Memorials & Monuments
on the Isle of Wight
- CWGC Headstones -
- Ventnor Cemetery : George Frederick Rogerson -

In
Loving Memory of
MY BELOVED HUSBAND
GEORGE FREDERICK ROGERSON R.N.
KILLED IN ACTION 16TH OCT 1939
AGED 31 YEARS

QUICKLY AND SILENTLY WAS THE CALL
YOUR SUDDEN DEATH SURPRISED US ALL
WHAT YOU SUFFERED WE CANNOT TELL
BUT YOUR SMILING FACE WE REMEMBER SO WELL
'TILL MEMORY FADES AND LIFE DEPARTS
YOU'LL LIVE FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS'

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, October 20, 1939 Page 2

Local casualties on the Royal Oak, etc.
...
Able Seaman G.F. Rogerson was among those killed in the air raid on the Firth of Forth on Monday. He was one of the crew of the Mohawk which was reported to be returning from Convoy duties. Mr. Rogerson was formerly in the navy and rejoined in the present emergency. He was a married man with a few months' old child and lived in one of the Council houses at Lowtherville. During the summer he was employed by Mr. Newitt, butcher, etc., of Sandown.
...
Our hearts will be moved in sympathy for the bereaved and anxious.
(not all the report has been transcribed)

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, October 27, 1939 Page 2

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
ROGERSON. - Mrs. G. Robinson wishes to thank all kind friends and neighbours for their kindness and letters of sympathy, also beautiful floral tributes sent to her in the sad loss of her dear husband.

Page 2

Funeral of the Late Able Seaman G.F. Rogerson.
The funeral of Mr. G.F. Rogerson, who was killed in action on H.M.S. Mohawk during an air-raid on the Firth of Forth on Oct. 16th, took place on Saturday at Ventnor Cemetery with Naval honours. The Rev. L.K. Morton officiated. The chief mourners were Mr. W. Rogerson (brother), Mr. Albert Gomes, Chief P.O., R.N., Mr. Alfred Gomes, Mr. Ernest Nobes and Mr. J. Howell (brothers-in-law), and Messrs. G. Sheppard and R. Murphy (friends). Covered with the Union Jack, the coffin was borne to the graveside by ratings from H.M.S. Excellent, who were accompanied by a Chief P.O., and a bugler from the depôt sounded the "Last Post." There was a very large gathering of sympathising friends, many of whom joined the funeral procession at the Cemetery gates. Mr. T. Brading was the undertaker, and there were many beautiful flowers and wreaths, the following being the list: -
Wife and Barrie.
Brother Bill and wife Becky.
Ern, Aggie and girls.
Alf and Flo.
Bert, Rose, and boys.
Aunt Em and Uncle George.
Mrs. Kane, Kathleen and George.
Mum, Elsie, Ernie and Shirley.
Sister Holly and brother-in-law Bill.
Aunt Rose.
All at 8 Downlands.
Mr. and Mrs. J. Caxar.
Mary, Charlie, Maud and George.
Mr. and Mrs. Sheppard and family.
Mrs. Smith, Dorrie and Ella.
Mr. and Mrs. R. Wheeler.
Mr. and Mrs. Newitt, Woody Bank.
Mrs. Flux and family.
Mr. Newitt and staff, Sandown.
Mr. and Mrs. George Sheppard.
Eva and Ennis.
Vic, Babs and Brian.
Mrs. Phillips and Aunt Nell.
Old ship-mates - Dick Murphy, Fred Fryer, Bill Ayres, Charlie H. Waller ^[1], Jack Edwards, George Edwards, Owen Maybee.

ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY PRESS

Saturday, October 28, 1939 Page 7

VENTNOR
Funeral of a War Victim. - The funeral of Mr. G.F. Rogerson, of the Royal Navy, who lost his life on service last week, took place on Saturday at Ventnor Cemetery with naval honours. The Vicar (the Rev. L.K. Morton) officiated. The mourners were Mr. W. Rogerson (brother), Messrs. Albert and Alfred Gomes, Ernest Nobes, and J. Newell (brothers-in-law), G. Sheppard, and R. Murphy. Covered with the Union Jack the coffin was borne by eight ratings from Whale Island and a bugler from the depot sounded the Last Post. There was a very large attendance of sympathising friends, many of whom joined the procession at the Cemetery gates. Mr. T. Brading made the arrangements and there were many beautiful flowers.

ST CATHERINE'S PARISH MAGAZINE

November, 1939

THE VICAR'S LETTER
THE VICARAGE, VENTNOR
November 1, 1939
MY DEAR FRIENDS,
The outbreak of war is affecting our parish life in many ways. The call has come to a good many of our young men to face the stern realities of war, and they are being followed with anxious concern and prayers. They will we fear, be followed by many others, called to face duty and danger, but each will be eager to give a good account of himself. It has been a grief to many that one of our old choir boys, Keith Newnham, perished in the Royal Oak, and G.F. Rogerson was killed on the Mohawk. Keith was a fine lad, a favourite with everybody, and we sympathise much with his home people. And also with Mrs. Rogerson, left with her infant son. These are but the tragedies of war. - Then as we watch the many convoys of ships that pass our Island on their way to France we are reminded how very many homes are giving up the flower of our land to face the horrors of war. It is a terrible sacrifice that is being made, and we pray that it may not be in vain.

With very kind regards,
Your sincere Friend and Vicar,
L. KNYVETT MORTON
(not all of the letter has been transcribed)

FUNERALS
Oct. 21st - George Frederick Rogerson, aged 31.