381, Main Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

Harold Lane was born in about 1919, the son of Arthur Herbert Lane, a shoe clicker. During the war Harold Lane served as Gunner 943207 with the Royal Artillery. He was married to Enid Lilian Baldwin, the daughter of Frederick William Baldwin. Harold Lane was still serving with His Majesty's Forces in 1945, at which date his home address was 19, Forest Avenue, Thurmaston.

 

 

425, Syston Road, Thurmaston.

 

 

In 1945 Benjamin Lay of 3, Churchill Road, Thurmaston, was serving in the Army. In the picture at left he is wearing the cap badge of the Royal Army Service Corps.

 

 

139, Humberstone Lane, Thurmaston.

 

 

Aircraftsman 2nd Class, 1226538, David Robert Lewis, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve died on the 25th May 1941, age 20 years. He was the son of David and Florence Gertrude Lewis of 125, Humberstone Lane, Thurmaston. He is buried in Thurmaston Cemetery - Section D, Grave 1349.

 

 

500, Melton Road, Thurmaston.

 

 

44, Colby Drive, Thurmaston.

 

 

78, Checkland Road, Thurmaston.

 

 

78, Checkland Road, Thurmaston.

 

 

Miss. G. M. License was a member of the Thurmaston Branch of the Women's Voluntary Service (W.V.S.). In 1945 she passed a test that permitted her to do overseas service with the Navy, Army, Air Force Institutes (N.A.A.F.I.) in Western Europe. She left Leicester in April 1945 for her final overseas training.

 

 

Albert Edward Lightfoot joined the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) in 1939 as a private soldier. His unit served with the 8th Army in North Africa, during which time he rose to the rank of Captain. Thereafter, he spent two years in India on attachment to the Indian Army. He was engaged in work to counter the threat of an invasion of India by the Imperial Japanese Army. The photograph of Albert Edward Lightfoot, at left, was taken at El Alamein, North Africa, during, it is believed, 1941.

During the 1939-1945 war Albert Edward Lightfoot only had one week's leave in the UK. At the war's end he lived at 328, Main Street, Thurmaston, his grocery and newsagent's shop. A business he had run jointly with his wife from 1935, and one which his wife had run alone during the war. The shop closed in1971.

Albert Edward Lightfoot passed away on the 20th April 1980, aged 69 years, his wife survived him by fifteen years. She died on the 9th December 1995, aged 84 years.

The information provided here was made available by his son Richard Lightfoot, the eldest of Albert Edward Lightfoot's two sons.

To see the full image of this man click on the link below

Albert Edward Lightfoot

 

Driver, T/216685, Alfred Charles Linsell, served with the Royal Army Service Corps. In 1942 he was serving attached to the 9 Lt. Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps. He was killed in action with this unit in North Africa on the 14th November 1942. He was 31 years' of age.

He was the son of Jack and May Linsell. His wife Emma Linsell lived in Thurmaston. He is commemorated on the Childer Thornton War Memorial, Cheshire, and the Alamein War Memorial, Egypt, Column 76.

 

 

182, Humberstone Lane, Thurmaston.

 

 

7th House, Manor Road, Thurmaston.

 

 

Ted McGowan lived at 18, Harrison Street, Thurmaston. Brother of John, Joe and Tony (q.v.).

 

 

John McGowan served in the Royal Artillery during the war. John McGowan passed away in 1997. He was the brother of Edward, Joe and Tony (q.v.).

 

 

Tony McGowan served in His Majesty's Forces during the war. Brother of Edward, Joe and John (q.v.).

 

 

35, Garden Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

223, Main Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

Ronald Mitchell, age 20, son of Wilfred Arthur Mitchell of 223, Main Street, Thurmaston, was serving with his Majesty's Forces in 1943.

 

 

9, Roundway Road, Thurmaston.

 

 

50, Hillcroft Close, Thurmaston.

 

 

Eric Montgomery joined the Leicestershire Yeomanry in 1939, at the age of 18. He joined with his friend Percy Potter (q.v.), and signed up at Melton Mowbray. When Eric joined the Yeomanry it was a cavalry unit, part of the 5th Cavalry Brigade, which was mobilised on 1st September 1939, two days before the war was declared. On the 22nd September 1939 the regiment moved to Rufford Abbey, and its role was changed to that of Divisional Cavalry of the 1st Cavalry Division. In November the regiment was converted into a Royal Artillery unit. Eric Montgomery joined 153 (Leicestershire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, his friend Percy Potter joined 154 (Leicestershire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. In April 1940 the two regiments parted, each, eventually, to move to different theatres of war. For both Eric and Percy much training was to follow.

Eric Montgomery, who was trained as an artificer, transferred to a Scottish Artillery unit. During his army service Eric had the pleasant experience of meeting the film actor Stewart Granger, who at the time was a serving officer in the British Army. Eric met the officer at a railway station and following some conversation was taken into a first class compartment on the train and treated to food and drink.

Eric Montgomery served and fought through France and into Germany. In 1945 his family home was at 24, Unicorn Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

26, Berkeley Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

24, Sandiacre Drive, Thurmaston.

 

 

5, Hardy's Avenue, Thurmaston.

 

 

5, Methuen Avenue, Thurmaston.

 

 

334, Humberstone Lane, Thurmaston.

 

 

Sandown, Syston Road, Thurmaston.

 

 

The Lodge, Roundhill, Syston Road, Thurmaston.

 

 

Joseph Nadin was serving with His Majesty's Forces in 1940. He and his wife, Doris, lived at 17, Brook Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

23, Sandiacre Drive, Thurmaston.

 

 

Douglas John Newton, age 22, of 11, Humberstone Lane, Thurmaston, was serving as an Able Seaman in the Royal Navy during 1941.

 

 

332, Main Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

Jummy Noble.

 

Gunner, 956440, William Ford Norman, 420th Battery, 148th (The Bedfordshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, died on the 19/09/1944. He was 25 years old. He was the son of Mr. Alfred and Mrs. Mathilda Norman, and husband to Margaret E. Norman, of Thurmaston. He is commemorated on column 38 of the the Singapore Memorial, Singapore.

 

John Alfred Norris was serving with the Royal Air Force in 1941. He and his wife, Irene Ada, lived at Sunnydene, Churchill Road, Thurmaston.

 

 

11, Melton Avenue, Thurmaston.

 

 

Trooper, 4859762, John Arnold North, 49th (West Riding) Regiment, Reconnaissance Corps, Royal Armoured Corps, died on the 25/06/1944. He was 26 years old. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. G. A. North of Anstey, Leicestershire. His wife, Irene North, and his baby son, Geoffrey North, lived at 27, Brook Street, Thurmaston. Trooper North joined the army at the beginning of the war and had served with the Leicestershire Regiment in Norway. Prior to the war he was employed by Messrs. Bosworth and Wright of Anstey, Leicestershire. He is commemorated at the Bayeux War Cemetery, France.

 

 

13, Humberstone Lane, Thurmaston.

 

 

7, Forest Avenue, Thurmaston.

 

 

Twenty five year old George Palmer, of 240, Main Street, Thurmaston, was serving with the Royal Navy in 1945.

 

 

41, Oakland Avenue, Thurmaston.

 

 

6, Barkby Thorpe Road, Thurmaston.

 

 

Gunner, 1140312, Walter Parker was serving with the Royal Artillery from 1940 until 1946. He and his wife, Gladys, lived at 14, Brook Street, Thurmaston. He was stationed at the town of Rhyl in North Wales and did not undertake any overseas service.

 

 

Stanley Partridge, of 30, Unicorn Street, Thurmaston, son of Albert Partridge, was serving with the Royal Navy in 1945.

 

 

2, Roundway Road, Thurmaston.

 

 

272, Humberstone Lane, Thurmaston.

 

 

Albert George Pedge was born in 1918. His father, Charles Edward Pedge, an ironmoulder, had been a serving soldier at the end of the Great War. Albert George Pedge served as an Able Seaman in the Royal Navy from at least early 1941 until 1945. He and his wife, Harriet May, lived in Unicorn Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

Private, 4859907, Sydney Pegg, 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, was captured during the Japanese Invasion of Malaya. He was held as a prisoner of war at Changi Gaol and Ban Pong, Thailand. He had served in the army from the outbreak of the war.

Syd Pegg's parents kept the Generous Briton public house, Thurmaston. Prior to the war Syd Pegg had worked for Sir Lindsay Parkinson, contractors, Liverpool and London.

 

 

Herbert and Joan Pells lived in Havelock Cottages, Thurmaston. In 1942 Herbert Pells was serving as a Corporal with the Royal Air Force.

 

 

129, Humberstone Lane, Thurmaston.

 

 

14, Garden Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

Leading Aircraftsman L. Platt of Thurmaston was serving with the Royal Air Force in Canada during 1943, under training as a pilot. He had formerly been a sergeant with No. 1462 (North Leicester) Squadron, Air Training Corps.

 

 

1A, Humberstone Lane, Thurmaston.

 

 

177, Main Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

Alan Porter, R.A.F., son of Mark and Ada Porter, nee Hewick, of Thurmaston.

 

 

Sergeant, Air Gunner, Raymond BIM Porter, RAF, son of Mark and Ada Porter, nee Hewick, of Thurmaston. Flew in Avro Lancaster aircraft.

 

 

Dennis Percy Potter, known to all as Percy, joined the Leicestershire Yeomanry in 1939, at the age of 18. He joined with his friend Eric Montgomery (q.v.), and signed up at Melton Mowbray. When Percy joined the Yeomanry it was a cavalry unit, part of the 5th Cavalry Brigade, which was mobilised on 1st September 1939, two days before the war was declared. On the 22nd September 1939 the regiment moved to Rufford Abbey, and its role was changed to that of Divisional Cavalry of the 1st Cavalry Division. In November the regiment was converted into a Royal Artillery unit. Percy Potter joined 154 (Leicestershire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, his friend Eric Montgomery joined 153 (Leicestershire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. In April 1940 the two regiments parted, each, eventually, to move to different theatres of war. For both Percy and Eric much training was to follow.

In July 1942 154 (Leicestershire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, was embarked on HMT Circassia. On the 30th August 1942 troops were disembarked at Durban, South Africa. On the 19th September 1942 the regiment was embarked on HMT Pulaski, eventually disembarking at Port Tewfik on the 10th October 1942, when it became part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF). The regiment was later part of the Eighth Army and took part in the Battle of El Alamein.

In 1942 Gunner Dennis Percy Potter, of 58, Winster Drive, Thurmaston, his parent's house, was wounded in Egypt whilst serving with the Leicestershire Yeomanry. He lost an eye due to shrapnel.

 

 

139, Humberstone Lane, Thurmaston.

 

 

12, Harrison Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

In 1943 Private Jim Pratt, aged 22 years, was reported missing in North Africa. He became a prisoner of war at the hands of Italian forces. His mother lived at 12, Harrison Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

12, Churchill Road Extension, Thurmaston.

 

 

53, Oakland Avenue, Thurmaston.

 

 

Ronald Preston was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Preston of 21, Forest Avenue, Thurmaston. In 1943 he was serving as a flight mechanic with the Royal Air Force.

 

 

Edwin Price was working as a munitions worker in 1943. He and his wife, Megan, lived at 75, Checkland Road, Thurmaston.

 

 

During 1940 twenty four year old John Ernest Price of 28, Church Hill, Thurmaston, was serving as a soldier.

 

 

39, Hillcroft Close, Thurmaston.

 

 

199, Main Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

6, Hill Rise, Thurmaston.

 

 

13, Hardy's Avenue, Thurmaston.

 

 

110, Main Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

38, Churchill Road, Thurmaston.

 

 

24, Reading Street, Thurmaston.

 

 

Lance Corporal, 5887942, Richard Grocutt Reeve, 6th Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment died on the 28th January 1942, age 24 years. He was the son of Harry and Mary Reeve; and husband of Diana Mary Reeve, of Thurmaston, Leicestershire. He is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial, Singapore - Panel 48.

 

 

34, Highway Road, Thurmaston.

 

 

7, Westdown Drive, Thurmaston.

 

 

Sydney Eric Riddington was born on the 2nd April 1917. He was baptised at parish Thurmaston parish church on the 27th May 1917. Sergeant, 751028, Observer, Sydney Eric Riddington, 53 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve died on the 4th August 1940, age 23 years. He was the son of Albert Edward and Ellen Mary Riddington, of Thurmaston. He is buried in Thurmaston Cemetery - Section D, Grave 1368. For more details about Sydney Eric Riddington click on the link Sergeant Riddington

 

 

24, Colby Drive, Thurmaston.

 

 

24, Colby Drive, Thurmaston.

 

 

In 1945 Maldwyn Ivor Roberts, whose family home was 4, Harrison Street, Thurmaston, was serving in the army. In the picture, at left, he appears to be wearing the cap badge of the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Yeomanry. The photograph was taken at Schaerbeak, Brussels, Belgium.

 

 

Bella Vista, Leicester Road, Thurmaston.

 

 

Henry Rose was the son of Henry and Agnes Emma Rose. During the war he served in the Royal Artillery and was promoted to the rank of Quarter-Master Sergeant. He died on the 12th February 1997, aged 85 years. He and his wife, Gladys Sarah, who died on the 26th September 1974, aged 63 years, are interred in Thurmaston Cemetery.

 

 

Kenneth Rose was baptised at Thurmaston parish church on the 1st November 1914. He was the son of Henry and Agnes Emma Rose. His father was a coach painter. Ken Rose saw some military service with the Leicestershire Regiment and was wounded whilst serving in Holland. After a period of recovery he was sent back on active service. Private, 4863433, Ken Rose was killed in action on 24/03/1945, whilst serving with the 1st Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). He was thirty years' old. He is buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.

 

 

Tom Rose was the son of Henry and Agnes Emma Rose. Tom Rose was a pre-war regular soldier with the Leicestershire Regiment and in the late 1930's had served out in India. He was due to leave the army, but the war intervened. Tom Rose served in North Africa. During a period when he had been tasked to guard Italian prisoners of war the camp he was stationed at was overrun by German forces. Tom Rose became a prisoner of war. He was sent to the POW camp Stalag 18A, Wolfsburg, Austria. He escaped from the camp, lived off the land, and eventually escaped to England.

 

 

6, Barkby Thorpe Road, Thurmaston.

 

 

10, Barkby Thorpe Road, Thurmaston.

 

 

28, Methuen Avenue, Thurmaston.