In Memoriam 5

Webber, Robert Charles Robert Charles Webber was born at Litton Cheney in 1902, the son of William George and Mary Ann Webber and husband of Mary Kathleen Webber of Dorchester, Dorset. During the war he was an Able Seaman on the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious, Service No. D/J 91065. He died on the 9th of June 1940 when HMS Glorious was sunk by the German battle cruiser Scharnhorst near the Lofoten Islands. His body was never recovered for burial. He is commemorated on Plymouth Naval War Memorial, Panel 38, Column 3. Details of family history here

Harper, Kenneth James Born circa 1912 Son of Lt. Colonel Forrest and Mrs C R Harper of Litton Cheney. Lived at Harpers Farm, Chilcombe. The 2nd bell in the church tower contains the inscription "To the Glory of God and in memory of Lt Kenneth James Harper RN. HMS Thistle lost with all hands off Norway April 1940" Lieutenant, RN. Service No. ? Died 14th April 1940 when HMS Thistle was torpedoed and sunk with all hands by a German U-boat off Skudenes, Norway. Details of family history here

Newman, Peter Rawdon Peter Rawdon Newman was born in 1920 the son of Charles Herbert Alfred and Frances Clare Newman of The Court House, Litton Cheney. During the war he was an Air Observation Pilot with 654 A.O.P. Squadron, Royal Artillery, Service No. 95160. He died on the 16th of September 1943 at Salerno, Italy. He is buried in Salerno War Cemetery, Memorial Reference: I. D. 11. It. 5. Details of Family History here

Proby, Carson Carysport Carson Carysfort Proby was born in 1914 in Saskatchewan, Canada, the son of Frank Henry and Luva Lenore Proby of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. During the war he was a Flying Officer in 413 Squadron RCAF, Service No. 41321. He died on the 22nd of October 1941 when his Catalina AH566 was shot down by a German Blum & Voss 138 Flying Boat, about 85 nautical miles NW of Molde, Norway, whilst on a special reconnaissance mission. His body was never recovered for burial. He is commemorated on the Royal Air Force Memorial at Runnymede. Details of family history here

Thorner, Leslie George Leslie George Thorner was born in 1922 in Bridport, the son of Elizabeth Thorner of Radipole, Weymouth, Dorset. During the war he was a Trooper in 148th Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps, (9th Battalion, The Loyal Regiment [North Lancashire])., Service No. 5350592 He died on the 11th of July 1944 aged 22. He is buried at Ranville War Cemetery, Ranville, Departement du Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France, Plot II. C. 8. No other facts concerning his family or military career have been found.

Van Der Kiste, John Clement John Clement Van Der Kiste was born in March 1908 at Clare Abbey, Ireland, the son of Lt. Colonel Freegift William Van Der Kiste DSO, Royal Artillery, and Mrs Evelyn Grace Van Der Kiste. He married Barbara Ellen Newman of Marylebone, London, in 1939. During the war he was a Captain in the 2nd Battalion, North Staffordshire (Prince of Wales) Regiment, Service No. 38773. He died on the 27th of May 1940, the date when the Dunkirk evacuation began. He is buried at Oosttaverne Wood Cemetery, Heuvelland, West Vlaanderen, Belgium. Details of family history here

Bowring, Ronald James Ronald James Bowring was born in 1925 the son of Mr and Mrs R W Bowring of The Police Station, Litton Cheney. During the war he was a guardsman with the 1st Btn. Welsh Guards, Service No. 2738672. He died on the 14th of August 1944 at ?. He is buried in St. Charles de Percy War Cemetery, Calvados, France Details of Family History here

Newspaper Article 8.9.1944 DEATH OF GUARDSMAN R. J BOWRING Another Dorset soldier who has given his life for his country. Guardsman Ronald James Bowring, the son of Police Constable R. W. Bowring, now stationed in Litton Cheney. The young Guardsman, who was 19, was serving in the Welsh Guards and. according to a letter sent home from his major, was killed while on patrol. He was formerly employed by Messrs Hine Bros, contractors, of Gillingham. Mr. and Mrs. R. W Bowring, of the police-station Litton Cheney and late of East Stour, wish to thank all those kind friends and relatives for their sympathy In the sad loss of their son Ronald, who was killed in action. Please accept this, the only intimation.

Welcome to the Village of Litton Cheney Photo by Claire Moore 3_7_2021