On the Unit text for a casualty named on C.W.G.C site are the initials B.S.R.U. The casualty was a Leading Aircraftsman and his name is Edward Stead.
I served in No.6 BSRU BAFO at the end of hostilities in 1944, on disbandment of 2 nd TAF Mobile Signals units and MSSU's. It was based on an exLuftwaffe airfield at Stade, 9 miles NW of Hamburg. BSRU stands for Base Signals Repair Unit, for it was there that all of the vehicles from disbanded MSU's were concentrated and the large complement of Wireless Mechanics and MT Fitters were employed in their maintenance. Some of these were purchased by the French Air Force to equip their newly formed Units in the Midi of France. Les
Can anyone assist if they have any information regarding how LAC Stead and others from the B.S.R.U. (RAFVR) lost their lives on this 7 November 1944? Checking "Geoff's (Wonderful) Search Engine" there appears to be over 200 B.S.R.U. casualties on that date alone (239 actually). Many of these B.S.R.U. casualties killed on that day appear, like LAC Edward Stead, to be buried in Oostende New Communal Cemetery. There are also a large number who have no known grave and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. The first thing that comes to my mind about Oostende & Belgium around that time in November 1944 would be V-weapon attacks, many of which were used to target Belgium. A V-2 hit could also explain the seemingly large number of deaths on the same day. Posssibly some kindly WW2 researcher Belgium may already have the information one way or the other? Part of my reason for asking is researching the possible reason and location for another B.S.R.U. casualty on that day who is commemorated on the Runnymede memorial: LAC John Leech, RAFVR Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: B.S.R.U. Age: 21 Date of Death: 07/11/1944 Service No: 1671149 Additional information: Son of Alexander Leech, and of Bridget Leech, of Saltaire, Yorkshire. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 243. Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL, Surrey (U.K.) Possibly (but only conjectures at this stage): ( a ) Could LAC John Leech have died in the same incident as LAC Stead; and ( b ) Could LAC John Leech have been buried as an unidentified casualty in Oostende New Cemetery? (If he died in Belgium this may be the case). Thanks in advance to anyone who may be able to assist.
Can anyone assist if they have any information regarding how LAC Stead and others from the B.S.R.U. (RAFVR) lost their lives on this 7 November 1944? Checking "Geoff's (Wonderful) Search Engine" there appears to be over 200 B.S.R.U. casualties on that date alone (239 actually). see this thread about LST 420 http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-sea/16126-lst-420-a.html robin 105 LST-420 left Dover on 7 November with a party of airmen, trucks and supplies for RAF personnel in Belgium. It was unable to enter the port of Ostend because of a severe storm and the captain decided to return to England. The ship was still within sight of Ostend when it hit and mine, split in two, and sank. Fourteen officers and 224 other ranks were lost. Only 31 were saved. It was the greatest loss of lives on a British landing craft during the war. Many of the casualties were buried at Ostend and at Blankenberge cemeteries in Belgium. Above the wreck today is a marker buoy "LST 420."
see this thread about LST 420 http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-sea/16126-lst-420-a.html Thanks. I have re-directed the request on that thread. This might just lead to the solution of what really happened to LAC John Leech.
My late father was an RN survivor. If you check you will see my other posts. The RAF component I had listed along with the others from longhand serches of the CWGC site before it became searchable by other methods. I had managed this year to get as far as the BSRU which I understood to be the Base Signals and Radar Unit. I had lists of those lost and of those buried. Leech and Stead appear to be in that group. The American LST site has an eye witness report, which also, as I recollect identifies other LST's involved in the convoy and picking up survivors. The key problem, apart from the weather, was , as I understand it, that the convoy had no escort vessels and they could not turn round in the narrow seaway, partly due to the weather. A destroyer with a lower freeboard could have pulled people from the water. As it was scrambling nets were put out, but those who had been in the water for about 2 hours did not have the strength to climb them. I have passed papers on to the Landing Craft Assoc.which for the RN personnel detail the ship's movements from commissioning in the USa to its sailing from the Med. for D-Day duties. Happy to help any enquirer.
I have been trying to find out more about my mother's cousin who died on 7.11.1944 and is remembered at Runnymede. I had wrongly presumed he was lost from a flight over ? The English Channel. Thank you so much for this past 'thread' that I found on Google. This is my first time at joining a Blog Can anyone give me any more links/photos/relevant information? My mother's cousin was Leading Aircraftman STANLEY PERCY REES 1397999, BSRU, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve dies 7th November 1944.... Remembered with honour RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
Panel attached from Runnymede REES, STANLEY PERCY Rank: Leading Aircraftman Service No: 1397999 Date of Death: 07/11/1944 Age: 22 Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve B.S.R.U. Panel Reference Panel 242. Memorial RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Additional Information: Son of Percy William and Daisy Flora Rees; husband of Constance Lilian Rees, of Southgate, Middlesex. regards Clive
One of the Canadian air crew on HM LST-420 that was lost on November 7, 1944. DURRANT, HAROLD DAVISON | Canadian War Cemetery, Adegem
