Hi from Shropshire Researching my 2nd cousin Private G.T. Watkins 14207946 of 2 KSLI killed 13 Nov 1944
clun04 welcome to the forum please post any info you have forum members will be very interested Private GEORGE THOMAS WATKINS 14207946, 2nd Bn., King's Shropshire Light Infantry who died age 22 on 13 November 1944 Son of George Samuel and Eleanor Watkins, of Craven Arms, Shropshire. Remembered with honour MIERLO WAR CEMETERY regards Clive
Hi and welcome, clun The CWGC Cemetery information may help with some clues about where he was when killed. Location Information: The village of Mierlo lies in the south of the Netherlands approx 12kms to the east of Eindhoven. From the A67 Eindhoven to Venlo motorway take exit 34 (Afrit 34) GELDROP / HEEZE and follow the signs for GELDROP. Continue for approx 1.3kms along BOGARDEIND and turn right, direction MIERLO onto LAAN DER VIER HEEMSKINDEREN and continue for approx 500m. Turn left at the roundabout and continue for approx 900m. The road name changes from DOMMELDALSEWEG to JOHAN PEIJNENBURGWEG. Turn right onto MIERLOSEWEG and continue in the direction of MIERLO for approx 2.3kms. The road name changes to GELDROPSEWEG. The cemetery is signposted and can be found on the left. The cemetery address is:- Geldropseweg 68 5731 Mierlo Netherlands GPS Location is:- N 51 26 09 E 05 35 49 Historical Information: The cemetery was started in the spring of 1945 when graves were brought in from the surrounding district, most of them being casualties of September-November 1944. At that time the main fighting was concerned with clearing the region south and west of the Maas and with opening up the Scheldt estuary further west. Helmond itself was occupied on 25 September, 1944. Mierlo War Cemetery now contains 664 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War, seven of them unidentified, and one Dutch war grave. I included the Location Information just in case you felt the need to visit! He was one of 10 Craven Arms lads that failed to return, including another 2nd Bn KSLI who died in June 1945. 3 other 2nd Bn men were killed the same day, but they are all at Venray War Cemetery, (Plot II Row B, Graves 7, 10 and 11) so likely to be a different incident, otherwise all 4 would have been together.
Have you got this book from the Museum ? 796 2-KSLI HISTORY : N.W. EUROPE 1944-5: Reprint of standard detailed history by Major G.L.Y. Radcliffe. Softback, 95pp. £9.50. Shropshire Regimental Museum
Hi there g t Watkins is my great uncle. The story I have been told about his death is that one of his mates was killed and he was visiting his grave during some time off unfortantly a bomb was dropped on the cemetry while he was visiting the grave. I am not sure how true this story is. I am also looking for information on his father George samuel Watkins who I have been told fought in both world wars but came home from both. Hope this information helps Lynsey
hello Lynsey Welcome to the Forum Stokesay Memorial,Shropshire with your Great Uncles name on attached WATKINS, GEORGE THOMAS Rank: Private Service No: 14207946 Date of Death: 13/11/1944 Age: 22 Regiment/Service: King's Shropshire Light Infantry 2nd Bn. Grave Reference II. E. 4. Cemetery MIERLO WAR CEMETERY Additional Information: Son of George Samuel and Eleanor Watkins, of Craven Arms, Shropshire. His Father George Samuel Watkins is recorded on the memorial which includes men of that area who fought in WW1 and returned home. regards Clive
