Would anybody have any information on a Private Doris Gertrude Dicken, ATS who was shot in the back in a Cairo street in September 1943. The only information that I currently have is that she was 'believed' to have been murdered. Any information gratefully received Tony
Hi Just bumping this up to see if any new information has come to light. Does anyone have a headstone photograph by any chance, Regards, Graeme
Have you tried the 1911 Census ? if she was 33 in 1943 she would have been born in 1910 making her age 1 in the census. This will give the place she was born and a likely target for newspaper articles.
Hi Izzy Thanks for the reply I have this on her already Doris Gertrude DICKEN Private W/88841 Auxiliary Territorial Service Died in Egypt on Sunday 12 September 1943 Doris, always known as ‘Dolly’, was the daughter of Thomas and Annie (nee Bentley) Dicken of 46, West Bromwich Road, Walsall, her father being a Sergeant in the Walsall Borough Police Force. She lived with her sister, Mrs Ann Hitchen, at 79, Arundel Street, Walsall. For 15 years prior to enlisting in the Army she was employed at Matthew Harvey and Company Limited of Glebeland Works, Bath Street, Caldmore and was a keen follower of the town’s football and cricket clubs. Enlisting in 1941, she was drafted overseas at Christmas 1942. Newspapers in October 1943 carried the following newspaper article, “The family have received a cablegram stating that she was shot in the back in a Cairo street and is believed to have been murdered.” Killed at 33 years of age she is buried in Heliopolis War Cemetery, Egypt in Grave 5.L.1. Her comrades at her works provided a memorial to her honour, this being unveiled by the managing Director, Mr. Edgar Harvey on Saturday 20 November 1943. It was dedicated by the Reverend E. Faizey, Vicar of Caldmore. BUT What happened to her. I know she was in the company a a male who was also killed but cannot identify who that might be. Any suggestions, Regards, Graeme PS Just answered m own question using Geoffs. CWGC - Casualty Details Trooper Thomas Albert HOOD Buried alongside her.
I suggest you try the Berkshire press to see if there is a mention regarding the death of Trooper Hood. A death certificate might be useful to establish her cause of death.Also try the British Library to see if there are any English Language Newspapers for that part of Egypt im sure it would have made news over there.
Thanks Graeme for bumping this up, unfortunately my wife died shortly after that and I am afraid Doris was forgotten. However, I did know that a soldier was also shot with her, I have my suspicions but I doubt if we will ever know now, Grateful for the personal details that you posted. Tony
Hi Tony, Was she related at all ?? I have tried, via the web, to find any documents at the NA etc but without success but I think they have recently released many documents relating to murders here. It seems a shame that it comes down to 1 line in a local newspaper. Do you have any more info or any pictures ?? Regards, Graeme
Graeme No relation just that I have an interest in recording female casualties. I am sure that there would have been an investigation and with the general activity in Egypt at the time the result was conveniently forgotten. Tony
Tony Have found another newspaper report which curiously states the following Doris was “very generous, and although she never had much to do with the male sex, had been making a small allowance to a prisoner of war, whom she did not know, she just picked out his name and regularly sent him money.” Regards, Graeme
Graeme Am I being a bit thick? How did one send a POW money (British I assume) and what did he spend it on??? Tony
Graeme If it were a German POW some British Spiv probably opened up a little corner selling all sorts of goodies??? Tony
Hello and welcome to the forum. I moved your post to this thread from Intros as it was looking a bit lonely there. No doubt Tony will be interested in anything you have to add.
Morning Tom2 Desperately waiting to find out what information you have, can you please post ASAP, many thanks, Graeme
Hi Graeme/Tonym If you dont already have her Ancestry info, there are quite a number of hits including her Probate - I can post it on here if you wish, or send via a PM TD
Hi Graeme There is : War Graves Info Probate record 1911 Census info Birth info There are also 2 family trees, one better researched than the other, but no details submitted on the events of her death. I can contact them to see if they know more and or refer them to this thread, perhaps it will inspire them to find out more and possibly obtain her service record if they have not already done that. TD
Hello TD Thanks for your interest, most gratefule for the offer but as other people appear to have an interest it may be more appropriate to post it in this thread. Tony