My Great-Uncle , 3055612 Pte. John DUFF 7/9th Royal Scots

My family (Father's side) are from Edinburgh. My grandmother - Vera Taylor (née Duff) had a brother. This is my great-uncle, John Duff.

Before my grandmother passed, she told me a very brief story (from what I remember) that he was killed during the war. Now, I only found this photo again when I was clearing out the house.

I would like to investigate further into when and where he was killed. Also, to find out if it was before, during or after the evacuation of Dunkirk.

If anyone has information about the uniform he is wearing e.g. which regiment he may have been in?

P.S my Grandfather was a captain in the Royal Scot Greys (post-war) and led the first Edinburgh Tattoo. Potentially superficial information but provides a bit more details into the military background my family hold which can provide more evidence into military records since both my grandfather and grandmother's side were from Edinburgh and may be easier to match records.

 

CWGC list only these three John Duff army casualties. He looks too young to be the Argyll and Sutherlander, so he may be the Royal Scots Fusilier – I’m no expert but the uniform seems to be consistent.

Probably best to start a thread dedicated to John - if you ask a moderator nicely they may move your post across, along with this reply.

Best of luck.

 

Firstly, thank you - this one hit pretty hard emotionally to see a picture of the (potential) grave of my great-uncle. Pvt John Duff (unknown-1942) - Find a Grave...

My grandfather was a Captain in the Royal Scot Greys (post-war). My family are from Edinburgh so this is seeming very likely. I should have mentioned it.

However, if anyone has any further information too, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'll be taking a visit to the cemetery on the weekend since it has the location of my great uncles (potential) grave.

 

Thank you so much, Owen. I'll have to look into this further - it could be more ceremonial and then on deployment a more comfortable/suitable uniform was worn.

 

Possibly :
3055612 Pte. John DUFF 7/9th Royal Scots
Died as a result of an accident 1st October 1942
Buried Edinburgh (Piershill) Cemetery

 

Photo appears to have Yeovil 1942 (on my small phone screen) written on the back. If that suggests it was taken then he can’t be a 1940 Dunkirk casualty?

Steve

 

Great find - yes, it does seem he was in the Royal Scots (had a look at the collar badge Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) collar badge)

But given he died in 1942 - this means he wasn't part of the Normandy landings for sure.

 

Thanks for this, Guy!

I had a look at the records on the CWCG - where did you take this screenshot, do you mind linking it?

I can only see two screenshots and those do not list cause of death.

Also, do you know what 'cause of accident' may mean - it seems other servicemen died 'as a result of accident' was this action based accident or would that be 'Killed in Action'?

Thank you

 

As Owen stated - I believe it does say 1940.

 

Oh, right! Interesting. Another member found 'died of an accident' - while quite vague, would this be a war-related accident? or would that state 'killed in action' meaning 'result of an accident' means killed within the UK off-duty?

 

If he is commemorated by CWGC then the assumption it was related to him being in service at time of death
As stated due to accident it could be a a road traffic accident,a fall,weapons incident etc
Again it would appear he died in the UK
You need the full death cert to qualify cause of death

If the suggested casualty is your relative you can apply for his service records

Get a copy of military service records

You can use the certificate in this link as proof of death
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2452096/john-duff/

 

It is also possible that his death was mentioned in the war diary: 7/9 Royal Scots (Royal Regiment) | The National Archives. If the regimental museum doesn’t have a copy then there are members of the forum that provide a TNA copying service who can help.

 

3055612 Pte. John DUFF 7/9th Royal Scots, he died at the Cruden Bay Hotel of carbon monoxide poisoning aged 22, parents John and Margaret DUFF

 

How did you find that? That's incredible - my father just found his birth certificate - see below:

 

The hotel was used as barracks during the second world war. Cruden Bay Hotel - Wikipedia