E-mail me

Other Gosport Books

Discovery Centre Books

Research by Den Budden 2007

Gefreiter GOTTIFRED ANTON GOLIAS 475/57359, Gefreiter, German Air Force Born 19.7.1923 Died 26.4.1944 Age 19

Gefrieter GOTTIFRED ANTON GOLIAS, of the German Air Force, was born on 19th July 1923. During the Second World War, he served in the German Luftwaffe. He was aboard one of the German bombers, which were making a raid on the area during the late hours of Wednesday the 26th of April 1944, with the local population still taking shelter from the continuing air raid. With the 26th April five minutes old, his Junker’s Ju 188E-1 (260378) coded U5+HN, was caught in the searchlight cones of the local defences. Radar operated anti-aircraft guns targeted the hapless machine. Badly damaged by flak, the Junker’s made a forlorn attempt to limp back home. Despite nursing the engines, one of which soon failed and the aircraft began to lose height. The order to abandon the stricken bomber was issued. Lt. K. Schroder, successfully managed to bale out, and was taken prisoner. The other members of the crew, Uffz H. Wolff, Uffz H. Wefels and Uffz H. Tscehnscher, were listed as missing. The body of Gefr Golias was recovered from the sea on the 4th of May by the minesweeper HMS Eastbourne. His identity was established, when effects in his pockets were scrutinised by an intelligence officer from the Royal Air Force Station at Tangmere, Sussex. Gefreiter ANTON GOLIAS was buried Saturday 6th May 1944, in War Graves Section, Row 7 Grave 9, is commemorated by a CWG headstone.

ENGELBURT GOTZ Unknown rank German Air Force Born 30.5.191 Died 30.9.1940 Age 27

ENGELBURT GOTZ, of German Air Force, unknown, age 27, was born on Friday the 30th of May 1913, it is believed that he was aboard one of the German bombers who on the 30th of September who raided the aircraft factory at Yeovil, Somerset, most probably one of the crew of Heinkel III of 4/KG55. The enemy formation had been detected by Ventnor radar station, and RAF Fighters were scrambled to intercept them. Contact was made southwest of the Isle of Wight. Several of the raiders were shot down. After pressing home its attack, and on the return to their home base in northern France, a few more raiders were shot down into the sea.

Engelburt Gotz's body was found floating in the sea between No Man's Land and Horse Sand, sea forts in the Spithead Anchorage. ENGELBURT GOTZ, was buried on the 17th of October 1940, and at the time he was listed as an unknown German airman. He was given full service honours. His identity was established later, and temporary CWGC cross was amended. ENGELBURT GOTZ is laid to rest in the War Graves Section, Row 7 Grave 8, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.

Private JOHN GOWER, R.M.L.I. PO/1138, Private, Royal Marine Light Infantry, HMS Malaya Age 29 Died 10.6.1916 

Private JOHN GOWER, serving with the Royal Marine Light Infantry, was the son of Arthur Thomas and Elizabeth Ann Gower. He lived in married quarters, with his wife Alice, at, No. 6 Upper Mill Lane, Gosport. He was serving with the R.M.L.I. detachment aboard His Majesties Ship Malaya. This ship was part of the 5th Battle Squadron. During the spring of 1916, the British High Seas Fleet, were cruising on station in the North Sea. They had received information that the German High Seas Fleet, were about to break out of the Baltic Sea to engage merchant shipping, and to shell towns and ports on the East Coast of Britain.

On the 31st of May 1916, the two Fleets sighted each other, and the following naval engagement, would later become known as ‘The Battle of Jutland’. The battle obviously having taken place off the Jutland Peninsular. During the engagement, HMS Malaya fired several salvos at the German warship ‘Van der Tern’. HMS Malaya did not come away unscathed, she was hit 7 times by large calibre shells, 3 of which, hit the ship under the waterline, and the pumps were hard pressed to keep her afloat. With one of her boilers damaged, she had a reduced speed. One of the shells to hit the Malaya, struck the roof of the roof of ‘X’ gun turret, punching a four-inch hole, and discharging shards of shrapnel inside the turret. Private Gower, was one of the men manning the gun, he was hit by some of the shrapnel, and badly wounded. He was immediately taken to the ships sick bay, which was subjected to flooding, owing to punctured sea hose cocks, making conditions very difficult. Shortly afterwards, the main lights failed, and the brave surgeons, continued their life saving treatment.

After the battle, it was found that HMS Malaya, had fired some 31, 6-inch shells, suffering 7 hits in return, which had caused 63 men dead and 68 men wounded. The badly damaged ship, finally made it back to Invergordon, Scotland, on the 4th June 1916, where she was placed in a floating dock, and repairs carried out. The wounded men were transferred to hospitals in the area, many, including Private Gower, were taken to the Northern Infirmary Hospital at Inverness. Sadly, despite all that could be done for him, Private John Gower died from his wounds on the 10th June 1916. Private JOHN GOWER, R.M.L.I., was returned to Gosport, where he was buried on the 14th June 1916, and is laid to rest, Plot 48 Space 35, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.

Marine VALENTINE GOYMER - Mrs MAY GOYMER 56 Avenue Road, Gosport Age 26 & 19 Died 10.3.1941 SEE – Mr WILLIAM BURRIDGE

Rifleman WILLIAM GRACEY 7012043, Rifleman, 2nd Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles Regiment, 9th Brigade, 3rd Division, XXX Corps. Age 30 Died 10.6.1944

Rifleman WILLIAM GRACEY, was the son of John and Elizabeth Gracey, of Lurgan, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. He was the husband of Winnie (nee Taylor) Gracey. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles Regiment, he died on Saturday 10th June 1944, after being wounded during the allied push inland, from the Normandy Beachheads. Treated at an Emergency Casualty Clearing Station, it was decided that he should be sent back to this country for major surgery. However he died of his wounds on the voyage back, within site of the coast.

Rifleman WILLIAM GRACEY, was buried on Thursday 15th 1944, and is laid to rest in the War Graves Section (see plans on back pages), Row 4 Grave 14, and is commemorated by a CWG headstone.

 Admin & Research

Financial, Admin Assist

adminandresearch.co.uk

Gosport.infoBlog 

Gosporteers

Gosport Office Support

Flexible Admin Support .gosportofficesupport.co.uk

Gosport Gardening

Photos of the UK

Gosport Classifieds