Cuckmere Valley

Discussion in 'War Cemeteries & War Memorial Research' started by Tony56, Dec 8, 2020.

  1. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Looks like lost in the mists of time. Story made up
    Memorial needs changing as suggested
     
  2. hutt

    hutt Member

    I think it may be worth getting hold of the 27th AA Brigade diary for 1940 (WO166/2247). If it contains similar detail to the the brigade's diary for 1942 (WO166/7384, sample page attached) then it may well record the incident. (if there was one). Civilian casualties are typically noted throughout although I guess there is a distinct possibility that millitary (especially Canadian) may not have been recorded at all.
    WO166/2247 is on my list for a future Kew visit.
     

    Attached Files:

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  3. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Did anyone die on that date in that place and are they on CWGC
    it is poppycock
     
  4. Richard Lewis

    Richard Lewis Member

    No, I’m afraid not. Although the Seaforth Highlanders were located at Pevensey an accident occurred at Witley (Witley Camp) during a class on the 2” mortar. The bomb became primed through rough handling with the result that when it was placed in the mortar and fired it exploded immediately. The mortar barrel was completely shattered.

    Four men were killed:
    Lt LOR Tucker
    K42998 Pte KC LeDuc
    K10101 WK Neilson
    K42715 Pte M Coulter​

    A fifth man was seriously injured:
    L/Cpl JAS McDiarmid
    Seaforth Highlanders 19421025.jpg

    Seaforth Highlanders 19421027.jpg

    Source: War Diary of Seaforth Highlanders Oct 1942

    Here are two images from the war diary that Tricky Dicky found.

    18 Cdn Fd Coy RCE 19420709.jpg

    18 Cdn Fd Coy RCE 19420704.jpg

    Although the Company was at Mounfield Court, near Robertsbridge, according to the Field Return of Officers for w/e 4 July 1942 Lt Craufurd was not with the Company, being with 3 Cdn Div. The diary stated that he was “killed today by an enemy raider on the south coast”. Where exactly? I had a quick look at some 3 Cdn Div war diaries but they don’t give much information on day to day events.

    Source: War Diary of 18 Fd Coy RCE

    None of this goes anywhere near proving the accuracy of the story.

    Richard
     
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