I am conducting research into the men on the two King’s School Worcester war memorials The intention is to produce a commemorative book. I am looking to find details of how men were killed and if possible obtain a photograph of the individual. Could anyone help with the following casualty? HARGRAVES, Harold Leslie Trooper 7943567 46th (The Liverpool Welsh) Royal Tank Regt. R.A.C. buried EL ALAMEIN WAR CEMETERY killed 28/10/1942
Another member has created this web site which should include the details you are after - The Crusader Project TD
TD, I think you're wrong here. 28/10/1942 was the 2nd battle of El Alamein, not Operation Crusader. 46th RTR was equipped with Valentine tanks and involved in the fighting in the north of the line. On the night of the 28th/29th they were to assist the Australians, but due to very bad (late, hasty) planning missed the marked gaps in the Australian minefield and started to hit mines. This led to an enormous amount of confusion, and when they did head down the marked paths, the light of burning tanks aided German anti-tank guns who laid on extremely heavy fire. "46th RTR had lost all but eight of their tanks and had a high percentage of their crews killed or wounded, including all the Squadron Commanders" (Perrett, The Valentine in North Africa) Niall Barr says the CO was a casualty as well. It seems likely that Harold died in this attack, although I do not know whether 46 RTR was involved in some other action earlier in the day.
Checking the Crusader website they are talking of dates from November 41 to January 42, so it looks very much like the description above of the action on 28th/29th was the one where Harold lost his life. Thank you both for your replies. This website is proving to be a gold mine of information. Keep it coming!
A brief google search gives The Battle for North Africa I incorrectly gave you a link to Crusader which as pointed out was earlier than your man died TD
46 Royal Tank Regiment | The National Archives Reference: WO 169/4523 Description: 46 Royal Tank Regiment Date: 1942 July- Dec. Held by: The National Archives, Kew Legal status: Public Record(s) Closure status: Open Document, Open Description Access conditions: Closed For 29 years TD
Although Hargraves is not mentioned (not unusual in a war diary for other ranks), the war diary for 46th RTR for October 28th describes the action where he was killed.