Roll of Honour - Hampshire - Lee-on-Solent WRNS Air Raid

Ministry of Defence

Lest We Forget

The Royal British Legion

LEE ON SOLENT WRNS AIR RAID CASULATIES WW2 WAR MEMORIAL

World War 2 - Detailed Information
Compiled and copyright © Tim Keirman 2026

The Lee-on-Solent WRNS Memorial is located on the outside of Glen Heathers Nursing Home, 48 Milvil Road, Lee-on-the-Solent, Gosport, Hampshire. It takes the form of a brass plaque in a white frame, bearing a fouled anchor at each side. There are ten names listed. The memorial was dedicated and unveiled 23 November 1996.

WRNS Air Raid Casualties WW2
© Claire Carney (WMR-21216)

ON THE 23RD NOVEMBER 1940, DURING A HEAVY NIGHT AIR ATTACK ON THE AREA
THIS BUILDING WHICH WAS USED AS ACCOMODATION FOR WRNS BASED AT
H.M.S. DAEDALUS, WAS A SCENE OF A TRAGIC ACCIDENT.
A STRAY ANTI-AIRCRAFT SHELL PENETRATED THE ROOF AND EXPLODED IN THE
DINING ROOM KILLING THE FOLLOWING PERSONNEL

ARMSTRONG	M V (Rosa May)*	Wren, 8622, H.M.S. Daedalus, Women's Royal Naval Service. Died on 23rd November 1940 aged 36 years. Daughter of Edward Brookfield Hannell and Beatrice May Hannell. She is buried in Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery, E. 55. 11. UK * Rosa May Armstrong married Harold V. Armstrong in 1924. It is suspected that she was listed as Mrs H V Armstrong and the H was misread as an M.
BENNETT	Joyce Millicent	Wren, 7231, H.M.S. Daedalus, Women's Royal Naval Service. Died on 23rd November 1940 aged 19 years. Daughter of Walter John and Florence Emily Bennett, of Dorking. She is buried in Dorking Cemetery, Plot 1. Grave 5266. UK
BLACK	Mona Violet	Wren, 4771, H.M.S. Daedalus, Women's Royal Naval Service. Died on 23rd November 1940 aged 23 years. Daughter of Francis George Hamilton Rollo Black and Violet Isobel Black of Cheadle Hume, Cheshire. She is buried in Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery, E. 55. 16. UK
BLACKETT	Winnie	Wren, 6082, H.M.S. Daedalus. Women's Royal Naval Service. Died on 23rd November 1940 aged 19 years. Daughter of Allan and Thirza Blackett of Thrybergh. She is buried in Rotherham (Moorgate) Cemetery, Section R. 1st New. Grave 53. UK.
COWLE	Vera Margaret	Wren, 7232, H.M.S. Daedalus, Women's Royal Naval Service. Died on 23rd November 1940 aged 18 years. She was buried in Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery, E. 55. 17. UK.
GREGORY	Nellie	Leading Wren, 1940, H.M.S. Daedalus, Women's Royal Naval Service. Died on 23rd November 1940 aged 32 years. Daughter of Andrew Vincent and Edith Cavanagh, of Alderley Edge In Cheshire. She is buried in Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery, E. 55. 13. UK
NORTHFIELD	Beryl Melita	Wren, 6108, H.M.S. Daedalus, Women's Royal Naval Service. Died on 23rd November 1940 aged 19 years. Daughter of Edwin Asher Northfield and Melita Grave Northfield of Coulsden, Surrey. She is buried in Haslar Royal Navel Cemetery, E. 55. 10. UK Extract from the Cambridgeshire Times: AIR-RAID VICTIM. Well-known March Families Bereaved. Well-known March families have been bereaved by the death of Miss Beryl Northfield, who, with eight others engaged on war work in a South Coast town, was killed in a recent air raid. Her father is Mr. Edwin A. Northfield, second son of the Rev. B. J. Northfield, Providence House, March, and her mother is the younger daughter of Mr. C. Rice, Station-road, March. Miss Northfield, who would have been 20 years of age next month, relinquished a post in an insurance business some little time ago so that she could take up war service, making a great sacrifice to serve her country. The news of her death came as a severe shock to her relations and to her many friends in March, where she was well known. The funeral took place yesterday, and military honours were arranged by the authorities.
PEARSON	Hilda	Leading Wren, 1304, H.M.S. Daedalus, Women's Royal Naval Service. Died on 23rd November 1940 aged 26 years. Daughter of Tyrrel and Lilian May Smith, wife of Gunner C. Pearson, Royal Artillery, of Mutley, Plymouth. She is buried as Haslar Royal Navel Cemetery. E. 55. 15. UK
REYNOLDS	Nora Kathleen	Wren, 7691, H.M.S. Daedalus, Women's Royal Naval Service. Died on 23rd November 1940 aged 23 years. Daughter of James and Minnie Reynolds, of Eastbourne, Sussex; niece of Miss R. Piper of Eastbourne. She is buried in Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery, E. 55. 14. UK
WARDELL	Dorothy Margaret	Wren, 6923, H.M.S. Daedalus, Women's Royal Naval Service. Died on 23rd November 1940 aged 22 years. Daughter of Henry and Dorothy M. Wardell of Ackworth, Yorkshire. She is buried in Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery, E. 55. 12. UK.

THIS PLAQUE WAS DEDICATED TO THEIR MEMORY ON THE 56TH ANNIVERSARY
BY THE GOSPORT AVIATION SOCIETY

Last updated 5 May, 2026

War Memorials Trust