I know you like a challenge but does anyone know what action happened on the 1st January 1945 around the Nederweert area of the Netherlands. I'm researching a local chap, George Faulknall, who is listed on the CWGC buried at the town's cemetery with that dare. Unlike some of the other locqal chaps I can't point to a Battalion or Regiment as he was a Driver with the Royal Army Service Corps and could have been all over the place doing all manner of resupply or ferrying wounded. Any clues appreciated.
No actions around Nederweert at that time. The Nederweert-Wessem canal, which is just a few hundred yards from the cemetery, was the front line from the end of Market Garden until mid-November and a number of casualties were sustained during that period. However, the area from the canal eastwards to the Maas (the 'Peel') was cleared by the end of November. It's possible he was killed south of the Maas near the area of Susteren prior to Operation Blackcock. It was from here that an attack was launched later in January to clear the 'Roer Triangle'. Lance Corporal Eric Harden, who was awarded a VC for actions near Linne, is buried in Nederweert cemetery along with a number of other marines and soldiers who were killed during that operation. However, as already stated, your man was killed before this action started. Of course, what with all the unexploded ordnance around, it's possible he ran over a mine anywhere in that part of The Netherlands. This might be the best guess, seeing as he was a driver and I can't recall any major actions taking place around that area at that time. But like I say, it is pure speculation. Shaun
Thank you Shaun. I always suspected any answer would be speculative with him being a driver but at least I can report his death in context. I appreciate the the detail.
Whats his CWGC details? He may have been re-buried there after the war. The area may have been home to a CCS which would suggest he died of his wounds.
UK, Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945 Name: George Faulknall Given Initials: G A (George Albert) Rank: Driver Death Date: 1 Jan 1945 Number: 276698 Birth Place: Leicestershire Residence: Leicestershire Branch at Enlistment: Other Corps Theatre of War: Western Europe Campaign, 1944/45 Regiment at Death: Royal Army Service Corps Branch at Death: Other Corps FAULKNALL, GEORGE ALBERT Rankriver Service No:T/276698 Date of Death:01/01/1945 Age:30 Regiment/Service:Royal Army Service Corps Grave Reference: I. G. 7. Cemetery:NEDERWEERT WAR CEMETERY Additional Information:Son of George Arthur and Elizabeth Faulknall; husband of Hilda Winifred Faulknall, of Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire. The info above leads me to believe he was reburied in Nov 1945 TD
Cheers TD - I see he was re-buried in Nov 1945. Can anyone convert the grid ref where he was originally buried?
Still looking? I am in fact doing research on all the graves in Nederweert, perhaps we can help each other.