Welcome to the forum and glad to see you found the posts useful. I should try and replace the lost images above.
Good morning. Reseaching my family history I came across details of a cousin that I never met. Robert Parsler was a regular soldier in the 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment from approx 1926 as a Pte, until 28th May 1940, when according to one report , as a Lt/ A Captain, he was killed by sniper fire, on the banks of the Furnes to Niepoort Canel. I visited Furnes last Sept to pay my respects to him and to 2nd Lt Lyon, ( they are buried side by side), who was also killed soon after taking over D Coy from Robert and other Die Hards who are buried at Coxdye Military Cemetery. I stayed a The Loft in Veurne (Furnes) that is just around the corner to the canal and where D Coy was imbedded with the Guards unit, to the LHS of the defence line. The canal at this point is only about 30 yds across and no more than 100 yds between houses either side of the canal. Even at my advanced years, I could easily lob a cricket ball from one side to the other. I am therefore horrified, when thinking what weapons were being used on 28th May 1940 and how close the enemy was to D Coy. I have sent for Roberts military records for more details, as reading the war diaries of the 2nd Batt Middlesex and that of the Guards, I cannot equate his death as the 28th but nearer the 30th May, due to the arrival date at Veurne. The difference in dates maybe, that Robert was not killed on the canal banks but earlier, if so, why is he and 2nd Lt Lyon buried in Coxdye. Am I missing something and reading too much into the diaries?.. The Loft is an ideal place to stay for such a visit, very friendly, great food and atmosphere, Veurne is a lovely market town and the main square is very pretty with plenty of good places to eat. The Coxdye cemetery is a 10 min drive away, is very well looked after and is approached along a grassed Avenue, with parking opposite in a super market car park. We asked permission before parking and topped up our provisions before leaving. I await Robert records and will also try and find more books that give details about the BEF in May 1940. David Cheesman
