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Cain, Frank Thomas
|
Frank Thomas Cain was born in Leicestershire
on the 21st January 1916. He was the son of Thomas and
Edith Cain.
In 1939 Frank was living with his parents
at 10, Dean Road, Leicester. At that time Frank was working
as a motor engineer. In 1943 Frank married Dorothy E.
Shaw.
From at least 1944 through to 1945 Frank
was a serving member of His Majesty's Forces.
Frank and Dorothy lived at 181, Main Street,
Thurmaston.
Frank Thomas Cain died in Leicestershire
during 1984.
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Cannon, Alec George
 |
Alec George Cannon was born on the 8th
February 1914. He was the son of Alfred George Cannon
and his wife Edith, the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth
Stafford.
Alfred George Cannon had been born in
Kilburn, Middlesex, but by 1901 he was living with his
wife in a house on Thurmaston's Main Street. Alfred George
worked as a nurseryman. In 1908 the couple had their first
child, Annie Elizabeth. In 1911 the Cannon household also
included Edith's parents. In 1913
Edith Cannon was delivered of a baby boy, who was named
Alfred Joseph, but was known as Joey Cannon. The
following year, on the 8th February 1914, Alec George
Cannon was born, but in June that same year his elder
brother Joey died, aged 17 months old. The infant
was buried in Thurmaston Cemetery. However, Alfred and
Edith had three more children, Edith in 1915, Agnes in
1916, and Alfred (q.v.) in 1918.
In 1928 Alec's father died and he was
interred in Thurmaston Cemetery.
In 1938 Alec married Iris Hooke. The couple
lived at 331, Main Street, Thurmaston, and Alec worked
as a bakery roundsman. Alec and Iris had three daughters
and a son.
During the war Alec served in His Majesty's
Forces. His brother, Alfred
Cannon
and brother-in-law, Charles
Keymer Turner
also served in His Majety's Forces.
In 1956 Alec's mother died and he was
interred with her late husband.
Alec George Cannon died during 1997, his
wife pre-deceased him by about two years.
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Cannon,
Alfred
 |
Alfred Cannon was born on the 25th January
1918. He was the youngest child of Alfred George Cannon
and his wife Edith, the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth
Stafford.
Alfred George Cannon had been born in
Kilburn, Middlesex, but by 1901 he was living with his
wife in a house on Thurmaston's Main Street. Alfred George
worked as a nurseryman. In 1908 the couple had their first
child, Annie Elizabeth. In 1911 the Cannon household also
included Edith's parents. In 1913
Edith Cannon was delivered of a baby boy, who was named
Alfred Joseph, but was known as Joey Cannon. The
following year a second son was born, who was named Alec
George, but in June that same year the couple's son Joey
died, aged 17 months old. The infant was buried in Thurmaston
Cemetery. Alfred's elder siblings also included Edith
who was born in 1915 and Agnes who was born in 1916.
In 1928 Alfred's father died and he was
interred in Thurmaston Cemetery.
In 1939 Alfred Cannon,
who was known as Son Cannon, lived with his widowed
mother at 352, Main Street, Thurmaston. He worked as a
a baker's roundsman. In 1942, having previously trained
at Chatham naval base, he was serving as Able Seaman,
C/JX 179372, A. Cannon, aboard the R&S class destroyer
HMS Thanet. In January 1942 the ship was based at Singapore.
On the 26th of the month HMS Thanet and HMAS Vampire engaged
a superior Japanese force of warships. During the action
that followed HMS Thanet was severely damaged and she
sank on the 27th January 1942.
Able Seaman Cannon was fortunate to survive
the sea battle; many of the ships company died during
and after the action. For some time the Cannon family
had to bear the news that Son Cannon was missing.
He was eventually evacuated to Australia, and spent time
in Kerang, Victoria. However, when back in England, in
1944 he married Eva May Eld.
His brother, Alec
George Cannon
and brother-in-law, Charles
Keymer Turner
also served in His Majety's Forces.
Alfred Son Cannon passed away during
1985. His widow, Eva, died in 1994. The couple are interred
in Thurmaston Cemetery. The couple had four children,
one of whom died in infancy.
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Carr, Horace
 |
In 1945 Horace Carr, of
37, Oakland Avenue, Thurmaston, was a serving member of
His Majesty's Forces.
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Carter, Herbert
|
In 1939 Herbert Carter of 6, Melton Road,
Thurmaston was serving in His Majesty's Forces.
He served as Private, 4857662, H. Carter,
Leicestershire Regiment, and was based at the regimental
depot at Glen Parva, Leicestershire.
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Carter, Charles
Samuel
|
Charles Samuel Carter was born on the
21st September 1909.
In 1930 Charles married Florence Sandall.
In 1939 the couple and their two children were living
at 25, Melton Avenue, Thurmaston.
In 1942 Charles was a serving soldier.
In 1945 Charles and Florence, lived at
45, Melton Avenue, Thurmaston.
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Carter, John
Baden
|
In 1945 John Baden Carter,
of Glengarry Melton Avenue,
Thurmaston, was
a serving member of His Majesty's Forces..
|
Cayless,
William Henry
 |
William Henry Cayless was born in Leicestershire
on the 11th March 1913. He was the son of Arthur Cayless
and his wife Sarah, nee Read.
In 1939 William was living with his widowed
mother and siblings at 200, Green Lane Road, Leicester.
At that time William was employed as a painter in the
building trade. The following year he married Phyllis
Sims.
In 1945 William and Phyllis lived at 39,
Oakland Avenue, Thurmaston, at which time William was
a serving member of His Majesty's
Forces .
William Henry Cayless died in Leicestershire
during 1974.
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Chamberlain,
Herbert
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In 1945 Herbert Chamberlain,
of 22, Unicorn Street, Thurmaston, was a serving member
of His Majesty's Forces.
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Chandler,
Jessie Enid Josephine
 |
See Jessie
Enid Josephine Hartshorn
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Chappell,
Amyas George
 |
Click on the link Amyas
George Chappell
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Chappell, Hereward
 |
Click on the link Hereward
Chappell
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Clark, Charles
Alexander
 |
In 1945 Charles Alexander
Clark, of 44, Highway Road, Thurmaston, was a serving
member of His Majesty's Forces.
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Clark, Cyril
Edward
 |
In 1939 Cyril Edward Clark of 131, Humberstone
Lane, Thurmaston, was serving in the Royal Navy. He served
at that time as Petty Officer, Stoker, 2nd Class, C. E.
Clark.
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Clark, William
Stanley
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In 1942 William Stanley Clark married
Nora Green of 28, Garden Street, Thurmaston.
In 1945 William was a serving member of
His Majesty's Forces.
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Clarke, John
William
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John William Clarke was born on the 19th
July 1913.
In 1939 Jack, as he was known,
was living with his wife, Mary and their children at 141,
Main Street, Thurmaston.
During the war Private Jack Clarke
served in the Middle East. He was still serving with His
Majesty's Forces at the end of the war.
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Coles, Leslie
Francis
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In 1945 Leslie Francis Coles of 6, Hill
Rise, Thurmaston, was a serving member of His Majesty's
Forces..
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Coltman, Louie
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Louisa Coltman, nee Bowering, was born
in Yorkshire, on the 13th March 1920.
Louie Coltman, as she was known,
of 47, Humberstone Lane, Thurmaston, served in the Auxiliary
Territorial Service (ATS). She was the wife of Walter
Herbert Coltman, with
whom she had four children.
Louie Coltman died in 2003 and
was interrred with her late husband in Thurmaston Cemetery.
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Coltman, Walter Herbert
|
Walter Herbert Coltman was born in Staffordshire
on the 24th May 1916. He was the son of Joseph and Maude
Mary Geraldene Coltman.
In 1939 Walter was living with his parents
at 47, Humberstone Lane, Thurmaston. At that time he was
working as a motor van salesman.
In 1945 Walter, then a serving member
of His Majesty's Forces, married Louisa
Bowering in the Hull
area. After the war the couple had four children, two
daughters and two sons. They continued to live at 47,
Humberstone Lane.
Walter's nephew
Gerald Draper served
in the Royal Navy during the war.
Walter Herbert Coltman died during 1979
and was buried in Thurmaston Cemetery.
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Cook, Dennis
Percival
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Dennis Percival Cook was born on the 17th
January 1921.
Dennis was serving with the Royal Air
Force in 1944-1945. He and his wife, Irene, lived at 15,
Brook Street, Thurmaston.
Dennis Percival Cook died in Leicestershire
during 1987.
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Cooper, Christopher
Napier
 |
Christopher Napier Cooper was born in
Northamptonshire on the 25th July 1912. He was the son
of George A. and Mary Cooper.
In 1939 Christopher was living with his
parents and siblings at 67, Humberstone Road, Thurmaston.
At that time Christopher was working as a motor driver
for a mineral water company.
In 1945 Christopher was a serving member
of His Majesty's Forces.
Christopher Napier Cooper died in Leicestershire
during 1982.
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Cramp, Thomas
 |
Thomas Cramp, Tom as he was known, was
born on the 20th June 1911. He was the son of Thomas Henry
Cramp, a bricklayer, and his wife Ada, nee Moore, who
lived at 90, Burfield Street, Leicester.
In 1939 Tom Cramp lived with his parents
and younger sister, Vera, at 68, Main Street, Thurmaston.
Tom worked as foreman bricklayer in the employ of his
father, who was a builder.
In 1942 Tom married Ena Mary Street, and
by the following year, at least, he was a serving soldier.
In 1945 Tom and Ena lived at 66, Main Street, Thurmaston.
Tom Cramp died in 1988 and was interrred
in Thurmaston Cemetery with his late wife, who died in
1984. Tom's parents, and his sister, Mrs. Vera Ion, are
also buried in Thurmaston Cemetery.
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Creasey,
Frederick
|
In 1945 Frederick Creasey of 26, Melton
Avenue, Thurmaston, was a serving member of His Majesty's
Forces..
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Cropper, Joseph J. A.
 |
Joseph John Ashley Cropper was born in
Kent on the 26th May 1913. He was the son of Albert George
and Elizabeth E. Cropper.
Joseph John Ashley Cropper was a serving
soldier between 1940-1945.
He was the husband of Mrs Agnes Gertrude
Cropper, nee Brewer. He and his wife lived at both 11,
Winster Drive, Thurmaston and 55, Hillcroft Close, Thurmaston.
Joseph Ashley Cropper died in the Loughborough
area of Leicestershire during 1972. His widow, Agnes Gertrude,
passed away during 1993, in the same area.
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Cross, Eric
 |
In 1945 Eric Cross of 470, Melton Road,
Thurmaston, was a serving member of His Majesty's Forces.
He was still serving in around 1947.
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Crossland,
Raymond
|
Petty Officer Raymond Crossland was serving
in the Royal Navy in 1942.
He lived at 352, Main Street, Thurmaston.
He was still serving in the Forces in 1947.
|
Crump, Joseph
Charles
|
In 1945 Joseph Charles Crump of 37, Westdown
Drive, Thurmaston, was serving member of His Majesty's
Forces.
|
Dawson, John
Arthur
 |
In 1945 John Arthur Dawson of 147, Humberstone
Lane, Thurmaston, was a serving member of His Majesty's
Forces.
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Dayman, James
Frederick
|
James Frederick Dayman and his twin brother
John W. Dayman were born on the 25th March 1913. They
were the sons of Frederick Dayman and his wife Edith Frances,
nee Johnson.
In 1939 James married Emily, the daughter
of William and Flora Booth of 16, Brook Street, Thurmaston.
James and Emily lived with her parents after they were
married. James was then working as a hosiery packer.
In 1945 James was a serving member of
His Majesty's Forces.
James Frederick Dayman passed away in
Leicestershire during 1994.
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De Burle,
Anthony Thomas
 |
Anthony Thomas De Burle was born in the
Leicestershire mining village of Coalville on the 31st
January 1907. At the age of 4, at the time of the 1911
census, he and his three sisters were living with their
grandmother, Elizabeth Jane Moffatt, at 43A, Graham Street,
Ilkeston, Derbyshire. In 1912 Anthony Thomas De Burle's
eldest sister, Veronica, was working as a teacher of music
from 3, Regent Street, Ilkeston.
In 1939 Anthony Thomas De Burle of 306,
Humberstone Lane, Thurmaston, was serving in the army.
He served as Corporal, 5613927, A. T.
De Burle, 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment.
He died in Leicestershire in 1985.
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Deacon, Arthur
 |
In 1945 Arthur Deacon of 31, Humberstone
Lane, Thurmaston, was a serving member of His Majersty's
Forces.
|
Deacon, William
 |
In 1939 William Deacon of 28, Canal Street,
Thurmaston, was serving in the Royal Air Force (R.A.F.).
He served as L.A.C., 343538, W. Deacon , at the R.A.F.
fighter station at Manston, Kent.
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Devereux,
John
 |
John Devereaux was born on the 26th September
1901.
In 1945 John was living at 11, Church
Hill Road Extension, Thurmaston. At that time he was a
serving member of His Majesty's Forces.
John Devereaux died on the 24th May 1987,
and was buried in Thurmaston Cemetery.
|
Doig, Barbara
 |
Barbara Doig was born in Leicestershire
on the 6th November 1920, the daughter of Scots born William
Robertson Doig and his Hampshire born wife Dorothy Lilian
Doig, nee Hogben. Barbara was the second of eight children.
In 1939 Barbara was living with her parents
and some of her siblings at 115, Colby Drive, Thurmaston.
At that time Barbara was working as a Letter Press Feeder.
In 1945 Barbara was a serving member of
His Majesty's Forces.
Barbara Doig passed away during 2002.
She was unmarried. Her parents are interred in Thurmaston
Cemetery.
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Dorey, Ronald
 |
Gunner, 961907, Ronald Dorey, of the
Royal Artillery became Cadet, 243431, Ronald Dorey, and
subsequently received an emergency commision as a Second
Lieutenant into the Regular Army on the 29th August 1942,
the notification of which appeared in the London Gazette
on the 8th September 1942.
Second Lieutenant Ronald Dorey continued
his service with the Royal Artillery. He and his wife,
Alice Annie, nee Partridge, lived at 6, Unicorn Street,
Thurmaston.
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Draper, Gerald
Alfred
 |
Gerald Alfred Draper was born in the Southwell
district of Nottinghamshire on the 11th November 1923.
He was the son of Alfred Draper and his wife Frances A.,
nee Coltman.
Able Seaman G. A. Draper, R.N., served
aboard a destroyer that took part in the attack and subsequent
sinking of the German Battleship Sharnhorst. on
the 26th December 1943. His grandparents, Joseph and Maude
Mary Coltman, lived at 47, Humberstone Lane, Thurmaston.
After the war Gerald married Evelyn Margaret Lay, the
daughter of Benjamin
Lay
Gerald's uncle Walter
Herbert Coltman served
in His Majesty's Forces during the war.
Gerald Draper died in Leicestershire during
1976.
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Draycott,
Herbert
|
Herbert Draycott was born on the 29th
Juiy 1911. He was the son of Albert Draycott and his wife
Gertrude Eleanor R., nee Cramp.
In 1939 Herbert and his wife, Phyllis
May, nee Bailey, were living at 134, Humberstone Lane,
Thurmaston. Herbert was then working as a hosiery footwear
knitter.
Between 1942 and 1945, at least, Herbert
was a serving member of His Majesty's Forces..
On the 12th January 1984 Herbert's wife
passed away, she was buried in Thurmaston Cemetery. Just
a few months later, on the 1st May, Herbert died, he was
interred with his late wife.
|
Duddle, Frederick Walter
 |
Frederick Walter Duddle was born in Leicestershire
on the 13th May 1917. He was the son of Robert Duddle
and his wife Emily, nee Franklin. Robert Duddle passed
away during 1936.
In 1939 Frederick was living with his
widowed mother and his siblings at 264, Harrison Road,
Leicester. By the following year Frederick had become
a Private soldier with the Northamptonshire Regiment.
At the time of his marriage, during June
1940, he was part of a army training company based at
Craven Street, Northampton. His bride was Barbara Louisa
Garner, the daughter of Ernest Cephas Garner, a timber
worker. In 1945 Frederick and Barbara's home address was
7, Victoria Street, Thurmaston, although at that date
Frederick was still serving in the army.
Frederick Walter Duddle died in Leicestershire
during 2005.
|
Edmunds,
Harold
 |
Harold Edmunds was born on the 21st January
1910.
In 1933 Harold married Beatrice Maud Sibson.
In 1939 he and his wife, and their daughter, Janet, were
living at 28, Oakland Avenue, Thurmaston. Harold was then
working as a carpenter.
In 1945 Harold was a serving member of
His Majesty's Forces.
Harold Edmunds passed away in Leicestershire
during 1996. His widow, Beatrice died during 2006.
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Eland, Joseph
 |
Joseph Eland was born on the 31st July
1921.
In 1939 Joseph was living at 37, Checkland
Avenue. He was then working as a packing case maker and
joiner. In 1944 he married Hilda Wade, formerly Goodwin.
In 1945 Joseph, then of 37, Hillcroft
Close, Thurmaston, was a serving member of His Majesty's
Forces..
Joseph Eland died in Leicestershire during
2000.
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Elliott,
Albert Ernest
|
Albert Ernest Elliott was born on the
12th January 1901. In 1927 Albert
married Mabel, the daughter of William and Annie Earl
of Thurmaston.
In 1939 Albert and his wife, and their
daughter, lived at 52, Highway Road, Thurmaston, at that
time he was working as a counterman for a hosiery manufacturer.
The couple had a second daughter.
In 1945 Albert was a serving member of
His Majesty's Forces.
Albert Ernest Elliott passed away on the
2nd August 1990 and was interred in Thurmaston Cemetery.
His widow died on the 26th March 2001 and was buried with
her late husband.
|
Evatt, Jack
 |
Jack Evatt was born in Leicestershire
on the 3rd July 1914.
In 1939 Jack married Ada Timson and they
set-up home at 12, Albert Street, Syston Leicestershire.
Jack was then employed at a shoe hand in a lasting room.
Jack was a serving member of His Majesty's
Forces during 1943-1945. He and his wife moved from Syston
and in 1945 they lived at 302, Humberstone Lane, Thurmaston.
Jack Evatt died in Leicestershire during
2000.
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Evers, Frank Victor Walter
|
Frank Victor Walter Evers was born in
the Lambeth district of London on the 12th November 1920.
He was the son of Frank G. V. Evers and his wife Florence,
nee Waller.
In 1939 Frank was living with his parents
at 28, Greville Road, Hastings. At that time he was a
carpenter's improver. In 1942, when Frank married Rose
Louisa Smith, at Thurmaston, he was serving as an army
driver.
Frank and his wife lived at 50, Checkland
Avenue, Thurmaston.
Frank Victor Walter Evers died in Bedfordshire
during 1998.
|
Fawcitt,
George Raymond
|
George Ramond Fawcitt was born during
1906.
In 1945 he was living at 135, Humberstone
Lane, Thurmaston, at which time he was a serving member
of His Majesty's Forces.
George Raymond Fawcitt passed away in
Leicestershire during 1968.
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Forsberry, Rupert Alan
 |
Rupert Alan Forsberry was born in Leicestershire
on the 13th August 1916. He was the son of William Forsberry,
a master tailor, and his wife Mabel Agnes, nee Marriott.
In 1945 Rupert was serving with His Majesty's
Forces, at that time his home address was 12, Manor Road,
Thurmaston.
In November 1958 Rupert, a building society
official, who was then living at 8, Lyndhurst Road, Hove,
Sussex, went to Mombasa, Kenya, aboard the British India
Steam Navigation Company Limited's vessel S.S. Uganda.
When Rupert died during 1994 it was in
the Newark area of Nottinghamshire.
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Foster, Eric
|
Eric Foster was born in Thurmaston on
the 23rd December 1914. He was the third child and second
son of Henry Harry Foster, a basketmaker, and his
wife Ethel May, nee Hewick.
Eric began his airforce training during
July 1940. The training, with 81 Squad, N Flight, 5 Squadron,
took place at a camp near Morecambe, Lancashire.
In 1941 he married Jessica Elizabeth Anne
Revell at Syston Church, Leicestershire. Eric went on
to serve at RAF Pembrey and RAF Fairwood Common,
Glamorganshire. From mid-1942 he served with 151 Operational
Training Unit (OTU), RAF Risalpur, India (Pakistan).
He later served at RAF Peshawar, before returning
to the U.K.
Eric Foster passed away during 1993, he
is buried in Syston Cemetery. He had three daughters,
one of whom died in infancy.
Eric Foster's brother Able Seaman Victor
Leonard Foster was killed
in action in 1944, near Anzio, Italy. His other brother,
William
Henry Foster, and his
cousin, Frank
William Foster both served
in the army.
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Foster, Frank William
|
Frank William Foster was born on the 26th
August 1917, and as an older child he was baptised at
Thurmaston Parish Church. He was the son of William
Foster and his wife Annie,
nee Newman.
In 1942 Bill Foster, as he was
known, married Maisie Enid Felstead of Thurmaston.
Bill served in the 6th British
Airborne Division. During the war he was parachuted into
Arnhem, Holland. He served as a despatch rider, having
had a motor cycle dropped by parachute for his own use.
During his service he was involved in the capture of several
German soldiers, who took it upon themselves to surrender
to him. He rose to the rank of Sergeant Major. In later
life Bill worked for the firm of W. T. Palmer,
first as a lorry driver and later as a works manager.
Bill Foster passed away in Leicestershire
during 2005.
He was the cousin of brothers William
Henry Foster, Eric
Foster, and Victor
Leonard Foster. Bill's
parents are interred together in Thurmaston Cemetery.
|
Foster, Victor
Leonard

  
|
Victor Leonard Foster was born in Thurmaston
on the 29th June 1919. He was the sixth child and third
son of Henry Harry Foster, a basketmaker, and his
wife Ethel May, nee Hewick.
In 1939 Vic Foster, as he was known,
was living with his parents at 20, Forest Avenue, Thurmaston.
Vic joined the Royal Navy on the
27th December 1939. He trained at H.M.S. Royal Arthur
(Skegness) and H.M.S. Pembroke, Chatham. He served
at the mine-laying base HMS Trelawney, Kyle of
Loch Alsh, Scotland. After a short return to Chatham,
he was drafted to the destroyer H.M.S. Volunteer.
He served in her in the Western Approaches and later as
part of Arctic Convoy PQ16. In 1943 he joined H.M.L.S.T.
418. The ship was sunk in the Mediterranean, near
Anzio, on the 16th February 1944. Able Seaman Foster was
one of several crewmen that lost their lives.
The full story of Able Seaman Vic Foster has been told
in a publication called: Our
Vic - The Story of a Leicestershire Sailor.
Click on the link to find out more details.
Victor Leonard Foster was posthumously
awarded the 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, and War Medal.
In 2013 his family received an Arctic Star in recognition
of his service aboard H.M.S. Volunteer during the
North Russian Convoys PQ16 and QP13
Victor Leonard Foster is commemorated
on the War Memorial at Thurmaston and on the Commonwealth
War Graves Commission Memorial at Chatham, Kent.
Vic Foster's brother William
Henry Foster served in
the army. His other brother, Eric
Foster, served in the
Royal Air Force. His cousin Frank
William Foster served
in the army.
|
Foster, William
Henry

 |
William Henry Foster was born in Thurmaston
on the 15th April 1913. He was the second child and eldest
son of Henry Harry Foster, a basketmaker, and his
wife Ethel May, nee Hewick.
In 1939 Bill Foster, as he was
known, was living with his parents at 20, Forest Avenue,
Thurmaston. During the war he served with the 1st Battalion,
The Leicestershire Regiment (Motor Transport).
Private, 4863310, W. H. Foster fought
in Malaya and Singapore and was one of only a handful
of men that were successfully evacuated from Singapore
Island. He was batman to Captain, later Major, L.W. St.
John McNair, motor transport officer to the regiment.
Bill Foster escaped to Colombo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
where he served for several years before returning to
England.
Bill Foster died on the 18th May
1978, and was interred in Thurmaston Cemetery.
Bill Foster's brother Able Seaman
Victor
Leonard Foster was killed
in action in 1944, near Anzio, Italy. His other brother,
Eric
Foster, served in the
Royal Air Force. His cousin Frank
William Foster served
in the army.
|
Foulds, Cyril
 |
Cyril Foulds, the son of Wallace
Foulds and his wife Eliza
Marvin Foulds, nee Dykes, was born in 1926.
Cyril volunteered for service with the
Royal Air Force in June 1944, just a few days before D-Day.
He was 17¾ years old when he attended an air crew
selection board in Birmingham.
Cyril (Service No. 3053788) was disppointed
by the board as he was rejected for service as air crew,
being told by an officer that he was too short in the
leg for a pilot, and not clever enough to be a navigator.
However, he was told he could undergo training as a flight
engineer, but this was not to be. Cyril was redeployed
as ground crew and trained as a driver. After training
he was sent to Khartoum in the Sudan, and a year later
he was posted to to R.A.F. Seletar, Singapore.
In Singapore Cyril was responsible for
driving a wide range of vehicles types. He drove coaches,
that took VIP's to the Raffles Hotel; Coles Cranes;
Fire Tenders and Ambulances; he was even tasked to take
married families' women folk on trips around Singapore.
Cyril described his work as being that of a general dog's
body.
Cyril was on his way back to England when
he received news of his demobilisation. He arrived back
in Southampton on the 24th April 1948 - Cup Final
day. Cyril returned to the famaily home The Poplars,
Syston Road, Thurmaston.
Cyril's brothers, Eric
Foulds, Frank
Foulds, Geoffrey
Foulds, and Wallace
Edwin Foulds. also served
in His Majesty's Forces during the war.
|
Foulds, Eric

|
Eric Foulds was born on the 14th June
1920. He was the second son of Wallace
Foulds and his wife Eliza
Marvin Foulds, nee Dykes.
In 1939 Eric, who was living at his parents
house, The Poplars, Syston Road, Thurmaston, was
working for the family business of W. Foulds &
Sons as a woodworking machinist.
During the war Eric was called-up for
service with the army. He served in the Royal Army Service
Corps (R.A.S.C) as a driver (Service No. T/268302). In
1942 he was serving with the 'A' Platoon, 142nd General
Transport Company, R.A.S.C., and stationed at Batley,
Yorkshire.
Eric served overseas with the 'D' Platoon,
142nd Transport Company, R.A.S.C., as part of the 8th
Army in North Africa. He undertook duties both as a despatch
rider and lorry driver. After the defeat of Axis forces
in North Africa, Eric served in Italy, and later in France
and Germany. He was discharged from the army on the 30th
January 1946.
In 1948 Eric married Violet Ann Mills.
He returned to the family buisiness in Thurmaston, which
later expanded into the work of poultry farming.
Eric Foulds passed away during 1983.
Eric's brothers, Cyril
Foulds, Frank
Foulds, Geoffrey
Foulds, and Wallace
Edwin Foulds. also served
in His Majesty's Forces during the war.
|
Foulds, Frank
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Frank Foulds and his twin brother, Harold
Foulds, were born on the 20th July 1924. They were the
sons of Wallace
Foulds and his wife Eliza
Marvin Foulds, nee Dykes.
In 1939 Frank, who was living at his parents
house, The Poplars, Syston Road, Thurmaston, was
working in milking and bull rearing.
By October 1942 Frank had joined the Royal
Air Force, through the Royal Air Force Militia (Service
No. 2220090). He volunteered for service as air crew,
but having failed an eye test he was transferred to ground
crew duties, and trained as a flight mechanic. Frank served
in India and worked on aircraft engine repair for those
aeroplanes that were used to prosecute the war in the
Far East.
Frank's twin brother, Harold, did not
undertake military service, rather he kept the family
buisness going so that it would be viable after the war.
Frank Foulds married Marjorie Simkin. After the war he
worked for the family business of W. Foulds & Sons,
but then went to live in Derbyshire, and later in Bournemouth.
Frank Foulds passed away during 2000.
His twin brother Harold died during 1999.
Frank's brothers, Cyril
Foulds, Eric
Foulds, Geoffrey
Foulds, and Wallace
Edwin Foulds. also served
in His Majesty's Forces during the war.
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Foulds, Geoffrey
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Geoffrey Foulds was born on the 11th January
1922. He was the son of Wallace
Foulds and his wife Eliza
Marvin Foulds, nee Dykes.
In 1939 Geoffrey, who was living at his
parents house, The Poplars, Syston Road, Thurmaston,
was working for the family business of W. Foulds &
Sons as a portable hut maker.
By June 1941 Geoffrey had joined the Royal
Air Force, through the Birmingham recruitment area. (Service
No. 1579245) He served in the Western Desert of North
Africa, as part of the British Forces of the 5th Army.
He was involved in the maintenace and repair of spotter
aircraft of wooden construction. He then served in Sicily
and Italy. Whilst in Naples he was employed as a hospital
carpenter. Soon after the war's end Geoffrey was released
from the service to work as a carpenter as part of the
housing reconstruction effort.
Geoffrey Foulds passed away on the 11th
August 2003.
Geoffrey's father-in-law Albert
John Falconer served
in the Royal Marines during the Great War. His brothers
Cyril
Foulds, Eric
Foulds, Frank
Foulds, and Wallace
Edwin Foulds. also served
in His Majesty's Forces during the war.
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Foulds, Wallace
Edwin
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Wallace Edwin Foulds was born on the 17th
June 1915. He was the son of Wallace
Foulds and his wife Eliza
Marvin Foulds, nee Dykes.
In 1939 Wallace, who was living at his
parents house, The Poplars, Syston Road, Thurmaston,
was working for the family business of W. Foulds &
Sons as a woodworking machinist.
By June 1941 Wallace Edwin Foulds (Service
No. 1582393) had joined the Royal Air Force (R.A.F.),
from the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (R.A.F.V.R.).
During the war he was involved in teaching woodworking
skills to members of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (W.A.A.F.).
Wallace, of 22, Berkeley Street, Thurmaston, was serving
in the R.A.F. at the war's end, and was still serving
in 1947.
He was the husband of Mrs Ellen L. Foulds,
nee Sewell. He died during 1971.
Wallace's brothers Cyril
Foulds, Eric
Foulds, Frank
Foulds, and Geoffrey
Foulds. also served in
His Majesty's Forces during the war.
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Fox, Howard Wilfred
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Howard Wilfred Fox was born in Thurmaston
on the 6th July 1920, the son of Thurmaston basket maker
Albert Fox and his wife Elsie, nee Hutchin. Howard attended
school at Thurmaston and then Alderman Newton's School,
Leicester. On leaving school he gained employment at the
British United Shoe Machinery Company (BUSMC), Leicester.
In 1939 the Fox family lived at 22, Brook Street, Thurmaston.
Howard's father worked as a case maker and repairer at
a shoe works..
On the 30th July 1940 Howard Fox joined
the Royal Air Force (RAF). Following initial training,
he eventually voyaged to Egypt, via the Cape of Good Hope.
Leading Aircraftsman, 1183487, Howard Fox served with
17 Wireless Unit, RAF, at various airstrips in the Western
Desert of North Africa. He eventually left the RAF on
the 13th February 1946.
After the war Howard Fox, a member of
the Methodist Church, went into teaching. He lived in
the village with his wife Joyce, nee York. At Thurmaston
many of the classes that he taught were held in the Methodist
Sunday School building, due to the school being filled
to capacity. He eventually became deputy head teacher,
but left to become headmaster at Mountsorrel School, Leicestershire.
Today, Mr. Fox lives in the North of England,
but remains a self-confessed Thurmastonite!
To see a larger picture of this man click
on the link below
Howard
Wilfred Fox
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Freestone,
Leonard
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Leonard Freestone was born on the 5th
May 1912.
In 1933 Leonard married Edna M. Towe.
In 1939 the couple and their son lived at 30, Berkley
Street, Thurmaston. At that time Leonard worked as a nailer
in the boot and shoe trade.
In 1945 Leonard was a serving member of
His Majesty's Forces.
Leonard Freestone died on the 19th November
1986 and was interred in Thurmaston Cemetery.
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Furness,
John
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In 1945 John Furness of 12, Westdown Drive,
Thurmaston, was a serving member of His Majesty's Forces.
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