Charles John Frederick Platt

Initially joined the 3rd King’s Own Hussars in the mid-1920s and retired after ten years’ service. He was recalled to his Regiment in September 1939, went to the Middle East 1940, experienced his unit being armoured; and survived many actions. Major Platt is remembered in the Aleppo War Cemetery and on a plaque in All Saints’ Church, Barnby-in-the-Willows. On the night of Wednesday 4 February 1943 the Aleppo-Beirut train line was sabotaged and two trains were sent in a head-on collision 80km out of Aleppo, 27 soldiers being killed. Sunday the 8th military funeral took place, each coffin on a 15cwt truck, travelling through the town, to the French cemetery. Beside the grave a firing party of 21 men fired a volley and Joe Peters played 'The Last Post'. Major Platt died from injuries and exposure.

Married to Miss Daphne Victoria Schroder, he took a keen interest in the farm at Barnby; exhibited stock at Newark and other agricultural shows; and rode his own horses in point-to-point and steeplechase races.