CWGC Headstone/Memorial Error Reports and results.

E-mail sent to CWGC on 5 December 2010 about 2 possible incorrect headstones.


Dear Sir/Madam,

The following 2 casualties are recorded as follows:-

Name: SYMINGTON, ARCHIBALD
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 93 (6th Bn. The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) Anti-Tank Regt.
Age: 27
Date of Death: 16/04/1945
Service No: 2981616
Additional information: Husband of Mary Ross McLean Taft Symington, of Greenock, Renfrewshire.
Grave/Memorial Reference: 3. A. 12.
Cemetery: DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY

Name: WILSON, ROBERT JOHN FOSTER
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 93 (6th Bn. The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) Anti-Tank Regt.
Age: 39
Date of Death: 17/04/1945
Service No: 2975463
Additional information: Son of Edward and Sarah Mary Wilson; husband of Christina Sinclair Wilson, of Paisley, Renfrewshire.
Grave/Memorial Reference: 3. E. 7.
Cemetery: DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY

The headstones indicate that they served with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, with no reference to having served with 93 Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery.

Please can you let me know whether this is correct or that the headstones should be changed.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 

E-mail sent to CWGC on 6 December 2010.


Dear Sir/Madam

The following casualty was awarded a Military Medal (London gazette 1-3-1945) and this is not shown on either your database or his Headstone.

Name:BOYD, EUGENE PATRICK
Rank: Serjeant
Regiment/Service: Durham Light Infantry
Unit Text:6th Bn.
Age:27
Date of Death:10/09/1944
Service No3957584.
Grave/Memorial Reference:III.A.4.
Cemetery:GEEL WAR CEMETERY

Please see attached copies of his citation downloaded from the National Archives and a photo of his headstone I took in September this year.

Please can you advise if you can amend these details.

 

Hi,

In 2007 while checking some RAF aircrew casualties, I noticed they were missing details of their gallantry awards from the CWGC database.

67712 F/L Walter Harold COKE-KERR Died 11/3/47 Commemorated Runnymede Memorial Addenda (I am still trying to uncover the circumstance of his death)

Distinguished Flying Cross LG 23/3/45 139 Sqn

216038 F/Sgt Stanley Langford Conway WATTS KIA 2/3/43 35 Sqn
Markelo General Cemetery Holland

Air Force Medal LG 1/1/41

I wrote to RAF Personnel Management agency and received confirmation of their awards. With this information the CWGC altered their database information.

The CWGC later added the D.F.C to the Runnymede Memorial, and only the other day added the A.F.M to F/Sgt Watts grave !

Mark

 

Nice work Mark.

 

Overseas Privately-Constructed Memorials Restoration Program



Overview

Overseas Privately-Constructed Memorials Restoration Program (OPCMRP) grants are available to eligible individuals, non-commercial organisations or community groups, who have an interest in seeing a particular privately-constructed overseas memorial restored and preserved. Memorials must directly commemorate Australia’s servicemen and women who served in wars, conflicts and peace operations.


http://factsheets.dva.gov.au/factsheets/documents/GS16%20Overseas%20Privately%20Constructed%20Memorials%20Restoration%20Program.htm

 

just received this from CWGC

C.F.Turner Coldstream Guards

Dear Clive,

"I have just received an e-mail from Harrow cemeteries dept. regarding information about grave ownership, they are unable to help me due to data protection policy, therefore at this moment in time I am unable to proceed with the ordering of a new headstone for this casualty. I have informed my Head office who may be able to help with this problem."

 

E-mail to CWGC dated 22 August about casualties of 102 LAA Regt (My Dad's Regiment) listed against 102 AT Regiment (Northumberland Hussars).

Dear Sir/Madam

Dear Sir/Madam

I believe you have some incorrect data recorded in the unit text line against the following 2 casualties who died on the same date and the same incident:-

NEWMAN, WILLIAM JOHN
Initials: W J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Serjeant
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 337 Bty., 102 (The Northumberland Hussars) Lt. A.A.
Regt.
Age: 33
Date of Death: 26/07/1945
Service No: 4808515
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 4. Column 1.
Memorial: BROOKWOOD MEMORIAL

TODD, JOSEPH TAIT
Initials: J T
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Gunner
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 337 Bty., 102 (The Northumberland Hussars) Lt. A.A. Regt.
Age: 20
Date of Death: 26/07/1945
Service No: 14554896
Additional information: Son of Joseph and Georgina Todd, of Kilcreggan, Dunbartonshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 4. Column 1.
Memorial: BROOKWOOD MEMORIAL

In July 1945, the 2 men above were serving in 337 Battery of 102 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery.
The Northumberland Hussars included in the unit text line is incorrect. The Northumberland Hussars were in fact 102 (Northumberland Hussars) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery with 99, 107, 288 and 289 batteries under command and were designated this from 1942.

I attach a copy of the war diary as proof of the fact that it was just 102 LAA Regt.

The Brookwood Memorial inscription for Newman is incorrect as it is listed under the Northumberland Hussars, but Tait is listed under Royal Artillery.
　
Please can you investigate the above and let me know your findings.


PS - There are another 9 listed under 336, 337 and 338 Batteries, who have the Northumberland Hussars in their title and which are also wrong. The majority have the serial number of the Lincolnshire Regiment, from which they were converted in December 1941.

Their details are listed below:-

1942

STANIFORTH, GEORGE HENRY
Initials: G H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Gunner
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 336 Bty., 102 (The Northumberland Hussars) Lt. A.A. Regt.
Age: 31
Date of Death: 16/07/1942
Service No: 4808612
Additional information: Son of Frederick and Charlotte Staniforth, of Crowle; husband of Irene Staniforth, of Crowle.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave 1174.
Cemetery: CROWLE CEMETERY

ALGAR, ERIC ALFRED
Initials: E A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Gunner
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 336 Bty., 102 (The Northumberland Hussars) Lt. A.A. Regt.
Age: 29
Date of Death: 17/09/1942
Service No: 4807167
Additional information: Husband of Mabel Algar, of Brigg.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. D. Grave 19.
Cemetery: SCUNTHORPE (CROSBY) CEMETERY

1943

WALKER, GEORGE HENRY
Rank: Lance Bombardier
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 338 Bty., 102 (The Northumberland Hussars) Lt. A.A. Regt.
Age: 31
Date of Death: 06/05/1943
Service No: 4808234
Additional information: Son of John Henry and Sarah Jane Walker, of Stamford; husband of Irene Walker, of Stamford.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. S. Grave 11T.
Cemetery: STAMFORD CEMETERY

PARKER, WALTER CHARLES
Rank: Gunner
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 338 Bty., 102 (The Northumberland Hussars) Lt. A.A.
Regt. Date of Death: 14/06/1943
Service No: 4808211
Additional information: Husband of Norah B. Parker, of Grimsby.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. G.G. Grave B.13.
Cemetery: CLEETHORPES CEMETERY

EDWARDS, NORMAN BRYSON
Rank: Gunner
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 337 Bty., 102 (The Northumberland Hussars) Lt. A.A. Regt.
Date of Death: 10/11/1943
Service No: 4808384
Additional information: Husband of G. Edwards, of Scunthorpe.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. A. Grave 167.
Cemetery: SCUNTHORPE (CROSBY) CEMETERY

1944

SWINGLER, KENNETH WILSON
Rank: Gunner
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 338 Bty., 102 (The Northumberland Hussars) Lt. A.A. Regt.
Age: 29
Date of Death: 02/07/1944
Service No: 4808621
Additional information: Son of Sydney Sendall Swingler and Annie Elizabeth Swingler, of Louth, Lincolnshire; husband of Edith Swingler, of Louth.
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. A. 3.
Cemetery: RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY

BOLAM, CHARLES SYLVESTER
Rank: Gunner
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 338 Bty., 102 (The Northumberland Hussars) Lt. A.A. Regt.
Age: 33
Date of Death: 18/09/1944
Service No: 4808296
Additional information: Son of Robert and Daisy Bolam, of Grantham, Lincolnshire; husband of Marjorie Bolam, of Grantham.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Divn. 67. Row O. Grave 4.
Cemetery: STE. MARIE CEMETERY, LE HAVRE

WARBURTON, EDWIN
Rank: Gunner
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 338 Bty., 102 (The Northumberland Hussars) Lt. A.A.
Regt. Age: 36
Date of Death: 24/10/1944
Service No: 1744862
Additional information: Husband of Doris Warburton, of Tyldesley, Lancashire.
Grave/Memorial Reference: V. A. 8.
Cemetery: LEOPOLDSBURG WAR CEMETERY

1946

ELLIS, JOHN ROBERT
Initials: J R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Gunner
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 336 Bty., 102 (The Northumberland Hussars) Lt. A.A. Regt.
Age: 34
Date of Death: 06/12/1946
Service No: 4807884
Additional information: Son of John Robert and Mabel Ellis, of Grimsby; husband or Eva Gertrude Ellis, of Grimsby.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. 116. Row L. Grave 15.
Cemetery: GRIMSBY (SCARTHO ROAD) CEMETERY

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Acknowledged, but no answer to my query.

A great result for me as the above 11 casualties have been acknowledged by CWGC as being those of 102 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery and NOT the Northumberland Hussars. I now have 20 confirmed casualties from my Dad's Regiment. 2 Headstones require replacement and one inscription is incorrect on the Brookwood Memorial.

The e-mail from CWGC dated 13 December 2010 reads as follows:-

Dear Mr M

Further to my previous email, I am pleased to advise that our Records Section have agreed that the 11 casualties of 336 Bty., 337 Bty., and 338 Bty., should be accorded to the 102 Lt. A.A. Regiment, Royal Artillery. There are a further 8 casualties of this unit with no Battery information and I attach a report of all 19 casualties for your perusal.

I trust this is satisfactory and thank you for contacting us in this matter.

Yours sincerely



Sarah Quinn (Mrs)
Enquiries Section, Commonwealth War Graves Commission


The full list of my Dad's unit reads as follows:-

Commonwealth war dead 1939-1947
Casualties of 102 Lt. A.A. Regiment, Royal Artillery


LEOPOLDSBURG WAR CEMETERY, Leopoldsburg, Limburg, Belgium
　
LE RUE, Lieutenant, CYRIL JOHN, 158380, 102 Lt. A.A. Regt., Royal Artillery. 24 October 1944. Grave Ref. V. A. 7.

WARBURTON, Gunner, EDWIN, 1744862, 338 Bty., 102 Lt. A.A. Regt., Royal Artillery. 24 October 1944. Age 36. Husband of Doris Warburton, of Tyldesley, Lancashire. Grave Ref. V. A. 8.


RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY, Calvados, France
　
SWINGLER, Gunner, KENNETH WILSON, 4808621, 338 Bty., 102 Lt. A.A. Regt., Royal Artillery. 2 July 1944. Age 29. Son of Sydney Sendall Swingler and Annie Elizabeth Swingler, of Louth, Lincolnshire; husband of Edith Swingler, of Louth. Grave Ref. I. A. 3.

WOODWARD, Gunner, JOSEPH, 5057283, 102 Lt. A.A. Regt., Royal Artillery. 24 July 1944. Age 24. Grave Ref. II. E. 27.


STE. MARIE CEMETERY, LE HAVRE, Seine-Maritime, France
　
BOLAM, Gunner, CHARLES SYLVESTER, 4808296, 338 Bty., 102 Lt. A.A. Regt., Royal Artillery. 18 September 1944. Age 33. Son of Robert and Daisy Bolam, of Grantham, Lincolnshire; husband of Marjorie Bolam, of Grantham. Grave Ref. Divn. 67. Row O. Grave 4.


REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY, Kleve, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
　
DOUGHTY, Serjeant, ALFRED LEONARD, 4806517, 102 Lt. A.A. Regt., Royal Artillery. 14 May 1945. Age 32. Son of Leonard and Alice Beatrice Doughty, of Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire. Grave Ref. 59. C. 1.

ROSS, Gunner, JOHN GIBSON, 1652467, 102 Lt. A.A. Regt., Royal Artillery. 14 May 1945. Age 29. Grave Ref. 59. C. 5.


BROOKWOOD MEMORIAL, Surrey, United Kingdom
　
NEWMAN, Serjeant, WILLIAM JOHN, 4808515, 337 Bty., 102 Lt. A.A. Regt., Royal Artillery. 26 July 1945. Age 33. Panel 4. Column 1.

TODD, Gunner, JOSEPH TAIT, 14554896, 337 Bty., 102 Lt. A.A. Regt., Royal Artillery. 26 July 1945. Age 20. Son of Joseph and Georgina Todd, of Kilcreggan, Dunbartonshire. Panel 4. Column 1.




　
BURNLEY CEMETERY, Lancashire, United Kingdom
　
CADDY, Serjeant, FRANCIS SAMUEL, 4798238, 102 Lt. A.A. Regt., Royal Artillery. 22 March 1945. Age 37. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel James Caddy; husband of Lilian Caddy, of Bradford, Yorkshire. Grave Ref. Grave NE. 11041.


CLEETHORPES CEMETERY, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
　
PARKER, Gunner, WALTER CHARLES, 4808211, 338 Bty., 102 Lt. A.A. Regt., Royal Artillery. 14 June 1943. Husband of Norah B. Parker, of Grimsby. Grave Ref. Sec. G.G. Grave B.13.


CROWLE CEMETERY, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
　
STANIFORTH, Gunner, GEORGE HENRY, 4808612, 336 Bty., 102 Lt. A.A. Regt., Royal Artillery. 16 July 1942. Age 31. Son of Frederick and Charlotte Staniforth, of Crowle; husband of Irene Staniforth, of Crowle. Grave Ref. Grave 1174.


GRIMSBY (SCARTHO ROAD) CEMETERY, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
　
ELLIS, Gunner, JOHN ROBERT, 4807884, 336 Bty., 102 Lt. A.A. Regt., Royal Artillery. 6 December 1946. Age 34. Son of John Robert and Mabel Ellis, of Grimsby; husband or Eva Gertrude Ellis, of Grimsby. Grave Ref. Sec. 116. Row L. Grave 15.


OLD MONKLAND CEMETERY, Lanarkshire, United Kingdom
　
SKINNER, Gunner, JOSEPH, 1751579, 102 Lt. A.A. Regt., Royal Artillery. 28 August 1947. Age 39. Son of John and Helen Yates Skinner, of Coatbridge; husband of Jane Lane Skinner, of Whifflet, Coatbridge. Grave Ref. Sec. 78. Grave 36.


SCUNTHORPE (CROSBY) CEMETERY, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
　
ALGAR, Gunner, ERIC ALFRED, 4807167, 336 Bty., 102 Lt. A.A. Regt., Royal Artillery. 17 September 1942. Age 29. Husband of Mabel Algar, of Brigg. Grave Ref. Sec. D. Grave 19.

EDWARDS, Gunner, NORMAN BRYSON, 4808384, 337 Bty., 102 Lt. A.A. Regt., Royal Artillery. 10 November 1943. Husband of G. Edwards, of Scunthorpe. Grave Ref. Sec. A. Grave 167.


SLEAFORD CEMETERY, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
　
BURLEY, Gunner, HAROLD, 4807839, 102 Lt. A.A. Regt., Royal Artillery. 13 November 1945. Age 33. Son of Albert and Emma Burley, of Sleaford. Grave Ref. Sec. A.A. Grave 138.


STAMFORD CEMETERY, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
　
WALKER, Lance Bombardier, GEORGE HENRY, 4808234, 338 Bty., 102 Lt. A.A. Regt., Royal Artillery. 6 May 1943. Age 31. Son of John Henry and Sarah Jane Walker, of Stamford; husband of Irene Walker, of Stamford. Grave Ref. Sec. S. Grave 11T.


WHITBURN CEMETERY, West Lothian, United Kingdom
　
CROWE, Gunner, JAMES, 14416542, 102 Lt. A.A. Regt., Royal Artillery. 2 October 1943. Age 21. Son of Patrick and Rose Crowe, of Kilnaleck, Co. Cavan, Irish Republic. Grave Ref. East Extn. Grave V. 149.

 

Excellent!

D

Not quite. Just checked the first casualty of 102 LAA, which happened 24 days after conversion from 7th Lincolns to 102 LAA. I sent CWGC a copy of the actual b----y war diary and they acknowledged the correction, but have still attached the Northumber Hussars name to the unit title. Have e-mailed them again. Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!

Name: HODGKINSON, JAMES
Rank: Colour Serjeant
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 102 (The Northumberland Hussars) Lt. A.A./Anti-Tank Regt.
Age: 39
Date of Death: 24/12/1941
Service No: 4795819
Additional information: Son of George and Emma Hodgkinson of Nottingham; husband of Emma Elizabeth Hodgkinson, of Nottingham.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. J.35. Grave 39.
Cemetery: NOTTINGHAM SOUTHERN CEMETERY

 

Whilst looking for something totally different today I came across some information regarding a soldier I featured on my web-site Pte W Nevison 6th DLI according to the CWGC he died on the 22nd May 1940.
However there is a declaration held in the Durham Records Office made by four Frenchmen/woman to say that Pte Nevison was killed on the 24th May 1940 buried locally (location given)on the 25th May 1940 and reburied later(location again given) there is a further declaration by these Frenchmen that he was killed by a sniper (which I had already sourced a while ago) and the exact address including door number where he fell.The document(s) are in French so I will try and check them out in the New Year.Would a copy of these documents be enough to satisfy the CWGC that they possibly have it wrong?

Jim

 

Name on headstone is Story ,CWGC have Storey .
They cannot change unless supplied with official documentation

Thank you for your e-mail of 9th September 2010.

Please find below all the details that we hold for Emma Storey, this being the information provided by the relevant local authority after the war.

Civilian STOREY, EMMA
Regiment: Civilian War Dead
Age: 6
Date of Death: 9 October 1940
Commemoration: FINCHLEY, MUNICIPAL BOROUGH
Civilian War Dead
Additional Information: at 962 High Road.

Before we can consider making any amendments to the surname given in Emma Storey’s record, we would first ask you to send in a copy of his full birth certificate. We also require additional documentary evidence to ensure that the birth certificate does refer to the casualty that we commemorate, such as a notification of death card, memorial card, obituary notice, and any other documentation or evidence that you have in your possession which may support an amendment to Emma Storey’s record.

I hope I can be of further assistance to you when we have received this documentation.

Free BMD shows the death of an Emma STOREY registered in Dec 1940 at Hendon aged 65. The surname error must have been made by the monumental mason(s)

If you read the headstone she was a widow, so her age of 6 as per CWGC records must be wrong. The surname spelling seems to be correct as per CWGC but not her age.

 

hello Peter

yes i pointed this out to CWGC

many thanks

regards
Clive

 

I pointed out to the Cwgc an error on the Runnymede Mem :-

1280974 Sgt William Thomas STANLEY Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 142 Squadron 2 June 1942 Panel 290

The memorial has him as STANEY W.T 1942.

The response, as long as the database says Stanley they won't change the memorial or insert a new entry !

Mark

 

Marks

What is the evidence that you base your statement on; CWGC will only act on firm evidence

Chris

 

The evidence of my eyes !


http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachments/war-cemeteries-war-memorial-research/42029d1292368477t-runnymede-memorial-known-graves-j-k-smee-runnymede-jpg

Mark

 

I see Mark

what actually happens is that when the panel is replaced then the error will corrected as per the database

Chris

 

The photo of the headstone I took shows
J.W.Rothwell

Thank you for your e-mail of 16th November 2010 regarding the second forename/initial of the casualty shown below:

Corporal ROTHWELL, JOHN HUBERT
Unit: 12th (10th Bn. The Green Howards [Yorkshire Regt.]) Bn.
Regiment: Parachute Regiment, A.A.C.
Service No: 3250877
Age: 28
Date of Death: 20 March 1945
Commemoration: BROOKWOOD MILITARY CEMETERY
United Kingdom
31A. C. 9.
Additional Information: Son of William and Rachel Rothwell, of Manchester.

This is to thank you for bringing this to our attention and to let you know that we are currently looking into this matter.

 

E-mail sent to CWGC 21 November 2010 regarding an incorrect battalion recorded against a casualty.

Dear Sir/Madam,

The following casualty is shown as having served in the 5th Battalion of the Lincolns at the time of death. Only the 4th Battalion served in Norway, so he must have served with this battalion. There are 6 other men from the 4th Battalion buried in the same place.

Name: ROE, GEORGE FREDERICK
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Lincolnshire Regiment
Unit Text: 5th Bn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: 22/04/1940
Service No: 4803895
Additional information: Son of Herbert and Elsie Roe; husband of Bessie Roe, of Ashby, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire.
Grave/Memorial Reference: A IV British. D. 2.
Cemetery: TRONDHEIM (STAVNE) CEMETERY

I don't believe the 5th Battalion were reformed in WW2.

I look forward to hearing from you regarding this matter.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Successful outcome. Battalion changed to the 4th.

Response as follows:-

Thank you for your email of 21st November 2010.

Please accept our apologies for the delay of our reply. This is due to the large volume of correspondence we are currently receiving. (PROBABLY FROM WW2TALK FORUM MEMBERS. )

When our records were scanned to form our database some errors did unfortunately occur because of the age and variable quality of the material and print. Naturally, we are keen to ensure that all such errors are corrected, however small, and I am grateful to you for drawing this to our attention. I have amended Private G F Roe's record which now reads:

Private ROE, GEORGE FREDERICK
Unit: 4th Bn.
Regiment: Lincolnshire Regiment
Service No: 4803895
Age: 22
Date of Death: 22 April 1940
Commemoration: TRONDHEIM (STAVNE) CEMETERY
Norway
A IV British. D. 2.
Additional Information: Son of Herbert and Elsie Roe; husband of Bessie Roe, of Ashby, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire.

Location: The town of Trondheim stands on the west coast of Norway approximately 500 km north of Oslo. Approaching Trondheim from the south on the main E6 route from Oslo exit the A6 shortly before the toll bridge at junction 11a signposted route 715 to Fosen. Follow the 715 turning right at the T junction and right again at the roundabout approximately 1 km further on, still signposted to Fosen. 50 metres beyond the roundabout turn right into a short lane at the sign for Stavne church. Stavne churchyard is just opposite Stavne Gård, in Osloveien, N-7019 Trondheim. The GPS co-ordinates for Stavne Gård are 72 54 32 50. From the entrance to the churchyard the Cross and war plot can be plainly seen at a distance of 100 metres immediately behind the wooden chapel.

Historical: During the Second World War, Norway was of strategic importance to the Germans. Their invasion on 9 April 1940 was sudden and widespread and despite Allied intervention, the entire country was under German occupation by early June. Thereafter, Allied activity in Norway was confined to raids and special operations, with the Commonwealth air forces providing support to Norwegian resistance groups until the German capitulation in May 1945. There are no Commonwealth war cemeteries in Norway, those who died there being buried in civil cemeteries and churchyards. Trondheim (Stavne) Cemetery contains the largest Commonwealth war graves plot in Norway. Among those buried here are the first casualties of the Norwegian campaign, six sailors from the destroyer Glowworm which blew up after attacking and ramming the German cruiser 'Hipper' on 8 April 1940. Some of the soldiers belonged to the force which landed at Namsos later that month and advanced towards Trondheim, while many were casualties from the raid made on the island of Vagsoy at Christmas 1941. The majority are airmen who were shot down in this area, many whilst attacking German shipping in Norwegian coastal waters, the losses being particularly heavy during the spring of 1942. The Commonwealth plot at Trondheim contains 155 burials, 26 of them unidentified.

Please note that this amendment will appear on website within 24 hours.

Thank you again for bringing this matter to our attention.

Yours sincerely,


A Francis (Mrs), Enquiries Section

 

Radio Officer Joseph Alfred William Paton

Joseph was posted missing presumed killed following an air raid on Merseyside March 1941. He was aged 33 yrs and been in the services(presume M.N.) for 15 years having trained at Wireless Training School in Cardiff.

In March of 1940 the ship he was on was torpedo’d and sunk, but he and a number of others survived.

Joseph does not appear to be listed CWGC as either M.N. Radio Officer or as a Civilian.

What is even more confusing that his parents in Pembroke Dock received a letter from him posted from aboard 3 days after they received notification of his presumed death on Merseyside.

Rgds
Orielbenfro
Pembrokeshire related military headstones and the stories behind those headstones 1722 to 2006

 

Further to my e-mail of 22nd December 2010, we have completed our investigation and the correct full name for Corporal Rothwell is JOHN WHITELEY ROTHWELL.

I have corrected his database entry, please see below for the information that we now hold:

Corporal ROTHWELL, JOHN WHITELEY
Unit: 12th (10th Bn. The Green Howards [Yorkshire Regt.]) Bn.
Regiment: Parachute Regiment, A.A.C.
Service No: 3250877
Age: 28
Date of Death: 20 March 1945
Commemoration: BROOKWOOD MILITARY CEMETERY
United Kingdom
31A. C. 9.
Additional Information: Son of William and Rachel Rothwell, of Manchester.

Although this information has been amended on our in house database, this will not show on our web site for at least 24 hrs..

Thank you for bringing this to our attention.