Randall, A. D.       
Alfred Douglas Randall, C/JX 162572, was an Ordinary Seaman aboard HMS Jaguar. He died on 26 March 1943, aged 18. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. Panel 58.1

His parents were  Henry James and Clara Maria Randall, of Dover

Ransom, B. D.       
Basil Denne Ransom, 144157, was a Pilot Officer in the RAFVR. He died on 13 December 1943 from malaria at the Indian General Hospital, Chittagong. He was 38. He is buried in the Chittagong War Cemetery, Bangladesh. 6 G 12

PO Ransom was well-known in Dover as a swimmer and water polo player with the Dover Swimming Club for many years. At the age of 18 he was awarded the bronze medal from the Royal Humane Society for saving a young man from drowning off the Warren. He had worked before he left for London for a new appointment as one of the clerical staff at Pearson and Dorman Long, at Snowdown Colliery. He was the youngest son of the late Percy Kemp Ransom and of Fanny Mary Ransom, from Thornton Heath, Surrey, formerly 10 Markland Road, and the dearly loved husband of Winifred Beatrice Patricia Ransom, from Finchley, Middlesex. He was father to two children

Raysbrook, S. E. F.      
Sidney Ernest F. Raysbrook, C/KX 128707, was a 2nd class Stoker who served aboard HMS Repulse, and was reported missing, then killed in action, on 10 December 1941. He was 30. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. Panel 48.2

He was the eldest son of Mr Sidney Raysbrook, from 13 Hillside Road, Buckland, late of 75 Wyndham Road, Dover, and his wife Daisy, née Farrett. They were married on 10th June 1911 at St Bartholomew's, Dover. Sidney was a stoker on HMS Natal, and the nephew of Ernest Raysbrook and of Ernest Farrett.

Sidney enjoyed playing for Wyndham Rovers. A picture of him is here

In Memoriam announcements 1943

Reeder, R. C.       
Robert Charles Reeder, was an a/Sub Lieutenant, in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, at the Royal Naval air station HMS Godwit. Born in Dover, he was an old boy of the County (now Grammar) School. On leaving he had joined the Civil Service, being employed in the Ministry of Economic Warfare. He had been a pilot for three years before he died at the age of 22  on 2 January, 1944. He is buried in the Banstead (All Saints) Churchyard, Surrey. Grave ref, West of Church

He was the only son of Charles Edward and Clara Reeder, from Banstead. Mr Reeder ("Bunny") was also a former County School boy, and brother of Robert Reeder. He had served for a time as a master at the Duke of York's Royal Military School.

The headstone on the grave reads, "In sweet remembrance of Sub Lieut Robert Charles Reeder, RNVR, Fleet Air Arm, born 4th November 1921, killed 2nd January 1944. "We shall remember them". And of his father, Charles Edward Reeder, who died 6th December 1957, aged 62. Beloved husband and father."

There is an extra tablet on the grave, and it reads, "And of his mother, Clare Reeder, who died 7th Jan 1997, aged 102 years. Beloved wife of Charles. Together now in peace."  

For more information, see Banstead History Research Group

Reynolds, D. T. W.        
David Thomas William Reynolds, 2024207, was a Corporal in 1 Traffic Control, the Corps of Military Police (also noted as The Buffs). A winner of the Military Medal at Dunkirk, and having seen service in India and Indo-China before the second World War, he was 32 when he died at Preston Hall on Monday, 16 February 1941. He and Private Stickells had been riding motorcycles accompanying their Commanding Officer's car, carrying him and two passengers. His motorcycle collided with a stationary lorry on the Biddenden Headcorn Road at midnight on the Saturday before, and he sustained a fracture to the base of his skull. He is buried at Aylesford Cemetery, Kent. South East Plot, Grave 2

His parents were David Ambrose and Margaret May Reynolds, from 164 London Road Dover, and his wife, whom he had only recently married, was Hester Jane Reynolds, from Stockwell, London. At the inquest, where a verdict of accidental death was returned, there was uncertainty as to whether the lorry had been sufficiently illuminated. Mrs Reynolds, Corporal Reynolds' mother, was most critical of the verdict, staying that in her belief her son's death had been caused "by someone else's blunder" and that she had "no patience with such verdicts"

The Coroner expressed his "sympathy with the relatives".

Mrs Margaret Reynolds, née Mills, was the sister of Robert George Mills, and the aunt of Maurice William Potter.

Roberts, J. C.       
John Charles Roberts, 14559803, was a Private in the 1/6th battalion of the East Surrey Regiment. He died on 13 May 1944, when he was 19. He is buried at the Cassino War Cemetery, Italy. XII F 4

He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. C. T. Roberts, of Dover

"In lovely memory of my dear son and brother ...Always remembered, Dad and Phyllis! - 1950

*Robinson, R. A.       
Ronald Ambrose Robinson was a fourth Engineer Officer, Merchant Navy. Born on 20 April 1914, he died on 24 February 1945, when he was 30, with the Cable Ship Alert. He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial. Panel 5

 He was the son of Frank and Anne Kathleen Robinson, and the husband of Gwendoline Mabel Robinson, of Littlehampton, Sussex

Notes on Alert

Rogers, C.       
Charles Rogers was a Signal Boatswain on HMS Glorious. He died on 8 June 1940, when the Glorious had taken part in a mission to evacuate troops from Norway. She was sunk around 6pm in a sustained attack by the battle cruiser Scharnhorst

Born in Gillingham on 29 April 1908, Charles in 1911, under the name of Charley Newton Ashby, was  at 1 Dover Street, Canterbury, the address of the Flying Horse pub, with his sister, Ivy Victoria Laura Ashby, born 1888. His mother, Elizabeth Jane Rogers, formerly Ashby, 30 September 1868, was the licensee. She had married Frank Rogers, born 28 March 1876, in 1911 in Canterbury. A year later the Rogers family moved to Dover, to manage The Admiral Harvey in Bridge Street.

On 29 April 1926 Charles joined the RN for a period of twelve years. He grew to five feet nine inches, and had blue eyes and brown hair. His character was generally very good and his ability satisfactory.

Described as the "wonderful and adorable" only son of Mr and Mrs Rogers, Charles is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval memorial, panel 36, column 2.

"Adored son and brother ... Always in our thoughts. So sadly missed"

Charles' father, Frank Rogers, died three months later. His brother-in-law, William Ferry Raper, died in 1916.

Rogers, L. V.       
Leslie Victor Rogers, CH/X104204, was a Marine in the 11th battalion of the Royal Marines. He died on 14 September 1942, when he was 19. He is commemorated on the Chatham Memorial. Panel 84

He was the son of Thomas Fredrick James Rogers and of Bertha Florence Rogers, from Tower Hamlets, Dover Born at 39 Dickson Road, he had four older sisters, Kit, Marj, Vera, and Ena, and a younger brother, Tom.

He attended St Bartholomew's school, and then Edred Road school for boys, and finally Curzon Road school, all at Tower Hamlets. Before he joined the Royal Marines, he worked at Stents the Greengrocer in Folkestone Road, and Questeds, the butchers in Townwall Street.

 

 

 

Above, Leslie as a young boy. Right, Leslie with his mother "Nan", about 1940. Far right, Leslie with his niece Ruth.

 

 

 

In Proud & Loving Memory Of Thomas James Rogers Who Died Suddenly On The P. V. Pathfinder 13 January 1936 Aged 45 Years So Loved So Missed Also Leslie Victor Rogers Killed At Tobruk 14 September 1942 Aged 19 Years

Additional Headstone Treasured Memories Of Bertha Florence Rogers Reunited June 15 1973 Aged 80 Years To Live In The Hearts Of Those You Loved Is Not To Die

1943
"My dear son, who sacrificed his life for the cause of freedom. Missed, loved, and longed for always. Mum"
Our dear brother
"He died that we might live" - Ena, Vera, and Tom
"His name liveth for ever", Kitty, Reg, and Roger
"Greater love hath no man" Marjorie, Bill, and little Ruth

with thanks to Ruth and Ken Stevens
photo and transcription, Joyce Banks

Rolfe, W.
William Rolfe, 1893987, was a Sapper in the 706 General Construction Company of the Royal Engineers. He died on 7 August 1940, when he was 41. He is commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial, France. Column 27. He had also served in the Great War

He was the son of Stephen and Mary Rolfe, and the husband of Edith Rolfe  

*Ross, J. G.      
James Geoffrey (Godfrey) Ross, 1621236, was a Gunner in the Royal Artillery, the 95 battery of the 48 Light AA Regiment.

From Greenwoods, Meadway, River, he was 32 when he died on 20 February 1945. His effects were sent to Elsie Mary Dowler, née Ross. He is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial, Singapore. Column 29

Russell, M. L.      
Maurice Lloyd Russell, C/JX 126020, was an Able Seaman aboard HMS Picotee. He was the son of Hilton Ernest Russell, a market gardener,and his wife, Ellen Jane, both from Sussex. As a five-month baby in 1911 he had two older sisters, Phyliss, 2, and Winifred, 11, and two older brothers, Raymond, 5 and Leonard, who was an assistant in the garden. The family were living at River. Mr Russell died in 1959 at the age of 87; his probate address was Anchorhold, Lower Road, Temple Ewell.

Maurice died on 12 August 1941 and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. Panel 43.3

Russell, R. L.       
Robert Leslie Russell, E/22946, was a Sergeant in the Royal Rifles of Canada, RCIC. He died on 15 June 1945, and is buried in the Yokohama War Cemetery, Japan. Canadian Section, BA 13

He was the son of Charles Henry and Martha Russell (née Hills), and the husband of Florence M Russell (née Simms), from Sillery, Quebec, Canada