John Graham Mendham
Coal Miner
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Son of William and Sarah Mendham of 15 Gordon Street, Ilkeston.
Had a younger brother, William born in 1902.
Married Doris Letitia Brooks on 30th September 1922. They had 4 children, Donald (1924), Jean (1929) Doris (1931) and John (1937). In 1939 they were living at 85 Church Street, Bilsthorpe.
Doris died in 1944.
John Graham had served in the Royal Navy from 9th May 1918 to 9th July 1919.
The Pioneer Corps were formed from a number of infantry and cavalry reservists into Work Labour Companies which where soon made Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps (AMPC). A large number were sent to France has part of the B.E.F.
On the 18th May 1940 an infantry brigade was made from several AMPC companies under the command of L-Col J B H Diggle and where known as the "Digforce". Thet were involved in the defence the Andelle and Bethune rivers on the 8th June. The Digforce and thousands of B.E.F. pioneers were evacuated to Emgland in Operation Aerial. An unknown number of AMPC troops were killed when the Lancastria was sunk off St Nazaire on the 17th June.
The Lancastria was an ocean liner, and although had capacity for 1300 passengers she was overloaded, with estimates of between 4000 and 7000 died. She was hit by 3/4 bombs dropped by a Junker Ju88.
On CWGC John Graham's age is given has 36 but he had been born in 1899.
On the memorial he is listed has G Mendham so probably went by his middle name of Graham rather than John.
No photos