Hi Everyone, Got a bit of a query, is it possible to trace the cause of accidental death of a soldier? I am interested in a soldier of the 2nd Battalion West York's Regiment by the Name of Leonard Marsden who was accidentally killed on a train journey in Egypt in August 1941. Would there have been a death certificate with the cause of death and if so where would it be? I have traced his Roll of Honour entry but of course it don't tell me the cause of death. Thanks for you help. Graham
Graham No answer for you but I too will be following this thread with imuch nterest. I have seen a few records of accidental death in the Regimental Diaries that I hold, but the individual info is very sparse. Ron
For info from CWGC http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead.aspx?cpage=1 I am sure the General Register Office have a separate section for finding births, deaths and marriages for overseas including the army and you can order his death certificate from them. Perhaps someone else can provide more info about this Lesley
Three out of three war diaries I have record accidental deaths, wether this is the norm or an amazing coincidence I couldnt say. As for the death certificate maybe someone with an ancestry account could help. I know overseas birth marriage and deaths are recorded somewhere in peacetime bit not sure of military deaths.
If someone can come up with a war diary ref, I'll do a look up when I next go to Kew. Cause of accidental death or any death of an O/R seems to vary from war diary to diary. My Dad's unit for example have 7 men who died in the UK with nothing mentioned in the war diary. The dates of death for all 7 coincide with an Exercise having taking place and men being buried close to a cemetery in the vicinity of that same exercise. It's almost like they were ashamed to acknowledge that fact. Another strange thing is that I have only found one death certificate from the seven men. Drew a complete blank on the other 6
Hi Graham, As Ron says, the regimental war diary could give a clue to the event and cause of death. I have used the Find My Past website to search for Army Death Certificates from WW2. Lesley is spot on with her knowledge, there is an 'Overseas' registration section for Army deaths held by the GRO. If you know the dates etc, which you do, you could apply for Leonard's certificate. There is a cost involved, I think when I last applied for one it £7. In my experience, if the soldier has died unexpectedly and not as a POW or in a combat zone, the certificate usually states the cause of death. Attached are some examples from men I have researched in the past: View attachment Bateman:Death cert. copy.pdf
Hi All, Thanks for the info, the death cert would be a good start, I have used find my past to get the roll of honour entry I will try for the death cert. The entry in the diary just gives his number rank and name and says killed accidentally (on a train journey). I can put a pic on if it will help but I think the death cert is the best option. Did next of kin recieve a death cert or just a telegram? Graham
I have begun the ordering process for the cert and have added the GRO reference volume and page number, but when I get to the basket they are not shown under the headings. Is this normal or is there a special way to enter them in the box? The cost is £9.25. Graham
Hi Graham, It is a few years ago since I last ordered a certificate, I really don't remember the process. I have looked at one of my receipts/order summary this evening, this doesn't show the vol. or page number. Sorry to be of little help here. Good luck. Steve
Hi Steve, That is extremely helpful, that is exactly the screen I get, although I have specified the volume and page number they are not shown in the order summary. So I guess I will order the cert. I will let you know the outcome. Many thanks again, Graham
I ordered 3 certs for locals I knew had been killed in accidents overseas. They all came back with " killed as result of accident ". No details of country either just generic "North Africa".
I think it might depend on what is classed as an accident. I know of one case where a soldier, an NCO, was shot by his own men in a terrible accident. His death certificate shows he was killed in action. The War Diary fails to mention the incident in any meaningful way. There is just a vague ref to an OR who was injured and sent up the line, which may or may not be him
I ordered 3 certs for locals I knew had been killed in accidents overseas. They all came back with " killed as result of accident ". No details of country either just generic "North Africa". Although I did get 2 back for RAF personnel who died of illness in India listing cause and location. So I think " Killed as a result of accident " is killed outright no need for inquest as cause is known. Like killed by the enemy is down as " War Operations " on UK certs. No extra detail added.
