Reginald's comrade Alf Tubb, now 86, aboard the SS North Devon
HE was one of hundreds of thousands of young men killed fighting the Nazi menace during the Second World War – perhaps even the youngest.
Slain aged just 15 by German bombers aboard a merchant navy ship, Reginald Earnshaw has lain in an unmarked grave in his adopted hometown of Edinburgh for decades.
But now, thanks to the efforts of one of the men who served with him aboard the SS North Devon, the young sailor who died fighting for his country will finally receive a fitting headstone.
And new research has even shown that he might have lied about his age to join the war effort – making him the youngest British casualty of the Second World War.
86-year-old Alf Tubb served alongside Reginald as a machine gunner, and tried in vain to save his friend when the ship was attacked by German bombers en route to Tyneside on 6 July 1941.
Six sailors died in the attack, but the memory of his young friend drove Alf to chase down details about his life.
Alf, who was only 18 himself while aboard the vessel, said: “He was a cheerful lad, and we used to chat in the saloon of the ship.”
“After we were attacked, my last memory of Reggie is seeing him carried off the vessel when we docked at Immingham – he’d been cooked by boiling steam.
“During the attack he was trapped in his cabin, I tried desperately to get to him but the steam was like a scalding wall.
“That image has stayed with me forever, so the most important thing to me now is that he gets a fitting headstone.
“I am glad that after all these years the sacrifice of such a young man – my pal – will be properly marked.”
Decades after the war, Alf’s quest to uncover more information about his friend revealed that although originally from Dewsbury, in Yorkshire, Reginald lived in the busy port area of Granton in the Capital.
Research also revealed that although Reginald supplied his date of birth as 2 February 1926 when enlisting, there is no-one in Dewsbury with his name born on that day.
However a Reginald Earnshaw was born on exactly the same date a year earlier, which would make the brave seaman the youngest Brit to die in the Second World War.
Alf added: “I knew he had to have a grave somewhere because I saw his body being carried off the ship – but when I found his resting place in Edinburgh there was just a bare patch of earth.
“This is the culmination of a quest, of a sort, and now his proper granite headstone will be there for ever more for this lad who gave his life.”
Further details about Reginald’s life are sparse, and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission is appealing for any next of kin to contact them.
The fitting of Reginald’s granite headstone will take place in a ceremony at the Comely Bank cemetery in Edinburgh on July 6, which his friend Alf will attend.
The SS North Devon
Alf, who served with British forces as far afield as North Africa, Italy and the Arctic during the war, added: “I remembered him partially because he was so young.”
“I don’t think he enjoyed the sea life too much – I remember him saying that he was looking forward to going back home to see his mum.
“He was a slim, cheerful lad, with a shock of blonde hair – almost white, in fact.”
Describing the attack that claimed Reggie’s life, he said: “I could tell that we were about to be attacked, so I went on watch ten minutes early to get my eyes used to the darkness.
“We were bombed twice – I know I shot down one of them but it turned into absolute chaos and I was blown off my post.
“Men were diving into the sea, and the ship was listing badly, I thought we might sink.
“Somebody told me that Reggie was still in his cabin above the engine, and I went to try and get him out, but the steam was just too hot.”
“I’d heard that during the first world war troops used to pee on towels, and put it over their faces to protect against gas.
“I tried that with the steam but it didn’t help at all – you just couldn’t breathe because of the heat.”
Ranald Leask, a spokesman for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, said: “The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is delighted that it can finally mark Reginald’s grave with a headstone.
“We are indebted to Alf Tubbs whose tireless and selfless efforts will mean his friend and shipmate will receive a fitting and lasting tribute to his sacrifice.”
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I am one of a small group of researchers who over the last four years has compiled the information regarding Reginald Earnshaw and his loss from the North Devon, which has been forwarded to Alf Tubb and the CWGC.
Back in 2005 it was brought to my attention that a Merchant Seamen named Reginald Earnshaw commemorated on Tower Hill Memorial, Panel 74 from the SS North Devon killed 6th July 1941 and he may have been buried ashore. After searching for records at Kew for the ships Official Log Book, it was discovered his body was found in the ships alleyway after being attacked by enemy forces. To verify his body was landed ashore I obtained a copy of his death certificate to prove this and he was registered at Cleethorpes reference 7a 1170. More research by Mr. Bill Watt found he was buried at Comely Bank Edinburgh Section P Grave Space 440. (Details from Edinburgh City Council Phone No 0131 664 4314 Morton hall Edinburgh) and a temporary cross was erected marking the plot. This information was submitted to the CWGC and our combined efforts and findings were accepted this year.
There was also some confusion over his age. The ships Log Book had Reginalds date of birth as 5th February 1926 in Dewsbury and his death certificate has him aged about 15. Only problem being there was no birth registered at Dewsbury for Reginald Earnshaw in 1926, but there was one registered in Dewsbury in the March quarter 1927 in Volume 9b page 864. Having obtained a copy of the birth certificate in April 2009, I can verify he was born the 5th February 1927, so the Log Book shows an error of exactly one year to the day, which made him 14 years 152 days old when he was killed as to Raymond Steeds 14 years 207 days, who at present is officially recorded as the youngest serving casualty of WWII.
A similar situation occurred in respect of Fireman Reg.Mitchell also from the ship ,he too was listed as lost at sea by the CWGC but was also taken ashore at Immingham and buried at Edinburgh,although in a different cemetary.Through the CWGC we were able to have an headstone put around Reg’ s grave as well.reg as a sister and her story was taken up by the local newspaper of the Exeter , Devon area,the Express and Echo of Thursday 21st Dec.2006.
Im doing a report on the Nazi and ww2, i dont know much but i have to have a role as an aggresor like an S.S solider…tho no bodys storys seems to tell me what they are like nor can i find a story from an S.S soldiers perpective…can you help me out?
Respect him braved a germany soilder brave too.