I'm trying to track down a chaps grave who is remembered on the Dunkirk Memorial. I have identified a cemetery near where he was killed that has several unmarked graves - Is it possible via the the internet to find out if there is any additional info on the headstones like dates of death, rank or regiment? I pretty sure the answer is no and I'm going to have to drive there but just in case I thought I'd ask
Hello Drew, The CWGC will tell you what`s written on the stone if anything. I`ve asked similar before. Unfortunately they will also say that nothing else is known when in fact, depending on who you speak to, they can sometimes tell you if the body was that of an NCO ,Private etc generally if they know the regt they will have the crest on the stone. Phone them don't wait for their email replies Kyle
Thanks Kyle it's as I thought. I'm setting off today so I'll have to visit in person. I'll make a note of the grave refs and see what comes available on VJ Day
I came across a "similar instance" last year when wandering around Catania CWGC cemetery, when I had found an unknown man's headstone (but named by Regiment). After reviewing the CWGC database, it narrowed the possible identification to 3 (if the Regiment's name is believed), and the three had been killed at different areas to the west of Mount Etna over a period of about 10 days in early August 1943. Coincidentally (and quite unbelievably), I had been contacted the day before by the son of one of the three men - then quite oblivious to the fact that I was then in Sicily. The son had been born 10 days after his father's death and after my "discovery", I was able to highlight the "unknown" identification at Catania and sent him a photo of the grave marker. With this information to hand, the son contacted the CWGC asking if there was any further information on the "original burial" location but quite recently, he received a "this is all we have.." note from the CWGC... of course, this is a little disappointing as I have previously seen details (supplied by the CWGC) of various burial locations of men, who had been killed in Sicily (albeit in a different location south of Catania) before they were taken to the CWGC cemetery for final burial... tbc best
I would tell him to ask again after VJ Day. CWGC are opening all their WW2 records to the public. Like you I have found various graves in France with units or ranks on with no name. One unknown grave I am 99.9% sure I know who is buried there with overwhelming circumstantial evidence from various BEF documents from the National Archives. CWGC won't name the marker because the evidence is only circumstantial. I suspect the current missing man I'm looking for will end the same way.
Yes indeed - that did come to mind. And a good reminder, I am in contact with the son as well as the associated Regimental Associations.. of course, you can't "spot" unknown markers via the CWGC database.
Which is a shame-If they listed any additional info like ranks, units, dates of death that could help research a great deal but going back to basics CWGC was never really set up for researchers as such, more for family members to identify where loved ones are commemorated.
I think it was Ramacal who posted a photo of an unknown Sgts grave with the badge on and the battalion had only lost one and he was on the Dunkirk Memorial. Sgt Heydon? Kyle
