Of Tragedy and Valor
Cadet Pelham George Rolfe, UK

Cadet Pelham George Rolfe
1930 - 1945
Died in Enemy Action 1945 aged 15

Pelham George Rolfe was born in West Row , Suffiolk UK on 6th March 1930, son of Frank Frederick and Doris Evelyn Rolfe (née Ford). Pelham’s father was Frank Frederick Rolfe born 1899. His mother’s maiden name was Morley.

Pelham and Malen Rumbelow were 1st cousins 3 times removed.

In the 1939 register he was at Wanda, Mildenhall Road, West Row with his father Frank small holder/auxiliary postman, and his mother Doris. He had left school and was working for Newman Ford, driving a tractor and ploughing.

He had joined 1124 Squadron (Mildenhall), Air Training Corps. Like many of the ATC cadets, he was keen on boxing.

On Saturday 17th March 1945 another West Row cadet, Ronnie Rolfe was competing in a boxing match at RAF Bircham Newton and several of the cadets went to watch him. They travelled in what they called the Pneumonia Truck,the ubiquitous RAF lorry with canvas sides and no heaters. It was a happy group that started for home after Ronnie had won that evening, but a low flying German raider, a Messerschmidt Me 110, strafed the lorry.

Pelham was found to be wounded and was taken to hospital in King's Lynn. His parents were able to visit him on the Sunday. His father had to leave to tend his animals, but his mother remained with him and was with him when he died on Monday.

Pelham was given a military funeral in front of 500 mourners, a guard of honour of his ATC squadron, his coffin being borne by other members of his squadron.

Una Jenkins, author "West Row Girl in Wartime"

West Row Girl: A Pre-war Suffolk Childhood
ISBN 10: 0955754305 ISBN 13: 9780955754302

Publisher: Una Ellen Jenkins, 2007

A.T.C. CADETS FIRED ON

Bury Free Press
23rd March 1945

One Lad Dies from Wounds

While returning from a visit to an Air Station near the coast. the vehicle in which a number of Cadets of No. 1124 (Mildenhall) Squadron, A.T.C., were travelling was fired on by an enemy intruder.

One of the Cadets, Pelham Rolfe. aged 15. son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Rolfe, of West Row, recieved a bullet wound in the body and has since died. The injured lad was taken to hospital, where an immediate blood transfusion was given, but in spite of every attention passed away.

Shot A.T.C. Cadet

Bury Free Press
30th March 1945

Funeral at West Row

Nearly 500 Sympathisers Present

As recorded last week, a young Cadet, Pelham George Rolfe, No. 1124 Squadron, AT.C. (Milden- hall), succumbed to wounds caused by enemy action while travelling with his Squadron from an East Coast R.A.F. Sta- tion. He was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Rolfe, "Wanda." West Row. Of a cheery disposition, he had won the respect and affection of all ranks of the A.T.C. R.A.F., and numerous other services since joining the Cadet Corps; in the words of his Squadron Leader. his zeal and interest in aviation were most promising. His cheerfulness was maintained to the end; indeed, he told his mother at his bedside in hospital: "It had to be someone, mum."

The Funeral

Bury Free Press

30th March 1945

With semi-military honours the funeral took place on Thursday, when, amidst the serenity enveloping the little church o St. Peter's, West Row, the mortal remains were laid to rest in the presence of nearly five hundred sympathisers. A guard of honour was formed by his Squad- ron, a contingent of the RAF and the Mildenhall Girls' Training Corps.

The coffin, draped with the Union Jack, and borne by six members of the late Cadet's Squadron, was met at the church gate by the Rev. J. E., B Sawbridge (Vicar of Mildenhall) and S/L F. Ralph, CF., accompanied by the junior surpliced choir, the simple and very impressive service in the church being conducted by the Vicar, with the hymns, "Loving Shepherd of Thy Sheep" and "Christ will gather in His own." sung, and the 23rd Psalm chanted. The lesson was read by S/L. Ralph.