Bernard Mitchell was brought up in the Moulsham area of Chelmsford, the son of a mechanic. He initially lived in Moulsham Street and then in Hall Street. During the war he served in the Royal Navy and was killed on active service in Egypt in May 1942.

Bernard MITCHELL, Wireman, H.M.S. Stag, Royal Navy

Died in Egypt. Aged 22

By 1934 the family had moved to 9 Hall Street in Chelmsford. Two years later Bernard fractured his arm.

During the Second World War Bernard served in the Royal Navy as Wireman P/MX 69088 at H.M.S. Stag, a Royal Naval Base at Port Said. He was killed on active service in Suez Canal Zone, Egypt on 7th May 1942. At the time of his death 22 year-old Bernard's parents were living at 9 Hall Street in Chelmsford.

Today he lies at Moascar War Cemetery in Egypt (grave 4. A. 15). His name is commemorated on a family grave at Writtle Road Cemetery in Chelmsford.

Later in 1942 Bernard’s sister Marjorie died aged 24.

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Bernard was born in Chelmsford registration district in 1920, the youngest son of George Henry Mitchell (1883-1953) and Louisa Mitchell (nee Newcomb) (1891-1954).

His parents had married in Norfolk in 1914 and by the autumn of the following year were living at 167 Moulsham Street in Chelmsford.

Bernard was baptised at St. John's Church, Moulsham on 4th April 1920. At the time his father was a mechanic still living at 167 Moulsham Street.

Bernard's siblings included George William Mitchell (born 1915), Frederick Herbert Mitchell (1917-2004), Marjorie Mitchell (1918-1942), and Irene Elizabeth Mitchell (1921-1994).