF in Euston in late 1940 (service number 1378917) and became a pilot in 207 squadron, initially stationed in RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire where they were assigned the ill-fated Avro Manchester bomber.
In 1941 whilst on leave he married Margaret Tipple who was from Portsmouth and it seems that they moved to Boston Spa and Margaret’s parents moved to East Keswick around the same time.
In November 1941 207 squadron moved to RAF Bottesford on the Lincolnshire / Leicestershire border where they were switched to the much improved Avro Lancaster bomber. In September 1942 the squadron moved to RAF Langar in Nottinghamshire.
On the 24th October 1942 Flight Sergeant Lawrence, with a crew of eight ,was pilot and Captain of a Lancaster, one of a group of 10 Lancasters from 207 squadron joining an 88 strong bomber daylight raid on Milan. Each crew was to make their way under cloud cover across the English Channel and by a direct route over France to Lake Annecy before crossing the Alps to their target 150 miles further east.
Captain Wright’s plane took off from RAF Langar at 12.41 pm and nothing further was heard from the craft. For unknown reason the plane crashed in the sea off the coast of Normandy to the east of Jersey. A number of bodies of the crew were subsequently washed ashore but no trace of Lawrence was found.
Overall the mission was viewed as a success with only four of the 88 bombers lost.
A few months later Lawrence’s son Bryan was born.
Lawrence’s widow and son, Margaret and Bryan, are subsequently recorded living in Ivy Cottage, Moor Lane and her parents lived in 11 Allerton Drive. After the war they moved together to The Bungalow, Chestnut Grove in Boston Spa.
Harry is remembered on the Air forces memorial at Runnymede.
Captain Wright’s plane took off from RAF Langar at 12.41 pm and nothing further was heard from the craft. For unknown reason the plane crashed in the sea off the coast of Normandy to the east of Jersey. A number of bodies of the crew were subsequently washed ashore but no trace of Lawrence was found.
Overall the mission was viewed as a success with only four of the 88 bombers lost.
A few months later Lawrence’s son Bryan was born.
Lawrence’s widow and son, Margaret and Bryan, are subsequently recorded living in Ivy Cottage, Moor Lane and her parents lived in 11 Allerton Drive. After the war they moved together to The Bungalow, Chestnut Grove in Boston Spa.
Harry is remembered on the Air forces memorial at Runnymede.
William Antonin Vessely
William was born in 1912 in West Derby, Liverpool the second son of an Austrian-Czech tailor, Hynek, and his wife Gwendoline Elizabeth Helm.
By 1921 the family had moved to Braithwaite, near Pateley bridge, in Yorkshire. Hynek became a school caretaker and Gwendoline became a headmistress and in 1939 they were working in Braithwaite Elementary school.
Gwendoline’s sister, and therefore William’s aunt, was Winnifred Helm who was headmistress of East Keswick school from 1924 to 1950.
In late 1939 William enlisted in the RAF at Padgate camp near Warrington with service number 1114321. (Go to the end to see the diary of another enlistee at Padgate which illustrates what training was like prior to passing out)
He subsequently served as an air gunner and wireless operator in 58 squadron, initially flying Whitley bombers for both convoy escort patrol and long distance bombing raids. In 1942 the squadron was part of Coastal command flying anti-submarine patrols over the Western Approaches sinking a number of U boats from the west of Scotland down to the Bay of Biscay. In December 1942, the squadron moved to RAF Holmsley South in Hampshire, converting to the Handley Page Halifax bomber in January 1943.
He subsequently served as an air gunner and wireless operator in 58 squadron, initially flying Whitley bombers for both convoy escort patrol and long distance bombing raids. In 1942 the squadron was part of Coastal command flying anti-submarine patrols over the Western Approaches sinking a number of U boats from the west of Scotland down to the Bay of Biscay. In December 1942, the squadron moved to RAF Holmsley South in Hampshire, converting to the Handley Page Halifax bomber in January 1943.
On a sortie over the Bay of Biscay at 8.40am 24th March 1943 Seargeant Vesely’s Halifax number BB277 was shot down by a Junkers JU88 piloted by Oberleutnant Hermann Horstmann. All seven crew were killed.
William is remembered on the Air forces memorial at Runnymede.
William’s older brother, Hynek junior, and his wife Beatrix came to teach in East Keswick for a time after the war and lived in School House
William is remembered on the Air forces memorial at Runnymede.
William’s older brother, Hynek junior, and his wife Beatrix came to teach in East Keswick for a time after the war and lived in School House
Wilfred (Pip) Hill's Diary 1940/1941
Contributed on 3/12/2005 by Margaret Hill to WW2 People's War online archive of wartime memories contributed by members of the public and gathered by the BBC. The archive can be found at bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar
Wilfred Hill was known to his family and friends as Pip (from the children’s cartoon ‘Pip, Squeak and Wilfred’). He was born in Blackpool, Lancashire in 1922 but moved south with his parents and elder brother, Harry, at the age of 10. A few days after his 18th birthday he volunteered for the RAF. His diary begins the day he enlisted and covers the training period in England, the long and hazardous sea voyage to the Middle East and his first few weeks in Iraq.
These diary extracts were transcribed and submitted by Anne Hill, Wilfred’s widow, and Margaret Hill, his daughter. Editing has been kept to a minimum. Notes enclosed in square brackets are their added comments or queries.
Wednesday 4 Sept 1940
Today I went to the Recruiting Office, filled in enlistment papers, was medically examined and graded. I was ‘Grade 1’. I was told I would have to report to be attested on Sept 12.
Friday 6 Sept
Received a letter telling me to report to the recruiting centre to be attested and to bring things for two or three days’ stay.
Thursday 12 Sept
At 9am I reported to the recruiting centre but nothing happened until about 11.30am. About fourteen of us volunteers went down to Uxbridge arriving about 1pm. First we had to sign on and we were issued with knife, fork, spoon, mug and towel. Then we were marched off to dinner after which we stripped and the doctor looked us over (twenty in as many seconds). ‘FFI’ [free from infection] It took until 2pm on Sept 13 to finish all that had to be done which was:
1. Trade Test (30 secs). Passed. Easy, but I almost failed.
2. Papers (5 mins). Insurance, next of kin etc
3. Attesting (3 mins). Taking the oath and short lecture on talking shop out of camp.
On Friday I was paid 4/- (2 days pay) and arrived home about 3.30pm. I had been put on deferred service. I was tired and hungry. I had done nothing but wait and the food was badly cooked. This was a pity as it was good quality stuff, that is, before it was cooked. I have enjoyed being with and meeting chaps of my own age and am looking forward to being called up. I am now eighteen and twenty one days.
Wednesday 23 Oct
At last! Aunty Ethel wrote from Padiham telling me my calling up papers had arrived. They had gone to Padiham because I had taken mother there away from the air raids after I had attested. Dad had written to ‘Records’ informing them of my new address but I had come back to Whitton Ave [Alperton, former county of Middlesex]. I had to report to Padgate, Warrington, Lancs.
Thursday 31 Oct
Left Accrington 8.20am arrived at Padgate 10.30. Was issued with knife, fork, spoon and mug and taken to hut. In the afternoon we had to polish floor of Sergeants’ Mess. Food good.
Friday 1 Nov
Had to clean out a hut in the morning. In the afternoon we were moved to No 2 Wing. The food is not as good but we have a wireless in the hut.
Saturday 2 Nov
Today we got our kit and uniform. At 11am we got paid 10 bob after which we were injected and vaccinated. We rested in the afternoon. In the evening we went to the NAAFI. Our right arms ached something awful.
Sunday 3 Nov
Rested all day, went to pics in evening.
Monday 4 Nov
Nothing all day, went to NAAFI in evening. New chaps came in about 4pm.
Tuesday 5 Nov
Collected identity cards in morning. Sent off parcels of civvies in afternoon. Had to move from hut 3 to hut 6. Corporal told us we were posted to Wing 4 Padgate. Blast.
Wednesday 6 Nov
Left Wing 2 today after dinner and were posted in E Flight. Sgt. Stubbes, NCO in charge. All huts have to be kept scrupulously clean.
Thursday 7 Nov
Lecture by Squadron Leader. Flight Lieutenant Ford on discipline, ranks in RAF, disease etc. Lecture after tea.
Friday 8 Nov
Had to clean hut this morning. Gas drill in morning. Lecture in afternoon by Flt Lt on organisation of RAF. After tea had haircut and shower.
Days’ Programme
6.00 Rise
6.30 Breakfast
8.00 First drill
8.30 Inspection
9.25 Break
9.55 Drill
12.00 Dinner
1.00 Drill
4.15 Tea
9.30 Roll Call
10.15 Lights Out
Saturday 9 Nov
Drill in morning. Nothing in afternoon, pictures at night.
Sunday 10 Nov
Loped for cookhouse from 9.00am till 5.45pm.
Monday 11 Nov
Felt very sick this morning, arm hurting and touch of ‘flu. Went to ENSA concert in evening.
Tuesday 12 Nov
Still not much better. Peter Kane took us for gym in morning. Went to bed early.
Wednesday 13 Nov
Room Orderly as Eric, who was due as RO, went sick. Went to collect pay after dinner but none forthcoming as E Flight ledger had not come through. Played basketball rest of afternoon.
Monday 18 Nov
We were paid 30/-. Very handy.
Tuesday 19 Nov
Started rifle drill, not so easy.
Wednesday 20 Nov
Boxing trial in afternoon in the gym with Cpl Mack, bust my nose.
Thursday 21 Nov
Bayonet practice 2 to 3 o’clock. Dress parade in afternoon 3 to 4 o’clock. Had to have a haircut. Ted cut it.
Friday 22 Nov
Went to pics with Ted and Bill, saw Bing in ‘The Star Maker’. Not bad.
Saturday 23 Nov
In the cookhouse all afternoon so I could be sure I will be able to use my 23.00hr pass tomorrow.
Sunday 24 Nov
Meningitis broke out in camp. Church parade at 8.20am, finished about 10.00am. Caught 11.24 train at Padgate, arrived at Manchester at 12 o’clock, caught 12.30 bus to Burnley, arrived at Padiham 1.45pm. Had to catch 6.20pm bus back, arrived at 9.30pm in camp.
Monday 25 Nov
Have been confined to camp because of CSM [cerebro-spinal meningitis] in F Flight. No cinema or ENSAs, windows to be kept open, no congregating in NAAFIs, round stoves or in the dining hall where we sit three at a table instead of five. There are only three cases and they are not sure about one of these.
Tuesday 26 Nov
Nothing special today.
Wednesday 27 Nov
Pay day, collected 35/-. We are drilling much better today. We have nearly finished now as far as new things go. Had a letter from Harry.
Thursday 28 Nov
Went to the dentist, have to have two fillings when I am posted. Lost my watch on way back from dental centre and E Flight. Had to report loss at Guardroom.
Friday 29 Nov
Meningitis restriction lifted. Got our passes back. Wing Commander and Group Captain Insull came round for the three monthly inspection of the whole camp. Went into Warrington. Went to the YMCA, played billiards, got back at 9.00pm.
Saturday 30 Nov
Drill in the morning. In the afternoon we, who had our passes (23.00hr) for Sunday, had fatigues today. I have got coal fatigues. The coal fatigue has lasted from 13.00hrs until 14.00hrs (not bad).
Sunday 1 Dec
Got out of camp at 9.10am and caught the 9.30 train from Padgate to Manchester where I arrived at 10.10am (no church parade). Caught the 10.20 bus and arrived at Burnley at 11.45, at 21 Victoria Rd, Padiham at 12.00. Called at Edith and Anna, Uncle Mark and Uncle Harry. Caught the 6.20pm bus back, arrived at Padgate at 9.30pm. A very good day.
Monday 2 Dec
Shot on the .22 range near the cinema after the break (which by the way has been moved to 10.00 o’clock from 9.30). I managed to get 60 out of 75.
Wednesday 4 Dec
Today and yesterday we did nothing but practice the passing out.
Thursday 5 Dec
Dress rehearsal for passing out by Warrant Officer Nicholls. Passed Out in the afternoon in front of Group Captain Insull and all the nobs.
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