George and John Faux’s parents were Hannahbell from Scotland and Burrell from Hadleigh, who lived in Aberdeen while he worked as a deep sea fisherman. The family moved south to Thundersley in 1935. George married Audrey Bone, a Benfleet girl at St Mary’s Church in 1951 and in 1954 they moved to their own home in Hadleigh, the woodwork being a labour of love for George. Finally they moved to Benfleet in 1962.
George joined the local Air Training Corps (1341 Squadron) based in Tarpots Hall and the first three photos show him as a cadet in 1944. The squadron is still going strong in 2014, based in Waverley Road. George never did get into the RAF, as fortunately the war ended, but a younger brother, Fred, had a 24 year career with them. The RAF was certainly popular in the family as brother in law Alan Marshall, cousin of Bertie Bardell, was also in it.
His older brother, John Gregory Faux (known as Jack), was a radio operator and gunner with Coastal Command (172 Squadron) flying Wellingtons on anti submarine patrols. Sadly Jack was lost at sea, circumstances unknown, in 1943. With no grave to mark his sacrifice, the absence of a war memorial in Thundersley is hard for brother George to understand.
The official letter from the war department confirming his death and the tribute from the king will strike a chord in homes across the country.
Photographs and documentation courtesy of George Faux.
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