Contributor: Gareth Owen

Commander Edward Unwin VC CB CMG RN

Commander Edward Unwin VC CB CMG RN (17 Mar 1864 – 10 Apr 1950)

Edward Unwin was born at Forest Lodge, Fawley near Southampton on 17 March 1864, the son of Edward Wilberforce Unwin JP. After attending private schools in Cheltenham and Malvern, Unwin joined the naval training ship, HMS Conway. On leaving Conway in 1880, Unwin went to sea as an apprentice on the Royal Mail ship Roslyn Castle. Following service with the P & O Line and in the Egyptian Navy, he joined the Royal Navy as a lieutenant on 1 October 1895 seeing active service during the Benin Expedition (1897) and the Second Boer War. Promoted lieutenant commander in 1903, Unwin retired in the rank of commander in 1909.

In 1914, he was recalled to active duty as Fleet Coaling Officer aboard Admiral Jellicoe’s Flag Ship Iron Duke. In March 1915, in preparation for the landings at Cape Helles, Unwin took command of the 4,000 ton converted collier, River Clyde. The plan was to put ashore 2,000 men of the 29th Division on V Beach by disembarking them across a ‘bridge’ of small craft called lighters, lashed together. On 25 April, Unwin ran the River Clyde aground at V Beach as planned.

When the intended bridge boats failed, Unwin, with Able Seaman Williams, ran into the water and began to haul a number of small boats into position instead. The landing began under devastating fire, but Unwin, joined by Midshipman Drewry (qv), (Ref: OMD 4070; WEA 2036) maintained the ‘bridge’ until, near collapse, he had to return to his ship. Ignoring medical advice he insisted on resuming work, this time using a lifeboat to save wounded men lying in shallow water near the beach. Eventually, exhausted, he was forced to stop.

The award of the VC to Unwin, one of five awarded to the Royal Navy for this action (the others were to G L Drewry, W St. A Malleson, G M Samson and W C Williams) was announced on 16 August 1915. Unwin received his VC from the King at an investiture held at Buckingham Palace on 15 June 1916. Unwin left V Beach on 9 May and was sent home suffering from illness, but returned to the Dadanelles later in the summer. By July 1915, he was back at Mudros in command of the cruiser HMS Endymion. Given his previous experience at V Beach, Unwin was put in charge of the lighters used at Sulva Bay on 7 August 1915. For his services at Sulva Bay, he was appointed CMG in March 1916. His subsequent career included command of HMS Amethyst (Mar-Oct 1916); appointment as Principal Naval Transport Officer, Egypt (Jan 1917) and PNTO Eastern Mediterranean (Jan 1918). He received the Order of the Nile (Egypt) (1918) and was appointed CB in May 1919.

Unwin retired with the rank of Captain in 1920. After the First World War, Unwin lived in Cheltenham, before moving to the family seat at Wootton Lodge, Ashbourne, Derbyshire. In 1936, the family seat was sold and Unwin moved to Hindhead, Surrey, where he died in April 1950. In addition to the VC the IWM also holds Unwin’s other orders, medals and decorations ( Ref: OMD 5792-5801). The Documents Archive also holds copies of some interesting papers and photographs deposited by Captain Unwin’s family. There is a diorama of the V Beach landing, featuring the action involving the River Clyde in the collections (Ref: MOD 106).

Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery at St Nicholas’ Church, Brockenhurst

In 1914 due to its proximity to Southampton and Portsmouth and its railway connections the War Office chose Brockenhurst as a First World War hospital centre. The first hospital was the Lady Hardinge Hospital for Wounded Indian Soldiers. The main section, built on Church Hill, Church Lane, consisted of tented accommodation with the later addition of galvanized timber framed buildings. The site became known to the locals as “Tin Town” and held 500 beds and treated 3,000 wounded Indian troops. This site is now the Tile Barn Outdoor Centre. In addition two minor sections were established at the commandeered Balmer Lawn and Forest Park Hotels. Due to massive overcrowding in Brockenhurst the Indian hospital was closed (c1915) with wounded Indian troops now heading to Brighton.

In January 1916, the facilities were taken over and became the No.1 New Zealand General Hospital. It is likely that additional facilities were needed and the site expanded in Church Lane. Over 21,000 New Zealand casualties were treated. Sadly more than a hundred Indian, New Zealand and other soldiers died in these hospitals.

It is understood, in keeping with religious doctrine, that the remains of the Indian troops were cremated on one of two local pyre sites. Little is recorded of these events and more research is needed. However, three Indian personal were buried in the church yard and again more research is needed here to understand who they were and why they were buried. Later 93 New Zealand troops and three unidentified Belgian civilians were laid to rest here. White wooden crosses marked the locations of the fallen until 1924 when the Imperial War Graves Commission replaced the originals with the current engraved head-stones. The memorial cross was added later in 1927.

There are at least 106 graves of the First War:

  • 93 New Zealand soldiers
  • 1 Australian soldier (Australian Infantry, 22nd Battalion)
  • 1 Canadian soldier (Canadian Forestry Corps)
  • 3 unknown Belgian civilians (who worked nearby at Sopley Forestry camp)
  • 3 members of the Indian Expeditionary Forces
  • 3 British soldiers
  • 1 South African (Royal Flying Corps)

(11 servicemen of the United Kingdom were buried here during the two world wars.)

A Photograph Album of 22/318 New Zealand Staff Nurse Elfrida Anne Parkinson held by the National Army Museum of New Zealand contains three photos from a burual service at St Nicholas Church

The churchyard today is in two parts. The smaller area immediately around the Church is under the auspices of the Church Authorities. The lower section below the steps is operated by the Parish Council.

Visible in the photograph 3658(d) are the headstones of:
Gunner Joseph William Bower – 52940, died 02/09/1918. New Zealand Field Artillery
Private Thomas Campbell – 46288, aged 34, died 13/10/1918. Auckland Regiment, N.Z.E.F.

Clearly visible in the photograph 19326 are the headstones of:
Private Alfred Leonard Harris – 6/3729, age 28, died 17/10/1916. Canterbury Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
Private Anthony Arrowsmith – 6/3609, age 43, died 21/10/1916. Canterbury Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
Private Charles James Lankey – 24/2019, age 38, died 22/10/1916. Canterbury Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
Gunner Frederick Selwyn Fendall – 11/764, aged 22, died 08/12/1916. New Zealand Field Artillery

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D-Day Camp at Stanswood Bay. Marshalling Camp B9

Following an enquiry from a member of the public looking for the location of Marshalling Camp B.9, where his father was camp prior to D-Day, we are now able to confirm the location of this D-Day Camp as Stanswood Bay. Marshalling Camp B.9 (B9 B-9) which was probably in Nelson’s lodge Plantation.

Though not officially marked on any of the Overlord maps two pencil circles on “Overlord Administrative Map 1944 – Area B, Traffic Plan” (just above EA.B2 near Lepe Country Park) show the location of this camp which was established early in May 1944.

National Archives: WO 166/14367 – HQ Marshalling Area B, Mar-July 44.

Marshalling Area Routine Orders, Serial No. 23. 4 May 1944.
B9 is noted as a new camp located at “Stanswood Bay (MR905208)” and on 4 May 1944 a Major McWhor was in Command under ‘Y’ Sub Area.

Information from Son of a Sapper
On 31st May 1944 at 1200 hrs. 280th assault parties move to Marshalling camp B9 in the New Forest. Later, on 3rd June, 1300 hrs.  the first two craft loads left camp B9 and proceeded to Q2 hard (now Lepe Country Park) where they embarked in LCT’s (Landing Craft Tank) 2412 & 2413 at 1500 hrs. WO 171/1619 280th Field Company Royal Engineers war diary 1944.

Private Papers of S C Donnison (held at the IWM) serving with 280th Field Company, Royal Engineers (RE) reveal that there were troops from the Green Howards & the Nottingham Yeomanry also in the “transit camp” on the evening of Friday the 2nd June.

Some background information for those interested.
The 153 sappers, NCO’s & officers of 280th Fld Coy RE assault team embarked onto their allotted 6x LCT at Q2 hard which is at the western end of Stanswood Bay.

They had been training in this area for the preceding couple of weeks. That is blowing up replica beach obstacles & having them towed off with AVRE’s as was their assigned tasks for H hour.

It was 3 Platoon of 280th that embarked onto LCT’s 2412 & 2413 including Son of a Sapper’s father. The LCT’s were to transport the “Funnies” of 81st squadron 6 Assault Regt RE & flail tanks of C squadron Westminster Dragoons along with the sappers.

Their destination was Gold, King area of the Normandy beach & they took along with them two folding boats and two box carts upon each craft which contained additional PHE, rations, etc. including their rifles. Sapper 6151340 (Son of a Sapper’s father) was assign Green section of King breeching gap, either 1 or 2.

As far as Son of a Sapper is aware Saturday 3rd June was the FIRST time Sapper 6151340 had been on board ANY landing craft. There is no mention in 280th Fld Coy RE war diary for 1944 of any training involving landing craft. The Company only learnt that they were to be used in the invasion on 4 May a month before! Up to this point in time their main purpose & training was in bridge building. However, they were familiar with mines & explosives.

The assault team had 12 days training & on day 13 (21 May) took part in “a rehearsal for the assault landing”. This took place at Stanswood beach & afterwards it was deemed 280th Fld Coy RE training was completed. Landing craft were not specified in this rehearsal. They were ready to go!

You can find out more about the New Forest’s vital role in D-Day from Mulberry Harbour, to holding camps, road widening, advanced landing grounds, PLUTO and Embarkation by visiting our main page on D-Day in the New Forest.

 

De Havilland Mosquito’s at Holmsley South

Sometimes a combination of factors leads to truly epic results.

In March 1943, No 418 Squadron, RCAF replaced its Douglas Boston light bomber/intruders with the amazing De Havilland Mosquito. They were the very first Allied squadron to receive the fast and deadly new fighter-bomber version of the Mosquito, the FB.VI.  Capable of carrying up to 2,000lbs of bombs (in later FB.VI) – one 500 pounder under each wing and two in a bomb bay – the FB.VI still retained its full fighter armament of four 20mm Hispano cannon and four .303” Browning machine guns.

No. 418 Squadron had been formed by the Royal Canadian Air Force as an ‘intruder’ unit, tasked with penetrating deep into Occupied Europe and creating havoc amongst the enemy’s rear areas.  The Mosquito was highly suited to this, and when No 418 moved to Holmsley South in April, 1944, they instituted a campaign of ‘piracy’ that ranged far and wide. Preparing the forthcoming invasion area by strikes on locomotives and airfields, shooting down Luftwaffe aircraft where they thought they were safe deep in enemy territory became a speciality; this type of day raid was known as a ‘Ranger’. Indeed,  when the City of Edmonton, Alberta  adopted the unit, No 418 made sure the Germans knew WHO was attacking them by dropping bricks which had copies of the ‘Edmonton Journal’ wrapped around them!

The Squadron’s Mosquitoes – all coded with three letters beginning with ‘TH’ – were also adorned with ‘nose art’ featuring  various cartoon characters, with names such as ‘Hairless Joe’. This machine was flown by the Commanding Officer, Wing Commander Russ Bannock who scored eight kills against aircraft and at least 19 against the V-1 flying bombs which were unleashed against London and the South East shortly after D-Day.  No. 418 were tasked with defending London against the V-1 menace at night, due to the speed of the Mosquito.
One squadron member stands out, in particular. Lieutenant James Forrest ‘Lou’ Luma was an American who had trained in night-fighting, but who had been loaned to No 418 as the USAAF had no night-fighting squadrons at that time. Crewed with a Canadian navigator, Flying Officer C. Finlayson, they formed a deadly pair ranging far and wide. Indeed, ‘Lou ‘ Luma once shot down a German aircraft hard against the Spanish/French border. He also recovered back to base on one engine, a distance of 600 miles. Lt. Luma is credited with five kills in the air and many more aircraft destroyed on the ground. It is hardly surprising therefore, that when he finished his tour of duty and returned to the USAAF, that his own service should have awarded him their version of the Distinguished Flying Cross, to match the one awarded him by the Royal Air Force. Oh, and Lt. Luma’s aircraft was called ‘Moonbeam McSwine’!

No. 418 was only at Holmsley South until July, 1944, but by the time they left, and were replaced by USAAF units, they had established a truly fearsome reputation in the air.

 

Related articles:

This article has been sent in by The People’s Mosquito project. The People’s Mosquito has a simple vision: to restore a de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito to flying condition and return it to the skies, and fundraising is being kicked-off to help that vision become a reality.

You can find out more about the various activities of Holmsley South in this overview article: Holmsley South Airfield – Overview

Dionis Macnair Photo Album – 7th Division and Mountain Batteries

Dionis Macnair has very kindly granted us permission to share pages from one of her family photograph albums.

These pages, titled, 7th Division and Mountain Batteries, show the Indian troops, their camp and mules in Lyndhurst 1914. It also shows that their presence her in the New Forest had become somewhat of a visitor attraction with scores of people coming to see them.

Credit:
These files were photographed as part of the Our Past Our Future Project.
Courtesy of Dionis M Macnair. © 2021New Forest National Park Authority

The Long, Long Trail
Researching soldiers of the British Army in the Great War of 1914-1919

The 7th Division was formed during September and very early October 1914, by the bringing together of regular army units from various garrison stations around the British Empire. They were assembled in the New Forest in Hampshire before initially moving to Belgium. The division landed at Zeebrugge in the first week of October 1914, ordered to assist in the defense of Antwerp. By the time they arrived the city was already falling and the 7th was instead ordered to hold certain important bridges and other places that would help the westward evacuation of the Belgian army. Once the Belgians were through, the division was moved westwards, where the infantry entrenched in front of Ypres, the first British troops to occupy that fateful place. https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/7th-division/

Further articles on New Forest Knowledge relating to Dionis McNair and her mother Eleanor Ruth Dent

Dionis Macnair Photo Album – Blackmoor Convalescent Home

Dionis Macnair has very kindly granted us permission to share pages from one of her family photograph albums.

These pages, titled, Blackmoor Convalescent Home, show photos of British and Belgian troops and evacuees staying at Blackmoor in Burley, November 1914. For more details about the convalescent home see Chronicles of the Belgians by Eleanor Ruth Dent.

Credit:
These files were photographed as part of the Our Past Our Future Project.
Courtesy of Dionis M Macnair. © 2021New Forest National Park Authority

Further articles on New Forest Knowledge relating to Dionis McNair and her mother Eleanor Ruth Dent

Dragonfly at Hatchet Pond

Colour archive film footage held at the Imperial War Museum (IWM) shows Hatchet Pond being used for the testing of the DRAGONFLY. The reason the testing was done here is still unclear, but it’s thought to date from 1943. The original footage, at the IWM, is reversed (like watching it in a mirror). It wasn’t until the film was ‘flipped’ that the distinctive shape and surrounding landscape of Hatchet Pond is fully revealed.

The Dragonfly was the name given to a flame throwing, floating, tracked carrier that could motor ashore and throw fire on enemy targets. The Dragonfly is possibly an evolution of the Wasp Mk I or the Ronson, meaning it’s not a Universal Carrier, but most likely a Bren Carrier, fitted with Duplex Drive and a raisable flotation screens similar to those on the Sherman DD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPT3MOiRVLo

Shown in the film is a demonstration of the screens being raised and collapsed. Dragonflies were filmed parading around Hatchet Pond, with the yellow canvas side screens raised and there are various shots of them negotiating the pond’s banks and demonstrating the collapsible screens. Also included is a display of the Dragonfly’s full potential, not filmed at Hatchet Pond but possibly at Park Shore, near Needs Ore Point, as they come ashore, drop their screens and start to fire the onboard flamethrowers.

Eaglehurst Camp

A collection of high resolution Luftwaffe aerial photographs have come to light stored at the United States National Archive (NARA). Taken between 1940 and 1943 they shed new detail to some of the areas in and around the New Forest. The “GX” number is the NARA reference with the “F” number being the original German sortie reference.

These cropped sections of [GX 12056 SG/081] show RAF Calshot and the Eaglehurst Camp, first built in 1917.

Eaglehurst Camp was first built (1917) during the First World War as an ancillary site of RNAS Calshot, built to accommodate the ground staff and sea plane aircraft crews based there. The site was modified in World War II with the addition of defensive trenches and camouflage on the building’s roofs. The camp was connected to RAF Calshot by a light railway (also built in World War I) and by 1940, the camp accommodated 500 trainee airmen.

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East Boldre Airfield – Beaulieu Training Depot Station (S.W. Area; No 8 Group)

New documents uncovered (by an aviation historian) in The National Archives shed a little more light on the WWI airfield at East Boldre. Held within AIR 11/180, Quarterly surveys of RAF Stations dated 1919 are details on the ‘Beaulieu Trg Depot Station (S.W. Area; No 8 Group)’.

Site plan with building information, similar to the WWII Assets Plans of the WWII airfields in the area, informs us of the use and dimensions for some of the buildings.

The already known and usual buildings e.g. Women’s Hostel, Officers’ Mess, Aeroplane Sheds are listed; one surprise is the possibility of a Bomb-dropping Tower!

If you have any more details, documents or information about the aerodrome/airfield do add a comment, post a new article or get in touch. We are constantly adding to our main article: East Boldre Airfield Overview

East Boldre Airfield – the original RAF Beaulieu

To the north of the B3054 lies the remains of the WWII airfield of RAF Beaulieu, but to the south you can still find evidence of a WWI aerodrome at East Boldre, the original RAF Beaulieu.

On Sunday 1 May, 1910, a large crowd of people came to East Boldre to watch a flying display by William McArdle and J. Armstrong-Drexel, who were flying two Bleriot monoplanes.

Despite refusal from the Office of Woods, they had built two sheds, one for a hangar and one for a workshop, and they hired some local lads to clear a strip of heathland for the runway; creating the second flying school to be opened in the UK, (the first being at Leysdown on the Isle of Sheppey). There a some photographs in circulation from this period of the early planes resting on local chimney stacks.

The flying school closed two years later in 1912 and the airfield reverted to quiet grazing land but in 1914, one of the sheds on the airfield was taken over by the Royal Flying Corps (forerunner of the RAF). By 1915 the demand for pilots on the Western Front was so great that the training school, called RFC Beaulieu was built on the area. Three iron hangars, several huts and the Officer’s Mess (which is now the village hall), were built in the village during 1915. By 1917, four more large hangars, a powerhouse, workshops and accommodation for airmen, airwomen and officers were built on the Beaulieu to Lymington road. Three squadrons were formed at RFC Beaulieu before being moved to France. 84 Squadron still exists and still considers itself to be a Beaulieu Squadron.

Until 27 July 1918 the function of the site was a Training Squadron Station. After this date its function was listed as a Training Depot Station and School, RAF; specifically, No. 29 Training Depot Station. The camp was closed in 1919 and most of the buildings were removed.

Few photographs are in circulation of the WWI airfield. However a recent donations to the East Boldre Village Hall Society of WWI period photos shed new light on this airbase. You can read more about the history of the Flying school and RFC Beaulieu in the Local History section of the East Boldre website.

Two new collections that can be seen on New Forest Knowledge:

Further Reading

Read about: East Boldre Airfield – Beaulieu Training Depot Station (S.W. Area; No 8 Group)

Karl Gosling a gaming student at Bournemouth University has been working to model some of East Boldre Airfield, find out more about his work and results here: Modelling East Boldre Airfield – Beaulieu Training Depot Station

Alongside the officer’s mess which survives as the East Boldre Village Hall you can also find other echoes of the areas flying past including the: Beaulieu Letters

There are two free powerful websites we have been playing with JuxtaposeJS (allows you to create sliding images like below) and ColouriseSG (allows you to colour old black and white photos)

Sliding Colour Image of East Boldre Airfield