Having obtained the 1st South Lancashire's War Diary I can now reasonably confirm that a family friend on Andrea's side, Andrea's Great Uncles best mate who served in the battalion with him, was killed by Geram artillery fire. CWGC - Casualty Details We visited his grave a few years ago when the cemetery was being re-devoloped and placed a cross at his grave. The message on the cross reads: From your best mates family, The O'Neils. Fought together but never survived together. Thanks to Geoff's SE I suspect these are the eight casualties listed in the battalions war diary. 001 CARROLL PJJ 3654460 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT 002 CONNOR W 3654407 1ST BN 29/05/1940 SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT 003 CUMMINS T 3649622 1ST BN 30/05/1940 SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT 004 DEAKIN WW 3654524 1 ST BN 31/05/1940 SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT 005 HENDERSON R 3651065 1ST BN 31/05/1940 SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT 006 JOHNSON R 3653253 1ST BN 31/05/1940 SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT 007 JOPSON A 3647464 1ST BN 31/05/1940 SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT 008 MURPHY WE 3650143 1ST BN 31/05/1940 SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT
Andrew O'Neil and her other grandfather was James Brenand. I've yet to scan their records yet. Both were with this battalion in 39/40 but for some reason I haven't quite figured out yet why James stayed in the UK. Since posting we have discussed via service records - Only Andrew O'Neill was with 1 South Lancs in 1940.
I'm familiar with James, you've already done a lot on him I recall. Andrew O'Neill is currently unresearched if I've remembered correctly. This site needs a 'threads i'm interested in' facility, or I need to start bookmarking stuff. The poppy cross was a nice touch, probably not had too many visitors over the years. Regards Pete
This site needs a 'threads i'm interested in' facility, or I need to start bookmarking stuff. Pete you can subscribe to any thread, without having to post on it, by going to the top right banner and choosing Subscribe to this thread from Thread Tools http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=45895&stc=1&d=1297972923 Then you will always be able to check it on your list of subscribed threads under User CP. .
In Memory of Private THOMAS CUMMINS 3649622, 1st Bn., South Lancashire Regiment who died age 33 on 30 May 1940 Son of Patrick and Sarah Cummins, of Widnes, Lancashire Remembered with honour OOSTDUINKERKE COMMUNAL CEMETERY Born in 1906 in Widnes, Thomas was one of the five children of Patrick and Sarah Cummins (nee Gillicker). The eldest brother he was born the third child after sisters Margaret and Mary, and later brothers Timothy and Patrick. Married in 1902, Thomas’ parents settled in his mother’s hometown of Widnes, living initially at 7 Fisher Street, and later 20 Ellison Street Widnes. Educated at St Maries Roman Catholic School. Thomas, choice a military careers and after volunteering for Army service, enlisting with the South Lancashire Regiment in 1928. Posted to India, Thomas served 9 years in the Far East with the Regiment, before returning home, and finding work for a short period of time with Messrs. Thomas Bolton and Sons limited. On the outbreak of war, Thomas was called up with the reserves, and posted back to the South Lancashire Regiment serving with the 1st Battalion, who at the time where stationed at Dover, as part of the British fouth Infantry Division. Thomas Cummins, was one of three Widnes brothers killed in action during WW2 Sergeant PATRICK CUMMINS, 3650169, 1st Bn., King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, Who died age 32, On 26 May 1944 - BEACH HEAD WAR CEMETERY, ANZIO Gunner TIMOTHY CUMMINS, 1104827, 8 Medium Regt., Royal Artillery, Who died age 34 - IMPHAL WAR CEMETERY
The other 6 casualties listed by Drew In Memory of Private WILLIAM CONNOR 3654407, 1st Bn., South Lancashire Regiment who died age 20, on 29 May 1940 Remembered with honour OOSTDUINKERKE COMMUNAL CEMETERY View attachment 46504 In Memory of Private WILFRED WILLIAM DEAKIN 3654524, 1st Bn., South Lancashire Regiment who died age 20, on 31 May 1940 Remembered with honour OOSTDUINKERKE COMMUNAL CEMETERY In Memory of Private ROBERT HENDERSON 3651065, 1st Bn., South Lancashire Regiment who died age 28, on 31 May 1940 Remembered with honour OOSTDUINKERKE COMMUNAL CEMETERY View attachment 46502 In Memory of Private RALPH JOHNSON 3653253, 1st Bn., South Lancashire Regiment who died age 21, on 31 May 1940 Son of John and Amelia Johnson; nephew of Mrs. M. A. Heathman, of Winnington, Northwich, Cheshire. Remembered with honour OOSTDUINKERKE COMMUNAL CEMETERY In Memory of Private ARTHUR JOPSON 3647464, 1st Bn., South Lancashire Regiment who died age 37, on 31 May 1940 Remembered with honour OOSTDUINKERKE COMMUNAL CEMETERY In Memory of Warrant Officer Class II WILLIAM EDWARD MURPHY 3650143, 1st Bn., South Lancashire Regiment who died age 41, on 31 May 1940 Son of Edward and Fanny Murphy; husband of Violet Mathilda Murphy, of Plymouth. Remembered with honour OOSTDUINKERKE COMMUNAL CEMETERY
The other 6 casualties listed by Drew View attachment 46083 In Memory of Private WILLIAM CONNOR 3654407, 1st Bn., South Lancashire Regiment who died age 20, on 29 May 1940 Remembered with honour OOSTDUINKERKE COMMUNAL CEMETERY View attachment 46082 In Memory of Private WILFRED WILLIAM DEAKIN 3654524, 1st Bn., South Lancashire Regiment who died age 20, on 31 May 1940 Remembered with honour OOSTDUINKERKE COMMUNAL CEMETERY View attachment 46081 In Memory of Private ROBERT HENDERSON 3651065, 1st Bn., South Lancashire Regiment who died age 28, on 31 May 1940 Remembered with honour OOSTDUINKERKE COMMUNAL CEMETERY View attachment 46080 In Memory of Private RALPH JOHNSON 3653253, 1st Bn., South Lancashire Regiment who died age 21, on 31 May 1940 Son of John and Amelia Johnson; nephew of Mrs. M. A. Heathman, of Winnington, Northwich, Cheshire. Remembered with honour OOSTDUINKERKE COMMUNAL CEMETERY View attachment 46079 In Memory of Private ARTHUR JOPSON 3647464, 1st Bn., South Lancashire Regiment who died age 37, on 31 May 1940 Remembered with honour OOSTDUINKERKE COMMUNAL CEMETERY View attachment 46078 In Memory of Warrant Officer Class II WILLIAM EDWARD MURPHY 3650143, 1st Bn., South Lancashire Regiment who died age 41, on 31 May 1940 Son of Edward and Fanny Murphy; husband of Violet Mathilda Murphy, of Plymouth. Remembered with honour OOSTDUINKERKE COMMUNAL CEMETERY My grandfather was Arthur Jopson. I am astounded by the information I have found on this site. My father managed to visit his grave some years ago but never gave us much information on where the cemetery was, only to say it was in Belgium. It was only after typing my grandad's name into google (out of interest!!!) that I was put onto this site. And how glad I am. My father was only a young lad when my grandad died and he didn't seem to know an awful lot about how his father was killed. I am now planning to visit his grave next year and I am so glad for all the information I have got from here. My father died five years ago and I really want to make the journey in memory of him and to pay my respects to the brave soldiers who fought for us. God bless you all and thank you for the research and information that you have put on this site. Pauline Brook
Pauline, I haven't posted on this thread which is unusual for one in the 1940 section, but I thought I'd say thanks for posting the personal information. For many of us, this research is something of a hobby, although we all approach it from different angles. What we're all trying to do, I suspect, is in some way to come closer to the past and providing descendants with information that allows them to fill in some of the gaps is one of those things that makes it worthwhile. The whole process is of course greatly assisted by the internet and the advent of digital photography which allow the collection and dissemination of information in a way that we could never have imagined possible only a few years ago. If your research into your Grandfather raises any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask (Have you applied for his service records yet ?) and don't forget to report back (with photos please !) when you've visited Oostduinkerke. It's only just up the road from Calais and there are plenty of places to enjoy seafood and waffles ! Rich
Hi Pauline, Any help needed,just let me know, I'm living about 4 miles from the cemetery. You need to take junction 3 on the motorway (Nieuwpoort). I'm more than happy to help you with directions our anything else. Just let me know. All the best, Cris Also, if you want our anyone else to have some pictures, let me know.
Thank you so much Cris. I will contact you nearer the time. I am hoping to go over for the anniversary of my grandfather's death (31st May), but it depends on when we are off from work. I was very touched to see a photograph of his grave and it has made me more determined to go and pay my respects to him. Pauline
Hi Rich, Thank you for that. How do I apply for his service records? The only thing that we have left of our grandad is the telegram that my grandma received informing her of his death. I will try to scan it and post it on the site (unfortunately I'm not very technically minded!!). We are planning to go over in May and I will take some photographs to post on the site. I am still a bit overwhelmed by the information I have discovered. As are the rest of the family. Amazing!! Regards Pauline
