Leslie Hogan was the son of Frederick & Edith Lacey Hogan (nee Hughes) and was born in 1921 in the Hawarden Registration District(Flintshire (Mold)HAW/28A/58).
On the 1939 Register, taken on the 29th September 1939, Frederick & Edith were living at 39, North Street, Shotton. Frederick, had been born on the 12th February 1891 and was a Boilermaker in the Steel Works, Edith Lacey had been born on the 22nd July 1898. On the Register there were 3 redacted records.
Frederick & Edith Lacey had been married in St. Deniol’s Church, Hawarden on the 21st August 1918:- Albert Frederick HOGAN, 27 , Bachelor, Plater, 105, Chester Street, Birkenhead, James HOGAN, Coach Painter & Edith Lacey HUGHES, 20, Spinster, 2, Dee Terrace, Pentre, Hawarden, John Lacey HUGHES, Labourer. (after Banns)
Witnesses:- Joseph J. Thomas & Margaret A. HUMPHREYS.
As we have no sight of the 1921 census, I cannot find any early information for Leslie, but I do know that his brother Albert had married and was living in the same street as me when I was growing up.
Leslie born the 19th September 1921, and lived at 8, Dee Terrace, Pentre, Queensferry, had entered Hawarden County School on the 13th September 1932 from the Queensferry Council School, his father was a Boilermaker and he left school on the 19th May 1937 to be a “Works Chemist.”
Another brother Terence, was at Hawarden County School, he was born 5th January 1930 and living at 36, North Street, Shotton, his father was still a Boilermaker, left he left school on the 28th February 1947 to join the R.A.F.
Leslie had married in Christ Church, Lancaster in 1943 Lancashire Marriage indexes for the years: 1943 (Preston CE9/7/385) and below are the newspaper cuttings of the wedding:-
I found the articles below on FMP.
Lancaster Guardian 09 July 1943
WEDDINGS OF THE WEEK
HOGAN-BLAND
Flight-Sergeant in the R.A.F., who was recently awarded the D.F.M., Mr. Leslie HOGAN, second son of Mr. & Mrs. Fred HOGAN, of North Street, Shotton, near Chester, was married on Saturday at Christ Church, Lancaster, to Miss Bessie BLAND, only daughter of Mr. And Mrs. R. BLAND, of Clarence Street, Lancaster. The Rev. C. R. RIDLEY officiated. The bride, who is employed at Netherlune Works, and was given away by her father, wore an ice blue and black gown, flowered cap and a shoulder-length veil, black shoes and gloves. She had a spray of pink carnations. Mrs. Evelyn BLAND, her sister-in-law, was Matron of Honour and wore a dusky pink gown with a flowered cap and similar shoulder veil to the bride’s., with brown accessories and a spray of pink carnations. Mr. Fed BLAND, bride’s brother, was best man. A reception was help at the Cosy Cafe and the honeymoon is being spent at Blackpool, the bride travelling in a floral gown with saxe blue coat and navy accessories. Masters Derrick HARGREAVES and Neil BLAND presented the bride with silver horse shoes on leaving the church. The bride’s workmates made her the recipient of a canteen of cutlery and a cruet.
Lancaster Guardian – Friday 08 October 1943
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS – HOGAN – On the 29th September as the result of air operations, Flight-Sergeant, Leslie HOGAN, D.F.M. aged 22 years, dearly loved husband of Bessie HOGAN, 23, Clarence Street, Lancaster, and dearly loved son of Mr. & Mrs. Fred HOGAN, 36, North St., Shotton, near Chester.
Lancaster Guardian – Friday 08 October 1943
OBITURY – Funeral of Flt.Sgt. L. HOGAN, D.F.M.
The funeral took place on Monday at Scotforth Cemetery, of Flt-Sgt Leslie HOGAN, D.FM., who recently lost his life in air operations. The Rev. C.R. RIDLEY officiated.
Educated at Hawarden County School, Flt.-Sgt HOGAN was a stage chemist, employed by Messrs. John Summers and Son, of Shotton, prior to joining the R.A.F. 3 years ago. He obtained his observer’s wing after his training in South Africa. He was awarded the D.F.M. four months ago for gallantry during a raid on Germany. He was very poplular amongst his friends at Shotton and Lancaster and was a keen footballer. Three months ago he was married to Miss Bessie BLAND of 23, Clarence Street, Lancaster, at Christ Church, by the Rev. C. R. RIDLEY. The coffin, draped with the Union Jack, was borne to the grave by six members of the R.A.F. One officer and a flight sergeant represented the R.A.F. Station, Marham. The Mourners included: Mrs. Leslie HOGAN, widow; Mr. & Mrs. Fred HOGAN, parents; Mrs. Albert HOGAN, sister-in-law; Mr. Jack & Joe HUGHES, Uncles; Mr. & Mrs. Albert HUGHES, uncle and aunt; Mr. And Mrs. R. BLAND, parents-in-law; Mrs. F. BLAND, sister-in-law; Mr. H. BLAND, brother-in-law; Mrs. WILSON, Mr. And Mrs. WOOD, Mr. E. WILLIAMS, and representatives of Messrs. Armstrong Siddlelet Motors. There were many floral tributes. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. A. HARDAKER, N.S.E.
Lancaster Guardian 08 October 1943
Mrs. Bessie HOGAN wishes to thank all relatives, friends and neighbours, Officers and all the ranks of R.A.F., employees of Armstrong Siddeley Motors, and Albion Mills, Lancaster, for floral tributes, expressions of sympathy and kindness shown to her during her recent sad and sudden bereavement.
Mr. And Mrs. Fred HOGAN, 36, North Street, Shotton, near Chester, wish to thank all relatives, friends and neighbours at Lancaster and Shotton, for floral tributes, expressions of sympathy and kindness shown to them during their recent sad and sudden bereavement.
Chronicle 23rd September 1944 Page 2 Col. 2 – Roll of Honour – HOGAN – In loving memory of our dear son & brother Leslie (Pilot-Officer D.F.M.) who was killed September 29th 1943. (The blow was sudden, the shock severe, to part with one we loved so dear.) Sadly missed by Mother & Dad, Terry & brother Albert (In India). 36, North Street, Shotton.
Reading between the lines, so to speak, literally, it tells us that Leslie was the 2nd s/o Fred & Edith HOGAN and they lived at 38, North St., Shotton. He was educated at Hawarden County School, he had just been commissioned Pilot Officer on the 2nd August. He and Lt. F.M. FISHER (Who I cannot find on CWGC Database) had won their D.F.C. & D.F.M’s before they died and not on that date – 29th September 1943.
I have the Operations Records , downloaded from the National Archives, (If anyone wants it, please contact the website.) which tells us that he and Lt. F.M. FISHER, D.F.C. had flown in their (Mosquito IX LR508) on the 22nd, (Mosquito IV DZ550) on the 23rd September on the (Mosqito IX LR506) on the 29th September, taking off at 18.59, Groundmarking BOCHUMthe flight in which they both died.
http://www.aircrewremembered.com/AlliedLossesIncidents/?q=hogan
Many thanks to the above website:-
Date – 29/9/1943Aircraft Type & Number. – Mosquito IXLR506 Crew – Lt. F.M.FISHER, DFC. & F/S L. HOGAN DFM. Duty – Bochum Time – Up – 1859 – Down -. Details of Sortie or Flight – Aircraft crashed at West Raynham on return. Both crew killed.
Leslie and Bessie had been married only 3 months, when he was killed.
I asked for help on WW2 Talk and “Diane E” and “Tony56” sent a website, many thanks to them.
Leslie is also remembered on the Hawarden WW2 War Memorial and the Hawarden County School Roll of Honour for WW2.
