Ernest CROSLAND. Fusilier 3458424, 11th Lancashire Fusiliers. Son of William Brooke and Eliza Crosland, Salem, Oldham, Lancashire husband of Ada Crosland, possible nee Leech. Died 7th April 1942 aged 26.
Walter SEAMARK Gunner 5884025 4th Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died 25th April 1942 aged 22 born in Northamptonshire 1919. His birth was registered as Seamark in the Registration District of Northampton, mother's maiden was York. In 1931 at Northampton William Seamark married Lilian York. The only Walter Seamarks registered was born in 1909 also in Northamptonshire. His gravestone and military records show SEAMARKS. Correct surname is SEAMARK.
John George SEARLE. Private 7389312 Royal Army Medical Corps. Son of John and Annie Searle, nee Fillingham husband of Dorothy Kathleen Searle nee Knight, of Thornton Heath, Surrey. In 1911 aged 1 year he was living with his parents 4 Dryden Road, Croydon, Surrey his father was serving soldier.
On the 25th April 1942 German Stuka Dive Bombers attacked 39 General Hospital, St Andrews Barracks, Pembroke, Malta with 500 to 2000 lb bombs. He and six other men from the hospital were killed in the second attack at 12-15 when a 2000 lb bomb his their slit trench near E block. He was aged 32.
All at rest in Pembroke Military Cemetery, Malta. Plot 1. Row, 4. Grave 23.
JOHN SEARLE. (Father) Some notes from what remains of his army records.
He joined the army on the 8th March 1901 aged 19 and 6 months occupation labourer. He was posted to the Royal Field Artillery as Driver 15389, later posted to 54 Battery Roya Field Artillery. He was posted to India on the 8th December 1906 and left for England on the 10 March 1909 discharged from the army period of engagement with the colours had expired on the 7th March 1913.
He was married on the 2nd January 1910 at the parish church of Croydon to spinster Annie Fillingham they had the following children.
John George born 2nd April 1910, William Henry born 12th October 1911, Reginald Albert born 18th June 1913, Thomas Charles born 15th November 1915 and Annie Ellen born 6th July 1918 all in Croydon.
On the 5th August 1914 he was mobilized and sent to Glasgow to join the Royal Field Artillery. He fought in France from the 17th August 1914 to 7th February 1915 then posted back to England. On the 11th April 1918 he was transferred as Driver 1273 to the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and posted to the West Riding Division Veterinary Hospital. On the 9th February 1919 he was discharged from the army to his home and family at 55 Priory Road, West Croydon.
