BEYOND THE

CATISFIELD MEMORIAL

Catisfield Memorial Hall -

The WW2 Dedication Expanded

There are many tragic stories behind these names, some very tragic..

The following table summarises what is known about each of them. And points to an expanded story about each.

Click on ‘ONL’ in the table to see each story

From the researches of Doug Glading, with assistance from Glenn Duggan. Last changed 18/8/2026

	Online	NAME	SERVICE	DIED	AGE	LOCATION	HOME	Story
1	ONL	Supply  Assistant Geoffrey David Berney	RNVR	25/11/41	20	Mediterranean, off Sidi Barrani	Heathfield Farm	Y
2	ONL	Wren Driver Diana Sydney Biddlecombe	RN	21/10/44	33	UK Hospital	Clanconnel, on Catisfield Rd.,	Y
3	ONL	Commander William Charles Bushell  DSC	RN	9/11/40	40	UK Hospital	‘Aveley’ ,Titchfield Road, Catisfield	Y
4	ONL	Flying Officer John Weldon  Butt	RAFVR	18/9/42	19	Somerset	‘Savandi’ on the Avenue	Y
5	ONL	Lieutenant John Philip Couzens,	Royal Artillery	5/4/43	22	Ballali Island. (Captured Singapore.)	‘Woodstock’, The Avenue	Y
6	ONL	Lance Bombardier Edward Lionel Dominey,	Royal Artillery	23/5/40	20	Pas de Calais, France	‘Edna’, Highlands Road	y
7	ONL	Warrant Mechanician Moses William Evans,.	RN	19/12/41	38	Mediterranean off Tripoli	Littleholme, Highlands Road ( now No. 203 )-
8	ONL	Leading Aircraftsman William Henry Flood.	RAFVR	9/1/43	30	UK Hospital	42 Woodcote Lane, (actually Peel Common).
9	ONL	WO Class I Frederick Augustus  Gates RSM,	Royal Artillery	15/11/41	27	Malta	5 Fairthorne Cottages, Catisfield.
10	ONL	Christina Emsie Gordon	Wife	2/11/42			Peaklands, 73 The Avenue
11	ONL	Gunner (T) Mr Harold  Hargreaves WO	RN	28/3/42	38	Loire Estuary	37 Highlands Road.
12	ONL	Lieutenant (E) Frank McLeod	RN,	27/2/42	42	Java Sea	?
13	ONL	Petty Officer Robert Savitri Millener,	RN	3/8/44	26	Off Le Havre	‘Lynton’ Highlands Road.
14		Lieutenant Edward Graham Mortimer	RNVR	22/7/46	39	Lyme Bay	The Limes
15	ONL	Private Edmund Charles Neville,	R Infantry	15/2/42	26	Singapore	4 Rugby Cottages, Catisfield Road
16	ONL	Able Seaman John Woodman Spanner,	RN	28/11/39	28	North Sea	Lynton’, Highlands Road.
17	ONL	Mr Alfred Dennis Streten	Civilian	5/12/40	31	Cosham	89 Chatsworth Avenue, Cosham.
18	ONL	Captain Charles Edward Stone	Royal Artillery	30/6/44	25	Normandy	“Ligoniel”, Highlands Road,
19	ONL	Clement (John) Young	Merchant Navy	8/5/41	34	Langstone Harbourr	40 Highlands Road

BACKGROUND:

CATISFIELD is in Hampshire,  located between Fareham, England, one and a half miles to the east,  and Titchfield, half a mile to the west, on the edge of the valley of the River Meon.

Originally just a hamlet, separated from Fareham by a mile and a half of green fields, but now just part of the Fareham town area. But maintaining a village atmosphere.

It used to consist of some ‘big house’s, with various cottages and terraces   for the workers and servants.   Some ‘middle class   housing had arrived   by  1940, mostly on Highlands Road and The Avenue.

Note:  The map shows Catisfield just before the war.   The Avenue is also known as Titchfield Road and as  the A27.      Highlands Road houses were re-numbered post-war.   And named houses given numbers.

Wealthy farmer and landowner Samuel Mortimer lived in a country house called ‘The Limes’. After the war he gave part of his land for the building of a Memorial Hall.’

The lobby of today’s Hall contains a stone marking this and a plaque commemorating the 19 local people who died serving in WW2.

I started researching these names some years ago, and in 2025 prepared a Powerpoint presentation summarising the story behind each name for a VE Day 80^th anniversary event in the village.  This was turned into a memorial book which is housed  in the lobby alongside the plaque.

Of course there is often much more to tell – more than can be said in a few bullets. Hence this extended work.   -  DG

Please send Comments, and any additional information/images you might have, to   history@catisfield.com