Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

Hi only just found your site I am interested in the soldiers from Widnes killed in the second world war. My fathers brother is on the list his name is Robert Edward Ormesher gunner Royal Artillery I have been researching Roberts and Jacks war. Robert was taken prisoner at Singapore and Jack was injured in action in France in 1944. Robert died but Jack survived the war. I would like to hear from anyone who is related to Robert.

Hi and welcome to the forum.

You seem to know that he may have been married and so have descendants. We have put together a few suggestions for tracing living people here http://forum.liverpool-genealogy.org.uk ... =14&t=8154

If you believe the family remained in the area an advertisement in the local newspaper would be my best suggestion.

The probate information is available for Robert do you have it? His wife was Helen Dean. Helen Ormesher died in 1993.


Blue

Hi Ventura,

your profile doesn't mention whereabouts you live. If you are near to Widnes, we have our monthly meetings on the last Wednesday of the month (details as per the main site) we actually have a meeting tomorrow evening.
I will ask our members if anyone has any connections to the Ormesher family and will check our group records to see if there is anything further that we hold.
Best regards,
Claire

Thanks MaryA, Blue70 and ClaireMH I live in Garston and yes have relations in Widnes but have lost touch with them over the years. I am told Robert had a son ***. I would like to get in touch with him or family I have a old photo that my father had of Robert but would like this verified as Robert also have some very interesting info about Roberts war years.
Best regards
Ventura

*** name removed to protect the privacy of living people. MA

ventura, I have researched the WW2 casualties of Widnes over the last few years, and have some info on Robert Ormesher.

The following was transcribed from the Widnes Weekly News Archives by Chris Leigh,

In 1942, Private Robert Ormesher of 5 Wood Street, was reported missing during the final fighting in Malaya. Some time after this his wife, formally Miss Helen Dean received the news that he had been taken Prisoner by the Japenese.

Private Ormesher, who joined the Army in October, 1940 and was drafted abroard in February 1941 is 33 years of age and is the son of Mr. And Mrs Wallis of St Nicholas Road, Ditton. He was educated at Halebank School and is a member of Hough Green Church. Prior to enlistment he was employed at the Everite where his wife is now engaged in war work. He has one son, G######, aged eight.

Private Ormesher has three brothers in the forces, Private Jack Ormesher (France); Private Douglas Wallis (France) and Able Seaman Arthur Wallis (R.N.) Nephews serving are Frank Nicholson (Burma), Arthur Nicholson (Fleet Air Arm) Frank Meridith (France) Tommy Meridith (England) and George Lunt (Egypt)

He was captured and taken POW on the 15th Feb 1942, and was one of 517 Gunners massacred by the Japaneese,

The 600 Gunners Party left Changi on the 18th October 1942, under the command of Lt-Col. J. Bassett, R.A., 35 L.A.A. aboard the Kenkon Maru, at the time the destination was believed to be New Guinea. The Bureau of Records and Enquiry at Changi later were led to believe the ship was torpedoed and all on board lost.
The Japanese reported that the ship carrying the prisoners was lost at sea after leaving Singapore, which is known as the Naked Isle.

It wasn’t till after the war the truth was found when a large mass grave was found on Ballali Island, the Japanese had used 517 of the fittest to construct a runway on Ballali Island leaving the sick at Rabaul, then when finished those of the 517 remaining left alive were massacred by the Japanese,

436 bodies were exhumed on Ballali Island, those remaining of the 517 are believed to have died before the massacre and buried on the island.

The date of death given by the Commonwealth War Graves is the 5th March 1943 for those who died on Ballali Island; the correct date is not known

Roberts son married in 1966, and i believe lives in the Halebank area of Widnes,

Id be interested in the details that youhave of Roberts war service

Phil

Hi Phil thanks for your reply I am Jack Ormeshers son Robert was my uncle that I never met. The information that you supplied is the info that I have of Robert. I remember as a child looking at some old photos and one was Robert I asked my mother and she said that he was on a prisoner of war ship that was torpedoed. At the time not knowing that the Japenese had lied about what really happened to the 600. I only found out what really happened this year when I started searching for my dads and his dads war records to apply for my dads service medals. I searched Roberts name and was shocked to find out what really happened. I have just read a book called What Price Bushido by Alf Blackie Baker the true story of the 600 recommended to me by Phil Beynon who has been very helpfull to me with info. This tells of the hell ship to Rabaul and mostly of the 82 sick men left there and lists the names of the men who were massacred on Ballali island. A real eye opener to what these men had to endure during there captivity. Thanks again for your info and replying back to me.
Best regards
Alan

the following is a site dedicated to the soldiers massacred on ballali if you have not seen it or been directed to it before: http://www.roll-of-honour.org.uk/atroci ... died_6.htm

Hi and welcome to the forum. Thank you for coming straight in with some help.