Hi can anyone help me to find any details regarding the demise of W/86065 Private Grace Mary Potter ATS who is buried within Sevenoaks Cemetery in Kent alongside another member of the ATS Violet Calderwood, both of whom were killed on the same day 14th of July 1944. I cannot find any information at all regarding these two casualties on the internet. Many thanks in anticipation, Steve
For record, and anyone searching, headstone photos via this link Service women's War Grave Photos for reference (previously entitled FAO Tonym) Casualty Details | CWGC Name and Rank: PRIVATE GRACE MARY POTTER Service Number: W/86065 Regiment & Unit/Ship: Auxiliary Territorial Service Date of Death: Died 14 July 1944 Buried or commemorated at SEVENOAKS (GREATNESS PARK) CEMETERY Grave 17. United Kingdom Additional Info: Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Edward Ellingford, of Stanford-le-Hope, Essex. Personal Inscription: EARTH HATH ONE GENTLE SOUL THE LESS AND HEAVEN ONE ANGEL MORE Casualty Details | CWGC Name and Rank: PRIVATE VIOLET GERTRUDE CALDERWOOD Service Number: W/288344 Regiment & Unit/Ship: Auxiliary Territorial Service Date of Death: Died 14 July 1944 Age 26 years old Buried or commemorated at SEVENOAKS (GREATNESS PARK) CEMETERY Grave 16. United Kingdom Daughter of James and Maud Calderwood, of Sparkhill, Birmingham. Personal Inscription OUR BELOVED DAUGHTER VIOLET. "HER DUTY DONE"
Casualty lists state they were both killed in action, this may be relevant as a good number of deaths at 'Home' are died or died as a result of accident. On the same list is another ATS, W3462 L/Cpl Mary Elizabeth Wales who was killed 2 days earlier. Casualty Details | CWGC Death certificates may help: First name(s) GRACE M Last name POTTER Gender Female Birth year 1924 Age 20 Death quarter 3 Death year 1944 District Tonbridge County Kent Volume 2A Page 1074 Country England Record set England & Wales Deaths 1837-2007 First name(s) VIOLET G Last name CALDERWOOD Gender Female Birth year 1918 Age 26 Death quarter 3 Death year 1944 District Tonbridge County Kent Volume 2A Page 1074 Country England Record set England & Wales Deaths 1837-2007
It would need quite a bit more digging but there is a possibility that they may have been of a searchlight regiment. The attached suggests a list of those regiments operating as part of the V1 defences in that area. Most would appear to have diaries for 1944. Good luck
Hi Just noticed you mentioned L Cpl Mary Wales ATS I m a relative and vist her Grave regularly in Canterbury and trying to find out more about her death any information would be greatly appreciated Ady Mackay
Ady, afraid that I have no further information, I just noticed her name whilst looking for the other two. Have you got her death certificate, I guess that this is her record: First name(s) MARY E Last name WALES Gender Female Birth day - Birth month - Birth year 1922 Age 22 Death quarter 3 Death year 1944 District Tonbridge County Kent Volume 2A Page 1073 Country England Record set England & Wales Deaths 1837-2007 Her service records may be of interest: Get a copy of military service records
Thanks Tony for swift reply just starting on more research for my Great Aunty if your interested her brother Fred Wales died in Holland Jan 1945 age 19 he was a Royal Marine Commando uncovered a fascinating story which none of us knew LCpl Eric Harden from North Leach Kent was awarded VC posthumously trying to save his life but saved two others We ve met Eric's Daughter Julie in the mean time It's amazing what you can find out with good reserch Thanks again Ady
Ady, have you seen these? Eric Harden VC - Brachterbeek and Nederweert Lance Corporal Henry Eric Harden VC, Royal Army Medical Corps
Hello there looking around the internet I ve discovered some information from the area in sevenoaks at the time. The whole area was under the huge threat of V1 rockets doodle bugs being on the path towards London on 12th July Beechwood House was hit this large estate had been commandeered by the military and housed around 80 ATS ranks they had been there before and after Dday driving trucks staff cars etc he says 2 were killed but I think it may be 3 If you search www.memoriesofwar.org.uk and then Ted Prangnell he has a detailed account of the whole war Ady Mackay
Yep I have been to the area twice now on the 75th Anniversary in January a huge gavering assembled at the exact location like most years I did a reading along with other guests Theres a memorial at Brachterbeek where Eric Harden died the barn where the Marines left on patrol that morning still there although a converted house even a gap in the hedge where they ran through. His accounts are wrong my Great Uncle Fred Wales was the second Marine Eric went back for after bringing Marine Whelan fireman's lift 100 plus yards under huge German fire first he returned with a stretcher party as Fred was badly wounded on returning he was shot again on the stretcher and died of his wounds They then went back for LT Cory 15 yards from safety of barn Eric Harden was shot back of head probably a sniper and died instantly The stretcher party dragged Cory back Eric Hardens body was recovered that night To stand where it all took place was so humbling Fred and Eric are buried in Nederweert Cemetery The Dutch have never forgotten this huge act
Many thanks for that info Tony, yes I've just seen a report online detailing the V1 explosion on Beechmont House on the 12th of July which killed and injured many ATS girls, and am now assuming maybe that Grace Potter was fatally injured during that incident. I'll keep on searching, regards, Steven