Mauny cemetery,Normandie.

I have just finished a 30 minute telephone conversation with Tom Renouf (veteran of the battle of Mauny), concerning Private Burke/the missing 'Ginger'.

He confirmed that the grave at St. Desir of a soldier who was killed on 28th August 1944 but who has no name, no army number and no Regiment on the gravestone is not Ginger. CWGC has confirmed that the soldier buried there is definitely not Black Watch; the quote at Message # 17 refers.

He also confirmed that Sgt Kirkcaldy was a Scot, so again not the Ginger from Yorkshire. He is also sure that the soldier he is looking for was not a Sergeant.

Tom will be sending me copies of all of his notes and has asked if I could help him with the research on this matter, which I have agreed to do. I will keep updating this thread with progress...

NB. I beleive that Tom Renouf is 91 years of age. Incredible lucidity!!!

Best,

Steve.

 

Guys,you have worked a lot!!
Incredible how the past can be revealed and connected to the present!
Very impressive.
Myself,i have just sent a mail to someone described as a real specialist of the combats in the vicinity of the Seine river.
I am also trying to reach the Mauny town hall,but the opening hours are a pain in the a...
I will keep you informed as soon as i have a reply.

 

Just bumping this thread...

Peter/Seb - Have you any further information to add regarding Ginger or Pte. Robert J Burke?

Best,

Steve.

 

Just a note on single graves in France from my research in 2010.

There are (would you believe) 420 Cemeteries in France where there is only one Commonwealth burial of the second world war. I checked this again today and it is still correct.

Cheers

Geoff

 

<found it>

I have the diary...where am I looking date wise?

 

Between 28 August and 2 September 1944 - these were the dates of the Battle of Mauny.

These soldiers died on 28/29 August, but their deaths could be recorded later... The missing man - Ginger - was evacuated and died at the Casualty Clearing Station.

Best,

Steve.