'Missing' WAAF

Looks a pleasant spot, the tree’s will give some shade…a thank you to all those involved in getting the marker.

regards,
jack…

For those who have not seen, Aprils issue of Britain At War.
Pleased that the Cherry tree is still there.

Hugely appreciative – email follows in morning!

Andy, The weather was good today, so took a trip to Brancaster.
Yes the headstone is there, will send pics via email.

Thank you, Richard!

Strange that it’s not been mentioned in local news.
Will go and have a look when storm Jake has passed and get you a picture. Maybe next week.

I was delighted to get some rather late notification that the headstone for P M DUFFIELD was erected on 10 November 2015 in Brancaster (St. Mary) Churchyard.

If anyone can get me a photograph it would be much appreciated.

I had been informed by the clergy that a dedication ceremony would be held, but all has gone quiet.

But still no headstone according to the CWGC site.

Moggy

Just an update on Phyllis’s Music training

Awarded an L.R.A.M. in 1925, for piano teaching.

She studied on a Teacher training course in 1938 and 1939 at R.A.M.

Piano was her first study, with Edwin York Bowen

(Edwin York Bowen (22 February 1884 – 23 November 1961) was an English composer and pianist. Bowen’s musical career spanned more than fifty years during which time he wrote over 160 works. As well as being a pianist and composer, Bowen was a talented conductor, organist, violist and horn player. Despite achieving considerable success during his lifetime, many of the composer’s works remained unpublished and unperformed until after his death in 1961. Bowen’s compositional style is widely considered as ‘Romantic’ and his works are often characterized by their rich harmonic language. He was one of the most notable English composers of piano music of his time.)

Aural and rhythm with Dr Frederick Shinn.

(In 1893 Dr Frederick Shinn, a recent graduate from the Royal College of Music, was appointed organist and choirmaster of St Bartholomew’s, a post he held until just before his death in 1950.There is a memorial to Dr Shinn near the organ in St Bartholomew’s. Lewisham.)

Music History with J.A. Westrup.

(Sir Jack Westrup (26 July 1904 – 21 April 1975) was an English musicologist, writer, teacher and occasional conductor and composer.)

There are other studies listed, which are abbreviated to a single letter, and I’m speculating as to what they might be: D. (Divinity?/ Deportment?) with Mr Moore, P (physical education?) with Mr Radcliffe, D (again) with Mr Roberts and L.S., or C.S. (choral studies?) with Leslie Regan.

Her address at the time was Tortington Park Arundel Sussex.
Thanks to Kathy Adamson R.A.M. Library.

hi,
seconded, a great result, well done to all. When you speak’s a person’s name they are not forgotten. Phyliss Mary Duffield.

regards,
jack…

I’ve just read this thread in it’s entirety and want to thank you guys for a most interesting story. I applaud you for your dedication to a young woman who was unknown to us all at the time this thread started. Now, she is a member of our family and has been duly honoured, with or without a head stone. Well done lads.

Excellent thread, excellent outcome.

Thank you All

Thank you for taking so much time to research Phyllis, Richard.

I was delighted to be able to get the CWGC to amend their records and arrange for a headstone. But you seem to have really given her her name back.

The CWGC say the stone will be in place ‘soon’.

Visited Phyllis’s grave a couple of weeks ago still no headstone. But have noticed that on the GWGC website they have added a note, that they are in the process of doing so.

Meanwhile I have been slowly researching more about Phyllis and have found out that, she was more than a local shop girl.

Her WAAF career was short.
She joined the WAAFs in June 41 at RAF Innsworth, Gloustershire.(now Army base Imjin Barracks).
(In December 1941, No 2 WAAF Depot was opened at Innsworth and from then on the Station became increasingly associated with the Women’s branch of the service. By the end of 1941 the strength of the Station had risen to well over 4000 including trainees).

Died in hospital at RAF Kirkham Lancashire 2nd March 1942.
(In November 1941 Kirkham became the main armament training centre for the RAF, with 21 different trades and 86 different courses on equipment and weapons. Now H.M. Prison Kirkham).

Not sure if she was based at that base or another one in the area.

Her brother was present at her death.

Reason for Death.
1(a) Myocarditis
(Myocarditis is a disease marked by inflammation and damage of the heart muscle. . It is believed that 5 to 20% of all cases of sudden death in young adults are due to myocarditis. There are many causes of myocarditis, including viral infections, autoimmune diseases, environmental toxins, and adverse reactions to medications.)
(b) Lobal Pneumonia.
(Pneumonia is swelling in the lungs, it’s usually caused by an infection.
Lobal, bronchopneumonia and double pneumonia refer to same condition.)
2 Pleural Effusion.
(Excessive fluid in lungs).

Then was buried at Brancaster on 7th March 1942.

Now I am looking to find out what years, she attended these girls schools/colleges.
Rhianva College Hunstanton Norfolk (closed 1940).

Tortington Park Arundel Sussex.
Between 1922 and 1998 the estate was a boarding school for girls and, more recently, a college for American students. By the early 2000s the site was redeveloped into what it is today. Currently managed by Hobdens Property Management Ltd.

St Audreys School Somerset
St Audries Park Manor house at West Quantoxhead in the Quantock Hills of Somerset, The property was divided in 1934, when the house was sold and turned into St Audries School which remained in occupation until 1990. and is now owned and operated by Country House Wedding Ltd, specialising in weddings within country house settings.

Not as a pupil, but as a music mistress.
As you can see from the funeral report from The Lynn Advertiser friday 13th March 1942, she was a holder of L.R.A.M. (Licentiate of the Royal Academy of music.)
(Licentiate is the title of a person who holds an academic degree known as a licence or a licentiate).

I have not heard anything about how the headstone is coming on. But still trying to find out more on Phyllis’s background.

I think I have found out the answer to my question I asked in post 11.

But this is another mystery, why was this lad buried here and not in Yorkshire?

Pilot Officer 42496 Fox Basil Lincoln (Peter) Royal Air Force 224 squadron.

Son of Fred C Fox and Louisa Fox of Strathfield N.S.W. Australia.

Fredrick Charles Fox born 1882 in Lincolnshire.
Son of George H Fox and Sarah A Fox. (George was born in Lincoln.)
So am guessing that Basil was given the middle name of Lincoln as this was the birthplace of his grandfather.

Can find no trace of Fred after the1901census, until he married Louisa on 27th Oct 1911, in Parramatta Sydney NSW.
1936 Fred and his two sons, Geoffery and Basil were all working as engineers, living in Nicholson st Burwood.

Louisa Fox born 4th Sept 1882 died 16th Oct 1949. Buried St Thomas Church Enfield Sydney.

1909 census, she was in Formby Lancashire, working as a nurse for a G D Prangley.

1911 census, she was working as a nurse at the Rectory, Croxton, St Neots Cambs.

Then some time in Aug 1911, she left Liverpool (as an unassisted passenger) on the ship Persic and arrived in Sydney on the 15th of Sept 1911.

And Married Frederick on the 27th of Oct. This must have been pre-arranged.

19th Oct 1920, Louisa arrived back in London from Sydney, aboard the TSS Miltiades a ship of the Aberdeen and Commonwealth line. With her three children Geoffrey 8, Basil 5, and Jean 6.

July 1921 Louisa and the children were on board the ship Demasthenes (master G.W. Bibby) heading back to Sydney.

I guess she had brought her children back to visit their grandparents, Robert and Rebecca Loose.
in the village where she had been born, her father was a fisherman with his own boat.

Where did they live? Yes you have guessed it.

Brancaster Staithe.

I must say that the Revd Woods looks to be something of a character!

That is great News Andy.

I am sure the Revd. C Woods would be willing to do that.
(But you might have to buy a slate.)
http://www.saxonshorebenefice.co.uk/

Anything I can do to help at this end, let me know.

Good news yesterday afternoon from the CWGC:

“I am sending you this email confirming that permission has now been obtained to mark Phyllis Mary Duffield’s grave at Brancaster (St. Mary) Churchyard.
Consequently, a new Commission headstone has been ordered. Once the headstone has been manufactured and installed I will of course let you know.”

I’m delighted that we finally got there.

I know little or nothing about Phyllis, and her death during war service was from natural causes. All the same, she was incorrectly recorded at Runnymede as “no known grave” and her grave at Brancaster was, until now, unmarked.

She will now get the CWGC headstone to which she was always entitled. I intend to contact the vicar to see if some small dedication ceremony can be organised once the stone is in place.

Richard

That is all interesting information, and thank you.

At present we are still waiting on the CWGC and I’m afraid I am only getting messages from them to say the matter is “in hand”.

Just a quick update.

Andy your first post states.

ACW2 2006225 Phyllis Mary DUFFIELD 2 March 1942.

Her number on CWGC site. Duffield A C W 2 453274 WAAF 2nd March 1942 Panel 291.

This casualty is recorded on Panel 291 of the Runnymede Memorial for RAF personnel who have no-known-grave (although she is not shown in the published registers)

I have since found out that she is listed in the
ADDENDA. The following names received too late for inclusion in their proper order on the memorial were added to it after the original edition of the register had been published.

The cherry tree, who put it there is still a mystery, as to who planted it and why.

I can also confirm that the J S Duffield mentioned earlier is her Brother.

Published by the probate office.
Dated 18th Jan 1943
Phyllis Mary DUFFIELD Spinster on 2nd March 1942 on war service, John Stanley Duffield Lieutenant R.N.R. £666 14S 11d.

A piece of information about.
John Stanley Duffield Lieutenant R.N.R. 4th Dec 1902 – Sept 1971. On 6th jan 1923 received certificate for second mate for foreign steamships only.
Went to Canada sometime between 1920 and 1935
And to New York twice between 1920 and 1957 on passenger lists I don’t know the dates as it costs to view them.

The shop pic I have enlarged it as much as I can and the only logo recognised is Daily Bovril.

Bovril came out in the early 1700s, the Daily Bovril slogan, maybe sometime in the 20s/30s and into ww2.

Photo must be pre 1937 as Herbert Stanley Duffield died 1936 aged 68. (Age not tally with birth date, typo ??? he was 63) and could be after 1928 as Sarah Duffield (nee Barrett ) died Sept 1928 aged 64.