6th AB Graves in Berlin

Discussion in 'War Cemeteries & War Memorial Research' started by Paul Reed, Sep 26, 2008.

  1. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    For some research I am doing have come across a number of men from 6th AB buried in Berlin War Cemetery who died in the final phase of the war.

    Any ideas what they are doing there? Died of wounds as POW, killed in bombardments as POWs?

    The men buried there are:

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    </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 6pt;"> <td style="padding: 0cm; width: 100%; height: 6pt;" width="100%"> <o></o>
    </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0cm; width: 100%;" width="100%"> FELL, Lance Corporal, SAMUEL, 14203051, 13th (2/4th Bn.The South Lancashire Regt.) Bn., Parachute Regiment, A.A.C. 4 May 1945. Age 22. Son of Frank and Mary Jane Fell, of Denton, Lancashire. Grave Ref. 10. K. 16.<o></o>
    </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 6pt;"> <td style="padding: 0cm; width: 100%; height: 6pt;" width="100%"> <o></o>
    </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0cm; width: 100%;" width="100%"> HASLER, Trooper, ARNOLD ULRICH, 14395742, 6th (Airborne) Armd. Regt., Reconnaissance Corps, R.A.C. 2 May 1945. Age 24. Son of Frederick William and Tiena Eliza Hasler, of Hall Green, Birmingham. Grave Ref. 10. H. 11.<o></o>
    </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 6pt;"> <td style="padding: 0cm; width: 100%; height: 6pt;" width="100%"> <o></o>
    </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0cm; width: 100%;" width="100%"> HAYES, Trooper, JOHN ALEXANDER MACALLISTER, 14402455, 6th (Airborne) Armd. Regt., Reconnaissance Corps, R.A.C. 2 May 1945. Age 21. Son of Edwin and Annie Hayes, of Beaulieu, Hampshire. Grave Ref. 10. H. 12.<o></o>
    </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 6pt;"> <td style="padding: 0cm; width: 100%; height: 6pt;" width="100%"> <o></o>
    </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0cm; width: 100%;" width="100%"> HEMMINGS, Private, EDWARD VICTOR, 14804334, 2nd (Airborne) Bn., Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. 1 May 1945. Age 18. Son of Albert Victor and Bertha Hemmings, of Stevenage, Hertfordshire. Grave Ref. 11. E. 17.<o></o>
    </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 6pt;"> <td style="padding: 0cm; width: 100%; height: 6pt;" width="100%"> <o></o>
    </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0cm; width: 100%;" width="100%"> HUSSELBY, Signalman, WILLIAM, 6297026, 6th Airborne Div. Sigs., Royal Corps of Signals. 2 May 1945. Age 23. Son of Joseph Edward and Esther Husselby. Grave Ref. 10. F. 5.<o></o>
    </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 6pt;"> <td style="padding: 0cm; width: 100%; height: 6pt;" width="100%"> <o></o>
    </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0cm; width: 100%;" width="100%"> JEPSON, Major, PERCY PETER JAMES (PETE), 92531, Twice Mentioned in Despatches, Royal Artillery. , attd. H.Q. 6th Airborne Div. 2 May 1945. Son of Percy St. Lawrence Jepson and Ada Mary Jepson, of Friston, Sussex. M.A. (Cantab.). Grave Ref. 10. H. 13.<o></o>
    </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 6pt;"> <td style="padding: 0cm; width: 100%; height: 6pt;" width="100%"> <o></o>
    </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0cm; width: 100%;" width="100%"> LAYCOCK, Private, RONALD, 4614099, 9th Bn., Parachute Regiment, A.A.C. 2 May 1945. Age 29. Grave Ref. 10. H. 14.<o></o>
    </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 6pt;"> <td style="padding: 0cm; width: 100%; height: 6pt;" width="100%"> <o></o>
    </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0cm; width: 100%;" width="100%"> PRESTON, Signalman, WILLIAM, 3456546, 6th Airborne Div. Sigs., Royal Corps of Signals. 2 May 1945. Age 31. Son of William and Phoebe Walker Preston, of Salterbeck, Workington, Cumberland. Grave Ref. 10. H. 15.<o></o>
    </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 6pt;"> <td style="padding: 0cm; width: 100%; height: 6pt;" width="100%"> <o></o>
    </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0cm; width: 100%;" width="100%"> SPENCER, Lance Corporal, WALTER CHARLES, 14623985, 5th Bn., Parachute Regiment, A.A.C. 4 May 1945. Age 25. Son of Dr. Walter Miraner and Ilka Miraner. Grave Ref. 10. K. 15.<o></o>
    </td> </tr> <tr style="height: 6pt;"> <td style="padding: 0cm; width: 100%; height: 6pt;" width="100%"> <o></o>
    </td> </tr> <tr style=""> <td style="padding: 0cm; width: 100%;" width="100%"> WELLEN, Private, FREDERICK ALBERT, 14828800, 9th Bn., Parachute Regiment, A.A.C. 4 May 1945. Age 19. Son of Frederick W. Wellen and Ellen Wellen, of Busbridge, Surrey. Grave Ref. 10. F. 1.<o></o>
    </td> </tr> </tbody></table>
     
  2. AndyBaldEagle

    AndyBaldEagle Very Senior Member

    Paul
    The only thing I can suggest is they died in the last days of the fighting as 6th Airborne were the spearhead of 2nd Army (correct if I'm totally off the mark as its from memory!) and just before they met the Russians at Wemar? (again from memory)
    Also strange that a member of 5th Battalion is buried there, I thought 2nd Parachute Brigade were in Italy/Greece at that time?

    There are a few Arnhem casualties there as well, who I believe died as POWs, and I do have pictures of most of the headstones if you require them, although someone has kindly offered to get me the ones I do not have!

    Regards

    Andy
     
  3. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Thanks - would be interested if any of the grave inscriptions give a clue to the cause of death.
     
  4. 52nd Airborne

    52nd Airborne Green Jacket Brat

    Private Reginald Cadd, 14801070, 2nd (Airborne) Bn. Ox and Bucks Light Infantry - He was killed in an accident in Bad Kleinen as result of collecting up and making safe discarded German weapons. He was originally buried at Bad Keinen but was later moved to Berlin.

    Private Edward Victor Hemmings, 14804334, 2nd (Airborne) Bn. Ox and Bucks Light Infantry - He was taken prisoner at some stage and was being held in Berlin, Unfortunately he was killed in a Russian artillery barrage in the last few days of fighting.
     
  5. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    That's really interesting - thanks for that information.
     
  6. 52nd Airborne

    52nd Airborne Green Jacket Brat

    No problem, my pleasure Paul
     
  7. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Andy

    Could your contact get a photo of the following one (Robert Ingram) from the CGWC link

    CWGC :: Casualty Details

    Thanks

    To Paul

    The guy whose grave I refer to above was a POW in Bad Salza, whose remains were moved to the Berlin after the war. A common theme it would seem.
     
  8. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Ok, thanks - but just to clarify, I am only interested in those listed above.
     
  9. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

    DOes anyone know the exact location of the War Cemetry in Berlin? I am in Berlin middle of Nov, just after Remeberance Sunday, so will plant Poppy Crosses if I can find the location

    Phil
     
  10. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

    DOes anyone know the exact location of the War Cemetry in Berlin? I am in Berlin middle of Nov, just after Remeberance Sunday, so will plant Poppy Crosses if I can find the location

    Phil

    Have found the location, luckily it is right next to the olympic stadium which is where England are playing

    Phil
     
  11. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    englandphil,

    The cemetery is located on the B5 main road from the centre of Berlin towards Nauen in Brandenburg.

    If you are travelling by car you take the Berlin ring road, the Autobahn A100 and the direction for Hamburg.
    Come off the motorway at the signpost Spandau and follow the signs for berlin centre, passing through Staaken.
    Just keep on this road passing Spandau and as you go over the River Havel Iron bridge the road begins to have a service road by the side.
    You are now in charlottenburg and as soon as you see the sign for the service road turn right into it and proceed parallel to the B5.
    The cemetery is then on your right and parking is not a problem.

    If you travel from the centre of berlin it is better to take the service road again and turn around as the road is wide and crossing by foot is dangerous!

    I live quite close to the cemetery and perhaps we could meet there?

    I hope this information is of use to you. Feel free to PM me any time.

    Regards,

    Tom
     
  12. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Thanks - would be interested if any of the grave inscriptions give a clue to the cause of death.


    Paul,
    I was recently at the cemetery taking photos for the forum and had your list with me provided by Andy.

    Sorry to say that I looked at all the headstones and could find nothing relating to causes of death.

    I am aware that you now have information on two of those soldiers.

    Sorry I could not be of more help.

    Tom
     
  13. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

    englandphil,

    The cemetery is located on the B5 main road from the centre of Berlin towards Nauen in Brandenburg.

    If you are travelling by car you take the Berlin ring road, the Autobahn A100 and the direction for Hamburg.
    Come off the motorway at the signpost Spandau and follow the signs for berlin centre, passing through Staaken.
    Just keep on this road passing Spandau and as you go over the River Havel Iron bridge the road begins to have a service road by the side.
    You are now in charlottenburg and as soon as you see the sign for the service road turn right into it and proceed parallel to the B5.
    The cemetery is then on your right and parking is not a problem.

    If you travel from the centre of berlin it is better to take the service road again and turn around as the road is wide and crossing by foot is dangerous!

    I live quite close to the cemetery and perhaps we could meet there?

    I hope this information is of use to you. Feel free to PM me any time.

    Regards,

    Tom

    Tom, England are Playing Germany at the Olympic Stadium on Wed 19th November, so I will be visiting in the afternoon on the Wednesday, as i suspect a lot will, especially as Ive posted the Cemeterey details on the FA noticeboard.

    I was there in 2006 for the World Cup final, and would have visited then had I known it was there.

    P
     
  14. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    englandphil,

    Send me a PM nearer the time and we can arrange a meet.

    Tom
     
  15. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Tom - thanks, and thanks to all who responded.
     
  16. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

    Tom - thanks, and thanks to all who responded.

    Tom, I've been to Berlin a number of Times, and have done the usual such as Check Point Charlie, Eastside Gallary, so aside from the CWGC Cemetery, and the Russian Monuments in the Tiergarten and Treptower Parks, is there anything else that you suggest visiting.

    Last time I was there I was suprised at the lack of advertisement of sites relating to WW2

    Phil
     
  17. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    The Luftwaffe Museum at Gatow is well worth a visit if you are interested in aircraft, but there is not much in the way of WW2 Planes.

    Bf 109 Spanish, but looks good.
    DFS 230 Glider
    Fiesler Storch
    ME 163B Komet.
    Wing section of tubular steel from a Messerschmitt Gigant.
    There is a 8.8cm AA gun and searchlight.
    It is about 20 minutes from the cemetery.

    Tom
     
  18. Ian W B

    Ian W B Member

    Late to this but - John Hayes and Arnold (Ginger) Hasler both killed by friendly fire - Typhoons, possibly Canadian but thats never beent confirmed. 6th AARR formed up in column to go forward and meet Russians near Wismar, festooned with aircraft recognition panels when Typhoons attacked. My godfather Mick Hood was in same Bren carrier as John and Ginger and was blown clear and survived, my father John Banbery was further back in Cromwell listening to Col. Stewart on radio issuing order to return fire if the aircraft returned for a second attack. Tragic given that they had survived Normandy, Ardennes, Rhine crossings and on across Germany.
     
  19. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    Hi.
    Were your father and god parent on Op Varsity too? Did they ever write or talk about their experiences? I’m also interested in an incident on 27th March involving the 6 AARR just outside Erle.

    Alex.
     
  20. Ian W B

    Ian W B Member

    Yes both on Varsity - best source on 6th AARR is Keith Flint's book Airborne Armour ( which my father contributed to) - my father stayed with Cromwells in Holland refitting tanks and without unit insignia for security, Mick I think was in land tail which went back to UK after Ardennes/Holland and then motored back as Varsity commenced.
    What incident at Erle? I know about what happened to the B sqdn tank troop....
     
    BrianHall1963 likes this.

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