Sapper Rex Adderley was reported missing after operations at Dieppe, France, and was later presumed killed in action at sea. He has no known grave [1][2]. Rex enlisted into the Royal Engineers on 21 June 1939 and, after volunteering, was attached to No.3 Commando on 7 July 1940 [3].

He took part in the Lofoten and Vaagso raids and was the grandson of a former Town Clerk of Fenton and a member of one of the oldest and best known families in the Potteries. His Father died in 1923 when he was only about 12 months old, and he was left in the care of his grandmother and mother, the latter becoming the licensee of the Red Lion Inn at Cotes Heath near Eccleshall. He attended Swynnerton Roman Catholic School and obtained a scholarship to St Joseph's College at Trent Vale along with his brother Gordon. Leaving school at the age of 14 he became an apprentice fitter at a Stafford engineering works being helped materially by his uncle Mr. A. Bough DCM. Rex joined the T.A. when he was 16 lying about his age. His brother Gordon joined the RAF [4].