Sgt Charles Alfred Ream RAFVR - died 26/04/1947

Discussion in 'Non-Commemorated War Dead' started by temptage, Nov 5, 2011.

  1. temptage

    temptage I thought it would only take a few weeks......

    I found this headstone prone on the grass in Grimsby Scartho Road Cemetery. I cannot find anything bar absolute basic details on him.

    I'm throwing this one out to anyone who can help in any way.

    p.s. He isnt on the CWGC listings and cannot be found in Geoff's Search facility.
    http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=477&pictureid=4273
     
  2. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    As far as I can make out, the RAF lost no aircraft on 26 April 1947, no listing in the Flight archive either.
     
  3. Marks

    Marks Senior Member

    Hi,

    Battle of Britain Pilot !

    Men of the Battle of Britain - Kenneth G Wynn

    Charles Alfred REAM
    741907 Sgt 235 Squadron Pilot

    Enlisted RAFVR August 1938.
    Joined 235 Sqn 22.9.40
    Died 1947 !

    I have some additional notes on his career
    24.5.41 272 Sqn Beaufighter T3317
    Pilot S/L A. W FLETCHER (DFC & Bar) Interned
    Sgt Ream Interned
    Sgt Gallimore Interned

    Transit flight crashed Spain out of fuel. Crew soon reached Gibraltar !

    27.12.41 272 Sqn aircraft crashed in Desert. Warrant Officer
    (believed badly injured !)

    Mark
     
  4. temptage

    temptage I thought it would only take a few weeks......

    Thanks for those details gentlemen.

    What we need to try to find out is whether his death in 1947 can be accredited to his war service. 31 is quite a young age to die of natural causes, even in the 40's.
     
  5. Susan Smethurst

    Susan Smethurst Senior but too talkative

    I have found a death notice posted in the press by his parents which I will upload tomorrow
     
  6. Susan Smethurst

    Susan Smethurst Senior but too talkative

    For some reason uploading the original is eluding my technical abilities but this is what it says:

    "REAM CHARLES ALFRED RAFVR
    Beaufighter pilot. 235 and 272 Sqdns. Died April 26th 1947. His life was gentle and the elements so mixed in him that nature might stand up and say to all the world "This was a man" - Mother and John"
     
  7. kiwigeordie

    kiwigeordie Senior Member

    I don't mean to hijack this post but can anyone tell me when a death following the cessation of hostilities but ascribed to a condition contracted during war service qualifies for a listing by the CWGC?

    The reason I ask is, as a young engineer I worked with a chap called Peter Fuller who had served out in Burma (sorry don't recall his rank or regiment).
    Peter contracted one of the worst forms of malaria which resulted in recurring severe attacks which weakened his heart and eventually led to his death in (about) 1974. I don't think Pete ever received any support or recognition following his war service.

    BTW, one story I recall him telling me was about the time they called for volunteers to join what became known as the Chindits. Being 19 and keen, Pete put his name forward and was among a group of volunteers being paraded for inspection by Orde Wingate. In Pete's words, "I took one look at this bloke's eyes, realised he was barmy and asked to be RTU'd immediately."

    Just his opinion of course.
    Pete
     
  8. chrisharley9

    chrisharley9 Senior Member

    Pete

    Sorry but he will not qualify as the CWGC dates for WW2 are 3rd Sept 1939 to 31st Dec 1947

    Chris
     
  9. kiwigeordie

    kiwigeordie Senior Member

    Thanks for clarifying that Chris. I guess there must be thousands of similar cases.
    Pete
     
  10. Susan Smethurst

    Susan Smethurst Senior but too talkative

    Would Sgt Reams death certificate assist? I have found the references etc.
     
  11. temptage

    temptage I thought it would only take a few weeks......

    In most cases the DC is the one piece of the puzzle that dots the i's and crosses the t's. It will say what the cause of death was, therefore going someway to answering whether the cause of death was attributable to his war service.
     
  12. Susan Smethurst

    Susan Smethurst Senior but too talkative

    Then I will apply for it-will take a couple of weeks. His Mothers Remembrance notice touched me and I would like to find out what his DC says. His family tree on ancestry.co.uk goes nowhere though that can be a useful tool for finding more in some cases I find.
     
  13. temptage

    temptage I thought it would only take a few weeks......

    Did you have any joy Susan?
     
  14. Susan Smethurst

    Susan Smethurst Senior but too talkative

    Ordered a couple of weeks back so with Christmas hope to get dc in the next week
     
  15. temptage

    temptage I thought it would only take a few weeks......

    Anything?
     
  16. Susan Smethurst

    Susan Smethurst Senior but too talkative

    At long last I have the death certificate for Sgt Ream and it makes sad reading. He was 31 and married. He died at home his death certificate gives his profession as "formerly a pilot RAF" and there are three causes of death. As I only received the certificate today I have not yet looked up the causes but it seems like cancer
    a) intestinal obstruction
    b) carcinoma of colon
    c) anti poliomyelitis

    May he rest in peace
     
  17. ritsonvaljos

    ritsonvaljos Senior Member

    The single word "formerly" has probably sounded the death knell for Sgt. Ream being commemorated by the CWGC. Because he has been discharged to civilian life and the cause of death does not appear to be connected to the war I would not be very optimistic that the CWGC would relent and include him whatever bravery he may or may not have displayed during his RAF career.

    Yet, there is no reason why Sgt Ream should not be commemorated by others, such as on his local war memorial (if there is one).

    R.I.P.

    "They shall mount up with wings as eagles;
    they shall run, and not be weary;
    and they shall walk, and not faint."
    [Isaiah 40:31]
     
  18. temptage

    temptage I thought it would only take a few weeks......

    The poor bugger. He really went through it didnt he. Bowel cancer and Polio. Like ritson said, I think those reasons of death answer the original question. Mind you, he could have been suffering while still in the RAF with different symptoms, and they discharged him because of ill health.

    Thank you Susan for helping with this enquiry, but I think it can be put to bed now.
     
  19. chrisharley9

    chrisharley9 Senior Member

    The problem is not having access to his service record which would show one way or another if he was discharged due to his illnesses or if they where contracted whilst in service

    Chris
     
  20. temptage

    temptage I thought it would only take a few weeks......

    Chris, are you saying that if the timing is correct then he may be eligible after all? How do we go about getting his war record?
     

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