Second World War

The Heritage Group is currently working on a number of research projects looking at Warmington and the surrounding area during the Second World War. The first of these was the collection of reminiscences from Coventry evacuees which was published as From City to Village and is available at a cost of only £3 plus p+p – please contact us for more information.

Three Warmington men lost their lives whilst serving in the Second World War. 

Jack McPherson Coles (service no. 1455787) born 24th April 1911. Son of Hugh Angus Coles (shopkeeper and postmaster) and his wife Josie Lillian Elizabeth (Nancy) Coles. He attended Warmington School until 1923 when he passed the scholarship exam to Kings School, Warwick. Before the war he worked at Barclays Bank, Banbury and was a member of the Territorial Army. He served as a sergeant in the Royal Artillery, 85th Anti-Tank Regiment. He was a Japanese prisoner of war and died 3rd July 1943 age 32. Buried in the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand. (13,000 POWs died in the building of the Burma-Siam Railway).

Morris Henry Franklin (service no. 6402425) born in Warmington 28th July 1918. Son of Henry (Harry) Franklin (labourer) and his wife Annie Franklin (nee Timms). He lived in a cottage in Middle Street (now no. 2) and attended Warmington School from June 1922. He served as a private in the 7th Battalion the Royal Sussex Regiment. Died 18th May 1940 age 21. Buried at the Marissell French National Cemetery, Oise.

Sydney Joseph Lymath (service no. 5392463) born in Warmington 6th June 1913. Son of Joseph Lymath (blacksmith) and his wife Elizabeth. Attended Warmington School from 1918 and lived at The Forge, Middle Street. His father was the last village blacksmith. He served as a private in the 7th Battalion Ox and Bucks Light Infantry. Killed at Anzio, Italy 16th February 1944 age 30. Buried Beach Head War Cemetery, Anzio.