Some Ashbrooke folk to remember on V E Day

This week, of all weeks [containing V E Day 80], has led me to a couple of our members who gave their lives in World War II.

Researcher Peter Holt has requested information on R B Cox who was the son of one of our rugby internationals Norman Cox. I had the following details -

Rowland Branston Cox  - Wing Commander RAF  - he was 30 - a rugby player who had gone to Loretto school  - and this was put online by my friend and fellow folk enthusiast Jean Longstaff -

R.B. Cox 1944 - NEWMP

I have also just completed reading a wonderful book -  The Final Innings - The Cricketers of Summer 1939 - by Christopher Sandford ( History Press 2020) -  on p284 it mentions an Ashbrooke man - as it refers to a list of cricketers who gave their lives from 'Adams to Witherington' - the Witherington was  Denys March Witherington  who, according to Sandford 'was killed' - 'while serving as a private in the Loyal Regiment - he captained the Leys School and showed such capital form as a batsman and wicket-keeper that he played on the Public Schools match at Lords' . Both he and his brother Arthur John are worth Googling or looking at here. One of the last things Arthur did was play cricket for Sunderland -

Denys Witherington - Wikipedia

A.J. Witherington 1941 - NEWMP

Both were Ashbrooke members and cousins? perhaps of well known Sunderland and Westoe Rugby player and referee Ken Witherington. It would seem that the Witherington family came across from Bowness on Solway in Cumberland during the 19th century - Bowness is the next village to where my family lived in the late 20thc/early 21stc.

It is worth remembering these lads and all those whose names appear on the Last Stand

Alan Spence - a fine rugby player and also a victim of World War 2 - in front of Roy Wilson who is related to a number of club members