Chapter 12

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Appendix

Families married into (and connections to) the Powditch Family

Index

From the certificate, we learn that the family were shown to be living, in

1892, at "Les Hures". Its exact location eludes me, although the local

sloping ("hure") coastline, may hold the clue.

Whatever the reason, was not divulged to current day descendants, but,

not many years after the birth of Wells Urban Kendle Powditch, his

parents' marriage broke up, after Wells Joseph.A.F. left Guernsey, and

went to live, and work, in London. Mary Beatrice, being a very religious

person, would not agree to divorce, but the separation having lasted for

longer than seven years, the marriage was dissolved "by natural means".

The seven year period having passed, Wells Joseph Alonzo Ferdinand

Powditch - by now living and working In the Islington district of London -

is recorded as having remarried in the year 1902 - and the event was

registered between April and June.

Wells Joseph A.F. was aged 19 to 20 at his first marriage, and was

only approximately 31 years old at his second. Although I do not know

whether Wells Joseph and his new wife remained In England, I do know

that if they did, they certainly did not have any children, at least, not up

until 1912, when my St. Catherine's Register details, end - by which

year, Wells Joseph would have been aged 43.

Of Mary Beatrice (nee Galliene), left behind in Guernsey to bring up the

only child of her short marriage, I have no further details. Of her child,

Wells Urban Kendle Powditch, however, there is a wealth of Information.

As we have seen earlier, Wells Urban Kendle was born on 19 March

1892, and baptised In the Parish of Torteval, Guernsey - his parents at

that tine living at Les Hures.

Although Wells Joseph A.F. was a painter, his son, Wells Urban Kendle

took after the Grandfather (Wells Kendle) that he'd never met. Bearing

almost the same christian names, and both born round the same time of

the year, Wells Urban Kendle like his grandfather, was, at one stage of

his life, employed in the Trinity House Service on Guernsey.

As a young man, Wells Urban Kendle - known to everyone outside

the family as "Bert", and to family members as "Urban" - had learnt the

trade of a stonemason at the hands of his Uncle. Later, he joined the

Trinity House Service as a Lighthouse Keeper, and up to the beginning

of World War One, worked at Les Hanois and Alderney Lighthouses -

(a surviving photograph shows him, in

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1913, in his Keeper's uniform, on Alderney). When "shore-leave''

enabled him to return to dry land, his home was to be found in the Trinity

Cottages at Portelet, near Pleinmont Point (Guernsey).

Portelet, a pleasant fishermen's harbour, is a popular sea-village, full of

boats, and overlooked by Trinity House cottages; trim buildings occupied

by lighthouse keepers and their families. Until fairly recently, the keepers'

on Les Hanois were relieved by Trinity vessels sailing out of Portelet

Harbour. Today, however, relief Keepers are conveyed to the lighthouse

by - helicopter !

Two months before the murder of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of

Austria and his wife, at Sarajevo in Bosnia, and five months before

Britain declared war on Germany, Wells Urban Kendle Powditch married

Amy Gertrude Le Huray, on Sunday, 19 April 1914, at Trinity Church,

Guernsey.

Amy, who was born on 7 July 1891, was just over one year older than

Wells, and within her own family had been the only girl, although she did

have five brothers; - Clifford, Albert, Percy, William, and Raymond.

On Thursday, 24 September 1914, Wells and Amy's first son, Raymond

Urban, was born at 1 Rue du Pre (his Grandparents' home), Guernsey.

World War One had already begun, and the Battle of Flanders was just

6 days old.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row

That mark our place; and In the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe;

To you from falling hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold It high,

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

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In 1918, with seven and a half million dead - the First World War ended.

(Figures historically estimated at over 1 million = British Empire;

1.3 million = France; 1.7 million = Russia; 22 million = Germany;

1.2 million = Austria). The cost to the British Empire in cash, was

estimated to be over £13,000 million - the cost in human loss to

families was much greater, and there were a few Powditch's numbered

amongst those who never returned home.

Prior to 1914, Wells Urban Kendle Powditch had been a bandsman in

the band of the Royal Guernsey Militia. The Militia of Guernsey existed for

at least 600 years, until its demilitarization in 1940. Service In the Militia

was part-time, although compulsory for all male inhabitants on the island.

Not provided with uniforms or equipment until the Napoleonic Wars, the

Militia grew in strength of numbers, until In the early 1800s over

3000 men were in its ranks - mostly artillery.

King William IV granted "Royal" status in 1831, and the force became

the Royal Guernsey Militia. Forty years later, the Militia was split into

one artillery regiment, and three infantry regiments.

By the early 1900s, the Militia was comparable to the British Territorial

Force. Service, however, was compulsory between the age of 17 and 35

for all able-bodied men.

At the outbreak of the First World War, Wells Urban Kendle was "called

up", and served as a Bombardier In the Field Artillery, seeing active

service in France until his discharge. A Bombardier was equal to a

Corporal, wore breeches and spurs, (as a photograph, taken in August

1918, illustrates), and was in charge of a single horse, riding alongside

the gun-carriage.

With its service in France, the Militia went overseas for the first time in

its history. In 1916, it was transformed into the Royal Guernsey Light

Infantry (R.G.L.I.), which also included men from Alderney and Sark. In

June 1917, the 1st Battalion R.G.L.I. sailed first for England, and then to

France. The battle honours of the R.G.L.I. record;-

Ypres, 1917; Passchendaele Cambrai, 1917;

Lys Estaires Hazebrouck France and Flanders, 1917 - 1918.

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In its War Memorial to the dead of the war, Guernsey records the loss of

its men, its inhabitants. The list names 1000 dead (Today, the Militia's

"colours" hang in the sanctuary of the "Town Church" in St.Peter Port).

Wells Urban Kendle was one of the fortunate who did come back at the

end of the War, in 1918, to his wife and family. Back home again, he

didn't return to the lighthouse, but instead used the skills learnt in his

younger days, and turned to the building trade for his future employment.

Wells and Amy's second son - Rex John - was born on 3 July 1919.

Two years later, on 17 October 1921, the couples' only daughter -

Dorothy Sophie - was born, to be followed after another two years, on

23 March 1923, by their third son, and last child, Alan Percy William.

In his employment with a variety of Building Companies (mostly English),

Wells' specialised in "fancy-work" on ceilings, and in this capacity, he

was responsible for many decorative ceilings in "Picture-houses",

Masonic Temples, and Chapels, etc. His work took him and his family,

at times, from Guernsey to England, where he was involved on several

buildings, including the Princess Mary Hospital at Wendover,

Buckinghamshire (the hospital Is part of Halton Air Force Base). ''Home''

was where the work led them, and thus the family found themselves at

various times at - Grantham (Lincolnshire), Stoke Mandeville

(Buckinghamshire), and the South Coast, as well as their beloved

Guernsey.

Despite the Peace Treaties, signed in 1919, following the end of the

1914 - 1918 war, the following years were fraught with "disturbances",

both in the British Empire, and the World at large. Britain faced

financial problems at home culminating in strikes - by those fortunate

enough to be in employment - and discontent by those who weren't.

Europe saw the rise of Fascism in Italy, Communism in Russia, the

National Socialist (Nazi) party in Germany - and invasions of other

countries by France, Japan, Italy and Germany. As a result, by as early

as 1935, Britain had embarked on a re-armament programme, to be

followed the next year by an increase in the armed forces. Finally, in

1939, conscription for military service - on mainland Britain - was

established.

1939 was a year to remember. Despite the re-armament preparations

elsewhere in the world, preparations of a different kind were being made

on Guernsey - and on Thursday, 6 July 1939, Raymond Urban Powditch -

in the Church of St. Sampsons - married Margaret

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Beryl Domaille. He was aged 24, and was an Engineer, and Margaret

(known as Peggy) was aged 19 (born 26 June 1920, on Guernsey).

Just under two months later, on 1 September 1939, after previous

occupations and invasions, Germany invaded Poland (who had earlier

in the year signed an alliance with Britain) - and on 3 September,

Britain and France, in support of Poland, declared war on Germany.

Guernsey, being part of Britain, was involved from the first day.

The Island's able bodied men - or at least, those who passed a medical

fitness test, and were between the ages of eighteen and forty, were

already used to conscription. Pre-war conscripts served in the Royal

Guernsey Light Infantry, and had to carry out two weeks' training each

year, in a camp or a fort - such conscription being undertaken solely for

the defence of the (Channel) Islands.

When war broke out in 1939, many of the islanders volunteered

immediately, (or soon afterwards), to join the R.G.L.I. When it later

became obvious that the Islands would be "occupied", all fit men of

military age were transferred to the English 'mainland. On arrival in

England - and only after having had the approval of the "States" of

Guernsey and Jersey, the men were conscriptediInto the British "forces".

"Approval", for service "overseas", by the Island States, appears to be

an ancient edict, law, or privilege, granted when the Islands were part of

the Duchy of Normandy; its original ruler being William, Duke of

Normandy. A typical "toast" was always to the - "King (or Queen) and

the Duke".

Although Wells and Raymond enlisted in 1939, (Rex had already joined

the Navy in 1937), it was not until 1940 that the Germans occupied the

Channel Islands - by which time, the Powditch families had been

evacuated to British soil.

Wells Urban Kendle Powditch already having fought In the First World

War, "joined up" at the outset of the Second World War by "putting his

age back" in order to appear young enough (at the time, he was actually

aged 47 years old). Wells joined the 6th Battalion Royal Wiltshires, as

a Corporal. His age soon being questioned, he was immediately

removed from the Battalion, but given the choice of joining either the

Pioneer Corp. or the "Blue Caps" (Security Police - a division of the

Military Police - and in charge of Petroleum dumps, etc). Out of the

options, Wells chose the "Blue Caps".

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Later in the war, Wells was landed with others into France (in civilian

clothes), in order to "soften-up" the local fishermen and farmers regarding

the impending invasion of D-Day (Tuesday, 6 June 1944). Towards the

end of the war, he advanced further inland, both within France, and then

in Germany, where, with the forward moving troops, and on "duties with

Prisoners of War", he reached at one time, and was appalled by, the

"horror-camp" at Belsen.

After the final unconditional surrender of Germany to the Allies, on Monday,

7 May 1945, peace began to return to Europe. Following his discharge,

Wells Urban Kendle returned to the building trade, and to Guernsey.

In 1969, in her 77th year, Any Gertrude Powditch (nee Le Huray), passed

away. Through her request, two of her sons - Rex and Alan - took her

maiden surname, and added it to their respective christian names; the

name of "Le Huray Powditch" also being borne by their children. Ray,

and his sister Dorothy (together with their respective children) however,

have not incorporated the "Le Huray" into their names.

Mention of "Le Huret" in the guidebooks to Alderney - another Channel

Island, some 24 miles north-east of Guernsey - this similarly spelt name

is recorded as being that of the "old region", where the island's first

courts (the King's and the Bishop's) were held in the open, prior to the

18th century.

Whilst the Guernsey guidebooks do not appear to mention any reference

to Le Huret, Rex Powditch has advised me that "Le Huray'' has been in

existence on the island since at least the early 1600's. A tomb at Candie

cemetery, for that period, bears the Le Huray "coat of arms", and motto -

"SANS TACHE" ("without stain") - the tomb being "a four sided

parallelogram with a flat top, about three foot, or so, high, and probably

eight foot long, by three foot [wide]. The origin of the name is

believed (within the family) to possibly have its roots in Normandy, its

occurrence in Guernsey being introduced by 16th century French

Protestants (Huguenots), following their "flight" from persecution.

The name, apart from its association with Powditch; its appearance in

print in the book, "The Bailiwick of Guernsey`, by C.P.Le Huray, and its

capital letters being inscribed upon the "Business Card" of one

"J.H.M. LE HURAY, of 19 Park Street, Guernsey - Locksmith, Bell-hanger,

and Smith in General (Orders received at the House, 1 Rue du Pre, next

door to the Town Mills)" - as far as is known, appears to have few other

mentions on the island. Perhaps Amy's request for the name to be

carried on, was made with the intention that the name of Le Huray

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should become an "inheritance" - both for her own children, and for future

generations.

Six years after his wife died, Wells Urban Kendle Powditch, in his 83rd

year (in 1975), also died.

The white marble gravestone at Candie Cemetery, Upland Road,

Guernsey, set at the side of a sandy path, was erected in May 1987, by

Raymond's daughter Jasmine. A memorial not only to her grandparents,

not only to two interesting lives spanning the 19th and 20th centuries - but

also a memorial to the last Powditchs to be buried in the Channel Islands.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Raymond Urban Powditch (Wells' eldest son) at the outbreak of the

Second World War, enlisted as a volunteer, to "serve the King and Duke

of Normandy". Not long afterwards, due to his pre-war Engineering

experience, he was drafted into the R.A.O.C. (Royal Army Ordinance

Corp), in which he served as Armament Artificer (Guns), and went with

the Corp. to England, on 17 October 1939.

Between his arrival in England in the mid-October of 1939, and

29 December the same year, Raymond underwent military training -

after which, he was posted to 10th Army Field Workshop, Portslade,

Sussex.

5 April 1940 saw the "Workshop" joining the 51st Highland Division;

the crossing of the English Channel, to France; the movement across

France to Metz - being involved along the way, in several incidents of

bombing, etc.; and the arrival, twenty-three days later, on 28 April, at

Metz - not far from the German border.

Within 10 days of his arrival at Metz, Raymond was on his way back to

England - this time on a stretcher ! - after having succumbed, on 8 May

to a torn cartilage in his right knee, and by 14 May 1940, the hospital ship,

"Maid of Kent" had left the French coastal harbour of Dieppe, with him

on board.

Arrival back in "dear old Blighty", saw Raymond undergoing an operation

at Alder Hey Hospital, West Derby, on 24 May, and his eventual discharge

from the hospital, on 5 July 1940. However, between May 1940, when

Raymond arrived at Metz, and July, the same year (when he was

discharged from hospital), the course of the Second World War, had

worsened for Britain.

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During the early part of 1940, German troops had invaded, and

conquered, Denmark, Norway, Holland and Belgium, and the British Army

- which had been advancing into Belgium - was cut off by a German

attack into France. Finally, in May, the British Army withdrew over the

Dunkirk beaches, with the loss of most of its equipment. Later, Raymond

was to learn that the whole of the 10th Army Field Workshop had been

captured at St. Valery, during the evacuation after Dunkirk.

France was rapidly overrun by the Germans, and an "Armistice" was

signed on 21 June - although the country remained divided; both by

"occupation", and by governments.

With most European countries either conquered by the Germans, or

joining them in their military drive, Britain found herself, later in 1940,

standing alone, with a greatly weakened army, and preparing to meet a

German invasion.

Following Raymond's discharge from Alder Hey hospital, on 5 July 1940,

he was posted to several Workshops, before finally being posted, on

14 May 1941, to 53rd Welch Division, Co.Down, Northern Ireland.

Towards the end of 1941, in November of that year, the 53rd Welch - the

red bardic-crown depicted on their badge - returned to England.

Two months later, on 26 January 1942, Raymond was posted, as a

Sergeant, to 1st Division Workshops, (R.A.O.C.), East Dereham, Norfolk

- where the Commanding Officer was Colonel Raymond Vernon Powditch !

For a reason that is still a mystery to Raymond Urban, Colonel Powditch

promptly demoted the newcomer, from Sergeant to Corporal ! Contact

however with his previous C.O., and Sergeant Major, resulted in Raymond

Urban returning to his previous unit, on 25 February 1942 - just one

month after his arrival at East Dereham - and his re-instatement as

Sergeant.

Following his return to the 53rd Welch Division, in February 1942, and

during the period up to August 1943, Raymond was to experience frequent

manoeuvres in the preparation for "D-Day". His next "move", on 6 August

1943, saw the "medically categorised" Raymond being posted from the

53rd Welch Division, to Egypt.

In 1943, the R.E.M.E., (Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers) was

formed, and Raymond Urban Powditch became part of its history. As in

the R.A.O.C., he was still Involved in servicing guns, but now was also a

"fitter in the workshops".

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In Egypt, Raymond's position was W.O.II (A.Q.M.S.) - interpreted as

"Warrant Officer Class 2. Armament Quarter-Master Sergeant" (Warrant

Officer Class 1 was a Regimental Sergeant Major, and Raymond

considered himself to be the Deputy Sergeant Major !). As a reminder of

his days in Egypt, Raymond has a Certificate of Merit from the C-in-C.

Middle East Force, signed by General Sir Bernard Pagett.

Throughout the war years, from his being a volunteer in 1939, to the end

of the war in 1945, Raymond kept a "war diary", from which he is able to

re-live his whereabouts over the 6 year period.

After the war, Raymond, and his wife and daughter, made their way back

to Guernsey; the Island being much affected by its German occupation

since 1940.

Raymond and Margaret's first child, a daughter - Jasmine Margaret -

was born on 23 May 1941, at Salisbury, Wiltshire - the year after

Guernsey's invasion, her father's enlistment, and her mother's evacuation.

Following their return to the Channel Islands, and the return to a more

settled life, the couple had their second (and last) child - a son, Raymond

Alan - born on the island on 26 February 1947.

Now retired, Raymond Urban Powditch and his wife Margaret (known as

Peggy), live at Didcot In Oxfordshire, and are looking forward to a large

family reunion in July 1989, when they will be celebrating their Golden

Wedding Anniversary. Raymond, formerly an Engineer, and Margaret,

lead a fairly active retirement, keeping young with their interests.

Their daughter, Jasmine Margaret (a housewife), married Anthony John

Davey (born 25 January 1940), at East Hendred, Oxfordshire, on 2 April

1961. Jasmine and Anthony have six children (5 sons and 1 daughter),

who were all born in Oxfordshire;-

Martin John	born 8 March 1962. Martin is a Detective in the Thames Valley Police Force, at Reading, Berkshire.
Adrian Michael	born 15 March 1964. Adrian works for British Rail in Oxford.

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Jonathan Raymond	born 18 September 1965. Jonathan works for Blackwells in Oxford.
Matthew Harvey Simon	born 13 June 1968. Matthew works as an Electrician.
Rachel Margaret Jasmine	born 30 June 1973. Rachel is at Didcot Girls' School.
Luke Anthony	born 18 August 1976. Luke Is both spastic and 75% blind. Although wheelchair bound, he attends a non-residential special school in Oxford.

Raymond Urban and Margaret's son - Raymond Alan (a Heating Engineer)

- married Shirley Hudd (born 12 December 1951), at Didcot Oxfordshire,

on 4 September 1971. Raymond and Shirley have two children - both

daughters - who were both born at Didcot

Sarah Lucy	born 22 January 1978. Sarah is at school.
Charlotte Amy	born 13 December 1979. Charlotte is at school.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

We next turn to the second son of Wells Urban Kendle and Amy Gertrude

(nee Le Huray) - Rex John - who was born on Thursday, 3 July 1919, at

Victoria Road, St. Peter Port, Guernsey.

As a boy, Rex had enjoyed messing about in boats, and also liked

swimming. Sometimes he went out to the lonely rock-based Les Hanois

Lighthouse on the Trinity House boat, taking the Relief Keeper with

supplies, and bringing back the Keeper whose leave was due. The

boat was owned at that time by Mr. Le Couteur, of Rockmount, who had

the contract for this work. Les Hanois was a place to be explored, and

Rex has been all over the lighthouse from top to toe.

With his love of the sea, it is not surprising that in March 1937, Rex

joined the Navy - his "home base" being Devonport, near Plymouth,

Devon.

First seeing the "light of day" in the early 1700s, the "new" Royal dockyard

of Plymouth Dock, was established over two miles

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away from its "mother", Plymouth Town. By 1824, the dock area had

exceeded Plymouth in size, and had adopted the name Devonport. In

1843, during a visit by Queen Victoria, the name was "officially conferred".

Rex was drafted to the cruiser, H.M.S. Galatea - (built by Scotts, 9 August

1934. She was 5,220 tons; 48Oft x 51ft, and had 6 - 6in. guns and 8 - 4in.

guns) - then serving In the Mediterranean. The Spanish Civil War was still

on - and in Palestine, Jews and Arabs were fighting (Rex has a General

Services Medal, "Palestine").

When in 1939 war was declared in Europe, HM.S. Galatea was still in the

Mediterranean. The next year however, saw ''Galatea" returning, in

February 1940, to Devonport, for a refit - and Rex leaving her, to join a

new ship.

After a brief spell of "leave", Rex joined the "V/W" Class destroyer -

H.M.S. Valentine, on 28 March 1940. All "V/W" class destroyers were of

an average 1,300 tons and an average 300ft x 29ft. They had 4 - 4in.

guns, and (by 1939) 6 - torpedo tubes. H.M.S. Valentine was built by

Cammell Laird on 24 March 1917, being just one of 51 such "V/W" 's

"laid down" in 1916/1917.

H.M.S. Valentine was one of an escort group on East Coast Convoys,

until almost the end of April 1940 - at which point, she was, with other

ships, detached on special duties, up the Schelde in Holland. Not long

afterwards, in May 1940, Rex joined her - for what was to be an eventful

short association, for both man and ship.

On 15 May 1940, after a week up the Schelde, providing support to

Allied troops fighting in Holland, mainly against air attacks, H.M.S

Valentine was bombed, and severely damaged - with many casualties,

both dead and wounded. The ship was near Terneuzen, and it was

possible to beach her into a dyke. The wounded went to a Dutch

Hospital, and were subsequently taken prisoner by the Germans. Those

able to travel, Rex amongst them, made their way overland, through

Holland and Belgium, into Dunkirk, and then to England.

Three months after H.M.S. Valentine was beached, Rex John Powditch

married Ursula Anderson (who was born 22 September 1919), at the

was aged 21 years old, and Ursula, was just 34 days short of her 21st

birthday.

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Rex's next ship was the Duke of Westminster's yacht, "Cutty Sark",

which was an ex- "S. Class" Destroyer. The yacht, which had been

converted for use in the war, was used to convey landing parties for

"demolition" missions. It was whilst on one of these missions that the

"Cutty Sark" was bombed off the west coast of France (St. Nazaire).

Following the bombing, the "Cutty Sark" was towed back to Plymouth

by H.M.S. Viscount (like H.M.S. Valentine, the Viscount, also, was a

"V/W" Class destroyer).

Around the same time that Rex arrived back in Plymouth, the Navy was

being re-formed, and he volunteered to join a Naval Battalion, preparing

for the defence of the English coasts against an expected invasion by the

Germans, following the fall of France. The threat of invasion passed, and

the battalion was disbanded. Afterwards, Rex was drafted, for a few

months, to H.M.S. Heron, the Royal Naval Air Station at Yeovilton.

From Yeovilton, Rex joined the survey vessel (sloop), H.M.S. Stork

(1,190 tons, 266ft x 37ft, with 4 - 4.7in. guns, built by Denny, 21 April 1936),

under the respected skipper - Captain Frederick John Walker -

otherwise known as Captain "Johnny" Walker.

According to the "Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea";-

"Frederick John Walker (1897 to 1944), was one of the

first officers In the Royal Navy to specialise in

anti-submarine warfare in 1921, and in March 1941 he

was appointed to H.M.S. Stork to command one of the

regular escort groups then being formed. He brought

his group to a very high state of training, and was

rewarded by a notable victory over the U-boats,

sinking four of them when a convoy from Gibraltar he

was escorting, was attacked in December 1941"

F.J.Walker's exploits in the Stork brought him a D.S.O. and bar, and in

1942, promotion to Captain. Between 1943 and 1944 on H.M.S. Starling,

his group were to account for six U-boats during a single mission.

Although dying In 1944, his name lives on through the "Captain Johnny

Walker Old Boys Association", which meets at Liverpool.

Rex served on board H.M.S. Stork for approximately one year, and then

only left after the Stork was in collision with H.M.S. Deptford - a collision

which was to cost the lives of a number of "U"-boat prisoners on H.M.S.

Stork, due to H.M.S. Deptford striking at the point where the prisoners

were kept locked up.

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Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Appendix

Families married into (and connections to) the Powditch Family

Index

Although no crew were lost from either of the ships, there was,

nevertheless, considerable damage to both vessels.

At Vickers Armstrong shipyard, Barrow- in-Furness, Cumberland (now

Cumbria), a new 8,000 ton cruiser was "laid-down" on 16 November

1940. Measuring 538ft x 62ft, and hosting 12 - 6in. and 8 - 4in. guns,

the ship - named H.M.S. Jamaica - was to see Rex John Powditch

arriving at Barrow to help commission the ship.

Rex served on Jamaica until June 1942, when, following promotion to

Petty Officer Telegraphist, he was drafted - via H.M.S. Drake (R. W.

Barracks, Devonport) - to Freetown (Sierra Leone, West Africa) -

taking passage on the Armed Merchant Cruiser, "Celicia". Here he was

to be for 13 months. Next, he went further north up the coastline, to

Dakar (then in French Senegal). Reg being both a telegraphist, and a

fluent French speaker (thanks to his Guernsey upbringing), was,

together with two other Frenchmen, very much in demand in this French-

speaking part of Africa - and for the year he was there, he was one of

the British Naval Liaison staff.

A spell of "leave" parted Rex from Dakar, and after the "leave" was over,

he joined H.M.S. Onslaught - a ship of 1,540 tons; 338.5ft x 35ft; and

having 4 - 4.7inch guns and 4 - Torpedo Tubes. The ship - after taking

part in twelve Russian Convoys as escort, or part of covering forces, and

also taking part in the Battle of North Cape - returned to Russia, after

hostilities had ended in Europe, to bring back damaged ships - among

them, H.M.S. Cassandra.

Back home again after the war - having been demobbed at the Gunnery

School on Whale Island, Portsmouth (Pompey) - Rex joined his wife,

Ursula, and their two young sons.

In all, Rex and Ursula were to have three children - all sons;-

Rex	born 25 August 1943, at Park Royal Hospital, Middlesex. married to Susan Andrews, and the couple have two children;- Emma, born 12 September 1969, and Dominic, born 5 October 1973.
lan	born 27 June 1946, at Park Royal Hospital, Middlesex. married to Kathleen Morrison, and the couple have two children;- Daniel, born 19 July 1979, and Alice, born 30 June 1981.

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Chapter 6

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Chapter 8

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Index

Mark	born 2 February 1959. Mark was tragically killed in a car crash on 5 May 1978.

Initially employed in the Radio and Television "field", Rex over the years,

worked for various Companies, such as "British Acoustic Films",

"Puratone", and "The Rank Organisation". Some of the Companies were

as a result of "takeovers", and it was following one Company's acquisition

of "Rank Home and Leisure" - where Rex had controlled the whole of the

Division on the Engineering side, that he left to join a practice of Architects

and Engineers.

Now retired, but still very, active - thanks to his wife and family (including

his 100 year old Mother-in-law), his Naval Associations, and article writing

- Rex - like his elder brother Raymond, is looking forward to the large

family re-union due in 1989, on the occasion of Ray and Margaret's

Golden Wedding Anniversary.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Third child of Wells Urban Kendle and Amy Gertrude was their one, and

only, daughter - Dorothy Sophie - who was born on Monday, 17 October

1921. Dorothy, like all her brothers, was born on the island of Guernsey.

In the 30 January 1939 edition of the Guernsey newspaper, "The Star"

under the heading - "Islanders In The War" - Dorothy, and her mother,

were mentioned for their help In the "war effort" by their ''knitting for the

troops". In the same article, mention is made of W. Powditch, Private

Raymond Powditch, and Telegraphist Rex J.Powditch.

The article reads;

MENFOLK IN FORCES

WHILE MOTHER AND SISTER DEFEND HOME FRONT

"Sister Suzie sits at home, sewing shirts for soldiers.

Except that it isn't Sister Suzie, but rather

Sister Dorothy and her mother, and instead of

sewing, they knit, and not only for soldiers,

but for a sailor, too.

"Sister" Dorothy Powditch has a father and two

brothers serving in the Forces. Pte. (old

soldier, ex-Sergeant) W. Powditch, of the

Wiltshire Regiment; Private Raymond Powditch,

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Index

aged 25, of the R.A O. C. and 20 year old

Telegraphist Rex.J.Powdltch, of the Royal Navy.

Pte. W. Powditch wrote to "The Star" some days ago,

and told readers what a good time the Guernsey

lads in the Wiltshires were having. Lately he

has been "spotted" for promotion, and is to get

his stripes, as he did in the last war.

His soldier son, Raymond, joined up In October,

and was luckier than his father. Raymond had

Christmas leave; his father is still waiting

for It.

Rex Powditch the sailor, joined the Navy

nearly three years ago, and had a taste of

warfare in Spain during the civil uprising.

During his service he has visited the Holy Land.

Now on foreign service, he hasn't been on

leave here for two years.

The Powditch family, when "at home", live

at Rue du Pre.

In May 1940, Winston Churchill succeeded Neville Chamberlain as

Prime Minister of Great Britain, and formed a coalition Government.

Not long afterwards, Churchill offered the French ''common citizenship"

if they continued to fight, and in anticipation of their agreement, he sent

troops and armaments to the Channel Islands. Within a day of their arrival,

on 16 June, France surrendered. The British Government told the islands

that they were to be demilitarized - and offered to evacuate the population.

Amongst the many Guernsey families who became "evacuees" or

refugees", were the Powditch's. Ray and Rex (as we have already seen)

were already in the forces, as was their father, Wells Urban, so Amy

(Wells' wife), together with her two youngest children - Dorothy and Alan -

was evacuated to Salisbury, in Wiltshire, England.

After the Second World War, Dorothy married an American Serviceman -

Leon Harrison (thus her becoming a "G.I. Bride") - at Salisbury.

Their first child - a daughter, Carolyn - was born at Salisbury, on 23 May

1946. Fourteen months later, Dorothy and baby

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Carolyn accompanied Leon on his return home to America, and where

they were to settle down and raise a family.

Dorothy and Leon had four children, all daughters. Carolyn, as we have

seen, was born in England, but Patricia Ann (born 17 March 1948); Valerie

(born 5 September 1951), and Margaret (born 25 July 1955), were all

born at Robertsdale, Alabama, U.S.A.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Wells and Amy's fourth child, was Alan Percy William, born on Friday,

23 March 1923, at his parents' home, 1 Rue du Pre, Guernsey.

The house is remembered by Paul Le Huray-Powditch (Alan's eldest son),

as being "Gran and Pop's house" - and here Alan was to live until 1940,

when together with his sister, Dorothy, and their mother, they became part

of the large-scale evacuation of the Island.

Although too young to join any of the "forces", Alan, on reaching their

English destination of Salisbury (Wiltshire), was enlisted in the ''Home

Guard' - which was formed in 1940, and consisted of part-time "soldiers",

who were to resist any invasion of Britain.

Alan was often on fire-fighting duties at the top of the tower at Salisbury

Cathedral, and on one occasion even had to take his rifle. One night,

whilst up the tower, he watched the southern night sky glow - only to learn

later, that the "glow" had been the aftermath of the bombing of

Southampton.

On 27 February 1945, Alan Percy William Powditch signed three sheets

of paper that would change the "Home Guard" soldier into a full-time

soldier in the "Regular Army".

At the Recruiting Centre, in Salisbury, Wiltshire, Alan first put his name

and signature to the statement that he was;-

"...... desirous of volunteering for service in the Army

on a Normal Regular Army engagement of SEVEN years with

the Colours and FIVE years with the Royal Army

Reserve ........"

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Later that day, Alan received a NOTICE that he was required to;-

"attend forthwith, or at 2.0 o'clock p.m. on the 27' day

of February 1945 at Recruiting Centre, Salisbury Wilts"

........ for the purpose of appearing before a Magistrate

or Attesting Officer to be attested for His Majesty's

Army, in which you have expressed your willingness

to serve".

Obviously Alan did appear at the Recruiting Centre, for his "Enlistment

Paper" proclaims not only his personal details (date of birth [= March 23rd,

1923] ; Trade or calling [= Storeman Clerk]; age last birthday [= 21 years]

etc), but also bears his signature against the ''Oath to be taken by Recruit

on Attestation", as well as the Magistrate or Attesting Officer's own

signature. Thus it was that towards the end of the Second World War,

Alan joined the Regular Army, and was transferred into the 60th Infantry

Battalion - otherwise known as the King's Royal Rifle Corps.

Oh! Colonel Coote Manningham, he was the man,

For he invented a capital plan,

He raised a Corps of Riflemen

To fight for England's Glory!

He dressed then all in jackets of green

And placed then where they could not be seen

And sent then in front, an invisible screen,

To fight for England's Glory!

The Corps had originally been assembled as an "experiment", in the

spring of 1800, by two military reformers - Col.C.Manningham, and Lt.Col.,

the Hon. Wm. Stewart.

The "experiment'' was to provide a skirmishing force and reconnaissance

screen of expert marksmen, to head the advance, cover the movements

and guard the retreat of British troops in the field. Dressed in uniforms

of bottle-green to give protective covering, and trained to use cover and

varied ground - and never to waste a shot - the Corps retained the word

"Rifle" up to 1 January 1966. On that day, the Rifle Brigade ceased to

exist as a separate Regiment, and the Royal Green Jackets was formed

in its place.

Alan was a Corporal in the King's Royal Rifle Corps, and was in the

position of Wireless Operator. Whilst in the Corps, he was posted around

Europe - being at various times, in Italy, at the Yugoslavian border, and in

Germany.

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Index

Around 1946, he returned to England, and was stationed at an Army

Camp at Ogbourne St.George, near Marlborough, Wiltshire. Whilst at

the camp, he met Gwen Green (born 21 May 1928), and the couple were

married at Swindon, about 5 miles north of the camp - on 22 January

1947.

Alan and Gwen had two children, both being sons, and both born at Swindon;-

Paul Raymond	born 3 September 1948. married to Sheila (nee Andrews), they have two daughters, (Kara - aged 5 years old, and Kallie - aged 2 years old). He also has a daughter (Amanda) from a previous marriage. Paul Is employed by Insurance Agents, Allied Dunbar - at Swindon.
Keith	born 30 August 1953. he married, but is now divorced. (no children). Keith Is employed as a Ship's Photographer on a Russian cruise-ship.

After Alan was discharged from the King's Royal Rifle Corps, he initially

went to work as a machine operator with "Plessey". In later years, he

converted his experience as a Wireless Operator in the Corps, into selling

radios and televisions, for the electrical company - Currys.

On 22 September 1977, aged just 54 years old, Alan died. He was

cremated at King's-Down Crematorium, Swindon.

Today, his widow - Gwen - lives only 200 yards away from Paul and his

family, at Moredon, Swindon - whilst Keith, also in Swindon, lives within

the district of Toothill.

Over the last 149 years - following the birth, in 1840, of Wells Kendle, at

far off Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk - there have been a total of 21 Powditch

descendants from him, covering 6 generations. In the current (1989)

generation, Dominic, and Daniel, represent the hopeful continuance of the

future of the (Le Huray-) Powditch name.

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Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Appendix