Leading Seaman Royal Navy, HMS Laurentic

Service No: D/J 23288

Born: 6 March 1897 in Kensal |Town, London

Died: 3 November 1940 when the Laurentic was sunk

HMS Laurentic was torpedoed 3 November 1940 by U99 in the North Atlantic, west of Bloody Foreland, Donegal, Ireland with the loss of two officers and 47 ratings.

He was the son of Mr and Mrs Ernest Albert Austin and husband of LiIian Elizabeth Austin of Uplyme. He is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorials and on the Uplyme memorial. His son Richard also died in service (see below) on 16 August 1940.

Aircraftman 2nd Class, RAF VR

Service No: 1350800

Born: 1922

Died: 16 August 1940 in Tangmere, West Sussex

He was killed during an air raid on RAF Tangmere. The son of Leading Seaman Walter Henry Austin, RN (killed in action 3 November 1940) (See above) and of Lilian Elizabeth Austin of Uplyme. He is buried in St Andrew's Churchyard, Tangmere, West Sussex - Plot E, Row 1 Grave 470.

Petty Officer Cook, Royal Navy, HMS Diamond

Service No: 48381

Born: 1902

Died: 27 April 1941 when HMS Diamond was sunk

He was killed when HMS Diamond was sunk by German aircraft whilst evacuating Allied troops from Greece.

The son of James P and Martha D. Copp of Uplyme, he is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, panel 55, columns 2.

Chief Petty Officer Cook, Royal Navy, HMS Gloucester

Service No: D/M 39094

Born 1906 in Axmouth

Died:  22 May 1941 when HMS Gloucester was sunk

He was killed when HMS Gloucester was sunk during the Battle of Crete with the loss of 722 men out of a crew of 807. 

He is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 55, column 2

Aircraftman 1st Class, Royal Air Force

Service No: 575141

Born:1923

Died: 28 March 1941 in Middle Wallop, Hampshire

James, known as "Sidney" joined the RAF straight from school. He lost his life at Middle Wallop due to a hit and run traffic accident on 28 March 1941 which was believed to involve a military vehicle. At the time of his death he was a Corporal.

The son of Andrew Henderson and of Maria Henderson of Lyme Regis, he is buried in Over Wallop churchyard, Hampshire, Row A, Grave 3.

Sergeant (Navigator/Bomber) No 70 Operational Training Unit, RAF

Service No: 1389627

Born: 1918

Diwed 12 April 1944 in Egypt

He was killed with the rest of the crew when his aircraft, a Baltimore III (AH1 19) crashed into Little Bitter Lake, Egypt, in low cloud.

The son of Richard and Frances Hutchings of Uplyme and husband of Kathleen Pearl Lavinia Hutchings of Uplyme. He is buried in Fayid War Cemetery, Egypt, Grave 2 D 1

Sergeant (Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner) RAF VR

Service No: 1169564

Born: 1922

Died: 14 April 1942 in England

He was killed with the rest of the crew when his Halifax bomber (L9576) crashed near Wetherby, Yorkshire.

The son of Mary Jane Marks of Uplyme, he is buried in St Andrew's churchyard, Monkton Wyld, Dorset, near the SW corner of the church.

Leading Aircraftman, RAF VRF

Service No: 1410910

Born 1921

Died: 1 November 1945 in Singapore

He served in the Far East doing radio work and his death was due to a drowning accident. He was listed as missing, believed drowned, attempting the rescue of two of his brother airmen.

Son of Walter Frederick and Dora Patience Reakes of Uplyme. He is buried in the Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore in Collective Grave 12 C. 1 - 5.

Lieutenant RNVR

Information discovered about this man cannot yet be fully confirmed.

Flying Officer, RAF VR 202 Squadron

Service No: 161400

Born 1921

Died 18 August 1944 in Spain

He was the skipper of a Catalina Flying Boat MKIV (JX 201) which was lost in the Mediterranean. It was operating from Gibraltar and flew into a hill in cloud near Punta Acebuche, Tarifa, Spain, after a night take-off by the crew. Son of William George Stapleforth and of Kathleen Maude Stapleforth of Uplyme. He is commemorated on the Gibraltar Memorial.

Gunner, 87th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

Service No: 1118058

Born:1920

Died 18 July 1943 in Iraq.

The son of Henry and Sarah Tapper of Uplyme, he is buried in Mosul War Cemetery, Iraq, grave 2 B 9.