Last British Battle Casualty?

Paul Reed · 18-09-2007, 11:08 PM

The last British & Commonwealth battle casualty on the Western Front in WW1 is well known, but what of the last in the fighting for NW Europe? The 'Army Roll of Honour' shows 20+ men who died on 8th May 1945 - but does not say if they died of wounds, died or were killed in action.

Any thoughts or knowledge on this one?

Steve Newman · 19-09-2007, 12:05 PM

Hi Paul

Have you cross referenced the 20 or so names across CWGC should at least rule out some of them who will obviously be buried at home or in areas where the fighting had long since passed. Perhaps following that you could post up the remaining names?

Steve

BORIS · 28-09-2007, 10:45 PM

Burning question that i oft think about, would be good to know the last KIA and DOW....

AndyBaldEagle · 29-09-2007, 02:43 PM

Paul
Im sure I saw somewhere, but cant recall where, that a WW2 veteran died and the cause of death was wounds received during WW2. But I presume you mean the last person actually KIA/DOW on 8th May? or on surrender of Japanese?

Paul Reed · 29-09-2007, 02:44 PM

I was think of the last battle casualty in Europe prior to 8th May 1945.

sapper · 29-09-2007, 06:35 PM

While I was back in hospital in the UK. I learned of the death of a Corporal. One of the bravest men I ever knew. Never recognised because it was the accepted thing by all and sundry, that he would take on the dangerous tasks.
It was with a heavy heart that I learned that he was killed after the war, while clearing some mines and arms. One was booby trapped, or that is what I was told afterwards.

Particularly sad for me. for I greatly admired him. Even though he always picked me to be part of the team he would select...No matter how I tried to keep out of his way.

What a heart breaking shame that he should be killed after the war. made worse by never being recognised for the brave deeds he accomplished.
Sapper

18-09-2007, 11:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
Paul Reed Ubique Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kent/France Posts: 3,599	Last British Battle Casualty? The last British & Commonwealth battle casualty on the Western Front in WW1 is well known, but what of the last in the fighting for NW Europe? The 'Army Roll of Honour' shows 20+ men who died on 8th May 1945 - but does not say if they died of wounds, died or were killed in action. Any thoughts or knowledge on this one? __________________ The WW2 Society: Remembering those from Britain & The Commonwealth who served 1939-45 - http://www.battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/ww2_society.htm

29-09-2007, 02:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
AndyBaldEagle Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Essex Posts: 389	Paul Im sure I saw somewhere, but cant recall where, that a WW2 veteran died and the cause of death was wounds received during WW2. But I presume you mean the last person actually KIA/DOW on 8th May? or on surrender of Japanese? __________________ In proud memory of Lieutenant James Henry Woods 1st Airlanding Light Regiment Killed in Action at Oosterbeek Arnhem 25th September 1944 Lieutenant William Stewart Donaldson 156th Battalion, Parachute Regiment Killed in Action at Oosterbeek Arnhem 21st September 1944 Sergeant John Burge Glider Pilot Regiment Killed in Action at Oosterbeek Arnhem 25th-26th September 1944 Corporal John Walter Bentley 12th Battalion, Parachute Regiment Killed in Action on the Rhine 24th March 1945 LEST WE FORGET 'They are free-yes-but not entirely free; for they have a master, and that master is Law, which they fear much more than your subjects fear you. Whatever this master commands, they do; and his command never varies: it is never to retreat in battle, however great the odds, but always to stand firm, and to conquer or die' (from The Peloponesian War?- Herodotus 490-425BC )

29-09-2007, 02:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
Paul Reed Ubique Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kent/France Posts: 3,599	I was think of the last battle casualty in Europe prior to 8th May 1945. __________________ The WW2 Society: Remembering those from Britain & The Commonwealth who served 1939-45 - http://www.battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/ww2_society.htm

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19-09-2007, 12:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
Steve Newman Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 69	Hi Paul Have you cross referenced the 20 or so names across CWGC should at least rule out some of them who will obviously be buried at home or in areas where the fighting had long since passed. Perhaps following that you could post up the remaining names? Steve

28-09-2007, 10:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
BORIS Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: DURHAM ENGLAND Posts: 21	Burning question that i oft think about, would be good to know the last KIA and DOW....

29-09-2007, 06:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
sapper WW2 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,513	While I was back in hospital in the UK. I learned of the death of a Corporal. One of the bravest men I ever knew. Never recognised because it was the accepted thing by all and sundry, that he would take on the dangerous tasks. It was with a heavy heart that I learned that he was killed after the war, while clearing some mines and arms. One was booby trapped, or that is what I was told afterwards. Particularly sad for me. for I greatly admired him. Even though he always picked me to be part of the team he would select...No matter how I tried to keep out of his way. What a heart breaking shame that he should be killed after the war. made worse by never being recognised for the brave deeds he accomplished. Sapper

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