Soldiers' memories brought to life at Walsall bus garage

The relatives of two World War II soldiers killed in action were reunited with a special commemorative plaque in their honour today, thanks to National Express West Midlands. In December National Express ran an appeal to identify ten ex-employees commemorated on a World War Two plaque at Walsall bus garage. The bronze plaque has hung at the garage for over fifty years but the identity of the soldiers was no longer known.   Following the appeal two families came forward to share their memories of the mystery soldiers. Today (9 February) they were finally reunited with the plaque erected in their honour: The story of “J.V Doughty”Mrs Charlotte Morris from Bloxwich got in touch with National Express as soon as she saw the appeal. She is the cousin of Joseph Victor Doughty who served in the Monmouthshire regiment during the Second World War and worked as a bus driver for Walsall Corporation. She was 12 years old when he died, but says he was like a brother to her. Joseph continues to have a big impact of the family and Mrs Morris’ granddaughter, Jenny Smith, went to visit his grave in Holland last year. Mrs Morris said: “Vic was like a brother to me and I’ve always kept his photo near by. It means so much that his name is remembered fifty years on. I knew there was a plaque somewhere from Walsall Corporation but I’d never seen it. This really means a lot to me.” The story of “W. E. Mason”Glyn Mason, the grandson of William Edward Mason, spotted the appeal on Boxing Day and immediately called National Express. Glyn and his dad (William’s son, Alan Mason) had tried to find the plaque several months earlier and thought it had been destroyed. They were delighted to discover it was in a safe location within the garage. William Edward Mason was a conductor for the Walsall Corporation and served in the Royal Navy. Alan Mason said: “I’m very proud of my dad and this plaque means a lot to our family. I keep my dad’s bible from the war and the newspaper cutting from when he went missing. My son has also taken a keen interest in his grandfather. It was Glyn who spotted the appeal from National Express and we were so excited to know the plaque was safe fifty years after it was unveiled.” The plaque features the emblem of the Walsall Corporation Transport Department and says:” In memory of the employees of Walsall Transport Department who gave their lives in the War of 1939 – 1945. “ The Soldiers remembered on the Walsall Plaque are:J.W. Ball (Sgt) Royal Air ForceJ.C. Benton (L/Sgt) South staffs RegtJ.T. Dean (O.S) Royal NavyJ.V. Doughty (Pte) Monmouthshire Rgt.J. Evans (L/Sgt) Sherwood ForestersA. Hewlett (Pte) South Staffs Regt.A.C. Martin (LA) Fleet Air Arm Nick Newcombe, Area Manager for National Express West Midlands said:“The commemorative plaque has hung at Walsall garage for over 50 years and over time the soldier’s stories have been lost. We’re delighted that the relatives of William Mason and Joseph Doughty have visited the garage to share their photos and memories.”If you recognise any of the other names on the plaque, get in touch with National Express West Midlands.

Published 9th February 2010