T/218066 L/Cpl Walter BOURNE, RASC: KIA 8th April 1945

Discussion in 'RASC' started by Ravrick, May 27, 2021.

  1. Ravrick

    Ravrick Senior Member

    HI,
    I am trying to find out more about the death of L/Cpl W Bourne RASC, namely which unit of the RASC he was serving with and where he was killed. The official rolls state Killed in Action, Western Europe. H eis buried in Becklingen War Cemetery.

    Can anybody assist?

    Cheers,
    Rick
     
  2. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Hello Rick I am sure other forum members will add more
    Have you applied for his service records Get a copy of military service records
    LANCE CORPORAL WALTER BOURNE
    Service Number: T/218066
    Regiment & Unit/Ship

    Royal Army Service Corps

    Date of Death
    Died 08 April 1945

    Age 30 years old

    Buried or commemorated at
    BECKLINGEN WAR CEMETERY

    1. J. 3.

    Germany


    • Country of ServiceUnited Kingdom
    • Additional InfoSon of George and Nellie Bourne, of Walsall, Staffordshire; husband of Dorothy Mary Bourne, of Walsall.
    • Personal InscriptionGREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT HE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS LOVED ONES

    Download certificate
    FROM THE CWGC ARCHIVES
    GRAVE REGISTRATION (2)



    Click to view


    Click to view

    CONCENTRATION (2)



    Click to view


    Click to view

    HEADSTONE (1)



    Click to view

    BURIED OR COMMEMORATED AT
    BECKLINGEN WAR CEMETERY
    NiedersachsenGermany
    Number of casualties: 2404
    View cemetery details



    regards
    Clive
     
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  3. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Seems he was originally buried at Diepholz

    [​IMG]

    It would seem you need to obtain his service records to correctly identify which specific un it of the RASC he was in at the time, so you casn then obtain the War Diaries for that unit to see what happened on 8th Apr 1945
    The forms you need are here Request records of deceased service personnel you dont need a copy of his death certificate per se but you will need to copy and include the certificate that is found on his CWGC details - about halfway down on the left hand side Casualty Details | CWGC where is says (helpfully) Download Certificate

    TD

    This might provide a flavour of what was happening in and around Diepholz at the time he was killed 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles in WW2: 7th to 13th April 1945 - Diepholz
     
    Last edited: May 27, 2021
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  4. harkness

    harkness Well-Known Member

    1939 Register
    19 John Street, Walsall, Staffordshire

    Name - DOB - Occupation - Marital status
    John B Sanders - 08 Apr 1881 - Nickel Polisher - Widowed
    Walter Bourne - 12 Oct 1914 - Motor Van Driver, Furniture - Married
    Dorothy M McGrath (Bourne) - 24 Jan 1915 - Unpaid Domestic Duties - Married
     
  5. Ravrick

    Ravrick Senior Member

    Many thanks for the info Guys,
    I suspect he was also a member of 257 Amb.Car.Coy which should be confirmed when I get a copy of his papers, it seems plausible that Dvr Hunt was wounded on the day that L/Cpl Bourne was killed, probably in the same location.

    Rick
     
  6. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Rick

    Just noticed as you mentioned about Hunt as well, that he has the same 'Report Number' as Bourne and I am wondering whether or not, if you contact the CWGC they may have more details included in that report - I have never been down that avenue, but is perhaps one to explore

    TD

    Just for interest - https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9123148
     
  7. ltdan

    ltdan Nietenzähler

    That could have been in the Twistringen - Bassum area.
    The region was fought over on 7/8 April.
    If I should guess, then a mine would come into consideration, or also artillery, which fired from the area Colnrade the advance routes.
    (I grew up in the vincinity)

    This is what a contemporary witness once told me:
     
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  8. Ravrick

    Ravrick Senior Member

    Hi, many thanks for the useful information, much appreciated,
    Rick
     
  9. Philip Reinders

    Philip Reinders Very Senior Member

    001.jpg 001.jpg
     
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  10. Ravrick

    Ravrick Senior Member

    Many thanks, I will add that to his file,
    cheers,
    Rick
     
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  11. Philip Reinders

    Philip Reinders Very Senior Member

    your welcome.
     

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