Our Fallen
People of Lowestoft 1914-45 | DISCOVER the lives behind the names
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Fall of Singapore

At the beginning of December 1941, on the same day that Japan was attacking Pearl Harbour half a world away, the Japanese simultaneously bombed the Royal Air Force bases to the north of Singapore on the Malay coast, thereby eliminating the Air Force’s ability to either retaliate or protect the occupying troops on the ground. Their tactics were shrewd and incredibly well thought out. Before a Japanese soldier set foot on Singaporean soil, Britain’s naval and aerial capabilities had both been destroyed. When the Navy responded by sending the battleship ‘Prince of Wales’ and the battle cruiser ‘Repulse’ at the head of a fleet of ships, both were torpedoed and sank into the tropical waters. This left Singapore defenseless to assaults from both air and sea. Britain and Singapore’s only hope was in the British Army and Commonwealth forces. CREDIT:historic-uk.com

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Displaying 21 - 30 of 62

Henry George Sturley

A Private with the 4th Battalion, Henry died on 21st of September 1944 aged 31.Henry was born at Lowestoft on 30 May 1913, a son of George Henry James and Lily Maud Sturley. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 10 July 1913 and his family lived at 2 Excelsior Cottages, Oulton Road. In 1921 their home was at 222 Raglan Street, and this was their home in 1939 when Henry was a saw mill labourer. By 1944 his family were living at 1 Riverside Road. Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, Burma Railway

Ronald Leslie Durrant

A Private with the 4th Battalion, Ronald died on 12th of September 1944 aged 25.Ronald was born at Lowestoft on 23 August 1919, a son of Philip Clarence and Eva Durrant. In 1921 his family lived at 14 Tonning Street and by 1939 their home was at 41 Tonning Street and Ronald was a printing compositor. Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, Burma Railway

Ivor John Durrant

A Private with the 5th Battalion, Ivor died on 29th of September 1945 aged 29.John was born at Gisleham on 3 August 1916, a son of Frederick William and Rosa Jane Durrant. In 1921 his family lived at Black Street, Gisleham. Later his family lived at 3 Mill Villa, Gisleham.Ivor worked as a general labourer before enlisting in the Royal Norfolk Regiment.  Fall of Singapore, FEPOW

Charles Robert Snelling

A Private with the 5th Battalion, Charles died on 14th of October 1943 aged 26.Charles was born at Lowestoft on 13 February 1917, a son of George Valentine and Ethel Honor Snelling. In 1921 his family lived at 310 Raglan Street. By 1939 their home was at 74 Milton Road and Charles was a bricklayer’s labourer.   Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, Burma Railway

Douglas Carl Miller

A Private with the 4th Battalion, Douglas died on 5th of October 1943 aged 26.Douglas was born at Lowestoft on 16 July 1917, a son of Herbert and Mary Miller. In 1921 his family lived at 89 Beresford Road. B y 1939 they were living at 133 Saint Peter’s Street and Douglas was a wood machinist’s mate.   Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, Burma Railway

Henry Ernest Brady

Henry was born at Lowestoft on 11 February 1905, a son of Samuel George and Lucy Ann Brady. In 1911 his family lived at 1 Bishop’s Buildings, Mariners Street, and later at 21 Chapel Street. In 1921 his family lived at 94 Seago Street. On 5 September 1931 Henry married Florence Kathleen Saunder at Saint Margaret’s Church, Lowestoft. Henry was a barman living at 94 Seago Street and Florence lived at 43 Norwich Road. In 1939 they lived at 94 Seago Street and Herny was a casual Post Office worker. Later Florence lived at 5 Payne Street.  1939 Register, Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, Burma Railway

Raymond George Charles Ditcham

A Private with the 5th Battalion, Raymond died on 11th of November 1942 aged 24. Raymond was born at Great Yarmouth on 29 November 1917, a son of Charles William and Edith Alice Ditcham. In 1921 his family lived at 196 Stafford Road, Great Yarmouth. By 1939 Raymond’s family were living at 40 Norfolk Street, Lowestoft. Before joining the Army Raymond was a cotton clothing cutter.   Fall of Singapore, FEPOW

Harold Gooch

A Sapper with 560 Field Company, Harold died on 24th of November 1942 aged 24. Harold was born at Lowestoft on 19 November 1918, a son of Ewart William and Lily Maud Gooch. In 1921 his family lived at 93 Raglan Street, and this was still their home in 1939, when Harold was a fruit salesman.   Fall of Singapore, Burma Railway, FEPOW

Ivan Stanley John Upson

A Private with the 4th Battalion, Ivan died on 28th of November 1943 aged 22. Ivan was born at Lowestoft on 25 May 1921, a son of James Thomas and Ivy Florence Elizabeth Upson. He was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church on 16 June 1921, and his family lived at 83 Seago Street. Ivan was working as a yarn twister when he enlisted. Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, Burma Railway

Jonathan William Allen

A Bombardier with 148 (The Bedfordshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment. Jonathan died on 13th of November 1943 aged 35. Jonathan was born at Luton, Bedfordshire, on 21 August 1908, a son of Jonathan William and Emma Allen. In 1911 his family lived at 16 Cumberland Road, Houghton Regis and in 1921 his family lived at 109 High Street, Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, and later at 29 Drury Lane, Houghton Regis. Jonathan enlisted in the Royal Artillery in 1935. He served with the 148th (Bedfordshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment.  Fall of Singapore, FEPOW, Burma Railway