READER Graham Farley hopes that someone out there will recall a Smethwick man who died during the last war, in 1943. David Upton was his Great Uncle, and he would like to find out more about him, as next year will be the seventieth anniversary of his death. Graham explains more as follows...
“I have been undertaking some research into my Great Uncle David Upton who lived in The Uplands, Smethwick. He was killed on 13th July 1943 during the Invasion of Sicily aboard an American Merchant Liberty Ship 'SS Timothy Pickering' which was attacked from the air whilst anchored offshore near Avola, Sicily. A total of 127 British Servicemen were killed along with a number of US Merchant Seamen. Only one British Serviceman survived the explosion.
“The only relative alive who remembers Uncle David is my father, Clifford Farley who was just 7 years old when he lost his uncle.
My Grandmother (Uncle David’s sister) was Frances Farley (nee Upton) who passed away when Dad was still a young boy.
“We know that Uncle David married a lady called Edna Nock whose family were from Hume Street, Cape Hill, Smethwick, but Dad was too young to remember what happened to her afterwards.
“Dad recalls that Edna had a sister called Beryl and thinks Edna may have re-married but other than that we don't know.
“I know its a long shot but I wondered if any Bugle readers have any memories of David Upton or Edna Nock, as I am trying to find out about his life before joining up.
“Next year will see the 70th anniversary of his death and it would be great to have learned something about his life by then.
“I have attached a couple of photos of him which I am happy for you to print if you are able to assist at all” Graham Farley grayfarley@hotmail.com
