April 8, 2025 saw Museum volunteers spreading out across Hampton Roads to accomplish an important task, the collection of grave stone rubbings for all of the British servicemen who are buried here; their lives having been lost during World War II. Part of a national effort called Bring the Boys Back Home, the Museum’s volunteers are joining a nationwide effort, spearheaded by the Commemorative Air Force, to honor the sacrifice of our Allies during the war.

One of our Museum's volunteers cleaning the gravestone of Royal Navy sailor Fred Batty prior to creating a rubbing of the tomb at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia. Petty Officer Batty was an supply officer serving aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious at the time of his death from a heart attack while swimming on June 8th, 1941. (image via Keegan Chetwynd)

One of our Museum volunteers beside WWII Royal Navy sailor Charles Allen Breeze's tomb shortly before creating a rubbing of his gravestone for the Bring the Boys Back Home campaign. (image via Keegan Chetwynd)

Creating a rubbing of Charles Allen Breeze's gravestone in Hampton National Cemetery. Breeze was a cook aboard the Royal Navy Battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth at the time of his accidental drowning on June 20th, 1943 aged just 20 years old.

Although British servicemen typically came to the United States during World War II for training (Flight Training being one example of a task more easily completed in safer territory) there are those in our region who were serving on board naval ships that were lost to German U-Boats in the Atlantic, as well as to mines and similar weapons along the coast. In total, across the United States there are war graves belonging to 423 of these service personnel. Many perished in accidents, while others died of illnesses, and a good number through enemy action too. 

Now, through a collaboration between institutions, and the efforts of volunteers across the country, a symbolic reunion is being pulled together for these Britons and their families. The Commemorative Air Force is flying Ready 4 Duty, their ex-US Navy Douglas R4D-6S Gooney Bird, to Europe this Summer and, as part of a program honoring the 80th Anniversary of Victory in WWII, they will be transporting the grave stone rubbings with them.

The Commorative Air Force's R4D-6S Gooney Bird, Ready 4 Duty, as seen at an air show during 2019. The aircraft is set to arrive at the Military Aviation Museum over the Easter Weekend to pick up the grave rubbings of WWII British service personnel buried in the United States. (image by Alan Wilson via Wikimedia)
The Commorative Air Force's R4D-6S Gooney Bird, Ready 4 Duty, as seen at an air show during 2019. The aircraft is set to arrive at the Military Aviation Museum over the Easter Weekend to pick up the grave rubbings of WWII British service personnel buried in the United States. (image by Alan Wilson via Wikimedia)

“It's not just about the record of service, and of sacrifice, that these rubbings represent. It is also about celebrating what our nations accomplished together during the darkest days of World War II.” said Keegan Chetwynd, Director and CEO of the Military Aviation Museum, adding “In joining the effort to symbolically reunite these men with the families, and countrymen, we are expressing how much we understand, appreciate and value what they did for us.” 

The graves themselves are spread around the Hampton Roads area and northern North Carolina. Closest to the Museum is the group of 4 buried at Creeds / Oak Grove Cemetery at the foot of the Pungo Ferry Bridge. One is at the Hampton National Cemetery, several are at the Norfolk / Forest Lawn Cemetery, while the largest local group is interred at Portsmouth/Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.

Sadly, these graves, far from home, are in some cases quite overgrown. Finding them is the first task undertaken by Museum volunteers. Once located, they clean the stones, and commence collecting the rubbing – all of which is happening on a tight timeline! Ready for Duty will arrive in Virginia Beach over the Easter Weekend to be loaded with the rubbings our volunteers have collected. The CAF anticipates that the aircraft will arrive in Europe ahead of the VE Day 80 celebrations (May 8, 2025) to unload its precious cargo of service personnel 'returning home' finally after more than 80 years. 

If you wish to get involved, we welcome you to attend the ceremony to load the aircraft on Saturday April 18, at 1pm. If you are interested in offering financial support, The Military Aviation Museum will be providing some of the fuel that helps the aircraft along its journey across the North Atlantic.

Donations made before Easter identified with the words “Bring the Boys Back Home” will be used to support this effort.

The WWI Royal Navy battleship HMS Royal Sovereign. Edward William Hughes was a stoker aboard this vessel when it stopped in Newport News on its way back to England for a refit. Sadly, Breeze died in an accidental drowning incident in the Chesapeake Bay on June 21, 1941.

Edward William Hughes in happier times. Sadly he drowned in Chesapeake Bay when just 20 years old on June 21, 1941. He served as a stoker aboard the WWI-era Battleship HMS Royal Sovereign which was in port nearby at the time of his death.

Creating a rubbing from the gravestone of Stoker 2nd Class, Edward William Hughes at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia on April 9th, 2025. Hughes was serving aboard the WWI-era battleship HMS Royal Sovereign at the time of his death by drowning in the Chesapeake Bay on June 21, 1941. (image via Keegan Chetwynd)

Names of British War Dead Buried in Virginia Beach Area

CREEDS (OAK GROVE) CEMETERY

Alfred Dryden, Seaman, LT/JX241795. RN Patrol Service, HM Trawler Bedfordshire. 11th May, 1942. Age 32. Son of Jane Dryden; husband of Jane Anne Dryden, of Berwick-on-Tweed, Northumberland, England.
Lot 57. Grave 3

John Ernest Farrall, Seaman, LT/JX240547. RN Patrol Service. HM Trawler Kingston Ceylonite. 15th June, 1942. Age 21. Son of Robert Ernest and Caroline Farrall, of Wythenshawe, Manchester, Lancashire, England.
Plot 1. Grave 27

Joseph Davidson Stubbs, Ord. Sea., LT/J X277627. RN Patrol Service. HM Trawler Kingston Ceylonite. 15th June, 1942. Age 32. Son of John and Jane Stubbs; husband of Christina Stubbs, of Lemington-on-Tyne, Northumberland, England.
Plot 57. Grave 2

Harold George Turner, Seaman, LT/JX206526. RN Patrol Service, HM Trawler Kingston Ceylonite. 15th June, 1942. Age 30. Son of Samuel and Ethel Kate Turner; husband of Edith Turner, of Bedhampton, Hampshire, England.
Plot 1. Grave 52

HM Trawler Bedfordshire, a former fishing vessel which the Royal Navy requisitioned and converted into an antisubmarine ship in August 1939. Bedfordshire was torpedoed by U-558 while escorting a convoy off the coast of North Carolina on May 12, 1942. All 32 aboard perished, with six of their bodies washing ashore at various places along the coast in the following weeks. One of these men, Alfred Dryden, is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Creeds, Virginia. In the same cemetery lie the bodies of 3 other Royal Navy sailors, John Ernest Farrall, Joseph Davidson Stubbs, and Harold George Turner, who died aboard a similar vessel, HM Trawler Kingston Ceylonite which struck a mine laid by the German submarine, U-701 on June 15, 1942.
HM Trawler Bedfordshire, a former fishing vessel which the Royal Navy requisitioned and converted into an antisubmarine ship in August 1939. Bedfordshire was torpedoed by U-558 while escorting a convoy off the coast of North Carolina on May 12, 1942. All 32 aboard perished, with six of their bodies washing ashore at various places along the coast in the following weeks. One of these men, Alfred Dryden, is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Creeds, Virginia. In the same cemetery lie the bodies of 3 other Royal Navy sailors, John Ernest Farrall, Joseph Davidson Stubbs, and Harold George Turner, who died aboard a similar vessel, HM Trawler Kingston Ceylonite which struck a mine laid by the German submarine, U-701 on June 15, 1942.
The memorial to the lives of the 32 sailors from HMT Bedfordshire in Ocracoke, North Carolina.
The memorial to the lives of the 32 sailors from HMT Bedfordshire in Ocracoke, North Carolina.

HAMPTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Charles Allen Breeze, Cook (S), P/MX85187. RN, HMS Queen Elizabeth. 20th June, 1943. Age 20. Son of William and Frances M. Breeze, of Attleborough, Norfolk, England
Sec. E. Grave 926

The WWI Royal Navy battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth. Charles Allen Breeze was part of this ship's company when it stopped at the Navy Yards in Norfolk, Virginia for a comprehensive refit. Sadly, Breeze died in an accidental drowning incident while swimming off Willoughby Beach in Norfolk, Virginia on June 20th, 1943 - just before the ship was set to leave for home waters. He is the sole British serviceman buried in Hampton National Cemetery.
The WWI Royal Navy battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth. Charles Allen Breeze was part of this ship's company when it stopped at the Navy Yards in Norfolk, Virginia for a comprehensive refit. Sadly, Breeze died in an accidental drowning incident while swimming off Willoughby Beach in Norfolk, Virginia on June 20th, 1943 - just before the ship was set to leave for home waters. He is the sole British serviceman buried in Hampton National Cemetery.

NORFOLK (FOREST LAWN) CEMETERY

Fred Batty, Supply P.O., D/M37367. RN, HMS Illustrious. 8th June, 1941. Age 41. Son of Japheth and Minnie Batty; husband of Annie Batty, of Prestwich, Lancashire, England
East lawn Sec. Lot 12. Row 3. Grave 3

Lieut. Comdr. Charles William Gerald Coventry, RN, HMS Sultan III. 10th October, 1941. Age 40. Son of Colonel The Hon. Charles John Coventry, C.B., T.D. and The Hon. Mrs. Coventry (nee Whitehouse)
East lawn Sec. Lot 12. Row 3. Grave 4

Charles Richard Jack Grimmer, Ldg. Sea., LT/JX184424 RN Patrol Service, HM Trawler Kingston Ceylonite. 15th June, 1942
Sec. G. Row 1. Grave 26

Edward William Hughes, Stoker 2nd Class, C/KX114559. RN, HMS Royal Sovereign. 21st June, 1941
East lawn Sec. Lot 12. Row 3. Grave 2

John Lewis, A.B., C/JX253720. RN, HMS President III. 30th January 1943. Age 20. Son of Robert John and Mary Elizabeth Lewis, of Godreaman, Aberdare, Glamorgan, Wales
Sec. G.Row 9. Grave 46

Charlie Marr, Boatswain. Merchant Navy. SS Athel Prince (Liverpool). 15th September, 1944. Age 37. Son of Charlie and Ada Marr (nee Watson); husband of Annie Eliza Marr, of Hull, Yorkshire, England
Sec. H. Row 1. Grave 44

James Tudge, A.B., D/JX248805. RN, HMS President III. 30th January, 1943. Age 26. Son of John and Ethel Tudge; husband of Ruth Tudge, of Portwood, Stockport, Cheshire, England
Sec. G. Row 9. Grave 47

Funeral at Forest Lawn Cemetery for two Royal Navy sailors, Able Seaman James Tudge and Able Seaman John Lewis, alongside two Norwegian mariners, Ingvald Gjerstad and Arnfinn Siring from the freighter, Vesta, who died after being struck by a Virginia Electric and Power Company streetcar on Hampton Boulevard on a misty evening on Friday, January 29, 1943. Several others were injured in the incident. The men had apparently been on the streetcar tracks amongst a group of onlookers watching a fight unfold between two US Navy sailors.
Funeral at Forest Lawn Cemetery for two Royal Navy sailors, Able Seaman James Tudge and Able Seaman John Lewis, alongside two Norwegian mariners, Ingvald Gjerstad and Arnfinn Siring from the freighter, Vesta, who died after being struck by a Virginia Electric and Power Company streetcar on Hampton Boulevard on a misty evening on Friday, January 29, 1943. Several others were injured in the incident. The men had apparently been on the streetcar tracks amongst a group of onlookers watching a fight unfold between two US Navy sailors.

PORTSMOUTH (EVERGREEN) MEMORIAL PARK

Arthur Cameron, Ch. Mechanician, P/K57002. RN, HMS Birmingham. 26th August, 1944. Age 42. Son of John Snowden and Annie Cameron of Carlisle, Cumberland, England, husband of Mary Margaret Cameron of Botcherby, Carlisle
Sec F. Lot 21 Grave 5

Lewis C. Clarkson, P.O. Steward, Naval Auxiliary Personnel (M.N.). HMS Reaper. 9th May, 1945. Age 39. Son of Cimler and Florence Clarkson; husband of Marguerite Dalton Clarkson, of Streatham, London, England.
Sec. F. Lot 13. Grave 2

John V. Davies, A.B., D/JX364864. RN, HMS Northway. 18th February, 1944. Age 19. Son of Thomas Samuel and Ethel May Davies, of Llanelly, Carmarthenshire, Wales
Sec. F. Lot 21. Grave 4

Sub-Lieut.(A) Donald Frank Ellwood, RNVR, HMS Ravager. 4th July, 1943. Age 23. Son of Cyril and Florence May Ellwood, of Great Horkesley, Essex, England
Sec. F. Lot 15. Grave 6

Calvert Henry Gilpin, Ord. Sea., P/SSX337.72. RN, HMS Devonshire. 22nd February, 1942, Age 20. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Redvers Gilpin, of Kendal, Westmorland, England
Sec. F. Lot 52. Grave 5

Sub-Lieut.(A) Eric Vincent Jefferson, RNVR, HMS Saker II. 4th August, 1942 Age 20. Son of Lawrence Trail Gray and Adelaide Jefferson, of East Grinstead, Sussex, England
Sec. F. Lot 10. Grave 3

James Finian McCann, E.R.A. 4th Cl., P/MX 78676. RN, HMS Indomitable. 18th January, 1944
Sec. F. Lot 15. Grave 5

Patrick Joseph McEvoy, Ldg Airman, F/X86555. RN, HMS Victorious. 10th January, 1943. Age 23
Sec. F. Lot 15. Grave 1

Harold Leonard Mahoney, Asst. Steward, D/LX36723. RN, HMS Furious. 1st April, 1942. Age 22. Son of Timothy Joseph and Ethel Elizabeth Mahoney, of Ford, Devonport, England
Sec. F. Lot 52. Grave 3

Sidney Charles Morgan, A.B., D/JX288228. RN, HMS Attacker. 3rd February, 1943. Age 23. Son of George and Florence Morgan, of Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales; husband of Beatrice Marjorie Morgan of Newport
Sec. F Lot 15. Grave 2

Roderick John Paxton, Sigmn., C/JX573177 RN, HMS President III. 12th June, 1945. Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Paxton, of Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England.
Sec. F. Lot 14. Grave 6

Dennis Ritchie, Ldg. Airman, FX/115075. RN HMS Ravager. 4th July, 1943. Age 20. Son of George E. and Eleanor C. Ritchie, of Gateshead Co. Durham, England
Sec. F. Lot 18. Grave 3

Thomas Roberts, Ordnance Artificer 4th Cl. MX/102516. RN HMS Indomitable. 3rd April 1944. Age 20. Son of Frank Goodman and Olga Annie Roberts, of Flixton, Lancashire, England
Sec. F. Lot 21. Grave 6

William Henry Slingsby, A.B., C/JX125569 RN HMS Asbury. 28th October, 1942. Age 33 Son of Thomas William and Florence Slingsby husband of Mabel Slingsby, of Nottingham England
Sec. F. Lot 7. Grave 5

John H. Stewart, A.B., P/SSX28978 RN, HMS Queen Elizabeth. 4th October, 1942. Age 20. Son of John and Eleanor Stewart, of Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland
Sec. F. Lot 7. Grave 6

Lieut.(A) Edgar Thomas Trotman, RNVR, HMS Ravager. 4th July, 1943. Age 29. Son of Thomas and Amy Trotman; husband of Ivy Lily Trotman, of Rainham, Essex, England
Sec. F. Lot 15. Grave 4

William Valentine, A.B., P/JX219371 RN, HMS Queen Elizabeth. 16th September, 1942. Age 25. Son of Jesse and Jean Elizabeth Valentine, of Ingoldsthorpe, Norfolk, England
Sec. F. Lot 10. Grave 1

Sub-Lieut. Edward John Whiteway, RNVR HMS Saker. 8th June, 1945. Son of Herbert Lionel Whiteway, cider manufacturer, and Dorothy Maud Whiteway (née Morgan) of Slewton House, Whimple, Devon
Sec. F. Lot 13. Grave 4

Joseph Yates, Greaser. Naval Auxiliary Personnel (M.N.). HMS Carnarvon Castle. 5th January, 1942. Age 35. Son of John and Matilda Yates of Wrexham, Wales
Sec. F. Lot 52. Grave 1

Lieut.(A) Edgar Thomas Trotman of No.846 Squadron Fleet Air Arm at the controls of Grumman Avenger FN788 as it stalled into Chesapeake bay soon after takeoff from the Royal Navy escort carrier HMS Ravager on July 4th, 1943. Flying from aircraft carriers is inherently dangerous, and as difficult as this image is to see, it is important to realize the high price so many of our service personnel paid during WWII... even when training. Trotman, along with his fellow crewmen on that flight, Leading Airman Dennis Ritchie and Sub Lieutenant Donald Frank Ellwood are buried in Evergreen Memorial Park in Portsmouth, Virginia. (image via Imperial War Museum)
Lieut.(A) Edgar Thomas Trotman of No.846 Squadron Fleet Air Arm at the controls of Grumman Avenger FN788 as it stalled into Chesapeake bay soon after takeoff from the Royal Navy escort carrier HMS Ravager on July 4th, 1943. Flying from aircraft carriers is inherently dangerous, and as difficult as this image is to see, it is important to realize the high price so many of our service personnel paid during WWII... even when training. Trotman, along with his fellow crewmen on that flight, Leading Airman Dennis Ritchie and Sub Lieutenant Donald Frank Ellwood are buried in Evergreen Memorial Park in Portsmouth, Virginia. (image via Imperial War Museum)