Harry Rogan

Gunner Harry Rogan attested in the Royal Artillery in 1939 and served with the Royal Horse Artillery 107 (South Notts Hussars) Regiment.

‘The Regiment was chosen to help defend Tobruk during its 8 month siege in 1941. Side by side with 1RHA and 104 Essex Yeomanry RHA they supported the 9th Australian Division during the siege. They were now high class Gunners. Their ‘finest hour’ occurred at Knightsbridge at the Battle of Gazala in June 1942 when they were ordered to fight ‘to the last round’ after their covering Infantry and Tanks had been withdrawn. [The last round was fired with a Panzer IV only twenty yards in front of the last remaining gun.] Their action has been recorded as ‘one of the most celebrated in the history of the Royal Artillery. The remnants of the Regiment were reconstituted as 107 Medium Battery, part of 7 Medium Regiment, armed with the first 5.5 inch guns to be used in action, and as such they fought from El Alamein to Tunis and Sicily.’ Source: rlnymuseum.co.uk/south-notts-hussar

The Battery returned to the UK in December 1943. The Regiment later commissioned a painting of ‘The Battle of Knightsbridge’ by Terence Cuneo.

Harry had fought with the Regiment at Tobruk and was initially reported missing but later found to have been taken prisoner. According to an 'In Memoriam' notice (1943), Harry died onboard an Italian Hospital Ship on 21 October 1942. He is buried in Naples War Cemetery (grave ref. II.K.13) but the history of the Cemetery indicates that Harry's grave was brought in from another burial ground, possibly after the war.

CWGC Naples War Cemetery: 'The site for the war cemetery was chosen in November 1943 and burials were made in it from the hospitals and garrison. Later graves were brought in from a number of small cemeteries in the immediate vicinity.' (www.cwgc.org)

Family/military histories updated (RF/Aug 2025)

Sarah Jane's husband, Walter Rogan, served with the 10th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (15128 L/Sjt) and was killed in action on 14 February 1916. See record on this Roll of Honour for more information about his family history including his marriage to Sarah Ann Hartley.

Harry Rogan's maternal uncle, George Hartley (b. 1886), his mother's youngest brother, served in the 1st Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (6298 Private) in the Great War and died in April 1915. He is buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery, Kassel, Hessen, Germany. See record on this Roll of Honour for further information about Sarah's family history.

Harry Rogan: additional information

CWGC Additional information: 'Son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Rogan; husband of Ruby Rogan, of Newark, Nottinghamshire.'

CWGC headstone personal inscription: ‘I shall always remember you smiling in my tenderest memories of you’

Newark Advertiser, 31 May 1939, extract: ‘Mr H Rogan and Miss R Newstead. St Leonard’s Church was the scene, on Monday afternoon, of the marriage of Mr Harry Rogan of Retford, and Miss Ruby Newstead, daughter of Mr and Mrs E Newstead, of 54, Northgate, Newark. The bride, who was given away by her father, was attired in a white satin gown, with coronet and veil, and her bouquet was composed of pink roses. Attending her were Mrs W Newstead (matron-of-honour) and Miss Ivy Newstead, youngest sister of the bride, both of whom wore lavender satin dresses with bouquets of sweet peas. The duties of best man were undertaken by Mr William Newstead. Rev. RV Dodd was the officiating clergyman … The reception was at 54, Northgate, the future home. The presents were ...’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

Newark Advertiser, 8 July 1942: ‘Reported A Prisoner. It has been announced on the German radio that Gunner H Rogan, of the South Notts Hussars, the husband of Mrs Ruby Rogan, 54, Northgate, Newark, had been captured and taken prisoner of war in the Middle East. Gnr. Rogan has been with the MEF for over two years, during which he had served most of his time in Tobruck. Gnr. Rogan, before being called up with the Militia, was in the Grindery Department at Ramsone and Marles. Mrs Rogan heard the news from Mrs F Wilford of Newark.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

Newark Advertiser, 16 December 1942. ‘Gunner H Rogan. Died While In Italian Hands. Mrs Ruby Rogan, of 54, North-gate, has received the sad official news that her husband, Gunner Harry Rogan, of the South Notts. Hussars, has died whilst a prisoner of war in Italian hands. Gunner Rogan, who before joining the Forces was in the Grindery Department at Messrs. Ransome and Marles, had been with the MEF for over two years, principally at Tobruk; he was reported missing in June and later news was received that he was a prisoner. Mrs Rogan has received one card and one letter from her husband since; the letter received about a month ago intimated that he was safe and well. Gunner Rogan, who was 24 years of age, was called up with the Militia.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

Newark Advertiser, ‘In Memoriam’, 20 October 1943:’ Rogan. Harry. In loving memory of my dear husband who died POW on an Italian Hospital ship, October 21st 1942. One year has passed since my great sorrow fell, The shock I received that night I remember well, I often think of him I silence, I often speak his name, But all I have are memories, and his photograph in a frame. Ever loving wife, Ruby.’ www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

Newark Herald, ‘Births’ 17 March 1945: ‘Hood. On March 18th, at Newark Maternity wing, to Ruby (née Rogan) and Cpl Raymond Hood USAAF, a daughter (Denise)’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)