LEATHERHEAD WAR MEMORIALS - WWII
Sergeant Cecil Arthur Maskell RAFVR
166 Squadron Royal Air Force
Town Memorial World War II
CECIL ARTHUR MASKELL
Service Number: 1601545
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
166 Sqdn.
Died 20 October 1943
Age 20 years old
Buried at
BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY
8. C. 5.
Germany
Son of Charles John and Elizabeth Maude Maskell, of Guildford, Surrey.
Personal Inscription
HE DIED AS HE LIVED, ALWAYS THINKING OF OTHERS. REST IN PEACE
RAF Bomber Command Losses in the Second World War: WR Chorley: 1943
20-21 Oct 1943
166 Sqn Lancaster III LM312 AS-K Op: Leipzig
Took off 1800 RAF Kirmington.
All are buried in the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery
166 Sqn Lancaster III LM312 AS-K Op: Leipzig
Took off 1800 RAF Kirmington.
All are buried in the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery
Pilot: Sgt D Bartley
Flight Engineer: Sgt LA Steele
Navigator: Sgt CA Maskell
Bomb Aimer: F/S GRA Walkem RCAF
Wireless Operator: Sgt EFM Barham
Mid Upper Gunner: Sgt G Read
Rear Gunner: Sgt JI Wilson RCAF
Flight Engineer: Sgt LA Steele
Navigator: Sgt CA Maskell
Bomb Aimer: F/S GRA Walkem RCAF
Wireless Operator: Sgt EFM Barham
Mid Upper Gunner: Sgt G Read
Rear Gunner: Sgt JI Wilson RCAF
The Bomber Command War Diaries: An Operational Reference Book: 1939-1945: Middlebrook and Everitt
20/21 October 1943
LEIPZIG
LEIPZIG
358 Lancasters of 1, 5, 6 and 8 Groups. 16
Lancasters lost, 4.5 per cent of the force.
This was the first serious attack on this
distant German city. Weather conditions were very difficult - Bomber
Command records describe them as 'appalling' - and the bombing was very
scattered. No report is available from Leipzig but it is unlikely that
much damage was caused by the 271 aircraft that bombed in that area.
Surrey Advertiser
Saturday 30 October 1943
News has been received by Mr, and Mrs. C.
J. Maskell, of Leatherhead, that their second son, Mr. Cecil Maskell. a
navigator in the R.A.F., has been reported missing. Until the end of
last month Mr. C. J. Maskell was inspector at Leatherhead police
station, and retired to become deputy sub-controller for civil defence
at Guildford. Sergt. Cecil Maskell was well known in Leatherhead, and
attended Leatherhead Central School before entering as a clerk at
Dorking police station.
Saturday 18 December 1943
A.R.P. OFFICER BEREAVED
Missing from operations in October, Sgt. Navigator Cecil Arthur Maskell, RAF, is now reported killed. He is son of Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Maskell, of 64, Beckingham Road, Guildford, formerly of Leatherhead, and his father is Deputy Sub Controller and A.R.P. officer of Guildford borough. Sgt. Navigator Maskell was educated at Leatherhead Central School. He was aged 20. and before joining the RAF in April 1942. was employed on clerical work at Dorking police office.
Missing from operations in October, Sgt. Navigator Cecil Arthur Maskell, RAF, is now reported killed. He is son of Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Maskell, of 64, Beckingham Road, Guildford, formerly of Leatherhead, and his father is Deputy Sub Controller and A.R.P. officer of Guildford borough. Sgt. Navigator Maskell was educated at Leatherhead Central School. He was aged 20. and before joining the RAF in April 1942. was employed on clerical work at Dorking police office.
His life
Cecil's birth was registered at Windsor, Berkshire in January 1923 (ref: Vol 2c page 741).His father was Charles John Maskell, born 22 April 1892, Lambeth, London. He was a son of John Maskell (1861-1898) from Lambeth and Harriet Thomison Blanchard (1860-1942). He had a long career as a policeman.
His mother was Elizabeth Maud Harding, born 30 October 1895, Cadmore End, Buckinghamshire, a daughter of Joseph Harding.
They married on 15 June 1915 at St James Westminster, London. Charles was 'Military Foot Police', his residence Fitzroy Square WC. His deceased father had been a Butler. Elizabeth was a spinster, her residence 1 Burlington Gardens W. Her deceased father, Joseph Harding, had been a Woodman. In the margin of the Register entry is a note 'On the day after the marriage information was received by the Rector that the bride's name was Eliza Maude and not Elizabeth Maude'.
He had a brother, John Cyril James Maskell (1921-2006).
Surrey Advertiser
Saturday 06 May 1939
BIGGER SURREY POLICE FORCE CHANGES TO
DEAL WITH EMERGENCY WORK
Sergt. C. Maskell, Leatherhead, becomes inspector for Leatherhead division
Sergt. C. Maskell, Leatherhead, becomes inspector for Leatherhead division
Surrey Advertiser
Saturday 12 June 1943
POLICE INSPECTOR’S SON MARRIED
Mr. John Cyril James Maskell, formerly in the C.I.D., Farnham Division Surrey Joint Police Force, and now serving in the R.A.C., was married at the Methodist Church, Farnham, on Saturday to Miss Muriel Olive Binning, a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Police Force, Farnham Division, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Binning, of Medina, Longley Road, Farnham. The bridegroom is the eldest son of Inspector and Mrs. C. Maskell, of Leatherhead. The Rev. B. A. Hurd Barley officiated. Given away by her father, the bride wore a white and silver lace gown, a tulle veil, and wreath of orange blossom. She carried dark-red roses. Mrs. Honore Dufour, a friend, was matron of honour, and received as a gift from the bridegroom turquoise ear-rings. Inspector H. Springate was best man. The honeymoon is being spent at Charlwood.
Mr. John Cyril James Maskell, formerly in the C.I.D., Farnham Division Surrey Joint Police Force, and now serving in the R.A.C., was married at the Methodist Church, Farnham, on Saturday to Miss Muriel Olive Binning, a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Police Force, Farnham Division, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Binning, of Medina, Longley Road, Farnham. The bridegroom is the eldest son of Inspector and Mrs. C. Maskell, of Leatherhead. The Rev. B. A. Hurd Barley officiated. Given away by her father, the bride wore a white and silver lace gown, a tulle veil, and wreath of orange blossom. She carried dark-red roses. Mrs. Honore Dufour, a friend, was matron of honour, and received as a gift from the bridegroom turquoise ear-rings. Inspector H. Springate was best man. The honeymoon is being spent at Charlwood.
Saturday 18 September 1943
NEW POST
LEAVING LEATHERHEAD FOR GUILDFORD
Inspector C. T. Maskell. who will retiring from the Surrey Joint Constabulary at the end of the month, has been appointed Deputy Sub-Controller for Civil Defence of Guildford borough. Mr. Maskell has served for over 29 years in the police force, apart from four years service in H.M. Forces during the last war. He served at various stations in the county, and was appointed sergeant to Leatherhead when the new division was created in 1935 when the “E” Dept, of the Constabulary was formed to deal with questions relating to A.R.P. and Civil Defence.
LEAVING LEATHERHEAD FOR GUILDFORD
Inspector C. T. Maskell. who will retiring from the Surrey Joint Constabulary at the end of the month, has been appointed Deputy Sub-Controller for Civil Defence of Guildford borough. Mr. Maskell has served for over 29 years in the police force, apart from four years service in H.M. Forces during the last war. He served at various stations in the county, and was appointed sergeant to Leatherhead when the new division was created in 1935 when the “E” Dept, of the Constabulary was formed to deal with questions relating to A.R.P. and Civil Defence.
Mr. Maskell was appointed inspector at
Leatherhead, and has held that position ever since. He has worked in
complete harmony with the local authority, and his efficiency and tact
have made him extremely popular, and his departure will be much
regretted. Mr. Maskell has two sons, one whom was an officer in the
Surrey Police at Farnham until he joined the Armed Forces. Mrs. Maskell,
until she resigned for reasons of health, was the hon. secretary of the
Kingston Avenue savings group, which she formed the outset of the
campaign, and she also served as a member of the Leatherhead Ward
savings committee. Mr. Maskell, who is clever wood carver, made and
presented a shield to the Leatherhead Police Division Bowls Club for
competition.
Saturday 02 October 1943
GIFT TO INSPECTOR CE MASKELL
Following the Battle of Britain parade on Sunday a presentation was made at the New Bull Hotel, Leatherhead, to Inspector C. E. Maskell, of Leatherhead, who is leaving the Surrey Joint Constabulary to take up duties as A.R.P. Officer and Deputy Sub-Controller of Guildford. A brief case, subscribed for by every member of the Leatherhead division, was handed to him by Mr. A. M. Hulme, divisional leader, Special Constabulary.
Following the Battle of Britain parade on Sunday a presentation was made at the New Bull Hotel, Leatherhead, to Inspector C. E. Maskell, of Leatherhead, who is leaving the Surrey Joint Constabulary to take up duties as A.R.P. Officer and Deputy Sub-Controller of Guildford. A brief case, subscribed for by every member of the Leatherhead division, was handed to him by Mr. A. M. Hulme, divisional leader, Special Constabulary.
Representatives, numbering 46, from all
parts of the division attended. Guests included Colonel A. B. Bethell,
chief county leader; Capt. Lindsay Cutler, staff officer to the county
leader: Supt, H. Minter (Leatherhead division) and Insp. A. G. Russell
(Leatherhead). Mr. Hulme referred to the cordial relationships which had
always existed between the “specials” and Mr. Maskell. They were sorry
to lose such charming friend, but were pleased that Mr. Maskell was
taking up a post which they knew would suit him.
In response, Mr. Maskell said he could
always count on the full support and co-operation of the whole of the
division, and always rely on them to turn out whenever he needed them.
He thanked them for the gift, which he would always prize and which he
should find very useful in his new work. Mr. Hulme entertained the
division to tea, and welcomed Mr. Maskell's successor, Sergt. (temp.
Inspector) S. H. Blackmore, from Guildford headquarters.
The Maskells can be followed in Cecil's lifetime via the Electoral Registers. His father being a policeman, the family moved around:
1923-24 1 St Johns Villas Runnemed Road
Egham (a Charles J Maskell listed)
1926-27 7 St Clair Close Oxted (a Charles J Maskell listed)
1929-32 23 Hallam Road Godalming Surrey (both parents listed)
1933 7 Clifton Villas Felcott Road Hersham, Walton on Thames (both parents listed)
1935-39 2 Police Cottage, Kingston Avenue, Leatherhead, Surrey (both parents listed).
1926-27 7 St Clair Close Oxted (a Charles J Maskell listed)
1929-32 23 Hallam Road Godalming Surrey (both parents listed)
1933 7 Clifton Villas Felcott Road Hersham, Walton on Thames (both parents listed)
1935-39 2 Police Cottage, Kingston Avenue, Leatherhead, Surrey (both parents listed).
After the war
Cecil was named on both the Leatherhead and Guildford War Memorials.His parents continued living at 64 Beckingham Road, Guildford until at least 1962. At the time of their deaths - his father on 4 February 1968 and his mother on 27 November 1976 - they were living at 5 Dorrit Crescent, Guildford.
His brother John died on 13 March 2006 in Guildford, Surrey.
Cecil Maskell is remembered on these memorials
Leatherhead Town Memorial
Leatherhead RBL Roll of Honour, Leatherhead Parish Church
Guildford War Memorial
the website editor would like to add
further information on this casualty
e.g. a photo of him, his headstone, and any recollections of him
last updated 22 Aug 20