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Location
In St Catherine's Lighthouse, Niton, Isle of Wight, PO38 2NF. IWM War Memorials Archive Record Link : War Memorials Archive Reference 49630 Historic England Listing Status St Catherine's Lighthouse is Listed Grade II. Since the Memorial forms part of the fittings of the building, it is assumed to be covered by the Listing. Description A brass plaque in remembrance of three keepers killed in an air raid. From the leaflet "St Catherine's Lighthouse" published by Trinity House in 2001 : "A tragic incident took place at the station during the Second World War. On the 1st June 1943, a bombing raid destroyed the engine house killing the three keepers on duty who had taken shelter in the building. R T Grenfell, C Tompkins and W E Jones were buried in the local cemetery at Niton village and a plaque in remembrance of them is displayed on the ground floor of the main tower." |
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Memorial
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Inscription
IN MEMORY OF PRINCIPAL KEEPER R.T. GRENFELL ASSISTANT KEEPER C. TOMPKINS ASSISTANT KEEPER W.E. JONES WHO WERE KILLED WHILST ON DUTY AT ST CATHERINES LIGHTHOUSE ON 1st JUNE 1943, WHEN THE STATION WAS BOMBED BY ENEMY AIRCRAFT Further Information The three men are buried in a communal grave at Niton St John's Churchyard. SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF
WHO WERE KILLED BY ENEMY ACTION IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES AT ST CATHERINE'S LIGHTHOUSE 1ST JUNE 1943 "LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE MEN THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS" CWGC references
Newspaper reports :
ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY
Friday, June 11, 1943 Page 2 Some Topical Reflections By B.W.R. Local Freemasons mourn the loss of an esteemed brother by the death of Mr. R.T. Grenfell,
who was killed by enemy action in a raid on a South Coast village last week. At a meeting
on Tuesday the members passed a vote of sympathy; ...
(not all the report has been transcribed)
Acknowledgments : Janet Griffin for newspaper research |
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page last updated : 6 March 2015 (added newspaper report)
page last updated : 6 March 2015 (added newspaper report)