Abel Roberts was well known in the area when he had a fruiterer’s shop in North Road, Loftus as well as a market stall in the town and also travelled to customers in the district. He was one of many people who served in both World Wars. Abel fought at the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and volunteered for duty in World War II, serving with the Green Howards at Dishforth and at Danby Beacon. Abel is seated in the photograph on the left. We asked if anyone could add to this story. David Lambert tells us: ”My dad’s great uncle was called Abel Roberts and on the 1911 census he is down as being a Fruiter! But the census states he resided in Middlesbrough, the family resemblance is as though my grandad was sitting there; in fact the photograph of my grandad in his World War II RAF uniform is nearly a perfect match! Abel Roberts would have been my grandads uncle; he was Arthur Lambert his mother was Martha Ann Roberts (Abel Roberts sister). I have looked for Abel Roberts in World War I and the only one I can find is this one ’ABEL ROBERTS SERVICE NUMBER 4436- THE YORKSHIRE REGIMENT’; it would be interesting to find a connection here are the other family members FROM THE 1891 CENSUS FATHER ABEL ROBERTS, MOTHER MARY ROBERTS, BROTHERS HENRY, WILLIAM, “”ABEL””, THOMAS, DAUGHTERS “”MARTHA ANN””, SUSANNAH”. David also adds: ”I can now confirm that this Abel Roberts is my great great uncle my dad confirmed today (31-03-2014) that the Roberts family had a Fruiters shop in Loftus; so it seems I am blood related to John Roberts who provided the image. I have a postcard from the Western Front; from Abel to Martha (his sister) dated around 1915 and signed Abel. I also have a postcard from Abel’s brother William and I have Samuel Pontypool’s dog tags, as well as Abel’s brothers and his medal roll certificate. He was in the Northumberland Fusiliers in World War I, I am really pleased I have put another part of my family history together and even more so I have found another family member who was in World War I, I am now researching William if there is any information it would be much appreciated.” Michele Taylor has told the Archive: ”My dad; Ernest Roberts is Abel and Mary Roberts only surviving son. He is the youngest of their nine children; my name is Michele Taylor was Roberts, I’m John Roberts cousin. I found this piece so intersecting I can’t wait to show my dad. PS my dad will be 87 this year.”Georgina Knox tells the Archive: “My Great Grandma was Abel’s daughter – she was called Mary Amelia Roberts – and I know they originally grew up in Middlesbrough before moving to Loftus. I think it was the Cannon Park area she once told me. She married into the Dadd family who also were fruit and vegetable merchants starting but in Guisborough.”
Thanks to John Roberts (son of Jack Roberts) for the images and information. Also to David Lambert, Michele Taylor and Georgina Knox for the updates.
A fine body of men, much maligned during those war-time years, pose in full uniform for a formal photograph, now known to be taken in front of the garages on Kilton Lane, Carlin How. Names and a date would be much appreciated.
Mrs. Richards father, Second Lieutenant H. Grange, is second from the left on the back row. The back of the photograph is signed by Lieutenant Colonel Franklin and has all the names on it. It has been scanned and published to the post below.
Eric Johnson told us: ’The young lady in the centre (Battalion Typist) Miss Doreen Noble later married Ron Thomas Steward of Loftus Club, later landlord of the Angel Inn of Loftus Market Place.’
Sheena Scott tells us: ’Lovely to see a photograph of my Gran when she was younger. I am Doreen’s granddaughter and am married to a Captain in 2YORKS (previously Green Howard’s) currently posted to Cyprus.’
Graham Suggett makes an appeal: “As we seem to be in a Home Guard mood, can I appeal for help, please? My Uncle Joseph (Joe) White was in the 13th North Riding Battalion (Loftus)] Home Guard. Try as I might, however, I cannot find any information, let alone a photograph of the squaddies in the unit, though I do have a picture of Joe himself in uniform.”Can anybody assist with Graham’s quest?
Image courtesy of Carolyn Richards and thanks to Eric Johnson and Sheena Scott for the updates; also to Graham Suggett for his appeal.
This is the reverse side of the group photograph, with all the names, even the dog is mentioned. Jean Yardy advised: “The missing/covered name was is that of Lt Eddie Green.” Colin Dart enquired: “I stumbled across this photograph while researching some family history for my wife. Just wondered if you can shed any light on the gentleman in the back row / third left . His name looks to be Mr. J. Dart . Just curious as to whether there may be a connection.” Whilst O. R. D. Evans enquired: “My Father H. K. D. Evans Major late 4th Hussars Rank: Lieutenant Colonel, Service From Date: 01/02/1941 commanded the 13th North Riding (Worsall) Battalion. Is this the same battalion?” Can anybody assist with these enquires?
Image courtesy of Carolyn Richards, thanks to Jean Yardy for the missing name, also thanks to Colin Dart and O. R. D. Evans for the updates.
The clerks, typists, switchboard operators and Don R of the 4th Anti-Aircraft Group taken in 1944 at Chester. On the right in battledress is Brenda Varty. Bob Dunn advised: “The insignia on her sleeve is the D R over a winged wheel and is the badge worn by Despatch Riders.” Image and details courtesy of Brenda Horness; thanks to Bob Dunn for the updated information.
This young lady featured a lot in Loftus School Sports activities. Unfortunately the Second World War put a dampener on the athletics, but here on a Matchless G3 is Brenda Varty, sorry Private Varty, B, W/249378, – in khaki and carrying despatches for 913 Coy. R.A.S.C. John Aitken confesses: “Fantastic. Growing up as your next door neighbour at 3 Wood View, I knew that Uncle Less drove a tank and ate Germans (Sorry to any Germans reading) with salt and pepper, and you rode dispatch, but hadn’t seen a picture until this one. Thanks.”
Image courtesy of Brenda Horness, thanks to John Aitken for the update.
Members of the 4th (Cleveland) Battalion Army Cadet Force (Green Howards), on their annual Camp at Cayton Bay, 1944. Maurice Toulson advises: ’All the lads shown are from Loftus, Brotton, Staithes and surrounding districts. Many of them are still about, and a good looking lot they are still. Not old enough at the time to be in the forces, we all thought we were doing our bit for King and Country. We marched from Scarborough Station to the camp with a Pipe band, went on manoeuvres with the Airborne Forces on Fylingdale Moor, had Canadian cooks and the food was wonderful. Great times with a great set of lads.’
The only names we have so far are on the 2nd row: 5. Ken Barnet, 6. Eric Agar, 7….., 8. Harry Stonehouse, 9. Major Arrowsmith, 10. John Nicholson, ….. 16. Maurice Toulson, 17…..
Image and information courtesy of Maurice Toulson.
Here’s a happy group of Army Cadets, N.C.Os and Officers posing for their photograph with a shiny new trophy in their midst. Loftus Detachment; they were attached to the 4th Battalion Green Howards (although there looks to be an alien cap badge or two and even the Green Howards badges are all from different eras).
Back Row: Dennis Calvert, Don Bowers, Bill Hicks, Chris Cummins, John Barrett, John ‘Jack’ Nicholson, Dougie Upton, Len Purver.
Middle Row: Terry Codling, Harry Dack (doing his National Service), Richard Lean (doing his National Service), Jack Nicholson, Ray Husband, John Waite, Alan May.
Front Row: Don Yeoman, Geoff Hicks, Colin Morrison.
But – what was the occasion and what was the Trophy?John Nicholson has added: “Still going strong , living in Marton in Cleveland.”
Image courtesy of Barbara Waite and Eileen Hicks, updates on cap badges and missing names courtesy of John G. Hannah and Ray Husband; thanks to John Nicholson for the update.
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