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Wilson-Theobald, Ronald John McIver, only child of William Henry Wilson-Theobald, of Kensington, barrister-at-law, by Rosie, daughter of Isaac Lotinga, of Sunderland, co. Dur­ham; b. Sept. 20, 1898; adm. Sept. 26, 1912 (A); left Easter 1914; R. M.C. Sandhurst 1916; 2nd Lieut. attached 5th Batt. Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry Sept. 12, 1917; went out to the western front Nov. 2, 1917; killed in action near St. Quentin, France, March 21, 1918. ·

Wise, Edward Selby, eldest son of Edward Theodore Wise, of Westminster, by Aimée Vaughan, daughter of Prideaux Selby, of Croydon, Surrey; b. Oct. 6, 1887; adm. Sept. 26, 1901 (A); left July 1902; H.M.S. Britannia; Naval Cadet May 15, 1904; Midshipman July 15, 1904; Sub-Lieut. Sept. 15, 1907; Lieut. Sept. 15, 1909; H.M.S. Severn; mentioned in despatches; killed in action on the sand dunes at Nieuport Oct. 20, 1914.

Witherby, James Herbert, son of Bernard Oldham Witherby, stockbroker, of Purley, Surrey; b. 31 Jan. 1906; adm. Sept. 1920 (H); left Apr. 1924; lived in Malaya; Malay Defence Force 1941, p.o.w.; lost at sea off Sumatra Feb. 1942.

James Herbert Witherby was born at Acton, Middlesex on the 31st of January 1906 the only son of Bernard Oldham Witherby, a stockjobber and a Member of the London Stock Exchange, and Isabel Witherby of 64, Ramillies Road, Acton Green in London. He was christened at St Mary’s Church, Stamford Brook on the 20th of May 1906. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Homeboarders from September 1920 to April 1924. He was a member of the Colts Football XI in 1920 and of the 1st Football XI from 1921 to 1924 where he played at centre half. The Elizabethan wrote of his 1922/23 season: - “Very clever dribbler and a splendid feeder of his forwards. Wants to show more pace in getting back to his own goal, when the opposing centre forward has beaten him. A poor shot at goal, who could improve with practice. Has been a most successful pivot to the whole side.” They wrote of his 1923/24 season: - “The only first class performer on the side. Has beautiful control of the ball, and has carved out many a glorious opening for his forwards – the hallmark of a good centre half. Is a little apt to give his opposition centre forward too much rope. His inability to get back quickly after taking a prominent part in an attack being largely responsible for this. Given opportunities, should go far in the game.” He was awarded his School Colours for Football in 1924.
He moved to Malaya as a rubber planter in 1927 where he worked as assistant manager at the Langkon Estate, a job he left in October 1929 to accept the position of assistant manager at the Menrtri Estate, Pahang, where he was later appointed as manager of the plantation. He played cricket for Malacca and for Jasin Cricket Club and was a member of the Malacca Tennis Club. He was also a member of the Jasin Rugby XV. He was married at St George’s Church, Penang to Joan (nee Wilkinson later Hale) on the 18th of October 1938.
He enlisted in the 4th (Pahang) Battalion, Federated Malay States Volunteer Force where he rose to the rank of Company Sergeant Major. On the fall of Singapore to the Japanese on the 15th of February 1942, efforts were made to evacuate as many people as possible from the colony. By late February, James Witherby was one of thousands of evacuees gathered at Emmahaven Padang in the hope of boarding a ship. He managed to find a place on board the 1,693 ton merchant ship SS Ban Ho Guan, under the command of Captain Van der Berg, which departed Emmahaven at around 5am on the morning of the 28th of February 1942 with 227 passengers and 8 to 10 crew on board. She was bound for Tjilatjap and then on to Freemantle in Australia. James Witherby was one of five members of the Federated Malay States Volunteer Force who were on board. During the early part of the journey the ship received a message from the Dutch naval authorities at Tjilatjap that the town was under Japanese air attack and that they should head for the nearest land instead of going there.
Several hours after her departure and having changed from her original course, the SS Ban Ho Guan was sailing to the south of Bali when she was sunk at 5.45pm by the Japanese submarine I-4, under the command of Lieutenant Haijam Nakagawa. There were no survivors, although there were unconfirmed reports that Captain Van der Berg had been captured and taken to Japan
The lack of survivors was very unusual at that time but Haijam Nakagawa gathered a reputation during the rest of the war for killing the survivors of his sinkings. He was tried for war crimes at the end of the war and was convicted in January 1947. He was sentenced to eight year in prison but served only four.
He is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial Column 390.

Wolstenholme, James Benjamin Wallace, elder son of James Wolstenholme, of Stanmore, Middlesex, by Mary Elizabeth, eldest daughter of T. B. Gossling, of Accrington, Lancs; b. March 25, 1895; adm. April 30, 1908 (A); left July 1909; enlisted in the Artists' Rifles April 1913; Lieut. Railway Transport Officer Sept. 27, 1915; transferred to R.F.C. Aug. 1917; killed accidentally while flying at Doncaster, Yorks, Aug. 20, 1918.

Wood, Richard Humphrey Vellacott, son of Richard Benjamin Wood, architect, of Ealing, and Eleanor Duidge, d. of Humphrey Vellacott of Upminster, Essex; b. 26 June 1916; adm. May 1930 (A); left July 1933; Wadham Coll. Oxf., matric. 1934; taught English in Prague and worked for Brit. Council in Palermo; Intell. Corps in WW2 (Lieut.); killed in action on special duty (Med.) Sept. 1943.

Richard Humphrey Vellacott “Pat” Wood was born in Middlesex on the 26th of June 1916 the only son of Richard Benjamin Wood, an architect, and Eleanor Doidge (nee Vellacott) Wood of 4, Charlton Gardens, Ealing in Middlesex, later of Creech St Michael in Somerset. He was christened at St John’s Church, Ealing on the 12th of October 1916. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Ashburnham from May 1930 to July 1933. He matriculated for Wadham College, Oxford in 1934 where he was awarded a BA. On leaving university he taught English in Prague. He worked for the British Council at Palermo and was later appointed as a Doctor of the Institute of Palermo. Following Italy’s entry into the war in June 1940 he returned to England where he attended an Officer Cadet Training Unit before being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Intelligence Corps on the 7th of June 1941.
In September 1943 he was specially selected for an operation in Italy during which he went missing and was later reported to have lost his life.
He is commemorated on the Cassino Memorial Panel 23.

Woodbridge, Austin Hale, brother of Algernon Rivers Woodbridge (q.v.); b. May 18, 1876; adm. May 8, 1891 (G); left Dec. 1894; a member of the London Stock Exchange 1900; Capt. 8th Batt. Middlesex Regt. Feb. 17, 1912; Major April 26, 1915, special appt. Commands and Staff May 1, 1917; M.C. June 3, 1916; m. 1st April 27, 1905, Ethel Mary, third daughter of George H. Sanday, of Uxbridge, Middlesex; 2nd Jan. 1, 1918, Norah, youngest daughter of George Woodbridge, of Chichester, Sussex; d. of pneumonia in France Feb. 28, 1919.

Woodward, Norman, son of Benjamin Douca Woodward of New Jersey, USA; b. 6 Jan. 1912; adm. Sept. 1925 (G); left July 1928; PO RCAF; killed in action over Holland Sept. 1941.

Norman Woodward was born at 60, Craigie Road, Perth, Scotland on the 6th of January 1913 the younger son of Benjamin Duryea Woodward, a banker, and Gladys (nee Piver) Woodward of 26, Pembroke Gardens in London W8, later of 41, Royston Park Road, Hatch End in Middlesex and of 7, Rue des Alpes, Geneva, Switzerland. He was educated at Mr Gibb’s School, London from 1921 to July 1925 and at Westminster School where he was up Grant’s from September 1925 to July 1928. He was a member of the 3rd Rowing VIII in 1928 and served as a Private in the Officer Training Corps from 1926 to 1928. He also took part in swimming and field athletics whilst at school. His hobbies included sailing, shooting and photography. On leaving school he worked as a reporter for the Press Association in London from 1930 to 1932 and as a sound recordist for Gainsborough Studios in London from 1932 to 1935. He worked as manager of the Lawns Club at Usk, Monmouthshire from 1935 to 1936 after which he emigrated to the United States where his mother had been born. He moved to San Francisco where he began work as an assistant editor on the Shipping Register in 1936 which was published by his mother’s family. He lived at 635, Montgomery Street in the city.
He attended an interview with a view to joining the Royal Canadian Air Force on the 13th of November 1939 but was probably considered to be too young. He enlisted for the duration of the war as an Aircraftman 2nd Class at the Royal Canadian Air Force Recruiting Centre at Vancouver, British Columbia on the 12th of July 1940. At a medical examination, which took place on the same day, it was recorded that he was six feet and one half of an inch tall and that he weighed 171 pounds. It was also recorded that he had a medium complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair.
A letter of reference in support of his application was written by Robin Kinkead of Reuters: - “Dear Sir, I have known the bearer of this letter, Mr. Norman Woodward, for six years. I first met him in London, in the latter part of the year in 1933, while I was working with Reuters Ltd. I have found Mr. Woodward to be a young man of unusually sterling character. I have had an opportunity of observing his conduct under various conditions, both in England and later here in San Francisco, where I have known him fairly regularly since 1937. I can attest in all sincerity to his presence of mind, sobriety, quick-wittedness, and ready understanding. I might add that his sense of humour is well developed, whether or not that may be considered as an asset. I should say his distinctive character trait is a strong sense of initiative and responsibility, together with a more than average intelligence. I have always found him a friend to rely upon, and can certify my profound conviction that he has what it takes.”
He was posted for training on the 16th of August 1940 and joined No. 2 Initial Training School at Regina on the 1st of September 1940. He was promoted to Leading Aircraftman on the 12th of October 1940 and was posted to No. 3 Air Observers School at Regina on the 19th of October. On the 6th of January 1941 he was transferred to No. 2 Bombing and Gunnery School at Mossbank, Saskatchewan and was promoted to Sergeant on his qualification as an Air Observer on the 16th of February 1941. He embarked for service in England on the 6th of April 1941.
He disembarked on the 19th of April 1941 and was posted to No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre at Uxbridge until the 28th of April when he joined No. 10 Operational Training Unit at RAF Abington. Having completed his training he was posted to 77 Squadron on the 17th of July 1941.
On the night of the 6th/7th of September 1941, Bomber Command dispatched 41 Whitleys, 27 Wellingtons and 18 Hampdens to attack a chemical plant at Huls. The weather was clear and the returning bombers claiming good results with their bombing.
Norman Woodward and his crew took off from RAF Leeming at 7.54pm on the 6th of September 1941 in Whitley Mk V Z6824 KN-W for the operation. While flying near Amseterdam the aircraft was coned by searchlights and was attacked and shot down by a Messerschmitt Bf110 flown by Oberleutnant Hans-Karl Kamp of 8./NJG 1. The aircraft crashed at Haarlo, near Borculo in Holland at 11.15pm with the loss of all but one of the crew. Theirs was one of an eventual twenty three victories for Hans-Karl Kamp before he was killed in action on the 31st of December 1944.
The crew was: -
Squadron Leader Alexander John Hannigan (Pilot)
Sergeant David Thomas (2nd Pilot) (POW No. 9578 Stalag 357 and Stalag VIIIB)
Pilot Officer Norman Woodward RCAF (Observer)
Sergeant Charles Max Evans (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner)
Sergeant Ernest Charles Edward Myers RCAF (Air Gunner)
Theirs was one of seven aircraft which were lost during the operation.
His mother received the following telegram dated the 3rd of October 1941: - “Regret to inform you that information received through the International Red Cross Society states your son Pilot Officer Norman Woodward is reported missing and believed to have lost his life as the result of air operations on 6th/7th September 1941. Any further information will be immediately communicated to you.”
2nd pilot David Thomas was the first member of the crew to bail out of the aircraft and was the only one to survive when the aircraft exploded in mid air soon after he had left it. In a letter from prisoner of war camp dated the 9th of November 1941 David Thomas wrote the following on the events that night: -
“Dear Sirs, As regards your enquiry about P/O Woodward, I’m afraid I can give little information. On the night of Sep. 6 we were attacked by a night fighter off Amsterdam. The aircraft burst into flames, and I as second pilot, was the first to abandon the aircraft. At the time of the attack P/O Woodward was in the front turret. After having been captured I was told the aircraft had exploded in the air – whether P/O Woodward was killed during the attack, or whether he was killed by the subsequent explosion, I’m afraid I don’t know, but he did not leave the aircraft, because I was the only one seen to leave the aircraft. The time of the accident was about 2300 hours British Summer time. Would you please be kind enough to forward my deepest sympathies to his mother in her great loss.”
He is buried at Borculo General Cemetery Plot U, Collective Grave 1-5.

Yonge, Martin Godwin, son of Ernest Adams Yonge, of Hendon, sometime music master at the school and at Eton, and Margaret Mary, d. of James Thomas Godwin; b. 12 July 1921; adm. Sept. 1934 (R); left Dec. 1938; Sgt Observer RAFVR; trained in S. Africa May to Dec. 1941; d. of cerebro-spinal meningitis on board ship to the Middle East 22 Dec. 1941.

Martin Godwin Yonge was born at Paddington, London on the 12th of July 1921 the only son of Ernest Adams Yonge, a music master at Westminster School, and Margaret Mary (nee Godwin) Yonge of 19, Shirehall Lane, Hendon in Middlesex. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Rigaud’s from September 1934 to December 1938. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve where he trained as an Observer and rose to the rank of Sergeant.
He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial Panel 55.

Young, Gavin Ferguson, brother of Fergus Ferguson Young (q.v.); b. May 8, 1899; adm. Sept. 25, 1913 (R); left July 1917; Proby. Flight Officer R.N.A.S. Aug. 5, 1917; Flight Sub-Lieut. March 13, 1918; Lieut. R.A.F. April 1, 1918; went out to the western front April 18, 1918; killed while flying behind the enemy lines Sept. 2, 1918.