Good afternoon. I am trying to find out as much information as I can on the above serviceman for my mum. Frank was her uncle, so far all we know is he died on the 14th September 1942 at age 24, and he has a memorial at Alamein. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
Hello and welcome to the forum. The best place to start is to apply for his service records. They cost 30 pounds but be prepared for a bit of a wait https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records I am sure other members will be along soon with more information. Lesley
Hello Starkie, I believe your Great Uncle was probably killed in Operation Agreement, a Commando raid on Tobruk - to which engineers from 295th Field Coy, RE, were attached - which went dreadfully wrong. There is information about the raid in this link: http://uboat.net/forums/read.php?3,86759 You should be able to find more information on this forum and elsewhere by doing a search for 'Operation Agreement'. Best, Steve.
For information and from Ancestry: UK, Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945 about Frank Starkie Name: Frank Starkie Given Initials: F Rank: Sapper Death Date: 14 Sep 1942 Number: 2005031 Birth Place: Lancashire Residence: Lancashire Branch at Enlistment: Other Corps Theatre of War: At sea Regiment at Death: Royal Engineers Branch at Death: Other Corps Interestingly his 'Theatre of war' is 'At Sea' TD
Hello TD, The part of Operation Agreement that Frank Starkie was killed in was a Commando raid, i.e. seaborne, and it is likely he was lost at sea; hence he has only an entry on the Alamein Memorial. Best, Steve.
Hi Steve, Thanks for the info, I did think that but then I also thought his 'Theatre' might have 'North Africa' or something similar, as that was where he was, although I guess there is some rule that says if he did not set foot ashore then he died at 'sea' Thanks again TD
How do, I'd agree with Lesley and get a copy of his service records as a starting point. Quite a few files at the National Archives on this Op including a board of inquiry. http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=operation+agreement&_p=1925&_hb=tna&_d=CAB&_d=WO&_d=ADM&Refine+departments=Refine
Found this site http://www.naval-history.net/WW2BritishLossesbyDate2.htm September 14 - Cruiser COVENTRY (AA ship, 4,290t, 1918), sunk by dive bombers, E Mediterranean September 14 - Destroyer SIKH (1,870t, 12/10/38), sunk by gunfire, shore batteries, Tobruk, Libya September 14 - Destroyer ZULU (1, 870t, 6/9/38), sunk by aircraft bombs, E Mediterranean September 14 - Motor launch ML No.352 (73t, 9/6/42), sunk by aircraft, Tobruk, Libya. September 14 - Motor launch ML No.353 (73t, 26/5/42), sunk by aircraft, Tobruk, Libya September 14 - Motor torpedo boat MTB No.308 (34t, 31/1/42), probably aircraft attack off Tobruk, Libya September 14 - Motor torpedo boat MTB No.310 (38t, 10/2/42), probably aircraft attack off Tobruk, Libya September 14 - Motor torpedo boat MTB No.312 (34t, 21/2/42), probably aircraft attack off Tobruk, Libya September 14 - Motor torpedo boat MTB No.314 (34t, 2/3/42), probably aircraft attack off Tobruk, Libya September 14 - Naval servicing boat No.9 (on loan to USN, 20t, 12/40), sunk
There is another thread dealing with this subject http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/48928-295-army-field-coy-royal-engineers-friendly-fire-incident/
