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.