The Haverton Hill and Port Clarence War Memorial was unveiled on the 14th October, 1922 by Sir Hugh and Lady Bell.
Photographs and details courtesy of Martin Dunnill.
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
The Haverton Hill and Port Clarence War Memorial was unveiled on the 14th October, 1922 by Sir Hugh and Lady Bell.
Photographs and details courtesy of Martin Dunnill.
Arthur Edward Thompson was born at Port Clarence. In 1939 he was living with his parents Sydney and Marha Thompson at 22 Beech Terrace, High Clarence. He served as an Able seaman aboard the Royal Navy light cruiser HMS Galatea. Just before midnight on 14 December 1941 HMS Galatea was torpedoed by the German submarine U-557, near Alexandria. The cruiser sank on 15 December 1941 with the los of 470 crew. Athur Edward Thompson was among these he was 22 years old. His name is commemorated on this memorial and the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Less than 48 hours later U-557 was rammed by the Italian torpedo boat Orione and sank with all crew.
Joseph Michael Geraghty was born at Port Clarence on 17th October 1919. He was the son of Patrick and Elizabeth Geraghty who were living at 3 Crosby Terrace, Port Clarence in 1939. Joseph was an Able Seaman with the Royal Navy and served aboard the Royal Navy Sloop HMS Egret.. On 27th August 1943 HMS Egret was on an anti submarine patrol in the Bay of Biscay when she became the first ship to be sunk by a guided missile (a German Hs293 glide bomb). Joseph was killed and is commemorated on this memorial and the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Michael Hanna was born at Port Clarence. He was the son of Hugh and Cathrine Hanna who were liiving at 56 Bell Street, Port Clarence in 1939. Michael served as a Gunner with the Royal Artillery (27th Field Regiment)’ He died in Indfia on 20th August 1942 and is buried in Madras War Cemetery. Chennai, He was 29 years old. His name is on this memorial.