Hello Rob, BELGIUM - BEF CASUALTIES.pdf : thanks you for this great work ! I’m French and live on north of France, your document permetted me to visit new memory places. But you have omitted a communal cemetery at Comines. Best regards, Jean-Marc.
Hi, sorry to resurrect an old thread. I am researching my family history. My 2nd Great Uncle was possibly killed at Dunkirk (his records state missing, suspected drowned). He died on 27/28th May 1940. HOWEVER, he is buried in Sage War Cemetery, not far from Bremen, Germany. Obviously this is some way from Dunkirk. Family rumour states he wasn't buried for several years after his death, and that his belongings turned up randomly in the post to his parents 7years after he died. I'd like to ask why, in your opinion, he is buried in Germany? Is there any way to check the names of the 11 men that you mentioned in the original post to see if he is one of them? His name was Bertram Frederick England and he was a driver. I have his regimental number if required. Thank you. Laura
Laura, It appears he was reburied at Sage 21/07/1947 identified as simply F.Bertram originally his original burial is given here;- Casualty Details Kyle
Interesting post and thread. Sage it would appear became a concentration cemetery after the war where the dead were brought in from field graves and the like.Driver England's body,after death would have been probably washed ashore in the German Frisian Islands,ie East Frisian Islands and he would be buried there initially then transferred to Sage.The location of the concentration cemeteries would be as a result of Anglo/ West German agreement and usually the creation of concentration cemeteries started in the 1950s on the conclusion of such agreements. (Kyle, looking at the Register document,I see a date of 9/10/1956,I wonder if this records the transfer of remains to Sage.....where is the date of 21/7/1947 referenced?) Incidentally the effect of the northerly direction of the British Channel currents resulted in bodies being washed ashore beyond the Frisian Islands...some were washed as far as the Danish East Jutland shores. Regarding BEF unknown casualties,the Dunkirk Memorial.... over 4500 names listed..... contains the names of those who were declared missing without known graves at locations remote from the the Dunkirk area such as the Lancastria losses at St Nazaire on 17 June 1940.
Thank you so much Kyle, I've never seen that document before even though I'd seen the other one. I know my Dad said there was confusion about his name (he was Bertram Frederick but went by Freddie) and that his surname was mistaken as meaning "from England" which may explain the lack of surname on the newer document. 1947 would tie in with the 7 years post-death that the family mention. I wonder if they didn't know where he was buried originally and that for some reason he was identified/they were informed about the re-burial, hence the stories about being buried "7 years after his death". So sad. Harry, that information about the currents etc is interesting. What an awful sight that must have been, to have men washing up on shore after some time at sea :-(
Hello Harry, The 1947 date is referenced on the `Concentration report` rather than the `Register document` . Perhaps the Red Cross can shed more light on this ? I dont know how he got to the area but at a guess I would say his `true` identity was only discovered on reburial ? Kyle
Hello, Two other cemeteries are missing from the list : Bissegem Communal cemetery (soldiers fallen at the battle of the canal "Comines-Ypres" and taken to the German hospital of Bissegem) Esquelmes war cemetery (with many soldiers fallen in the battle of the "Comines-Ypres" canal and first buried in the village of Houthem) Best regards, Jean-Marc Plantefève Roncq, France
Hello, Every year, the Comittee of the Battle of the Canal, of which I am a member, organises a commemorative ceremony in honour of the British soldiers who fell in the fighting on 26, 27 and 28 May 1940 along the Comines-Ypres canal in Belgium, more specifically between Comines and Houthem. For the 85th, we would like to invite some of the descendants of these soldiers. Attached is a list of the 96 victims (source CWGC). Perhaps some of you will be able to help us with our research? Many thanks, Jean-Marc Plantefève. jm.plantefeve@gmail.com
366 Battery of 140 (5th London) Rgt RA were involved in the artillery support from Messines Ridge- some of their men were POW during that fighting, but as far as I'm aware there were no deaths during that engagement. http://140th-field-regiment-ra-1940...-may-1940/366-battery-positioned-at-messines/
I recently followed the route of the 2nd Field Regt and the 67th Field Regt two of the Artillery Regiments of the British 1st Infantry Division. They carried out a fighting withdrawal from Leefdaal to Les Moeres to make their stand defending the Beaches at Les Moeres and Bray Dunes . Research of the 2nd Field was carried out by forum member Rowslow. For their route and details of actions fought see: 67th Field Regt RA TA in the BEF
