CWGC Headstone/Memorial Error Reports and results.

I looked at the war diary of 119 LAA Battery today and have the evidence I now need to get this amended on the CWGC database. Bombadier Pointer was hospitalised on 3 October 1942 and was shown to be there on every weekly field return until 7 November 1942. He is shown as having died on the CWGC database on 12 November 1942.

My e-mail to CWGC dated 15 March 2011


Dear Sir/Madam,

I have checked the war diary of 119 LAA Battery and found the name of Bombadier Pointer within it. He was hospitalised from 3 October 1942 and obviously died over a month later. A copy of the field return of other ranks is attached, showing his name near the bottom with serial number. At the top of the return, you can see that underneath 119 LAA Battery is recorded 86 LAA Regiment and not 89 LAA Regt, which as I reported previously was in the UK until 1944 (Went to NWE). The reporting authority must have transposed it incorrectly.

I trsut this is the required evidence to have the unit detail changed.

Copy of other rank field return attached.

Got this e-mail dated 28 March 2011, which amended the Regt from 89 LAA to 86 LAA Regt. The only problem being that they did not delete 11 Bn, The Buffs from the unit title. E-mailed them again for another amendment to be made.

"Thank you for your email dated 15th March, 2011, and copy of the Field Return relating to Bombardier Ernest Frederick Pointer.
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 Bombardier’s record which now reads:
Thank you again for bringing this to our attention, and for your interest.

Yours sincerely,

Enquiries Section

Bombardier POINTER, ERNEST FREDERICK
Unit: 119 Bty., 86 (11th Bn. The Buffs [Royal East Kent Regt.] Lt. A.A. Regt.
Regiment: Royal Artillery
Service No: 1616890
Age: 28
Date of Death: 12 November 1942
Commemoration: GAZA WAR CEMETERY
Israel
Plot B. Row B. Grave 8.

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

Received an e-mail the following day, 29 march 2011 with the entry amended to my satisfaction.


"Further to your email dated 28th March, 2011.


Please see the amended record for Bombardier Ernest Frederick Pointer. I would like to apologise for the delay in amending the Unit.
Thank you for your interest.

Yours sincerely,

Enquiries Section

Bombardier POINTER, ERNEST FREDERICK
Unit: 119 Bty., 86 Lt. A.A. Regt. R.Art.
Regiment: Royal Artillery
Service No: 1616890
Age: 28
Date of Death: 12 November 1942
Commemoration: GAZA WAR CEMETERY
Israel
Plot B. Row B. Grave 8.

Successful conclusion to this query.

 

Surname on the CWGC database is spelt differently to that on the headstone.

E-mail sent to CWGC dated 31 March 2011.


Dear Sir/Madam,

The following casualty is listed on the CWGC database:-

Name:THORNYCROFT, JOHN MYTTON
Initials:J M
Nationality:United Kingdom
Rank:Captain
Regiment/Service:Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
Age:32
Date of Death:12/09/1944
Service No:153156
Additional information:Son of Lt.-Col. Charles Mytton Thornycroft, C.B.E., D.S.O., and of Vida Maude Thornycroft, of Erway, Shropshire.
Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:IV. A. 20.
Cemetery:LEOPOLDSBURG WAR CEMETERY

The surname on the headstone is spelt THORNEYCROFT. There is an extra E in the surname. I attach a copy of the headstone photo as evidence.

I was contacted by a relative, who told me that the flowers were placed on the grave days before I took the photo.

Here is a photo of John Mytton Thornycroft, taken in 1944 before he left for N.W.E.

 

Row Number against a grave is listed incorrectly on the CWGC database.

E-mail sent to CWGC on 31 March 2011.

Dear Sir/Madam,

The following casualty is listed as being in Plot IV, Row R, Grave 20 at Leopoldsburg Cemetery in Belgium. The Rows in Plot IV only go up to E.

Name DRYSDALE, BERNARD
Initials:B
Nationality:United Kingdom
Rank:Serjeant
Regiment/Service:Royal Armoured Corps
Unit Text:23rd Hussars
Age:37
Date of Death:10/09/1944
Service No:543715
Additional information:Son of Richard Drysdale, and of Catherine Drysdale, of Banbridge, Co. Down, Northern Ireland; husband of Mary Eileen Drysdale.
Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:IV. R. 20.
Cemetery:LEOPOLDSBURG WAR CEMETERY

I attach a photo of the Headstone of J S Marwood who is listed as being in Plot IV, Row B, Grave 19. You can just see B Drysdale's Headstone to the side of him. He should therefore be listed as being in Plot IV, Row B, Grave 20.

 

Thank you for your e-mail of 22nd March 2011.



The headstone for Gunner John Allen in Kensal Green (All Souls’) Cemetery is a private memorial which may have been erected by his next of kin.



Inspections are carried out on a cyclical basis and, when the name of who the Commission is commemorating becomes illegible and subject to any surviving next of kin’s approval, the Commission would erect a standard war pattern headstone or marker.



As this is the case, this headstone will be replaced when it becomes too worn to read the name of Gunner John Allen.



However thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.

 

Row Number against a grave is listed incorrectly on the CWGC database.

E-mail sent to CWGC on 31 March 2011.

Dear Sir/Madam,

The following casualty is listed as being in Plot IV, Row R, Grave 20 at Leopoldsburg Cemetery in Belgium. The Rows in Plot IV only go up to E.

Name DRYSDALE, BERNARD
Initials:B
Nationality:United Kingdom
Rank:Serjeant
Regiment/Service:Royal Armoured Corps
Unit Text:23rd Hussars
Age:37
Date of Death:10/09/1944
Service No:543715
Additional information:Son of Richard Drysdale, and of Catherine Drysdale, of Banbridge, Co. Down, Northern Ireland; husband of Mary Eileen Drysdale.
Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:IV. R. 20.
Cemetery:LEOPOLDSBURG WAR CEMETERY

I attach a photo of the Headstone of J S Marwood who is listed as being in Plot IV, Row B, Grave 19. You can just see B Drysdale's Headstone to the side of him. He should therefore be listed as being in Plot IV, Row B, Grave 20.

Reply received from CWGC on 13th April 2011.

The location of the headstone has been amended to Plot IV, Row B, Grave 19.

 

Surname on the CWGC database is spelt differently to that on the headstone.

E-mail sent to CWGC dated 31 March 2011.


Dear Sir/Madam,

The following casualty is listed on the CWGC database:-

Name:THORNYCROFT, JOHN MYTTON
Initials:J M
Nationality:United Kingdom
Rank:Captain
Regiment/Service:Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
Age:32
Date of Death:12/09/1944
Service No:153156
Additional information:Son of Lt.-Col. Charles Mytton Thornycroft, C.B.E., D.S.O., and of Vida Maude Thornycroft, of Erway, Shropshire.
Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:IV. A. 20.
Cemetery:LEOPOLDSBURG WAR CEMETERY

The surname on the headstone is spelt THORNEYCROFT. There is an extra E in the surname. I attach a copy of the headstone photo as evidence.

Reply from CWGC dated 14 April 2011.

Thank you for your e-mail and attachments of 31 March 2011, concerning the incorrect spelling of Captain John Mytton Thornycroft's surname, shown as 'Thorneycroft', on the headstone marking his grave, in Leopoldsburg War Cemetery, Belgium.

I have checked our database and paperwork, and it consistantly shows his surname as 'Thornycroft', so the only error is on his headstone. Arrangements will, therefore, be made to order a new headstone to mark his grave, but it will be approximately twenty-two months from the order being placed, until the new one is in position on his grave. This is due to the vast numbers requiring replacement, due to the passage of time, etc.

Many thanks, again, for bringing the error to our attention.

Kind regards,

Enquiries Administrator
Enquiries Section
Head Office

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

So it is a 22 month wait before headstones requiring replacement are processed, due to the large numbers that require it.

 

received from CWGC

Name is very worn
on private headstone

Frank Thompson (Airborne)

Thank you for your email and photographs of the private memorial commemorating Frank Thompson.

A copy has been sent to our Regional Supervisor responsible for the war graves in Friern Barnet (St James The Great) Churchyard and we thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.

 

An AOP Pilot is listed on CWGC as being a casualty of 51 Heavy Regt, RA and no mention of being a pilot in 652 AOP Sqdn.

I have e-mailed CWGC with the war diary page of his death and a copy of the AOP roll of honour and I quote:-

"Dear Sir/Madam.

In the war diary of 652 AOP Squadron, RAF, there is an entry showing a Capt Pugh being shot down and fatally wounded in Normandy on 9 June 1944.

The only Pugh listed on CWGC is the following man:-

Name: PUGH, ERIC VINCENT
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 51 Heavy Regt.
Age: 32
Date of Death: 10/06/1944
Service No: 126219
Additional information: Son of Vincent and Margaret Pugh; husband of Yvonne Jessie Pugh, of Worcester.
Grave/Memorial Reference: XI. F. 7.
Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY

The majority of AOP pilots were Royal Artillery officers and Capt E V Pugh is listed in a Roll of Honour of AOP men killed.

I attach a copy of the AOP diary page and the ROH and look forward to receiving your comments."

 

Received from CWGC.Name is badly worn
on private headstone
Thank you for your email and the photograph of Flight Sergeant Berry's headstone in Harrow (Pinner) New Cemetery.

I have forwarded a copy to our Regional Supervisor responsible for the war graves in Harrow.

Flight Sergeant FREDERICK GEORGE BERRY
D F M

563426, 1 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died
on 01 September 1940

Remembered with honour
HARROW (PINNER) NEW CEMETERY

 

email sent to CWGC
Name badly worn

Sub-Lieutenant (A) ARTHUR GILES BLAKE

H.M.S. Daedalus (Fleet Air Arm), Royal Navy
attd. 19 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died age 23
on 29 October 1940
Son of John Henry Laws Blake and Mary Jayne Blake.
Remembered with honour
LANGLEY MARISH (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD

 

Thank you for your email and photograph of the private memorial commemorating Sub-Lieutenant A G Blake.

Although we are not responsible for private memorials we do inspect them to ensure the casualty is adequately commemorated by name and we have added this memorial to our watch list as the lead lettering has become worn since our inspection in 2009. Our Inspector will keep a close eye on it with a view to obtaining permission to erect a commission headstone in the future.


Note:Battle of Britain casualty

 

The CWGC has told they will make a change to panel 118 Runnymede Memorial . The entry 1943 Wing Commander J. COODHEAD. This will be changed to GOODHEAD. His database entry correctly lists him as Goodhead

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31609&d=1279224632

Mark

 

Not so much incorrect as information missing.

E-mail sent to CWGC on 22 May 2011.


"Dear Sir/Madam,

The following casualty is listed on CWGC.

Name: McCORRY, CHARLES
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Age: 26
Date of Death: 22/09/1944
Service No: 179866
Additional information: Son of Charles and Monica McCorry, of Larkhall, Lanarkshire. B.Sc. (Glasgow).
Grave/Memorial Reference: 3. G. 7.
Cemetery: UDEN WAR CEMETERY


At the time of his death, Capt McCorry was serving with 658 AOP Squadron and the following information needs to be added to your entry for him.


Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force
Secondary Unit Text: attd. 658 A.O.P. Sqdn.

I attach a copy of the officers field return as evidence (with his service number) and the war diary entry of his death near Uden.

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

 

Sent this query to CWGC on 7 January 2010. No reply as yet received. Sent a chaser today.

An interesting one for CWGC to look at:-

2 entries for an individual with the same rank, service number, age, date of death and relatives. Difference being the Regiment and place commemorated (the 2nd being possible).

BULL, JOHN W.
Initials: J W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Bombardier
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Unit
Text: 100 (8th Bn. The Gordon Highlanders) Anti-Tank Regt.
Age: 20
Date of Death: 27/05/1947
Service No: 14924680
Additional information: Son of William and Lily Bull, of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 4. E. 18.
Cemetery: MADRAS WAR CEMETERY, CHENNAI
　
BULL, JOHN
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Bombardier
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 160 Field Regt.
Age: 20
Date of Death: 27/05/1947
Service No: 14924680
Additional information: Son of William and Lily Bull, of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 2. Column 3.
Memorial: BROOKWOOD MEMORIAL



Got an answer today (10th June 2011) from CWGC. Bombadier Turnbull's entry for the Brookwood Memorial is being deleted. His resting place in Madras is now the correct entry along with the Regiment he was serving with at the time of his death.

"Further to my last e-mail of 21st February 2011, I can confirm that our records section has investigated the commemoration of Bombardier John W Bull whose details I give below.

Bombardier BULL, JOHN W.
Unit: 100 (8th Bn. The Gordon Highlanders) Anti-Tank Regt.
Regiment: Royal Artillery
Service No: 14924680
Age: 20
Date of Death: 27 May 1947
Commemoration: MADRAS WAR CEMETERY, CHENNAI
India
Plot 4. Row E. Grave 18.
Additional Information: Son of William and Lily Bull, of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.


We are grateful to you for bringing the dual commemoration of Bombardier Bull to our attention. Our records have been amended to give details of Bombardiers grave in Madras War Cemetery, and his second erroneous record of his commemoration on the Brookwood Memorial has been deleted. Bombardier Bulls name will be removed from the memorial the next time the panel is replaced.

I hope that this information is helpful to you.

Yours sincerely,


Enquiries Administrator
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
2 Marlow Road
Maidenhead
Berkshire
SL6 7DX"

 

An AOP Pilot is listed on CWGC as being a casualty of 51 Heavy Regt, RA and no mention of being a pilot in 652 AOP Sqdn.

I have e-mailed CWGC with the war diary page of his death and a copy of the AOP roll of honour and I quote:-

"Dear Sir/Madam.

In the war diary of 652 AOP Squadron, RAF, there is an entry showing a Capt Pugh being shot down and fatally wounded in Normandy on 9 June 1944.

The only Pugh listed on CWGC is the following man:-

Name: PUGH, ERIC VINCENT
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 51 Heavy Regt.
Age: 32
Date of Death: 10/06/1944
Service No: 126219
Additional information: Son of Vincent and Margaret Pugh; husband of Yvonne Jessie Pugh, of Worcester.
Grave/Memorial Reference: XI. F. 7.
Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY

The majority of AOP pilots were Royal Artillery officers and Capt E V Pugh is listed in a Roll of Honour of AOP men killed.

I attach a copy of the AOP diary page and the ROH and look forward to receiving your comments."

Not so much incorrect as information missing.

E-mail sent to CWGC on 22 May 2011.


"Dear Sir/Madam,

The following casualty is listed on CWGC.

Name: McCORRY, CHARLES
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Age: 26
Date of Death: 22/09/1944
Service No: 179866
Additional information: Son of Charles and Monica McCorry, of Larkhall, Lanarkshire. B.Sc. (Glasgow).
Grave/Memorial Reference: 3. G. 7.
Cemetery: UDEN WAR CEMETERY


At the time of his death, Capt McCorry was serving with 658 AOP Squadron and the following information needs to be added to your entry for him.


Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force
Secondary Unit Text: attd. 658 A.O.P. Sqdn.

I attach a copy of the officers field return as evidence (with his service number) and the war diary entry of his death near Uden.

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

Despite the evidence from the war diaries of 652 AOP and 51 Hvy Regt I sent CWGC that Capt Pugh was with the former and not the latter at the the time of his death, they declined to alter the records. However, today (13 June 2011), they decided that Capt Pugh's entry and that of Capt McCorry warranted further investigation.

 

A Royal Artillery casualty listed under an incorrect unit.

E-mail sent to CWGC on 13 June 2011.

Dear Sir/Madam

The following casualty is listed on your database as follows:-

Name: KIBBLER, WILLIAM
Rank: Lance Bombardier
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 121 Bty., 12 Medium Regt.
Age: 29
Date of Death: 22/06/1944
Service No: 901882
Additional information: Son of Hilda Kibbler, and stepson of William Carroll; husband of Ruth Kibbler, of East Ardsley, Yorkshire.
Grave/Memorial Reference: VIII. B. 12.
Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY

I attach a copy of the war diary of 121 Medium Regt, Royal Artillery, which shows that he was serving with 275 Battery of this unit and a casualty sheet signed by the Lt. Col commanding this unit.

I look forward to hearing from you concerning this matter.

Details at the bottom of the page.



Confirmed by the CO of 121 Medium Regt.

 

E-mail to CWGC 15 October 2010.


Dear Sir/Madam,

I have spotted a difference between the initials on a headstone and the record on your database.

Name: EMBLING, CYRIL HENRY
Rank: Gunner
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 121 Medium Regt.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 27/10/1944
Service No: 900807
Additional information: Son of Frank and Beatrice Blanche Embling, of Abingdon, Berkshire.
Grave/Memorial Reference: 19. B. 8.
Cemetery: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY

Photo of headstone is the same service number, but G H Embling.

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

Reply from CWGC dated 11 November 2010

Thank you for your e mail of 15 October. Please accept our apologies for the delay in reply; due to the high volume of enquiries received by our offices, we currently have a backlog we are working to clear.

With regard to the following casualty:

Gunner EMBLING, CYRIL HENRY
Unit: 121 Medium Regt.
Regiment: Royal Artillery
Service No: 900807
Age: 24
Date of Death: 27 October 1944
Commemoration: BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY
Netherlands
Plot 19. B. 8.
Additional Information: Son of Frank and Beatrice Blanche Embling, of Abingdon, Berkshire.

Thank you for pointing out that the headstone of the above has been incorrectly engraved with the initials as G H instead of C H. We will make arrangements to have this re-engraved, however I can not say when this will take place as it will be scheduled into the works maintenance programme for the area.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME - INCORRECT DETAIL ON HEADSTONE TO BE CHANGED AT A LATER DATE.

An e-mail received from CWGC today ((15 June 2011) Work completed on Headstone. Initial amended and photo attached.

Before



And now.

 

Emailed CWGC.
Headstone in dense thickett

Aircraftman 2nd Class FREDERICK REED

1664467, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 29
on 30 November 1942
Husband of Evelyn Reed, of Chelmsford, Essex.
Remembered with honour
ST. PANCRAS CEMETERY

 

Emailed CWGC
Headstone worn

Private ROBERT HENRY FRANCIS GAMLIN

6294319, 30th Bn., The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
who died age 32
on 01 December 1944
Son of Robert and Alice Gamlin; husband of Ellen Rose Gamlin, of Camden Town, London.
Remembered with honour
ST. PANCRAS CEMETERY

 

Emailed CWGC
Headstone Worn

Naval Airman 2nd Class HARRY JOSEPH YEARDYE

FX584737, H.M.S. Waxwing., Royal Navy
who died age 40
on 30 November 1944
Husband of Ada Yeardye, of Kentish Town, London.
Remembered with honour
ST. PANCRAS CEMETERY