I am interested in operation Beecher, the crossing of the Escaut canal, in the night of 17-18 September 1944, and the fighting the days after. One of the items that is mystery to me, is the tombstone south side of the canal. The text on the tombstone: “Here died a British soldier. He was buried here September 1944 and reburied June 1946.” The single person I found, who was reburied, and fell on that particularly place is: Private Andrew Colonnese. - 1 battalion East Lancashire Regiment- Casualty But… CWGC Archives say he died 23/09/1944, - unidentified at that time and 6 days after the crossing. His regiment (1 ELR) was on that moment in battle 10 km on the other side.- When locating the CWGC coordinates Andrew died on the other side (north) of the canal, some 100m in the wood. Yet the grave is on the south side… So what happened with Andrew. Was he killed in action on the other side and found 6 days later when the British had moved? And why is the tombstone on the other side of the canal? Did he drown and was fond 6 days later and the south canal side. This means the CWGC coordinates would be incorrect. (Doubtable) Who buried the English soldier? And who organized the tombstone? A former researcher (Mr Proth) had an interview in 1998: “Henri Alen a member of the resistance had duty few days after the crossing to inspect the canal bank south. He found (saw) the corps of a British soldier on the side of the canal. Besides the corps was a motorcycle; The British army had left Lommel, he did not bury the soldier, nor did he know who buried the soldier” The persons do not live anymore… Can anyone help me with the story of Andrew Colonnese. Thanks Peter
Hello Peter Possibly carried across the river Possibly still injured then died Anyone could have buried him including the enemy or local folk
From GSGS 4040 1:50,000 Sheet 25 & 35 Turnhout—Gheel This shows original grave was exactly on the north bank of the canal.
thanks for your reply As far I know, possible: After the fighting, if the area was occupied by the British, the RASC unit gathers British soldiers, wounded or dead : named casualties... and wounded adversary And the Red Cross came and took care of the German soldiers. (not noted in civil records in cityhall) There is also a list of British soldiers buried on the spot. (75 soldiers) These soldiers were buried (temporally) on a nearby place, usually a road and the place was listed. 978293 was noted "sand quarries bridge XII" and unknown. (Also in CWGC documents) The sand quarries are south of the canal. The bridge 700m east. So If the soldier was found North of the canal, why all the effort to move him to the South side to a temporally grave. (need of a boat?) If the soldier drowned and was found in the canal 6 days later, why the incorrect CWGC coordinates. I suppose these people were accurate in taking notes. And what about the story of the motorcycle found at his side. Was Andrew a motorized messenger and hit while driving and not found? Or did he have an order the 23rd, and what did happen? And why the 23rd noted when 1ELR left the 20th If there is someone who can tell me more about Andrew and his function, casualty list, please. Otherwise this will stay a mystery
Hello Peter, Thanks for looking into this. This man was my uncle. I have often wondered about circumstances surrounding his death. All I can tell you is that soldiers from his unit informed my family and this was then passed down to me that Andrew (Andrea as christened) drowned. Story goes boat overturned, he was loaded with kit and couldn't swim or was a poor swimmer and drowned. So I suspect he did die on the 17-18th Sept. Very sad.
Hi, Welcome to the forum. As Peter hasn’t posted on the forum since January 2022 I’ve sent him a message to alert him to your post. I can’t guarantee he will respond. Steve
Thanks, Steve Hello Mark, I was pleasantly surprised by Mark's answer. For explaining the unfortunate circumstances of Andrew's passing. The diary of September 17 mentions soldiers drowned that night when crossing the canal. I am adding the relevant page from the 17th of September from the diary of the 1 East Lancashire Regiment. My greatest respect to all the guys who fought for our precious freedom and especially those who lost their lives. Your Uncle Andrew will remain our local memories. Regards, Peter
Peter, Thanks for this. I am very grateful. I hope to visit the spot later in the year with my one of my sisters and daughters. It has piqued my interest in the activities of the 1st East Lancs. Is it possible to get hold of the war diary or was any account of their time in Europe 44/45 ever written? Sincerely, Mark.
Hope all dont mind me adding to this thread that's been going on for a while. I'm guessing that it's known the East Lancs had a Regimental History from 39-45? I know I finally bought one some years ago at a large amount of money. It was whilst doing some research on my Grandfather's brother who served with 1 ELR at Tourni, in Belguim, and was W.I.A. in May, 1940. Need to check the spelling of the town. He his buried just up the road from my house in Darwen, Lancashire. A tail & half to get him back to the cemetery. Most strange that he's brought back from Southampton, and ends up being buried in the town he was born in. I've often thougth about starting a thread on him, but never done it. Peter, if its Okay with your self, then I would like to add the details of a former Pte of 1East Lancs Regiment? Regards, Stu.