Welcome to
Kent Online Parish Clerks

Newspaper Abstracts

Transcribed by Michael Coomber, graciously provided to the Kent OPC for display

DEATH
HALL - On the 30th May, killed in action at Faberspruit, S. Africa, Frank Alexander Hall HALL, Paget's Horse, Imperial Yeomanry, eldest son of the Rev. Alleyne and Mrs. Hall HALL, Chevening Rectory, Sevenoaks, aged 24 years.

NAVAL OFFICER'S SENTENCE
At a naval Court-martial at Chatham yesterday LIEUTENANT ARTHUR HOWARD ASHWORTH, of H. M. S. Royal Arthur ( for submarine K.5. ), was charged with attempting to smuggle 2 lbs. of tobacco at Torquay, with improperly ordering an officer's steward to land the tobacco, and with making misleading statements in a letter to the Commander-in-Chief at the Nore. Lieutenant ASHWORTH said that the parcel he intended the steward to take was one containing pictures, which he was sending to a friend. The Court found the charges proved and taking into consideration the accused officer's good character sentenced him to be dismissed his ship and to be severely reprimanded.

Flight-Sergeant Richard William GRAYSTON, R.A.F., of Manston, was killed in a motor-cycle accident yesterday. He was riding along the Trivoli-road into Margate when he apparently lost control. His machine struck the kerb and dashed into four trees, one after the other, in a distance of 25 yards. Grayston received severe injuries to his head and body, and died almost immediately.

R.A.F. AIRMEN KILLED IN IRAQ.
(From our correspondent )
BASRA, Nov. 20
A Royal Air Force aeroplane crashed at the Shaibah aerodrome yesterday and burst into flames. The pilot, Sergeant A. A. COLE, a native of Epsom, and the mechanic, CONLON, belonging to Margate, were killed. They were buried at the military cemetery to-day. A Court of Inquiry will be held tomorrow.

N.C.O. REMANDED
Sergeant Leslie Ronald Thorne DUNN was charged at Margate Police Court yesterday with being a deserter from the Middlesex Battalion of the Royal Engineers and was remanded to await a military escort. Detective-constable NORRIS, of Margate Police, said that he saw DUNN walking on the main road towards Margate. He said his name was DAPMAN and produced a letter to prove it. He was taken to the police station and when further questioned agreed he was Sergeant DUNN. He said, " I will await an escort."

DEATH ON ACTIVE SERVICE
On Oct. 10, 1939, killed on duty whilst night flying, Raymond Edward Stanford BROWN, R.A.F, dearly loved younger son of Mr. and Mr. George BROWN, of Sandgate, Kent, and beloved brother of George BROWN, R.A.F., and Florence SENDER and Marie MILSON, aged 19 years.

Privates W. Arthur WICKS, 19, The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment, of Chapel Lane, Bearsted, Maidstone, and Sidney BAKER,20, The Queen's Royal Regiment, of Fairshaw Road, Hoylake, Cheshire, were killed by a mortar-gun explosion. The Folkestone Coroner yesterday returned a verdict of " Accidental death " in both cases.

DIED ON ACTIVE SERVICE
GODDEN - On Sept. 10, 1942, at the Military Hospital Pretoria, S. Africa, S/L. Lewis Iden GODDEN, R.A.F.. early beloved elder son of Mr. and Mrs. L. L. GODDEN, Hillboro', East Malling, Kent, aged 32.

12 KILLED AT AIR DISPLAY - MOSQUITO CRASHES ON CARS.
MARGATE, Sept.19 ( From our Correspondent )

Twelve persons, including three children, lost their lives when a Mosquito aircraft crashed on a road crowded with occupied cars during a Battle of Britain air display at Manston on Saturday. Three persons are in hospital with multiple burns, and two of them are in a critical condition. Six others were discharged after treatment for burns.

The pilot, whose wife saw the accident, had led a flight of three aircraft in high-speed formation flying before breaking away to give an exhibition of aerobatics. He had twice dived at over 400 m.p.h. and then roared past the public enclosure. Gaining height he began a slow roll from which he did not pull out. The machine crashed on a road crowded with people and cars. The petrol tanks exploded and burning debris was scattered in all directions, setting fire to several cars.

The intense heat hampered the work of rescuers and three victims were burnt to death in one car. One of the victims, Mrs. Gertrude ANDREWS, whose husband is with the R.A.F. in Malta, was cycling along the road with her three-year-old son in a basket on the carrier. Her 11-year-old son was cycling ahead and was unaware that his mother and brother had been killed until later in the day when he reported to police that he could not find them.

Mr. Guy FARR, 33, a solicitor, of The Close, Wilmington, Dartford, his wife, and two young children had a fortunate escape. Their car caught fire and they were pulled out by farm workers. After treatment in hospital for burns they were allowed to go home.

The Mayor of Margate, Alderman W. J. PERKINS, to-day opened a fund to assist relatives of victims, and the local branch of the R.A.F. Association has promised a donation from the proceeds of its appeal made during the Battle of Britain week. At Margate Parish Church this morning, when a commemoration service was held to mark the close of Battle of Britain week, two minutes' silence was observed for the victims.

The following is a list of the dead :-
Miss Marjorie G. D. ASTELL, 42, of Grange Cottage, Chislehurst : Stuart Graham CHIESMAN, 13, of Calderwood, Chislehurst: Frances Claire LEWIS, 13, of First Avenue, Kingsgate, near Margate: Peter Charles SCOTT, 19, of Addiscombe Road, Margate: Charles Edward TAYLOR, 35, of Marden Avenue, Ramsgate : Mrs. Muriel LAWRENCE, 48, Dane Valley Road, Margate: Mrs. Gertrude ANDREWS, 38, of Dane Gardens, Margate, and her son Brent ANDREWS, 3 : Frederick Edward RUSTIN, 67, of Bletchley Road, Bletchley, Bucks : Miss Marie ALLAN, 21, of Merrick Square, London, S.E. : Flight Lieutenant G. H. HANSON, 29, pilot of the aircraft, and Flight Lieutenant J. MARTIN, 46, of Farnborough, Hants, the navigator.