Our Beautiful and Historic Newark Cemetery, Newark-On-Trent, Nottinghamshire UK
Ransome and Marles their ultimate sacrifice to work in dangerous places during the war will not be in vain, we did remember them with a memorial at Newark Town Hall on 70th anniversary, on 7th March 2011 when the factory was bombed. Remember the 41 that died in Newark-On-Trent 29 men and 12 women were killed with a further 165 being injured.
laurencegoff
Let’s pay homage to those who were killed RIP during the 2nd World War in the Commonwealth and Polish War Graves
Newark Cemetery, London Road, Nottinghamshire NG24 1SQ off the A1
Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire NG24 1SQ
maps.google.co.uk
Newark Cemetery is Located on London Road, Newark-On-Trent
The Annual Air Bridge Commemoration Service on Sunday 25th September 2011. Assemble at Newark Cemetery Main Gates on London Road, Newark at 1:45pm, 2pm procession up the Main Drive to the Air Bridge Memorial near the Commonwealth and Polish War graves.
Photo by laurencegoff
Photo by laurencegoff
Photo by laurencegoff
Photo by laurencegoff
Photo by laurencegoff
http://newarkadvertiser.co.uk/
I am grateful to Newark Advertiser for the old newspaper pictures and stories.
http://newarkadvertiser.co.uk/BBC News – Newark ball bearing factory raid remembered10 Mar 2011 … On 7 March 1941 thousands of workers at the Ransome and Marles factory in … Bert Emerson helped rescue other survivors of the bombing …www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-12693943 - |
http://newarkadvertiser.co.uk/ |
Ransome and Marles Ball and Roller Bearing Factory, 7th March 1941 |
|
Photo by laurencegoff
Chris Grant visiting his father grave on the 70th Anniversary when Ransome and Marles Ball Bearing Factory was bombed 7th March 1941
We are grateful for Ransome and Marles Ball Bearing factory who Played their part during the 2nd world war. The workers who were pushed to the limit as they turned out the components that kept the war machine running. The Ransome and Marles bearings factory in Newark was among them and, as such, was a prized target for the enemy. Seventy years ago, on March 7, 1941, it was hit in a daytime raid by the Luftwaffe that left 41 dead and 165 injured. The terrible loss of life is marked at the company’s Northern Road site with a plaque on a tree but, until this week, there was no public memorial to those who were killed. Now their names are on a memorial, unveiled in Newark Town Hall on Monday, 7th March 2011 for all to see in years to come.
On Saturday 5th March 2011 relatives of those killed were in Newark Market Place as former town mayor Mr Chris Grant, whose father Robert was among the dead, read the full roll of honour.“Today is the beginning of a weekend of closure for me,” he said. The younger generation has also been involved with pupils from Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Primary School marking the occasion in Newark Cemetery on Monday 7th March 2011. One ten-year-old said it was important to remember what happened. He’s right, and the memorial will ensure that is the case. For the families of those killed it is fitting that there is finally public recognition of the sacrifice that was made.
We will Remember them
http://newarkcemeteryuk.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/100_3084.jpg
Tribute to Ransome and Marles, our public recognition of the sacrifice that was made.
From Holy Trinity RC School Pupil Newark-On-Trent
Photo by laurencegoff
Families, Friends and people of Newark have commemorated the 70th Anniversary of Ransome and Marles Ball Bearing Factory bombing over the last 3 days from 5th – 7th March 2011. The 41 deaths represented the greatest single loss of life in Newark during the 2nd world war.
Photo by laurencegoff
We have Remember them
Photo by laurencegoff
Ransome and Marles Tribute held at Newark Town Hall
Monday afternoon 7th March 2011 at Newark Cemetery by 32 local pupils roll call of the 41 killed
Photo by laurencegoff
Tribute to Ransome and Marles Bombing From Holy Trinity RC School, Children when they did a roll call at 2:24pm. This was the time and date when the 2nd attack took place at Newark-On-Trent Ball Bearing Factory. We are grateful to you for marking the occasion in Newark Cemetery.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAENogFKmMY&feature=autofb
Photo by laurencegoff
Tribute
A former Mayor Chris Grant with Pupil from Holy Trinity RC School, Newark, who did a roll call of his dad’s name Robert Grant who was one of 41 killed in the bombing of Ransome and Marles Ball Bearing Factory. You did Remember them
Photo by laurencegoff
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 The Makins Cottage Where Edith Lived |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ransome and Marles former factory workers Remembered with a Permanent Memorial in the Heart of town hall, Newark-On-Trent on 7th March 2011 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Newark Town Hall Monday 7th March 2011 – Newark-On-Trent, Nottinghamshire on 70th anniversary commemorations of Ransome and Marles bombing in Newark-On-Trent . Our recognition to remember them on this day with a permanent Memorial in the heart of the town.
Photo by laurencegoff
New Ball Bearings Memorial from NSK that will Remember Randome and Marles Bombing (R&M )Ball Bearing Factory
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UAJvY1DIMg
Ransome and Marles’ Factory was Bombed, Friday 7th March 1941. We will Remember the 41 that died in Newark-On-Trent. 29 men and 12 women were killed with a further 165 being injured. Bomb horror at factory Newark-On-Trent in Nottinghamshire people can recall Wartime memories for the 70th the anniversary in 2011
Photo by laurencegoff
Ransome and Marles former factory workers have now been Remembered with a Permanent Memorial at Town Hall Newark-On-Trent on 7th March 2011
Newark Parish Church
Bombing of Ransome and Marles 70 years ago
Joyce May Kirton — Joyce May Boorman 2011-03-07 19:04
I heard on Radio 4′s PM programme this afternoon about the 70th anniversary of the bombing on R&M. My mother worked there and survived the bombing. Her best friend, Joyce May Kirton, was killed as the shelter took a direct hit. My mother would never go into it. I understood from my mother that the shelter was filled in because of the devastation. That is probably why there is no record of Joyce’s burial. I was named after Joyce Kirton in memory of my mother’s and her friendship. My mother’s name was Elsie Bird (married name Dennett)- she is aged 91 and is still alive, but unfortuantely is in a nursing home with dementia.
I hope you find this interesting.
http://newarkadvertiser.co.uk/
Let’s give respect to the thousands of heroes that worked at R&M during the bombing, they also served their country. Anyone can add memories, condolences, we will Remember them and please encourage your friends to join our tribute page & show support. Ransome and Marles Newark-On-Trent Bombing 70th Anniversary 7th March 2011.
http://newarkadvertiser.co.uk/
We should be grateful to the people around Newark that worked at Ransome & Marles Ball Bearings Factory which provided components to all three Armed Forces.
Ransome and Marles’ Factory was Bombed, Friday 7th March 1941. We will Remember the 41 that died in Newark-On-Trent. 29 men and 12 women were killed with a further 165 being injured. Bomb horror at factory Newark-On-Trent in Nottinghamshire people can recall Wartime memories for the 70th the anniversary in 2011. The bombing of the Ransome and Marles factory in Newark when two Luftwaffe Heinkel bombers carried out separate raids on the Northern Road factory within an hour of each other at about lunch time on March 7 1941. The raids cost 41 lives and the cost in terms of damage was put at £91,789. A German aerial photograph taken in October 1940 was later recovered. It was used in the planning of the raid, detailing the longitude and latitude of the factory. The first German bomber used the railway line from Grantham as a guide and dropped four bombs. Two hit the factory, where the tool room and grindery took the brunt of the blast. One bomb hit the air raid shelter, another landed in the road nearby. The plane then circled and dropped a fifth bomb, which hit the factory floor but failed to explode. Five bombs were dropped in the second attack. Only one exploded but caused casualties to rescue workers tending people injured in the first raid. The Germans reported a successful low-level bomb attack on a ball bearing factory in Newark. Thirty men and ten women were killed. One woman was never found and presumed dead. There have been reports over the years of sightings of her ghost in the factory. Mr Bill Midwinter of Valley Prospect, Newark, was a production control supervisor who had gone home for lunch on that fateful day, when the air raid sirens sounded. He recalls: “I was in London Road and saw a bomb drop. “The plane seemed low. “It was a terrible day, pouring with rain. “I do not think the bomber could get the height so the bomb did not explode.”Mr Midwinter, as a member of the factory defence unit, helped to guard the 1,000lb unexploded bomb he saw fall. He said: “We ended up guarding the bomb for several days until the Bomb Disposal Unit arrived. “We were given strict instructions that no one should attempt to touch it or go near it. “The bomb looked quite small when it was in the ground but when it was removed you could see how big it really was. “I have no doubts that if that bomb had gone off the factory would have been completely wiped out.” About 4,000 people worked at the factory during the second world war, and a chance conversation probably saved the life of Mr Bert Emerson of Keats Road, Balderton, who worked in the equipment drawing office. He said: “I was making my way down from the grindery to the tool room when I stopped for a chat. “I was showered in glass from the sheer impact of the bombing but even then I escaped without a scratch.”He remembered, as a 19 year old, helping to take a stretcher down to the underground hospital at the factory, when it was bombed for the second time. “I count myself lucky to have escaped,” he said. More than 100 people were initially treated at the underground hospital, and ambulances took 65 people to hospital. The underground hospital, 15ft under the factory’s carpark, was bricked up and forgotten about after the war. It came to light again last year when plans were drawn up to mark the factory’s 100th anniversary.Gallons of groundwater were pumped out before the hospital could be opened but the effort was worth it as the hospital attracted 3,000 visitors. A future use for the hospital as a venue for fire service training exercises has been suggested but until a decision is made it will remain closed. Many people who worked at the factory for years were unaware the hospital existed, but the vital contribution it made on 7th March, 1941 is unlikely to be forgotten.
We did Remember them
We did Remember them when 41 were killed during Ransome and Marles bombing 7th March 1941, which happen 70 years ago on this date
List of Names that were killled.
George Adams, Wilfred Andrew, Olive Ash, Bertie Ball, Earnest Beale, Edward Beaver, Harold Brown, Vivien Castle, Winifred Cooper, Edna Cottam, Gladys Cummings, William Dixey, Frederick Fowler, George Godridge, Robert Grant, John Green, Horace Grocock, Albert Gyde,Rose Hall, James Hanger, Thomas Hardie, Sybil Hayden, Joyce Kirton, Lily Lambert, George Lambley, Edith Makins, Frederick Mann, Frederick Markwell, Claude Martin, Edward Martin, Richard Naylor, Frederick Packwood, William Pepper, Frederick Richards, Alfred Ridge,Reginald Senior, George Swanwick, Norah Trueblood, Esther Varney, William Warner, Arthur Worrell.
Photo by laurencegoff
We did Remember them
Bell tolls in Newark for bombing victims 70-year’s on Saturday March 05, 2011
Former Newark Mayor Chris Grant’s voice audibly trembled today as he read the name of his father on a list of 41 people killed in a bombing raid at Ransome and Marles.Ten bombs fell in two Luftwaffe bombing raids on the Northern Road factory on March 7, 1941, five of which exploded.
Photo by laurencegoff
Workers then came under machine-gun fire as they tried to flee. The 41 deaths represented the greatest single loss of life on Nottinghamshire soil during the second world war. Realtives of the civilians killed joined with townsfolk in Newark Market Place on Saturday in paying silent tribute to those that died. A two-minute silence at 11am was followed by Mr Grant’s reading of each name, including that of his father Robert, to the accompaniment of the toll of the bell of HMS Newark. Candles were lit for each of the victims.
Mr Chris Grant, 74, of The Park, Newark, said: “Today is the beginning of a weekend of closure for me. “As I read the names – that of my father – I was thinking of that day in March 70 year’s ago and being a little boy sitting under the stairs at home as the bombs dropped and hearing the sound of the machine gunning. “I ask myself what would have happened if all of the bombs had exploded? The Luftwaffe would certainly have achieved its objective of putting Ransome and Marles out of action.”
Ransome and Marles former factory workers were Remembered on Saturday, Sunday and Monday 7th March 2011
The Friends of Newark Cemetery organised the moving tribute to allow the town to pay homage to those who were killed and chose Saturday as it is market day. Thirty of the victims are buried in Newark Cemetery on London Road. Monday the cemetery chapel interpretation centre will be open to the public from noon – 1:30pm where there will be an exhibition relating to the bombing. Visitors can also see some of the victims’ graves.
7th March 2011
On Monday, pupils at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Primary School will ring their school bell at 2.24pm —the time of the second raid at the bearings factory. The children, who have been studying the bombing.
The factory of Ransome and Marles were a prime target during the 2nd world wars, by enemy bombers as the Luftwaffe tried to bring Britain to its knees. Newark-On-Trent , Nottinghamshire, is strategically placed at the centre of road, rail and river routes, was turning out guns, tank parts and bridges for the Allied war effort. But the biggest prize was Ransome and Marles, where ball bearings were made, a vital component for just about every moving part used by the armed forces. Destroy Ransome and Marles and put a mighty dent in Britain’s war capacity: that was the German plan.
From Holy Trinity RC School Pupil Newark-On-Trent 
Artwork by Ronald Wood who worked at R&M-RHP -NSK
In the early afternoon of a damp and gloomy March day, a single Heinkel 111 bomber, piloted by Lieutenant Rudolph and his three-man crew, began its first bombing run, having followed the railway line from Grantham to Newark. The anti-aircraft batteries protecting the factory tried to pick off the raider but, at 1,000ft, it was a difficult target to hit. As the piercing wail of a siren split the air, workers made their way to the air-raid shelters. But, having heard the warning many times before, some did not move fast enough. Roy Lale said: “I was as bad as the rest, taking my time strolling out of the workshop. As I got outside, I heard machine-gun fire. I looked up and saw a German plane come into view. I saw the bombs released and, with no time to run, dived to the back of a bike rack, hoping for the best.
Bells to toll for bomb victims
Saturday February 26, 2011
http://newarkadvertiser.co.uk/articles/news/Bells-to-toll-for-bomb-victims
The bell of the second HMS Newark will toll a week today for the 41 factory workers who died when Ransome and Marles was bombed in the second world war.
HMS Newark Bell will be outside the Newark Town Hall Photo Taken by Laurence Goff
Bells to toll for bomb victims
Sat Feb 26, 2011
http://newarkadvertiser.co.uk/articles/news/Bells-to-toll-for-bomb-victims
The bell of the second HMS Newark will toll a week today for the 41 factory workers who died when Ransome and Marles was bombed in the second world war.
The 11am chimes from the parish church was followed by a two-minute silence, before the bell rung next to Newark the Town Hall steps. It was sound once for each of the victims as their names were read out as part of the 70th anniversary commemorations of the bombing of Ransome and Marles.
The names had been read by a former Mayor of Newark, Mr Chris Grant, whose father, Robert, was killed at age 47. Ten bombs, five of which exploded, were dropped in two raids on the Northern Road factory on March 7, 1941. Workers then came under machine-gun fire as they tried to flee. The tribute on Saturday, March 5, 2011 organised by the Friends of Newark Cemetery, is part of three days of commemoration events, culminating, on Monday, March 7, by the unveiling of a permanent memorial to the bombing victims. In addition to the 41 men and women killed, a further 165 people were injured.
On the Saturday and Sunday, the cemetery chapel interpretation centre will be open to the public from noon until 4.30pm, where there will be an exhibition of artefacts relating to the bombing.Visitors can also see some of the victims’ graves.
On Monday, March 7, pupils at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Primary School will ring their school bell at 2.24pm —the time of the second raid at the bearings factory. The children, who have been studying the bombing for a project, will read a roll of honour to remember those who died. There will be further opportunity for the public, from 3pm to 4.30pm, to view the cemetery chapel exhibition and pay their respects at the grave-sides. On the Monday night, the town council will honour those who died in what was Newark’s single greatest loss of life. Relatives of the victims will be at the Town Hall for the unveiling at 6pm of a memorial — made by NSK Europe — the successors of Ransome and Marles. The memorial, in the staircase entrance to the Town Hall, will feature a large chrome-plated bearing, of the type made at the factory, and an item of memorabilia salvaged from 1941. The names of the people killed will appear on a plaque on the memorial.
Pupils from Holy Trinity School have remembered
Ransome and Marles during the afternoon on Friday, 7th March 1941
By Holy Trinity School Newark-On-Trent
I am grateful to Dan Churcher and the Newark Advertiser for permission to post this.
“A few seconds later, the wall of the workshop came crashing down on me.”The Heinkel had released a stick of four high-explosive bombs. Two landed on the factory, another on the air-raid shelter, the fourth between the railway line and the factory. The twin-engined Heinkel banked away and then levelled out for a second run, strafing the works with a burst from its MG 15 machine guns.
It dropped another bomb, but this time it failed to detonate. Lt Rudolph returned for one more strafing run before heading for the cover of low cloud. In his wake, he left a scene of death and carnage. The tool shop, smithy and a store were destroyed. A shelter 15 feet below ground had been wrecked by a direct hit. The dead and injured lay all around the devastated factory. Survivor Jack Griffin, who was 19, had sheltered in a passageway while others dived under a reinforced finishing table in the tool room. ”A large 500lb bomb went through, taking the roof off,” he recalled. “About 15 people were killed under that table. “Another worker, standing in his shredded clothes, heard the raider return. “Within minutes machine-fun fire was hitting what was left of the tool room, and then a deadly silence took over.”
In a nearby lane, Allen Dickenson had watched the German plane fly over – so low that he could see its black crosses – and then the pilot raised a gloved hand in a cynical wave. Confusion reigned as ambulances and army trucks converged on the factory and about 1,500 workers tried to get out. More than 80 casualties were taken to hospitals, Newark General being swamped by the largest influx.
Tragically, the rescue workers were caught in the open when a second raid swooped, dropping five more bombs. Miraculously, only one detonated. Fire crews and rescue teams from West Bridgford, Arnold, Sutton-in-Ashfield and Mansfield Woodhouse worked into the night to reach trapped victims, but more often finding the grisly, dismembered remains of the casualties.
The raid caused £91,789 damage (£3.6m today) and temporarily disrupted vital war work. But the real cost of what has become known locally as Black Friday was in human lives: 29 men and 12 women killed, including Esther Varney age 19, whose body was never found.
70th Anniversary 7th March 2011
Photos by laurencegoff
This six graves are together in a row near The Commonwealth and Polish war graves, another 24 are also buried in Newark Cemetery
Friends of Newark Cemetery are grateful to Newark Town Council and NSK – Europe, formerly known as Ransome and Marles during the Second World War, who will finally commemorate the bombing of their factory with a memorial which will be put in place on the anniversary on 7th March 2011.
R&M Stanley Works
We Will Remember Them
“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” — Cynthia Ozick
Roll Call of Names that died
1, George Harold Henry Adams, aged 45 *
2, Wilfred Evelyn Andrew, aged 39 *
3, Olive Ash, aged 31 * O
4, Bertie Augustus Ball, aged 18 * O
5, Ernest Patrick Beale, aged 27, Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment (Private) *
6, Edward Beaver, aged 26 (Buried in Mansfield) with no Tombstone
7, Harold Vincent Brown, aged 44 *
8, Vivian Maud Castle, aged 18
9, Enid Winifred Hall Cooper, aged 30 ( Buried in Balderton in St Giles Church Yard)
10, Edna May Cottam, aged 19 *
11, Gladys Cummings, aged 21 *
12, William Joseph Dixey, aged 62 *
13, Frederick Flowler, aged 39
14, George William Godridge, aged 29 * O
15, Robert Barnsdale Grant, aged 47, his son Chris was only five when his Father died, he became Newark town mayor 50 years later in 1991-1992 *
16, John Henry Green, aged 55, Volunteer Home Guard, 11th Nottinghamshire (Newark) *
17, Horace Grocock, aged 47 ( Buried in Barnby in the Willow)
18, Albert Robert Gyde, aged 42*
19, Rose Ellen Hall, aged 30 * O
20, James Hazelby Hanger, aged 29 *
21, Thomas McHallam Hardie, aged 26 *
22, Sybil Harriet Hayden, aged 34
23, Joyce May Kirton, aged 18
24, Lily Lambert, aged 22 * O
25, George Felix Lambley, aged 39 *
26, Edith Makins, aged 21 ( Buried in South Collingham)
27, Frederick William Mann, aged 46 * O
28, Frederick Markwell, aged 50 ( Balderton ?)
29, Claude Ware Hannah Martin, aged 36 *
30, Edward E. Martin, aged 46 * O
31, Richard Naylor, aged 25 * O
32, Frederick William Packwood, aged 52 *
33, William Thomas Pepper, aged 18
34, Frederick Richards, aged 32 * O
35, Alfred Mayfield Ridge, aged 68 * O
36, Reginald William Senior, aged 35, died on the 8th March 1941 *
37, George Swanwick, aged 38 * O
38, Norah Trueblood, aged 34, *
39, Esther Evelyn Varney, aged 19, (her body was never found)
40, William Warner, aged 51 *
41 Arthur Worrell, aged 31 *
We were happy to do this tribute, we did Remember the people that died during Ransome and Marles Bombing. 41 were killed 30 are buried in Newark Cemetery Nottinghamshire* A Star Buried in Newark Cemetery 20 in total have a Tombstone. O is put after names that do not have a Tombstone.
Chris Grant visiting a few of the graves at Newark Cemetery near the Commomwealth and Polish war graves relating to the Ransomeand Marlesthat were killed in the Bombing. These being the darkest days during the 2nd World war when 29 men and 12 women died with another 165 that were injured. Newark factory provided components to all three Armed Forces, Chris father died in the bombing when he was age 5 and 50 years later in 1991-1992 was mayor of Newark-On-Trent.
Friends of Newark Cemetery hosted events, to remember the People of Ransome and Marles 70 years ago that died.
A two minute silence will took place on Saturday 5th March 2011 to remember those who lost their lives in the Ransome and Marles bombing. At 11am, residents of Newark stood in silence as the 70th anniversary of the bombing is marked outside the Town Hall, in Newark Market Place. After the silence, the names of each of the forty-one killed in the bombing were read out, and will be marked by the tolling of the HMS Newark bell.
41 people were killed and 165 injured in the bombing which happened on Friday, 7th March 1941 at 1.40pm when a single bomber followed the railway lines to the factory. The bomber dropped four high explosive bombs, two of these landed on the works causing considerably damage.
Newark Advertiser, 12th March 1941 report of the raid on the Ransome & Marles factory. The attack resulted in 41 deaths.
Newark ball bearing factory raid remembered 70 years ago
The factory during the bombing raid on Friday afternoon 7th March 1941
Continue reading the main story
Related Stories
-
Firefighters mark Blitz mission
-
Film brings bombed church to life
-
Town remembers victims of the blitz
The 70th anniversary of the Blitz on London and the attacks on strategic industrial cities and ports attracted widespread coverage in 2010.
But even small towns and obscure locations were targeted by German bombers.
In the market town of Newark in Nottinghamshire, a memorial has been unveiled to 41 workers killed when a ball bearing factory was flattened in a daylight raid.
The exact number of deaths will never be known but many workers were killed.
The factory is still on the same site, beside the railway line which led the single Heinkel bomber right to the factory gates.
The initial devastating attack was followed up by a second bomber later in the day.
Marker table
On 7 March 1941 thousands of workers at the Ransome and Marles factory in Newark heard the warning sirens.
Most made for the shelters and the secret underground hospital on the site.
Bert Emerson survivor on that Friday afternoon 70 years ago he helped rescue other survivors of the bombing in Newark-On-Trent.
Many workers dived underneath a huge metal marking table in one of the engineering workshops. Chris Grant, son of one of the workers, said: “Apparently my dad always said that if there was a raid they felt they were always going to be safer getting under this very heavy marking table rather that running out in to the open to go to the air raid shelters.
“But the first bomb to be dropped actually was a direct hit on that marker table.”Many more died as the bomb tore through the workshops.
Most of the victims were buried in Newark Cemetery a total of 30 and the funerals lasted four days.
Ransome and Marles was targeted because it made ball bearings for the defence industry – and many ended up in the gun turrets of battleships.
The company today is now known as NSK and is owned by a Japanese firm.
‘Absolutely horrific’
Bert Emerson, who will be 90 this year, is one of the few survivors of the attack.
He said “My wife was a typist in one of the offices and I stopped to speak to her when the first bombs dropped.”I pushed her to the ground and laid on top of her. All the walls came down – we were covered in glass but we both got up without a scratch.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote
It’s difficult to realise that it actually happened here in Newark – we didn’t think we were that important.”
Ernest Matchett Eyewitness
“If I’d have carried on to the tool room I could have been there when a bomb dropped, so I think I’m one of the luckiest people alive.”
Mr Emerson was one of the first-aid workers and after helping survivors he had the task of recovering bodies – and body parts – the next day.
“It was really horrifying. It wasn’t until you got home and you sat down and thought about it.
“It’s something I wouldn’t want to go through ever again. I was only 19 years old and I’d never seen anyone dead before.”But in those days there was no counselling – you just had to get on with it.”
Another Newark resident who remembers that day is Ernest Matchett, now 85. He said: “It had a terrific impact, there’s no doubt about that. It was absolutely horrific.
“It’s difficult to realise that it actually happened here in Newark – we didn’t think we were that important. Things like that never really happen around here – not even during the war.”
For years the only memorial to the 41 workers was a plaque and a tree on the factory site.
A memorial incorporating the names of those who died and a piece of wreckage salvaged from the bombed factory was unveiled at Newark Town Hall.
Mr Grant, who is a former mayor of Newark, said it had taken some years for the campaign to bear fruit.
Many had felt it wrong that members of the armed forces who died were commemorated on a memorial but not those who died making a valuable contribution to the war effort, he said.
“At long last we have remembered them”
http://newarkadvertiser.co.uk/
Training the town’s Civil Defence and ARP services in first aid. At the bombing of Ransome and Marles ball bearing factory on March 7, 1941, members of St John Ambulance (working as part of the ARP) responded immediately to the crisis, some travelling direct to the scene, others to the nearest designated first aid post (Barnbygate School) and others still to Newark hospital.
It was the division’s stiffest test, as it helped deal with more than 30 dead and several hundred wounded. After the war ended, and with George Reed having handed over command to his son, Harry, the division found renewed interest in its work from the business community.
Having learned the value of first aid training during the war, local companies began to require it for their workers – the British Electrical Authority, REME, the GPO, railways, Ransome and Marles, Worthington-Simpsons, Newark Fire Brigade and Police, and even staff of the new National Health Service all received first aid training from the St. John Ambulance in Newark.
Stanley Works Building since 1900 for over 100 years
http://newarkadvertiser.co.uk/
At 2.24pm another enemy aircraft approached dropped five more bombs but only one exploded, causing more damage and casualties, mainly rescue workers. As a result 29 men and 12 women were killed, 65 treated in hospital and 100+ treated at the works own underground hospital.
Ransome and Marles Newark Notts their ultimate sacrifice to work in dangerous places during the war will not be in vain http://t.co/BfXFObuP
Ransome and Marles Tribute http://t.co/5OPoV8Tf
Vintage engines help recreate city bombing | Newark Advertiser
www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/.../Vintage-engines-help-recreate-city-… -
5 May 2011 – Vintage fire engines bought via an auction website will feature in a re-enactment marking the 70th anniversary of Nottinghamshire’s worst .
http://newarkadvertiser.co.uk/
Vintage engines help recreate city bombing
Vintage fire engines bought via an auction website will feature in a re-enactment marking the 70th anniversary of Newark,Nottinghamshire’s worst wartime bombing raid.
The National Fire Service Display Group, whose members include, left, Mr Rob Leese and Mr David Moore, is taking part in a re-enactment at Nottingham.
Mr David Moore, of Station Road, Lowdham, a member of the National Fire Service Display Group, will take his two vehicles to Nottingham this weekend for the re-enactment.
Mr Moore bought the vehicles, a 1943 Austin K4 Turntable Ladder and a 1941 Fordson Escape Carrying Unit, on eBay.
He has been a member of the display group for about three years and travels across the country taking part in 1940s re-enactments.
The group will take over the main appliance room and training yard of Central Fire Station, Nottingham.
They took part in demonstrations, including a re-enactment of a fire caused by a German bombing raid at the Council House, Old Market Square.
Members and some appliances also attend a memorial service for those who died in the Nottingham raid 70 years ago.
The event is raising money for a permanent memorial to the Nottinghamshire firefighters and civil defence workers who died in service during and since the war, including those who died at the raid on Ransome and Marles in Newark.
Their aim is to bring the wartime National Fire Service back to life with displays of equipment used to put out fires during the blitz.
Although they cannot use live fires or bombs, they set up a wartime sub fire station and offer training in the use of the vintage equipment.
As well as Mr Moore’s two engines, the group also owns a 1941 Austin towing vehicle, a number of trailer pumps, and a range of other equipment, including uniforms, breathing apparatus, axes and stirrup pumps.
Mr Moore said the group’s attention to detail went as far as using period cups, urns, trestle tables and type writer.
Mr Moore, 49, a director of a company that develops electronic counting machines, began his collection of fire engines with a 1955 Bedford Green Goddess being sold by the government.
He also owns a 1961 Austin Gipsy.
Before joining the fire display group Mr Moore had been involved in 1940s re-enactments as a civilian using a pre-war car.
http://www.nottsheritagegateway.org.uk/events/ww2.htm
7th March 2011, School Children will be visiting the Chapel Interpretation Centre at Newark Cemetery
The Chapel Interpretation Centre, Newark Cemetery is open every weekend with an exhibition from noon to 4:30pm. If you would like to be a Volunteers we look forward to hearing from you, or just stop by.
Newark was attacked 0n Friday 7th March 1941 As a result of this raid 29 men and 12 women were killed.
This most well know of all the raids on the Newark Town took place when Ransome and Marles’ Factory was bombed on Friday 7th March 1941 in the afternoon. The type of work carried out at the factory made it an obvious target by the Germans. The raid commenced at about 1:40pm. As a result of this raid 29 men and 12 women were killed. Sixty-five people were admitted to Newark Hospital and 100 more were treated at the works’ own underground hospital.
We will Remember the terrifying bombing and ultimate sacrifice with memories of loved ones for years to come.Not only, we still have many people around Newark who can still remember this event 70 years ago.
30 are buried in Newark Cemetery from the bombing of Ransome and Marles
George Adams age 45
Wilfred Andrew age 39
Ernest Beale age 27
Harold Brown age 44
Edna Cottam age 19
Gladys Cummings age 21
William Dixey age 62
Robert Grant age 47
John Green age 55
Albert Robert Gyde age 42
James Hanger age 29
Thomas Hardie age 26
George Lambley age 39
Claude Martin age 36
Edwin Martin age 46
William William Packwood age 52
Reginald Senior age 35
Norah Trueblood age 34
William Warner age 51
Arthur Worrell
We will Remember her and others that where killed
Ransome and Marles Memorial at Newark Town Hall
Newark Town Hall with Tribute to Ransome and Marles
Memorial is hear at Newark Town Hall
Tribute to Ransome and Marles from Pupils from Holy Trinity School Newark-On-Trent
Tribute to Ransome and Marles Bombing From Holy Trinity RC School, Newark-On-Trent
Newark Cemetery to Remember the workers at Ransome and Marles bombing.Ransome and Marles’ Factory was Bombed, Friday 7th March 1941. We will …
by laurencegoff | 
Ransome and Marles Newark-On-Trent attack Friday 7th March 1941
Bert Emerson helped rescue other survivors of the bombing at Ransome and Marles Newark-On-Trent on 7th March 1941. The factory was targeted …
by laurencegoff |
Ransome & Marles unvailing of Memorial at Newark Town Hall 7th March 2011
Ransome & Marles unvailing of Memorial at Newark Town Hall on the 70th Anniversary 7th March 2011 www.youtube.com www.boundarysound.co.uk
by laurencegoff |
Laurence Goff Visits the Ransome & Marles Memorial at Newark Town Hall UK
Laurence Goff rall call of names from Ramsome and Marles Bombing on 7th March 1941.
by laurencegoff |
Newark Cemetery visiting grave relating to the Ransone and Marles bombing
1941 when two German planes dropped a series of bombs on and around Ransome and Marles who made ball bearings for naval gun turrets. A total of …
by laurencegoff |
Son holding his dad pass, Reginald Senior who died in the bombing on the next day 8th March 1941
Marking the 70th anniversary of Ransome and Marles Bombing
Outside the Newark Town Hall Near The Steps
Friends of Newark Cemetery had commemorated the 70th Anniversary of Ransome and Marles Ball Bearings Factory bombing over the weekend. When Newark Parish Church tolls at 11am a two minute silence which was outside the Newark Town Hall on the pavement.
After a roll call of names will take place by Chris Grant
HMS Newark bell will be tolled after each names is read out to remember each victim of the bombing who died. This was a big part of our history in Newark-On-Trent during the Second Word War, with the most loss of life, with 41 killed and another 165 injured. Our recognition to also remember them at Newark cemetery over the weekend at the Chapel Interpretation Centre which was opened from 12 noon-4:30pm.
An exhibition plus a tours had also taken place.
Monday 7th March
At Newark Cemetery Chapel Interpretation Centre.
The anniversary day a class of children had called out each of the names and rang the School bell to remember them. An exhibition and tour of the people graves, can be done by making an appointment with Laurence Goff. 01636-681878
freindsofnewarkcemetery@yahoo.co.uk
Remembrance to commemorate the sacrifices made and reminds everyone that the protection and care for the freedoms we enjoy. This memorial website has been put together in the public interest as regular visit Newark Cemetery for many years. It has been dedicated to the thousands of people who’s resting place is in our beautiful and historic Cemetery for over 150 years. These website has been set up as a means of further promoting our Newark Cemetery and encouraging interested people to join the tribute.
“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” — Cynthia Ozick
Newark-On-Trent
Ransome and Marles Stanley works building is still around since 1900
Stanley Building on a visit to the former R&M ball bearing factory now NSK
Remembered with a Permanent Memorial will be located at The Town hall
Newark-On-Trent
Newark Town Hall on 7th March 2011 will have a permanent Memorial at the foot of the staircase next to the glass door. We will Remember the ultimate sacrifice with their memories for years to come.
Friends of Newark Cemetery will be hosting events at The Chapel Interpretation Centre, Newark Cemetery in March 2011. The Centre is open every weekend from noon to 4:30pm. If you would like to be a Volunteers we look forward to hearing from you, or just stop by. Let’s remember the People of Ransome and Marles during the bombing.
Our recognition to also remember them
On Friday, 7th March 1941, the most well known of all raids on Newark-On-Trent Nottinghamshire took place, the Ransome and Marles factory was bombed at 1.40pm. A single German Heinkell 111 bomber, flying so low that those on the ground could see its markings, approached from the south following the railway line. It dropped four high explosive bombs. Two of these landed on the works causing considerably damage, one on the road at the side of the factory and the other on an air raid shelter adjacent to Stanley Street. The plane machined gunned the site before circling, passing over the factory again and dropping another bomb. This did not explode.
At 2.24pm another enemy aircraft approached dropped five more bombs but only one exploded, causing more damage and casualties, mainly rescue workers. As a result 29 men and 12 women were killed, 65 treated in hospital and 100+ treated at the works own underground hospital. Civil Defence and ARP services in first aid. At the bombing of Ransome and Marles ball bearing factory on March 7, 1941, members of St John Ambulance, Newark (working as part of the -AIR-RAID-PRECAUTIONS-ARP) responded immediately to the crisis, some travelling direct to the scene, others to the nearest designated first aid post (Barnbygate School) and others still to Newark hospital.
This day became known as “Black Friday.”
The manufacture of bearings for the machine tools and spares industry is now the only work done at Northern Road. Founded in Newark, UK, in 1900, Ransome and Marles, or R & M Bearings as many people know it, soon became the leading British manufacturer of Ball and Roller bearings. Their reputation for quality gained them world-wide acceptance in Aerospace, Defence and precision engineering environments. Previously the factory made precision bearings for planes, trains and road vehicles but bearings for wheeled vehicles are now made elsewhere and NSK left the aeronautical business in 1992. Alan Ransome and Co, which later became Ransome and Marles and Ransome, Hoffman and Pollard or RHP, opened the ball bearing factory in 1900.
On Friday 7th March 1941 As a result of this raid 29 men and 12 women were killed
This most well know of all the raids on the Newark Town tool place when Ransome and Marles’ Factory was bombed on Friday 7th March 1941 in the afternoon. The type of work carried out at the factory made it an obvious target by the Germans. The raid commenced at about 1:40pm. As a result of this raid 29 men and 12 women were killed. Sixty-five people were admitted to Newark Hospital and 100 more were treated at the works’ own underground hospital.
We Will Remember the 41 that died 70 years ago
Ransome and Marles former factory workers will be Remembered
We will Remember them
Ransome and Marles former factory workers will be Remembered
Commonwealth and Polish war graves at Newark Cemetery
We would wish to acknowledge the generosity of the following local organization for their assistance in the production of this Comfort Book
The Grange House Hotel across from the London Road Cemetery Newark-On-Trent
E.Gill & Son Funeral Services, Newark
Lidsters of Worksop Ltd
Lincolnshire Co-Operative Funeral Service, Newark
Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society
If you would like to Sponsor our 3rd order of the book of support with reading of poems,quotations and passages from scriptures.
friendsofnewarkcemetery@yahoo.co.uk
01636-681878
The Chapel Interpretation Centre is open every weekend from 2 until 4:00pm, or by appointment anyone interesting in being a Volunteer contact me 01636-681878 or friendsofnewarkcemetery@yahoo.co.uk
Display
Display of Commonwealth and Polish history
Chapel Interpretation centre at Newark Cemetery is Opened every Weekend from 2-4:00pm or by appointment.
More Volunteers are needed to welcome Visitors, the more we have then we can open during the week. Friends of Newark Cemetery organisation who is helping Newark town council with the centre. The council reopened it on 11th September 2011, with the support of Friends of Newark Cemetery. The centre contains displays of the history of Newark cemetery, Commonwealth and Polish during the World War II. Our beautiful and historic Newark Cemetery, London Road, Newark, Nottinghamshire for over 150 years since 1856.
Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire NG24 1SQ
maps.google.co.uk
Ransome and Marles public Memorial will be put in place at Newark Town Hall near the foot of the staircase where the glass sliding door is located. This will be be in place on the 70th Anniversary when 41 people were killed on this date. These will be the first publicly accessible memorial in Newark. We are grateful to NSK Europe who has taking over the factory and for Newark Town Council who had negotiated with NSK to have a memorial in the first place. Chris Grant Father was killed when he was 5 years old and living on Sleaford Road, Newark he and his Mother heard the plane nearby. 50 years later Chris Grant became Newark Town Mayor May 1991 – 1992 to commemorate and remember the people that died in the bombing he had placed a plaque and planted a tree at RHP which is now NSK.
Chris Grant father was killed when his was just age 5 when the bombs hit the factory. Chris was Newark Town Mayor May 1991-1992 a plaque was unveiled by him in a garden of RHP in the centre of the works in memory of those who were killed in the factory.
On 7th March 2011 the town of Newark has Remembered each one of them that died 70 years ago in Newark during the 2nd world war. The enemy attack by bombing Ransome and Marles Ball Bearings factory on that Friday afternoon. Newark now has a Permanent Memorial at Newark Town Hall at the foot of the staircase near the glass door. We did Remember them.
Friends of Newark Cemetery did hosted events over 3 days from 5 – 7th March 2011 a role call of names with toll of the bell during the day . Chapel Interpretation Centre at Newark Cemetery was open over the weekend with display and walk about to point out graves.
The Anniversary date on 7th March Holy Trinity RC School, Boundary Road, Newark will be visiting the cemetery at 2pm. At 14.24pm The Children called out each name, a bell will toll out to remember the 41 people that died in the Ransome and Marles bombing. This took place at Newark Cemetery.
Six graves are located near the Commonwealth and and Polish war graves, there are 30 buried at Newatk Cemetery. Ransome and Marles factory workers in Newark-On-Trent will be remembered in 2011. Preserving the ultimate sacrifice with their memories for years to come. Welcome to the cause! We’re happy to have you, and hope you’ll get involved and spread awareness by inviting your friends to join the anniversary. We will Remember them Ransome and Marles’ Factory Newark-On-Trent was bombed On Friday 7th March 1941. Let’s Preserve and share any Memories As a result of this raid 29 men and 12 women were killed. If anyone has stories , photos or information regarding family members or friends.
30 are buried in Newark Cemetery from the bombing of Ransome and Marles
Ransome and Marles’ Factory was Bombed. We will Remember Newark-On-Trent was being bombed at the ball bearing factory, and also the pump factory Worthington Simsons in Balderton. Newark was attacked regularly because of its significance to airfields and war work carried out within the area. The most significant attack was on 7th March 1941 when two German planes dropped a series of bombs on and around Ransome and Marles who made ball bearings for naval gun turrets. A total of 41 people were killed with a further 165 being injured.
The 1st Alert was sounded at 13.35 when a Heinkel 111 made its 1st pass over the factory at 1,000 feet dropping 4 bombs. 2 hit the works, 1 hit the edge of the works and 1 hit the works shelter at the rear of Stanley Street. The works was also machine gunned. The plane made a further 2 passes over the factory causing more damage although one of its bombs failed to explode. Shortly after that the All Clear was sounded and rescue work began. The plane made a further 2 passes over the factory causing more damage although one of its bombs failed to explode. Shortly after that the All Clear was sounded and rescue work began. At 14.24 the Alert was sounded and another enemy plane attacked the works while rescuers were assisting the casualties. It dropped 5 bombs but only 1 exploded causing a number of casualties and some damage, 4 bombs failed to explode. The All Clear was sounded at 14.51.
Ransome Marles Stanley Works it’s name has changed for the 3rd time RHP now NSK which was one Biggest and the Major Employers in Newark for over a 100 years.
7th March 1941 on that Friday afternoon
These was a big part of our history during the 2nd Word War, with the most loss of life with 41 killed and another 165 that were injured. It was a huge event we most remember them. 41 Flags to Remember the Fallen the Brave People at Ransome and Marles.
Full list of names who died in the Ransome and Marle Bombing on that Friday afternoon on 7th March 1941
Name
Address
Age
Gender
Died after AdmissionTo Hospital
London Rd Cemetery Grave Ref No
Date of Interment
(1) Adams George H H
77 Millgate Newark
45
M
ED307 * Buried in Newark
14.03.1941 Yes (Found)
Tombstone
2) Andrew Wilfred
48 Chestnut Avenue Newark
39
M
ED303 * Buried in Newark
11.03.1941 Yes (Found)
Tombstone
3) Ash Olive
14 Portland Street Newark
31
F
X
EK253 * Buried in Newark
14.03.1941 No Stone Found
4) Ball Bertie Augustus
6 Newstead Avenue Newark
18
M
EQ207 * Buried in Newark
13.03.1941 No Stone Marking Found
5) Beale Ernest
38 Appletongate Newark
27
M
X
WG288 * Buried in Newark
13.03.1941 Yes Found
Tombstone
6) Beaver Edward
15 Roseberry Hill Mansfield
26
M
X Mansfield Crematorium
Buried in Mansfield Record Plot 21506
No Stone Marking Found
7) Brown Harold V
5 Charles Street Newark
44
M
EQ149 * Buried in Newark
12.03.1941 Yes (Found)
Tombstone
8, Castle Vivien M
Elston Nr Newark
18
F
No Record
9) Cooper Winifred
12 Pinfold Lane Balderton
30
F
X
Record * Buried in
St Giles Church
Found in Balderton has
Tombstone
10) Cottam Edna May
27 William Street Newark
19
F
WT303 * Buried in Newark
13.03.1941 Yes (Found)
Tombstone
11) Cummings Gladys
42 Welbeck Avenue Newark
21
F
X
ED305 * Buried in Newark
15.03.1941 Yes (Found)
Tombstone
12) Dixey William J
65 Bowbridge Road Newark
62
M
EO145 * Buried in Newark
12.03.1941 Yes (Found)
Tombstone
13) Fowler Frederick
Long Street Great Gonerby, Grantham
39
M
X
No Record
14) Godridge George William
28 Lime Grove Newark
29
M
X
EH247 * Buried in Newark
14.03.1941 No Stone Found
15) Grant Robert Barnsdale
3 Sleaford Road Newark
47
M
EG237 * Buried in Newark
Yes (Found)
Tombstone
16) Green John Henry
9 Marton Road Newark
55
M
WG308 * Buried in Newark
11.03.1941 Yes(Found)
Tombstone
17) Grocock Horace
115 Millgate Newark
47
M
X
Buried In Barnby- in- the- Willows
18) Gyde Albert Robert
60A Barnbygate Newark
42
M
X
WS305 * Buried in Newark
13.03.1941 Yes Found
Tombstone
19) Hall Rose Ellen
19 Long Row Newark
30
F
X
EI151 * Buried in Newark
13.03.1941 No Stone Found
20) Hanger James
6 Cedar Avenue Newark
29
M
WR300 * Buried in Newark
Yes (Found)
Tombstone
21) Hardie Thomas McHugh
56 Milton Street Newark
26
M
ED304 * Buried in Newark
12.03.1941 Yes (Found)
Tombstone
22) Hayden Sybil Harriet
Ivy Farm Kirklington
34
F
X
No Record
23) Kirton Miss Joyne May
21 Guildhall Street Newark
18
F
No Record Not found
24) Lambert Lily
59 Bowbridge Road Newark
22
F
EH249 * Buried in Newark
11.03.1941 No Stone Found
25) Lambley George Felix
Marton Road Newark
39
M
WD178 * Buried in Newark
11.03.1941 Yes Found
Tombstone
26) Makins Edith
Green South Collingham Church
21
F
Record South Collingham
27) Mann Frederick William
“Manville” New Balderton
46
M
X
EG238 * Buried in Newark
13.03.1941 No tombstone found
28) Markwell F W
114 Hawton Lane New Balderton
50
M
Record Balderton
St Giles Church ?
Not Located
29) Martin Claude
33 Bowbridge Road Newark
36
M
WT178 * Buried in Newark
12.03.1941 Yes (Found)
Tombstone
30) Martin Edwin E
46 Newton Street Newark
46
M
Record * Buried in Newark
Yes Found
Tombstone
31) Naylor Richard
162 Barnbygate Newark
25
M
WC175 * Buried in Newark
11.03.1941 No Tombstone Found
32) Packwood Frederick William
56 Appletongate Newark
52
M
WS304 * Buried in Newark
12.03.1941 Yes Found
Tombstone
33) Pepper William Thomas
7 Norwell Road Caunton Nr Newark
18
M
No Record
34) Richards Frederick
Beacon Hill Road Newark
32
M
X
WL306 C * Buried in Newark
12.03.1941 No Tombstone Found
35) Ridge Alfred Mayfield
84 Beacon Hill Newark
68
M
WF309 C * Buried in Newark
13.03.1941 No Stone Marking Found
36) Senior Reginald William
8 Middleton Road Newark
35
M
X
WQ305 * Buried in Newark
12.03.1941 Yes found
Tombstone
37) Swanwick George
4 Vernon Avenue Newark
38
M
EQ252 * Buried in Newark
12.03.1941 No Tombstone Found
38) Trueblood Nora
42 William Street Newark
34
F
X
WP305 * Buried in Newark
14.03.1941 Found
Tombstone
39) Varney Esther *( was never found
9 Wilson Street Newark
19
F
No Record RIP
Her Body was never found
40) Warner William
9 Grove Street New Balderton
51
M
X
WB282 * Buried in Newark
13.03.1941 Yes
Tombstone Found
41) Worrell Arthur
Chestnut Cottage Girton
31
M
E 305 * Buried in Newark
Yes
Tombstone Found
Chris Grant and Laurence Goff visiting Newark Cemetery graves relating to number of Ransome and Marles that were killed, 30 are buried here at Newark Cemetery. The factory who made ball bearings for naval gun turrets. A total of 41 people were killed with a further 165 being injured. We will Remember them.
Ransome and Marles’ Factory was bombed during the day On Friday 7th March 1941 six are buried near the
British Commonwealth and Polish War Graves
John Henry Green Home Guard Volunteer killed in the Ransome and Marlesbombing, his name is on the war Memorial to the Fallen at Newark Cemetery
From the Nottingham Evening Post ,Tuesday 6th June 2010 with Laurence Goff and Chris Grant who Father died when he was age 5 in the Ransome and Marles bombing. Newark was attacked regularly because of its significance to airfields and war work carried out within the area. The most significant attack was on Friday, 7th March 1941 when two German planes dropped a series of 10 bombs on and around Ransome and Marles who made ball bearings for naval gun turrets. A total of 41 people were killed with a further 165 being injured.
www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/
Video
Laurence Goff Pointing to John Henry Green and Ernest Beale names that are on the war Memorial at Newark Cemetery. 41 were Killed at Ransome and Marles Bombing
Sherwood Foresters was killed at Ransome and Marles Factory Bombing on 7th March 1941, his name is on the war Memorial to the Fallen at Newark Cemetery
Newark Town 1991-1992 Chris Grant lost his Father during the Ransome and Marles bombing at age five. I took him around the Newark cemetery as we have 30 buried in our town, 20 had a tombstone with full names. This grave is of John Henry Green who name is also on the war Memorial to the fallen as he served in the home Guard. He was killed in the bombing of Ransome and Marles, this being Important part of Newark-On-Trent history that on Friday the 7th March 1941. Let’s Remember the 41 that died in Newark-On-Trent with 29 men and 12 women that were killed with a further 165 being injured. Chris Grant lost his Father in the bombing of the work shop ball bears factory when he was just 5 year old on that sad day for his family.
The official German
communiqué of the raid said, “A daring low level attack took place on an armament
factory at Newark, causing heavy
damage in the
workshops“.
For the first time in a
German communiqué the crew of the aircraft were named.
Uffz Hahn
Lt Metzmacher
Uffz Gröper
Lt Rudolph
The Heinkel 111
Ransome and Marles their ultimate sacrifice to work in dangerous places during the war will not be in vain, we will remember them with a memorial at Newark Town Hall on 70th anniversary, on 7th March 2011 when the factory was bombed. We will Remember the 41 that died in Newark-On-Trent. 29 men and 12 women were killed with a further 165 being injured.
Newark-On-Trent
This was a big part of our history in Newark-On-Trent during the Second Word War, with the most loss of life, with 41 killed and another 165
injured.
We Will Remember the Ransome and Marles Bombing 41 were killed 30 are buried in Newark Cemetery Nottinghamshire
* A Star Buried in Newark Cemetery 30 in total) ( O is put after names that do not have a Tombstone )
1, George Harold Henry Adams, aged 45 *
2, Wilfred Evelyn Andrew, aged 39 *
3, Olive Ash, aged 31 * O
4, Bertie Augustus Ball, aged 18 * O
5, Ernest Patrick Beale, aged 27, Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment (Private) *
6, Edward Beaver, aged 26 (Buried in Mansfield) with no Tombstone
7, Harold Vincent Brown, aged 44 *
8, Vivian Maud Castle, aged 18
9, Enid Winifred Hall Cooper, aged 30 ( Buried in Balderton in St Giles Church Yard)
10, Edna May Cottam, aged 19 *
11, Gladys Cummings, aged 21 *
12, William Joseph Dixey, aged 62 *
13, Frederick Flowler, aged 39
14, George William Godridge, aged 29 * O
15, Robert Barnsdale Grant, aged 47, his son Chris was only five when his Father died, he became Newark town mayor 50 years later in 1991-1992 *
16, John Henry Green, aged 55, Volunteer Home Guard, 11th Nottinghamshire (Newark) *
17, Horace Grocock, aged 47 ( Buried in Barnby in the Willow)
18, Albert Robert Gyde, aged 42*
19, Rose Ellen Hall, aged 30 * O
20, James Hazelby Hanger, aged 29 *
21, Thomas McHallam Hardie, aged 26 *
22, Sybil Harriet Hayden, aged 34
23, Joyce May Kirton, aged 18
24, Lily Lambert, aged 22 * O
25, George Felix Lambley, aged 39 *
26, Edith Makins, aged 21 ( Buried in South Collingham)
27, Frederick William Mann, aged 46 * O
28, Frederick Markwell, aged 50 ( Balderton ?)
29, Claude Ware Hannah Martin, aged 36 *
30, Edwin E. Martin, aged 46 *
31, Richard Naylor, aged 25 * O
32, Frederick William Packwood, aged 52 *
33, William Thomas Pepper, aged 18
34, Frederick Richards, aged 32 * O
35, Alfred Mayfield Ridge, aged 68 * O
36, Reginald William Senior, aged 35, died on the 8th March 1941 *
37, George Swanwick, aged 38 * O
38, Norah Trueblood, aged 34, *
39, Esther Evelyn Varney, aged 19, (her body was never found)
40, William Warner, aged 51 *
41 Arthur Worrell, aged 31 *
We should be grateful to the people around Newark that worked at Ransome & Marles Ball Bearings Factory which provided components to all three Armed Forces.
Reginald William Senior was the only person to died the next day of Ransome and Marles bombing on Saturday 8th March 1941
This names are in the yearly book to remember to people that died in the Ransome and Marles bombing at Newark Parish Church
At the Chapel Interpretation Centre
Ransome and Marles factory workers in Newark-On-Trent will be remembered on the 5-6 March 2011 over the week-end. On Monday afternoon Holy Trinity RC School Children from class 6 Newark will be calling out the 41 names that died at Newark Cemetery Centre 2pm on 7th March 2011.
laurencegoff
Ransome and Marles their ultimate sacrifice to work in dangerous places during the war will not be in vain, we will remember them with a memorial on the 70th anniversary on 7th March 2011. This was a big part of our history in Newark-On-Trent during the Second Word War, with the most loss of life, with 41 killed and another 165 injured. On that sad Friday afternoon, 7th March 1941, Ransome and Marles bearing factory was bombed by the hostile enemy. This was the most notable incident during the 2nd world war in Newark-On-Trent . The type of work carried out at the factory made it an obvious target. We believe strongly and felt a need to Remember the 41 people who died and 165 that where injured 70 years ago on these date 7th March 1941 at Ransomeand Marles ball bears factory. Remembrance to commemorates the sacrifices made during the 2nd World War to remind us of the sacifice by so many people that died to protect and defend our freedom. This memorial website has been put together in the public interest, It has been dedicated to the thousands of people who’s resting place is in our beautiful and historic Cemetery for over 150 years. These website has been set up as a means of further promoting our Newark Cemetery and encouraging interested people to join the tribute. I have posted a British flag and flower as our lasting symbol to each one of them.
On Friday, 7th March 1941, Ransome and Marles bearing factory was bombed. This was the most notable incident of enemy action in the town. The type of work carried out at the factory made it an obvious target for the Germans. It was shortly after 1pm, the sirens had already sounded, when there was a rattle of machine gun fire and the drone of an aircraft engine. Visibility was bad, but people in the streets suddenly saw the raider, an Heinkel 111 bomber, dive through the low clouds and almost immediately release 4 bombs. Two of these landed in the works, one on the road at the side of the factory, and one on an air raid shelter adjacent to Stanley Street. One of the witnesses was Mike Wright age 4 years. There was a constant chatter of machine gun fire from both the raider and the defenders, until the plane reached the sanctuary of the clouds.
No time was lost by the Civil Defence services in getting to the scene of the bombing. Rescue workers were soon busy extricating survivors and those killed. Within an hour, and whilst the rescue work was still going on, there was another alert and a second raider returned, dropped 5 more bombs but only one exploded. As a result of the raid 29 men and 12 women were killed and more than 165 injured. More than 100 of these were treated in the works own underground hospital. After the raid the two paired Lewis guns which were mounted in sand-bagged positions on Clay Lane were replaced by a Bofors 40 mm anti aircraft gun mounted on a proper gun platform. Fortunately, the town was not attacked again. In 1992 a plaque was unveiled in a garden in the centre of the works in memory of those who were killed, one of whom was Newark Town Mayor Chris Grants who father died when he was just age 5 living on Sleaford Road, Newark.
Evidence of air raid precautions, in the form of camouflage at Ransome and Marles may still be seen today on a wall of the old toolroom, and a damaged purlin in the roof of the old carpenters shop is the only evidence of where an unexploded bomb fell. With the removal of censorship restrictions in October 1944, it was possible for the Newark Advertiser to reveal the number of casualties during air raids on Newark. Apart from the principle attack on Ransome and Marles (NSK), The air raid warning was sounded 283 times and there incidents on 7 occasions, 5 of which were in the first months of 1941. In all 43 people were killed and 66 injured. In all raids over 60 incendiary bombs and 39 high explosives fell on the town. Some damage was caused to 187 houses but none were rendered inhabitable.
In August 1941, a British bomber crashed onto a house in London Road, Balderton and burst into flames. Two of the crew and 6 children who were asleep in the house were killed. Their mother just managed to escape with one of her sons. Their father who was working on the railway saw the crash and thought that it was near his home but carried on working until his shift finished a 6pm. Newark Fire Service, in common with other fire services was not prepared for war. Their equipment was not compatible with that of other neighboring services. As a result when Newark was called out to Sheffield they could only stand and watch. Very soon the Fire Services were nationalized and used common equipment throughout. This was the start of the Fire Service as we know it today. Throughout the war there was a large 5000 gallon prefabricated tank in the market place in case water mains were broken during bombing.
Civilian Life.
Due to full employment during the war and long overtime hours, many more people had money in their pocket but nothing to spend it on. As a consequence the people of Newark, in July 1940, were encouraged to put their money into fighting funds to purchase Spitfires. In order to boost moral and obtain maximum funds a Spitfire that had recently been in combat with the enemy, was placed in the market place along with the tail of an Heinkel bomber and other exhibits from various shot down enemy aircraft. The public was encouraged to put money in collection boxes manned by RAF personnel. The cost of a Spitfire was £6000. There is nothing in the Advertiser records to say how much money was actually saved.
The success of similar funds led the Government to encourage the people of Britain to save in war bonds that offered 2.1/ 2 – 3% interest. War Weapons Weeks were set up and Newark was encouraged to compete with Grantham to see who raised most money. Although the target for Newark during the initial war week was £200,000, a total of £300,109 was raised sufficient to buy 20 tanks. Grantham only raised £260,000. This set the scene for the remainder of the war and by the war’s end £4 million had been saved by the people of Newark. Would David Carrott like to comment? Newark had links with the newly acquired destroyer renamed, HMS Newark. This was in all probability one of the 50 mothballed destroyers that were leased from the United States before they entered the war.
One of the duties of the Chief Constable was to ensure that all signposts were removed in order to confuse German paratroopers as to where they were. Signs on buildings, vans, lorries and busses mentioning Newark or Nottinghamshire were removed. If they were made of stone then they were chiseled away. om the villages who worked in Newark and found it difficult to prepare sandwiches due to rationing. Gracie Fields performed two concerts in Newark in August 1941. One was in the canteen at Ransome and Marles, the other at Northgate house.
In April 1942, iron railings, first of all around the Castle gardens, Newark Cemetery were removed from all public buildings and later from private houses. These actions provided 200 tons for munitions.
In May 1942, as part of Newark’s salvage drive, the Mayor of Newark Councillor Cyril Parlby challenged the President of the Tradesman’s Association to a Novel race. Each contestant was to form a team of as many people as possible. The objective was to collect as much waste paper in the form of unused books as possible. The strategy was to lay a trail of books from the end of Bridge Street, near what is now Boyes, to the Town hall steps. The Mayor’s team were to lay a trail on one side of the street and along the corresponding side of the square, the Presidents on the other. At the firing of a starter pistol, the first books were placed. Children ran to and fro with barrows laden with books, excitedly adding them to the fast-growing trails. Unfortunately, in the Market Place the two merged into one. Lorry loads of books were added to the crazy paving. A running commentary was supplied by A E Healy who took up a safe position on top of the blast wall in front of the Police station. It is not reported how much paper was collected but certainly the people of Newark had a wonderful day.
After his plane crashed in suspicious circumstances on 4th July 1943 at Gibraltar the body of General Sikorski was buried in Newark Cemetery. Two years earlier, whilst attending the funeral of Polish airmen he had decreed that should he be killed on foreign soil during the war, his body should be laid to rest amongst his men for 50 years until his remains were returned home to Poland on 14th September 1993.
laurencegoff
Lasting Tribute with Recognition to Remember them when Ransome and Marles Ball Bearing Factory was Bombed. On that Darkest day during the 2nd world war on 7th March 1941, This day became known as “Black Friday.” That sad afternoon when the enemy attacked with 10 bombs. The outcry in mourning and pain for years to come. Many families and friends were badly injured or without a love one. Ransome and Marles changed its name to R.H.P. (Ransome, Hoffmann and Pollard) and is now called N.S.K. (Nippon Seiko K.K.)
http://newarkcemeteryuk.wordpress.com/2011/10/09/lasting-tribute-to-british-commonwealth-polish-airmen-and-workers-of-ransome-and-marles-bombing/
John Henry Green Grave
Ransome and Marles’ Factory was Bombed, Friday 7th March 1941. We will Remember the 41 that died in Newark-On-Trent. 29 men and 12 women were killed with a further 165 being injured. Bomb horror at factory Newark-On-Trent in Nottinghamshire people can recall Wartime memories for the 70th the anniversary in 2011. The bombing of the Ransome and Marles factory in Newark when two Luftwaffe Heinkel bombers carried out separate raids on the Northern Road factory within an hour of each other at about lunch time on March 7 1941. The raids cost 41 lives and the cost in terms of damage was put at £91,789. A German aerial photograph taken in October 1940 was later recovered. It was used in the planning of the raid, detailing the longitude and latitude of the factory. The first German bomber used the railway line from Grantham as a guide and dropped four bombs. Two hit the factory, where the tool room and grindery took the brunt of the blast. One bomb hit the air raid shelter, another landed in the road nearby. The plane then circled and dropped a fifth bomb, which hit the factory floor but failed to explode. Five bombs were dropped in the second attack. Only one exploded but caused casualties to rescue workers tending people injured in the first raid. The Germans reported a successful low-level bomb attack on a ball bearing factory in Newark, 29 men and 12 women were killed. One young woman was never found and presumed dead. There have been reports over the years of sightings of her ghost in the factory. Mr Bill Midwinter of Valley Prospect, Newark, was a production control supervisor who had gone home for lunch on that fateful day, when the air raid sirens sounded. He recalls: “I was in London Road and saw a bomb drop. “The plane seemed low. “It was a terrible day, pouring with rain. “I do not think the bomber could get the height so the bomb did not explode.”Mr Midwinter, as a member of the factory defence unit, helped to guard the 1,000lb unexploded bomb he saw fall. He said: “We ended up guarding the bomb for several days until the Bomb Disposal Unit arrived. “We were given strict instructions that no one should attempt to touch it or go near it. “The bomb looked quite small when it was in the ground but when it was removed you could see how big it really was. “I have no doubts that if that bomb had gone off the factory would have been completely wiped out.” About 4,000 people worked at the factory during the second world war, and a chance conversation probably saved the life of Mr Bert Emerson of Keats Road, Balderton, who worked in the equipment drawing office. He said: “I was making my way down from the grindery to the tool room when I stopped for a chat. “I was showered in glass from the sheer impact of the bombing but even then I escaped without a scratch.”He remembered, as a 19 year old, helping to take a stretcher down to the underground hospital at the factory, when it was bombed for the second time. “I count myself lucky to have escaped,” he said. More than 100 people were initially treated at the underground hospital, and ambulances took 65 people to hospital. The underground hospital, 15ft under the factory’s carpark, was bricked up and forgotten about after the war. It came to light again last year when plans were drawn up to mark the factory’s 100th anniversary.Gallons of groundwater were pumped out before the hospital could be opened but the effort was worth it as the hospital attracted 3,000 visitors. A future use for the hospital as a venue for fire service training exercises has been suggested but until a decision is made it will remain closed. Many people who worked at the factory for years were unaware the hospital existed, but the vital contribution it made on 7th March, 1941 is unlikely to be forgotten.
Two name are on war Memorial To Fallen at Newark Cemetery near the main gate on London Road of Ernest Patrick Beale Sherwood Foresters. John Henry Green Home Guard was a roof spotter at Ransome both were killed in the bombing of Ransome and Marles 41 in total
Many thanks for taking the time to Remember Ransome and Marles former factory workers that died during the 2nd world war, 41 were kiled.
Tribute to Ransome and Marles Bombing
I am originally from Balderton. My father, Thomas Hardie, died in the Ransome and Marles bombing in March 1941 four months before I was born. I was very touched at the replies I got froan article in the Advertiser regarding the death of my father. Someone was also kind enough to send me an article from the paper about the unveiling on Monday of the memorial to all those killed. I would like to have been there but will be in Cyprus. I would, however, like to contact as many people as possible regarding the bombing from the point of view of the survivors and the families affected. I would like to thank NSK Europe for making the memorial.— JAMES HARDIE, 17 North Road, Ormesby St Margaret, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, 01493 731539, email hardie622@btinternet.com
Ransome and Marles Works Band – in 1951 the band was crowned the British Open Champions performing’ The Conquerors’ by Eric Ball the tall man in the centre back line with no instrument is Robert Oughton.
The Ransome and Marles Works Band which was located in Newark, Nottinghamshire was formed in November 1937. The company was a well-known bearings manufacturer and a major employer in the community. As with most works bands in those days all the band members were employees at the company. In the first ten years of the band’s life it built up a reputation of musical excellence both within the brass band world and with the public. In 1939 Ransome and Marles Works Band made the first of over 500 radio broadcasts. Such was the popularity of the band’s music that the BBC installed a direct radio link to the works canteen from where many of the popular musical programmes ofthe time were broadcast. These broadcasts included favourites such as Music While You Work’, Workers’ Playtime’, Friday Night Is Music Night’ and Strike up the Band’.
The band’s first appearance at the annual National Brass Band Championships in London was in 1945 the first event following the end of the war and they have appeared many times during what were the halcyon days for the band and into the present era.
1970/1971-1977 re-named Ransome, Hoffman & Pollard Band and in more recent times the band has been re-named NSK-RHP Ransome Band but will always be referred to as The Ransome Band
Maintaining the continuity of players has always been vitally important to a brass band � this was epitomised during those post war years when the turn over of players was rarely more than one or two. The Ransome and Marles Works Band were no different from any of the other top bands of that era – the rarely changed team for them in those days included: Ken Johnson, Robert Oughton, Len Kitchen, Alec Sykes, William M. Oughton, Donald Roscoe, Robert W. Smith, Ronnie James, Robert English, Brian Harvey, George Stoves, David Parr, Fred Willis, Jack Kearsley, Geoff Tomlinson, William Connell, Tommy Hinson, William Walton, J. Edward Hunter, Andy Veal, Harold Seddon, Jack Smith, William Chaplain, Les Ward, William Glew, Allan Richardson, Ernest Tetley, J. Hall, Neil Emerson, Sam Hursthouse, and John Absalom.
http://newarkadvertiser.co.uk/
1951 Open Championship 1st place Ransome & Marles Works Conductor Eric Ball
The band was in great demand for radio and in July 1952 they were even invited to take part in the relatively new media of television. On that day for over five hours the Ransome and Marles bandsmen perspired under blazing arc lamps in a Birmingham BBC studio working on a 20-minute tele-cast, part of TV Children’s Hour.
Open and National Championship Results British Brass Band for Ransome & Marles Works and in again 1970 & 1978 Ransome Hoffman Pollard
1951 Open Championship 1st place Ransome & Marles Works Conductor Eric Ball
1955 National Championship 2nd place 2 Ransome & Marles Works Conductor Eric Ball
1962 Open 2nd Championship place Ransome & Marles Works Conductor George Hespe
1962 National Championship 3rd place Ransome & Marles Works Conductor George Hespe
1970 National Championship 2nd place Ransome Hoffman Pollard Conductor Dennis Masters
1978 Open Championship 3rd place Ransome Hoffman Pollard Conductor Stephen Shimwell
Memory Lane For Ransome and Marles (R&M) Ransome Hoffman Pollard (RHP)
A short report in the local newspaper our Newark Advertiser said: Mr David Aspinall, conductor of the 27-piece works band, described being under the cameras as “an unforgettable experience”
“They were working for five hours on the set before they had the cameras and lights fixed in the right positions. There seemed to be hundreds of technicians every where . . . it was like a factory.”
The bandsmen wore no make-up, but had special cream jackets made with the initials R&M on the breast pockets and banners with the same initials were draped in front of the stands.”This was the first time a brass band has played a full musical programme on television,” said Mr. Aspinall.
Photo taken by laurencegoff at Newark Cemetery Interpretation centre
“Bands have been on before, and the instruments have been described to viewers but Ransome and Marles are the first to give a complete programme”
One item - “Trombones to the Fore” - showed the Newark trombonists in close-up. Robert Oughton, the band’s solo cornetist, played one of his own arrangements, and Sam Hursthouse, drummer, (as he was referred to in those days) gave a xylophone solo a memorable day for all concerned. Recession loomed and in 1980 the company was no longer able to continue its financial support but fortunately the Band was able to secure support firstly from Browns Musical of Lincoln and then Airquick (Newark) Ltd. This lasted through the 80′s until the early 90′s.
However, 1991 was traumatic in that Airquick (Newark) Ltd was unable to continue with its valuable support. The decline in funds mirrored the band’s rapid decline and it was becoming a struggle to maintain a band at all. At one point there were only 9 stalwart members remaining. In 1992 the heartbreaking decision was made to dissolve the band and let the traditional Ransome name lapse.
The Band’s final concert was in the grounds of the Castle in the centre of Newark and the last number they played was Old Comrades’ - there was not a dry eye to be seen. Fortunately news of the band’s imminent demise found its way into the Newark Advertiser our local press. When the town of Newark and the band’s loyal following heard the news, there was an outcry that provoked a very positive action. Newark Town Council and other local representatives got together with a package of support which enabled the Band to continue its championship and concert activity for the next few years – Newark Town Council was a loyal supporter of the Band for many years.
In 1994 major sponsorship was received from NSK-RHP (UK) Ltd, who ironically was the successor to the original Ransome and Marles and it would now seem that fate had completed a circle. It was in 1996 when Brian Grant was appointed their Musical Director and in the November of that year the Band was invited to attend the 80th anniversary celebrations of N.S.K. in Tokyo, which both the Band and the Japanese audiences hugely enjoyed.
In 1997 the Band qualified for the National Finals at the Albert Hall in London by becoming Midland Area Champions for the first time since the 1950s. In the same year the Band qualified for the British Open Championships at the Birmingham Symphony Hall for the first time since 1979 and entered the rankings for the brass band movement at number 32 and as a result of its hard work and dedication the Band is now in the top twenty.
During their history the Band has made numerous LPs and during the last few years it has made 4 CDs which have proved hugely popular with the band’s loyal supporters and the general public. As the band goes from strength to strength I am sure Robert Oughton would be pleased to see it back at the forefront of the brass band movement.
1999 was a very active and successful year for the Band yet again with the first highlight being crowned the Midland Area Champions which gave them qualification into the National Brass Finals in October at The Royal Albert Hall, London. This success brought them an invitation to compete at the All England Masters Championships, the British Open Championships at the Birmingham Symphony Hall and also the top entertainment contest at Spennymoor in County Durham.
In June 1999 the Band was invited to play at the Glen Miller Festival in Clarinda in the U.S.A a performance that proved a huge success with the audiences. They also performed a concert at the Michigan Theatre in Ann Arbour Detroit where the band played for invited guests from the N.S.K. Corporation. In 2000 the Band became runners up at the National Finals at the Albert Hall in London which made them the English Champions. This fantastic result qualified the Band to play at the European Championships in Montreaux in Switzerland in 2001 and again, to play in the Nationals in 2001. In 2001 the Ransome Band appointed Russell Gray as its Musical Director and Professional Conductor.
Between 1935 and 1939 Robert was the Champion Cornet player of the North of England with medals won at Derby in 1935, Leeds in 1936, Bury in 1938 and Oldham in 1939. These medals are now proudly displayed in the Dalmellington Band bandroom. During the war he served with the Scots Guards Band but in 1945 he declined to sign on for another tour but he did sign on with the Royal Signals and was with the Royal Corps of Signals Band for two years under the Musical Direction of Lieutenant Colonel Judd (1943-1962).
In 1946 the Royal Signals Band were on tour in the United States of America in the band at that time was Sir Alexander Gibson (1926 1995) who was then serving his compulsory National Service and later in life was the conductor of the Scottish National Symphony Orchestra.
At one of the Royal Signals concert Robert Oughton played the well known cornet solo Pandora’ and as an encore he followed that with Fairies on the Water’. Unbeknown to Robert in the audience was Rapael Mendez the legendary Principal Trumpet player with the Metro Goldwyn Meyer Film Company Orchestra.
It is reported that Sir Alexander Gibson introduced Robert Oughton to Rapael Mendez and over the years they became friends resulting in Robert Oughton acquiring some of the Mendez solos and then re-arranging them with a brass band accompaniment they corresponded with each other for many years.
Following his demob’ day in 1947 he returned to the Dalmellington Band but within three months he was back with Ransome and Marles. For the next twelve years many of these arrangements were then used on the radio broadcasts and in concerts he did throughout the country with the Ransome and Marles Works Band. I was pleased that I recently acquired some of his old recordings on a reel to reel tape and have now successfully transferred them on to CD a showman indeed. He was still the showman in 1972 when he played with the Dalmellington Band and performed the Post Horn Gallop on a live television programme. He played the opening with the Post Horn in the traditional manner but finished it off to an amazed television audience with his mouthpiece attached to the hollow tube of a music stand.
In the early 1950′s he was a member of the Harry Mortimer’s All Stars Brass Band…’ which was a group of forty of the top brass band players in the country. Another cornet player who remembers those days with Bobby Oughton is Derek Garside who was the Principal Cornet player for CWS (Manchester) Band for 25 years.
In those days Derek recalls that Robert was about ten years older than he was and considered him one of the more established members and star players in the brass band world. In view of his seniority and the fact Derek was still one of the new boys in the All Stars Band’ he rarely spoke to Robert unless he actually spoke to him first. Derek considered him to be a very good technical player – a good cornet player. However, as a person he was considered to be rather aloof to the rest of the band and was a person who preferred his own company didn’t really mix with everyone else- very much a private person.
It was 1964 when Robert first appeared on the big stage as a conductor when he was the Musical Director of the Scottish CWS Band and led the band to the Royal Albert Hall National Championships. The famous cornet player and Principal Cornet at he CWS in those days Willie Barr well remembers his old friend from those days and has many happy memories of Bobby coming to his house for tea and talking about the old days. Even though Scottish CWS Band were unplaced on that occasion he was back at he Royal Albert Hall the following two years firstly with Kinneil Colliery Band and then in 1968 with Kirkintilloch Band.
A story about his conducting from his early days was that as most conductors were still wearing the traditional conductor’s uniform some of the professional conductors were beginning to move away from this type of uniform and wear a lounge suites black jacket and pin striped trousers. It has been said that Robert was the only conductor who conducted his bands wearing a lounge suit and wearing white gloves and wore them at Whit Friday Contests.
In 1970 he was appointed the Musical Director of Carlton Main Frickley Band, a position he was to hold for the next five years. Whilst he took them to the Royal Albert Hall in both 1971 and 1973 and the British Open Championships from 1970 through to 1975 he was in the prizes only once.
The band’s best performance came on Saturday 2nd September 1972 – the test piece was Jack Beaver’s test piece Sovereign Heritage’. Playing off number 16 they were awarded second place behind the champions Black Dyke Mills Band. One of those players in Carlton Main Frickley Band that day was the well known Tuba Soloist, Conductor and Adjudicator Steve Sykes and he has very happy memories of that day.
It was in his early days of playing in the newly re-formed Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Junior Band that he first met Robert Oughton. Jack Atherton stepped down as the Musical Director and Robert Oughton was appointed as his replacement in 1969/70. One of the first things he did was to re-start the old junior band that had ceased to exist many years earlier.
It was thanks to his father Bill Sykes who was colliery manager at Carlton back in those days who volunteered his son Steve to be one of the junior band’s first members. A move that saw Steve take his first tentative step on to the brass band ladder and who has over the years become one of the leading tuba players in the country. Memories about Robert (Bobby) Oughton are plentiful Steve recalls but the level of respect he received from all the young lads who joined that new band is high on his list of memories from those days.
It was whilst he was with Carlton Main that he probably played his last solo performance at the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO) 22nd. Annual Yorkshire Festival in 1971 where Carlton Main, Grimethorpe, and Markham Main Bands as a massed band accompanied him as he played ‘El Cumbanchero’. This was recorded by Polydor and called Festivalia 71′
In 1976 Robert had moved back to Scotland and was back at the Royal Albert Hall having come full circle when he conducted the Dalmellington Band. It was following the death of his father in 1961that he made his first visit to the Faroe Islands and became involved with the Havnar Hornorkestur (Torshaven Band). His second trip to the islands came during the late 1970′s and the early 1980′s when he was involved in helping to coach the band again. Robert is still remembered today in the Faroe Islands.
On Wednesday the 29th June 1995 Robert Oughton died, alone at his home in Forfar and returning to the beginning of my story it was that Saturday in July when Hugh Johnstone MBE proudly conducted a scratch Dalmellington Band at his funeral.
I have been told by many people that Robert Oughton had many personal problems towards the end of his life the details and reasons for those are not for this story. So let us not dwell on the sad side of his life but remember those brass playing musicians from the Oughton family who all made a significant contribution to the world of brass bands in England and Scotland. Their individual playing was of the highest calibre and can be heard in the few solo recordings that still survive.
There are many sad stories in the band world about Robert but let me finish on the rare lighter side of his personality. For a few months he was the Musical Director of the John Thompson Band near Wolverhampton. It was in the last week before the Daily Herald Midlands Area Contest and he was busy putting the final touches to their practice on what was hope to be a memorable performance at the weekend. It was during the Friday night rehearsal that the Principal Cornet said to him
“You have a wicked left eye you know” – the story goes that he did not respond to the passing comment but just before he raised his baton on the contest platform he took out of his pocket a black eye patch and said “Is that better” and conducted the test piece throughout wearing the black eye patch.
These practical jokes for a man who was so private dated back to the days when he was at Ransom and Marles Works Band. When the band was taking part in a live radio broadcast and as the floor manager counted the band down to the start of their opening piece the Musical Director would raise his arm and baton aloft ready to bring them in only to find that someone (usually the person sat nearest Bobby Oughton on Principal Cornet) had tied a flag or a piece of coloured ribbon to the end of the baton and with the count down well under way David Aspinall had to conduct the opening music with the flag or ribbon attached to the baton flapping in the air as he beat out the time you can imagine his thoughts on such a practical joke.
I would like to take this opportunity of thanking all those people who have helped with the research enabling me to tell this remarkable story and the Newark Advertiser.
Friends of Newark Cemetery will be hosting events at The Chapel Interpretation Centre, Newark Cemetery is open every weekend from 2 to 4:00pm or by appointment. Let’s remember them. Newark Cemetery all year round are open Summer 8am-8pm, Winter 8am-6pm.
laurencegoff
We would wish to acknowledge the generosity of the following local organization for their assistance in the production of this Comfort Book
The Grange House Hotel across from the London Road Cemetery Newark-On-Trent
E.Gill & Son Funeral Services, Newark
Lidsters of Worksop Ltd
Lincolnshire Co-Operative Funeral Service, Newark
Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society
If you would like to Sponsor our 3rd order of the book of support with reading of poems,quotations and passages from scriptures.
friendsofnewarkcemetery@yahoo.co.uk
First World War 1914-1918 total from Newark Killed 456
Second World War 1939-1945 total from Newark killed 144
One from West Africa 1961 total killed 1
One from Malaya 1962 total killed 1
One from Afghanistan 2007 total killed 1
Total 603
We will Remember them, RIP
Newark Cemetery is located on London Road off the A1
across from The Grange House Hotel
Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire NG24 1SQ
maps.google.co.uk
Next meeting Friends of Newark Cemetery will be on Wednesday, 4th January 2012 arrival at 5:30pm for a cuppa meeting 5:45pm over by 7pm Pickin Room Newark town Hall.
Chapel Interpretation Centre at Newark Cemetery left side in former chapel, or by
appointment.
This is a privately owned and maintained, not-for-profit, website which is supported privately, the content here is solely the responsibility of Laurence Goff for Friends of Newark Cemetery. Together as a fitting tribute to the people who resting place is at Newark cemetery. The views expressed our solely my own and do not reflect the Friends of Newark cemetery or Newark Town Council. The photos have been take around which is a joy to do.
Newark Cemetery all year round are open Summer 8am-8pm, Winter 8am-6pm.
Laurence Goff
cllrlaurencegoffnewark@yahoo.co.uk
friendsofnewarkcemetery@yahoo.co.uk
www.facebook.com/cllrlaurencegoffnewark
www.flickr.com/photos/friendsofnewarkcemetery
01636-681878
Like this:
One blogger likes this post.
9 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
Leave a Reply
Ransome and Marles Newark-On-Trent attack Friday 7th March 1941
Bert Emerson helped rescue other survivors of the bombing at Ransome and Marles Newark-On-Trent on 7th March 1941. The factory was targeted …
by laurencegoff |
Ransome & Marles unvailing of Memorial at Newark Town Hall 7th March 2011
Ransome & Marles unvailing of Memorial at Newark Town Hall on the 70th Anniversary 7th March 2011 www.youtube.com www.boundarysound.co.uk
by laurencegoff |
Laurence Goff Visits the Ransome & Marles Memorial at Newark Town Hall UK
Laurence Goff rall call of names from Ramsome and Marles Bombing on 7th March 1941.
by laurencegoff |
Newark Cemetery visiting grave relating to the Ransone and Marles bombing
1941 when two German planes dropped a series of bombs on and around Ransome and Marles who made ball bearings for naval gun turrets. A total of …
by laurencegoff |
Son holding his dad pass, Reginald Senior who died in the bombing on the next day 8th March 1941
Marking the 70th anniversary of Ransome and Marles Bombing
Outside the Newark Town Hall Near The Steps
Friends of Newark Cemetery had commemorated the 70th Anniversary of Ransome and Marles Ball Bearings Factory bombing over the weekend. When Newark Parish Church tolls at 11am a two minute silence which was outside the Newark Town Hall on the pavement.
After a roll call of names will take place by Chris Grant
HMS Newark bell will be tolled after each names is read out to remember each victim of the bombing who died. This was a big part of our history in Newark-On-Trent during the Second Word War, with the most loss of life, with 41 killed and another 165 injured. Our recognition to also remember them at Newark cemetery over the weekend at the Chapel Interpretation Centre which was opened from 12 noon-4:30pm.
An exhibition plus a tours had also taken place.
Monday 7th March
At Newark Cemetery Chapel Interpretation Centre.
The anniversary day a class of children had called out each of the names and rang the School bell to remember them. An exhibition and tour of the people graves, can be done by making an appointment with Laurence Goff. 01636-681878
freindsofnewarkcemetery@yahoo.co.uk
Remembrance to commemorate the sacrifices made and reminds everyone that the protection and care for the freedoms we enjoy. This memorial website has been put together in the public interest as regular visit Newark Cemetery for many years. It has been dedicated to the thousands of people who’s resting place is in our beautiful and historic Cemetery for over 150 years. These website has been set up as a means of further promoting our Newark Cemetery and encouraging interested people to join the tribute.
“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” — Cynthia Ozick
Newark-On-Trent
Ransome and Marles Stanley works building is still around since 1900
Stanley Building on a visit to the former R&M ball bearing factory now NSK
Remembered with a Permanent Memorial will be located at The Town hall
Newark-On-Trent
Newark Town Hall on 7th March 2011 will have a permanent Memorial at the foot of the staircase next to the glass door. We will Remember the ultimate sacrifice with their memories for years to come.
Friends of Newark Cemetery will be hosting events at The Chapel Interpretation Centre, Newark Cemetery in March 2011. The Centre is open every weekend from noon to 4:30pm. If you would like to be a Volunteers we look forward to hearing from you, or just stop by. Let’s remember the People of Ransome and Marles during the bombing.
Our recognition to also remember them
On Friday, 7th March 1941, the most well known of all raids on Newark-On-Trent Nottinghamshire took place, the Ransome and Marles factory was bombed at 1.40pm. A single German Heinkell 111 bomber, flying so low that those on the ground could see its markings, approached from the south following the railway line. It dropped four high explosive bombs. Two of these landed on the works causing considerably damage, one on the road at the side of the factory and the other on an air raid shelter adjacent to Stanley Street. The plane machined gunned the site before circling, passing over the factory again and dropping another bomb. This did not explode.
At 2.24pm another enemy aircraft approached dropped five more bombs but only one exploded, causing more damage and casualties, mainly rescue workers. As a result 29 men and 12 women were killed, 65 treated in hospital and 100+ treated at the works own underground hospital. Civil Defence and ARP services in first aid. At the bombing of Ransome and Marles ball bearing factory on March 7, 1941, members of St John Ambulance, Newark (working as part of the -AIR-RAID-PRECAUTIONS-ARP) responded immediately to the crisis, some travelling direct to the scene, others to the nearest designated first aid post (Barnbygate School) and others still to Newark hospital.
This day became known as “Black Friday.”
The manufacture of bearings for the machine tools and spares industry is now the only work done at Northern Road. Founded in Newark, UK, in 1900, Ransome and Marles, or R & M Bearings as many people know it, soon became the leading British manufacturer of Ball and Roller bearings. Their reputation for quality gained them world-wide acceptance in Aerospace, Defence and precision engineering environments. Previously the factory made precision bearings for planes, trains and road vehicles but bearings for wheeled vehicles are now made elsewhere and NSK left the aeronautical business in 1992. Alan Ransome and Co, which later became Ransome and Marles and Ransome, Hoffman and Pollard or RHP, opened the ball bearing factory in 1900.
On Friday 7th March 1941 As a result of this raid 29 men and 12 women were killed
This most well know of all the raids on the Newark Town tool place when Ransome and Marles’ Factory was bombed on Friday 7th March 1941 in the afternoon. The type of work carried out at the factory made it an obvious target by the Germans. The raid commenced at about 1:40pm. As a result of this raid 29 men and 12 women were killed. Sixty-five people were admitted to Newark Hospital and 100 more were treated at the works’ own underground hospital.
We Will Remember the 41 that died 70 years ago
Ransome and Marles former factory workers will be Remembered
We will Remember them
Ransome and Marles former factory workers will be Remembered
Commonwealth and Polish war graves at Newark Cemetery
We would wish to acknowledge the generosity of the following local organization for their assistance in the production of this Comfort Book
The Grange House Hotel across from the London Road Cemetery Newark-On-Trent
E.Gill & Son Funeral Services, Newark
Lidsters of Worksop Ltd
Lincolnshire Co-Operative Funeral Service, Newark
Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society
If you would like to Sponsor our 3rd order of the book of support with reading of poems,quotations and passages from scriptures.
friendsofnewarkcemetery@yahoo.co.uk
01636-681878
The Chapel Interpretation Centre is open every weekend from 2 until 4:00pm, or by appointment anyone interesting in being a Volunteer contact me 01636-681878 or friendsofnewarkcemetery@yahoo.co.uk
Display
Display of Commonwealth and Polish history
Chapel Interpretation centre at Newark Cemetery is Opened every Weekend from 2-4:00pm or by appointment.
More Volunteers are needed to welcome Visitors, the more we have then we can open during the week. Friends of Newark Cemetery organisation who is helping Newark town council with the centre. The council reopened it on 11th September 2011, with the support of Friends of Newark Cemetery. The centre contains displays of the history of Newark cemetery, Commonwealth and Polish during the World War II. Our beautiful and historic Newark Cemetery, London Road, Newark, Nottinghamshire for over 150 years since 1856.
Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire NG24 1SQ
maps.google.co.uk
Ransome and Marles public Memorial will be put in place at Newark Town Hall near the foot of the staircase where the glass sliding door is located. This will be be in place on the 70th Anniversary when 41 people were killed on this date. These will be the first publicly accessible memorial in Newark. We are grateful to NSK Europe who has taking over the factory and for Newark Town Council who had negotiated with NSK to have a memorial in the first place. Chris Grant Father was killed when he was 5 years old and living on Sleaford Road, Newark he and his Mother heard the plane nearby. 50 years later Chris Grant became Newark Town Mayor May 1991 – 1992 to commemorate and remember the people that died in the bombing he had placed a plaque and planted a tree at RHP which is now NSK.
Chris Grant father was killed when his was just age 5 when the bombs hit the factory. Chris was Newark Town Mayor May 1991-1992 a plaque was unveiled by him in a garden of RHP in the centre of the works in memory of those who were killed in the factory.
On 7th March 2011 the town of Newark has Remembered each one of them that died 70 years ago in Newark during the 2nd world war. The enemy attack by bombing Ransome and Marles Ball Bearings factory on that Friday afternoon. Newark now has a Permanent Memorial at Newark Town Hall at the foot of the staircase near the glass door. We did Remember them.
Friends of Newark Cemetery did hosted events over 3 days from 5 – 7th March 2011 a role call of names with toll of the bell during the day . Chapel Interpretation Centre at Newark Cemetery was open over the weekend with display and walk about to point out graves.
The Anniversary date on 7th March Holy Trinity RC School, Boundary Road, Newark will be visiting the cemetery at 2pm. At 14.24pm The Children called out each name, a bell will toll out to remember the 41 people that died in the Ransome and Marles bombing. This took place at Newark Cemetery.
Six graves are located near the Commonwealth and and Polish war graves, there are 30 buried at Newatk Cemetery. Ransome and Marles factory workers in Newark-On-Trent will be remembered in 2011. Preserving the ultimate sacrifice with their memories for years to come. Welcome to the cause! We’re happy to have you, and hope you’ll get involved and spread awareness by inviting your friends to join the anniversary. We will Remember them Ransome and Marles’ Factory Newark-On-Trent was bombed On Friday 7th March 1941. Let’s Preserve and share any Memories As a result of this raid 29 men and 12 women were killed. If anyone has stories , photos or information regarding family members or friends.
30 are buried in Newark Cemetery from the bombing of Ransome and Marles
Ransome and Marles’ Factory was Bombed. We will Remember Newark-On-Trent was being bombed at the ball bearing factory, and also the pump factory Worthington Simsons in Balderton. Newark was attacked regularly because of its significance to airfields and war work carried out within the area. The most significant attack was on 7th March 1941 when two German planes dropped a series of bombs on and around Ransome and Marles who made ball bearings for naval gun turrets. A total of 41 people were killed with a further 165 being injured.
The 1st Alert was sounded at 13.35 when a Heinkel 111 made its 1st pass over the factory at 1,000 feet dropping 4 bombs. 2 hit the works, 1 hit the edge of the works and 1 hit the works shelter at the rear of Stanley Street. The works was also machine gunned. The plane made a further 2 passes over the factory causing more damage although one of its bombs failed to explode. Shortly after that the All Clear was sounded and rescue work began. The plane made a further 2 passes over the factory causing more damage although one of its bombs failed to explode. Shortly after that the All Clear was sounded and rescue work began. At 14.24 the Alert was sounded and another enemy plane attacked the works while rescuers were assisting the casualties. It dropped 5 bombs but only 1 exploded causing a number of casualties and some damage, 4 bombs failed to explode. The All Clear was sounded at 14.51.
Ransome Marles Stanley Works it’s name has changed for the 3rd time RHP now NSK which was one Biggest and the Major Employers in Newark for over a 100 years.
7th March 1941 on that Friday afternoon
These was a big part of our history during the 2nd Word War, with the most loss of life with 41 killed and another 165 that were injured. It was a huge event we most remember them. 41 Flags to Remember the Fallen the Brave People at Ransome and Marles.
Full list of names who died in the Ransome and Marle Bombing on that Friday afternoon on 7th March 1941
Laurence Goff Visits the Ransome & Marles Memorial at Newark Town Hall UK
Laurence Goff rall call of names from Ramsome and Marles Bombing on 7th March 1941.
by laurencegoff |
Newark Cemetery visiting grave relating to the Ransone and Marles bombing
1941 when two German planes dropped a series of bombs on and around Ransome and Marles who made ball bearings for naval gun turrets. A total of …
by laurencegoff |
“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” — Cynthia Ozick
At 2.24pm another enemy aircraft approached dropped five more bombs but only one exploded, causing more damage and casualties, mainly rescue workers. As a result 29 men and 12 women were killed, 65 treated in hospital and 100+ treated at the works own underground hospital. Civil Defence and ARP services in first aid. At the bombing of Ransome and Marles ball bearing factory on March 7, 1941, members of St John Ambulance, Newark (working as part of the -AIR-RAID-PRECAUTIONS-ARP) responded immediately to the crisis, some travelling direct to the scene, others to the nearest designated first aid post (Barnbygate School) and others still to Newark hospital.
This day became known as “Black Friday.”
The manufacture of bearings for the machine tools and spares industry is now the only work done at Northern Road. Founded in Newark, UK, in 1900, Ransome and Marles, or R & M Bearings as many people know it, soon became the leading British manufacturer of Ball and Roller bearings. Their reputation for quality gained them world-wide acceptance in Aerospace, Defence and precision engineering environments. Previously the factory made precision bearings for planes, trains and road vehicles but bearings for wheeled vehicles are now made elsewhere and NSK left the aeronautical business in 1992. Alan Ransome and Co, which later became Ransome and Marles and Ransome, Hoffman and Pollard or RHP, opened the ball bearing factory in 1900.
On Friday 7th March 1941 As a result of this raid 29 men and 12 women were killed
This most well know of all the raids on the Newark Town tool place when Ransome and Marles’ Factory was bombed on Friday 7th March 1941 in the afternoon. The type of work carried out at the factory made it an obvious target by the Germans. The raid commenced at about 1:40pm. As a result of this raid 29 men and 12 women were killed. Sixty-five people were admitted to Newark Hospital and 100 more were treated at the works’ own underground hospital.
We Will Remember the 41 that died 70 years ago
Ransome and Marles former factory workers will be Remembered
We will Remember them
Ransome and Marles former factory workers will be Remembered
Commonwealth and Polish war graves at Newark Cemetery
We would wish to acknowledge the generosity of the following local organization for their assistance in the production of this Comfort Book
The Grange House Hotel across from the London Road Cemetery Newark-On-Trent
E.Gill & Son Funeral Services, Newark
Lidsters of Worksop Ltd
Lincolnshire Co-Operative Funeral Service, Newark
Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society
If you would like to Sponsor our 3rd order of the book of support with reading of poems,quotations and passages from scriptures.
friendsofnewarkcemetery@yahoo.co.uk
01636-681878
The Chapel Interpretation Centre is open every weekend from 2 until 4:00pm, or by appointment anyone interesting in being a Volunteer contact me 01636-681878 or friendsofnewarkcemetery@yahoo.co.uk
Display
Display of Commonwealth and Polish history
Chapel Interpretation centre at Newark Cemetery is Opened every Weekend from 2-4:00pm or by appointment.
More Volunteers are needed to welcome Visitors, the more we have then we can open during the week. Friends of Newark Cemetery organisation who is helping Newark town council with the centre. The council reopened it on 11th September 2011, with the support of Friends of Newark Cemetery. The centre contains displays of the history of Newark cemetery, Commonwealth and Polish during the World War II. Our beautiful and historic Newark Cemetery, London Road, Newark, Nottinghamshire for over 150 years since 1856.
Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire NG24 1SQmaps.google.co.uk |
Ransome and Marles public Memorial will be put in place at Newark Town Hall near the foot of the staircase where the glass sliding door is located. This will be be in place on the 70th Anniversary when 41 people were killed on this date. These will be the first publicly accessible memorial in Newark. We are grateful to NSK Europe who has taking over the factory and for Newark Town Council who had negotiated with NSK to have a memorial in the first place. Chris Grant Father was killed when he was 5 years old and living on Sleaford Road, Newark he and his Mother heard the plane nearby. 50 years later Chris Grant became Newark Town Mayor May 1991 – 1992 to commemorate and remember the people that died in the bombing he had placed a plaque and planted a tree at RHP which is now NSK.
Name |
Address |
Age |
Gender |
Died after AdmissionTo Hospital |
London Rd Cemetery Grave Ref No |
Date of Interment |
(1) Adams George H H |
77 Millgate Newark |
45 |
M |
ED307 * Buried in Newark |
14.03.1941 Yes (Found)Tombstone
|
|
2) Andrew Wilfred |
48 Chestnut Avenue Newark |
39 |
M |
ED303 * Buried in Newark |
11.03.1941 Yes (Found)Tombstone
|
|
3) Ash Olive |
14 Portland Street Newark |
31 |
F |
X |
EK253 * Buried in Newark |
14.03.1941 No Stone Found |
4) Ball Bertie Augustus |
6 Newstead Avenue Newark |
18 |
M |
EQ207 * Buried in Newark |
13.03.1941 No Stone Marking Found |
|
5) Beale Ernest |
38 Appletongate Newark |
27 |
M |
X |
WG288 * Buried in Newark |
13.03.1941 Yes FoundTombstone
|
6) Beaver Edward |
15 Roseberry Hill Mansfield |
26 |
M |
X Mansfield Crematorium |
Buried in Mansfield Record Plot 21506 |
No Stone Marking Found |
7) Brown Harold V |
5 Charles Street Newark |
44 |
M |
EQ149 * Buried in Newark |
12.03.1941 Yes (Found)Tombstone
|
|
8, Castle Vivien M |
Elston Nr Newark |
18 |
F |
No Record |
||
9) Cooper Winifred |
12 Pinfold Lane Balderton |
30 |
F |
X |
Record * Buried inSt Giles Church |
Found in Balderton hasTombstone
|
10) Cottam Edna May |
27 William Street Newark |
19 |
F |
WT303 * Buried in Newark |
13.03.1941 Yes (Found)Tombstone |
|
11) Cummings Gladys |
42 Welbeck Avenue Newark |
21 |
F |
X |
ED305 * Buried in Newark |
15.03.1941 Yes (Found)Tombstone |
12) Dixey William J |
65 Bowbridge Road Newark |
62 |
M |
EO145 * Buried in Newark |
12.03.1941 Yes (Found)Tombstone
|
|
13) Fowler Frederick |
Long Street Great Gonerby, Grantham |
39 |
M |
X |
No Record |
|
14) Godridge George William |
28 Lime Grove Newark |
29 |
M |
X |
EH247 * Buried in Newark |
14.03.1941 No Stone Found |
15) Grant Robert Barnsdale |
3 Sleaford Road Newark |
47 |
M |
EG237 * Buried in Newark |
Yes (Found)Tombstone |
|
16) Green John Henry |
9 Marton Road Newark |
55 |
M |
WG308 * Buried in Newark |
11.03.1941 Yes(Found)Tombstone |
|
17) Grocock Horace |
115 Millgate Newark |
47 |
M |
X |
Buried In Barnby- in- the- Willows |
|
18) Gyde Albert Robert |
60A Barnbygate Newark |
42 |
M |
X |
WS305 * Buried in Newark |
13.03.1941 Yes FoundTombstone |
19) Hall Rose Ellen |
19 Long Row Newark |
30 |
F |
X |
EI151 * Buried in Newark |
13.03.1941 No Stone Found |
20) Hanger James |
6 Cedar Avenue Newark |
29 |
M |
WR300 * Buried in Newark |
Yes (Found)Tombstone |
|
21) Hardie Thomas McHugh |
56 Milton Street Newark |
26 |
M |
ED304 * Buried in Newark |
12.03.1941 Yes (Found)Tombstone |
|
22) Hayden Sybil Harriet |
Ivy Farm Kirklington |
34 |
F |
X |
No Record |
|
23) Kirton Miss Joyne May |
21 Guildhall Street Newark |
18 |
F |
No Record Not found |
||
24) Lambert Lily |
59 Bowbridge Road Newark |
22 |
F |
EH249 * Buried in Newark |
11.03.1941 No Stone Found |
|
25) Lambley George Felix |
Marton Road Newark |
39 |
M |
WD178 * Buried in Newark |
11.03.1941 Yes FoundTombstone |
|
26) Makins Edith |
Green South Collingham Church |
21 |
F |
Record South Collingham |
||
27) Mann Frederick William |
“Manville” New Balderton |
46 |
M |
X |
EG238 * Buried in Newark |
13.03.1941 No tombstone found |
28) Markwell F W |
114 Hawton Lane New Balderton |
50 |
M |
Record BaldertonSt Giles Church ? |
Not Located |
|
29) Martin Claude |
33 Bowbridge Road Newark |
36 |
M |
WT178 * Buried in Newark |
12.03.1941 Yes (Found)Tombstone |
|
30) Martin Edwin E |
46 Newton Street Newark |
46 |
M |
Record * Buried in Newark |
Yes FoundTombstone |
|
31) Naylor Richard |
162 Barnbygate Newark |
25 |
M |
WC175 * Buried in Newark |
11.03.1941 No Tombstone Found |
|
32) Packwood Frederick William |
56 Appletongate Newark |
52 |
M |
WS304 * Buried in Newark |
12.03.1941 Yes FoundTombstone |
|
33) Pepper William Thomas |
7 Norwell Road Caunton Nr Newark |
18 |
M |
No Record |
||
34) Richards Frederick |
Beacon Hill Road Newark |
32 |
M |
X |
WL306 C * Buried in Newark |
12.03.1941 No Tombstone Found |
35) Ridge Alfred Mayfield |
84 Beacon Hill Newark |
68 |
M |
WF309 C * Buried in Newark |
13.03.1941 No Stone Marking Found |
|
36) Senior Reginald William |
8 Middleton Road Newark |
35 |
M |
X |
WQ305 * Buried in Newark |
12.03.1941 Yes foundTombstone |
37) Swanwick George |
4 Vernon Avenue Newark |
38 |
M |
EQ252 * Buried in Newark |
12.03.1941 No Tombstone Found |
|
38) Trueblood Nora |
42 William Street Newark |
34 |
F |
X |
WP305 * Buried in Newark |
14.03.1941 FoundTombstone |
39) Varney Esther *( was never found |
9 Wilson Street Newark |
19 |
F |
No Record RIP |
Her Body was never found |
|
40) Warner William |
9 Grove Street New Balderton |
51 |
M |
X |
WB282 * Buried in Newark |
13.03.1941 YesTombstone Found |
41) Worrell Arthur |
Chestnut Cottage Girton |
31 |
M |
E 305 * Buried in NewarkYesTombstone Found |
Chris Grant and Laurence Goff visiting Newark Cemetery graves relating to number of Ransome and Marles that were killed, 30 are buried here at Newark Cemetery. The factory who made ball bearings for naval gun turrets. A total of 41 people were killed with a further 165 being injured. We will Remember them.
Ransome and Marles’ Factory was bombed during the day On Friday 7th March 1941 six are buried near the
British Commonwealth and Polish War Graves
John Henry Green Home Guard Volunteer killed in the Ransome and Marlesbombing, his name is on the war Memorial to the Fallen at Newark Cemetery
From the Nottingham Evening Post ,Tuesday 6th June 2010 with Laurence Goff and Chris Grant who Father died when he was age 5 in the Ransome and Marles bombing. Newark was attacked regularly because of its significance to airfields and war work carried out within the area. The most significant attack was on Friday, 7th March 1941 when two German planes dropped a series of 10 bombs on and around Ransome and Marles who made ball bearings for naval gun turrets. A total of 41 people were killed with a further 165 being injured.
www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/
Video
Laurence Goff Pointing to John Henry Green and Ernest Beale names that are on the war Memorial at Newark Cemetery. 41 were Killed at Ransome and Marles Bombing
Sherwood Foresters was killed at Ransome and Marles Factory Bombing on 7th March 1941, his name is on the war Memorial to the Fallen at Newark Cemetery
Newark Town 1991-1992 Chris Grant lost his Father during the Ransome and Marles bombing at age five. I took him around the Newark cemetery as we have 30 buried in our town, 20 had a tombstone with full names. This grave is of John Henry Green who name is also on the war Memorial to the fallen as he served in the home Guard. He was killed in the bombing of Ransome and Marles, this being Important part of Newark-On-Trent history that on Friday the 7th March 1941. Let’s Remember the 41 that died in Newark-On-Trent with 29 men and 12 women that were killed with a further 165 being injured. Chris Grant lost his Father in the bombing of the work shop ball bears factory when he was just 5 year old on that sad day for his family.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ransome and Marles their ultimate sacrifice to work in dangerous places during the war will not be in vain, we will remember them with a memorial at Newark Town Hall on 70th anniversary, on 7th March 2011 when the factory was bombed. We will Remember the 41 that died in Newark-On-Trent. 29 men and 12 women were killed with a further 165 being injured.
Newark-On-Trent
This was a big part of our history in Newark-On-Trent during the Second Word War, with the most loss of life, with 41 killed and another 165
injured.
We Will Remember the Ransome and Marles Bombing 41 were killed 30 are buried in Newark Cemetery Nottinghamshire
* A Star Buried in Newark Cemetery 30 in total) ( O is put after names that do not have a Tombstone )
1, George Harold Henry Adams, aged 45 *
2, Wilfred Evelyn Andrew, aged 39 *
3, Olive Ash, aged 31 * O
4, Bertie Augustus Ball, aged 18 * O
5, Ernest Patrick Beale, aged 27, Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment (Private) *
6, Edward Beaver, aged 26 (Buried in Mansfield) with no Tombstone
7, Harold Vincent Brown, aged 44 *
8, Vivian Maud Castle, aged 18
9, Enid Winifred Hall Cooper, aged 30 ( Buried in Balderton in St Giles Church Yard)
10, Edna May Cottam, aged 19 *
11, Gladys Cummings, aged 21 *
12, William Joseph Dixey, aged 62 *
13, Frederick Flowler, aged 39
14, George William Godridge, aged 29 * O
15, Robert Barnsdale Grant, aged 47, his son Chris was only five when his Father died, he became Newark town mayor 50 years later in 1991-1992 *
16, John Henry Green, aged 55, Volunteer Home Guard, 11th Nottinghamshire (Newark) *
17, Horace Grocock, aged 47 ( Buried in Barnby in the Willow)
18, Albert Robert Gyde, aged 42*
19, Rose Ellen Hall, aged 30 * O
20, James Hazelby Hanger, aged 29 *
21, Thomas McHallam Hardie, aged 26 *
22, Sybil Harriet Hayden, aged 34
23, Joyce May Kirton, aged 18
24, Lily Lambert, aged 22 * O
25, George Felix Lambley, aged 39 *
26, Edith Makins, aged 21 ( Buried in South Collingham)
27, Frederick William Mann, aged 46 * O
28, Frederick Markwell, aged 50 ( Balderton ?)
29, Claude Ware Hannah Martin, aged 36 *
30, Edwin E. Martin, aged 46 *
31, Richard Naylor, aged 25 * O
32, Frederick William Packwood, aged 52 *
33, William Thomas Pepper, aged 18
34, Frederick Richards, aged 32 * O
35, Alfred Mayfield Ridge, aged 68 * O
36, Reginald William Senior, aged 35, died on the 8th March 1941 *
37, George Swanwick, aged 38 * O
38, Norah Trueblood, aged 34, *
39, Esther Evelyn Varney, aged 19, (her body was never found)
40, William Warner, aged 51 *
41 Arthur Worrell, aged 31 *
We should be grateful to the people around Newark that worked at Ransome & Marles Ball Bearings Factory which provided components to all three Armed Forces.
Reginald William Senior was the only person to died the next day of Ransome and Marles bombing on Saturday 8th March 1941
This names are in the yearly book to remember to people that died in the Ransome and Marles bombing at Newark Parish Church
At the Chapel Interpretation Centre
Ransome and Marles factory workers in Newark-On-Trent will be remembered on the 5-6 March 2011 over the week-end. On Monday afternoon Holy Trinity RC School Children from class 6 Newark will be calling out the 41 names that died at Newark Cemetery Centre 2pm on 7th March 2011.
laurencegoffRansome and Marles their ultimate sacrifice to work in dangerous places during the war will not be in vain, we will remember them with a memorial on the 70th anniversary on 7th March 2011. This was a big part of our history in Newark-On-Trent during the Second Word War, with the most loss of life, with 41 killed and another 165 injured. On that sad Friday afternoon, 7th March 1941, Ransome and Marles bearing factory was bombed by the hostile enemy. This was the most notable incident during the 2nd world war in Newark-On-Trent . The type of work carried out at the factory made it an obvious target. We believe strongly and felt a need to Remember the 41 people who died and 165 that where injured 70 years ago on these date 7th March 1941 at Ransomeand Marles ball bears factory. Remembrance to commemorates the sacrifices made during the 2nd World War to remind us of the sacifice by so many people that died to protect and defend our freedom. This memorial website has been put together in the public interest, It has been dedicated to the thousands of people who’s resting place is in our beautiful and historic Cemetery for over 150 years. These website has been set up as a means of further promoting our Newark Cemetery and encouraging interested people to join the tribute. I have posted a British flag and flower as our lasting symbol to each one of them.
On Friday, 7th March 1941, Ransome and Marles bearing factory was bombed. This was the most notable incident of enemy action in the town. The type of work carried out at the factory made it an obvious target for the Germans. It was shortly after 1pm, the sirens had already sounded, when there was a rattle of machine gun fire and the drone of an aircraft engine. Visibility was bad, but people in the streets suddenly saw the raider, an Heinkel 111 bomber, dive through the low clouds and almost immediately release 4 bombs. Two of these landed in the works, one on the road at the side of the factory, and one on an air raid shelter adjacent to Stanley Street. One of the witnesses was Mike Wright age 4 years. There was a constant chatter of machine gun fire from both the raider and the defenders, until the plane reached the sanctuary of the clouds.
No time was lost by the Civil Defence services in getting to the scene of the bombing. Rescue workers were soon busy extricating survivors and those killed. Within an hour, and whilst the rescue work was still going on, there was another alert and a second raider returned, dropped 5 more bombs but only one exploded. As a result of the raid 29 men and 12 women were killed and more than 165 injured. More than 100 of these were treated in the works own underground hospital. After the raid the two paired Lewis guns which were mounted in sand-bagged positions on Clay Lane were replaced by a Bofors 40 mm anti aircraft gun mounted on a proper gun platform. Fortunately, the town was not attacked again. In 1992 a plaque was unveiled in a garden in the centre of the works in memory of those who were killed, one of whom was Newark Town Mayor Chris Grants who father died when he was just age 5 living on Sleaford Road, Newark.
Evidence of air raid precautions, in the form of camouflage at Ransome and Marles may still be seen today on a wall of the old toolroom, and a damaged purlin in the roof of the old carpenters shop is the only evidence of where an unexploded bomb fell. With the removal of censorship restrictions in October 1944, it was possible for the Newark Advertiser to reveal the number of casualties during air raids on Newark. Apart from the principle attack on Ransome and Marles (NSK), The air raid warning was sounded 283 times and there incidents on 7 occasions, 5 of which were in the first months of 1941. In all 43 people were killed and 66 injured. In all raids over 60 incendiary bombs and 39 high explosives fell on the town. Some damage was caused to 187 houses but none were rendered inhabitable.
In August 1941, a British bomber crashed onto a house in London Road, Balderton and burst into flames. Two of the crew and 6 children who were asleep in the house were killed. Their mother just managed to escape with one of her sons. Their father who was working on the railway saw the crash and thought that it was near his home but carried on working until his shift finished a 6pm. Newark Fire Service, in common with other fire services was not prepared for war. Their equipment was not compatible with that of other neighboring services. As a result when Newark was called out to Sheffield they could only stand and watch. Very soon the Fire Services were nationalized and used common equipment throughout. This was the start of the Fire Service as we know it today. Throughout the war there was a large 5000 gallon prefabricated tank in the market place in case water mains were broken during bombing.
Civilian Life.
Due to full employment during the war and long overtime hours, many more people had money in their pocket but nothing to spend it on. As a consequence the people of Newark, in July 1940, were encouraged to put their money into fighting funds to purchase Spitfires. In order to boost moral and obtain maximum funds a Spitfire that had recently been in combat with the enemy, was placed in the market place along with the tail of an Heinkel bomber and other exhibits from various shot down enemy aircraft. The public was encouraged to put money in collection boxes manned by RAF personnel. The cost of a Spitfire was £6000. There is nothing in the Advertiser records to say how much money was actually saved.
The success of similar funds led the Government to encourage the people of Britain to save in war bonds that offered 2.1/ 2 – 3% interest. War Weapons Weeks were set up and Newark was encouraged to compete with Grantham to see who raised most money. Although the target for Newark during the initial war week was £200,000, a total of £300,109 was raised sufficient to buy 20 tanks. Grantham only raised £260,000. This set the scene for the remainder of the war and by the war’s end £4 million had been saved by the people of Newark. Would David Carrott like to comment? Newark had links with the newly acquired destroyer renamed, HMS Newark. This was in all probability one of the 50 mothballed destroyers that were leased from the United States before they entered the war.
One of the duties of the Chief Constable was to ensure that all signposts were removed in order to confuse German paratroopers as to where they were. Signs on buildings, vans, lorries and busses mentioning Newark or Nottinghamshire were removed. If they were made of stone then they were chiseled away. om the villages who worked in Newark and found it difficult to prepare sandwiches due to rationing. Gracie Fields performed two concerts in Newark in August 1941. One was in the canteen at Ransome and Marles, the other at Northgate house.
In April 1942, iron railings, first of all around the Castle gardens, Newark Cemetery were removed from all public buildings and later from private houses. These actions provided 200 tons for munitions.
In May 1942, as part of Newark’s salvage drive, the Mayor of Newark Councillor Cyril Parlby challenged the President of the Tradesman’s Association to a Novel race. Each contestant was to form a team of as many people as possible. The objective was to collect as much waste paper in the form of unused books as possible. The strategy was to lay a trail of books from the end of Bridge Street, near what is now Boyes, to the Town hall steps. The Mayor’s team were to lay a trail on one side of the street and along the corresponding side of the square, the Presidents on the other. At the firing of a starter pistol, the first books were placed. Children ran to and fro with barrows laden with books, excitedly adding them to the fast-growing trails. Unfortunately, in the Market Place the two merged into one. Lorry loads of books were added to the crazy paving. A running commentary was supplied by A E Healy who took up a safe position on top of the blast wall in front of the Police station. It is not reported how much paper was collected but certainly the people of Newark had a wonderful day.
After his plane crashed in suspicious circumstances on 4th July 1943 at Gibraltar the body of General Sikorski was buried in Newark Cemetery. Two years earlier, whilst attending the funeral of Polish airmen he had decreed that should he be killed on foreign soil during the war, his body should be laid to rest amongst his men for 50 years until his remains were returned home to Poland on 14th September 1993.
laurencegoff
Lasting Tribute with Recognition to Remember them when Ransome and Marles Ball Bearing Factory was Bombed. On that Darkest day during the 2nd world war on 7th March 1941, This day became known as “Black Friday.” That sad afternoon when the enemy attacked with 10 bombs. The outcry in mourning and pain for years to come. Many families and friends were badly injured or without a love one. Ransome and Marles changed its name to R.H.P. (Ransome, Hoffmann and Pollard) and is now called N.S.K. (Nippon Seiko K.K.)
http://newarkcemeteryuk.wordpress.com/2011/10/09/lasting-tribute-to-british-commonwealth-polish-airmen-and-workers-of-ransome-and-marles-bombing/
John Henry Green Grave
Ransome and Marles’ Factory was Bombed, Friday 7th March 1941. We will Remember the 41 that died in Newark-On-Trent. 29 men and 12 women were killed with a further 165 being injured. Bomb horror at factory Newark-On-Trent in Nottinghamshire people can recall Wartime memories for the 70th the anniversary in 2011. The bombing of the Ransome and Marles factory in Newark when two Luftwaffe Heinkel bombers carried out separate raids on the Northern Road factory within an hour of each other at about lunch time on March 7 1941. The raids cost 41 lives and the cost in terms of damage was put at £91,789. A German aerial photograph taken in October 1940 was later recovered. It was used in the planning of the raid, detailing the longitude and latitude of the factory. The first German bomber used the railway line from Grantham as a guide and dropped four bombs. Two hit the factory, where the tool room and grindery took the brunt of the blast. One bomb hit the air raid shelter, another landed in the road nearby. The plane then circled and dropped a fifth bomb, which hit the factory floor but failed to explode. Five bombs were dropped in the second attack. Only one exploded but caused casualties to rescue workers tending people injured in the first raid. The Germans reported a successful low-level bomb attack on a ball bearing factory in Newark, 29 men and 12 women were killed. One young woman was never found and presumed dead. There have been reports over the years of sightings of her ghost in the factory. Mr Bill Midwinter of Valley Prospect, Newark, was a production control supervisor who had gone home for lunch on that fateful day, when the air raid sirens sounded. He recalls: “I was in London Road and saw a bomb drop. “The plane seemed low. “It was a terrible day, pouring with rain. “I do not think the bomber could get the height so the bomb did not explode.”Mr Midwinter, as a member of the factory defence unit, helped to guard the 1,000lb unexploded bomb he saw fall. He said: “We ended up guarding the bomb for several days until the Bomb Disposal Unit arrived. “We were given strict instructions that no one should attempt to touch it or go near it. “The bomb looked quite small when it was in the ground but when it was removed you could see how big it really was. “I have no doubts that if that bomb had gone off the factory would have been completely wiped out.” About 4,000 people worked at the factory during the second world war, and a chance conversation probably saved the life of Mr Bert Emerson of Keats Road, Balderton, who worked in the equipment drawing office. He said: “I was making my way down from the grindery to the tool room when I stopped for a chat. “I was showered in glass from the sheer impact of the bombing but even then I escaped without a scratch.”He remembered, as a 19 year old, helping to take a stretcher down to the underground hospital at the factory, when it was bombed for the second time. “I count myself lucky to have escaped,” he said. More than 100 people were initially treated at the underground hospital, and ambulances took 65 people to hospital. The underground hospital, 15ft under the factory’s carpark, was bricked up and forgotten about after the war. It came to light again last year when plans were drawn up to mark the factory’s 100th anniversary.Gallons of groundwater were pumped out before the hospital could be opened but the effort was worth it as the hospital attracted 3,000 visitors. A future use for the hospital as a venue for fire service training exercises has been suggested but until a decision is made it will remain closed. Many people who worked at the factory for years were unaware the hospital existed, but the vital contribution it made on 7th March, 1941 is unlikely to be forgotten.
Two name are on war Memorial To Fallen at Newark Cemetery near the main gate on London Road of Ernest Patrick Beale Sherwood Foresters. John Henry Green Home Guard was a roof spotter at Ransome both were killed in the bombing of Ransome and Marles 41 in total
Many thanks for taking the time to Remember Ransome and Marles former factory workers that died during the 2nd world war, 41 were kiled.Tribute to Ransome and Marles Bombing |
I am originally from Balderton. My father, Thomas Hardie, died in the Ransome and Marles bombing in March 1941 four months before I was born. I was very touched at the replies I got froan article in the Advertiser regarding the death of my father. Someone was also kind enough to send me an article from the paper about the unveiling on Monday of the memorial to all those killed. I would like to have been there but will be in Cyprus. I would, however, like to contact as many people as possible regarding the bombing from the point of view of the survivors and the families affected. I would like to thank NSK Europe for making the memorial.— JAMES HARDIE, 17 North Road, Ormesby St Margaret, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, 01493 731539, email hardie622@btinternet.com
Ransome and Marles Works Band – in 1951 the band was crowned the British Open Champions performing’ The Conquerors’ by Eric Ball the tall man in the centre back line with no instrument is Robert Oughton.
The Ransome and Marles Works Band which was located in Newark, Nottinghamshire was formed in November 1937. The company was a well-known bearings manufacturer and a major employer in the community. As with most works bands in those days all the band members were employees at the company. In the first ten years of the band’s life it built up a reputation of musical excellence both within the brass band world and with the public. In 1939 Ransome and Marles Works Band made the first of over 500 radio broadcasts. Such was the popularity of the band’s music that the BBC installed a direct radio link to the works canteen from where many of the popular musical programmes ofthe time were broadcast. These broadcasts included favourites such as Music While You Work’, Workers’ Playtime’, Friday Night Is Music Night’ and Strike up the Band’.
The band’s first appearance at the annual National Brass Band Championships in London was in 1945 the first event following the end of the war and they have appeared many times during what were the halcyon days for the band and into the present era.
1970/1971-1977 re-named Ransome, Hoffman & Pollard Band and in more recent times the band has been re-named NSK-RHP Ransome Band but will always be referred to as The Ransome Band
Maintaining the continuity of players has always been vitally important to a brass band � this was epitomised during those post war years when the turn over of players was rarely more than one or two. The Ransome and Marles Works Band were no different from any of the other top bands of that era – the rarely changed team for them in those days included: Ken Johnson, Robert Oughton, Len Kitchen, Alec Sykes, William M. Oughton, Donald Roscoe, Robert W. Smith, Ronnie James, Robert English, Brian Harvey, George Stoves, David Parr, Fred Willis, Jack Kearsley, Geoff Tomlinson, William Connell, Tommy Hinson, William Walton, J. Edward Hunter, Andy Veal, Harold Seddon, Jack Smith, William Chaplain, Les Ward, William Glew, Allan Richardson, Ernest Tetley, J. Hall, Neil Emerson, Sam Hursthouse, and John Absalom.
http://newarkadvertiser.co.uk/
1951 Open Championship 1st place Ransome & Marles Works Conductor Eric Ball
The band was in great demand for radio and in July 1952 they were even invited to take part in the relatively new media of television. On that day for over five hours the Ransome and Marles bandsmen perspired under blazing arc lamps in a Birmingham BBC studio working on a 20-minute tele-cast, part of TV Children’s Hour.
Open and National Championship Results British Brass Band for Ransome & Marles Works and in again 1970 & 1978 Ransome Hoffman Pollard
1951 Open Championship 1st place Ransome & Marles Works Conductor Eric Ball
1955 National Championship 2nd place 2 Ransome & Marles Works Conductor Eric Ball
1962 Open 2nd Championship place Ransome & Marles Works Conductor George Hespe
1962 National Championship 3rd place Ransome & Marles Works Conductor George Hespe
1970 National Championship 2nd place Ransome Hoffman Pollard Conductor Dennis Masters
1978 Open Championship 3rd place Ransome Hoffman Pollard Conductor Stephen Shimwell
Memory Lane For Ransome and Marles (R&M) Ransome Hoffman Pollard (RHP)
A short report in the local newspaper our Newark Advertiser said: Mr David Aspinall, conductor of the 27-piece works band, described being under the cameras as “an unforgettable experience”
“They were working for five hours on the set before they had the cameras and lights fixed in the right positions. There seemed to be hundreds of technicians every where . . . it was like a factory.”
The bandsmen wore no make-up, but had special cream jackets made with the initials R&M on the breast pockets and banners with the same initials were draped in front of the stands.”This was the first time a brass band has played a full musical programme on television,” said Mr. Aspinall.
Photo taken by laurencegoff at Newark Cemetery Interpretation centre
“Bands have been on before, and the instruments have been described to viewers but Ransome and Marles are the first to give a complete programme”
One item - “Trombones to the Fore” - showed the Newark trombonists in close-up. Robert Oughton, the band’s solo cornetist, played one of his own arrangements, and Sam Hursthouse, drummer, (as he was referred to in those days) gave a xylophone solo a memorable day for all concerned. Recession loomed and in 1980 the company was no longer able to continue its financial support but fortunately the Band was able to secure support firstly from Browns Musical of Lincoln and then Airquick (Newark) Ltd. This lasted through the 80′s until the early 90′s.
However, 1991 was traumatic in that Airquick (Newark) Ltd was unable to continue with its valuable support. The decline in funds mirrored the band’s rapid decline and it was becoming a struggle to maintain a band at all. At one point there were only 9 stalwart members remaining. In 1992 the heartbreaking decision was made to dissolve the band and let the traditional Ransome name lapse.
The Band’s final concert was in the grounds of the Castle in the centre of Newark and the last number they played was Old Comrades’ - there was not a dry eye to be seen. Fortunately news of the band’s imminent demise found its way into the Newark Advertiser our local press. When the town of Newark and the band’s loyal following heard the news, there was an outcry that provoked a very positive action. Newark Town Council and other local representatives got together with a package of support which enabled the Band to continue its championship and concert activity for the next few years – Newark Town Council was a loyal supporter of the Band for many years.
In 1994 major sponsorship was received from NSK-RHP (UK) Ltd, who ironically was the successor to the original Ransome and Marles and it would now seem that fate had completed a circle. It was in 1996 when Brian Grant was appointed their Musical Director and in the November of that year the Band was invited to attend the 80th anniversary celebrations of N.S.K. in Tokyo, which both the Band and the Japanese audiences hugely enjoyed.
In 1997 the Band qualified for the National Finals at the Albert Hall in London by becoming Midland Area Champions for the first time since the 1950s. In the same year the Band qualified for the British Open Championships at the Birmingham Symphony Hall for the first time since 1979 and entered the rankings for the brass band movement at number 32 and as a result of its hard work and dedication the Band is now in the top twenty.
During their history the Band has made numerous LPs and during the last few years it has made 4 CDs which have proved hugely popular with the band’s loyal supporters and the general public. As the band goes from strength to strength I am sure Robert Oughton would be pleased to see it back at the forefront of the brass band movement.
1999 was a very active and successful year for the Band yet again with the first highlight being crowned the Midland Area Champions which gave them qualification into the National Brass Finals in October at The Royal Albert Hall, London. This success brought them an invitation to compete at the All England Masters Championships, the British Open Championships at the Birmingham Symphony Hall and also the top entertainment contest at Spennymoor in County Durham.
In June 1999 the Band was invited to play at the Glen Miller Festival in Clarinda in the U.S.A a performance that proved a huge success with the audiences. They also performed a concert at the Michigan Theatre in Ann Arbour Detroit where the band played for invited guests from the N.S.K. Corporation. In 2000 the Band became runners up at the National Finals at the Albert Hall in London which made them the English Champions. This fantastic result qualified the Band to play at the European Championships in Montreaux in Switzerland in 2001 and again, to play in the Nationals in 2001. In 2001 the Ransome Band appointed Russell Gray as its Musical Director and Professional Conductor.
Between 1935 and 1939 Robert was the Champion Cornet player of the North of England with medals won at Derby in 1935, Leeds in 1936, Bury in 1938 and Oldham in 1939. These medals are now proudly displayed in the Dalmellington Band bandroom. During the war he served with the Scots Guards Band but in 1945 he declined to sign on for another tour but he did sign on with the Royal Signals and was with the Royal Corps of Signals Band for two years under the Musical Direction of Lieutenant Colonel Judd (1943-1962).
In 1946 the Royal Signals Band were on tour in the United States of America in the band at that time was Sir Alexander Gibson (1926 1995) who was then serving his compulsory National Service and later in life was the conductor of the Scottish National Symphony Orchestra.
At one of the Royal Signals concert Robert Oughton played the well known cornet solo Pandora’ and as an encore he followed that with Fairies on the Water’. Unbeknown to Robert in the audience was Rapael Mendez the legendary Principal Trumpet player with the Metro Goldwyn Meyer Film Company Orchestra.
It is reported that Sir Alexander Gibson introduced Robert Oughton to Rapael Mendez and over the years they became friends resulting in Robert Oughton acquiring some of the Mendez solos and then re-arranging them with a brass band accompaniment they corresponded with each other for many years.
Following his demob’ day in 1947 he returned to the Dalmellington Band but within three months he was back with Ransome and Marles. For the next twelve years many of these arrangements were then used on the radio broadcasts and in concerts he did throughout the country with the Ransome and Marles Works Band. I was pleased that I recently acquired some of his old recordings on a reel to reel tape and have now successfully transferred them on to CD a showman indeed. He was still the showman in 1972 when he played with the Dalmellington Band and performed the Post Horn Gallop on a live television programme. He played the opening with the Post Horn in the traditional manner but finished it off to an amazed television audience with his mouthpiece attached to the hollow tube of a music stand.
In the early 1950′s he was a member of the Harry Mortimer’s All Stars Brass Band…’ which was a group of forty of the top brass band players in the country. Another cornet player who remembers those days with Bobby Oughton is Derek Garside who was the Principal Cornet player for CWS (Manchester) Band for 25 years.
In those days Derek recalls that Robert was about ten years older than he was and considered him one of the more established members and star players in the brass band world. In view of his seniority and the fact Derek was still one of the new boys in the All Stars Band’ he rarely spoke to Robert unless he actually spoke to him first. Derek considered him to be a very good technical player – a good cornet player. However, as a person he was considered to be rather aloof to the rest of the band and was a person who preferred his own company didn’t really mix with everyone else- very much a private person.
It was 1964 when Robert first appeared on the big stage as a conductor when he was the Musical Director of the Scottish CWS Band and led the band to the Royal Albert Hall National Championships. The famous cornet player and Principal Cornet at he CWS in those days Willie Barr well remembers his old friend from those days and has many happy memories of Bobby coming to his house for tea and talking about the old days. Even though Scottish CWS Band were unplaced on that occasion he was back at he Royal Albert Hall the following two years firstly with Kinneil Colliery Band and then in 1968 with Kirkintilloch Band.
A story about his conducting from his early days was that as most conductors were still wearing the traditional conductor’s uniform some of the professional conductors were beginning to move away from this type of uniform and wear a lounge suites black jacket and pin striped trousers. It has been said that Robert was the only conductor who conducted his bands wearing a lounge suit and wearing white gloves and wore them at Whit Friday Contests.
In 1970 he was appointed the Musical Director of Carlton Main Frickley Band, a position he was to hold for the next five years. Whilst he took them to the Royal Albert Hall in both 1971 and 1973 and the British Open Championships from 1970 through to 1975 he was in the prizes only once.
The band’s best performance came on Saturday 2nd September 1972 – the test piece was Jack Beaver’s test piece Sovereign Heritage’. Playing off number 16 they were awarded second place behind the champions Black Dyke Mills Band. One of those players in Carlton Main Frickley Band that day was the well known Tuba Soloist, Conductor and Adjudicator Steve Sykes and he has very happy memories of that day.
It was in his early days of playing in the newly re-formed Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Junior Band that he first met Robert Oughton. Jack Atherton stepped down as the Musical Director and Robert Oughton was appointed as his replacement in 1969/70. One of the first things he did was to re-start the old junior band that had ceased to exist many years earlier.
It was thanks to his father Bill Sykes who was colliery manager at Carlton back in those days who volunteered his son Steve to be one of the junior band’s first members. A move that saw Steve take his first tentative step on to the brass band ladder and who has over the years become one of the leading tuba players in the country. Memories about Robert (Bobby) Oughton are plentiful Steve recalls but the level of respect he received from all the young lads who joined that new band is high on his list of memories from those days.
It was whilst he was with Carlton Main that he probably played his last solo performance at the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO) 22nd. Annual Yorkshire Festival in 1971 where Carlton Main, Grimethorpe, and Markham Main Bands as a massed band accompanied him as he played ‘El Cumbanchero’. This was recorded by Polydor and called Festivalia 71′
In 1976 Robert had moved back to Scotland and was back at the Royal Albert Hall having come full circle when he conducted the Dalmellington Band. It was following the death of his father in 1961that he made his first visit to the Faroe Islands and became involved with the Havnar Hornorkestur (Torshaven Band). His second trip to the islands came during the late 1970′s and the early 1980′s when he was involved in helping to coach the band again. Robert is still remembered today in the Faroe Islands.
On Wednesday the 29th June 1995 Robert Oughton died, alone at his home in Forfar and returning to the beginning of my story it was that Saturday in July when Hugh Johnstone MBE proudly conducted a scratch Dalmellington Band at his funeral.
I have been told by many people that Robert Oughton had many personal problems towards the end of his life the details and reasons for those are not for this story. So let us not dwell on the sad side of his life but remember those brass playing musicians from the Oughton family who all made a significant contribution to the world of brass bands in England and Scotland. Their individual playing was of the highest calibre and can be heard in the few solo recordings that still survive.
There are many sad stories in the band world about Robert but let me finish on the rare lighter side of his personality. For a few months he was the Musical Director of the John Thompson Band near Wolverhampton. It was in the last week before the Daily Herald Midlands Area Contest and he was busy putting the final touches to their practice on what was hope to be a memorable performance at the weekend. It was during the Friday night rehearsal that the Principal Cornet said to him
“You have a wicked left eye you know” – the story goes that he did not respond to the passing comment but just before he raised his baton on the contest platform he took out of his pocket a black eye patch and said “Is that better” and conducted the test piece throughout wearing the black eye patch.
These practical jokes for a man who was so private dated back to the days when he was at Ransom and Marles Works Band. When the band was taking part in a live radio broadcast and as the floor manager counted the band down to the start of their opening piece the Musical Director would raise his arm and baton aloft ready to bring them in only to find that someone (usually the person sat nearest Bobby Oughton on Principal Cornet) had tied a flag or a piece of coloured ribbon to the end of the baton and with the count down well under way David Aspinall had to conduct the opening music with the flag or ribbon attached to the baton flapping in the air as he beat out the time you can imagine his thoughts on such a practical joke.
I would like to take this opportunity of thanking all those people who have helped with the research enabling me to tell this remarkable story and the Newark Advertiser.
Friends of Newark Cemetery will be hosting events at The Chapel Interpretation Centre, Newark Cemetery is open every weekend from 2 to 4:00pm or by appointment. Let’s remember them. Newark Cemetery all year round are open Summer 8am-8pm, Winter 8am-6pm.
laurencegoff
We would wish to acknowledge the generosity of the following local organization for their assistance in the production of this Comfort Book
The Grange House Hotel across from the London Road Cemetery Newark-On-Trent
E.Gill & Son Funeral Services, Newark
Lidsters of Worksop Ltd
Lincolnshire Co-Operative Funeral Service, Newark
Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society
If you would like to Sponsor our 3rd order of the book of support with reading of poems,quotations and passages from scriptures.
friendsofnewarkcemetery@yahoo.co.uk
First World War 1914-1918 total from Newark Killed 456
Second World War 1939-1945 total from Newark killed 144
One from West Africa 1961 total killed 1
One from Malaya 1962 total killed 1
One from Afghanistan 2007 total killed 1
Total 603
We will Remember them, RIP
Newark Cemetery is located on London Road off the A1across from The Grange House HotelNewark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire NG24 1SQmaps.google.co.uk
|
Next meeting Friends of Newark Cemetery will be on Wednesday, 4th January 2012 arrival at 5:30pm for a cuppa meeting 5:45pm over by 7pm Pickin Room Newark town Hall.
Chapel Interpretation Centre at Newark Cemetery left side in former chapel, or by
appointment.
This is a privately owned and maintained, not-for-profit, website which is supported privately, the content here is solely the responsibility of Laurence Goff for Friends of Newark Cemetery. Together as a fitting tribute to the people who resting place is at Newark cemetery. The views expressed our solely my own and do not reflect the Friends of Newark cemetery or Newark Town Council. The photos have been take around which is a joy to do.
Newark Cemetery all year round are open Summer 8am-8pm, Winter 8am-6pm.
Laurence Goff
cllrlaurencegoffnewark@yahoo.co.uk
friendsofnewarkcemetery@yahoo.co.uk
www.facebook.com/cllrlaurencegoffnewark
www.flickr.com/photos/friendsofnewarkcemetery
01636-681878
Like this:
One blogger likes this post.
Leave a Reply
Theme: WordPress Classic. Blog at WordPress.com.
[...] Ransome and Marles’ 41 Killed by enemy action during a bombing Ransome and Marles Bearing Company Factory Newark On-Trent bombing Friday 7th March 1941 by:Laurence Goff Photos:59 [...]
Pingback by Newark Cemetery Nottinghamshire since 1856 « Newark-On-Trent Cemetery UK — June 22, 2010 @ 11:43 am
[...] Ransome and Marles will be remembered with a permanent Memorial, let’s have it at Newark Cemeter… [...]
Pingback by Newark, Nottinghamshire England is going back in time over the years since 1856 « Newark-On-Trent Cemetery UK — August 28, 2010 @ 11:52 am
[...] http://newarkcemeteryuk.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/ransome-and-marles’-41-killed-by-enemy-action-during-a-bombing-7th-march-1941/ [...]
Pingback by Newark, Nottinghamshire England is going back in time over the years since 1856 « Newark-On-Trent Cemetery UK — August 28, 2010 @ 11:57 am
Thank you for this very interesting and inciteful article. I was taught and know Chris Grant from my days living in Newark having moved to the US almost 20 years ago. The photograph of Chris Grant next to the grave of John Henry Green was great to see as that was my Grandfather who died long before I was born.
Thank you agin for this article.
Sincerely,
Hedley Green
Moreno Valley, California, USA
Comment by Hedley Green — September 24, 2010 @ 5:24 pm
fascinating
Hope your tribute to the people of Ransom and Marles lost in the war gains many more readers and support. Ex ransom and marles greencroft
Comment by Keith James — November 5, 2010 @ 10:01 pm
Many thanks for your kind words regarding the website I have set up 2 years ago. Ransome and Marles has been interesting if you have any info or pictures I would love to post them on the webites.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=153850701312504
http://newarkcemeteryuk.wordpress.com/2010/09/20/ransome-and-marles
Laurence
Comment by newarkcemeteryuk — November 6, 2010 @ 2:47 am
[...] http://newarkcemeteryuk.wordpress.com/2011/01/26/ransome-and-marles-former-factory- [...]
Pingback by Newark Cemetery Nottinghamshire, memorial website « Newark-On-Trent Cemetery, Nottinghamshire UK — January 28, 2011 @ 1:52 am
[...] http://newarkcemeteryuk.wordpress.com/2011/03/08/ransome-and-marles-former-factory-workers-will-be-r… [...]
Pingback by Lasting Tribute to British Commonwealth, Polish Airmen and Workers of Ransome and Marles bombing « Newark-On-Trent Cemetery, Nottinghamshire UK — March 10, 2011 @ 11:29 pm
[...] http://newarkcemeteryuk.wordpress.com/2011/03/08/ransome-and-marles-former-factory-workers-will-be-r… [...]
Pingback by We Remember Them not just on Remembrance Day at Newark Cemetery, Nottinghamshire « Newark-On-Trent Cemetery, Nottinghamshire UK — November 1, 2011 @ 12:16 am