I visited Malvern Priory on 13 September 2019 and took the following images of the War Memorial inside.
The memorial may be described as :“Large wall-mounted stone tablet is flanked by stone figures of Mary with Child and crown (left) and St George (Right) Inscription and names are in the centre of the tablet.”
There are 43 names from the First World War (1914-1918) and 15 from the Second World War (1939-1945) commemorated on the Memorial. (Names may be seen at the IWM listing for the Memorial).
First World WarSecond World War
The Memorial was made by Messrs Caroe And Passmore and unveiled on 11 November 1920.
Outside the Priory is a wall mounted plaque with the the bases of the crosses as mentioned.
Unfortunately the legibility of the bases is poor with two exceptions:
Peter Scawen Watkinson Roberts (28/07/1917 – 8/12/1979) was awarded the Victoria Cross while serving on board HM Submarine Thrasher during the Second World War, north of Crete, in the Mediterranean.
“Lieutenant Peter Scawen Watkinson Roberts, Royal Navy.
Petty Officer Thomas William Gould, C/JXI47945-
On February 16th, in daylight, H.M. Submarine Thrasher attacked and’ sank a heavily escorted supply ship. She was at once attacked by depth charges and was bombed by aircraft.
The presence of two unexploded bombs in the gun-casing was discovered when after dark the submarine surfaced and began to roll.
Lieutenant Roberts and Petty Officer Gould volunteered to remove the bombs, -which were of a type unknown to them. The danger in dealing with the second bomb was very great. To reach it they had to go through the casing which was .so low that they had to lie at full length to move in it. Through this narrow space, in complete darkness, they pushed and dragged the
bomb for a distance of some 20 feet until it could be lowered over the side. Every time the bomb was moved there was a loud twanging noise as of a broken spring which added nothing to their peace of mind.
This deed was the more gallant as H.M.S. Thrasher’s presence was known to the enemy; she was close to the enemy coast, and in waters where his patrols were known to be active day and night. There was a very great chance, and they knew it, that the submarine might have to crash-dive while they were in the casing. Had this happened they must have been drowned”
He is buried in Holy Cross Churchyard, Newton Ferrers, Devon.
The Metropolitan Borough of Stoke Newington Civilian War Dead Memorial may be found in Abney Park Cemetery in London (Google Earth co-ordinates: 51.564451°, -0.077899°).
The legibility of the memorial is poor though, with letters missing from the main inscription.
The inscription reads:
METROPOLITAN BOROUGH OF STOKE NEWINGTON
TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES THROUGH ENEMY ACTION IN THE BOROUGH
DURING WORLD WAR 1939-1945 AND IN PARTICULAR OF THOSE WHOSE NAMES ARE INSCRIBED ON THIS MEMORIAL
DEATH IS BUT CROSSING THE WORLD AS FRIENDS DO THE SEA – THEY LIVE IN ONE ANOTHER STILL.
There are 113 names inscribed on the memorial, of whom 88 were as a result of a German bomb that made a direct hit on a crowded shelter at Coronation Avenue, just off the High Street on 13th October 1940, Most people in the Shelter were killed and are listed on the memorial, the list shows that many of the people were Jewish Refugees, There were also 2 persons Unidentified. The memorial also includes the names of 7 of the locations in the borough at which civilians lost their lives during the Second World War. The memorial is listed as Grade II.
“No. 2722925 Lance-Corporal John Patrick Kenneally, Irish Guards (Tipton, Staffs.).
The Bou feature dominates all ground East and West between Medjez El Bab and Tebourba. It was essential to the final assault on Tunis that this feature should be captured and held.
A Guards ‘Brigade assaulted and captured a portion of the Bou on the 27th April, 1943. The Irish Guards held on to points 212 and 214 on the Western end of the feature, which points the ‘Germans frequently counterattacked. While a further attack to capture the complete feature was being prepared, it was essential for the Irish Guards to hold on.
They did so.
On the 28th April, 1943, the positions held by one Company of the Irish Guards on the ridge between points 212 and 214 were about to be subjected to an attack by the enemy. Approximately one Company of the enemy were seen forming up preparatory to attack and Lance-Corporal Kenneally decided that this was the right moment to attack them himself. Single-handed he charged down the bare forward slope straight at the main enemy body firing his Bren gun from the hip as he did so. This outstanding act of gallantry and the dash with which it was executed completely unbalanced the enemy Company which broke up in disorder. Lance-Corporal Kenneally then returned to the crest further to harass their retreat.
Lance-Corporal Kenneally repeated this remarkable exploit on the morning of the 30th April, 1943, when, accompanied by a Sergeant of the Reconnaissance Corps, he again charged the enemy forming up for an assault. This time he so harassed the enemy, inflicting many casualties, that this projected attack was. frustrated: the enemy’s strength was again about one Company. It was only when he was noticed hopping from one fire position to another further to the left, in order to support another Company, carrying his gun in one hand and supporting himself on a Guardsman with the other, that it was discovered he had been wounded. He refused to give up his Bren gun, claiming that he was the only one who understood that gun, and continued to fight all through that day with great courage, devotion to duty and disregard for his own safety.
The magnificent gallantry of this N.C.O. on these two occasions, under heavy, fire, his unfailing vigilance, and remarkable accuracy were responsible for saving, many valuable lives during the days and nights in the forward positions. His actions also played a considerable part in holding these positions and this influenced the whole course of the battle. His rapid appreciation of the situation, his initiative and his extraordinary gallantry in attacking single-handed a massed body of the enemy and breaking up an attack on two occasions, was an achievement that can seldom have been equalled. His courage in fighting all day when wounded was an inspiration to all ranks.”
He is buried in the churchyard of St Michael’s All Angels Church, Rochford, Worcs.
John Patrick Kenneally VC
15/03/1921 – 27/09/2000
St Michaels All Angels Rochford
This memorial to the members of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) may be found along the South Bank of the Thames, close to the Lambeth Bridge and Lambeth Palace. SOE was set up in 1940 by Winston Churchill and Hugh Dalton to encourage and facilitate espionage and sabotage behind enemy lines. A bust of Violette Szabo by artist Karen Newman, is the centerpiece of the memorial. She was captured and executed in occupied France, and posthumously awarded the George Cross.
Violet Szabo
The Citation in the London Gazette of 17th December, 1946 reads:-
“Madame Szabo volunteered to undertake a particularly dangerous mission in France. She was parachuted into France in April 1944, and undertook the task with enthusiasm. In her execution of the delicate researches entailed she showed great presence of mind and astuteness. She was twice arrested by the German security authorities, but each time managed to get away. Eventually, however, with other members of her group, she was surrounded by the Gestapo in a house in the south-west of France. Resistance appeared hopeless, but Madame Szabo, seizing a Sten gun and as much ammunition as she could carry, barricaded herself in part of the house, and, exchanging shot for shot with the enemy, killed or wounded several of them. By constant movement she avoided being cornered and fought until she dropped exhausted. She was arrested and had to undergo solitary confinement. She was then continuously and atrociously tortured, but never by word or deed gave away any of her aquaintances, or told the enemy anything of value. She was ultimately executed. Madame Szabo gave a magnificent example of courage and steadfastness.”
The unveiling, on 4 October 2009, was performed by the Duke of Wellington. Also featured on the memorial are plaques to the French Resistance, as well as “the Heroes of Telemark” .
Google Earth co-ordinates are: 51.495779°, -0.120833°
The names of the SOE members who lost their lives during the war are also mentioned on the Brookwod Memorial to the missing (1939-1945) Memorial.
