4th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment

It is from the British Army casualty lists 39-45. It lists deaths overseas too. Found it on Find my past.

 

Highland

Is there something similar for :
Name: Victor E Grindle
Death Age: 26
Birth Date: abt 1918
Registration Date: Mar 1944
Registration district: Cuckfield
Inferred County: Sussex
Volume: 2b
Page: 236

He died apparently of an accident the same day in the same place so would assume he appears on a sheet the same as Crocker??????

TD

edited to add:
UK, Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945
Name: Victor Grindle
Given Initials: V E
Rank: Private
Death Date: 31 Dec 1943
Number: 5728828
Birth Place: Gloucestershire
Residence: Gloucestershire
Branch at Enlistment: Infantry
Theatre of War: United Kingdom
Regiment at Death: Dorsetshire Regiment
Branch at Death: Infantry

 

UK, Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945
Name: Henry Crocker
Given Initials: H E G
Rank: Lance Corporal
Death Date: 31 Dec 1943
Number: 5731947
Birth Place: Dorset
Residence: Dorset
Branch at Enlistment: Infantry
Theatre of War: United Kingdom
Regiment at Death: Dorsetshire Regiment
Branch at Death: Infantry

LCpl Henry Ernest George Crocker ( - 1943) - Find A Grave Memorial

TD

 

Yes he is listed with Crocker.

 

Highland, Many thanks for that info, its another place to look at in our searches, and as it lists accidental deaths separately that gives a clue to take things further.

 

Owen, Do you think the WD would record these deaths? I agree there might be a mention as the event occurred in UK.

 

As they both have Civil death registrations would not the certificate only have been issued after medical examination by a civilian doctor or by a coroner after his/her examination??.
The actual death certs should hold some information as to cause of death, rather than just the phrase 'accidental death' - ?

There would in my view (non expert) be some report in the military, to ensure the same mistake(s) were not made again.

There may also be newspaper reports of the day, either of the accident or the coroners inquest - if there was one.

TD

 

Trickey Dickie, I agree a Deat Cert would be the next step but we must wait for the originator of this post to decide what to do.

 

Hi Shiny

Thats understood - I was just proposing some other avenues to explore by whoever wishes to explore them

TD

 

Hi Guys,

Thank you once again for all you insights and thoughts.. Next thing that we have is from what mum says (Crockers daughter) - and how much truth is in this is anyone's guess - is this.....

...Henry Crocker was in a military vehicle (not sure what type and not sure who was driving) driving through town. Apparently there is something about a ball appearing in the middle of the road. The military vehicle then swerves to avoid it and presumably the small person that was chasing after it. Next thing there appears to have been an accident. Result - Crocker dead. (There is some vague recollection of there being someone else involved - maybe Private Grindle??)

So that said - on the information provided Crocker & Grindle are described as 'Accidentally Killed', yet below that there is a heading of 'Died Result of Accident'. Personally, and I'm no military person whatsoever, I would have thought if his jeep/vehicle ran off the road and say hit a wall/post etc and killed those on board that this would have been classed as 'Died Result of an Accident'. To me 'Accidentally Killed' implies more that friendly fire/training was what killed them.

Is anyone able to explain the difference between 'Accidentally Killed' and 'Died Result of Accident'?

 

Hi Rosskat

I think its time to put some money on the table, rather than guessing.

Maybe obtain his service records.

His death certificate will give some 'cause of death' which may help to understand how he died - gun shot wound (possible accidental shooting), fractured skull (possible road accident) or some such.

Check local newspapers for that time as if it was a road accident as you describe it is likely it was reported.

TD

 

I have both of these men in my casualties database, but nothing I can add; War Diary (TNA WO 166/12523) sadly doesn't even name them. I've also checked my pics for 130 Brigade and Div HQ etc, but nothing found!

- Pete

 

The Mid-Sussex Times, Wednesday, January 5, 1944

TWO SOLDIERS KILLED AT CLAYTON
A BREN GUN CARRIER OVERTURNED

Dr E M Hoare, the East Sussex Coroner held an inquest at the Plough Inn, Pyecombe, on Saturday, on two soldiers who were killed on Friday when a bren gun carrier in which they were travelling overturned on the north side of Clayton Hill. They were Lance-Corporal H E G Crocker and Private V E Grindle, their ages being 31 and 26 respectively.

The evidence showed that, on a tricky road surface, as a couple of Pyecombe boys were going up the hill, the carrier came round a bend while descending the hill, mounted a bank and overturned in the road. The driver was Private H J Pearce, he had driven thousands of miles, and this was his first accident. He was in hospital suffering from shock and an injured back. There was to be a military inquiry. The soldiers died from fractured skulls.

The Coroner said he felt that there had been nothing wrong with Pearce’s actions, and it was not necessary to adjourn the inquiry for his evidence. He returned a verdict of “Accidental deaths”.

The question being raised as to whether a warning should be placed at the spot. Police Inspector O V Butler Browne, of Burgess Hill, intimated that he saw no special reason for this respecting civilian cuts and the Coroner suggested that the military authorities might consider the provision of a sign.

Clayton Hill

Edit: Ross, looks like your mother's recollections were pretty accurate.

 

Well found Tony56

TD

 

Dear All (especially 51Highland, Gaspirator andTony56)

Fantastic work guys!

To think all I was originally looking for was a DOB and now I have so much more. So thank you, thank you, thank you!

Ross