By Peter Browne
Sunbury Cricket Club has commissioned a memorial board for three of their members killed at tragically young ages during the Second World War. The three were all round sportsmen and ex pupils of Hampton Grammar School. At the time, the Club was known as Cedars CC and played at the Cedars Recreation Ground in Green Street, Sunbury.
The Club is searching for relatives who might wish to attend a ceremony of remembrance at the Club planned for November.
Francis Otterway: Frank was a pilot in the RAF. He was killed when his aircraft crashed returning from an operation over France in September 1940. His parents were from Teddington. He also had family who were the publicans of the Jolly Gardeners (recently renamed the Grizzly Bear) in Nursery Road Sunbury. Frank was 20. He is buried in Teddington Cemetery.
Jack Marston: Jack was a gunner in the Royal Navy serving on an oil tanker, the SS Empire Amethyst. In April 1942, loaded with 12,000 tons of motor spirit, it was struck by torpedoes from a German submarine ninety miles east of Jamaica. There were no survivors from amongst the crew of 47. Jack lived in Sunbury with his mother who had friends and relatives in Shepperton by the name of Miller. Jack was 20. His name appears on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Douglas Wood: Also known as Jack, or by his nickname ‘Dooder’ to his friends, was another pilot in the RAF. Whilst on a short spell of leave in mid September 1942 from his squadron in Yorkshire he had played some cricket for the Club and attended a committee meeting. A few days later he, and his crew of seven, were killed on a night bombing raid when their four engined Halifax bomber was shot down over the German port of Flensburg. He was 21 and is buried with the rest of his crew in Kiel War Cemetery.
The Club has traced relatives of Douglas Wood but would greatly appreciate any leads from readers who might know of any relatives, or family connections, for Frank Otterway and Jack Marston. Anyone with any information should contact Peter Browne at membership@sunburycricket.co.uk