OLD AZURIANS
ASSOCIATION
Surnames O to S
Michael Arthur O'Callaghan: Flying Officer RAFVR was killed, along with the rest of the crew, on a raid to Chemnitz when Lancaster PD394 from 166 Squadron RAF Kirmington was shot down by a German night-fighter over Culitzsch at 00.43 on 15 February 1945. The remains of the crew were buried initially at the local cemetery in Culitzsch but were transferred to the 1939-45 war cemetery in Berlin after the war. ED: In November 1945 official notification of his status as being presumed dead was delivered to his Uncle and Aunt Mr and Mrs T E Hawkins of 58 Offington Avenue. Little more is known about Michael O'Callaghan, but it appears that in August 1939, aged 15, he ran away from home after being reprimanded by his father, and stowed away on a cross-channel ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe. He was forced to give himself up mid-channel when overcome by seasickness. He was then handed in to the authorities and sent back home. His father was a cinema manager living at 3 Alexandra Road.
Born 5/12/1924; school years 1937-38.
Harold David Ovenstone: Sergeant (Pilot) RAFVR in 250 Squadron equipped with Kittyhawk fighter-bombers, supporting 8th Army in North Africa, died on 28 May 1942 aged 20. Buried in Knightsbridge War Cemetery Acroma, West of Tobruk. He left school when he was 17 and joined the RAF ground crew staff in July 1940. fHe them fulfilled his ambition to become a pilot after training in England and Rhodesia, becoming a promising and resourceful pilot. His squadron was noted for its courageous actions in the Libyan Desert. At school he was recognised as a talented artist, having examples of his work exhibited at school bazaars. Parents David Hamilton and Gertrude Dorothy lived at 27 St. Michael's Road, and also at 81 Balcombe Avenue, Worthing. Born 15/8/1921; Sshool years 1931-38.
Thomas Overington: Sergeant Royal Artillery died on 20 September 1941, aged 23. Buried in Karachi War Cemetery, Pakistan. He had been a regular member of the OA Cricket team, the youngest son of Mr & Mrs A Overington of Durrington. In civilian life he was a partner and manager in the family Motor and general engineering firm and took an active part in local community life.. He joined the RA in 1940. His death occurred a few weeks before he was to have been promoted to Warrant Officer.
Born 30/12/1917; school years 1929-34.
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Jack Stuart Reason: Lt. 4th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment killed on 20 May 1940, aged 28 in the rearguard action against the advancing Germans prior to the evacuation from Dunkirk. Whilst being driven up to the front line a shell exploded in front of the car and as Jack and his driver were getting out of the car a second shell exploded, killing Jack and wounding his driver. Commemorated on Dunkirk memorial. Parents Frank Wesley and Agnes. Born 24/6/1911; school years 1925-27.
Harold Norman Reddick: Leading Seaman RN, HMS Barham missing, presumed killed, on 25 November 1941, aged 21. He was one of 841 men killed when HMS Barham capsized and exploded after being hit by three torpedoes fired by U-331. Commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial. Parents Lt. George Reddick RNVR and Caroline Jane lived at 23 Sheridon Road Worthing.
Born 18/5/1920; school years 1933-36.
Reginald Thomas Rose: Stoker 1st Class RN, born in Kingston, Surrey was one of several Old Azurians to have served on HMS Hood. He was reported missing, presumed killed, on HMS Hood 24 May 1941 during the action with the German battleship Bismarck. Commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial. His parents Thomas and Florence Rose lived at 67 Elm Grove West Worthing.
Born 2/10/1920; school years 1932-1936.
Peter Graham Sander: Air Mechanic 1st Class RN Fleet Air Arm on escort aircraft carrier HMS Avenger. Missing, presumed killed, 15 November 1942 when HMS Avenger, returning from Operation Torch (allied invasion of North Africa) was sunk by U-155 near Gibraltar. Commemorated on Lee-on-Solent Memorial. Parents Eric Henley Lancelot and Gertrude Adelaide.
Born 10/2/1920; school years 9/1935-12/35.
Kenneth Sidney Powell: : Sergeant RAFVR, wireless operator, was reported officially missing from operations over enemy territory, according to an announcement in the Worthing Gazette of 21 June 1944. That is not entirely correct. He had undergone air crew training in Canada and had moved on to #111 Operational Training Unit (OUT) in the Bahamas. On 24 April 1944, aged 22, he was in the crew of a Liberator bomber GR V BZ759 that set out on a navigational exercise but failed to return. Commemorated on Ottawa Air Forces Memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives and either have no known grave or are buried in remote and inaccessible locations.
Before joining the RAF he had been employed by Jordan & Cook, Estate Agents.
Parents Sidney and Elsie lived in Upper High Street, Worthing.
Born 28/5/1922; School years: 1933-38
Ronald Philip Simmons: Captain 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment killed 7 May 1944, aged 33, during the attack which forced the Japanese forces to give up their siege of Imphal and their attempt to invade India. Buried in Imphal War Cemetery, India. In civilian life he had been a commercial traveller and a prominent member of the Old Azurians. He had joined the Territorial Army before the war. His promotion to Captain came when he was posted to India some two years before he was killed. His parents Robert and Ann lived in Tarring for some time, but moved to the Hare & Hounds, Cowfold. His wife Edith, whom he married in 1939 served as a WAAF L/Cpl in Northern Ireland.
Born 22/6/1912; school years 1924-28. (see more)
Harold Russell Smith: Sub-Lieutenant RNVR of HM LST 3008 died from illness at Singapore on 6 March 1946 probably when his ship was being transported to Australia for sale to the RAN. He had been an enthusiastic member of the Worthing Sea Cadet Unit, holding the rank of Petty officer. Being a keen modeller had enabled him to obtain a job with a London company that provided special effects for films. He loved the sea and ships and, at his second attempt, succeeded in being accepted as a recruit by the Royal Navy and, after initial training, was promoted to the rank of Temporary Midshipman. Parents Russell Frederick and Minnie lived at 71 Terringe's Avenue, West Tarring.
Born 20/4/1925; school years 1936-42.
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Hubert Abram Smith: of St. Andrew’s Road, Worthing attended the school from 1928 to 1929 when he left for Reading Secondary School. He served as a Flying Officer wireless operator in 622 Squadron RAF Mildenhall flying Lancaster bombers. He was killed on 20 April 1945, aged 28. Buried in Durnbach War Cemetery, Bad Tolz, Bavaria, Germany. Parents Hubert A & May. Born 17/3/1917; school years 1928-29.
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Gordon Stanford: Petty Officer Stoker RN aged 24, died fom meningitis in a Plymouth hospital on 6 June 1941. He was stationed at HMS Drake (Devonport Naval Base) where he was studying for an examination. A few weeks earlier he had been on HMS Hood. Buried at Broadwater Cemetery. Parents Albert Edward and Jean ran the George & Dragon public house in Tarring.
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Born 18/3/1917; School years 1928-32.
John Stoner: Private, Dorsetshire Regiment. At school he had been a warrant Officer in the school ATC On leaving school he went to work in an aircraft factory in London. Returning to Worthing he joined the town Army Cadet Force rising to the rank of Sergeant-Major. He joined up in February 1943. In France, three weeks after D-Day, he took part in the fierce battles around Caen and, later, the attempted relief of the beleaguered parachute division at Arnhem. He was killed 25 January 1945 aged 20. Buried in Brunssum War Cemetery, Nimburg, Netherlands. His parents Alec C and Irene F lived at 36 Dominion Road Worthing.
Born 13/1/1925; school years 1935-1941.
Edwin Lloyd Strudwick: Sergeant RAFVR, 53 Squadron, died of injuries on 4 February 1941, aged 29, when the Coastal Command Blenheim aircraft Z5765 on which he was the observer crashed at Thorney Island. Buried in Durrington Cemetery on 8 February 1941. Parents Edwin and Nellie lived at 28 Park Road Worthing. He was a well-known sportsman, having been the first schoolboy to score a 100 in a High School game, playing for Steyning Old Grammarians CC and then for the Old Azurians CC of which club he was a founder member. He was also a member of the Old Azurians RFC and, being based at Thorney Island, was able to play for them frequently even after signing up when war broke out. He had played for the OAs only a few days before his death. A one minute silence was observed in respect at the next match.
Born 15/1/1912; school years 1924-28.