ATS Tragedy, Belgium January 1945

Discussion in 'The Women of WW2' started by Tonym, Jan 11, 2012.

  1. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Tony
    1CG War Diary Jan 45 see attached.
    Sorry there is no reference to the accident, but there is something in apps about ATS at hospital in Louvain/Leuven.

    There is much in the Apps. about various places of entertainment, concerts, ENSA, films, news reels, dances, nightclubs and cafes on the 'out of bounds' list, but again no mention of anything for that specific evening.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Tonym

    Tonym WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Tony
    1CG War Diary Jan 45 see attached.
    Sorry there is no reference to the accident, but there is something in apps about ATS at hospital in Louvain/Leuven.

    There is much in the Apps. about various places of entertainment, concerts, ENSA, films, news reels, dances, nightclubs and cafes on the 'out of bounds' list, but again no mention of anything for that specific evening.

    Diane

    Thanks for the thought. Having been in contact with a couple of people with ATS interest I don't think that I am going to get any more specific info than the 'eye witness' account by the Belgium girl.

    I was hoping that I might have got the names of those who were injured and medically discharged as a result of their injuries and may have possibly died after discharge and not commemorated by CWGC.

    Regards,

    Tony
     
  3. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    You're right of course, the info supplied by Dirk was first class.

    The lack of reference though from either bn leads me to think this was a sep. entertainment involving the Band - and with that, my own sources are used up.

    One never knows: perhaps a contact with more information, from a survivor even, might happen along at a later date.

    Best of luck with all your research
    D
     
  4. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Might be something in these:
    TNA Cat. Ref: WO 171/4928

    War Office: Allied Expeditionary Force, North West Europe (British Element): War Diaries, Second World War, ROYAL ARTILLERY, Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiments

    Scope and content: 139 Regt.

    Covering dates: 1945 Jan.- June

    TNA Cat. Ref: WO 171/4926
    Context: War Office: Allied Expeditionary Force, North West Europe (British Element): War Diaries, Second World War, ROYAL ARTILLERY, Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiments

    Scope and content: 132 Regt.

    Covering dates 1945 Jan.- June
     
  5. Tonym

    Tonym WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Diane
    Have sent a message to Pete Starling, Curator AMS Museum to ascertain if a war diary exists for 101st British General Hospital that I understand was located in louvain and Heverlee, Belgium at the time and would almost certinly have received the casualties of the incident, so fingers crossed!
    Tony
     
  6. Buteman

    Buteman 336/102 LAA Regiment (7 Lincolns), RA

    Here are the war diary pages for 139 (M) HAA Regt which describes the sad incident. It tells what and where it happened, but not where they were going to. CG's attended the funeral.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    CL1 and dbf like this.
  7. Tonym

    Tonym WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Rob

    Thanks for that, it appears to prove at leat two points, the five fatal casualties named were from 139(M)HAA Regt. so, as I assumed, Carter was from 132(M)HAA Regt. who would not appear on this diary. The other point he quotes the vehicle as a 3 Ton Lorry so that clears that query.

    In attempting to trace any of the injured survivors I contacted the WRAC Association with a request for a note in their journal, unfortunately I missed the February issue and am waiting for the September Issue so possibly more info to come.

    Tony
     
  8. altipueri

    altipueri Junior Member

    My mother Edith Rose Callaway, now 88, was in ATS Brussels area December 1944 Jan 1945 time and was manning AA. Do any of you have photos of ATS there?

    I will see what she may recall, but memory and age have taken their toll.

    David Tallboys - altipueri
     
  9. Bart Lienard

    Bart Lienard New Member

    I realize this is an old thread, but wanted to add this. My mother's aunt was one of the crossing-keepers. My mother's father was in the army at the time, and my mother's family (her mother, older sister and younger brother), were living with their aunt at the time. The house they lived in was near the crossing. My mother was 8 when the accident happend, and vividly remembers seeing the wreckage, going to school in the morning. The car, or truck, was still there burning, with the bodies inside, and she still recalls the smell of it all. Her aunt, one of the crossing-keepers, was off duty that night, but was questioned about it. My mother was born in 1937, and to this day, still remembers the accident happening.
     

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