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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: MargeW on Monday 08 November 10 20:24 GMT (UK)
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Hi
My great uncle Sidney Kendall was a sapper in the RE during WW2. He died in service in Burma on or around the 17/18 March 1944. I understand that he was working on a bridge that came under attack and he was presumed drowned. (Although I can't confirm this). There is a memorial at Rangoon cemetery.
I would like to try and find out a little more about the incident. Sadly I work full time and live a long way from London so I am unable to visit the national archives. I have looked at their web site, but just felt confused!!
Can anyone advise me if it is worth getting Sidney's service records - or will I get very little for my £30. Also, would there be any organisation that might hold some piece of information that might help me pin point the actual place of death and to get an idea of what was happening at the time.
Many thanks
Marge :)
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Marge
Would go for the service history, always of value.
It will tell you his unit - there will be a War Diary for that unit which will show where they were on that date.
There is another file at the NA that relates to enquiries into missing men - if he's on the memorial then his body was not recovered.
Regards
Pete
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Little bit of luck, his cwgc entry contains his unit:
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2514057
67 Field Co., RE.
Pete
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Armed with what you have so far, see if these folks can help:
http://www.remuseum.org.uk/
Regards
Pete
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thanks for the post's Pete, I will contact the RE museum and see if they can help me at all. I have just posted off my application for his service records, if nothing else it will be nice to have a copy. I really must try and get to London and visit the NA, especially if they might have something about him missing. It is all very interesting. Thank you.
Marge
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Hi Marge,
The 67 Coy War diary for 1944 is held at the National Archives. Its file reference number is WO172/5078. I hope this will eventually be of use to you?
Best wishes and good luck.
Steve.
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What was his date of birth? Can anyone work out his enlistment date from either his DoB or his Army serial number?
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Thanks for the ward diary information Steve, I will get to London one of these days.
Sidney was born on the 17 June 1924. Like so many others, very young when killed.
Thanks to you both
Marge
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his service number looks to have been issued in summer/autumn 1942, so called up when he was 18?
Probably posted abroad after his 19th birthday.
Records will reveal all.
Pete.
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Thanks Pete
Can you help me with something else? I am trying to obtain his service medal, but the MOD want me to send his death certificate. I have just had a very painful conversation with someone there and have tried to explain that he was missing presumed drowned during active service and that there isn't one. The person I spoke to said I had to contact the GRO who would provide me with a copy. I thought that there wouldn't be one, have I got this wrong?!! Not sure if you can help me.
Cheers
Marge
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Hi Marge,
Pete won't mind me butting in, Sidney will have a death certificate, probably within the GRO WAR Deaths, Army, Overseas deaths 1939-1948'. The GRO is the place to start, they should be able to help you and produce the copied certificate.
It's horrible being passed from one organisation to another without too much consideration for your feelings. The certificate may even shed some light on the cause of death?
Steve.
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Hi Steve
Thank you so much, I have had a rubbish day and at last I feel like I am going in the right direction. Your help is very much appreciated.
Marge
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Hi Marge,
Back again, good news, Sidney has a death certificate within the Army Overseas Deaths records.
When you contact the GRO, tell them his reference is:
1944 10 206.
That being year of death, volume number and page number.
With the reference available it should cost you less too.
Good luck.
Steve.
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Far more help than I could've been Steve !!
Good luck Marge :)
Pete
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Thanks for the ward diary information Steve, I will get to London one of these days.
Sidney was born on the 17 June 1924. Like so many others, very young when killed.
Thanks to you both
Marge
Here is another suggestion: If one of the "rules" during WW2 was that they didnt send men overseas until they were age 19,, then consider looking for references after 17th June 1943 to troop convoys carrying RE units out to the Burma theatre. If you google RE historic WW2 records then you may pick up more details. In my experience, many troops who ended up in Burma broke their journey by disembarking at Bombay. You have heard of Doolally (not sure of the correct spellin) well there was a large Transit Camp there.
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Hi
Thank you all for your help, I have managed to send of for the death certificate and Sidney's service records this weekend. Once I have the certificate I hopefully will be able to get Sidney's medal.
Haven't found anything yet on troop informaiton, but I shall keep looking. I really appreciate the pointers, they have saved me so much time. Thanks again.
Marge