Second World War Commonwealth War Grave - Flight Sergeant Alec Henry Cousins, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve - A Marauder of the Sky

Monument to Flight Sergeant Alec Henry Cousins, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England.


Alec Henry Cousins was born in Maidenhead on 13th September 1923 to Frederick William Cousins, a general labourer. and his wife Bertha Calliss.

On the 1939 Register Alec can be found living with his parents at 7 Spencer's Road, Maidenhead. His occupation at the time is listed as Apprentice Retail Grocery & Provision Food Distributive 

In the February of 1942 Alec joined 35th Squadron Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as an Air Bomber.

Flight Sergeant Alec Cousins

Alec's mission to Cologne in Germany on 24th December 1944, along with Pilot, Flight Officer Arthur Thomas Kenyon, Flight Engineer, Sergeant Leonard Williams, Navigator, Sergeant Albert Thomas, Air Gunner, Sergeant Cecil Leonard Blundell, Air Gunner, Sergeant Cyril Arthur Winter and Air Gunner, Sergeant Roy Arthur Yallop, to mark targets and routes with coloured flares for the main bomber stream to follow, was to be his last. 

On that day their Lancaster III PB366 TL-S (Sugar) took off from Graveley Airfield, Cambridgeshire at 3:35pm.  The weather was reported to be, 'not favourable' with freezing temperatures and fog forecast.  Shortly after take-off the plane failed to climb, taking the roof off a cottage in London Lane, before clipping an elm tree and summersaulting into a field at Low Farm, Great Paxton near the Graveley airfield.  The plane's bomb load was catapulted into a ditch alongside the main road to St. Neots.  One of the unexploded bombs hit the wall of Low Farmhouse.  The aircraft soon caught fire after impact and the first on the scene had to use rakes and hoes to drag the men from the wreckage, all but one died, who later died of his injuries at hospital, died at the scene.

Official MOD records give the reason for the loss as: "Pilot lost control taking off, while in fog conditions due to faulty instrument flying."  Pilot Arthur Thomas Kenyon had only had 272 hours flying experience under instruction with only 19 hours experience as a solo pilot.

On Wednesday 3rd January 1945 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported: 

"Died In Air Crash

Sergt. Alec Cousins R.A.F.V.R

Sad news of the death in an air accident of their only son reached Mr. and Mes. Frederick Cousins, of 7, Spencers-road, Maidenhead, on Christmas Day

Sergt, Alec Henry Cousins, R.A.F.V.R., who was 21, volunteered for the R.A.F. in February 1942, and underwent his training for bomber crew in South Africa. Before joining up he first belonged to the A.R.P. Messenger Service and afterwards joined the A.T.C. He was popular with everyone with whom he came into contact, and there is much sympathy for his parents in their sad loss.

Born in Maidenhead he went to Gordon-road School and was employed at the International Stores.  The funeral took place at Maidenhead Cemetery on Saturday. Flt. - Sergt. Kenway represented the young airman's Squadron, and Wing Comdr. Corfield and Sergt Swallow represented the R.A.F. Colleagues from the International Stores and the A.R.P. Messenger Service were also present at the graveside."

There is a granite memorial stone in memory of the men at the entrance of what was Graveley Airfield and the squadron's colours are displayed in The Path Finder's Chapel.

All men lost were buried in their hometowns.

Marauders of the Sky

See them come home, sliding and roaring by
The bright, beloved, marauders of the sky
Stern and serene young profiles and strong hands
That have dealt death and sorrow over lands
Once fair with peace and wine, young love and song.
They flew impersonal elated and strong
See them come in to land, their smiles, their eyes,
The triumph in their step. But strangely lies
Pain in this mouth, pale horror on that brow
That went unruffled, candid, gay, just now.
They have returned, fierce kinsmen of the wind
Brought back their lives but left their youth behind.



Poem by Sergeant Roy Arthur Yallop.

© Copyright David Purchase and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence



Second World War Commonwealth War Grave - Leading Aircraftsman Eric Stanley Holloway, Royal Air force, 42 Squadron - Killed in Automobile Accident

 

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them".

 

 

 

Eric Stanley Holloway was born in Maidenhead in 1920 to Roland Percy Holloway, and engine fitter, and his wife Violet Katherine Thrift.

Eric first appears on the 1921 Census, aged 7 months, living with his parents and older siblings at his grandparents house at 44 Bell Street, Maidenhead

Eric was involved in a motorcycle accident on 18th April 1937, where his friend was taken to hospital.  The Maidenhead Advertiser reported on Wednesday 21st April 1937: 

"Castle Hill Accident- Charles Smith (19), of 31, Crossthwaite Way, Burnham, was taken to Maidenhead Hospital by borough ambulance as a result of an accident near Queen Anne's School, Castle Hill, on Sunday afternoon.  He was riding pillion on a motor-cycle driven by Eric Stanley Holloway (17), of 244 Bell-street, Maidenhead. When the latter braked, the machine skidded on the wet road, and Smith was thrown off. He sustained concussion, injuries to the left side of his face, abrasions to his hands, and his front teeth were knocked out. Holloway escaped injury.

 

In 1938 Eric enlisted with the Royal Air Force, 42 Squadron, and was training to become a pilot. 

 

On Saturday 19th July 1941, Eric and two friends were involved in a fatal automobile accident.  The Maidenhead Advertiser reported on Wednesday 23rd July 1941:

"Terrible Road Tragedy.

Three Maidenhead Victims In Head-On Car Collision.

Four Killed and Five Injured.

Inquest Adjourned.

A terrible road accident in which for were killed and five injured occurred on Saturday last at 11.30 p.m. on the Twyford By-pass road on the section known as Floral Mile. It was dark and raining heavily at the time. As far as can be gathered a head-on crash occurred between a car travelling int he direction of Maidenhead and a lorry approaching from the opposite direction. A second car following is understood to have crashed into the first vehicle and as a result the following persons were either killed instantly or died within a short time of the accident.

Hilda Hooper, age 17, Edith Mabel Hooper, age 18, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hooper, of the Craufurd Arms, Gringer Hill, Maidenhead.

Eric Stanley Holloway, Leading Aircraftsman, age 20, whose parents live at 44, Bell Street, Maidenhead.

Terence Graham Evans, Second Lieutenant, age 27, of the Devonshire Regiment.

The five injured people were: Frank Streatfield Moore, Oakhanger Park, Shefford Woodlands; 2nd Lieut Stanley Sidney Phillips, of the Devonshire Regiment; Mrs. Joan Millicent Bradley, Brook Cottage, Donnington, near Newbury; Mrs. Constance Phillips, Brook Cottage, Donnington; Mrs. Margaret Jean Chadwick, Hedley, near Newbury.

The car in which to two unfortunate Maidenhead girls were riding was being driven by Holloway and it is understood that the party were returning from Reading where they had spent the evening. The other car was driven by Frank Streatfield Moore, Oakhanger Park, Shefford Woodlands. He and four of his passengers were injured and were taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital. A fifth passenger, Lieut. evean, was killed.

The Lorry, which was owned by the Thatcham Transport Services, was driven by Edward Wannell, Coldharbour-lane, Camberwell.

An inquest formally opened by Mr. R. S. Payne (coroner for the Reading Division of Berkshire) at Wokingham yesterday (Tuesday), when evidence of identification was given." 

~ ~ ~ 

"Ronald Percy Holloway, father of Leading Aircraftsman Holloway, 44, Bell-street, Maidenhead, said his son went out on Saturday afternoon, but did not say where he was going. He was on 14 days' leave. He was a leading aircraftsman in the R.A.F. and was shortly going to pass out as a pilot. He had frequently driven cars during the last three years, and was apprenticed to the motor trade before enlisting in 1939.

Dr. G. R. Macfarlane, resident surgeon at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, said Holloway died a few minutes after admission to the hospital. His abdomen must have been crushed, because the spleen and liver were ruptured. Both femurs and the pelvis were fractured. Death was due to a ruptured spleen."

The coroner adjourned the inquest until 6th August 1941, in the hopes the injured would be well enough by then to give evidence. On the 24th July 1941 Eric, Hilda, and Edith Mabel were buried at All Saint's Maidenhead Cemetery, All saint's Road, Maidenhead. On Wednesday 30th July the Maidenhead Advertiser reported: 

"Leading Aircraftsman E. S. Holloway

Leading Aircraftsman Eric Stanley Holloway's home was at 44 Bell-street, Maidenhead. He was a popular young man, and had many friends in the town. He enlisted in the R.A.F. in September 1938, and was preparing to take his examinations for the position of pilot. Before joining the Air Force he was employed at Stevenson's Garage, King-street. The officiating clergyman was Rev. R. B. Lunt (Vicar of St Mary's) The coffin was draped with the R.A.F. colours, and eight members of the unit to which the deceased was attached acted as bearers."

Such a tragic end to four young people's lives. 

 

 

Second World War Commonwealth War Grave - Leading Aircraftman Frank Manders, Royal Air Force - Warwick Balloon Squadron

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them".
 

Frank, known as Frankie, Manders was born on 13th June 1914 in Farnham, Surrey (his age on his gravestone is believed to be incorrect).  On the 1939 Register Frank is living at Radway, Frimley Road, Surrey, where he is listed as a professional footballer.

 On 19th March 1940 at he married Beryl Cox, nee Rose at St Michael's Church in Camberley Surrey.

Frank was a professional footballer, playing for Norwich City, Crystal Palace, and Maidenhead Football Club.

Leading Aircraftman
Frank Manders

 

After the outbreak of war Frank enlisted with the Royal Auxiliary Air Force with the 911 County of Warwick Balloon Squadron. 

 

The Balloon Command, set up on 1st November 1938, was responsible for maintaining the barrage balloon defence system throughout the British Isles.  Large balloons, some containing explosives were tethered around key targets, such as industrial areas, ports and harbours to protect them from dive bombers, forcing them to fly above the balloons into the concentrated anti-aircraft fire. 

 

 

Barrage Balloons over London

Frank was to die under tragic circumstances, his body was found on 18th March 1942 in Powell's Pool, Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield. An inquest was held into his death, The Evening Dispatch reported on Monday 23rd March 1942:

"Sutton Suicide of Football-Airman Worried By Illness.

A professional footballer, serving in the RA.F., who had always been a clean man, contracted scabies, and that so worried him that his mind became unhinged.

This was the comment of the Coroner Mr. C. W. Iliffe at an inquest at Sutton Coldfield on L.A.C., Frank Manders, aged 27, whose body was found in Powell's Pool. A verdict of "suicide while the mind was unbalanced" was returned. It was stated that Manders became so depressed about the scabies that he walked into a police station in Birmingham and intimated that he was going to commit suicide. In consequence he was sent to a hospital, where he could be under observation.

Pool Dragged

On the afternoon of 17th March, the aircraftman visited the Sutton Municipal Golf-house in Monmouth Drive, Boldmere, and borrowed a bag of clubs to play a few holes. As he had not returned by 7.30 p.m., an employee at the club-house telephoned the hospital and ascertained that he was not there. The next morning on a boggy portion of Powell's Pool a bag of golf clubs was found. Dragging operations commenced and the body of the aircraftman was found in about three feet of water 50ft from the bank."

On 1st April 1942 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"Obituary

Leading Aircraftman Frank Manders

Professional Footballer.

Sympathy has been extended to Mrs. Frank Manders, whose husband, Leading Aircraftman Frank Manders, died on March 18th, aged 27. He was the son-in-law of Mr. T. J. Rose, licensee of "The Greyhound," King-street, Maidenhead. Before joining the R.A.F., Mr. Manders was a professional footballer. He was a well-known player in the forward line, and for several years played for Norwich City and Crystal Palace. On two occasions he played for the Maidenhead F.C. and he also played for the Maidenhead police. The internment took place last Wednesday at Maidenhead Cemetery."

First World War Private Monument - Air Mechanic 1st Class Frederick George Bennett, Royal Air Force

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them".

Frederick George Bennett was born in Marlow Buckinghamshire in 1895 to Henry C Bennett, a paper maker in a paper mill, and his wife Julia Joyce.

In 1901 Frederick can be found living with his parents and siblings at Temple Cottages, Bisham Berkshire. 1911 and Frederick is still living with his parents in Temple Cottages in Bisham.  His occupation in 1911 is listed as a house boy.

Sometime after the outbreak of World War I Frederick enlisted with the Royal Air force, becoming an Air Mechanic 1st Class. 

Unfortunately, I cannot find any further information about Frederick's war service. Just before Frederick died pneumonia in Cliveden Military Hospital, he married Frances Dora Larter in the September of 1918.  Their time together was short as Frederick died on 21st November 1918 aged just 23 years.



First World War Commonwealth War Grave - Corporal Ronald Victor Smith, Royal Air Force

War Grave of Corporal Ronald Smith.
All Saint's Churchyard, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

 

 

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them".

 

 

Ronald Victor Smith was born in Maidenhead Berkshire in 1893 to Issac Smith, a builder's foreman, and Louisa Morgan.

In 1901 the eight-year-old Ronald is living at 60 All Saint's Avenue, Maidenhead, Berkshire with his parents and his older sisters Elsie May, and Blanche Maude.

On Friday 23rd November 1906 little Ronald broke his arm. The Maidenhead Advertiser reported on Wednesday 28th November 1906:

Broken Arm. - A lad names Ronald Smith, living at All Saint's-avenue, broke one of the bones in his left arm on Friday last. with some other lads, Smith, after school, went to Kidwell's-park, and indulged in a game of football. In a rush, another and heavier lad fell upon Smith and the latter in putting forward his arm to save to fall, doubled the limb under him, with the above result. He was taken to the surgery of Drs. Plumbe and Montgomery, where he received surgical attention." 

In the June of 1907 Ronald's father Isaac passed away.

 

1911, aged 18, Ronald is living with his aunt and uncle, George Henry, and Amelia Knott, along with his brother Sydney Herbert Smith, at 31 Bristow Road, Hounslow, Middlesex.  At that time Ronald's occupation was listed as an electrician. Ronald's widowed mother and two sisters remained at 60 All Saint's Avenue in Maidenhead.

 

Sometime after 1911, Ronald enlisted with the Royal Air Force and was stationed at 5th Aeroplane Repair Depot in Henlow. On the 18th November 1918 Ronald was transferred from Henlow to hospital where Ronald was to pass away from pneumonia on 28th November 1918, just seventeen days after the end of the war.