Hi, I have been researching 806552 BSM Cecil Albert Playford who served with the 29/97 Battery, 19th Field Regiment and was killed in action on 28th May 1940 during the withdrawal to the Dunkirk perimeter. As far as I can establish the 19th withdrew with the rest of the 1st Division taking up positions at Les Moeres on the 27th May in the Dunkirk defensive perimeter. However, he is shown on his RA casualty card as having been KIA at Ypres but buried at a temporary burial ground at Watou a considerable distance away from his batteries positions and the only casualty from the regiment that day. I was hoping someone might have the war diary for the period to establish how he came to be in the Watou/Cassel/Ypres area away from his battery whether he had become separated in the general confusion of the withdrawal or was seconded to another unit. Thanks for any help
I've posted about the temporary burial ground at Watou on this site- WATOU, BELGIUM 1940 I think it was predominantly used for casualties from the Cassel breakout on 29-20th May 1940, but in addition there were civilian and other military burials there. The site remains sacrosanct to this day, marked by untended tall trees as the locals at Watou have left it to re-wild since the bodies were re-interred in 1948-50 Along with many (most) of the British burials at Watou, Cecil Playford was re-interred to CWGC Hotton in 1948 Casualty Details | CWGC
I have copies of his Flemish burial records held by the Mayor of Watou's office: This is Cecil Playford's burial record dated 28/5/40 (in Flemish) held by the Mayor of Watou's office.
he is Remembered on the Docking war memorial Norfolk Another relative died in WW1 Roll of Honour - Norfolk - Docking
Sorry to jump on this thread but I have only just discovered it , Cecil Playford is my Great uncle, we as a family are desperate to know what happened to him and why he was away from his unit. Does anyone have any update?? Thank you
Although most of the burials at Watou were part of the 145 Brigade breakout from Cassel on 29-30th May 1940, some of the casualties were caught in the German air raids on Watou of 27 & 28th May as they transited through the town en-route to Dunkirk.
Thank you. Were just trying to piece together everything we can. We know more about the circumstances of Cecil's brother Reggie's passing in India in 1943 than we do about his own and my family have always wanted to know . Anything however small could be quite significant for us.
This is My Great uncle. We were fortunate to be able to visit in 2018 the first members of the family to ever pay their respects in person in nearly 70 years.
Here is an account of the withdrawal of the 67th Field Regt RA (TA) also in 1st Div. You will see that they passed through Poperinge while it was burning and came under heavy air burst fire. Of significance is this :We had to leave in a hurry and made our way through a small gap between Cassel and Ypres. BBC - WW2 People's War - Dunkirk 1940 Also attached a rough sketch copy originally by Maj Tom Averill 266 Bty 67th Field Regt and Dunkirk Veteran although it only covers the beach areas. Hope this might help.
As far as I am aware there are no books written by or about the 19th Field Regt. Of the other two Regiments 67th and 2nd Field Regt there are two books but they only begin in 1942 covering North Africa and Italy. I believe that the 19th Field Regt War Diary is very sparse in detail. I have two neighbours who served in the Regiment post war but they didnt even know that until I weedled it out of them on separate occasions. Obviously not a sociable bunch and are listed as a Scottish Regt in current British Army lists.
Thank you everyone for your replies. It has always been a great mystery as to why he seemed he was not with the rest of his unit. I have been in contact with some lovely people from Watou who have translated the burial card for me and given me some more people to contact.
Sallyann, Welcome, it might be of value to contact Zimrich, the opening post's author, he has not been here since January 2021 though. Try using the 'Start a Conversation' option on your avatar; it is a private message switch. Assuming Zimrich's email originally given has not changed.