Select Page

Sapper John Robert Darsley

Details

Incident. On the 10th December 1940, at Bushy Park, Teddington a section was working, on an unexploded bomb when it detonated. Sapper J. Darsley aged 19; Driver A.K. Hartland, Lieutenant K.G. Hope, Driver F. Horton RASC and Lance Corporal C. Lebbon aged 43 were all killed and are buried at Teddington Cemetery, Plot S Grave C3.1867 and Plot R Grave C3.1868 It was a cold day and at Osterley Park, the section had adopted the standard practice of lighting a fire and brewing a large Dixie of tea. Sapper Jimmy Hulme had gone to see to the tea when the bomb detonated. He was knocked over by the blast and a piece of shrapnel hit him in the back. He spent some time in hospital and then returned to his unit. After this incident he acquired a slight stammer but was otherwise okay.

Personal Details

  • 2069555 Sapper
  • John Robert Darsley
  • John Robert Darsley
  • Royal Engineers
Son of Charles and Edith Darsley of Old Trafford, Manchester. Died on the 10th December 1940. Aged 19. Buried at Manchester Southern Cemetery. Section S.C of E Grave 584.

2 Comments

  1. David Neller

    The incident described took place near the Diana Fountain in Bushy Park, Teddington,
    not far from the Hampton Court Gate of the park – and not in Osterley Park, Middlesex.
    Driver Arthur Kitchener HARTLAND and Lance Corporal Cyril Bennett LEBBON are buried
    in Teddington Cemetery, Plot S Grave C3.1867 and Plot R Grave C3.1868.

    Reply
    • gary

      Thank you for letting us know. The details have been uopdated 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply to gary Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About Us

The aim of the site is to provide a meeting point for all those involved in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) or Search whether serving or ex-serving members of the Royal Engineers and a source of material for those researching the work of the Royal Engineers or family history

Donate

If you wish to donate to the running of the branch, please use the button below.

Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Copyright © 2023 The Royal Engineers Association.
All rights reserved.