Friday, November 01, 2013

Greystoke's Wartime Heroes

1. St Andrew's Parish Church, Greystoke, Cumbria
2. CWGC headstone of WW1 casualty Thomas Whalan
3. CWGC headstone of WW2 casualty James W. Hawell
4. Hawell family plot, Greystoke Parish Churchyard
For additional information click on 'Comments' below.
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2 Comments:

Blogger ritsonvaljos said...

Introduction

The modern-day Lakeland parish of Greystoke, Cumberland (now Cumbria) comprises four townships within the parish boundaries and includes the village and township of Greystoke. The Parish Church of Greystoke (Church of England) is dedicated to St Andrew [Photograph No 1].

Arguably, Greystoke is most widely known throughout the world for a fictional hero of the written word and the silver screen. According to the fictional series of books by Edgar Rice Burroughs "Tarzan, Lord of the Apes" is also Lord Greystoke!

However, in the churchyard at Greystoke there are the graves of two true heroes of Greystoke: one from the First World War and one from the Second World War. Although the two deaths occurred during different conflicts, both of these wartime heroes of Greystoke were serving in the Royal Air Force when they died.

The first CWGC headstone in the churchyard is that of 2nd Air Mechanic Thomas Whalan, R.A.F., died 23 May 1918 [Photograph No 2]. The second CWGC headstone in the churchyard is that of Leading Aircraftman James William Hawell, R.A.F.V.R. of Rookin House, Troutbeck [Photograph No 3]. To the right of LAC Hawell's headstone are headstones commemorating some of his other relatives [Photograph No 4]. LAC James Hawell is also remembered on the nearby headstone of his parents. L.A.C. James Hawell's mother, Lizzie Jane Hawell, passed away on 22 March 1947 and his father, John Hawell, passed away on 16 May 1956.
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Friday, 01 November, 2013  
Blogger ritsonvaljos said...

CWGC citation for Air Mechanic Thomas Whalan

This is the Commonwealth War Graves citation for WW1 casualty Thomas Whalan:

Name: WHALAN, T
Rank: Air Mechanic 2nd Class
Service No: 28567
Date of Death: 23/05/1918
Age: 36
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force
Grave Reference: In NE part.
Cemetery: GREYSTOKE (ST. ANDREW) CHURCHYARD, Cumberland.

Additional Information:
Husband of Elizabeth Annas Whalan, of Greystoke.

Headstone epitaph:
"Thy will be done!"
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CWGC citation for LAC James William Hawell

This is the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for WW2 casualty James William Hawell:

Name: HAWELL, JAMES WILLIAM
Rank: Aircraftman 1st Class
Service No: 1133928
Date of Death: 27/10/1945
Age: 24
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Grave Reference: New ground.
Cemetery: GREYSTOKE (ST. ANDREW) CHURCHYARD, Cumberland.

Additional Information:
Son of John and Lizzie Hawell, of Troutbeck, Westmorland.

Headstone epitaph:
"Until the day break!"
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Dedication

"Airmen, your duty done, rest in this place until the end of days."
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Friday, 01 November, 2013  

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