Mills etc, bombs and accidents

Discussion in 'War Cemeteries & War Memorial Research' started by geoff501, Jan 20, 2012.

  1. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    One of the most unusual VCs was awarded to Billy McFadzean. In Richard Holmes' Tommy he states that as late as mid 1916 there was one accident every 3,000 grenades.
    I've been using the WW1 search engine to find similar incidents and will post here.
    The other well known similar incident where a VC was awarded was Corporal Jarratt.

    Name: McFADZEAN, WILLIAM FREDERICK
    Initials: W F
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Rifleman
    Regiment/Service: Royal Irish Rifles
    Unit Text: "C" Coy. 14th Bn.
    Age: 20
    Date of Death: 01/07/1916
    Service No: 18278
    Awards: V C
    Additional information: Son of William and Annie Pedlow McFadzean, of Rubicon, Cregagh, Belfast.
    Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 15 A and 15 B.
    Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
    Citation: An extract from the London Gazette, dated 8th Sept., 1916, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery. While in a concentration trench and opening a box of bombs for distribution prior to an attack, the box slipped down into the trench, which was crowded with men, and two of the safety pins fell out. Private McFadzean, instantly realising the danger to his comrades, with heroic courage threw himself on the top of the bombs. The bombs exploded blowing him to pieces, but only one other man was injured. He well knew his danger, being himself a bomber, but without a moment's hesitation he gave his life for his comrades."
     
  2. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    Name: JARRATT, GEORGE
    Initials: G
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Corporal
    Regiment/Service: Royal Fusiliers
    Unit Text: 8th Bn.
    Age: 25
    Date of Death: 03/05/1917
    Service No: 55295
    Awards: V C
    Additional information: Husband of G. M. Jarratt, of 28, Stanley Road, Southgate, Middx.
    Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference: Bay 3.
    Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL
    Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette" dated 8th June, 1917, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery and devotion in deliberately sacrificing his life to save others. He had, together with some wounded men, been taken prisoner and placed under guard in a dug-out. The same evening the enemy were driven back by our troops, the leading infantrymen of which commenced to bomb the dug-outs. A grenade fell in the dugout, and without hesitation Cpl. Jarratt placed both feet on the grenade, the subsequent explosion blowing off both his legs. The wounded were later safely removed to our lines, but Cpl. Jarratt died before he could be removed. By this supreme act of self-sacrifice the lives of these wounded were saved."
     
  3. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    Lance Corporal George Alderson was awarded The Albert Medal

    Name: ALDERSON
    Initials: G
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Lance Corporal
    Regiment/Service: Durham Light Infantry
    Unit Text: 10th Bn.
    Age: 31
    Date of Death: 15/10/1915
    Service No: 12231
    Awards: A M
    Additional information: Husband of Ethel Alderson, of 10, Stephenson St., Dunston-on-Tyne, Co. Durham.
    Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference: I. B. 14A.
    Cemetery: LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY
    Citation: An extract from the London Gazette dated the 19th May 1916, records the following : "On the evening of the 14th October, 1915, Alderson, with two other non-commissioned Officers, was moving some bombs into a room in a farmhouse where they were to be stored. While the bombs were being stacked, one of them fell to the floor and the percussion cap was fired. Alderson, knowing that the bomb would explode in four seconds, and that to throw it out of the window would endanger the men who were outside, picked it up and tried to reach the door. Before he could get out of the door the bomb exploded, blowing off his hand and inflicting other serious wounds, from which he shortly died. By his prompt action in picking up and carrying the bomb he probably saved the lives of the three men who were in the room with him, and by his presence of mind in not throwing it out of the window he certainly saved the lives of those standing outside. This act was the more meritorious as Alderson was fully aware of the deadly nature of the bomb and the danger to himself that his act involved."
     
  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    WW2 but similar action for John Rennie who was awarded the GC.
    http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/213621-post96.html

    On 29th October 1943 Sergeant Rennie was overseeing training in grenade throwing at a Canadian camp in Slough, Buckinghamshire. Preparations for D-Day were well under way and men were training for the liberation of Europe.

    Rennie noticed one of the hand grenades had not carried clear of the trench and he could see it was rolling back towards the Canadian soldiers.

    Rennie ran towards the grenade to intercept it as quickly as possible so he could throw it clear. Sadly as he reached the grenade the fuse time had expired and the grenade exploded in his possession. The grenade killed Rennie but by his actions he had saved the three Canadian soldiers standing less than six paces from the explosion.


    CWGC :: Casualty Details
     
  5. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    Name: ANDERSON, CHARLES HENRY
    Initials: C H
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Lance Serjeant
    Regiment/Service: London Regiment (London Scottish)
    Unit Text: 1st/14th Bn.
    Age: 26
    Date of Death: 29/11/1916
    Service No: 2326
    Awards: A M
    Additional information: Son of Charles and Lizzie Anderson, of The Nest, North Stoke, Oxon.
    Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference: II. K. 3.
    Cemetery: ST. VENANT COMMUNAL CEMETERY
    Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 30156, dated 29th June, 1917, records the following:-"The King has been graciously pleased to award the Decoration of the Albert Medal of the First Class in recognition of the gallantry of Lce. Cpl. Charles Henry Anderson, late of the 1st/14th Bn. of the London Regt., who lost his life in France in November last in saving the lives of others. On the 28th Nov., 1916, Lce. Cpl. Anderson was in a hut in France with eleven other men when, accidentally, the safety pin was withdrawn from a bomb. In the semi-darkness he shouted a warning to the men, rushed to the door, and endeavoured to open it so as to throw the bomb into a field. Failing to do this, when he judged that the five seconds during which the fuse was timed to burn had elapsed, he held the bomb as close to his body as possible with both hands in order to screen the other men in the hut. Anderson himself and one other man were mortally wounded by the explosion, and five men were injured. The remaining five escaped unhurt. Anderson sacrificed his life to save his comrades."
     
  6. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    WW2 but similar action for John Rennie who was awarded the GC.

    Cheers. Know of any more?
     
  7. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Geoff-If you look on my George Cross thread I think there was at least another two GC's awarded in WW2 for hand grenade related accidents. One was a Para in Africa when they were preparing for Sicily and the other was an Indian/Gurkha soldier I think in the Far East.
     
  8. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    All details from CWGC

    Name: HALSTEAD, ARTHUR
    Initials: A
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Lieutenant
    Regiment/Service: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
    Unit Text: 10th Bn.
    Age: 23
    Date of Death: 01/08/1917
    Awards: M C, A M
    Additional information: Son of Elijah and Sarah Ann Halstead, of 8, Buxton St., Lee Mount, Halifax.
    Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. C. 83.
    Cemetery: LONGUENESSE (ST. OMER) SOUVENIR CEMETERY
    Citation: An extract from "The London Gazette," No. 30453, dated 1st Jan., 1918, records the following:-"On the 31st July, 1917, during instruction in the throwing of live bombs, a bomb was accidentally dropped. Lieutenant Halstead placed himself between the bomb and the soldier who had dropped it, in order to screen him, and tried to kick the bomb away, but it exploded, fatally wounding him. The soldier was slightly wounded, and there can be little doubt that Lieutenant Halstead's gallant action saved the soldier's life." Albert Medal in Gold.
     
  9. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    One who survived, to be killed later. Ammonal was susceptible to damp.

    Name: McCREATH, ANDREW BERGHANS
    Initials: A B
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Lieutenant
    Regiment/Service: Northumberland Fusiliers
    Unit Text: 2nd/7th Bn.
    Secondary Regiment: King's Own Scottish Borderers
    Secondary Unit Text: attd. 5th Bn.
    Age: 29
    Date of Death: 11/12/1917
    Awards: A M
    Additional information: Son of Henry Gourlay McCreath and Agnes Isabella McCreath, of 1, Wellington Terrace, Berwick-on-Tweed. Born at Norham-on-Tweed.
    Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference: O. 62.
    Cemetery: CAIRO WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY
    Citation: An extract from The London Gazette dated 1st Jan., 1918., records the following:- "On 26th July, 1917, during an inspection of grenades, one of the grenades fell on the ground and detonated, and Lieutenant McCreath, hearing warning shouts, ran up and picked up the bomb. In order to get rid of it without endangering others, he had to run until he found an empty dug-out into which to throw it. As he was about to throw it away the detonator exploded; fortunately, the ammonal was wet (although Lieutenant McCreath did not know this), and no further explosion took place or he would almost certainly have been killed or severely injured."
     
  10. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    Name: PLACE
    Initials: A
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Petty Officer
    Regiment/Service: Royal Navy
    Unit Text: 2nd Drake Bn. R.N. Div.
    Date of Death: 16/06/1916
    Service No: J3080
    Awards: A M
    Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference: "U." 2967.
    Cemetery: LEEDS (HUNSLET OLD) CEMETERY
    Citation: An extract from the London Gazette dated the 1st January 1918, records the following : "The King has been graciously pleased to award the Decoration of the Albert Medal in recognition of the gallantry of Petty Officer Alfred Place, late of the Royal Navy." The circumstances are as follows : "At Blandford, on the 16th June, 1916, during grenade practice, a live bomb thrown by one of the men under instruction fell back into the trench. Petty Officer Place rushed forward, pulled back two men who were in front of him and attempted to reach the grenade with the intention of throwing it over the parapet. Unfortunately, the bomb exploded before he could reach it and inflicted fatal injuries. By his coolness and self-sacrifice Petty Officer Place probably saved the lives of three other men."
     
  11. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    Name: THORNER
    Initials: H
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Second Lieutenant
    Regiment/Service: Machine Gun Corps
    Unit Text: 90th Coy
    Date of Death: 30/12/1917
    Awards: A M
    Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference: XV. A. 12.
    Cemetery: THE HUTS CEMETERY
    Citation: Lt. Thorner was examining some Mills hand grenades in a small concrete dug-out in France prior to taking them up to his machine-gun position during an expected enemy raid. One of the grenades began to fizz when taken out of the box. There were twleve men in the dug-out at the moment and there was no possible means of disposing of the bomb. Realizing what had happened Lt. Thorner shouted to his men to clear out whilst he himself held the bomb in his hand close to his body until it exploded and killed him. By this magnificent act of courage Lt. Thorner deliberately sacrificed his own life for others. Of the twelve men who were in the dug-out all but two escaped without injury - they were slightly wounded.
     
  12. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    Geoff-If you look on my George Cross thread I think there was at least another two GC's awarded in WW2 for hand grenade related accidents. One was a Para in Africa when they were preparing for Sicily and the other was an Indian/Gurkha soldier I think in the Far East.
    Thanks.
    I guess the GC replaced the AM at some point?
     
  13. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Yes Geoff. The GC replaced three medals - Albert Medal, Edward Medal and Empire Gallantry Medal around the end of 1940. The King wanted an award that could be given to civilians to recognise their bravery during the Blitz. I can't remember the exact circumstances but people awarded the AM, EM, EGM could exchange them for GC's if they fitted the criteria. I think it was date related.
     
  14. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    Cheers Andy.

    All these were found by searching the recently added 'Citation' field in the WW1 search engine. Any interest in adding this field to the WW2 engine?
     
  15. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I think it could be a good addition mate. One thing I did discover a few years ago though, CWGC do not list the full citation on their website. I think it was discussed before when I was doing the VC thread and noticed the citations on CWGC were only partial.
     
  16. klambie

    klambie Senior Member

    British Empire Medal, Military Division

    H6817 Serjeant George John Gardiner, 1st Bn Regina Rifles
    On the 21 February 1944 this non-commissioned officer was in charge of a squad carrying out grenade training in a chalk pit. The men were engaged in cleaning and priming grenades to be thrown later. Several grenades had been primed, ready for throwing when one man mistakenly pulled the pin on one of them. Upon realizing what he had done he dropped the grenade and gave the alarm. Sergeant Gardiner, seeing the grenade smoking and realizing an explosion was imminent, with great presence of mind and complete disregard for his own safety, rushed forward, picked up the grenade and managed to throw it clear of the pit where it immediately burst in the air. It is considered that this non-commissioned officer by his prompt and courageous action prevented detonation of the other grenades in the pit and fatalities or serious injuries among the members of his party.

    Initially turned down by the Awards Committee (Overseas) who thought the act would be more properly recognized by a Commendation for Gallantry.

    Maj-General HFG Letson did not concur, feeling the act was well within the terms of reference for the BEM and the matter was submitted to the Awards Coordination Committee for consideration.

    The Awards Coordination Committee concurred and the recommendation was submitted, recommended for approval by Letson.
     
  17. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Geoff

    Major A.G. Kempster of "A" sqdn 145th RAC was awarded the GC for dropping onto a live grenade during a training exercise at Herbillon in North Africa on 21st Aug 1943
    thus saving the lives of others in the trench
    Cheers
     
  18. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    Geoff
    Major A.G. Kempster of "A" sqdn 145th RAC was awarded the GC for dropping onto a live grenade during a training exercise at Herbillon in North Africa on 21st Aug 1943
    thus saving the lives of others in the trench
    Cheers


    Thanks!

    Name: KEMPSTER, ANDRE GILBERT
    Initials: A G
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Major
    Regiment/Service: Royal Armoured Corps
    Unit Text: 145th (8th Bn. The Duke of Wellington's Regt.; West Riding) Regt.
    Date of Death: 21/08/1943
    Service No: 138804
    Awards: G C
    Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference: II. D. 1.
    Cemetery: BONE WAR CEMETERY, ANNABA
    Citation: The London Gazette of 9th November, 1943, states that this officer was awarded the George Cross "in recognition of most conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner." Major Kempster threw himself upon a live grenade to save the lives of recruits on the practice range at Phillipeville, Algeria.
     
  19. markinbelfast

    markinbelfast Senior Member

  20. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    Name: DUNCAN, CHARLES ALFRED
    Initials: C A
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Private
    Regiment/Service: The Parachute Regiment, A.A.C.
    Unit Text: 4th Bn.
    Age: 23
    Date of Death: 10/07/1943
    Service No: 6287023
    Awards: G C
    Additional information: Son of Sidney John and Elizabeth Duncan, of Sidley, Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex.
    Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference: III. B. 28.
    Cemetery: ENFIDAVILLE WAR CEMETERY
    Citation: The London Gazette of 9th November, 1943, states that the award of the George Cross was made "in recognition of most conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner." Pte. Duncan was serving at M'Saken in North Africa when a live grenade fell amongst a group of his comrades. Realising that it was on the point of exploding he threw himself upon it and gave his life to save theirs.
     

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