WIREDGOV

Alf has spent the past few years piecing together information on his friend Reggie, who was killed after German aircraft attacked their merchant ship on 6 July 1941. On Monday he will unveil Reggie’s headstone. Alf said: “I only knew young Reggie for a short time, but we were good friends. It still upsets me to think of a young lad trapped inside that engine room and I couldn’t save him. Monday will be a special day, and I am indebted to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and all those who helped me piece together Reggie’s story.”

Also attending the memorial ceremony will be Catherine Corse, whose brother Douglas Crichton also served aboard the SS North Devon, and who was also killed during the attack. After reading of Alf Tubb’s endeavours, 90 year old Mrs Corse from Edinburgh was determined to meet the man who served alongside her late brother. Catherine said: “I am told that Alf doesn’t remember my brother Douglas, but I’m simply looking forward to meeting a brave man who tried in vain to save his injured comrades. My whole family, including Douglas’s twin brother Albert who now lives in the United States, is looking forward to Monday with great anticipation.”

86 year old Alf Tubb, who now lives in Swansea, was an 18 year old machine gunner on the SS North Devon, when it was bombed by German aircraft en route for Tyneside. As some of the crew abandoned ship, Alf stayed at his post and continued firing at the attacking planes. His thoughts then turned to his Reggie. Alf rushed to the engine room to try and locate Reggie, but was beaten back by the steam. Reggie was one of 6 men who died that night.

Decades later, Alf decided to find out what happened to Reggie. An appeal on a naval history website put him in touch with various people, and details about him began to emerge. Born in Dewsbury in West Yorkshire, Reggie’s last known address was in Edinburgh – a major port during the Second World. His final resting place at Comely Bank Cemetery is not far from where he lived in the Granton area of the Scottish Capital. There are no known living next of kin, but the Commission is appealing for any family to contact them.

For reasons unknown, the location of Reginald Earnshaw’s grave was never reported to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, though his name is listed on the Tower Hill naval memorial in London. On Monday the Commission will unveil a granite Commission headstone - a fitting and lasting memorial for a boy who died fighting for his country.

For further information, please contact Ranald Leask, Public Relations & Media Manager

Notes for Editors

1. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is responsible for marking and maintaining the graves of those members of the Commonwealth forces who died during the two world wars, for building and maintaining memorials to the dead whose graves are unknown and for providing records and registers of these 1.7 million burials and commemorations found in most countries throughout the world. For more information visit www.cwgc.org

2. Reginald Earnshaw died on 6 July 1941. His death certificate records his birth as being 5 February 1926, however those who have looked into the case can find no record of Reginald Earnshaw’s birth in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire on that date. They did however find a Reginald Earnshaw born exactly one year later, on the 5 February 1927. If Earnshaw did indeed lie about his age in order to serve his country, which was commonplace during both World Wars, then he would be the youngest British service war death of the Second World War at 14 years and 152 days. The current youngest is Raymond Steeds, another merchant seaman who died aged 14 years and 207 days. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is currently investigating Reginald Earnshaw’s case, and will decide if there is sufficient evidence to definitely establish his age.

3. The ceremony at Comely Bank Cemetery in Edinburgh will take place at 11am on Monday 6 th July, when Alf Tubb will be available for interview. The ceremony will be conducted by Tim Bell, The Sailors’ Society Port Chaplain in Leith. Media wishing to attend should arrive at 10.45. The entrance to Comely Bank Cemetery is on Crewe Road South, close to the junction of Craigleith Road. Parking inside the cemetery is restricted and plenty of time should be allowed to find a parking space nearby. The grave can be found in section P, grave number 440. Ranald Leask, the Press and Media Manager with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, will attend the ceremony at Comely Bank and is available for interview.

4. Find attached images of Alf Tubb holding a Lewis machine gun, the SS North Devon and two pics of Douglas Crichton and his twin brother Albert. There are no known photographs of Reginald.

5. Please note the correction to Alf Tubb’s name. Earlier copy included an ‘s’ at the end of Tubb. His name is in fact Alf Tubb.

6. The Sailors’ Society is an international charity that provides a personal lifeline for seafarers throughout the world. Existing to enrich and enhance the well-being of the world’s 1.2 million seafarers, the charity offers practical help, emotional and spiritual support and, when in dire need, financial assistance and family liaison. For more information, go to www.sailors-society.org or call 023 8051 5950.