McCarthy, D. J. 
Daniel John (Jeremiah) McCarthy C/SSX 28234, known as Mickey, was an Able Seaman aboard HMS Barham. He died on 25 November 1941, and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. Panel 43.1

He was the son of Patrick and May McCarthy, née Petticrew, from Hawkesbury Street, Dover (Article)

McCracken, J. W.  
John William McCracken died on 27 April 1941, aged 33. He was a gunner in the Royal Navy, serving with HMS Wryneck. HMS Wryneck was sunk after sustained air attack off Crete. Many hundreds of men perished as HMS Wryneck was carrying rescued survivors from a disabled vessel. Gunner McCracken's body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Chatham Naval memorial, panel 41.2.

He was the eldest son of William, an army man, and Agnes Maud Mabel McCracken and the husband of  Margaret Amelia McCracken, of Rotherham, Yorkshire. Gunner McCracken's family had lived at 24 Monins Road, and afterwards at Commercial Quay, and he and his brothers, Sergeant Arthur McCracken, serving in France, and Captain Martin Leah McCracken, were former pupils of St Martin's School, Markland Road. Mrs McCracken was a sister of Mrs Leah of 7 Park Street and a niece of the late W E Nash, a fly proprietor. At the time of Gunner McCracken's marriage at St Mary's on 1 May 1940 to Miss Amelia Margaret Tritton, his parents were living at Grange Road, Broom Lane, Rotherham, Yorkshire.

Miss Tritton was a former Dover County school girl and graduate of London University, and she was the younger daughter of Mr Arthur and Mrs Ethel Flora Tritton, from Beresford House, River, Dover and of the Post Office, River. At the wedding she was attended by Irene McCracken, Gunner McCracken's sister, while his best man was commissioned Gunner George Walter Morgan from HMS Pembroke and the groomsman was Corporal J Kneeshaw, RAF. The reception was held at 51 Barton Road, the home of the bride's uncle, Mr A J Wellden, and the honeymoon was spent touring. In 1941 the couple had a daughter, Michelle.

The banns for the marriage were called at St Mary's and aboard HMS Hardy. Gunner McCracken was serving aboard HMS Hardy on 10 April 1940, the first battle of Narvik, the day after the enemy invasion of Norway. HMS Hardy was the flagship of the British Second Flotilla, consisting also of destroyers Havock, Hotspur, Hunter, and Hostile. The flotilla was commanded by Captain Bernard, Warburton-Lee. He was fatally wounded by a shell during the action, and, lashed to a stretcher and lowered to the water, was towed ashore by Gunner McCracken and a rating. Captain Warburton-Lee had died by the time they reached the shore. He was posthumously awarded the VC for his actions during the battle, the first VC gazetted in World War II.

Sergeant Arthur Edward McCracken of the Royal Engineers married on 13 February 1943 Miss Alice Constance McKeen from Glenmore, Temple Ewell. The couple married at the parish church there, where Miss McKeen had taught the Sunday school for many years. The service was conducted by Rev Horace Tritton, a cousin of the bride. Miss McKeen's grandparents were the delightfully named Belsey Kelcey and his wife Harriet, formerly Tritton; Harriet Tritton was Rev Tritton's aunt. Rev Tritton was also Margaret Amelia Tritton's uncle. Mrs Margaret McCracken died in Dover in 1966.

McToldridge, F. W.  
Frank Wilfred McToldridge (BA Lond), 2337392, was a Signalman in the Royal Corps of Signals, 7th Armed Division. He was 25 when he died on 29 November 1941. He is buried in the Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery, Egypt. 20 B 5

He was a formerly an Officer of the Customs and Excise, and was the son of Arthur Charles and Edith Annie McToldridge, from Whitfield (Pineham), Kent. His effects were sent to them, and Frank's address was given as The Bungalow, Pineham.

Mr McToldridge had served in the army, and in 1911 he was a staff sergeant in India, aged 33. He was serving in the Army Ordnance Corps and working as a fitter. He, like his wife, was born in Dover. He then had three children, Gladys, 9, born in Dover at Mill House, St James Lane, Arthur, 6, born in Bloomfontier, South Africa, and Valerie, 3, born in Dover at Mill House, like her sister. Mr Mc Toldridge died in 1966 and is buried at Whitfield.  

"His life a happy memory; his death a lasting grief"

Mackey, V.  
Victor William Mackey was a Leading Stoker, Merchant Navy, aboard the Cable Ship Alert. Born on on 12 February 1918, he was 27 when he died on 24 February 1945. He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. Panel 5

He was the son of Albert and Mary Mackey, and the husband of Dorothy E B Mackey, from Efford, Devon

Notes on Alert 

Manderson, H.  
Henry Robertson Manderson, 3241201, was a Serjeant in the 7th battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders. He was 32 when he died on 12 May 1942. He is said to have stepped on a land mine, while training troops in Cumbria and is buried in the Ardersier Parish Churchyard, Inverness, Scotland. Section 14, Grave 41

He was the son of William Hutchinson and Martha Manderson, from Edinburgh, and the husband of Ena Elizabeth Manderson, nee Rogers (late of Dover, 13 Lowther Road, moved to Scotland with their children)

"In loving memory of my dear husband," - 1950 - From his loving Wife Ena, Children and Mum

His brother also was lost. He was Hugh Robertson Manderson, 1611537 married to Matilda Manderson, from Edinburgh. He was also a sergeant in the Seaforth Highlanders, the 2nd battalion, and was 34 when he died on 2 May 1942. He is buried in Enfidaville War Cemetery, Tunisia. VIII A 6

Manton, E. P.  
Ernest Percy ("Louie") Manton, C/MX 58162, was a Leading Cook aboard HMS Hood. Before joining the Navy he had been a scholar at Holy Trinity School, and then had worked on the haulage at Tilmanstone Colliery. He was 28 when he died on 24 May 1941, having returned from leave on 5 February. He was expecting leave again shortly before his death. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. Panel 49.1

His parents were Thomas James and Elizabeth Jane Manton, and his brother, also Thomas, of 68 Limekiln Street received the notification that Ernest was missing.   

1942 - "Treasured memories of our Ernie. We'll meet again."

Maple, W. J.  
William John Maple was 62 years old, born on  10 March 1982, and a Donkey-Man, Merchant Navy when he lost his life with the Cable Ship Alert on 24 February 1945. He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. Panel 5

His daughter, Miss R. Maple, lived at 30 Dour Street, Dover.

"In loving memory of my dad" from Ruth (February 1945)

Notes on Alert
Note: Harold Cave, 24 April 1914, probably in 1912 also lived at 30 Dour Street

Marsh, R. V.  
Ronald Victor Marsh was a Steward's Boy, Merchant Navy. He was 19 when he was killed on 21 May 1940 during the enemy bombing of the hospital ship "Maid of Kent"

He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. Panel 66

"Always in our thoughts - Mum, Dad, Brothers and Sister, also Uncle Elias"

Note: The Maid of Kent was one of the cross channel ferries, converted to a hospital ship.
See also:
"Luftwaffe Destruction of the Maid of Kent" by Richard Thwaites (.pdf)
and "Notes on the Hospital Carrier Maid of Kent"

Martin, V. D.  
Victor Douglas Martin, 6343610, was a Lance Sergeant in the 162nd (9th battalion Queen's Own Royal West Kent) Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps. He was 26 when he died on 6 April 1943, and is buried at Brompton Cemetery, London. Plot O, Grave 192036

He was the son of Victor and Ellen Mary Martin, and the husband of Olive Daphne Martin, of Chelsea

Maxted, R.  
Richard L Maxted, C/JX140591, was a Leading Telegraphist aboard HMS Tamar. He was 24 when he died as a POW at Osaka on 31 October 1942. He is buried in the Yokohama War Cemetery, Japan. British Section KB, Grave 13

He was the "beloved son" son of Leonard and Amelia Maxted, from Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, and brother of Rose

May, J. R.  
Jack Raymond May, 48875, was a Flying Officer in the RAF, formerly from the Royal Sussex Regiment. He was 23 when he died on 8 April 1943, and is commemorated on the Ottawa Memorial, Canada. Panel 2, Column 2

He was the son of Lt Col William George May, OBE, and Louise May, from Honour Oak, London

FO May's name is in the section just above PO Joseph Wise. Note also that George Cospatrick Douglas-Home, the brother of the former British Prime Minister is also named here
 

The Ottawa Memorial In the Second World War air power played an increasingly important role in offensive and defensive capacities At the start of the war there was a shortage of aircraft and trained pilots. The United Kingdom was considered too vulnerable to attack and so training centres were established elsewhere. Bases in North America trained over 137,000 Commonwealth air crew, making a vital contribution to the Allied victory, while much needed aircraft and supplies were ferried to the United Kingdom from the United States and Canada by both civilian and air force personnel This memorial, unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II in 1959, commemorates by name some 800 men and women who lost their lives while serving or training with the Air Forces of the Commonwealth in Canada, the West Indies, and the United States and who have no known grave. Their names are arranged according to year of death, force, and rank The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is responsible for the maintenance of graves and memorials in some 150 countries which commemorate around 1,700,000 members of the Commonwealth forces who died in the two world wars. The war dead commemorated here and elsewhere include those of several different faiths and of none (transcription of panel on left side of Memorial). Photos with thanks to Peter Gower

Merricks, L. F.  
Leslie Frank Merricks, 156005, was a Navigation Pilot Officer in 51 Squadron, RAFVR. He was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs G A Merricks, from 10 Stanhope Road. An old boy of the County, now Grammar, School, he played rugby for East Kent teams and cricket for the Old Pharosians.

He was reported as missing and later as having died on 28 August 1943. On the night of 27/28 August 1943, Handley Page Halifax II HR869 MH-Z of 51 Squadron took off at 20:54 hours from RAF Snaith in Yorkshire for a major raid on Nuremberg. After midnight the Halifax crashed at Hellmitzheim, about 10 miles south-east of Kitzingen

All of the crew were killed and were buried at Hellmitzheim, but after the war were exhumed and re-interred at the Durnbach War Cemetery, Germany. Collective Grave, Section 1, Row J, Grave 12-18

A total of 674 aircraft of RAF Bomber Command took part in the raid and 33 were lost including HR869. The raid was not a great success owing to inaccurate bombing, and cost the lives of over 170 RAF airmen

The names of the crew were:-

Flight Lieutenant Thomas Reginald DOBSON		Captain (pilot)	aged 29
Sergeant Donald William KEMP		Flight Engineer	aged 21
Sergeant Leslie Frank MERRICKS		Navigator	aged 22
Sergeant Alexander Aloyisius McGREGOR		Bomb Aimer	aged 22
Sergeant Herbert Francis MAUGHAN	RCAF	Wireless Operator	age unknown
Flight Sergeant Donald John CAMERON	RCAF	Air Gunner	age unknown
Flight Sergeant Charles Gordon CARRINGTON		Air Gunner	aged 32

Notes:-
Sgt Merricks was posthumously commissioned with the rank of Pilot Officer.
Sgt Maughan was posthumously commissioned with the rank of Pilot Officer and was the son of Wilfred P. S. Maughan, and of Kate M. Maughan, of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Flt/Sgt Cameron was posthumously commissioned with the rank of Pilot Officer. His family details in Canada are not known

with thanks to Dean Sumner

Merricks. In ever loving memory of a dear son and brother ... From his loving Father, Mother, Brothers and Sister

*Miles, A. G.  
Arthur George Miles, 1032404. He was a Bombardier in the Royal Artillery, in the 148 (The Bedfordshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment. He was 41 when he died on 21 September 1943. He is buried in the Chungkai War Cemetery, Thailand. 1 N 7

He was the son of Henry William and Sarah Jane Miles, of Ramsgate, Kent; husband of Eliza Winifred Miles, of Ramsgate. His wife was sister to Joseph Brann, who died on 18 February 1945

Milstead, W. H.  
William Henry Milste(a)d,  C/JX 331451, was an Ordinary Seaman aboard HMS Dasher. He was 21(20) when he went missing, presumed killed, on 27 March 1943. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. Panel 17 2

He was the youngest son of Albert and Emily Bessie Milsted, from West Court Farm Cottages, Shepherdswell, near Dover, Kent

Miriams, J. L.
Jack Leonard 'Smiley' Miriams 658855 was a Flight Sergeant (Navigator) in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and a member of 76 Squadron, RAF Bomber Command. He was the son of Mr and Mrs Miriams, of the Whitehall Dairy and an old boy of the County, now Grammar, School.

On 20 January 1944, Navigator Miriams took off at 16:34 hours from Holme-on-Spalding Moor, Yorkshire, in a Handley Page Halifax MkV LK921 MP-R for a raid on Berlin

769 aircraft of RAF Bomber Command took part in the raid and 35 were lost to flak and Luftwaffe night-fighters, including Halifax LK921 which crashed in open countryside about 10 miles northwest of the village Burgkemnitz. The whole crew were killed and are buried in the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Jack in Grave 4 L 13

 The names of the crew were:-

Flight Sergeant Victor Parrott	RCAF	Captain (Pilot)	aged 26
Sergeant Cyril Claude Vicary		Flight Engineer	age unknown
Flight Sergeant Jack Leonard Miriams		Navigator	age unknown
Flight Sergeant Arthur Leach P. Gibson	RCAF	Bomb Aimer	age unknown
Flight Sergeant Frederick William Hickman		Wireless Operator	aged 23
Sergeant James Thomas Hadland		Air Gunner	aged 19
Flight Sergeant Leonard James McCarthy	RAAF	Air Gunner	aged 20

 

Flt/Sgt Parrott was posthumously commissioned with the rank of Pilot Officer and was the son of Fleming and Elsie Parrott, of Redlake, Ontario, Canada
Flt/Sgt McCarthy was the son of John and Thereza McCarthy, of South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Family details of Flt/Sgt Gibson from Canada not known

76 Squadron lost three aircraft in total during the night. The results of the raid are a bit of a mystery as the Berlin area was cloud covered and RAF crews assumed they bombed the target, but German records give little detail either because the bombs completely missed their target or that the extent of damage was deliberately concealed. The sacrifice of almost 180 RAF crewmen from the raid bears witness to the slaughter that night

words by Dean Sumner

If you are a relative or friend of Jack, please would you contact us as we have some news to pass on

Morland-Hughes, R.
Richard Wethered ("Dick") Morland-Hughes, IA/199, MBE MC was a Major in the 1st battalion of the 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force). He was "mortally wounded while commanding his Battalion in Italy" on 19 June 1944, when he was 33. He lies in the Assissi War Cemetery, Italy. VIII G 3

He was the eldest son of Charles Morland Cunynghame Hughes, and of Elsie Louise Morland-Hughes, of Montpelier, Dover

His brother, Captain Walter Robert James ("Jimmy Walter") Morland-Hughes, EC/6860, from the 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifles, also died. He was 24, and lost his life on 7 November 1947. He is buried in the Delhi War Cemetery, India. 3 H 8

They were the "beloved sons" of the late Mr Charles Moreland-Hughes and Mrs Moreland-Hughes of Dover

Morecraft, A. F.  
Albert Frederick Morecraft, C/J 108309, was an Able Seaman aboard HMS Duchess. On 12 December 1939 off the Mull of Kintyre, she was hit and turned completely over by H.M.S. Barham while still on her way home after the declaration of war. Over 130 crew died, Albert amongst them, he was 33 

He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. Panel 33.2

Albert was an old Christchurch schoolboy, member of their football team, and part of the team that was awarded the Hart Cup. He was the son of Albert Charles Morecraft, known as Charles, who had been in the Dover Police Force for 27 years, and his late wife Mabel Clara, nee Bushell. She had died, aged 44, in December 1924 (28th?) as a result of falling down the stairs at their home at 69 Clarendon Place. Charles remarried in 1927, to Gertrude Mabel Brocklehurst, and they lived at the same address 

The next year an In Memoriam notice was placed, "In Loving Memory" "Until we meet again, from Dad and Charlie, Gertie and Winn". Charlie was one of Albert's brothers, the others being Thomas and William. Gertie was Albert's stepmother, and Win was his sister-in-law, Winifred, nee Cozens, married to Charlie 

with thanks to Malcolm Morecroft

Morley, A. J.  
Albert John Morley, 6291176, was a Private in the 5th battalion of The Buffs. He was 30 when he died on 8 April 1943. He is buried in the Oued Zarga War Cemetery, Tunisia. 1 J 5

He was the "dearly loved only son" of Caroline F and the late Sergeant Albert Morley, from Dover, and the "dearly loved" husband of Catherine Morley, from Welling, Kent. He was "always the most dearly loved nephew of Mr and Mrs F Gaulsden" 

Sergeant Morley was killed on the Somme on 8 October 1916.

Morris, H.  
Henry Morris. Known as "Bobby", he was Sub Lieutenant (A) Henry Morris, of the Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm. He had served with HMS Ark Royal, which had previously embarked 800 Naval Air Squadron. At the time of his death on 11 June 1941, at the age of 21, Bobby was serving at the shore base of this squadron, H.M.S. Daedalus (Lee-on-Solent)

As Observer, he took off with pilot Acting Sub-Lieutenant Terence O'Donovan in a Fairey Fulmar (serial N1924), a 2-seat fighter from 800 Squadron. It collided head-on over the sea above Spithead with a single-seat Grumman Martlet (serial AL254) from 881 Naval Air Squadron, piloted by Lieutenant John Rooper.  The two aircraft fell into the water with the loss of all three men, who are listed "missing". They are all commemorated on the Lee-on-Solent memorial. Bay 1, Panel 7

Bobby was the "beloved and precious eldest son" of Robert and Elsie Morris, from 21 Cherry Tree Avenue, and left two sisters, Elsie and Edna, and a brother, Dennis

Memorial One and  Memorial Two

Terence O'Donovan was 20. He was the son of Gerald Patrick and Mabel Driffield O'Donovan, and the husband of Florence Viva Valerie O'Donovan, of Hampton Court, Middlesex. John Rooper was 24, and the son of John Royden Rooper and Isobel Iris Rooper, of Shamley Green, Surrey

above - Bobby with fiancee Paddy at Battle Abbey
left: Fairey Fulmar, Wikimeida Commons
with thanks to John Bones and with thanks to Dean Sumner

Muller, H. G.  
Herbert Gage Muller, 39558, was a Pilot Flying Officer in 99 Squadron of the RAF. He was 28 when he was reported missing and then as having died on 1 May 1940. In a Vickers Wellington, serial P9276, he had taken off at 18.00 hours from Newmarket, Suffolk,  for a raid on the enemy occupied airfield at Stavanger, Norway. The aircraft is assumed to have crashed into The Wash, with the loss of the entire crew. All their bodies were eventually recovered from the water on various dates

He was the "beloved eldest son" of William Herbert and Phyllis May Muller, of 108 Church Road, Richmond, Surrey, later Chalfont St. Giles, Buckinghamshire. He is buried in a family grave in the old section of Richmond Cemetery, Surrey. Block BB, Grave 21. His mother was also laid to rest there after her death on 9 June 1952, at the age of 64. The side panel reads, "In Loving Memory of Herbert Gage Muller, RAF, killed in action 1 May 1940 - Per Ardua ad Astra"

The crew that were lost were:
 

Flight Sergeant John William Lewis Goldie BRENT	Captain (Pilot)	aged 35
Flying Officer Herbert Gage MULLER	2nd Pilot	aged 28
Sergeant Peter Chris CUNNINGHAM	Observer	aged 22
Aircraftman 1st Class Michael John O’SULLIVAN	Wireless operator/Air gunner	aged 20
Aircraftman 1st Class Donald LILLEY	Wireless operator/Air gunner	aged 19
Pilot Officer Gerald Arthur Hugh POOLE	Air gunner	aged 31

AC1 O’Sullivan was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael O'Sullivan, of Portmagee, Co. Kerry, Irish Republic

A total of 50 RAF aircraft took part in the raid with the loss of 2 Wellingtons and 1 Whitley. A further 4 aircraft crashed in England

with thanks to Dean Sumner

Murphy, F.  
Frederick Henry Murphy was a Chief Cook, Merchant Navy serving aboard hospital ship "Maid of Kent" when it was bombed, he died at the age of 36 on 21 May 1940. He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. Panel 66

He was the "dearly beloved husband" of Eva Murphy, formerly Hudson. Mrs Murphy was the sister of Harry Hudson

May 1941   May 1941

In ever loving memory of my beloved husband, Frederick Henry Murphy, killed by the bombing of the hospital ship "Maid of Kent" May 21 1940 Surrounded by friends I am lonesome, In the midst of joy I am blue, With a smile on my face, I've a heartache, Longing, my darling for you. Only those who have lost can tell, The pain of parting without farewell From his devoted wife, Eva Treasured memories of our dear brother, Frederick, who was killed by enemy action on the "Maid of Kent" May 21 1940 We often pause and think of you And think of how you died; To think we could not say "Good-bye", Before you closed your eyes From loving brother and sister, Albert and Jessie Treasured memories of my dear son and our brother, Frederick, who was killed by enemy action on the "Maid of Kent" May 21st 1940. Until we meet From his loving Mother, Brothers, and Sisters In affectionate remembrance of our dear brother-in-law, Frederick Murphy, killed on the hospital ship "Maid of Kent" at Dieppe, May 21 1940 Always remembered by Jim, Kath, Bert, and Win (Manchester) Time has changed in many ways, But one thing changes never: The memory of those happy days When we were all together We miss the voice we loved so well, For Fred was a dearly loved brother; But how great the sorrow no one can tell To the dear one we call mother Ever remembered by his sister Gert, Frank, and Barbara

Note: The Maid of Kent was one of the cross channel ferries, converted to a hospital ship.
See also:
"Luftwaffe Destruction of the Maid of Kent" by Richard Thwaites (.pdf)
and "Notes on the Hospital Carrier Maid of Kent"

Myers, J. J.  
John Jacob Myers, 580910, was an Observation Sergeant in 10 Squadron of the RAF. On the evening of 11 June 1940, an Armstrong Whitworth Whitley MkV P4954 ZA-T from No.10 Squadron, took off from RAF Dishforth in Yorkshire at 20:47 hours for a communications operation over the Battlefront area of France. Probably hit by anti-aircraft fire, the Whitley crashed at around 22:00 hours near Abbeville with the loss of the entire crew. They are buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Sgt Myers is buried in Plot 5, Row H, Grave 15

The names of the crew were:-

Sergeant Leslie Arthur KEAST	Captain (pilot)	aged 25
Pilot Officer David Frederick BRAHAM	2nd Pilot	aged 25
Sergeant John Jacob MYERS	Observer	age unknown
Sergeant James McDonald BLACK	Wireless Operator	aged 24
Leading Aircraftman Raymond Robin Henry NUTTALL	Wireless Operator	aged 28

LAC Nuttall was the son of Henry and Martha Belinda Nuttall, of Westport, Nelson, New Zealand

with thanks to Dean Sumner

Armstrong Whitworth Whitley