Photo help req. - Oye-Plage?

Discussion in 'War Grave Photographs' started by Pete Keane, Sep 21, 2010.

  1. Pete Keane

    Pete Keane Senior Member

    I have heard back from cwgc.

    He was originally buried at Houtkerque, and subsequently moved to Oye Plage.

    I'm thinking that he was killed in the breakout from Cassel, which may make his dod the 29th, but I think that we'll never know exactly.

    Regards

    Pete
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Pete,

    Did they say what year he was moved and why?

    Did they say what unit of the Army Graves Service moved him? (They have war diaries)
     
  3. Pete Keane

    Pete Keane Senior Member

    Nope, none of that, but I didnt actually ask!

    This is the response:

    Dear Mr Keane

    Thank you for your e mail of the 27th September regarding Lance Corporal Wilfred Caswell who is buried in the Oye-Plage Communal Cemetery in France .

    Please find below the details we record for Lance Corporal Caswell.

    Lance Corporal CASWELL, WILFRED
    Unit: 4th Bn.
    Regiment: Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
    Service No: 5387367
    Age: 21
    Date of Death: 28 May 1940
    Commemoration: OYE-PLAGE COMMUNAL CEMETERY
    France
    Row 2. Grave 11.

    Additional Information: Son of Joseph and Hannah Jane Caswell, of Gornalwoods, Staffordshire.


    Historical: There were 27 original burials in this cemetery, the remainder of the casualties having been brought in by the Army Graves Service from Gravelines and Houtkerque. There are now over 100, 1939-45 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, nearly half are unidentified.

    I have examined our Second World War records as requested and have found the following information for Lance Corporal Caswell:

    Lance Corporal Caswell was previously buried Grave No. A.9 in the Houtkerque churchyard :

    Map Reference: Belgium and N.E. France 1/100.000 Sheet 6. H 387654

    The map reference given above refers to the Second World War maps held at the Imperial War Museum . However, the maps are in the process of being digitised, and this is expected to take some considerable time. Should you require further information on this, you may wish to contact the following address:

    Imperial War Museum
    Department of Printed Books
    Lambeth Road
    Lambeth
    London
    SE1 6HZ

    Tel: 020 7416 5342
    Fax: 020 7416 5374
    E-mail: books@iwm.org.uk

    Alternatively, you might like to contact the British Library, at the address given below:

    Map Library
    The British Library
    96 Euston Road
    London NW1 2DB

    Tel: 0207 412 7702
    Fax: 0207 412 7780
    E-mail: maps@bl.uk
    Website: http://www.bl.uk/collections/maps.

    I hope this information will be helpful.


    Yours sincerely,


    Monica Arnold,
    Enquiries Section




    Drew - do you think that the info you mention will further our knowledge in relation to his death? if so, I will ask, but dont want to add to their workload if it wont.


    Regards


    Pete
     
  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    None of my questions will answer how he was killed. Just why he was moved.
     
  5. Pete Keane

    Pete Keane Senior Member

    I think I will leave it here for now, his niece has the diaries giving route of travel that night, some accounts from another regiment following 4 OBLI, and his place of burial being away from Cassel, I think some time with a map and a visit to the area will be the best result, I've certainly run out of ideas and I think what we have given is what was asked for.

    Your help has been much appreciated.

    Pete.
     
  6. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    No probs. I'd recommend a good book before visiting to get an idea of what happened :)
     
  7. Pete Keane

    Pete Keane Senior Member

    Any particular one in mind that I can suggest?

    Pete
     
  8. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    The obvious is Dunkirk-Fight to the last man by Sebag. There is a whole chapter to Cassel with an original (not very clear) sketch map of Cassel and another one of the area that is quite good.

    I wish someone would write a book about the fighting at Cassel.
     
  9. Kevin Astley

    Kevin Astley New Member

    Would there be a photo of Wilfred Caswells headstone at Oye Plage. I too am a relative of his and can find no photo of one. None of the links on this site seam to work.
    Here’s hoping someone can help.
    P.S. Be gentle I’m new here.
     
  10. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Photos from Drew5233 sent via email.
     
    4jonboy likes this.
  11. Kevin Astley

    Kevin Astley New Member

    Many many thanks you have made a old man very happy.
     
    4jonboy and Owen like this.
  12. Kevin Astley

    Kevin Astley New Member

    Just a further note I have photos of 3 memorials with Wilfred’s name on them. If at anytime someone would like a copy of these I am happy to oblige.

    They are:- On his parents grave St James the
    Great. Lower Gornal.

    A plaque on Zoar Church. Lower
    Gornal

    A memorial at Lower Gornal
    Memorial Hall.
     
    4jonboy and Owen like this.

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