226282 Lt Richard Fitzgerald LILLEY, Royal Engineers: DOW, Normandy, 04/08/1944

Discussion in 'Royal Engineers' started by CornwallPhil, Oct 3, 2020.

  1. CornwallPhil

    CornwallPhil Senior Member

    I'd be grateful if anyone has any information relating to the death of Lt Lilley on 4th August 1944. I am aware of his family background. It's the action that he was killed in that I am interested in. He is buried in the Bayeux War Cemetery. His service number is 226282.
     
  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Always handy to give CWGC details even if known already.

    Casualty Details | CWGC
    LIEUTENANT RICHARD FITZGERALD LILLEY
    Service Number: 226282
    Regiment & Unit/Ship: Royal Engineers
    Date of Death: Died 04 August 1944
    Age 22 years old

    Buried or commemorated at
    BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY
    Grave Reference: XV. L. 4.
    Location: France
    Additional Info:
    Son of Eric Gordon Lilley and Anne Janet Lilley, of Gorran Haven, Cornwall.
    Personal Inscription: "LOVELY AND PLEASANT IN HIS WAYS"

    Unfortunately CWGC doesn't give a unit under RE at time of death but of course his service records would.

    War Office Casualty Lists, on FMP, might also supply Unit and/or date wounded.

    What could be gleaned from Concentration form:
    States that he Died of Wounds. (Edited title from KIA, to reflect that)
    (A mixture of units & consecutive dates suggests CCS or other medical facility in the area.)
    Original Place of Burial St. Jean des Essartiers, Map 6F/4, 1/50,000, Map Reference : 681545

    doc2233815.JPG.png
     
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2020
  3. CornwallPhil

    CornwallPhil Senior Member

    Many thanks dbf.
    The Died of Wounds is a step in the right direction.
    I agree with your suggestion of CCS or similar.
    I have come across no reference to a unit anywhere so far.

    His brother was killed in March 1945 at the Crossing of the Rhine and so the third brother was then brought home so the parents wouldn't lose all their sons (Saving Private Ryan springs to mind!)
     
  4. Temujin

    Temujin Member

    I’ve been searching also, but so far no joy on finding how or why or what unit. Did find a couple of documents, you may have them but thought I would send them along anyway

    His promotion to 2nd Lt


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    His name in the ARMY LISTS

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  5. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Headstone photo of his Brother's grave.

    Name: LILLEY, RONALD JELLETT
    Rank: Lieutenant
    Service No: 293108
    Date of Death: 24/03/1945
    Age: 21
    Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
    Unit: 3 Mountain Regt.
    Grave Reference: 53. B. 17.
    Cemetery: REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY
    Additional Information: Son of Eric Gordon Lilley and Anne Janet Lilley, of Gorran Haven, Cornwall. Scholar of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.

    [​IMG]
     
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  6. Giberville

    Giberville Junior Member

    FMP says died result of battle accident...no unit listed though other than RE.
     
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  7. CornwallPhil

    CornwallPhil Senior Member

    Thanks Giberville. I would have thought that would increase the chances of something appearing in a record somewhere!
    Thanks everyone else for your contributions.
     

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