Trafford

Born on the 29th June 1920, the birth being registered during the during
the September quarter 1920 in the Salford R.D. - ref: 8d/19, the son of
William G & Lily Lapsley (nee Chadwick) who married at St. Luke's P.C.,
Salford in 1916.

1939 National Registration - No Trace, indicating that he was already
serving in the armed forces.   His father is listed as residing at 6 Odessa
Avenue, Salford - Married - Born on the 9th March 1892 - occ: Maintenance
Engineer.    There is one redacted record at this address - probably their
daughter - Mary E. Lapsley, born: 1918.    His mother was then residing at
2 Worsley Road, Blackpool with a William & Victoria Wood.    Lily Lapsley -
Married - Born on  the 15th October 1891 - occ: Unpaid Domestic Servant.

ADM 104/133 - Rank of Air Mechanic 2nd Class, he served in the Fleet Air
Arm on board HMS Ark Royal.   He is recorded as "Missing presumed killed
following jump overboard from HMS while attempting to desert".   [A likely
tale!!!]

The Fleet Air Arm was formed on the 1st April 1924 from the Royal Air force
Squadrons operating at sea.   The Aircraft Carrier - Ark Royal was involved
in the sinking of the Bismark in May 1941.  The FAA Pilots torpedoed the
Bismark and damaged her starboard steering compartment, jamming her rudder
in a 15 degree port turn that forced her to sail towards the British ships
hunting her.   She was sunk by shelling from the British ships and sank at
10.39 hrs on the 27th May 1941.  After that the Ark Royal was deployed
delivering aircraft to Malta and escorting convoys to the Island.

CWGC - Son of William G. and Lily Lapsley of Urmston, Lancashire.