There's a clue on CWGC. Look at the variety of cap badges of dead in the cemetery between the 22nd and 25th May. That would suggest there was a medical facility there where different units were bringing their wounded. There was no fighting in this area between these dates as I suspect you already know. Results
If your uncle is James Cotterill, then he is mentioned in the main list of the 'Missing Men' file but there are no records of individual enquiries within the battalion. This suggests that his death was notified through official channels. The record is marked 'Died of Wounds'. I'm not actually sure if there is a recognised time-span or change of location needed before 'killed in action' becomes 'died of wounds' but it does seem to suggest that he had received medical treatment. Presumably he was wounded on the 22nd and evacuated the same day. It looks as if it was not until April 1941 that it was confirmed. It must have been a dreadful time for the family.
So lovely of you guys to try and fill in some of the gaps. It appears that James must have been wounded and transported to some kind of field hospital at wormhoudt. Am guessing it was the nearest. Looks like others from the Northants are buried in the same cemetery so looks even more likely. His younger brother and my father joined up in 1940 into the South Staffs, moving onto the Royal Engineers and RAOC. I believe that James was already a serving soldier before the war and had been in Ireland. Until now I believed he and his unit had been trying to halt the german advance on Dunkirk to aid the evacuation. I had no idea he was so near Paris and need to learn what the battle in Maroeuil was all about. I am also researching my great grandad who died at the Somme. Thanks again guys, your knowledge astounds me.
