Fred Elliott L/BOR RA (L.A.A) Army No. 1769054 Cairo, Egypt – please help, rather clueless

Hi Jackie

Name: Fred Elliott
Birth Date: 19 Sep 1909
Date of Registration: Jun 1971
Age at Death: 61
Registration district: Ashton
Inferred County: Lancashire
Volume: 10b
Page: 440

You would need to contact the registrars office at Ashton (or its equivalent today) with the info above and ask them for a copy od his death cert

TD

 

Hello TD,
That's wonderful, thank you! I've just found a very faint copy of Fred's death certificate– the writing is just about readable. Do you know whether the MOD would accept a copy that requires a bit of squinting to read? I still have relatives in Ashton, so I can always ask a family member to visit the office in person.
Many thanks,
Jackie

 

Name: George Trollope
Given Initials: G
Rank: Driver
Death Date: 11 May 1945
Number: 14591350
Birth Place: Derbyshire
Residence: Derbyshire
Branch at Enlistment: Other Corps
Theatre of War: Western Europe Campaign, 1944/45
Regiment at Death: Royal Army Service Corps


TROLLOPE, GEORGE

Rankriver
Service No:T/14591350
Date of Death:11/05/1945
Age:20
Regiment/Service:Royal Army Service Corps 1663 Artillery Platoon
Grave Reference: 1A. C. 10. Cemetery:HAMBURG CEMETERY

The war ended on 8th May 1945 - so he died 3 days after, perhaps that would have been through wounds before the 8th May, or accident etc.

Not sure if the MOD records office would accept the old copy or not - perhaps give them a ring and ask them

TD

 

Jackie,
T/1454350 George Trollope RASC was serving with 1663 Artillery Platoon at the time of his death.

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2201047/TROLLOPE,%20GEORGE

The grave to the left may also be significant as this man died on the same day and was a Military Policeman.

2566781 William Richard LAWRENCE L/Cpl serving with 108 Provost Company, CMP

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2200512/LAWRENCE,%20WILLIAM%20RICHARD

Fred may have known either of the men but they were both killed in Germany and buried in Hamburg?
The date 11/5/45 suggests that they may have died as a result of an accident / wounds, rather than enemy action as hostilities had ceased?

I think you will enjoy researching Fred's story.

Guy

 

Hello TD,
Thank you for this information– I really appreciate you taking the time out of your day to source this information. My Nana mentioned that Fred witnessed one of his friends die. This may very well be that man; the name George has been spoken, but no one knew who George was. I imagine Fred would have been transferred to Germany, around this time? It's possible that Fred was sat at George's bedside when he passed away.
Kind regards,
Jackie

 

Jackie,
I found this relating to George Trollope's death published in the Derby Evening Telegragh June 2nd 1945. He was poisioned by a drink he accepted at a VE day party.
Could there be a family connection as George was from Derby and worked for LMS. I saw that Fred was from Glossop, Derbyshire?
Guy

 

Hello Guy,
Thank you, I must admit I didn't even notice their death's shared the same date. It's interesting to know William was also a Military Policeman; it's very likely that he and Fred would have known one another. Fred's story definitely sounds like it's going to be an interesting read. Hopefully my application to the MOD will go smoothly!
Thank you again,
Jackie

 

Hello Guy,
Poor lad, he's the same age as I am now. Looks like he survived D-Day, but met his end when his guard was down? It appears there is a definitely a connection, as Derby and Glossop aren't all that far away– especially when you consider that Fred would walk from Glossop to Manchester, on a daily basis to attend work. I'm not sure what Fred's occupation was prior to the war, but after the war Fred worked in the railway. Maybe Fred worked for L.M.S Loco Works prior to the war? I wonder if Fred was with George, when he was attending the party?
Thank you,
Jackie

 

Hi

LAA = Light Anti Aircraft, their role was originally to shoot down aircraft, but later in the war, they were used to help troops.
LAA mainly used this gun - http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/guns/page9.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bofors_40_mm_gun
regards

Robert