Hi, this guy is buried in Brookwood cemetery, the details state a serving Cpl in the RWK, died Feb 1944, but his headstone is for a non war burial? I was asked by some Army recruits why is the headstone different and I don't know the answer, Any ideas? cheers, Rick
It is a non war dead headstone more info here CWGC Headstone Shapes But the one difference that attracts the most questions is the headstones that have clipped corners. These are used for service men and women who do not qualify for war grave status for example casualties who died outside the qualifying period or died outside of combat or a service related death The writing on the CWGC headstones
Hi, many thanks, I just found it a little confusing as I am not sure what defines non war dead for a serving soldier during WW2 when I have seen many headstones in the local cemetery for soldiers who have died during WW2 through illness, traffic accident (killed by a civilian vehicle), suicide, tripping and falling down the stairs etc who all have CWGC standard wartime headstones. I am trying to find out where and when Cpl Mitchell died which may shed some light. Rick
Rick he could have contracted an illness not related to his service and died or his death as not related to his time in service death cert would inform you regards Clive
If he died in service between 3 September 1939 and 31 December 1947,he should qualify for a normal CWGC headstone. Further. service personnel who have died not in service but from the effects of military service within the qualifying period are also entitled to a normal CWGC headstone. Judicial executions of servicemen also qualify for the normal CWGC headstone as do certain civilian dead The case in question seems odd given the CWGC laid down qualifications, which from the date of death of Cpl Mitchell are complied with.
We had one like this before. That one I think to man died after discharge but the family wanted a CWGC looking headstone. Maybe someone can look up 6344308 Mitchell on the casualty lists.
this one is in Willesden I see a few of them their death according to CWGC does not fall into the CWGC set criteria There is nothing wrong if you want to spend time getting death cert and any other detail you can to prove death was in service
this one below formerly served in Ox and Bucks Aylesbury cem loads of them in the cemeteries around the UK
Fireman Mill Hill cem down as civilian death 008 TEAGUE AJ - - 10/05/1941 CIVILIAN WAR DEAD Cause of Death: Injuries resulting from enemy action Current Fire Authority: London
Thanks for the replies, what is odd is that Cpl Mitchell is right in the middle of the WW2 CWGC plot in Brookwood, surrounded by standard headstones. There is also a plot of non war graves with this style of headstone. The other issue is I cannot locate a date of birth or full name for F Mitchell on FMP or Ancestry, he is not listed in any casualty lists. Maybe a RWK expert could shed more light? cheers, Rick
Rick many of them are like that I have seen dozens as per my examples above as suggested email CWGC there is always a story behind each one and the death cert with give you more info about his death regards Clive
I have spoken to CWGC They maintain the headstone on behalf of the MOD but do not have further info on him The MOD have recognised him as a non war dead and erected the headstone Might be worth you contacting the Royal West Kents museum Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regimental Museum | Maidstone Museum best bet death cert regards Clive
UK, Military Campaign Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1949 Name: F Mitchell Service Date: 1936-1939 Service Place: Palestine Campaign or Service: Palestine Regiment or Unit Name: 2nd Battalion The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment Regimental Number: 6344308 He was obviously in the Regt prior to 1936, so a regular, is it possible he was transferred to DEMS gunner work, as they are notoriously difficult to trace
As F Mitchell does not appear in the CWGC records he also, as expected, does not appear in the War Deaths (Other Ranks) 1939-1948, see below: It would therefore seem logical that he would appear in the Civil Death Registrations for Q1 1944, so presumably one of these: If F Mitchell left a Will (he may not have done) it should be in the Probate Records, there is this one, date of death one day out, but newspaper cutting reveals not him: Note: Alfred Lewis Shrubsole, post #8, appears in civil death lists and he died in Roehampton Hospital. Interestingly Odell, post #9, does appear in the CWGC, his medical report states that his disability was not caused by active service but exaggerated by it. Casualty Details | CWGC George John Harding, post #10, appears in civil death lists.