The Trimley Casualties of the Second World War
1939 – 1945
Trimley St. Martin War Memorial, opposite the west door
May 8th 2025 sees the eightieth anniversary of V.E. Day. After six years of war, the united strength of the Allied Powers finally overwhelmed the perceived forces of tyranny and fascism and Germany surrendered on what is now known as V.E. Day. The day had been anticipated for several months before, as the humble Parish Council Minutes reported on 27th April 1945,
“V.E. Day “The Chairman referred to suitable celebrations for the Parish and after discussion J. Manning proposed that a Public Meeting be held in the Memorial Hut on Friday, 4th May 1945 at 7.45 p.m. . Seconded by J.E. Southgate + carried.”
and by 4th May, the preparations had been made. Along with the rest of the country, Trimley rejoiced after the long years of war. But there were many in the Villages for whom peace had been reached at great personal cost. The attrition rates were lower than the First World War but this made no difference to those affected. We do well to remember them as well as those who forfeited their lives. Below are the names of the Casualties of both parishes who died defending their country and the freedoms of others.
Trimley St Martin
These are the names of the Casualties of the Second World War from Trimley St Martin. The letter P after a name indicates their names are recorded on the Stone Memorial in front of St. Martins Church
Lance – Sergeant Thomas Edward Alexander BRIGGS 1919 – 1944 P
Sergeant Albert Edward CHAPLIN 1912 – 1942 P
Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Herbert FRENCH c.1920 – 1945
Private Felix Thomas GILBERT 1918 – 1940 P
Lance Corporal Eric William HIGGS 1913 – 1945 P
Lieutenant Robert JOHNSTON c.1912 – 1942
Sub-Lieutenant Owen Temple JOHNSTON 1923 – 1943
Private William Edward ROSE 1913 – 1942 P
Private Charles Edward WARDLEY c.1917 – 1942 P
Able Seaman Frederick TUCK
War Memorial Window in the Lady Chapel of Trimley St. Martin’s Church.
Note the foot of the soldier plated firmly upon the globe.
Memorial tablet remembering the Johnston Family
The service for the dedication of the stained glass window was held on 11th November 1949. It was designed in the workshop of Hawes and Harris Stained glass makers of Leyton Road, Harpenden. They were also responsible for the stained glass window in the Battle of Britain Chapel in Westminster Abbey. The painting of the glass in Trimley St Martin was by Mr Robert Hendra and Mr Geoffrey Harper. You can see their device to the left of the sailor’s blue trousers.
Order of Service for the Dedication of the Memorial Stained glass window in Trimley St Martin
Some of the names inscribed on the sides of the Trimley St Martin Stone War Memorial.
Trimley St Mary
The Memorial Window in St. Mary’s Church, Trimley St Mary. 1939 – 1945
These are the names of the Casualties from Trimley St. Mary. The letter W after a name indicates they included on the stained glass war memorial in St. Mary’s Church.
Lieutenant Frank Donald BYRNE 1919 – 1944 W
J. Lance Corporal Felix Bertran COWIE 1919 – 1941 W
Lieutenant Austin Eaton DARLING 1908 – 1942 W
Air Raid Warden Jean DARLING 1906 – 1940 W
Private Ernest Robert John FRANCIS 1917 – 1943 W
Herbert Laurence GORHAM
Private Eric Charles GREEN 1926 – 1944 W
Leonard Edward JENNINGS
Driver R.A.S.C. Eric Charles MUTUM 1919 – 1941 W
Petty Officer John SCOTT 1881 – 1942
Able Seaman Frederick TUCK
Details from the Memorial Glass in St Mary’s Church
I am immensely grateful to Barbara Shout of Trimley St. Mary who has spent nearly twenty years of her life compiling a file of information about each individual listed above. Her work also includes those who died during in the First World War. Barbara was assisted by the late Rosemary Gitsham. Currently, her research is focused on Survivors in which she has been helped by Sue Biddle, the Headstone Hunter whose research includes photographs of all the headstones in Trimley Churchyards.
You can read more about both of them and their work here:
If you have any comments or would like to be part of this Trimley St. Martin project, please contact me at:
trimleystmartinrecorder@gmail.com
LR 08/05/2025
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