Category: WW1 & WW2 Roll of Honour

Heyford Role of Honour – WW2 – Charles Leslie Foster

Charles Leslie Foster – Killed in Action 23.05.1944

Flight Sergeant [Air Gunner] 624078.

100 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

Killed in action 23.05.1944, aged 24.

Buried in Schoonselhof Cemetery, Antwerp, Belgium, Plot 4A Row E Grave 8.

Son of Charlie and Emma Jane Foster of Lower Heyford.

Northampton Mercury & Herald 13.04.1945 [Photograph].

“Presumed Killed. News that their youngest son, Flight Sergt. Leslie Foster, R.A.F. reported missing in May of last year, is now presumed to have been killed, has been received by Mr. and Mrs. C. Foster, Stonebank, Lower Heyford. Sergt. Foster, who was 24, joined the R.A.F. in October, 1938, and had been in many flights over Germany when he was reported missing. He had seen service in North Africa. He was a former pupil of Lower Heyford School and was employed by the Miller Last Co. Ltd., before joining the R.A.F. He was also a former member of Bugbrooke Boys‘ Brigade.”

Heyford & Stowe Roll of Honour – Celia & Brian Caucutt – 1993

Remembered by: Caroline Elliott: “He was my Dad’s cousin, Charlie Foster of Hillside Road, Nether Heyford”

Updated Jez Wilson 2020

Heyford Role of Honour – WW2 – John Bennett Whiting

John Bennett Whiting – Killed in Action 01.09.1942

Lieutenant 189068.

The Nottinghamshire Yeomanly, Royal Armoured Corps.

Killed in action 01.09.1942, aged 25.

No known grave, Commemorated on The Alamein Memorial, Egypt, Column 29.

Son of John Bennett and Charlotte Sophia Whiting of Heyford Grange.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo 16.09.1942, and Northampton Mercury & Herald 18.09.1942 [Photograph].

“Death of Northants Officer. News has been received by Mr. and Mrs. J. Bennett Whiting, of Heyford Grange, Weedon, of the death on Sept 1, while on active service, of their elder son Lieut. John [Jack] Bennett Whiting. Lieut. Whiting who was 25, was an old boy of Eaglehurst College, Northampton, and of Amersham Grammar School. He joined the Warwickshire Yeomanry in the spring of 1939, later going abroad. On receiving his commission in 1940, he was transferred to the Nottinghamshire
Yeomanry. A keen sportsman and a fine rider, Lieut. Whiting hunted regularly with the Grafton and Pytchley Hounds, and was frequently a competitor at local point-to-points. When he left school he was apprenticed at the racing stables of Mr. C. Beechener, and later joined the stables of Mr. J Hall, of
Penny Compton, Warwickshire, and Marlborough, Wiltshire. He then went into business at Heyford with his brother-in-law, Mr Leslie Wienholt, and together they ran a hunting stable. His father formerly farmed at Willen House, Willen, Newport Pagnell, where Lieut. Whiting was born. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett Whiting, in addition to another son, have four daughters.”

Northampton Independent 25.09.1942.

“Killed, Lieutenant J. B. Whiting. News has been received by Mr. and Mrs. J. Bennett Whiting, of Heyford Grange, Weedon, of the death on September 1st, while on active service, of their elder son, Lieutenant John [Jack] Bennett Whiting. Lieutenant Whiting, who was 25, was an old boy of Eaglehurst College, Northampton, and of Amersham Grammar School. A keen sportsman and a fine
rider, Lieutenant Whiting hunted regularly with the Grafton and Pytchley Hounds, and was frequently a competitor at local point-to-points.”

Heyford & Stowe Roll of Honour – Celia & Brian Caucutt – 1993

Updated Jez Wilson 2020

Heyford Role of Honour – WW2 – Frederick Watson

Frederick Watson – Killed in Action 10.10.1944

Sapper 2157010.

270th Field Company, Royal Engineers.

Killed in action 10.10.1944, aged 22.

Buried in Assisi War Cemetery, Italy, Plot 1, Row E, Grave 4.

Son of William and Annie Watson of Lower Heyford, husband of Winifred May Watson of 26, Little Brington.

Northampton Mercury & Herald 27.10.44 [Photograph].

“Sapper Frederick Watson, R.E., of Lower Heyford, has been killed in action while serving with the Central Mediterranean Forces. His wife lives at 26, Little Brington. Sapper Watson, who was 22, joined the forces in February 1942. He went abroad in August 1943. The youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Watson of Lower Heyford, he married Miss Winifred Cannon in April 1943. After attending Lower Heyford School, he was employed by Messrs. Bosworth and Wakeford, builders, of Daventry.“

Heyford & Stowe Roll of Honour – Celia & Brian Caucutt – 1993

Updated Jez Wilson 2020

Heyford Role of Honour – WW2 – Frederick Heeler

Frederick Heeler – Killed in Action 24.07.1944

Lance Corporal 5343373.

2nd Btn Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

Killed in action 24.07.1944, aged 28.

Buried in Banneville-La-Campagne War Cemetery, near Caen, France,
Plot 9, Row A, Grave 17.

Son of Alfred and Elizabeth Heeler, husband of Eva Bertha Heeler of Lower Heyford


Northampton Chronicle & Echo 09.08.1944 [Photograph], and Northampton Mercury & Herald 11.08.1944 [Photograph].

“Killed in Normandy. Mrs. E. Heeler, of The Green, Lower Heyford, has received news that her husband, Lance Corporal Frederick Heeler, has been killed in Normandy. Lance Corporal Heeler joined the forces in April 1940. He attended Pattishall School, and played football for Kislingbury Football Club. He worked at Towcester. He leaves 17 months – old baby.“

Northampton Independent 25.08.1944 [Photograph].

“Killed. Lance Corporal F. Heeler. Mrs. E. Heeler of The Green, Lower Heyford has received news that her husband, Lance Corporal Frederick Heeler, has been killed in Normandy. He joined the Forces in April 1940. He attended Pattishall School and worked at Towcester. He played football for Kislingbury. He leaves a 17 months – old baby.“

Heyford & Stowe Roll of Honour – Celia & Brian Caucutt – 1993

Updated Jez Wilson 2020