CRICH PARISH

which consists of the villages of Crich, Fritchley and Whatstandwell.

Plaques to commemorate the dead of WW2

These are men in the parish of Crich who died serving their country in WW2 and whose names are on the church gate memorial plaques.

Memorial gate 2

On the left hand gate

memorial gate 2

On the right hand gate

BIOGRAPHIES OF THE MEN ON THE ROLL OF HONOUR

TOMLINSON, Harold Reginald – seaman

Reg died 10 Nov 1942 when HMS Martin was torpedoed by the German submarine U-431 between Gibraltar and Algiers. The ship was part of "Operation Torch" – the landings in North Africa. The only survivors from a complement of over two hundred men were four officers and fifty-nine ratings picked up by HMS Quentin.

Previous to being sunk Martin had an illustrious period as an escort vessel. In the July she sailed from Scapa to Archangel in convoy with many other ships. On the return journey the Martin sank the German Minelayer Ulm and took fifty-four prisoners of war. In the September she was part of a convoy from Scarpa to Jan Meyen Island when they were heavily attacked by torpedo bombers and U-boats. Ten ships were lost. Later in the month they transferred to another convoy of fifteen ships which came under heavy U-boat attack. Three of the convoy were sunk along with two of the escort ships and a fleet oiler. Martin picked up survivors from four of the

merchant ships before returning to Scarpa. Her next convoy on "Operation Torch" was to be her last.

Harold Reginald Tomlinson was born in 1918 to James Tomlinson and Mabel Smith.

Thank you to everyone who has sent in the above details.

MEMORIAL TO THE MEN WHO DIED IN WW1

Help Needed

If any of your family are on the Roll of Honour, or who are on the gate plaques, please let us have a few words about them so that they are "more than a name". It is hoped to produce a brief biography of these Crich men who served, and in some cases died, for their Country.

Email contact@crichparish.co.uk with your contribution

 

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