East Cleveland Image Archive

Abel Roberts was well known in the area when he had a fruiterer’s shop in North Road Loftus, 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 Two, serving with the Green Howards at Dishforth and at Danby Beacon.  Abel is seated in the photo on the left. Can anyone add to this story? 

Thanks to John Roberts for the images and information.

Mrs. Richards father, 2 Lt H. Grange, is 2nd from the left on the back row.   The back of the photograph is signed by Lt Colonel Franklin and has all the names on it.  I have scanned and published it below.

Update courtesy of Eric Johnson: The young lady in the centre (Bn Typist) Miss Doreen Noble later married Ron Thomas Steward of Loftus Club, later landlord of the Angel Inn of Loftus marketplace.

(Image courtesy of Carolyn Richards)

This is the reverse side of the group photograph, with all the names, even the dog is mentioned.

Missing/covered name is that of Lt Eddie Green. Thanks to Jean Yardy for that update.

(Image courtesy of Carolyn Richards)

The Officers of “D” Company, 13 NorthRiding Home Guard Regiment  Battalion Headquarters.

Information on the location of the battalion HQ would be appreciated.

Back row, L to R:  2/Lt. Utley, H.H., 2/Lt. Robinson, F., 2/Lt.Pearson, W., 2/Lt. Thompson, W,. 2/Lt. Simpson, R., 2/Lt Reed, C.C., 2/Lt., Marsay, J.

Front Row L to R:  Lieut. Hyde, J., Lieut. Thompson, G.W., Capt. Mortimer,  D.E., Major Wicks, T., Capt. Harben, A., Lieut. Elders, G., 2/Lt. Gibson, A.

The men of “D” Company, LDV (Look, Duck and Vanish) or the Home Guard as they would have been known in the second world war.

Back row l-r: Albert Downs, Fred Butterworth, Dennis Pinkney, Wilf Harcourt

Middle row l-r: Eric Davidson, Jim Husband, Gus Swales, Herbert Stevenson, Stan Butterworth

Front row l-r: Fred Chapman, Bob Goldby, Jack(John Ernest) Metcalf, Jonty Atkinson, T Wicks (Derick Pearson thinks he later became Major Wicks?), Cyril Lynford.

(John Ernest Metcalf owned a Bakery in Carlin How in the 1960s according to his grandaughter Angela Cockburn – thanks for the naming information Angela)   Thanks also to Derick Pearson for other names to date.  Thanks to Bob Dunn for an update on names.

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. The insignia on her sleeve is the D R over a winged wheel and is the badge worn by Despatch Riders.
(image courtesy of B Horness and many thank 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.

I seem to remember the G3 was a real boneshaker – I had a later model with ”jampot” rear suspension!
(image courtesy of Brenda Horness)