As we draw closer to Remembrance Sunday, in addition to sharing the stories of WW1 heroes from Holmes Chapel, we are going to share the 6 stories of Holmes Chapel's WW2 heroes each day.
Frank Vasey - Killed in Action 12th August 1942
Frank's Story
Frank Vasey was born on 18th June 1912 at Scarborough, North Yorkshire, the son of Frank and Ellen (nee Reader) Vasey. On 29th September 1939, he was a single man living at Saltersford School, working as a Carpentry Instructor.
He married Kathleen Allison of Moseley, Birmingham in Oct – Dec 1940 at Middlesborough. In 1942, when he died, his wife Kathleen was living in Bromley Drive, Holmes Chapel.
Before joining the Royal Navy, Frank was assistant carpentry instructor at Saltersford School. He was keenly interested in swimming at the school and had won several lifesaving certificates.
Frank Vasey joined the Royal Navy in 1941, where he served as a Joiner, 4th Class (No. D/MX75043) on HMS Indomitable. On 10th August 1942, Aircraft-carrier Indomitable was part of Force Z covering passage of military convoy (WS21S) to Malta.
On 12th August, the ship was under heavy air attack and hit by three Armour Piercing Bombs. Aircraft already airborne were diverted to land on HMS Victorious. The fires were brought under control with difficulty, and the ship had to return to Gibraltar.
In September 1942, Canon Vale said “Leading Seaman Frank Vasey of Saltersford School staff recently paid the supreme sacrifice while in action in the Navy. God grant him Eternal Light and Peace, and to his widow strength and trust”.
He is listed on the Plymouth Naval Memorial Panel 71, Column 1, and on the Holmes Chapel War Memorial in St Luke’s Churchyard.
'They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.'
Extract from 'For the Fallen' by Laurence Binyon