Armed Forces Memorial

[Robert Bonner]

This is the first national memorial dedicated to the men and women of the United Kingdom Armed Forces (Regular and Reserve) killed on duty or as a result of terrorist action since the Second World War.
The start date is 1 January 1948, which follows on directly from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission which commemorates those who died up to 31 December 1947.

The National Memorial Arboretum Armed Forces Memorial has just been opened.  The memorial has its own website which includes a searchable roll of honour, very much along the lines of the roll of honour that can be searched at the CWGC web site.

To search for an individual go to:

http://www.forcesmemorial.org.uk/roll-of-honour.asp

I've already been able to find Manchesters who died in Berlin in 1950 and those killed in Malaya in 1951/4.  A very attractive certificate is available to be printed out - free of charge.

[John A]

That was easy to use.I just typed in my godfathers surname that was all I could remember how sad is that !!.Pressed and there he was .He wasnt in the Manchesters but he was a local lad died in Germany 1972.Heart attack age 30 .Downloaded the scroll going on my wall when I get chance.

[mack]

i found my pal bob huggins on the memorial,he had a dreadful childhood,his dad was killed when he was a nipper and his mum struggled like hell to feed him and his brothers and sisters,despite his hard life,he never stopped smiling,he was a great lad,i lost touch with him after we left school,the next time i heard about him,was when i read about him being killed in ireland.
mack

[tonyrod]

hi all , after tracing a grave in germany of a soldier  who died in 1957  i thought it would be nice to get a certificate of him from the forces memoriel site he was not listed so  i emailed them  and in  a few days they got back to me, reply  below

Tony
The Roll of Honour is for all those who died whilst serving irrespective of cause of death or duty status so Sgt. Pollard should be included.

Arrangements are being made for his name to be added and thank you for bringing this case to our attention.

Regards Graham Nolan

[george.theshed197]

I have just pulled off a copy for Cpl Frank Roper who died at Harrington barracks, July 1957. Bob, please remind me of the names of those who died in Berlin, I have been scouring my grey cells for ages trying to remember their names, must be getting old or something!!
Cheers,

George.

[Robert Bonner]

George.
Lieutenant Mike Holloway, age 22, and another young soldier were both killed in an accident on the mortar range in Berlin in 1950. A great tragedy - Mike was the sort of man who would have won an MC in Malaya had he lived.

[george.theshed197]

Many thanks Bob,
Of course I should have remembered we were on the Bn Rugby team together, as you say a great character. Wasn't there another lad also accidently killed in another incident or am I thinking of our second tour in Berlin? The name Pte Daly seems to linger in my mind along with the Bn Main Guard.
I understand that yet another of our old Turning of the Leaves stalwarts has also passed away - Cliff Howcroft of the old 8th Bn and Malta/Italy. It's strange how with all of the interest shown on this site that more has not been mentioned about that short Memorial Service on alternate Wednesdays. I miss being able to attend these days, however.
Regards to all,
George.

[mack]

pte 23141280 james,francis daly
died on his birthday,20-11-55
born 20-11-36 in salford

mack

[george.theshed197]

That's why it sticks in my memory - he has exactly the same name as one of my late Uncles. Many thanks Mack.
George.

[mack]

your welcome george.

mack

[Robert Bonner]

2233084 Private Dennis Taylor from Royton was the other soldier of the Manchesters who died in Berlin in July 1950 as the result of an accident on the mortar ranges.  It's good to see his name recorded on the Armed Forces Memorial in Staffordshire.

Robert

[george.theshed197]

That is another query off my mind. Many thanks Bob, whatever happened to Cpl Billy Black, wasn't he also severely injured in that accident? He used to box for the Bn along with Yoser Hughes and many others including the W.O.II whose name also escapes me.
Take care,
George.

[artyhughes]

Sgt Jimmy Hill boxed heavyweight for the bn Boxing Team,eventually promoted WO11,CSM Support Coy in Malaya.there was a WO11 Casey Hoyle a character who was a one time boxer for the battalion(a real tough nut)about the same time as Sgt Rocky Allport

[george.theshed197]

Thanks Roy,
Those were the three I was trying to remember, especially Casey Hoyle, as you said 'definitely a tough-nut' - one thing always struck me with those persons once you got to know them as khow soft they were at times.  Rocky was the one who got 'bayoneted' by Bernard Manning during a training session if I remember rightly.
Cheers and take care Roy,
George.

[Robert Bonner]

George.
Lieutenant Mike Holloway, age 22, and another young soldier were both killed in an accident on the mortar range in Berlin in 1950. A great tragedy - Mike was the sort of man who would have won an MC in Malaya had he lived.

Here is a photograph taken in the Berlin Olympic Stadium shortly before the accident.
L to R: Corporal Whittle, Corporal Black and Lieutenant Holloway.
What a splendid moustache Mike had!