August 15th 2025 is the 80th anniversary of VJ Day and the effective end of World War Two. It was a war like no other in human history and cost millions of lives across the globe. Britain was at the centre of the war, being the only fighting country in Western Europe not to have succumbed to the Nazi invasion (along with their Italian allies). We honour below just a few of the stories of the "greatest generation" who made sacrifices and endured hardships that enable us to enjoy better lives than they did. Britevents Northwest thanks the family of the listed honourees for providing their photos and information.
Joseph W. Roundhill was a dual citizen of the UK and USA. During World War Two, JW (as he was fondly known) served in both the British Royal Air Force in pilot training and then the 379th Bomb Group of the US Eighth Air Force where he flew on 35 missions over enemy occupied Europe, as a right-waist & nose gunner on a Boeing B-17G aircraft. After his missions he then returned home to American soil on December 31, 1944 after successfully eluding the U-boat packs at a speed of 17 knots across the Atlantic Ocean in the famous hospital ship Marine Wolf. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, four Air Medals and he has received the French Legion of Honor. JW was an active member of the Seattle Brit Meetup group until his death, aged 97, in 2021. He remains the only person to be appointed a lifetime Honorary Member of Britevents Northwest.
Ruth volunteered after her friend was killed on HMS Hood. She became a leading Wren and served for 4 years. The majority of her time was spent at HMS Quebec, a land base in Scotland which was part of the Combined Operations unit where approximately 250,000 troops got amphibious training. Ruth recently celebrated her 101st birthday in England. You can find more about her wartime experiences by clicking HERE.
Nominated by Elaine Barnwell (daughter)
Ron was drafted into the Navy when he was 19. He became an electrical wireman and worked on the D-Day landing craft during training. He was actually sent to the Far East before D-Day and remained over there until 1946. He was in the Battle of Rangoon. He met Ruth (see above) when they were both at HMS Quebec and they married in 1947.
You can find more about his wartime experiences by clicking HERE
Nominated by Elaine Barnwell (daughter)
John Spratt was a navigator in the RAF 179 Squadron from 1940 to 1946. He flew Wellington Bombers on U-boat patrols out of Gibraltar, protecting the Western entrance to the Mediterranean, and merchant fleets crossing the Atlantic. He flew in the D-Day Brest Blockade, pinning 50 U-boats in the port of Brest and protecting the allied fleet and landing forces from submarine attack. After two tours, he was posted to RAF Silloth as a navigation instructor, where he met his wife of 67 years WAAF Officer June Williams (see below). After VE Day he was deployed to the Far East to fight the Japanese. Click HERE to find out more about John's wartime service. Nominated by Sue Alemann (daughter).
Section Officer June Williams enlisted in 1941 as an Aircraft Woman 2nd Class. She was posted to RAF Limavady in Northern Ireland as a Torpedo Attack Training Supervisor. The training dome where she served was restored in 2025, and features exhibits about her service. SO Williams quickly rose through the ranks and was commissioned in 1942. She served as a Section Officer and Adjutant to the Commanding Officer at RAF Silloth, where she was responsible for both WAAF and RAF personnel. She resigned her commission in 1946, retaining her rank. Nominated by Sue Alemann (daughter).
Prior to D Day, Louis was in the Somerset Light Infantry, then , Churchills secret underground army, the Auxilliaries. Based in Northumberland , the unit were designed to resist German occupation after expected invasion of England. Commanding Officer was the actor Anthony Quayle. Louis then joined the SAS. Louis' section (Troop) parachuted into Normandy at night 4th June 1944 to disrupt enemy communications, supply etc. In July his 7 man team were inserted into southern Normandy (behind the lines) to observe Panzer Grenadier movement. Radio dispatches subsequently resulted in RAF hitting Grenadiers hard. He also operated in Germany and Norway (Bergen) in 1945, interrogating German POW's, and searching for war criminals. He was discharged October 1945, with "exemplary character ". Nominated by Steve Furneaux (Grandson).
Paratrooper James Tofield, pictured giving the salute, was a serving member of the British Army and a member of the Pegasus Brigade during World War Two. He was active in the D-day landings. He also went on to serve in the Korean War, a war he refused to ever talk about. Paratrooper Tofield is buried in the Paratroopers cemetery in Putney Vale Cemetery, London. Nominated by Paula Shrimpton (Granddaughter).
Quarter Master Sergeant Charles “Alfred” Gallagher served in the 133rd Mixed Heavy Anti-aircraft Artillery (Ack-Ack) Regiment. Some of the locations he served at were Tregantle Fort guarding the Navy docks at Plymouth, Easton in Gordano, Norton Malreward near Chew Magna, Grimsby, and Bristol (Radar site with American Mk 5 radar and UK Mk3 Radar). Nominated by Dave Gallagher (son).
Private Arthur Baxter was a member of the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders landed on D-Day with 27 officers and 565 men. He was a prominent battalion footballer. He died, age 33, in service to his country on September 5th 1944 in Italy and his grave is at Gradara War Cemetery, Italy. Nominated by Avril Ferguson (niece).
John was born in August, 1925 in London, England and served in the Royal Air Force overseas in India as a lorry driver during World War Two. He was sent home in 1945 after Japan surrendered. Nominated by Lee Capell (nephew).
Reginald Simcox was one of the lucky ones evacuated from Dunkirk Beach earlier in the war. He also served for a time in North Africa. He was on active service in Sicily on 6th June 1944 with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. Records show he was there from 29/8/43 to 2/7/44. He was injured in Italy after D-Day. A piece of shrapnel entered his back, and it was 3 days before they could get him out for full medical treatment. If the shrapnel had been 1/2” nearer his spine he would have been crippled for life. Nominated by Stephen Caldwell (Grandson)
BRITS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST - ROLL OF CONDOLENCE - HM QUEEN ELIZABETH II
Stephen Caldwell & Family, originally from Stoke-On-Trent, UK now resident in Bremerton, WA.
Joe & Susan Ingalls, US citizens of Spokane. WA
Dave Roberts & Family, originally from Manchester, UK, now residing in Portland. OR
Judith Charney & Family, originally from Bury, UK, now residing in Portland. OR
Steve McVittie & Family, originally from Bedford, UK, now residing in Vancouver, BC
Matt Selbie & Family, US citizens of Portland, OR
Victoria Clarke, originally from Sutton Coldfield, UK, now residing in Redmond, WA
Kathy & Neil Anderson & Family, originally from Birmingham, UK, now residing in Sherwood, OR.
Amy Harmala & Family, US citizens of Renton, WA
Chris Fletcher & Family, originally from Stockport, UK, now residing in DuPont, WA.
Priya Kumar & Family, originally from Manchester UK, now residing in Portland. OR
Kim Asanovic & Family, originally from London UK, now residing in Portland. OR
Kate Bucknall & Family, originally from Bodelwyddan, Wales, UK, now residing in Portland. OR
Grace Dunsmore & Family, originally from Nottingham, UK, now residing in Portland. OR
Natacha Desnos, French citizen of Portland, OR
Victoria Bramley, originally from Cheshire, UK, now residing in Lake Oswego. OR
Susan Reeb & Family, originally from Bathford, UK, now residing in Seattle, WA
Jane Clark & Family, originally from The Wirral, UK, now residing in Portland. OR
Simon and Rebecca Chapman, originally from Reading, UK, now residing in Tacoma, WA
Ian, Carol & Juliet Bull & Family, originally from Southend on Sea, UK, now residing in Portland, OR
Juile Bello & Family, originally from Clacton-on-Sea, UK, now residing in Canby, OR
Ann Carver & Family, originally from Bristol, UK, now residing in King City, OR
Joanne Kertland & Family, originally from Tewkesbury, UK, now residing in Lake Oswego, OR
Becky Handshew & Family, originally from Bude, UK, now residing in Seattle, WA
Sherrie Crang, originally from Liverpool, UK, now residing in Camas, WA
Jackie Spears, originally from Stratford (London) UK, now residing in Renton, WA
Clampett-Sharma, & Family originally from Hertfordshire UK, now residing in Portland, OR
Daryl Bulmer & Family, originally from Sudbury, UK, now residing in Seattle, WA
Hannah Liu & Family, US citizen from Vancouver, WA
Bek Joyner & Family, originally from Holmfirth, UK now residing in Bremerton, WA
Ray and Sue Hone & Family, originally from Henley-on-Thames, UK now residing in West Linn, OR
Julia Kight & Family, US Citizens from Portland. OR
Melvin and Cordelia Brady & Family, originally from London UK, now residing in Edmonds, WA
Angeline Fowler & Family, originally from Loughborough UK, now residing in Maltby, WA
Julie and Steve Watkins, originally from Hull, UK now residing in Seattle, WA
Sandy Roller & Family, originally from Berkshire UK, now residing in Orting, WA
Margaret Ruby, originally from Durham UK, now residing in Seattle, WA
Friedrich Stenschke, originally from Perth (Scotland) UK, now residing in Seattle, WA
Jean Boyer & Family, originally from Nottingham UK, now residing in Courtenay BC
Denise Dewan & Family, Canadian Citizens from Maple Ridge BC
Stephen Thomas & Family, originally from Chester UK, now residing in Kirkland, WA
Stephanie C Louis, originally from Cambridge UK, now residing in Seattle WA
Beryl Joan Waters & Family, originally from London UK, now residing in Seattle, WA
Amanda Heins & Family, originally from Rochdale UK, now residing in Renton, WA
Mary Raveendran & Family, originally from Bexley UK, now residing in Portland OR
Jacqueline Morgan & Family, originally from Shrewsbury UK, now residing in Gig Harbor, WA
David Reid & Family, originally from Edinburgh (Scotland) UK now residing in Seattle, WA
Gail Worden-Acree originally from Darwen UK, now residing in Corvallis OR
Neil Dews & Family, originally from Norton (Yorks) UK, now residing in North Bend, WA
Lucy Brown & Family, originally from Wigan UK, now residing in Seattle, WA
Elizabeth van der Brink, originally from London UK, now residing in Seattle, WA
Pam Winskill & Family, originally from Stratford Upon Avon UK, now residing in Sammamish, WA
Joe Braidwood & Family, originally from Kingston Upon Thames UK, now residing in Seattle, WA
Janice Brown originally from London UK, now residing in Seattle, WA
Elizabeth Riddington & Family, originally from Melton Mowbray UK, now residing in Seattle, WA
Deborah Nelson & Family, originally from Chobham UK, now residing in Mercer Island, WA
Gavin Bartlett & Family, originally from Minchinhampton UK, now residing in Seattle, WA
Susan Hall & Family, originally from Camden Town (London) UK, now residing in West Seattle, WA
Harvey Jones & Family, originally from Herefordshire UK, now residing in Seattle, WA
Linda McNeal & Family, originally from Cheltenham UK, now residing in Redmond, WA
Sue Orton Baldwin, originally from Earl Shilton (Leicester) UK, now residing in Maple Valley, WA
Robin Flower & Family, originally from Plymouth UK, now residing in Portland OR
Steve Furneaux & Marianne Vivona, originally from Yeovil UK, now residing in Seattle, WA
Melissa Riddington & Family, originally from Leicestershire UK, now residing in Seattle, WA
Alexis Burroughs, originally from Hadleigh (Essex) UK, now residing in Bothell, WA
Phillip Allen, originally from Derby UK, now residing in Seattle, WA
Helen Louise Bradley & Family, originally from Edinburgh (Scotland) UK, now residing in Portland OR
Marlow Weaver, US Citizen from Shelton, WA
David Cann, originally from London UK, now residing in Seattle, WA
David Pearce, originally from Forres (Scotland) UK, now residing in Columbia City OR
Andy Chan & Family, originally from Basingstoke UK, now residing in Seattle, WA
Sera Kendall Hartman, US Citizen from Tulalip, WA
Matt Williams & Family, originally from London UK, now residing in Seattle, WA.
Ayda Corrigan & Family, originally from London UK, now residing in Wilsonville, OR.
Emily, Mary, and Bob Meredith, originally from Brentwood UK, now residing in Kingston, WA.
Online entries were transcribed to a condolence book which was delivered the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London on Tuesday, September 20th, 2022.
This Roll will continue to be available for viewing up to October 7th, 2022 which will be one month on from HM The Queen's passing.
