The First British Soldier To Fall

Sketch of where he was originally buried:

 

CWGC :: Certificate


Killed by a British Boody Trap whilst on patrol during the night. Four of his comrades are also reported as wounded. Casualty found thanks to Geoff's Search Engine.

WO 167/125

See: Operations of our own forces (b)

 

Corporal Thomas William Priday was I Corps first casualty in France.

I Corps WD dated 11th December 1939 states the following:

Report received of first casualties (1 killed 4 wounded) of 3 Inf Bde on the SAAR Front-this had been caused by a patrol leader losing his way in the dark and walking into one of our own booby traps. The ambush party unfortunately fired into the ensuing melee.


WO 167/124

 

CWGC :: Certificate

From 1 Divisions Intelligence Summary Report No.14:

One KSLI Patrol walked into one of our own booby traps at night loosing 1 killed and 4 wounded.


This patrol would have been on the 9th December 1939 using CWGC as a source.

 

Reading the above reports from various files strongly suggests he died in what can be termed in modern days as a friendly fire incident.

So does this fall into the catergory of the 'First Battlefield Casualty' and what is the definition of 'Battlefield Casualty'?

As mentioned by Owen in post 17:

001 BRADBURY CS 2614462 2ND BN 16/09/1939 GRENADIER GUARDS
002 MACE JA 2614679 2ND BN 16/09/1939 GRENADIER GUARDS
003 PERKINS SE 2613424 2ND BN 16/09/1939 GRENADIER GUARDS
004 SIMPSON AO 2611159 2ND BN 16/09/1939 GRENADIER GUARDS

The battalion was in Dorset training:


I wonder who the first officer and the first soldier was to die in an engagement with the Germans?

 

CWGC :: Casualty Details

Weekly News 3rd November 1939
News has been received in Widnes of the first casualty on active service. Sergeant Major James Enoch Sharratt aged 27, the son of Mrs and the late Mr Sharrat of 73 Irwell Street, Widnes. He was upto the declaration of war; resident with his wife at Colchester to whom a baby was born last month.

He was educated at the West Bank Council School and was a member of the Boys Brigade at the Widnes Parish Chirch of St Mary. He joined the army at the age of 14 years, and after a years service he was drafted to Egypt, where he remained for three years. His progress in the army justified the opinion formed of him in his school days by his old headmaster, the late Mr R Calland, who in his earlier years distinguished himself as a territorial officer and sportsman.

Brother of SHARRATT, WILLIAM ALBERT, Lance Bombardier, 967119, Royal Artillery, 19 Field Regiment who was killed in Italy on the on 17 February 1944

Cousin of SHARRATT, GEORGE, Trooper, 3716975, 107th (5th Bn. The King's Own Royal Regt. [Lancaster]) Regt., Royal Armoured Corps who was killed in France on the 14th August 1944

Details of Accident
The accident occurred when BSM Sharratt and TSM Clarke, along with a further TSM where driving to Bn HQ which had been located at the Chattea D'Anthenaise 5 days previously. They where buried at 14.30 on the 25th Sept in the Vaval Civil Cemetery. 4 days later the Regiment moved to Evreux.

Other TSM thought to be 777778 TSM (WO III) P Lomas who was admitted to the St Lucien Hospital, Laval. There is no trace of TSM lomas being killed lated during the war nor does he appear to have become a POW

 

Recorded death on 23rd Sept and funeral on 25th Sept of TSM Clarke and BSM Sharratt, 27 Field Regiment Royal Artillery.

 

CWGC :: Casualty Details

15th September 1939 6562 Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Murray Pirie, Royal Engineers.

Anyone know what unit he may have been with ?

 

Looks like he died as opposed to have been killed in action?

 

I agree.

Paul, Do you know what the definition or critera is to be listed/classified as KIA?

For example re Priday I'm wondering if he could be classed as killed by friendly fire as it seems it was a BEF booby trap or fire from other British troops that killed him.

 

I think that definition is often open to a great deal of interpretation.

 

Two OR's were killed in France on the 19th September 1939 in unrelated incidents.

7580958 Private William Henry Edwards, 4 Ordnance Ammunition Coy. Royal Army Ordnance Corps
CWGC :: Casualty Details

and

6977978 Sergeant John Lamont, 2nd Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
CWGC :: Casualty Details

Died enroute to hospital after the Bren Carrier he was instructing in rolled over.


Big thanks to Geoff's 'Wonderful' Search Engine which made it all that much more easier.

 

Drew, do you happen to have the diary for the 2nd Cheshires, as Im interested to find out if the circumstances of death for this ex South lancs guy are mentioned.

HARRISON HENRY
Lance Corporal, Cheshire Regiment, 2nd Bn. Date of Death: 29/09/1939 Service No: 3651080

 

Not to 'fall' but:
CWGC :: Casualty Details

Killed in a road accident at Ystrad Mynach, when 2 Mons was moving to assemble at Caerphilly.

 

Just looking here
Enlisted Men WW2
for something completely different and saw this.


So I looked on Geoff's site.
Geoff's Search Engine

Four men all from 2GG killed same day.
Wonder what happened there?
2GG never landed in France until Sept 29th so I assume some training accident in UK.




Sadly not even a training accident. From the Times of 20th Sep 1939

 

Hi Phil,

I thought I answer you last post! Anyway here you go mate:

 

Sadly not even a training accident. From the Times of 20th Sep 1939

hello Chris

attached photo
of J.A.Mace of Offley
(which is a very small village)

Guardsman JEFFREY ARTHUR MACE

2614679, 2nd Bn., Grenadier Guards
who died age 27
on 16 September 1939

Remembered with honour
OFFLEY (ST. MARY MAGDALENE) CHURCHYARD




Assume this is the chap CWGC has JEFFREY not Geoffrey

regards
Clive

 

Clive

GRO also shows Jeffrey; the Times is in error (may the Lord strike me down)

Chris

 

thanks Chris

just happened to have that Photo

regards
Clive