Charles Ernest Dorling was born in 1892 in Earlsfield, Surrey, the eldest son of Robert Charles Dorling (born 1869 Great Ashfield, Suffolk) and Mary Ann nee Spears.  He is part of the Bacton branch of the Dorling family. Charles's first service date was 11 Mar 1910 & his first ship was Victory II.  In 1911, age 19, Charles was a Stoker 2nd [Click to continue…]

Cyril David Rayment, who was born on 3rd March 1924, was adopted on 21st May 1929 by Herbert Alfred Rayment and his wife Rosa Caroline Rayment née Giffen who had been married nearly ten years without having had any children. In September 1939 Cyril had left school and was working at the Post Office as a Boy Messenger when war was declared.  In 1941, [Click to continue…]

James Frederick Rayment was born at Hackney, London, in October 1873, the sixth and last child of an Essex born Blacksmith named Anthony Rayment and his wife Anne Rayment née Keeble. James was only seven years old when his father died at the age of 54 leaving him, together with his three brothers and two sisters, to be brought up by his mother Anne [Click to continue…]

Richard Appel Hoe was born the 2nd son of Garnet and Gladys Hoe in Batavia Genesee County New York in 1924. He attended LeRoy High school New York, where he was keen on sports - playing Football, Baseball, Golf, involved in track events, a gym exhibition, and the promotion of inter-class athletics. Richard was also keen on one particular girl at school [Click to continue…]

George Leslie Rayment was born at Surrey Hills, Victoria, Australia in August 1894, the sixth child of James Rayment and Harriett Frances Rayment née Ratten. His mother died in 1897 and his father then re-married because the children were still quite young and in obvious need of a mother. After leaving school George became a Clerk until on 16th [Click to continue…]