Sapper Frederick Jack Windley, 38 Field Company, Royal Engineers. Died on Friday 31st May 1940, aged 32 at Dunkirk. 'Frederick Jack Windley was the first worker from the Bata factory at Tilbury to be killed in action. He died of wounds sustained when three bombs exploded where he was assisting to erect a pontoon bridge near Dunkirk.' This week I visited De Panne and learnt about the lorries used to make piers and have now seen the numerous photos on this site. Can any more light be cast on his death from records? I am in touch with his grand-daughter who now lives in Holland, my cousin. We are both keen to find the circumstances on 31 May at De Panne. Have picked up some links from the site already but any further help would be appreciated. Nick
Hi Nick and welcome to the forum. I know the former Bata factory at East Tilbury, and the former Bata hotel. Used to pass it on the way to Coalhouse Fort. As you might have noticed Drew is the resident 1940/Dunkirk buff (with many others) and I am sure they will be along to help with your search. Best of luck, Mike Ha, there you go - he beat me to it!
It looks then that Sapper Windley died with Lieut. Col J H R Le Suer - the CRE (Commander, Royal Engineers) of 5th Division. That incident is mentioned in a number of publications. I'll have a look later (although they're unlikely to give more detail than the war diary which is probably the primary source). Casualties in the dunes from air raids were surprisingly light during the evacuation but engineers constructing the piers would have been a very obvious target.
Thank you to all for immediate responses. The war diary is probably as comprehensive a report as I will find. Whilst not the most cheerful subject the family are interested to find out the circumstances and build a picture of events. It is comforting that he died building the piers to help others get away. I am certain to spend hours on this site as winter approaches, researching the many other family members who were involved in WWII. Nick
