Hi, I'm searching for information on Stanley Harold Shilcock. Service number 5387125. He's my Great Uncle who died on the 30th May 1940 in France, I'm trying to put together some information for my Grandma (his baby sister). He was part of the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 4th Battalion. Would anybody have any idea about how to find out what this regiment went through during the war and the time sound his death, and how to find out more information? I know his unit were cut off during the retreat to Dunkirk. Thank you so much for any information or ideas.
Hi Anthony Firstly you could obtain his service record - for WW2 they can only come from the MOD and the forms are here in this link - Request records of deceased service personnel Secondly I will contact our 1940 BEF expert to see if he has the War Diaries for that Regiment at that time. You will not need to get a copy of his death certificate to submit with those forms but you will need to download (from the CWGC link below) and copy of the CWGC certificate which id downloadable - scroll down and its on the left hand side where it says unexpectedly 'Download Certificate' Casualty Details | CWGC TD From his CWGC concentration report it would seems he was initially buried at Watou anf then moved after the war to Hotton. I also note it states 'Died' as opposed to 'KIA (Killed in Action)' so I would guess he was wounded and died from those
Ok thats brilliant thank you, I think its well worth spending £30 to obtain his service record so I'll definitely look into that. Oh that would be amazing, I'd love to know what his regiment went through. I have tried looking, and it seemed to me that they were helping hold off the germans for the retreat to Dunkirk but ended up getting cut off. Then they tried to breakthrough but a large number ended up getting captured or killed. I have managed to obtain his CWGC report thank you. Really appreciate the help.
He would have been fighting at Cassel and broke out once surrounded with orders to head to Watou, it was thought from there they could head north to Dunkirk to be evacuated. On arrival they found Watou was held by the Germans where most were captured and some killed including one of Barbara Cartland’s brothers Ronnie. I’ve not looked at the surrender in any detail but suspect a potential war crime as Cartland is reported to have out his hands up to surrender and was shot. There seems to have been a lot buried in Watou and then moved.
Use tabs on right to highlight 4th Battalion. Page looks blank but scroll down and all will be revealed. Tim
He was first reported missing on Casualty List No. 241 Dated 26 June 1940, although the actual date of going missing was 'not reported'. Approximately 125 of the 4th Bn reported on the same list. His name was included on lists circulated to POW camps in an effort to trace him. Casualty List No .642 Dated 14 October 1941 records him as 'Died', 30.5.40, with a handwritten note 'As killed'.
Oh wow not found anything like that about him before, do you mind me asking where you found this? Just as I'm hoping to print everything off and make a folder to keep for all the family to see
Note that there is no other information, they are just a list. British Army Casualty Lists 1939-1945 | findmypast.co.uk
