17125 Lieutenant Colonel Harry Francis Keir WEDDERBURN, 8th Bn Black Watch: 05/02/1943

Can anyone please help in tracing where Lt Col harry Francis Kier Wedderburn was killed on 05 Feb 1943 at the age of 43??
He is buried in St Andrews but place of death is illusive
Many thanks to someone in advance

 

Casualty returns have theatre as "Home " so in the UK and him as dangerously ill then died (so illness rather than killed)- his officer number is 17125 in case that helps anyone else with their checking

 

Born 1899 in St andrews, married in St andrews 1929 but no death in scotland recorded

 

Death registered in Bournemouth

WEDDERBURN, HARRY FRANCIS KEIR 43
GRO Reference: 1943 M Quarter in BOURNEMOUTH Volume 02B Page 1073


Lt.-Col. Harry Francis Keir Wedderburn was born on 5 April 1899.1 He was the son of Harry George Wedderburn and Jane Trevelvan Carmichael.2 He married Mary Sharp Bethune, daughter of Lt.-Col. Henry Alexander Bethune and Elinor Mary Watt, on 5 October 1929.1 He died on 5 February 1943 at age 43, on active service.1
He fought in the First World War.1 He fought in the Second World War.1 He gained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the Black Watch.1
Children of Lt.-Col. Harry Francis Keir Wedderburn and Mary Sharp Bethune

• Penelope Mary Bethune Wedderburn+2 b. 28 Sep 1930, d. 15 Oct 2010
• Andrew Harry Wedderburn-Bethune+2 b. 4 Dec 1933

Person Page

If you require more info apply for his service records

Get a copy of military service records

Also the war diary might assist


LIEUTENANT COLONEL HARRY FRANCIS KEIR WEDDERBURN
Service Number: 17125
Regiment & Unit/Ship
Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)

8th Bn.

Date of Death
Died 05 February 1943

Age 43 years old

Buried or commemorated at
ST. ANDREWS WESTERN CEMETERY

Sec. H. Grave 242.

United Kingdom

 

Thank you all for this information. I had found that he had been wounded in Normandy, but no real evidence. I do appreciate your help as we are going into an era where the moto seems to be that of “ today” and how can we disrupt the past. I find it sad but possibly my years.

 

A little confused here

Its shown that he died in Feb 1943 - so unless he was in SOE or a Commando not sure how he would have been wounded in Normandy (assuming we are talking here of D Day (1944)) this could be the reason you are not finding any evidence ????

TD

 

There were British units fighting in Upper Normandy in 1940. He could have been wounded then if he had been with 4th Black Watch.

 

If he had been wounded in 1940 he would be recorded on the casualty lists and the first mention is 1942-43 as dangerously ill - all the things that people die of in peacetime don't call a ceasefire because there is a war on, people still have heart attacks, get cancer, fall down stairs etc

 

His probate entry is no more helpful, just the standard "on active Service" as with any serviceman in harness who died in WW2. Although when received it usually includes the grant of probate which may be more specific ?
Cost £ 1.50 from here.
https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar#calendar

 

You need his death cert that will confirm cause of death as stated it was possible illness

otherwise you will go around in circles and you making assumptions on his cause of death

 

Sadly:

 

Very sad end, and it wasn't even a quick one - hopefully during his time in hospital he was unconscious and not suffering even more, at least it answers the question

 

More on his service history:

 

Great work Tony well done

 

Just to thank you all for your great help. Very much appreciated and will pass it on to the Golf Club Museum.
Roderick

 

A comment from a Black Watch veteran:

 

His Probate notice says "Sealed, Llandudno, July 17th" 1943.