Bombs on Blackwell ..Joseph Burton

 We are grateful to Gary Herbert for sharing this picture relating to his Grandfather Joseph Burton, and to Gary and to all those who commented on the Blackwell Derbyshire FB page with their recollections on the event of bombs falling on Blackwell. This fits well with the earlier reminiscences of Graham Peake in April 2020 who remembers the bombs falling on the day of his 11+ exam, so it would probably have been Spring 1941.

We welcome all contributions to this record of Blackwell Parish during WW2.

Gary

My Grandad's Air Raid Service ID for Blackwell. He once told me a story about a bomb that landed in the field opposite North St during the war but didn't go off. He said he had to move a crowd of daft buggers standing around a large hole containing the unexploded bomb. He said he shouted get the hell out of here and then legged it. Not daft my Grandad

DT

Sounds like your grandad was in an episode of Dads Army, Don't panic Mr Mannering.

SH

I can remember bombs being dropped in those fields up Mount Pleasant. I would be about 10 or 11 My Mum woke me up telling me that the house was cracking, we used to sit under the stairs when there was an air raid, and the next morning when we went out there was a lot of shrapnel on the path. The story was that a german plane jettisoned the bombs on the way back from Sheffield.

DT

I didn't know about that bomb, but was always told that the hollow in the field next to Fordbridge Lane, that the pit ponies used to go in the holidays, was caused by a bomb. Could anyone confirm, or refute this?

JP

I'd heard about the unexploded bomb on mount pleasant x

Names of Newton and Old Blackwell Service personnel who received Postal orders from Welfare Fund

 Names of those who received Postal orders while on War Service

Newton Servicemens Welfare Fund.....

(As always contact us if you have or need more information on any aspect of this blog)

In one of the notebooks discovered earlier this year, there are 73 names and addresses of servicemen and women who received postal orders of 5 or 10 shillings through the war years from the fund. These are listed here, and more information on the address, rank and service is available if anyone has an interest in an individual name. 8 of the 73 lost their lives due to the war, and these are noted too.

There are 4 other names on the Newton War memorial who are not listed in the address book.

They are Eric Kerry , Ronald Slack, William Neville Underwood and Walter Henry Wilkinson.

But these are not the only men and women who received postal orders. From a large number of letters of thanks to the Fund Secretary during 1943 to 1945, another 59 individuals can be listed by name.If you know of more who are not listed on this post, please let us know..

Feedback from Blackwell and Newton Facebook pages where this post was shared:

Anne Bentley

I think R Aldred was probably my Uncle Bob.

Yvonne Hardy Baines

Think my dads brother Hardy F...2120347 Frank..

He came off Sherwood st stayed in the forces & lived the rest of his days Bicester...he also had a young son die while the family were in Hongkong. 

Note from Admin: Back of photo shows the location. I understand that RAF Induna was an Elementary Training School about 30 kilometres from Bulawayo in Southern Rhodesia or Zimbabwe as it is now.

Jenny Dawson

I think P H Bailey is a relative of mine,.this is Hubert Bailey, Lance Corporal

Alan Tomlinson

808382 F Tomlinson was my dad

Jayne Gaunt

C hill was my dad

 

Celia Jones

R Moesby is Richard, known as Dick and is the Father of Councillor Clive Moesby

Lisa Fox

V Wood listed is my Grandma Valetta Wood later Freeman. She joined the ATS in about 1943 as a plane spotter (I think the actual title is Predictor Operator) attached to the Anti Aircraft Command. She could still well into her eighties tell you what ww2 plane it was just by the sound alone. 😊

Steve Freeman

few photos and details regarding my mother V Freeman mentioned by Lisa Fox my niece.

Louise Flett

This is Margaret Renshaw who is also on the list. Yes it was the RAF , she wasn’t a relative by blood, but always our Auntie Margaret. She was a lovely lady , she passed away in 2017.

Clive Moesby

740721 is my Dad Richard Moesby.

Minutes of the Newton Servicemen's Welfare Fund Committee Jan to Sept 1940

Just catching up here on transcribing the Minutes of the Committee. We start to see more names not only of committee members but also of the men who have joined up or been drafted. And we see the progress of the door to door collections, the funds donated, the Postal Orders sent to the servicemen and the beginning of a sock knitting project. Sorry there are no photos to break up the script so if you have photos of any of the men named, please submit them...a picture paints a thousand words....

Minutes of meetings of the Newton Servicemen's Welfare Fund

......................................................................................................

 Meeting held December 12th 1939

 1 Mr W J Ford moved and Mr T Kiddy seconded a vote of thanks to Mr T Cotton for his kindly help in having cards printed

 2 Proposed seconded and passed that Newton servicemen be included in comforts scheme only as far as the bridges .(A N S Mann is one who joined up from Newton.)

 3 Mr T Kiddy and Mr T Cotton proposed and seconded that secretaries draught a letter to the Soldiers

 4 Proposed seconded and passed that the secretaries have the power to add names to list of servicemen if found

 5 Meeting of collectors to be held on Mondays at 8.30 p.m.  in wardens post where secretaries will receive the monies

 6 Next meeting first Tuesday in the New Year at 6:30 p.m.

Meeting held 2nd January 1940

Mr RB Butler presided

 The minutes of the previous meeting were read and passed as correct

A statement of accounts showing a balance in hand of £14 14s 41/2 d was submitted to the meeting and considered to be satisfactory

 Resolved a further grant of 5 shillings be forwarded to those serving and if the names are obtainable to include the brothers Sheasby in the list

 Secretary to issue statement of accounts after grants have been forwarded

 It was agreed to hold the next meeting on Tuesday January 23rd 1940 at 6:30 p.m.

 

 Signed off J W Jacquest 23/1/40

Meeting held January 23rd 1940

Mr Jacquest presided     7 present

 The minutes of the previous meeting were read and passed as correct

 A statement of accounts showing a balance in hand of 8 pounds 4 shillings 2 1/2 pence were submitted to the meeting and considered to be satisfactory

 Resolved that five shilling orders be sent to the Sheasby Brothers

 Passed that further payments be deferred until after the next meeting arranged for Tuesday February 13th and that the committee be notified of same

 Signed off R Butler 14 / 2 / 40

Meeting held February 14th 1940

 A full committee Mr Butler presided

 The Secretary showed a balance of £21 16 s 1 1/2 d which was considered highly satisfactory

 Mr Jacquest moved and Mr Cotton seconded that a further five shilling PO be forwarded to the NS men -- carried

 Mr Cotton proposed Mr Jacqest seconded that Secretary asked “The Metro” people to give matinee some Sunday ….first thanking for offer of help

 Mr Jacquest proposed and Mr Cotton seconded that we ask soldiers whether they prefer part of the fund being devoted to buying wool for the local ladies to knit comforts

 Carried that secretaries be given power to hand over money for purchase of woolen comforts to needy cases

 Signed off R Butler

 Minutes for meeting held March 13th 1940

Mr Butler presided 

1. Mr Jacquest proposed and Mr Coupe seconded that Newton serviceman be recipients of another five shilling PO forEaster...carried

2.  Mr Kiddy proposed and Mr F Ford seconded that people of Mount Pleasant be invited to come into  The Comforts Fund Scheme .

3. Leaflets to be handed round to each householder to be called for when they would have either accepted or rejected invitation. Also an invitation to a general meeting -Mr Kiddy and Mr Peake be responsible for issuing and collecting of leaflets

4. The secretary to interview Mrs Wallis re wool for 6 pairs of socks.

5. See Mr Storer re school Room March 20th

Meeting held March 20th 

1. Mr Kiddy showed that of 101 houses that have been visited 60 people were in favour of joining the Newton SC Scheme. 14 unmarked, 18 not willing while 9 were queried?

2. Proposed by Mr Wallis & seconded by Mr Webb that we welcome Mt Pleasant as part of the NSCF Scheme.

3. Mr J Thomson and Mr Bingham volunteered to collect in one district from the bottom of Blackwell to Chip Shop including S St.. Secretary to ask Mr F Hesketh & W Wheedon if they would volunteer to collect from North St to upwards

4. The question of wool to be left in hands of Mrs F Ford & Mrs Peake, who would also see girls working at Lea Mills with a view to obtaining wool.

5. Next meeting April 10th in School Room

Signed off W J Ford

Minutes for meeting held April 10th 1940

 

Mr W J Ford presided

1. Mrs Wallis proposed and Mr Kiddy seconded that the secretary write to Lea Mills re wool for soldiers...carried

2. Moved Mr Kiddy and seconded Mr E Butler that minutes for last meeting were a true record

3. Income shown to the end of March was £57-12-6 and expenditure £33-10-9 - which consisted of 4 allotments ..29 @ 5/-, 31 @ 5/-, 33 @ 5/- & 36 @5/-, leaving a Balance in hand of £24-1s-9d.

4. Mr Kiddy moved and Mrs Wallis seconded that secretaries be given power to purchase stationery necessary to carry on communicating with the servicemen.

5. Mr Cuthbertson moved Mr Webb seconded that a sub committee be nominated which was as follows: 1.Mr R Butler,  2 Mr Hesketh 3 Mr Kiddy

6. Mr Kiddy moved and Mr Cuthbertson seconded that the next allotment of 5/- PO be sent as soon as possible.

7. Mr E Butler proposed and Mr Webb seconded that Mr Childs be invite to succeed Mr Jacquest as collector for Littlemoor & Wire Lane along with Mr L Philips.

Next Meeting to be held Wednesday May 22nd at 6.30pm

Signed off T E Kiddy Act Chairman 22/5/40

Minutes for Meeting Held May 22nd 1940

        Mr Kiddy presided.

1. Mr Cuthbertson moved and Mr Webb seconded that minutes of the last meeting were a true record - passed.

2. Mr Hesketh moved , Mr Cuthbertson seconded a resolution that wool be bought from Messrs Marks and Spencers.Mtrs Wilson volunteered to purchase this for the committee - 3 lbs of grey wool @6/8 per lb. 

3. The secretary made a statement of account up to May 22nd: Income £85-1-10 Expenditure £45-6-6 Balance £39-15-4

4. Resolved that 6 balancer sheets should be displayed- in the are throughout which collections are made

5. Secretary reported other names of Newton Servicemen namely:H Bailey, G Riley Underwood, R Butler, JE Braybrook, M Titterton, N Bates,HS Johnson, L Morrel & HP Cuthbertson making  total of 52.

6. Mr Hesketh proposed & Mrs Webb seconded that the next allotment of 5/- should be remitted as early as possible

Next Meeting to be held June 26th 7pm

Signed off F Ford Act. Chairman 3/7/40

Meeting Held 3rd July 1940

Mr F Ford presided

Resolved that minutes of last meeting be passed as a true record

Mr Coupe issued a statement of accounts. Mr Bingham proposed & Mrs C Webb seconded that Financial position be accepted as highly satisfactory

New names brought forward were:

W Pitts, Maurice Ward, Frank Rockley, & Mr Storer

Mr Cuthbertson proposed & Mr Bingham seconded that the next allotment be made July 20th.Resolved that Mr Cotton be invited to attend the meeting in his capacity as Treasurer.

Next Meeting to be held on Wednesday July 31st at 6.30 pm

Minutes for meeting held July 31st 1940

1. Mr R Butler presided

2.  The minutes of the previous meeting were read & passed as correct

3. A statement of accounts showing income of £117-0-2 Expenditure £75-10-11 leaving a balance in hand of £41-9-3 was submitted to the meeting & considered to be satisfactory.

4. Resolved a further grant of 5/- be forwarded to those serving about August 26th

5. Names of 2 new servicemen were submitted: Mr Dove New St. Mr Alan Hall 37 Alfreton Rd.

6. Resolved that no collections should be made during St Dunstan Week ( 3rd Wk in August)

7. A donation of 5/3d was received from Mrs Walters per Miss Smith.

8. Resolved that formal notices should be displayed in prominent places - notifying public of the next Comfort Fund Committee Meeting which it was agreed to be held on Sept 4th at 6.30pm

Signed off F Hesketh Sept 4th 1940

Minutes of Meeting Held Sept 4th 1940

Mr F Hesketh presided.

1. The minutes of the previous meeting were read & passed as correct.

2. A Statement of accounts showing income of £135-19-2 Expenditure of £93-4-6 leaving a balance of £42-14-8 was submitted to the meeting & considered satisfactory.

3. Resolved a further allotment of 5/- be forwarded to those serving about the first week in October.

4. Mrs Wildgoose submitted the names of ladies knitting for soldiers:- Mrs Rockley, Freeman, H England, Childs, Cook, Walters, Pollard, Straw, Heathcote, Wildgoose, & Misses Marriott, Smith, Briggs, & Wildgoose.

5. Mrs Wildgoose proposed Mr Webb seconded that 2 pairs of socks be sent to some soldiers instead of money in next allotment.

6. Next Meeting was arranged to be held in the School on Wednesday Oct 16th at 6.30 pm.

Signed off by R Butler Chairman.

Newton Men lost in Far East and a Blackwell POW

On the anniversary of VJ Day, it is fitting to remember 2 young men from Newton, both killed within 2 months of each other in the Far East and commemorated on the Singapore War Memorial. Both were serving with the 1st Battalion the Leicestershire Regiment. These are the only 2 Blackwell Parish men we know of who lost their lives in the Far East.

Reginald William Cuthbertson appears on Newton’s War Memorial; he was the second son of Herbert Cuthbertson and Daisy ( maiden name Meakin), and had 7 siblings: Herbert Douglas, Joan M, Ronald, Ena, John, Robert and Margaret. In 1939 the family were living on Main Street Newton.

Reginald William was Corporal 485845 when he was lost and presumed dead on 14th December 1941 aged 24. Reginald William has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial in Kranji War Cemetery.

Walter Hind, son of Walter Hind and Florence nee Hayes, we believe was the youngest son of 10 children born between 1899 and 1918 in Tibshelf and then Newton, where they lived at the Malthouse on Town Lane. His siblings surviving infancy were Percy, Reginald, Margaret Elizabeth, Grace Dorothy, George Vincent, Thomas and Florence Mary.

Walter was Private 4860135 with the 1st Battalion when he was lost on 12th February 1942, just 8 weeks after Reg Cuthbertson .Walter is also mentioned on his parents grave in St Werburgh’s churchyard.

If anyone has a photo of Reginald or Walter which we can publish, please contact us.

According to Wikipedia, the 1st Battalion Leicestershire was a Regular Army unit stationed in the Far East on the outbreak of the Second World War. The battalion fought the Imperial Japanese Army in the Malayan Campaign in early 1942 and sustained heavy casualties, temporarily amalgamating with the 2nd Battalion, East Surrey Regiment to create the British Battalion which was, however, later captured and the men of both battalions remained as prisoners of war (POWs) for the rest of the war.

One reader of our post told that a Mr R Miles of Blackwell was a POW in the Far East and we are interested to find more about Mr Miles.

Victory over Japan, and a letter to the Welfare Fund from F Rockley, South East Asia Command

 

75 years ago this week saw the Japanese Surrender and so an end to WW2.

From the letters from Newton and Old Blackwell servicemen in the Far East to the Secretary of the Servicemens’ Welfare Fund, it is known that the following residents served out there..(there may be others so far unknown. If you have more information to share please comment on this page)

John Druce, Leading Aircraftman RAF, South East Asian Air Force

F Rockley, Corporal, HQ Squadron 3rd Carabiniers, South East Asian Command ( See Letter below)

R Walker, Captain, Z Force Communications Group, India Command

A G Wilkinson, Tpr, 207 Corps, South East Asian Command

Ron Flint, Leading Aircraftman, RAF, South East Asian Air Force

H Dickens, Private, Admin Coy 9th Border Regt , South East Asian Command

H L Oldfield, Leading Aircraftman, 15/17 Billet RAF Station, Jodhpur, South East Asian Air Force

R Rockley, Corporal, 20th Indian AMD Brigade, South East Asian Command

The following is a transcript of a letter from F Rockley to Mr Coupe, Secretary of the fund, on the day the Japanese surrender was signed, 15th August 1945:

15/8/1945

4981943 Cpl F Rockley

HQ Squadron

3rd Carabiniers

SEAC

Dear Sir

Once again I should like to take this opportunity of Thanking You and All Subscribers to the Fund for giving these Gifts of Money to My Mother for Me .

Its great to think you remember us stuck away out here, and I hope to be seeing some of you before long, as my Repat should be Here in the Near Future .

Its Great News to hear of this Japanese Surrender over here now. Lets all get Home again, to Normal Times, and Peace once more.

I hope you all manage a “ Victory Celebration, and everyone soon forgets such things as War.

Heres Thanking You and All, once again

I Remain, Yours Faithfully

F Rockley