Why 4 men from different regiments?

Discussion in 'War Cemeteries & War Memorial Research' started by General Knowledge, May 25, 2019.

  1. General Knowledge

    General Knowledge Well-Known Member

    At Beuvry Communal Cemetery Extension Pas De Calais.

    There are 4 men killed on the same day 16/12/1939, buried next to each other, but all from different regiments. Does anyone know how they died?
    Lt Basil Christopher Reiss Royal Engineers
    2nd Lt Peter Charles Sutherland Milward Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry
    2nd Lt Richard Granville Mitchell Lincolnshire Regiment
    Lt Harold Gordon Hull Lancashire Fusiliers.
    Thank you.
    Linda
     
  2. Guy Hudson

    Guy Hudson Looker-upper

  3. Orwell1984

    Orwell1984 Senior Member

    IIRC I came across mention of an incident in my BEF readings that could be connected to this in which a training accident occurred in which the instructor and some of the subalterns attending where killed. I think it was some kind of land mine training. Now to see if my synapses will cooperate in recalling where I saw that. Alternatively one of the wizards on here may recall what I’m thinking of (or imagining)
     
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  4. General Knowledge

    General Knowledge Well-Known Member

    Very useful both of you, thank you. One of the newspaper headlines of the time, names Lt Hull as the first BEF officer killed in WW2.
     
  5. General Knowledge

    General Knowledge Well-Known Member

    While I am on here, does anyone have access to a photo (face) of of any of these?
     
  6. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Some newspaper cuttings and an interesting one on Casualty List No 1
    Deaths 1.jpg Deaths 2.jpg List 1.jpg
     
  7. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Shiny71939-1940

    16 Dec. The 7th suffered its first casualty of WW2 when Lt B C Reiss was killed at the Junior Leader’s School Bethune whilst demonstrating a British A/TM. Few people had any experience of mine warfare, and courses were set up for all ranks. Two days later a funeral party went to the village of Beuvry in very cold weather for the burial of Lt Reiss.


    TD
     
  8. Orwell1984

    Orwell1984 Senior Member

    Thank you TD for the info and confirming I've not completely lost it. And also letting me know where I read about this: the history of the Shiny 7th written by Tommy Riordan.
     
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  9. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Maybe you can repay the debt someday by telling me I haven't lost it :wacko::omg:

    TD
     
  10. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    From the war diary of 2 Lincolns which records the death of 2/Lt Mitchell.

    P1250449 (Large).JPG
    P1250449.JPG
     
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  11. General Knowledge

    General Knowledge Well-Known Member

    Thank you all so much, I knew I could you rely on you to give me the info I seek.
    Linda
     
  12. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    According to the book about 2 Lincolns in WW2, (Mettle & Pasture by Gary Weight, 2015, pages 58 & 60) there were 8 men killed in this incident. A French Officer was teaching the class. I'll try and send a message to Gary for permission to post a copy of the pages.

    Due to the nature of the incident, some of them might be commemorated on either the Dunkirk Memorial or the Brookwood Memorial.
     
    Last edited: May 26, 2019
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  13. General Knowledge

    General Knowledge Well-Known Member

    Thank you
    that would be great if you could.
     

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