Grattan, George Francis (George)

Flight Sergeant

No. 521645, Royal Air Force

Died in a Prisoner-of-War Camp on Tuesday 1 December 1942 (aged 32)

No known grave

Commemorated:

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Yokohama Cremation Memorial, Japan (Panel 5)

Son of Civilian Matilda Grattan

Brother of Civilian Shelagh Grattan

Brother of Civilian Angeline Grattan

BIOGRAPHY

George Francis Grattan was born on 22 March 1910 in Devonport, England and he was a son of Andrew Francis Grattan and Matilda Grattan (nee McDonald).  Matilda McDonald and Andrew Francis Grattan were married on 11 September 1902 in Birr Roman Catholic Church, Co Offaly.  Andrew Grattan was registered as a soldier from Birr and he was a son of Robert Grattan, a tailor (deceased).  Matilda McDonald was a daughter of George McDonald, a labourer.

Andrew and Matilda Grattan (nee McDonald) had at least seven children:

Robert Andrew (born 24 June 1903 in Crinkle, Birr; Robert Grattan became a seaman and in 1930 he was working aboard the SS Markland)

Mary Kathleen (born 19 December 1905 in Middleburg, Transvaal, South Africa)

Hilda Geraldine (born 12 October 1907 in the Military Barracks, Birr)

George Francis (born 22 March 1910 in Devonport, England)

Andrew (born 4 September 1913 in Holles Street Hospital, Dublin)

Shelagh (born around 1921)

Angeline (born around 1923)

Flight Sergeant George Francis Grattan (No. 521645) was the husband of Daisy Evangeline Grattan (nee Griffiths) and their marriage was registered in Surrey.  They had at least two children:

Robin Francis (born 28 June 1936; died May 1996)

Moira M. (born 1 December 1937; Moira Grattan worked as a typist and she lived at 6 Edinburgh Road, Highfields, Chesterfield, Derbyshire before moving to Southern Rhodesia).

During the Second World War Flight Sergeant George Francis Grattan (No. 521645) served with RAF Seletar in Singapore and his death was reported in the 31 July 1943 edition of the County Down Spectator under the headline Died of Wounds while Prisoner of Japs.  He was taken prisoner at the fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942 and it is recorded that he died of acute colitis on 1 December 1942 at Fukuoka No. 4 Branch Camp in Moji, Japan where he was assigned prison number 5043.  There is evidence to suggest that he arrived at Moji on 28 November 1942 having been transported on the Japanese ‘hell ship’ Dainichi Maru.  Aircraftman 1st Class Francis Meredith also died at Fukuoka No. 4 Branch Camp in Moji.

George Francis Grattan’s effects amounted to some £107 and probate was granted to his widow, Daisy Evangeline Grattan.  His address in England was recorded as 68 Thomas Road, Gosport, Portsmouth.

Daisy Evangeline Grattan later remarried and her marriage to Gorrell A. Wheatcroft was registered in the fourth quarter of 1946 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

Flight Sergeant George Francis Grattan (No. 521645) was 32 when he died and he is commemorated on the Yokohama Cremation Memorial in Japan.