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Chief Petty Officer JOHN WILLIAM MORROTT, R.N. P/M 21471, Chief Petty Officer Cook, Royal Navy. Age 52 Died
12.9.1941
Chief Petty Officer Cook JOHN WILLIAM MORROTT, R.N., was the son of John William Browning and his wife Emily Morrott. He had married Ethel
Annie, and they were living at No. 22 Allen’s Road, Southsea. He passed away at his home on Friday 12th September 1941, apparently from natural causes. He was buried on Wednesday 17th September
1941, and is laid to rest, Plot 29 Space 56, and his final resting place is commemorated by a Family Memorial headstone.
Mr JOSEPH MULLINS 10 Lavinia Road, Gosport. Engine Driver Age 56 Died 14.6.1941 SEE
– Mr WILLIAM HENRY BARNES
Flying Officer JOHN HECTOR VIVIAN NELSON, R.A.F. 126085, Flying Officer, No. 608 Squadron, Royal Air Force Age
26 Died 18.9.1942
Flying Officer JOHN HECTOR VIVIAN NELSON, Royal Air Force, was the son of Thomas Burrows Nelson and Elsie Hazel Nelson, and husband to Betty,
his home was at Birkenhead. On joining the Royal Air Force, he was posted to No.3 Air Gunnery School, where on completion of the course he was presented with his air gunner's brevet. From the course
he was posted onto the strength of No.608 Squadron, who were equipped with Lockheed Hudson aircraft. The squadron was based at RAF Thorney Island; they were tasked with Coastal Command duties. Early in September 1942, the Squadron was temporarily based at Gosport, where they were to be fitted with long range fuel tanks, before they were due to move to RAF North Coates. And then on for service in the Middle East.
On the 18th of September 1942, Squadron Leader Freeman took off in one of the Squadron's Hudson's, to test the new fuel system in
preparation for the move. The only other crewman aboard the aircraft was F/O Nelson aged 26, who occupied the tail gunner’s position. Off the Nab Tower they encountered 3 Focke Wulf enemy fighters and were attacked. Desperately outgunned, Squadron Leader Freeman used all his experience to avoid being shot down into the sea. Badly damaged, the plane barely controllable. Their distress call was received, fighter aircraft were scrambled, but the enemy fighters were long gone. The crippled aircraft was escorted to RAF Tangmere, the nearest airfield. Where Squadron Leader Freeman, although wounded, managed to get the Hudson down in one piece. Emergency services rushed to the aircraft, and as it came to a standstill, the wounded pilot was taken off, F/O Flying Officer Nelson was found dead in rear gunner’s position, which had been badly shot up.
Flying Officer JOHN HECTOR VIVIAN NELSON, R.A.F., was buried on Wednesday 23rd September 1942, in the War Graves Section (see plans on back
pages), and is laid to rest, Row 6 Grave 4, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Bugler EDWARD WALTER NOBBS, R.M.L.I. PO/16839, Bugler, Royal Marine Light Infantry. Age 18 Died 19.5.1917
Bugler EDWARD WALTER NOBBS, Royal Marine Light Infantry, had joined the Royal Marines, as a boy bugler, following after his fathers footsteps.
He became unwell during the first week of May, and was admitted to the Cottage Hospital of St. Vincent Barracks (Field House, since demolished). He was diagnosed as suffering from influenza, over several
days his condition worsened, he developed pneumonia, and with further complications, he passed away on the 19th May 1917. Bugler EDWARD WALTER NOBBS, R.M.L.I., was buried on the 24th May 1917, and is
laid to rest, Plot 34, Space 57, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
Private CHARLES JOHN NORMAN 5498809 18th Battalion Hampshire Regiment. Age 24 Died 19.1.1945
Private CHARLES JOHN NORMAN, age 24, was the son of Charles and Annie Norman, who lived in Beryton Road, Gosport. He was serving with the 18th
Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. This regiment had distinguished itself during the allied forces, D-Day Invasion. The winter of 1944/45, was very harsh, snowy and cold from late autumn, the cold gave way
to storms and gales, At the turn of the New Year, in a requisitioned holiday camp in Ryedale Woods, near Helmsley, Yorkshire. The 18th Battalion ‘Hampshire’s’, were encamped in wooden
huts, this camp was just one of a large number of Holding Unit’s dotted around the Country. The huts were dispersed amongst the trees. This was to hide their existence from the prying and attacks
of German aircraft.
On Friday 19th January 1945, at the height of a storm, a tree was blown over by the force of the wind. It fell on the hut in which Private
Norman was billeted. It crushed the roof in and demolished the flimsy building like matchwood. Several of the occupants were killed. Including Private Norman. Some of the lucky soldiers, escaped with
cuts and bruises. The body of Private CHARLES JOHN NORMAN was returned to Gosport. He was buried on Thursday 25th January 1945, and is laid to rest, Plot 107 Space 90. And a CWG headstone commemorates
his final resting-place.
Warrant Officer JAMES HENRY NORTON, R.A.O.C. 7583568, Warrant Officer, (Sub Commander) Royal Army Ordnance Corps. Age 33 Died 13.11.1945
Warrant Officer JAMES HENRY NORTON, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, was the son of James and Julia Norton,
who came from Portsmouth. He was also the husband of Phyllis May Norton, and they lived at No.31, Brockhurst Road, Gosport. W/O Norton, died on Tuesday 13th November 1945, at home, due to the treatment
he had received whilst being held as a prisoner of war, after being captured by the Japanese. Warrant Officer JAMES HENRY NORTON, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, was laid to rest on Friday 16th November 1945,
and is laid to rest, Plot 54 Space 27, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.
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