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The following 10 Wrens all died on Royal Naval Air Station (H.M.S. Daedalus)
Lee-on-Solent the 23 November 1940
Following extract and image of the memorial to the Wrens is credited to
https://wrens.org.uk/ten-wrens-lost-in-air-attack-nov-1940/
On 23rd November 1940, German airplanes attacked the South Coast. 24 Wrens had gathered for dinner in the dining room of Mansfield Hostel, Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus) when an anti-aircraft shell hit the dining room directly and exploded.
A plaque remains today on the site of Mansfield Hostel, (now Glen Heathers, a Care home) donated by the Gosport Aviation Society in 1996, now Glen Heathers a care home.
ROSA MAY ARMSTRONG. Nee Hannell Wren Writer 8622 WRNS on H.M.S. Daedalus II.
Born 28 November 1903 to Edward Brookfield and Beatrice May Hannell. 1911 with her parents and siblings at 35 Davies Street, London.
She married Harold Victor Armstrong in the R.D. of Poole, September quarter 1924.
1939 residing at 33 Mermaid Street, Rye, Sussex, occupation, private means.
Died as the result bombing by German Aircraft over Lee on Solent 23 November 1940 age 36 years old at Royal Naval Air Station, Lee-on-Solent.
At rest in Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery, Hampshire.
Wills and Admin, Ancestry.
Rosa May Armstrong of 33 Mermaid Street Rye Sussex (wife of Harold Victor Armstrong) died 23 November 1940 at Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire. Her effects went to her husband.
JOYCE MILLICENT BENNETT. Wren 7231 WRNS on H.M.S. Daedalus II
Born 19 May 1921 to Walter John and Florence Emily Bennett, of Dorking. 1940 her last address was 18 Church Gardens, Dorking, Surrey.
Died as the result bombing by German bombers 23 November 1940 age 19 years old. At rest in Dorking Cemetery, Surrey.
MONA VIOLET BLACK. Wren 4771 WRNS on H.M.S. Daedalus II.
Born 17 December 1916 at Alverstoke Hampshire to Francis George Hamilton Rollo Black. Surgeon, Captain R.N.R. and Violet Isabel Black, of Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire.
1939 with her parents at Craven House Laydbrook Road, Cheshire. Occupation, secretary at an Iron and Steel works.
Killed during German bombing the 23 November 1940 age 23 years old. At rest in Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery, Hampshire.
Wills and Admin, Ancestry
Mona Violet Black of Craven House 03 Ladybrook Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire. Her effects went to her father retired surgeon, Captain Royal Navy
WINNIE BLACKETT. Wren P/6082 WRNS on H.M.S. Daedalus II.
Born 28 October 1921 at Rotherham, Yorkshire to Allan and Thirza Blackett, of Thrybergh, South Yorkshire.
1939 she may have been residing with her parents at 29 Silverwood Cottages, Rotherham Road, Yorkshire. Three records covered up.
Died 23 November 1940 age 19 years old. At rest in Moorgate Cemetery, Rotherham, Yorkshire.
VERA MARGARET COWLE. Wren 7232 WRNS on H.M.S. Daedalus II.
Born 08 December 1921 on the Isle of Man, to Thomas Arthur and Isobel Cowle of “Cranstal” Port-e-Vullen, Maughold, Isle of Man. Killed at the result bombs during a German air raid 23 November 1940 age 18. At rest in Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery, Hampshire.
NELLIE GREGORY, nee Gash. Leading Wren P/1940 WRNS on H.M.S. Daedalus II.
Born 14 July 1908 unmarried mother Edith Gash
Her mother got married in June Quarter 1915 to Andrew Vincent Cavanagh in the r/d of Salford, Lancashire. When Nellie died her parents were residing at
Alderley Edge, Cheshire.
March Quarter 1939 she was married as Nellie Gash to Stanley Gregory.
1939 employed as unpaid domestic at the home of Alfred W Harvey, agricultural worker.
Killed from bombing by German bombers 23 November 1940 age 32 years old. At rest in Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery, Hampshire.
Manchester Evening News dated 23 November 1944
CAVANAGH – at tribute of love and remembrance of our dear
Nell CAVANAGH, Leading Wren, killed 23 November 1940.
Deep in our hearts your memory we keep.
MUM, DAD, IRIS, and ERIC (C.P.O. Fleet Air Arm)
BERYL MELITA NORTHFIELD. Wren 6180 WRNS on H.M.S. Daedalus II.
Born 26 December 1920 at Fulham, London to Edwin Asher Northfield and Melita Grace Northfield, of Coulsden, Surrey.
Died of her injuries received from an enemy bomb explosion 23 November 1940 age 19 years old at Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar. At rest in Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery, Hampshire.
HILDA ALMA PEARSON, nee Smith. Leading Wren 1304 WRNS on H.M.S. Daedalus II.
Born 05 September 1914 to Tyrrel and Lilian May Smith.
She was married in September quarter 1938 to Gunner, Cecil G Pearson, (Royal Artillery), of Mutley, Plymouth.
Died 23 November 1940 age 26 years old. At rest in Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery, Hampshire.
Wills and Admin, Ancestry.
Hilda Alma Pearson of Wrens Establishment Lee-on-Solent died 23 November 1940. Her effects went her husband, a tailor’s cutter.
NORAH KATHLEEN REYNOLDS. Wren COOK P/7691 WRNS on H.M.S. Daedalus II.
Born 13 March 1917 to James and Minnie Reynolds, of Eastbourne, Sussex. 1939 at the home of her niece of Miss Louisa Rose Piper of 18 Castledean Road, of Eastbourne.
Died 23 November 1940 age 23 years old. At rest in Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery, Hampshire.
DOROTHY MARGARET WARDELL. Wren P/6923 WRNS on H.M.S. Daedalus II.
Born 02 December 1917 at Hoyland ne Barnsley, Yorkshire to Henry and Dorothy Mildred Wardell, of Ackworth, Yorkshire.
1939 servant, housekeeper, residing at 34 Bryanston Street, St Marylebone, London.
Died 23 November 1940 age 22 years old. At rest in Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery, Hampshire.
Wills and Admin, Ancestry.
Dorothy Margaret Wardell of Lindley House, Brierly Barnsley, Yorkshire, spinster. Died 23 November 1940 at Mansfield Hostel, Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire. Her effects went to her mother.