Roll of Honour - Cambridgeshire - Cambridge University, Trinity College World War 2

Ministry of Defence

Lest We Forget

The Royal British Legion

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY, TRINITY COLLEGE WORLD WAR 2 WAR MEMORIAL -SURNAMES D

World War 2 - Roll of Honour with detailed information
Compiled and copyright © Gill Cannell & Andrew Dishman 2009

The Cambridge University, Trinity College World War 2 memorial is in the form of an engraved stone tablet on the west wall of the College Chapel. The west wall of the Ante-Chapel, behind the statue of Newton, is dedicated to a huge memorial of Portland stone, engraved by David Kindersley in 1951 with the names of 384 Trinity men who died in the Second World War

PRO MURO ERANT NOBIS TAM IN NOCTE QUAM IN DIE
MCMXXXIX – MCMXLV

They were a wall unto us both by night and day.
1939-1945
(1 Samuel 25: 16)

DABELL

William Arthur Richmond

[Listed as William Arthur Richmond DABELL and also William Arthur RICHMOND-DABELL] See Richmond-Dabell, William Arthur

DAIN

John Ryland

Major 65855, 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment formerly Intelligence Corps. Died of wounds 26 August 1944. Aged 35. Born 15 July 1909 in Birmingham, Warwickshire, residenjt Rutland. . Son of Harry Guy and Flora Elizabeth Dain, of Birmingham; husband of Mary Reyner Dain, of King's Norton, Birmingham. Educated at Uppingham School. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 1 Oct October 1928; B.A. 1931; M.A. 1935. In the 1911 census he was the son of Harry Guy and Flora Elizabeth Dain, aged 1, born Selly Oak, Worcestershire, resident High Street, Bournbrook House, Bournbrook, Northfield, Worcestershire. In the 1921 census he was the son of Harry Guy and Flora Elizabeth Dain, aged 12, born Birmingham, Warwickshire, resident 480, Bristol Road, Selly Oak, Smethwick, Worcestershire. In the 1939 Register he was born 15 July 1909, single, a School Master at Uppingham, resident Farleigh, Uppingham, Uppingham R.D., Rutland. Buried in LIEUREY COMMUNAL CEMETERY. Eure, France. Grave 1.

Extract from Manchester Evening News 7 September 1944, page 3:

Dies of Wounds

Major John Ryland Dain, Leicestershire Regiment, of Uppingham, Rutland, younger son of Dr. H. Guy Dain, chairman of the Council of the British Medical Association, has died of wounds in Normandy. He was 35.

Extract from Stamford Mercury 15 September 1944, page 5:

UPPINGHAM MAJOR'S
DEATH.

Major John Ryland Dain, Leicester Regiment, whose death on active service was recorded last week, was the son of Dr. H. Guy Dain, chairman, of the British Medical Association, of Selly Oak. He was educated at Uppingham, where he was captain of the school, and was awarded the Thring gold medal for distinguished service, to Uppingham. After taking his Tripos in modern languages at Trinity College. Cambridge. Major Dain returned to Uppingham as a master.

On the outbreak of war he was gazetted to the Intelligence Corps, but at his own request was transferred to the Leicester Regiment shortly afterwards. He was 35 years of age.

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1945:

DAIN John Ryland of Grey Barn Uppingham Rutlandshire died 26 August 1944 on war service Probate Llandudno 27 January to Mary Reyner Dain widow. Effects £3134 0s. 9d.

D’ARCY-IRVINE

Brian William Jesse

Flying Officer (Pilot) 72500, 257 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Fighter Command. Killed in action flying out of Northolt, Middlesex, in a Hawker Hurricane I, serial number P3058, when the aircraft was shot down by a Bf109 off St Catherine's Point, Isle of Wight during a patrol 8 August 1940. Aged 22. Native of Serdang, Kedah, Malaya. Born 19 April 1918 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya. Son of Henry C. and C. D'Arcy-Irvine, of Serdang, Kedah, Malaya. Educated at Stowe. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 1 October 1937. No known grave. Commemorated on RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL, Surrey. Panel 5.

DAVEY, MC

William Henry

Gunner 117, Straits Settlement Volunteer Force. Captured at Singspore 17 February 1942, died as a Japanese Prisoner of War held in Batavia - Bicycle Camp, Borneo, 2 July 1945. Born 10 May 1907 in Llandaff, Glamorgan, Wales. Son of Sidney Howard Davey and Edith Mary Davey; husband of Penelope Davey, of Ermelo, Transvaal, South Africa, letters to her during the war were sent to Union Bank of Australia, Perth, Australia. Educated at Cathedral School, Hereford. Admitted as Sizar at Trinity 1 October 1926; B.A. (Cantab.) 1929. [CWGC states Christ's College] Awarded the Military Cross (M.C.). In the 1911 census he was the son of Sidney Howard and Edith Mary Davey, aged 3, born Llandaff, Glamorganshire, resident Maes Melyn Pencaira, Neath, Llantwit Lower, Glamorganshire, Wales. In the 1921 census he was aged 14 years 1 month, born Llandaff, Glamorganshire, Wales, a pupil at St Andrews, Tenby St Mary in Liberty, Pembrokeshire, Wales. Buried in LABUAN WAR CEMETERY, Malaysia. Plot M. Row C. Grave 14.

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1948:

DAVEY William Henry of The Government English School, Muar Johore Malaya died 2 July 1945 at Kuching Prison Camp Sarawak Malaya Administration (with Will) (limited) London 11 December to Matthew George Megaw attorney of Penelope Pickthall married woman. Effects £4112 8s. 4d. in England.

DAVIE, AFC

William Douglas Bow Symington

Squadron Leader (Test Pilot) 72481, Royal Aircraft Establishment, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Technical Training Command. Killed while flying out of Farnborough, Hampshire, in a Gloster F9/40 (Prototype Meteor), serial number DG204, when the aircraft broke up over Farnborough due to an engine failure during a high-speed, high-altitude test run, the pilot was killed when baling out 4 January 1944. Native of Whitecraigs, Renfrew. Born 22 January 1918 at Whitecraigs, Renfrewshire, Scotland. Son of William Symington Davie and Mary Stuart Bow Davie, of Whitecraigs, Renfrewshire. Educated at Glenalmond College, Perthshire. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 1 October 1936; B.A. (Cantab.) & Certificate Proficiency Engineering Studies 1939. Awarded the Air Force Cross (A.F.C.). Buried in OLD MONKLAND CEMETERY, Lanarkshire. Section B. Grave 6.

DAVIES-COOKE

Paul John

Flying Officer (Pilot) 36167, 72 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Fighter Command. Killed in action flying out of Biggin Hill, Kent, in a Supermarine Spitfire I, serial number N3068, when the aircraft was shot down by a Bf109 over Sevenoaks, Kent, when attacking an enemy raid, baled out but died, the aircraft crashed at West Wickham, 27 September 1940. Aged 23. Native of Mold, Flintshire. Born 14 November 1916 at Mandeville Place, London. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Tatton Davies-Cooke, of Mold; brother of Richard Anthony (1928). Educated at Shrewsbury School. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 1 October 1935; B.A. 1938. In the 1921 census he was aged 4, born London, with his nurse at Oakleigh, Marine Drive, Denbighshire & Flintshire, Wales. Buried 4 October 1940 at South side of Church in RHYDYMWYN (ST. JOHN) CHURCHYARD, Flintshire.

Extract from Chester Chronicle 5 October 1940, page 8:

PILOT OFFICER P. J. DAVIES-
COOKE

News was received in Mold with profound regret of the death of Pilot Officer Paul John Davies-Cooke, youngest son of Ald. P. T. Davies-Cooke, of Gwysaney, who was killed in action on Friday.

Pilot Officer Paul Davies-Cooke, who was only 24, was educated at Shrewsbury School, and then (like his father) went on to Cambridge. He was intensely fond of applied science, and became very interested in chemistry In normal conditions he might have taken up a position in industrial chemistry research. When barely twenty he became keen on aviation and trained first in civil aircraft at Hooton, where he had a 'plane.

Fired by that patriotism in which he nad been nurtured, the war led him to join the Royal Air Force, not as a mere youthful adventure, but as one anxious to serve and defend his country. He made great strides in his new profession, and his colleagues speak with pride of his keenness in his work. He was gazetted a Pilot Officer last spring, and proved time and time again his devotion to duty. Death claimed him in the struggle, and his name takes its place on the Roll of Honour of young lives whom the country will hold in everlasting remembrance.

The death of Mr. Paul Davies-Cooke has cut short the career of a young man who would worthily have carried on the traditions of an ancient lineage.

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1941:

DAVIES-COOKE Paul John of Gwysaney Mold Flintshire died 27 September 1940 at Queensway West Wickham Beckenham Kent Administration Llandudno 27 May to Philip Tatton Davies-Cooke of no occupation. Effects £3918 18s. 4d.

DAVIS, DFC

Carl Raymond

Flight Lieutenant (Pilot) 90131, 601 (County of London) Squadron, Royal Air Force (Auxiliary Air Force), Fighter Command. Killed in action flying out of Tangmere, Sussex, in a hawker Hurricane I, serial number P3363, when the aircraft was shot down by a Bf109 at Matfield near Tunbridge Wells, Kent, during a patrol 6 September 1940. Aged 29. Native of Chelsea, London. Born 30 July 1911 in Krugersdorp, Transvaal, South Africa. Son of Carl Raymond and Clara May Davis; husband of Katharine Anne Davis, of Chelsea, London. Educated at Sherborne School. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 1 October 1929; B.A. (Cantab.); B.A. McGill University, Montreal. Mining Engineer. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (D.F.C.). Religious denomination Church of England. Originally commissioned 7 August 1936 [London Gazette 6 October 1936]. Buried in Storrington (St Mary) Churchyard, Sussex.

Extract from Nottingham Journal 30 August 1940, page 3:

DESTROYED SIX NAZIS

Other D.F.C. awards were to Flying Officer Carl Raymond Davis. who has personally destroyed six enemy aircraft; Flying Officer Anthony Eyre, who has shot down seven enemy aircraft ; Flying Officer Richard Maxwell Milne, whose "bag" is seven; Pilot Officer Archibald Nigel Charles Weir, who has destroyed at least five enemy aircraft, three of these in the course of a single day, awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1941:

DAVIS Carl Raymond of 21 Milner-street London died 6 September 1940 at Matfield Kent on war service Administration Llandudno 30 December to Katharine Anne Davis widow and Carl Raymond Davis company director. Effects £2231 5s. 7d.

DAVIS

Henry Lawrence Newsom

Pilot Officer (Pilot) 72988, 59 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Coastal Command. Killed in action flying out of Thorney Island, Hampshire. in a Bristol Benheim IV, serial number N3590, when the aircraft was lost during a reconnaissance sortie to Cherbourg harbour 8 August 1940. Aged 28. Native of Harpenden, Hertfordshire. Born 28 December 1911 in Luton, Bedfordshire. Son of Harold Newsom Davis and Aileen Newsom Davis, of Harpenden, Hertfordshire; husband of (Doris) Freda Davis, of New Milton, Hampshire, married April to June Quarter 1938 in Aylesbury Registration District, Buckinghamshire; brother of Wing Commander Peter Brian Newsom Davis (1934, also died on service - see below). Educated at Marlborough College. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 1 October 1930; B.A. 1933. In the 1921 census he was the son of Harold Newsom and Amelia Newsom Davis, aged 9, born Luton, Bedfordshire, resident Bamville Wood, Harpenden Common, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire. No known grave. Commemorated on RUNNYMEDE MEMORIALl, Surrey. Panel 7.

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1942:

DAVIS Henry Laurence Newson of Bamville Wood Harpenden Common Hertfordshire died on or since 8 August 1940 on war service Probate Llandudno 9 March to John Kenneth Newson Davis ironfounder and Cyril George Davis gas engineer
Effects £10488 15s. 8d.

DAVIS, DSO

Peter Brian Newsom

Wing Commander (Pilot) 70499, 299 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Air Defence of Great Britain Command. Killed in action flying out of Keevil, Wiltshire, in a Short Stirling IV, serial number EF319, when the aircraft was shot down by flak over Arnhem during a resupply sortie on Operation Market Garden 19 September 1944. Aged 28. Native of Harpenden, Hertsfordshire. Born 28 February 1916 in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. Son of Harold Newsom Davis and Aileen Newsom Davis, of Harpenden, Hertfordshire; brother of Henry Lawrence Newcom Davis (1930, also died on service - see above). Educated at Marlborough College. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 1 October 1934; B.A. (Cantab) 1937. Awarded the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.). In the 1921 census he was the son of Harold Newsom and Amelia Newsom Davis, aged 5, born Hertfordshire, resident Bamville Wood, Harpenden Common, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire. Buried in ARNHEM OOSTERBEEK WAR CEMETERY, Gelderland, Netherlands. Plot 4. Row C. Grave 17.

Extract from Liverpool Daily Post 19 January 1945, page 1, and Western Daily Press 19 January 1945, page 4:

WING COMMANDER D.S.O.
MISSING

Awarded the D.S.O. last September for skill and devotion to duty during dangerous sorties, Wing-Commander Peter Brian Newsom Davis is to-day reported missing in R.A.F. Casualty List No. 464. Wing-Commander Davis was educated at Marlborough and Trinity College, Cambridge, and was a member of the University Air Squadron. His home is at Harpenden, Hertfordshire, and he was commissioned in 1936.

Other casualties reported in the list include 139 who have lost their lives, twenty who are wounded or injured and 162 who are missing. Of these, sixty are second entries.

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1946:

DAVIS Peter Brian Newsom of Bamville Wood Harpenden Common Hertfordshire died 19 September P344 on war service Probate Llandudno 29 January to Aileen Mary Newsom Davis widow. Effects £14044 6s. 7d.

DAY

James

Flying Officer (Pilot) 190483, 166 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Bomber Command. Killed in action flying out of Kirmington, Lincolnshire, in an Avro lancaster III, serial number ND707, when the aircraft was lost during a raid on the Wintershall synthetic oil plant at Lutzkendorf 5 April 1945. Native of Castle Cary, Somerset. Born 5 June 1924 at Shepton Mallet, Somerset. Son of John and Madeline Webb Day, of Castle Cary, Somerset. Educated at Sherborne School. Admitted as R.A. Affiliated Student Cadet at Trinity 1 October 1942. Buried in BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY, Berlin, Germany. Plot 6. Row G. Collective grave 13-19.

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1946:

DAY James of Stone House East Pennard Shepton Mallet Somersetshire died on or since 5 April 1945 on war service Probate Bristol 5 July to John Day farmer.
Effects £271 19s. 1d.

DE GEIJER, MC

Erik Neville

Captain 141462, Intelligence Corps formerly Grenadier Guards. Died 14 January 1941. Aged 46. Born 15 January 1894 in Berlin, Prussia, Germany, resident Hampshire. Son of Carl Emmanuel de Geijer, a Swedish diplomat, of Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire and Lila de Geijer; husband of Ethel Mary Geijer (nee Truman), of Chalfont St. Giles, Buckinghamshire, married October to December Quarter 1933 in Edmonton Registration District, Middlesex. Educated at Wellington College - a cadet in the Wellington College Contingent of the Officer Training Corps. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 25 June 1912; B.A. (Cantab.) 1916. Naturalized as a subject of the United Kingdom as Erik Neville von Geijer, from Sweden, resident in Rownhams, Certificate A25688 issued 26 November 1914. Served in the Great War as Aide-de-Campe to Governor of Bombay 1915–16. Initially 2nd Lieutenant in the Hampshire Regiment from February 1917 attached to the Grenadier Guards, serving with distinction. Wounded twice. Awarded the Military Cross (M.C.) (1918), for leading a patrol that entered an enemy position under heavy machine-gun fire, and briefly attained the rank of acting Captain. On 19 October 1926 he was appointed to the College of Arms as Rouge Dragon Pursuivant. In 1929 he became a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. A trustee of the Catholic Record Society. In the 1901 census he was aged 7, a stepson of Shelley and Lila Scarlet, resident Boscombe Manor, Percy Road, Pokesdown, Christchurch, Hampshire. In the 1911 census he was aged 17, a German Resident, a Student, resident Wellington College, Crowthorne, Berkshire. At the time of his death, his address was Little Bowstridge, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire. Buried in BROOKWOOD CEMETERY, Surrey. St. Andrew's Avenue, Grave 202822.

DE ROUGEMONT

Richard Christopher Irving

Lieutenant 103351, 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Died of wounds received in action at Oued Zarga, Tunisia, 12 December 1942. Born 8 March 1920 at Coombe Lodge, Great Warley, Essex, resident Essex. Son of Brigadier-General Cecil Henry de Rougemont C.B., C.M.G., M.V.O., D.L., J.P.,and Muriel Evelyn de Rougemont, of Gt Warley, Essex. Educated at Eton. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 1 October 1938. In the 1921 census he was the son of George Cecil henry and Muriel Evelyn De Rougement, aged 1, born Great Warley, Essex, resident Codham Hall, Great Warley, Essex. Buried in MEDJEZ-EL-BAB WAR CEMETERY, Tunisia. Plot 9. Row A. Grave 4.

DEARDEN

Arthur John

Pilot Officer (Observer) 63433, 22 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Coastal Command. Killed in action flying out of St Eval, Cornwall, in a Bristol Beaufort I, serial number AW216, when the aircraft was shot down during a raid on Nantes, possibly by a He115, 2 December 1941. Native of Maidenhead, Berkshire. Born 8 March 1917 in Marylebone, London. Son of James William and Ellen Gertrude Dearden; husband of Angela Dearden (nee Burges), of Maidenhead, Berkshire, married April to June Quarter 1940 in Bourne Registration District, Lincolnshire, one son, Peter John James Dearden. Educated at Harrow. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 1 October 1935. In the 1921 census he was the son of Ellen Gertrude Dearden, aged 4, born Marylebone, London. resident Walcot Hall, Stamford, Southorpe, Lincolnshire. In the 1939 Register he was the son of James W and Ellen GDearden, born 8 March 1917, a Law Student, single, resident Walcot Hall, Barnack, Barnack R.D., Northamptonshire. Buried in QUIBERON COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Morbihan, France. Grave 2.

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1943:

DEARDEN Arthur John of Walcot Hall Northamptonshire died 2 December, 1941 on war service Probate Llandudno 7 October to Angela Dearden widow James William Dearden of no occupation Ellen Gertrude Dearden (wife of James William Dearden) and Robert Cecil Dalton solicitor.
£235364 6s. 3d.

DENHAM

John Kenneth

Flight Lieutenant 69974, 62 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, India/Burma Command. Died, based at Jessore, India, 9 May 1943. Aged 37. Native of Easingwold, Yorkshire. Born 23 February 1906 at Easingwold, North Riding, Yorkshire. Son of John George Denham and Margaret Denham, of Easingwold, Yorkshire. Educated at Leeds University. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 1 October 1932; B.A. 1934; M.A., M.B. B.Ch. (Cantab.) 1938; B.Sc., L.R.C.P., M.R.C.S. In the 911 census he was aged 5, born Easingwolrd, Yorkshire, son of John George and Margaret Denham, resident Sunnyside, Easingwold, Yorkshire & Yorkshire (North Riding). In the 1921 census he was aged 15 years 4 months, a Pupil, born Easingwold, Yorkshire, resident North Eastern County Schools, Barnard Castle, Durham. Buried in CALCUTTA (BHOWANIPORE) CEMETERY, KOLKATA, India. Plot O. Row D. Grave 2.

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1944:

DENHAM John Kenneth of Sunnyside Easingwold Yorkshire died 9 May 1943 on war service Administration York 5 October to Margaret Denham widow. Effects £4886 19s. 9d.

DENISON

Philip Henry Charles

Lieutenant 91396, 9th (1st Battalion The Rangers) Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps. Killed in action April 14 1945. Aged 25. Born 4 Dececember 1919 in Chelsea, London, resident Sussex. Son of Capt. Edward Conyngham Denison, R.N., and Maira Amy Brabazan Denison, of Victoria, London. Educated at Eton. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 1 October 1938. Buried in DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY, Bayern, Germany. ot 3. Row F. Grave 5.

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1945:

DENISON Philip Henry Charles of 5 Lyall-street London S.W.1 died 14 April 1945 on war service Administration (with Mill) (limited) Llandudno, 20 July to Percy Kynaston Metcalf solicitor attorney of Edward Conyngham Denison.
Effects £3208 19s.

DENMAN, MiD

Roderick Peter George

Lieutenant-Colonel 15482, Royal Corps of Signals. Killed in action in Middle East between 20 and 21 November 1941. Aged 46. Born 1 December 1894 in Chelsea, London S.W., resident Middlesex. Son of Sir Arthur Denman, M.A., F.S.A., Kt., and of Catherine Agnes Denman (nee Conant); husband of Charlotte Mathilde Denman (nee D'Erlanger), of Chelsea, London. Educated at Eton. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 25 June 1913; B.A. 1921; M.A. 1925. Mentioned in Despatches (MiD). In the 1911 census he was the son of Arthur and Catherine Agnes Denman, aged 16, born Chelsea, London, a Schoolboy, 29 Cranley Gardens, South Kensington S.W., Kensington, London & Middlesex. Appointed to Civil service, Board of Education, as an Assistant in the science museum [London Gazette 5 Dec 1922, Issue 32774, Page 8622]. In the 1939 Register he was married, born 1 December 1894, a Consultant (Radio Engineer) - Officer War Emergency Reserve to be gazetted Royal Corps of Signals, resident 36-9 Army & Navy Club, Charing Cross, City of Westminster, City of Westminster, London. Buried in HALFAYA SOLLUM WAR CEMETERY, Egypt. Plot 5. Row E. Collective grave 1-5.

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1942:

DENMAN Roderick Peter George of Green Doors Stanwell Middlesex died 20 November 1941 on war service Probate Llandudno 24 April to Charlotte Marie Mathilde Denman widow George Urban Leonard Sartoris engineer and Walter Louis D'Arcy Hart solicitor. Effects £27796 12s. 1d.

DEWAR

John Michael Firth

Flying Officer (Pilot) 72462, 229 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Killed in action flying out of Speke, Lancashire in a Hawker Hurricane I, serial number V6872, when the aircraft probably collided with Hurricane W9307 of 229 Squadron over the sea off Prestatyn, Denbigh, during a patrol 30 March 1941. Aged 24. Native of Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Born 2 May 1917 at Sussex Place, Regent’s Park, London N.W.1. Son of Michael Bruce Urquhart Dewar, J.P., and Dorothy Gertrude Dewar, of Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Educated at Rugby School. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 1 October 1936; B.A. (Cantab.) 1939. No known grave. Commemorated at RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL, Surrey. Panel 30. See also Whitwell/St Paul's Walden War Memorial, Hertfordshire.

Extract from Evening Despatch 12 April 1941, page 4:

Mr. Michael Dewar's
son killed

Mr. Michael Dewar, Chairman of British Timken Limited. Birmingham, and of Fischer Bearings Company Limited, Wolverhampton, has been bereaved by the loss, on active service, of his eldest son. Flying Officer John Michael Firth Dewar. R.A.F.V.R.

Flying Officer Dewar was reported missing from patrol. and his death is now assumed. A memorial service is being held at St. Paul's. Walden, Hertfordshire, on Easter Monday,

Mr. Dewar is away in the United States, leading a special mission for the British Government.

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1942:

DEWAR John Michael Firth of Stagenhoe Whitwell near Hitchin Hertfordshire died 30 March 1941 on war service Probate Llandudno 15 January to Jean Myrtle Gabrielle Handfield Jones (wife of Ronald Montague Handfield Jones) and Spencer Allen Block solicitor. Effects £1415 2s. 1d.

Tablet inlaid in church floor at All Saints', Whitwell, Hertfordshire:

AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM
the Choir Stalls
were erected in the chancel
by MICHAEL DEWAR and
in proud and loving memory
of his wife DOROTHY who
died at Stagenhoe 10th May
1943. and of his eldest son
JOHN MICHAEL FIRTH
R.A.F.V.R., who after fighting
thro' the Battle of britain was lost on patrol 30th March 1941.

DICKINSON

Oliver Scott

Able Seaman P/J 198290, H.M.S. President III (S.S. Sulaco), Royal Navy. Presumed drowned at sea when U-124 fired one torpedo which hit S.S. Sulaco amidships and she sank rapidly, about 360 miles west of Rockall, 19 October 1940 [some Logs state 20 October]. Aged 29. Born 22 December 1911 at Fernhurst, West Sussex. Son of William Watson Dickinson and Phillis Annie Dickinson, of Chelsea, London; husband of Elizabeth Dickinson (nee Haas), of Chelsea, London, married January to March Quarter 1936 in Midhurst Registration District, Sussex; brother of Robert James (1928) (below) and John Watson (1925). Educated Rugby School. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 1 October 1930. B.A. In the 1939 Register he was the son of Phillis Dickinson (a widow), born 21 December 1911 [all other records state 22 December], an Underwriter Lloyds, married to Elizabeth, resident Hawksfold, Fernhurst, Haslemere, Midhurst R.D., Sussex. No known grave. Commemorated at PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, Hampshire. Panel 38, Column 2.

DICKINSON

Robert James

Pilot Officer (Observer) 79372, 10 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Bomber Command. Killed in action flying out of Leeming, Yorkshire, in an Armstrong Whitworth Whitley V, serial number T4143, when the aircraft crashed near Thirsk, Yorks when returning from a raid on Stettin, probably ran out of fuel in cloud, three of the crew survived, 15 October 1940. Aged 31. Native of Chelsea, London. Born 16 October 1909 at Hawksfold, Fernhurst, West Sussex. Son of William Watson Dickinson and Phillis Annie Dickinson, of Chelsea, London; brother of Oliver Scott (1930)(see above) and John Watson (1925). Educated Rugby School. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 1 October 1928; B.A. 1931. In the 1911 census he was aged 1, born fernhurst, Sussex, son of William Watson Dickinson and Phillis Annie Dickinson, resident Hawksfold, Fernhurst, Sussex. In the 1939 Register he was the son of Phillis Dickinson (a widow), born 16 October 1909, a Solicitor's Managing Clerk, single, resident Hawksfold, Fernhurst, Haslemere, Midhurst R.D., Sussex. Buried in LEEMING (ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST) CHURCHYARD, Yorkshire.

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1944:

DICKINSON Robert James of Hawksfold Fernhurst Sussex died 15 October 1940 at near Thirsk Yorkshire Probate Llandudno 31 August to William Godfrey Scott Hart solicitor and Phyllis Margaret Dolphin (wife of George Verner Motley Dolphin).
Effects £1148 18s. 3d.

DICKSON, DSO

George Frederick Thomas Benson

Lieutenant-Colonel 62871, Commanding 7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Died of wounds in Western Europe 6 March 1945. Aged 30. Born 3 August 1914 at St James’s, London, resident Lancashire. Son of Lt.-Col. George Frederick Hayes Dickson and of Grace Ethel Dickson (nee Robertson); husband of Rosamond Mary (nee Tuffnell), married in April to June Quarter 1943 in Cuckfield Registration District, Sussex; brother of Michael G.T. (1963). Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 1 October 1932; B.A. (Cantab.) 1935. Awarded the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) In the 1921 census he was the son of George Frederick Hayes Dickson and Grace Ethel Dickson, aged 6, born Westminster, Middlesex, resident Stock Park, Lakeside, Colton, Lancashire. Previously wounded 26 October 1944 but remained on duty. Buried in MOOK WAR CEMETERY, Limburg, Netherlands. Plot I. Row C. Grave 14.

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1946:

DICKSON George Frederick Thomas Benson of Stock Park Newby Bridge Ulverston Lancashire died 6 March 1045 on war service Probate Llandudno 16 February to Rosamond Mary Dickson widow. Effects £6773 11s. 10d.

Extract from Recommendations For Honours And Awards For Gallant And Distinguished Service (Army) 1945:

Major, Temporary Lieutenant Colonel 62871, 7 Royal Welsh Fusiliers for service in North West Europe 1944-45 up to 31 December 1945. Awarded Distinguished Service Order. Date of announcement in London Gazette 1 March 1945. Folio: 539-540.

DILL

John Michael Gordon

Captain 174028, 16th/5th Lancers, Royal Armoured Corps. Killed in action in Italy 16 June 1944. Aged 23. Born 29 November 1919 in Silsoe, Bedfordshire, resident Suffolk. Son of Maj. J. M. Gordon Dill and Mrs. E. C. Gordon Dill; brother of Richard Patrick Gordon (1940). Educated at Eton. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 1 October 1938; B.A. 1941. Buried in BEACH HEAD WAR CEMETERY, ANZIO, Anzio, Italy. Plot VIIA. Row B. Grave 3.

Extract from Highland News 26 August 1944, page 5:

JACOBITE RELIC

As a memorial to his grandson. captain John Michael Gordon Dill, who was killed in action in Italy in June, Mr John G. Murray of Claya, Culloden Moor, and Coles Park, Buntingford, Herts, has presented a distinctive Jacobean relic to the West Highland Museum at Fort William.

The Gift, which was purchased at a price running into four figures some years ago from Cluny MacPherson of Cluny Castle, is one of the rare personal possessions of Prince Charlie.

DINGWALL

Charles Frederick

Born April 15 1893 at Caterham, Surrey. He was the son of Frances Kathleen Dingwall and Charles Arthur Dingwall who died on the 7 May 1915 aboard RMS LUSITANIA, of Shepley House, Carshalton, Surrey. Educated Eton. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 25 June 1911. Commissioned into the Army in 1913 (3rd Battalion, East Surrey Regiment). On the 1 November 1914 he was sent overseas to join the 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. On the 1 November 1916, he assumed command of the 123rd Machine Gun Corps in Belgium and later was to become a Machine Gun Corps instructor at Grantham. Later on in 1918 he was gassed, survived but lived a painful life towards the end.

Charles was a director in the family wine/spirit business which traded as Portal, Dingwall & Norris and was a director of Barker & Co (Automotive). Charles was also chairman of the Chicago Breweries and the Anglo-American Debenture Corporation.

During World War 2, owing to his illness, he served with the Observer Corps, Hillingdon. Major Dingwall died on the 8 September 1941, aged 48, at Little Hurst, Milford, Surrey, and is buried in MILFORD CEMETERY, Milford, Surrey. Plot G54. He is NOT listed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

DIVE, MiD

Vivian Henri Pierre Xavier [Le Roy]

[Surname is listed as LE ROY DIVE in some records] Lieutenant 235703, 2nd/4th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. Killed in action in North Africa 8 April 1943. Aged 20. Born 15 September 1922 in Poona, India, baptised 15 October 1922 in Poona, St Patrick, Bombay, India, resident Hampshire. Son of Gilbert Henry and Berthe Marie Genevieve Dive; nephew of Mrs. M. Dive, of Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand. Educated at Wellington College. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 9 January 1941. Mentioned in Despatches (MiD). Buried in ENFIDAVILLE WAR CEMETERY, Tunisia. Plot III. Row F. Grave 17.

DIXON

Nelson Everard

Sub-Lieutenant, H.M.S. Willamette Valley, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Killed when the Q-ship R.F.A. Edgehill (H.M.S. Willamette Valley) was torpedoed by U-51 in the S.W. Approaches 29 June 1940. Aged 25. Born 24 July 1913 in Kensington, London. Son of F. E. and Viva Dixon. Master of Essex and Suffolk Foxhounds. Educated at Charterhouse. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity Oct 1 1932. Master of Essex and Suffolk Foxhounds. In the 1939 Register he was born 24 July 1913, single, a Sub Lt RNVR HMS Osprey, resident in a hotel at 8, Greenhill, Weymouth, Weymouth and Melcombe Regis M.B., Dorset. No known grave. Commemorated on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL, Kent. Panel 40, Column 2. See also Charterhouse School, Godalming, Surrey

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1941:

DIXON Nelson Everard of The Moat Hadleigh Suffolk died 29 June 1940 on war service Probate Ipswich 12 March to Lloyds Bank Limited. Effects £351564 5s. 6d.
Resworn £354050 7s. 8d.

DODSON

Gerald Lister Lindsell

Lieutenant 189584, 10th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. Killed in action in Burma 22 November 1944. Aged 23. Born 19 September 1921 in Caythorpe, Kesteven, Lincolnshire, resident Lincolnshire. Son of Dr. Charles Sherborne Dodson and Irene Frances Dodson, of Leadenham, Lincolnshire. Educated at Stowe School. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 1 October 1939. Buried in TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY, Myanmar (Burma). Plot 7. Row A. Grave 8.

Extract from Stamford Mercury 15 December 1944, page 5:

CAYTHORPE OFFICER
KILLED IN FAR EAST

Lieutenant Gerald Lister Lindsell Dodson, Gloucester-Regiment, younger son of Dr. and Mrs. Charles Dodson, of The Corner House, Caythorpe, is reported to have been killed in action in Burma. He was 23 years of age.

DOUGLAS-COOPER

John Stainforth

Flying Officer (Pilot) 37964, 149 Squadron, Royal Air Force, Bomber Command. Killed in action flying out of Mildenhall, Suffolk, in a Vickers Wellington IC, serial number L7800, when the aircraft was lost without trace over the North Sea after requesting a bearing during a raid on Soissons 11 June 1940. Aged 31. Born 11 November 1909 at 22, Buckingham Gate, London. Son of Vivian Bolton Douglas-Cooper and Mary Isabella Douglas-Cooper; husband of Betty Thackwell Douglas-Cooper. Educated at Cheltenham College. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 1 October 1928; B.A. 1932; M.A. 1936. No known grave. Commemorated on RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL, Surrey. Panel 5.

Extract from Gloucester Journal 22 June 1940, page 12:

FOREST FLYING
OFFICER
MR. J. S. DOUGLAS COOPER
REPORTED MISSING

Official notification that their elder son, Flying Officer John Stainforth Douglas-Cooper is missing, has been -received by Major and Mrs. V. B. Douglas-Cooper, of the Hawfield, Blakeney.

The information was contained in an Air Ministry telegram, which came on Tuesday, while the official confirmation was received on Thursday morning.

Flying Officer Douglas-Cooper, who has been in the R.A.F. for nearly five years, has served in Egypt and Iraq. He was last seen by his parents about two months ago, when he visited his home.

Second-Lieut. P. B. Douglas-Cooper, the younger son, has been serving in the Royal Engineers with the B.E.F. He was at Arras during the intensified operations there and no word has been received from his since May 28.

DRABBLE

David William

Captain 143772, 65 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. Missing presumed killed in action in the Middle East 22 March 1943. Aged 25. Born 6 March 1918 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, resident London W. Son of Arthur Brownell Drabble, and of Josephine Drabble, of Bayswater, London. Educated at Downside School, Bath, Somerset. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 1 October 1936; B.A. (Cantab.) 1939. No known grave. Commemorated on MEDJEZ-EL-BAB MEMORIAL, Tunisia. Face 6.

Extract from England & Wales Government Probate Death Index 1945:

DRABBLE David William of 4 Prince Edward Mansions Hereford-road London W.2 died 22 March 1943 on war service Probate Llandudno 4 October to Alexander Ross Topping solicitor.
Effects £4114 19s. 2d.

DRUMMOND

G H

possibly Geoffrey Heneage DRUMMOND, V.C.

DUFF-DUNBAR

Kenneth James

Captain 129015, 7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-Shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's). Died in Western Europe 6 August 1944. Aged 27. Born 21 November 1916 in London W.8., resident Caithness-shire. Only son and heir of the late Lieut.-Comdr. Kenneth James Duff-Dunbar, D.S.O., R.N., who fell in World War 1, and Katharine Isabel B. Duff-Dunbar, of Wick, Caithness-shire. Educated at Stowe School. Admitted as Pensioner at Trinity 1 October 1935; B.A. 1938. In the 1939 Register he was born 21 Noveber 1916, a Student, resident The Grange, St Stephen's Road, Ealing, Ealing M.B., Middlesex. No known grave. Commemorated on BAYEUX MEMORIAL, Calvados, France. Panel 17, Column 2.

Extract from Rossshire Journal 25 August 1944, page 5:

KILLED IN ACTION

Capt. Kenneth James Duff-Dunbar, The Seaforths, killed in action, was 27 years of age and the only son of the late Lieut.-Commander K. J. Duff-Dunhar, D.S.O., R.N., and of Mrs K. J. Duff-Dunbar, Kempriggs House, Wick.

A-Z of names on the Cambridge Guildhall World War 1 memorial

Last updated 8 June, 2026

War Memorials Trust