VE DAY – REMEMBERING IN AYNHO

We Will Remember Them

Whilst tomorrow in Aynho we will be doing our very best to celebrate VE Day in “lockdown style” it is, as ever, a time for some families and some neighbours, where only the hard times of war will be remembered. We should join with those families and give thanks for the lives of their men killed in action during the Second World War. Like the First War which wreaked its damage on families and neighbourhoods in Aynho so did the period 1939-1945.

William Butler – a soldier – was the first man from Aynho to be killed in action in the Second World War – killed in the Dunkirk salient between the 10^th May and 4 June 1940. He was 21.

George Hawkins – an airman (Sgt) – was also killed supporting the BEF in France as it tried to escape from Hitler’s forces – he was killed on 21^st May 1940. He was 30.

Bertram Cross – a sailor – was on a convoy escort destroyer (HMS Atherstone) and was killed on 12^th September 1940 in the English Channel by German bombs. He was just 24 and had been married for but a year. The Cross family lived on The Causeway at the junction of Blacksmith’s Hill and Hollow Way. His widow, Beattie, lived with her mother (Mrs Hawkins) on the Charlton Road until her death.

Arthur Delehaunt – an airman (Flt Sgt) – was in a photo reconnaissance unit based on Malta and he was shot down by a German fighter off Malta on 18^th March 1942. He was 26. He lived in the house on Roundtown (with the lovely wisteria) just opposite the main entrance to Aynhoe Park. His father was the butler at Aynhoe Park – looking after the Cartwright family and all the billeted servicemen throughout the war

 David Banham – an airman (Flt Lt/pilot) – was a fighter training pilot when on 10^th September 1943 collided mid-air near Salisbury with a Wellington bomber doing trials. He was 34. He did not live in Aynho but they kept in close contact with his family as his father, the Reverend Banham, was the Rector (since 1926) living in The Rectory (now St Michael’s House). The Rev Banham himself had served as Padre in the First War and won an MC and bar – there is no doubt that his life was seriously affected by his wartime experiences.

John LOVEDAY – a soldier (Lt Col) – commanding the 16/5 Lancers he died in the third Battle of Monte Casino on 15 May 1944. He was 33.  He lived in Catton House – and was married.

Philip UPTON – a soldier – served in the Far East with his Anti-Tank Regiment and was taken prisoner by the Japanese. He was killed on a transport ship on 21^st September 1944, whilst being moved to another PoW camp; the ship was sunk by torpedoes/bombs dropped from an American aircraft (the Japanese did not mark their PoW transport ships). Philip was 27. His parents were Sidney and Georgina Upton who lived at the cottages on Millers Lane. He was the eldest of 5 sons – Philip married a Banbury girl before he went off to the War – she had twin sons, Richard and Tony, who never met their father. Tony, with his son, Phil, came back to Aynho last year for the remembrance service at St Michael’s Church.