WAR GRAVE
TOM HORBERRY (grave 32)
PRIVATE
THE KING’S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY
ABOUT MY LIFE
Born: 1904
Died: 28th September 1940
Very little is known about my life at present. My parents were called Tom and Gertrude Horberry and because I served in a Yorkshire regiment, it is likely I came from that part of the world.
MY ROLE
At this time of the war, my regiment had the role of providing air defence using anti-aircraft guns. It is likely that was what I was doing at Scampton.
MY REGIMENT
The King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry can trace its origins as far back as 1787, when it was known as the 53rd Regiment of Foot. In 1881, it gained its title as the KOYLI and served with distinction in the Boer War and both world Wars. In the 60’s they served in Malaysia before being amalgamated with other regiments in 1968.
During the Second World War, they fought the opening battles in France and were evacuated at Dunkirk. They went on to see action in North Africa, Italy, Norway and the final push into Germany from Northwest Europe.
THE ACCIDENT
My accident occurred on the same night that Pilot Officer Snooke lost his life. I was walking from Dunholme to Welton with two friends, but whilst walking in the dark, I was struck by a bus belonging to the Lincolnshire Roadcar company, driven by Albert Shadlock.
At the time, the country was at severe threat from German bombing, so everybody was instructed not to let any light show at night, this included dimming headlights until you could barely see to drive. At the inquest, Mr Shadlock was exonerated from blame for this reason.
ON THIS DAY IN WORLD WAR TWO – 28TH SEPTEMBER 1940
Hitler secretly orders the German economy to be mobilised towards an invasion of Russia.
The first of 50 old American destroyers arrive in the UK.
The Nazis appoint the Norwegian traitor Vidkun Quisling as leader of Norway.
Where Next
Dunholme Lodge was a satellite airfield for Scampton, some remnants of its runways can still be seen today.