6914356 Fusilier James William Legg, 4th Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers

Discussion in '1940' started by Drew5233, Mar 11, 2017.

  1. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I know this chap died of his wounds and is buried in Dunkirk but from CWGC's records I can see he was exhumed from his original grave in 1948 and taken to Dunkirk Cemetery. Am I correct in thinking he was originally buried in Steenvoorde Communal Cemetery?


     
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  2. BFBSM

    BFBSM Very Senior Member

    I would say yes, you are correct, and that all those on the page were reinterred from Steenvoorde Communal Cemetery at the Dunkirk Town Cemetery.

    Mark
     
  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    I'd say yes he was.
    There are 7 WW1 graves there which is maybe why the 1940 chaps were buried there to start with .
    Cemetery Details
     
  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Thanks all. Bit odd I think, I went to that cemetery in 2015 and there's no WW2 graves in it and just six WW1 ones. Looking at the dates of death and a significant number of DOW's I can't help think that it must have been a medical facility nearby-It looks like most if not all of those casualties would have been fighting at Arras with 50 Division.
     
  5. Deacs

    Deacs Well i am from Cumbria.

    Would be that the same for G.Reed of the Border reg who is on the graves concentration form, was he buried in the same cemetery then reburied in Dunkirk ?
     
  6. BFBSM

    BFBSM Very Senior Member

    Deacs That is the way I would read it.

    Mark
     
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  7. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Some background information, James W Legg is recorded on a number of Casualty Lists:

    List No. 255 dated 15 July 1940
    He is reported as wounded 21.5.40

    List No. 288 dated 22 Aug 1940
    Amended to wounded & missing 10.5/16.6.40

    List No. 292 dated 27 Aug 1940
    Reports that he died of wounds 22.5.40

    List No. 712 dated 5 Jan 1942
    Amends his date of casualty to 21.5.40

    Also
    G Reed 3595908, 4 Bn The Border Regt, appears on one list
    List No. 230 dated 13 June 1940
    Killed in action, date of casualty 21.5.40
     
  8. LondonNik

    LondonNik Senior Member

    Deleted
     
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2017
  9. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Fred Humphrey, 549956, 12 Bn Lancers Regt.

    Appears in the following Casualty Lists:
    List No. 225 dated 7 June 1940 wounded & missing DNR
    List No. 361 dated 1 November 1940 missing believed killed DNR
    List No. 701 dated 22 December 1941 KIA 21.5.40

    He enlisted into the Royal Tank Corps 12.11.29 for 6 years, I believe the record states 11 Hussars and then to 12 Lancers 11.11.35.
    He also appears in the March 1941 British Army ‘List of Missing’ for circulation to POW camps.
     
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  10. LondonNik

    LondonNik Senior Member

    Deleted
     
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2017
  11. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Nick
    The originals are at The National Archives, WO 417, but they are available online to subscribers, follow the ‘findmypast’ link

    British Army Casualty Lists 1939-1945
    If you put in Fred’s number anyone can get some results, but the detail costs!
     
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  12. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I got a couple of interesting documents on this chap, especially the first one below. I'm wondering if this sort of information was sent out as standard, either way it's a new document on me that I've never seen before.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
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  13. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    A great post, what an interesting letter. What intrigues me is, if he was wounded on 21 May, that his parents’ were in a position (i.e. had a concern) to make an enquiry as early as 19 June, he didn’t appear on the first casualty list until 15 July. I am surprised news moved that quickly in the circumstances.

    I have heard of Commanding Officers sending out personal letters but would imagine that it was the exception rather that the rule, in this case he was obviously prompted.
     
  14. BFBSM

    BFBSM Very Senior Member

    Was it possible that comrades had returned to England and informed his parents of his wounding?

    Mark
     
  15. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    A very caring company commander there. The companies of the Motor Battalions were anotated X, Y and Z and 4 RNF's vehicles carried that marking along with section markings. A 1939 C3999999 4 RNF  Big 4 outfit Fontaine 20.3.40.jpg

    A Bedford 15cwt with bren gunner from 4 RNF photographed in March 1940 :- B4 at Fontaine 04.jpg
     
  16. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Wonder when/why he was transferred from The Rifle Brigade (as per number & cap badge) to the RNF.
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2017
  17. LondonNik

    LondonNik Senior Member

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    Last edited: Sep 16, 2017
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  18. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    The FFWs seem to have been Morris-Commercial PUs. B4 at Fontaine 01.jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 14, 2017
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  19. LondonNik

    LondonNik Senior Member

    Deleted
     
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2017
  20. LondonNik

    LondonNik Senior Member

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    Last edited: Sep 16, 2017

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