| William James Bleeks was the eldest son of Robert and Elizabeth Anna Bleeks. Robert Bleeks and Elizabeth Anna Wright were married on 1st December 1914 in the district of Cookstown.
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| William James Bleeks was born on 28th May 1918 in the Stewartstown area. The family lived at Hawthorn Cottage, Stewartstown, Co. Tyrone.
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| Known family: Robert Bleeks, Elizabeth Anna Bleeks, Margaret Bleeks (born 4th March 1916), William James Bleeks (born 28th May 1918).
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| His uncle, Private William Thomas Bleeks, was killed in action on 17th October 1918 while serving in world War One.
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| William became the husband of Mary Jane Bleeks (nee McCann). They lived in Portadown, County Armagh. They had two children.
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| Known family: William James Bleeks, Mary Jane Bleeks (nee McCann), Roberta May Bleeks, William James Bleeks.
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| Prior to enlistment William worked in the Seagoe Hotel, Portadown.
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| William served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. A 24 yr old William James Bleeks is registered in Kirkwall district of Orkney during 1942.
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| 1942
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| Leading Aircraftsman William Bleeks was on active service at RAF Skeabrae on the Orkney Islands when he was involved in a motor accident on 20th June 1942. He suffered severe head injuries, an extra dural haemorrhage and cerebral compression.
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| Leading Aircraftsman William Bleeks died at 10:30 that night in the Military Hospital at Kirkwall in the Orkneys as the result of his injuries.
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| Leading Aircraftsman Bleeks’ remains were returned home to Portadown.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 27th June 1942:
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| BLEEKS – 20th June (as the result of an accident), Leading Aircraftman William James Bleeks, in his 24th year, eldest son of Robert and Anna Bleeks, Hawthorn Cottage, Stewartstown. Deeply regretted by his sorrowing mother, father, sister and brother.
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‘At the river’s crystal brink,
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Christ shall join each broken link.’
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 27th June 1942:
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| BLEEKS – 20th June 1942, in Scotland, as the result of an accident, William James Bleeks, of the Royal Air Force, eldest son Mr and Mrs Robert Bleeks, Hawthorn Cottage, Stewartstown.
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‘You are not buried here,
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Why should we mourn,
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All that we cherish dear,
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Heavenward hath gone.
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Off from that world above,
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Look down to this,
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Breathing in strains of love,
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Unto us bliss.’
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| Deeply regretted by his uncles and friends. North Street, Stewartstown.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 27th June 1942: Stewartstown
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| Mrs Robert Bleeks, of Hawthorne Cottage, Stewartstown, has received notification that her eldest son, William James Bleeks, of the Royal Air Force, has been killed in a bomber crash in Scotland. Young Bleeks, who was 24 years of age, was six years on the staff at the Imperial Hotel, Portadown. He joined the Royal Air Force shortly after the outbreak of war. He leaves a widow and one child.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 4th July 1942: Leading Aircraftman W J Bleeks
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| Much sympathy is felt for the relatives and young widow of Mr William J Bleeks, Leading Aircraftman, Royal Air Force (eldest son of Mr and Mrs Robert Bleeks, of Hawthorne cottage, Stewartstown), who was killed in Scotland on 30th June. His death cast a gloom over Stewartstown and Portadown, where he has resided with his wife and baby before joining up shortly after the outbreak of war. He was on tnhe staff of the Imperial Hotel for six years, where he was well liked by his employers and colleagues alike, and his demise has left a blank in those who loved him best.
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| His remains were brought to Portadown station from Scotland on Thursday, accompanied by his chum, swathed in the ensign, and brought to his own home where his loved ones had the satisfaction of having him one night, and was laid to rest in Seagoe Cemetery on Friday 28th June. Six pall0bearers and a Commanding Officer carried him to his resting place, and the concourse of friends and neighbours following the hearse bore simple testimony to the esteem enjoyed by the deceased, who was loved by everyone who knew him, and his loved ones have the consolation of knowing that he gave his life for his country, just as if he had fallen on the battlefield, that we, behind, might enjoy freedom of speech, religion and liberty. He di his bit – what more could he do? He was just another innocent victim of this cruel war.
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| Divine services in the home, in the church and at the graveyard were conducted by Rev J W Applebe, M.A. of Seagoe and Rev F B Worrall of Stewartstown. The chief mourners were:- Robert Bleeks (father), Winthrope Elliott Bleeks (brother), Hamilton Wright and Edward Dickson (uncles), Sergeant J McCann (father-in-law), J McCann, T McCann and G McCann (brothers-in-law), George Bleeks, Jim Bleeks, Harry O’Neill and Jim O’Neill (cousins); J Hayes and other relatives.
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| Beautiful wreaths laid on the grave were:-
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In loving memory of my darling husband, from his sorrowing wife and child.’
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‘In loving remembrance of our darling Willie, from his sorrowing mother, father, sister and brother.’
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‘With deepest sympathy, from all his colleagues on the Motor Transport Section.’
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‘A token of respect and sympathy, from the Officer Commanding and all ranks, R.A.F. Station.’
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‘With deepest sympathy, from all the Directors of the Imperial Hotel Ltd.’
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‘In affectionate remembrance, from aunt Margaret, uncle Edward and children.’
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‘In loving remembrance of Billy, from Lila.’
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‘With deepest sympathy and deep regret, from members of the British Legion, Portadown Branch.’
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‘With deepest sympathy, from the neighbours.’
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 4th July 1942: Leading Aircraftman W J Bleeks
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| BLEEKS – Mr and Mrs R Bleeks and family wish to thank all the kind friends and neighbours who sympathised with them in their great sorrow; to all who sent letters, telegrams and wreaths; to Rev F B Worrall for his untiring attention; Rev J W Appelbe of Portadown; Constable McKeown of Stewartstown; Mr H Newell of Tamneylennon; the Constabulary of Portadown Barracks; Adjutant and Mrs Deacon. Portmore Street; the Adjutant, Lieutenant and all ranks R.A.F. stationed at Kilcomain Castle; also his pall-bearers and officer in command, and his chum, Sergeant F Grahame, who accompanied his remains from Skesbrae; also Fred Pearson. They hope this will be accepted by all. Hawthorne cottage, Stewartstown.
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| 1943
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 19h June 1943: Roll of Honour
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| BLEEKS – In fond and loving remembrance of our dear son, Leading Aircraftman William James Bleeks, killed at Skeabrae in June 1942.
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'When for a while we part
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This thought will soothe our pain
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That we shall still be joined in heart
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And one day meet again.'
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| Ever remembered by his father, mother, brother, and sister; also his wife and two little children. Stewartstown and Portadown.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 19h June 1943: Roll of Honour
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| BLEEKS – In fond remembrance of my loving brother, Leading Aircraftman William James Bleeks, killed at Skeabrae in June 1942
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‘No matter how heavy the burden,
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No matter how deep the despair,
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Doesn’t heaven seem nearer and dearer
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To know that our loved one is there?’
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| Ever remembered by his sister Margaret, Hawthorn Cottage, Stewartstown.
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| 1944
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 17th June 1944: In Memorial
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| BLEEKS - Fond memories of our dear son, Leading Aircraftsman W J Bleeks, killed at Skeabrae 20th June 1942
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‘Had God asked us, well we know
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We should cry’ Oh spare this blow’
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Yes, with streaming tears should pray,
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‘Lord we love him, let him stay.’
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But the Lord doth not amiss
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And since He hath ordered this
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We have naught to do but still
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Rest in silence in His will.’
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| Remembered always by his father, mother, brother, and sister; also wife and two little children. Stewartstown and Portadown.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 17th June 1944:
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| BLEEKS – In loving memory of my dear brother, W J Bleeks, killed in Skeabrae 20th June 1942.
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‘He has gone where neither sin nor pain can enter
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Nor the gold he dim
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In the holiness unsullied
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He shall walk with Him.’
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| Ever remembered by his sister Margaret, Hawthorn Cottage, Stewartstown.
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| 1945
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 16th June 1945: In Memorial
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| BLEEKS – In loving remembrance of our dear son, Leading Aircraftsman W J Bleeks, killed at Skeabrae 20th June 1942.
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‘His voice keeps gently whispering
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Parents be brave or through
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At the end of the vale of shadows
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I am waiting there for you.’
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| Ever remembered by his father, mother, brother and sister, also his two little children. Hawthorn Cottage, Stewartstown.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 16th June 1945:
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| BLEEKS – In treasure remembrance of my dear brother, Leading Aircraftsman W J Bleeks, killed at Skeabrae 20th June 1942.
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‘At night when all is silent
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And sleep forsakes my eyes
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My thoughts are on that lonely grave
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Where my dear brother lies’
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| Remembered always by his brother, Winthrope Elliott Bleeks, Hawthorn Cottage, Stewartstown.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 16th June 1945:
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| BLEEKS – Cherished with love is the memory of my dear brother ftsman William James Bleeks, killed at Skeabrae 20th June 1942.
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‘They say time heals all sorrow
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And helps us to forget
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But time has so far only proved
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How much I miss him yet.’
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| Always remembered by his sister Margaret, Hawthorn Cottage, Stewartstown.
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| From the Mid-Ulster Mail, date unknown:
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'Yes, I heard an Angel whisper, he is here the one you love;
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Just a little while before you, in our Father’s home above.
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He will rise to walk in Heaven’s own light.'
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| Submitted by his family
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| Memorials
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| Leading Aircraftsman Bleeks is buried in Seagoe Cemetery, Portadown. His inscription reads ‘FOR EVER WITH THE LORD’
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| William James Bleeks commemorated locally on Stewartstown War Memorial and on Stewartstown Church of Ireland Roll Of Honour.
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| William Bleeks is also commemorated on Portadown War Memorial.
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| The CWGC record Leading Aircraftsman William James Bleeks as the son of Robert and Elizabeth Anna Bleeks. He is also recorded as the husband of Mary Jane Bleeks of Portadown.
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