Trafford

Born on the 24th July 1907, the birth being registered during the September
quarter 1907 in the Bucklow R.D. - ref: 8a/168, the son of John Judd &
Annie Elizabeth Speechley (nee Claypole).

1911 Census - 50 Sinderland Road Dunham Massey, Altrincham.    Son - aged:
3 - born: Dunham Massey.    Head of household -John Judd Speechley -
Married - aged: 28 - occ: Die Press Operator - born: Ely, Cambridgeshire.  
 Also - Annie Elizabeth Speechley - Wife - aged: 26 - born: Finedon,
Northamptonshire.    Plus 1 younger brother and his maternal uncle.

1921 Census - 81, Manchester Road, Altrincham.   Son - aged: 13 years 11
months - Scholar - born: Dunham Massey.   Head of household - John Judd
Speechley - Married - aged: 38 years, 6 months - occ: Shopkeeper (Men's
Outfitters (Own Account). - born: Ely, Cambridgeshire.   Also - Elizabeth 
A. Speechley - Wife - aged: 35 years, 6 months - born: Finedon,
Northamptonshire.

Attended Lymm Grammar School and Altrincham Grammar School.  His father had
a business at Altrincham and later at Broadheath.   A Member of Timperley
Cricket Club,

Married Winifred M. Eaton during the December quarter 1936 in the Bucklow
R.D. - ref: 8a/353.  Winifred was the daughter of J.P. Eaton, a Northwich
Magistrate.  They had one son - Robert J. Speechley, born in 1940.

1939 National Registration - Tree Tops Bye Pass, Tarvin, Cheshire.   John
Robert Speechley - Born on the 24th July 1907 - Married - occ: Surveyor.  
Winifred N. Speechley - Born on the 13th September 1914 - Married - occ:
Unpaid Domestic Duties.    There were two redacted records at this
address.

He was a surveyor with the Cheshire County Council. but had previously
worked for Preston Corporation and the Stamford Estates Office at
Altrincham.   He joined the Army as a Gunner at the outbreak of war, later
becoming a Mechanical Transport Instructor, attached to an Officer Training
Unit.     His younger brother was in the RAF.    

M.I. -  "At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember
them".

The Police Reports into the incident, were as follows:- 
Report by:-  P.C. W.A. Rowley of the Towyn Constabulary.  "The death in a
motoring accident of one Captain John Robert Speechley of the 132nd
O.C.T.G. (132 Officer Cadet Training Group), Tonfannau Camp, Towyn.   At
about 12.40pm on the 9th October 1942 on the Tonfannau to Llechlwyd Road
when whilst riding a motor cycle, he collided with a motor lorry driven by
Ewart Fowles, 5 New Street, Aberdovey.   At an inquest held on the 10th
October 1942 before G. Jones Esq. and Jury. - verdict: Accidental Death".

Ewart Fowles, a lorry driver aged 28, who lived at 5 New St, Aberdovey, was
driving a lorry along this stretch of road, when Captain Speechley came
round the bend in the middle of the road and crashed headlong into his
lorry.   Inquest verdict - accidental death with no blame attached to the
lorry driver.

According to the recollections of a Frank Yates who also served at Tonfanau
in 1942 - Motor Cycling was part of their course at Tonfanau.   After being
shown the basics, they were first allowed to practice around the large
tarmac area in front of the garages.    Thereafter, they were allowed to go
out on the roads, always stopping off for coffee at a pre-arranged cafe.  
He mentions that he enjoyed going to Fairbourne.    Frank refers to his pal
- John Reed and said "On these jaunts, John and I used to speed on a bit
with the tacit agreement from the instructors". 

M.I. - "At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember
them".

This camp was right next door to RAF Tywyn who's main use was to supply
aerial targets for the training camp, in the form of the Queen Bee a
unmanned version of the (Tiger Moth) and the Hawker Henley used for target
towing.