S/Sgt Thomas G Laidlaw GPR 10 Jul 1943

Discussion in 'Non-Commemorated War Dead' started by GPRegt, Jul 16, 2011.

  1. GPRegt

    GPRegt Senior Member

    S/Sgt Laidlaw is not listed in the CWGC register; I've checked through Geoff's SE, too. He is on the Army Roll of Honour 1939-1945. Unfortunately, the record does not include final resting place or memorial.

    Any help appreciated.

    Steve W.
     
  2. Marks

    Marks Senior Member

    Hi Steve,

    He is listed in Army Overseas Deaths
    3059966 S/SGT Thomas G LAIDLAW A.A.C 1943 Vol 16 Page 63

    Mark
     
  3. horsapassenger

    horsapassenger Senior Member

    Steve
    S/Sgt Thomas Laidlaw was the 1st Pilot of Waco Glider Chalk 66. His Second Pilot was Sgt Simons and they were carrying a detachment of 181 Airlanding Field Ambulance attached to 1 Border. Their glider was cast off by its tug aircraft at 2230 hrs, at 1100 ft, approximately 3 ½ miles off shore. it made a forced landing in the sea approx 2 - 2½ miles from the shore. Laidlaw and HD Sanders from RAMC were the only casualties.
    I attach a page from the Casualty enquiry report.
    PM me if you want any further information.

    John
     

    Attached Files:

    GPRegt and CL1 like this.
  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    So if he's not commemorated anywhere is this one for IFTC ?
    Time to give Chrisharley a shout ?
     
  5. horsapassenger

    horsapassenger Senior Member

    Owen

    I agree - there can be no doubt as to his death - I attach a further page from the Casualty enquiry file. Like Sanders he should be commemorated on the Casino memorial

    John
     

    Attached Files:

  6. horsapassenger

    horsapassenger Senior Member

    So if he's not commemorated anywhere is this one for IFTC ?
    Time to give Chrisharley a shout ?

    Owen

    I've dropped him a line - hope he can get this rectified

    John
     
  7. GPRegt

    GPRegt Senior Member

    Steve
    S/Sgt Thomas Laidlaw was the 1st Pilot of Waco Glider Chalk 66. His Second Pilot was Sgt Simons and they were carrying a detachment of 181 Airlanding Field Ambulance attached to 1 Border. Their glider was cast off by its tug aircraft at 2230 hrs, at 1100 ft, approximately 3 ½ miles off shore. it made a forced landing in the sea approx 2 - 2½ miles from the shore. Laidlaw and HD Sanders from RAMC were the only casualties.
    I attach a page from the Casualty enquiry report.
    PM me if you want any further information.

    John

    Owen

    I've dropped him a line - hope he can get this rectified

    John
    Cheers, John, on both counts.

    To all Posters - As far as I am aware, Thomas Laidlaw is the only GPR casualty without grave or commemoration.

    It will be superb if we can get this rectified.

    Steve W.
     
  8. GPRegt

    GPRegt Senior Member

    John

    I'm assuming that the Casualty Report is from the batch released a couple of years back. Have you copies of the NW Europe files, too?

    Steve W.
     
  9. chrisharley9

    chrisharley9 Senior Member

    Morning All

    First of all I will check with the boss to see if he has been picked by our check of GRO Overseas

    If we have he will have already been submitted to CWGC; if not the casualty file should swing this one.

    I will keep you all up to date with this

    Cheers

    Chris
     
  10. horsapassenger

    horsapassenger Senior Member

    John

    I'm assuming that the Casualty Report is from the batch released a couple of years back. Have you copies of the NW Europe files, too?

    Steve W.

    Steve

    Yes. The Sicily files were released on 18th October 2008 at the same time as the NW Europe ones. I have copies of all those relating to Sicily and Arnhem. I still need to complete the other GPR and AAC files for NW Europe.

    In April this year a further batch of files were released which include some relating to the Air Despatch Regiment losses at Arnhem. These are by Aircraft number. Included amongst them is a file which relates to Glider 952 piloted by S/Sgt Raymond White who was KIA. I have copied these

    John
     
  11. horsapassenger

    horsapassenger Senior Member

    Chris

    Many thanks - let me know if you want any more info from the Casualty file

    John
     
  12. GPRegt

    GPRegt Senior Member

    Morning All

    First of all I will check with the boss to see if he has been picked by our check of GRO Overseas

    If we have he will have already been submitted to CWGC; if not the casualty file should swing this one.

    I will keep you all up to date with this

    Cheers

    Chris

    Appreciate your time on this, Chris.

    Steve W.
     
  13. chrisharley9

    chrisharley9 Senior Member

    I have a quick word with Terry Denham about this chap & he has confirmed that his name has bee submitted to CWGC

    Cheers

    Chris
     
  14. GPRegt

    GPRegt Senior Member

    I have a quick word with Terry Denham about this chap & he has confirmed that his name has bee submitted to CWGC

    Cheers

    Chris

    That's great - let's hope there's positive news, soon.

    Steve W.
     
  15. horsapassenger

    horsapassenger Senior Member

    Chris

    Is there any update on this yet from CWGC?

    John
     
  16. chrisharley9

    chrisharley9 Senior Member

    John

    not as yet. At present we have 700 cases sat with CWGC/MOD awaiting decison

    Chris
     
  17. horsapassenger

    horsapassenger Senior Member

    Chris

    Thanks for the update.

    John
     
  18. horsapassenger

    horsapassenger Senior Member

    Chris

    Thanks for the update.

    John
     
  19. chrisharley9

    chrisharley9 Senior Member

    Name:LAIDLAW, THOMAS GRAY Initials:T GNationality:United KingdomRank:Staff SergeantRegiment/Service:Army Air CorpsUnit Text:1st. Bn. Glider Pilot Regiment.Age:23Date of Death:10/07/1943Service No:3059966N.B.:This casualty has recently been accepted for commemoration by the Commission. However, it will not be possible to add his name to this Memorial immediately. Please contact the Commission before planning a visit, for more information.Casualty Type:Commonwealth War DeadGrave/Memorial Reference:Addenda PanelMemorial:CASSINO MEMORIAL

    He is In From The Cold
     
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  20. GPRegt

    GPRegt Senior Member

    That is brilliant news! Thanks so much, Chris! Unfortunately, it's too late for the next issue of our Journal, but I'll get it in for the April issue.

    Steve W.
     

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