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Research by Den Budden 2007

Chief Petty Officer LESLIE CHARLES GAMBLEN, R.N. P/L 11129, C P O Stoker, Royal Navy, HMS Vernon. Age 42   Died17.10.1942

Chief Petty Officer LESLIE CHARLES GAMBLEN, Royal Navy, was the son of Frederick and Rosa Gamblen of Gosport. He was married to Rosa May Gamblen, and they lived at No.108 St. Edward’s Road, Gosport. He died at his home on Saturday 17th October 1942 at his home. The cause is not recorded, but was attributable to war service. Chief Petty Officer LESLIE CHARLES GAMBLEN, Royal Navy, was buried on Wednesday 21st October 1942, and was laid to rest, Plot 63 Space 44, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.

HELMUT GANSTER Soldier German Army.    Born 24.12.1921  Died 15.8.1944  Age 22

HELMUT GANSTER, soldier of the German Army, was seriously wounded, during the bitter fighting in the ‘Falaise Pocket’ area. This so-called ‘pocket’, was in fact an encirclement of the German positions, which were attempting a fighting retreat. His position being overrun, Helmut Ganster, received immediate medical attention, his condition was stabilised, but critical. Taken to the newly built artificial harbour built by the allies at Arromanches, he was transferred to a hospital ship for the voyage to this country. During the trip, his condition rapidly deteriorated, and he subsequently died.

Upon reaching Portsmouth Harbour, his body was taken to the old Isolation Hospital, at the end of Frater Lane, and which is now a gymnasium, but which at that time was used as a temporary morgue. HELMUT GANSTER, was buried on the 19th of August 1944, and is laid to rest in the German Section of the War Graves Section (see plans on back pages), Row 2 Grave 6, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.

Private JOHN GEARY 11811, 3rd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment.   Age 18 Died 27.5.1915

Private JOHN GEARY, was serving with the 3rd Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment, he passed away in the Queen Alexandria Military Hospital, Cosham, after being admitted a few days before, on the 27th May 1915, as a result of tuberculosis of the lung. Private JOHN GEARY, was buried on the 31st May 1915, Plot 47 Space 37, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.

REGINALD WILLIAM DUDLEY GIBBS, M.N. 2nd Engineer, Merchant Navy, Steamship Empire Portia.  Age 42  Died 1.7.1944

REGINALD WILLIAM DUDLEY GIBBS, Merchant Navy, came from the Newcastle-on-Tyne area. He died on the 1st July 1944 aboard a rescue ship, which was returning survivors of the SS Empire Portia’s crew. The SS Empire Portia, had been struck by either a mine or torpedo and, which when taken in tow, for possible salvage, subsequently sank off Cape d Antifer, Northern France.

The SS Empire Portia, was just one of the hundreds of ships which were ferrying the tremendous amount of war supplies needed by the allied forces engaged in liberating Europe. The ship had unloaded its supplies, and was en route back to this country for more supplies.

2nd Engineer REGINALD WILLIAM DUDLEY GIBBS, Merchant Navy, was buried on Monday 3rd July 1944, and is laid to rest in the War Graves Section (see plans on back pages), Row 4 Grave 10, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.

Corporal THOMAS NEWSON GIDDINGS, R.F.C. 13731, Corporal, Royal Flying Corps. Age 28 Died 5.5.1916

Corporal THOMAS NEWSON GIDDINGS, Royal Flying Corps, husband of Ethel, home address 7 Roberts Road, Leiston, Suffolk, was serving with No.28 squadron R.F.C. based at Fort Grange. On the Friday 5th of May 1916, he was a passenger in an aeroplane being piloted by a Lieutenant Browning R.F.C. The aeroplane took off in a normal fashion and was circling the aerodrome at a height of some 150 feet, the pilot attempted a turn and in doing so the aircraft's left wing dropped, the machine rapidly lost speed entered a stall and fell to the ground. Corporal Giddings was admitted to hospital, but sadly died shortly afterwards as a result of his injuries, the pilot, Lt. Browning apparently badly injured survived.

An inquest held three days later. Decided that death was accidental. But, the jury expressed the opinion “that better medical arrangements should be made at the aerodrome. So as to be able to deal effectively with such accidents.” As a result, this recommendation was sent to those in authority (it took further accidents had occurred that this was finally complied with, and a Medical Officer appointed to Fort Grange Aerodrome).

Corporal THOMAS NEWSON GIDDINGS, R.F.C., was buried on Monday 8th May 1916, and is laid to rest, Plot 48 Space 13, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.

Mr FREDERICK GEORGE GILBERT 205 Forton Road Age 55 Died 5.12.1940   -   SEE – Mr WILLIAM HENRY CANDY

Private THOMAS ALBERT GODDARD 13074258, Private, Pioneer Corps.  Age 32  Died 21.12.1941

Private THOMAS ALBERT GODDARD, was the son of Thomas and Annie Goddard, of No. 7 Frater Terrace, Gosport, died on Sunday 21st December 1941. The cause was not given, and very little is known, but I have heard unsubstantiated evidence, that Private Goddard died of wounds received during the ‘London Blitz’. It was thought that his condition would improve with his being nursed at home. He did died of complications, whilst on compassionate leave.

Private THOMAS ALBERT GODDARD, was buried on Saturday 27th December 1941, and is laid to rest, Plot 54 Space 8, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.

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