World War 2 Memorial

Arthur William BERRY

Trooper, 46th Regiment, Reconnaissance Corps, Royal Armoured Corps. 46th North Midland Infantry Division, British 10th Corps which was an element of 8th Army Army no. 5387687

He died on 12 September 1944 age 25

He was the son of Arthur Charles and Elsie May Berry and the husband of Violet Mary Berry, of Grimsbury, Oxfordshire

He is buried in grave IV C 4 Montecchio War Cemetery, Italy

Notes

He died during the Battle of Gemmano, a battle that has been nicknamed the "Cassino of the Adriatic".

There were 11 assaults by the Allied Forces between 4 -13 September first by the British 56th Division and then the British 46th Division. It was the Indian 4th Division who after a heavy bombardment made the twelfth attack at 03:00 on 15 September and finally carried and secured the German defensive positions.

Hugh PRITCHARD

Able Seaman, HM Submarine Tempest, Royal Navy. Service no. C/SSX 33930

He died on 23 February 1942 age 19.

He was the son of John Henry and Elizabeth Ann Pritchard of Wroxton

He has no known grave but he is remembered on Panel 55, 3 Chatham Naval Memorial

Additional information

HMS Tempest (N86) was a T-class submarine, laid down by Cammell Laird in Birkenhead and launched in June 1941. Her career was short and in the Mediterranean.

She sailed from Malta on the night of 10 February to patrol the Gulf of Taranto. The following evening, 11 February, HMS Tempest was signalled that the Italians were aware of a submarine in the vicinity and that it should be assumed that her patrol had been compromised.

On the 13 February HMS Tempest was sighted on the surface by the Italian destroyer Circe.

HMS Tempest attempted to dive, but Circe began depth charging the area, eventually resulting in oil being seen on the surface.

HMS Tempest had been crippled, and forced to surface, where she was hit by gunfire from the Circe.

The crew abandoned the submarine, and were picked up by the destroyer. The Italians attempted to board the abandoned vessel but were prevented by rough seas so the Italian destroyer opened fire scoring more than a dozen direct hits, but failing to sink the Tempest.

Finally the Italians attempted to take the submarine in tow. Two members of the destroyer's crew boarded the submarine and prepared the tow.

As Circe manoeuvred to take up the tow, HMS Tempest suddenly started to sink forcing those onboard to jump into the sea.

HMS Tempest slipped beneath the waves stern first with the bows disappearing vertically.

George Henry BERRY

Air Mechanic, 2nd Class, HMS Gosling, Royal Navy RN No. L/FX. 697944

He died on 2 November 1944 age 19

He was the son of Ralph and Jane Berry of Wroxton.

He is buried in grave Plot C Coll. grave 10 (Screen Wall Panel 1), Duke Street Cemetery, Southport

Additional information

HMS Gosling was commissioned on 1 July 1942 as a Fleet Air Arm Training Establishment at Risley near Warrington

Its purpose was to train Air Fitters, Air Mechanics, Radio Mechanics and Royal Marine Trainees of the RN Air Station Defence Force

Charles Henry
GARDNER

Charles Henry GARDNER

Private, The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Army no. 5385497

He died on 30 March 1941 age 23

He was the son of Thomas and Rose Ann Gardner of Wroxton

He is buried in the Churchyard of All Saints Church, Wroxton

Note

He died in the United Kingdom but the cause of death is not known

Men of Wroxton who do not appear on the War Memorial

Sidney FREEMAN

Private, 15th (Service) (2nd Birmingham) Battalion, The Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 14 Brigade, 5th Division. Army no. 19581

He was killed in action on 9 May 1917 probably near the Scarpe. He was 30

He was the son of James and Kezia Freeman of Wroxton

He has no known grave but he is remembered on Bay 3 of the Arras Memorial

Wilfred PALMER

Private, 5th (Service) Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Regiment), 35 Brigade, 12th Division. Army no. 45782.

He was formerly with The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

He died from his wounds on 21 September 1918 following the assault on the Hindenberg Line.

He was 23.

He was son of William James and Alice Palmer and the husband of Christina Palmer, both of Wroxton

He has no known grave but he is remembered on the addenda panel of the Vis en Arttois Memorial