2615653 Lance-Corporal Edgar David ROBERTS, 3 Grenadier Guards: 25/05/1940

I am seeking a photo of this Grenadiers headstone


Lance Corporal EDGAR DAVID ROBERTS Grave 51.
My father knew him

Cheers
Paul


Casualty
Lance Corporal ROBERTS, EDGAR DAVID
Service Number 2615653
Died 25/05/1940
Aged 20
3rd Bn. Grenadier Guards
Son of David and Edith Roberts, of Easton, Bristol.
INSCRIPTION: MUCH LOVED AND MISSED BY ALL WHO KNEW HIM. REST IN PEACE, MY SON
Buried at BAS-WARNETON (NEERWAASTEN) COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Location: Hainaut, Belgium
Number of casualties: 47
Cemetery/memorial reference: Grave 51.

 

I have one-- But it's too big to attach on-line. How do you want it sent to you?

 

Hi Doc, thanks PM sent

Cheers
Paul

 

Photo received many thanks

Cheers
Paul

 

Hello Paul,
I realise this is a long shot since your post was six years ago, but Edgar was my uncle. I wondered if there was anything you could tell me about him from what your father mentioned to you?
Many thanks,
Susan

 

Welcome Susan, sure that Paul will respond soon, in the meantime, using your uncle's service number in the search box, top right, the following results may be of interest:
http://ww2talk.com/index.php?search/5807797/&q=2615653&o=relevance

If you are interested in finding out all about his service then his official service records should be your first port of call:
Get a copy of military service records

Casualty list No. 272 dated 3 August 1940 shows him as 'missing' with a date of between 10 May and 16 June 1940; list No. 493 dated 21 April 1941 reports 'killed in action' 25 May 1940.

Photograph of the final resting place of Roberts, Edgar David - The War Graves Photographic Project

 

Hi Susan unfortunately no. My father didn't talk much about people just general events.

Cheers
Paul

 

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly Paul. It's curious to see Edgar's recorded date of death as 25th May because we have letters he wrote to his family on 27th May, but I suppose this happened in war time on a regular basis. Thanks again

 

Susan, Remember that the initial casualty report gave a date range of 10 May to 16 June, so there was obviously uncertainty over the precise date. In March 1941 he was included in a 'List of Missing', this was a long time after the event and was confirmed as KIA on the April 1941 list. It could be that this time lag caused some uncertainty.

Was the date of 27 May in his handwriting, or was it entered by a censor?

 

Hi Tony,
The letters were in his own handwriting, not amended by the censor. We’ve always known his date of death was incorrect. I completely understand though how it can happen. It’s sad to think it’s likely he died very soon after he wrote them, when he was trying to sound positive for his mothers sake.

 

Hi Doc, I note from your message to Recce_Mitch you have, or had, a picture of our Uncle Edgars grave? We have contacted him but, as you can see from above he had no information about him other than he wanted a pic of the grave for some reason. We were wondering if, as you had a picture, if any member of your family or circle had served with him or in his unit or knew anything at all of him? Would appreciate your comments or info. Thanks. Mike B.

 

Hi, thanks for your info, yes we suspected this maybe the case but thought it worth a try anyway. Regards. M.