2128774, Sapper Henry Lothian, Royal Engineers, killed 26 April 1942

Discussion in 'General' started by DoubleD, Aug 24, 2021.

  1. DoubleD

    DoubleD Well-Known Member

    Henry Lothian served with No 7 Bomb Disposal Company and lost his life in April 1942. According to his headstone in Dunfermline (Douglas Bank) cemetery he was killed by enemy action.

    I am a volunteer with CWGC and helping with a tour of the cemetery as part of Doors Open Day in September - would appreciate any information which would add to his story.


    Many thanks,

    Dave

    upload_2021-8-24_14-0-34.jpeg
     
  2. travers1940

    travers1940 Well-Known Member

    This is the only death in England & wales that matches his age:
    April - Jun 1942 Quarter
    Lothian, Henry
    age 31
    Bristol Registration District
    Ref: 6a 121

    No major bombing raids in Bristol in 1942, but there were some smaller ones.

    A year later No 7 Company were in the West Country when Sgt. William Henry Bailey & Lt John Henry Havelock Gray were awarded the George Medal for dealing with an unexploded bomb in Plymouth on 12th August 1942.
    George Medal | The Royal Engineers Association
     
    Last edited: Aug 24, 2021
  3. DoubleD

    DoubleD Well-Known Member

    Think that must be him, as you say the age fits with the CWGC database.

    Thanks very much!
     
  4. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    His Tracer and Casualty cards

    GBM_ROYALENGI-CARDS_LONG-LOWE_00931.jpg GBM_ROYALENGI-CARDS_LONG-LOWE_00932.jpg GBM_ROYALENGI-CARDS_RE-CASUALTY-CARDS-L-M_00851.jpg GBM_ROYALENGI-CARDS_RE-CASUALTY-CARDS-L-M_00852.jpg
     
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  5. travers1940

    travers1940 Well-Known Member

    Some other casualties from No 7 Company indicate they were SW England based:

    6th Nov 1940 three members of No 7 Company killed at Taunton while digging down to a UXB when it exploded.
    27th March 1941 Thomas Raffle Fishwick of No 7 Coy. died at Plymouth.
    15th Sept 1943 George Thomas Gode died in Redruth Reg Dist.
    24th Jan 1944 Sapper James Hall died while working on minefields in Devon.
    18th December 1944 L/Cpl Walter Briscoe of No 7 Coy. killed while clearing a minefield at Wykes Regis, Dorset.
    Royal Engineers Association (EOD) roll of honour
     
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  6. travers1940

    travers1940 Well-Known Member

    Details here of a raid on Brislington 25/26 April 1942

    Brislington, which lies to the southeast of Temple Meads, had no significant reason to be targeted. However, on the nights of April 25/26 and August 4/5 1942, these maps show that a whole series of bombs landed on the surrounds. Broom Hill, which shouldered several hits according to the above map, is now a built-up area. The April attack is surmised to have occurred when German bombers misidentified their targets of a gas works and a railway goods yard. During a second sortie that night, the mainline between London and Bristol was in fact taken out by bombs.

    Bomb Census Bristol: The Blitz In Brislington | Culture24
     
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  7. DoubleD

    DoubleD Well-Known Member

    Can’t thank you enough AB64 & travers1940! I’m sure the people who visit the cemetery for the tour will appreciate hearing the story behind the name.

    There is quite a large CWGC plot at Douglas Bank, with casualties from all over the world and obviously a great many naval graves. Henry came from Torryburn, which is just a few miles along the road from Douglas Bank, it will be nice to have a local connection.

    I do actually remember meeting someone at the cemetery on Remembrance Day last year who was a member of the Royal Engineers Association. He was looking for Henry, but couldn’t find the headstone because he was looking in the main plot for a standard CWGC headstone. Luckily I was able to show him where he was.

    As an ex-matelot I’m also familiar with Temple Meads. I remember passing through Bristol Temple Meads station on the way to Plymouth from my home in Doncaster. Small world!

    Thanks again,

    Dave
     
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  8. travers1940

    travers1940 Well-Known Member

    Happy to be of help Dave.

    Have an interest in Bristol as ancestors from there married in Temple Church, which was bombed in the Blitz & now left as a shell, a very evocative memorial.

    I notice his entry on the RE Bomb Disposal Roll of Honour does not have any of this detail, just what may have been the photo taken by the RE Assoc member you met. To avoid duplication of effort can you let me know if you are thinking of updating his entry there, if not I am happy to do so.

    Travers
     
    Last edited: Aug 25, 2021
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  9. DoubleD

    DoubleD Well-Known Member

    If you don’t mind doing it Travers that would be great thanks.

    Dave
     
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  10. ChrisR

    ChrisR Senior Member

    I made a note sometime ago that Sapper Lothian was killed at No7 BD Coy garage in Bath Road, Brislington Trad Estate. Can't remember the source, but mentioned here - Bristol During World War Two
     
  11. DoubleD

    DoubleD Well-Known Member

    Thanks very much for that ChrisR. Will take a moment to remember all the others who were killed during our tour as well. I’ve only found out recently that civilian casualties of WW2 are commemorated by the CWGC in a Civilian Book of the Dead in Westminster Abbey, so their names will never be forgotten.

    Had a look at the Bath Road area of Brislington on Google Earth and couldn’t help noticing Keynsham. For those of us of a certain age it will immediately bring back memories of Radio Luxembourg and Horace Bachelor’s famous “Infradraw Method” for the football pools:

    “That’s Keynsham, spelt K E Y N S H A M, Keynsham, Bristol!

    Not particularly relevant to this forum, but Henry had a much older brother who lost his life in the Great War and is buried in Wimereux, near Boulogne. Just one of so many families to make a sacrifice in both world wars.

    Thanks again,
    Dave
     

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