Dunkirk - Soldier search & general info help

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by Sasha, Apr 25, 2016.

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  1. Sasha

    Sasha Junior Member

    Hello everyone,

    I used this forum briefly 6 years ago when researching my Grandfather and just came across it again!

    As you may or may not be aware, Director Christopher Nolan is directing a movie about the Dunkirk evacuation which is due to start filming next month.

    This is going to come across as a bit of a weird request and therefore I'll give you some backstory.

    You may be aware that One Direction singer Harry Styles has apparently been cast as a soldier in the movie. I run an update account for him and I am followed by a lot of young people who have expressed interest in learning more about Dunkirk and its backstory, and I've been trying to put together something for them which will be interesting and accessible to them.

    Today I was randomly browsing the CWGCs site and noticed that there was in fact a soldier called Styles who died in Dunkirk. I'd like to be directed to anything that may help me build up the story of him and those who were with him as much as possible. His name was George Cay Styles and he was 30 years old when he died, on the 8th June 1940. He was a driver for the Royal Army Service Corps, 1 Supply Group Coy. His service number is T/130247. His parents were from Aberdeen. According to the CWGC, his name is on the Dunkirk Memorial and he doesn't have a burial. I am in contact with a lady who lives in Dunkirk and she is going to visit the cemetery tomorrow to provide me with some general photographs as well as one of his name on the memorial.

    If anyone has any information they can direct me to as to what was happening on the 8th in particular it would be very interesting, as I believe this was after the evacuation had been "completed".

    If there are any particular stories you are able to share, any links of interest, which may summarise Dunkirk better for his young fans I would be very interested in seeing this. I think it's really important to educate them on this but I'm a complete newcomer to the happenings. My Grandfather was a desert rat and wasn't involved in this area at all as far as I am aware, and so I have never delved into this subject before now.

    Kind regards,

    Sasha
     
  2. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Its sad that these `young` people don't have any idea already about Dunkirk and even sadder that their interest is stimulated simply by the possible appearance of a Singer in a movie ? How long will the `interest` actually last afterwards? In years to come if their children ask `Daddy what was Dunkirk?` will they reply `Dunkirk was a film staring `Harry Styles` !"
    Good luck with your education of the masses who from personal experience (being the same age group) with only a few exceptions simply don't give a `toot`!
    In answer to your question on George Cay Styles (Worthy of real Remembrance)

    George Cay Styles joined the Army in January 1940 his wife was notified in February 1941 that he had died sometime between May and June 1940 whilst serving in France. George lived with his wife at 2 Frederick Street,Aberdeen. Prior to joining the Army he had spent 15 years years working for Aberdeen Council Cleansing Department. George had three children and before his marriage to Joan (Summers) lived with his parents at 126 Wellington Road, Aberdeen. At the time of his death although RASC he was with The Army Catering Corps (according to his obituary notice Aberdeen Weekly Journal - Thursday 13 February 1941)

    (Sources;- Aberdeen Journal Monday 10 February 1941 ,Aberdeenshire, Scotland and Aberdeen Weekly Journal 13th February 1941,Aberdeen Scotland)


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    Good Luck

    Kyle
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2019
    CL1, Buteman, Drew5233 and 2 others like this.
  3. Sasha

    Sasha Junior Member

    This is truly brilliant. Thank you so much for your help. I can't wait to share this information with my followers. Will make sure to credit you.

    My friend also visited the memorial today and she is sending her photos through.

    I'm only 23 myself so I know exactly how much people just don't care about this stuff when they should. Really pleased about some of the discussions I have had with his fans on twitter though - a lot of interesting stories about grandparents and parents who were involved all over the world - especially some interesting stories from families in Italy. It may be sad that their interest started with a singer appearing in a movie, but I'm trying to use it to good effect!

    Thank you once again

    Sasha
     
  4. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    This is where the information ended up ........................


    https://twitter.com/StylesMovieNews/status/724683972056363009

    Next instalment is to be on Roy Aleck Styles MN. Information supplied earlier to Sasha but posted here for anyone (like me) who doesn't do `twitter`

    Roy Aleck Styles was assistant steward onboard the SS Orford .The Orford was a steam turbine Passenger and Cargo ship built by Vickers in 1928 at Barrow on Furness. On June 1st 1940 she was bombed and set on fire at Marseilles, whilst evacuating troops, by German aircraft, she was grounded and allowed to burn out. Roy Aleck Styles was one of 15 crew who were killed and another 25 wounded. The wreck of the ship was removed in 1947 and broken up. Roy Aleck Styles resided at No 58 Kent Road, Gravesend the son of Aleck Henry and Minnie Josephine Styles brother of Phyllis Mary Styles. Roy was born in April 1902 at 12 Bartlett Rd in Gravesend making him 38 when he died not 36 as stated by the CWGC . No known grave he is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial Pnl 76 alongside 11(10?) of his shipmates. The other four are buried at Mazargues War Cemetery in Marseilles

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    Photo credit Benjidog.co.uk


    Other crew

    BILLINGHURST GEORGE 34 01/06/1940 Assistant Barkeeper TOWER HILL MEMORIAL Panel 76.
    BURGESS-ALLEN WILLIAM PHILLIP 28 01/06/1940 Assistant Steward TOWER HILL MEMORIAL Panel 76.
    COKER DANIEL ARNOLD 16 01/06/1940 Assistant Steward TOWER HILL MEMORIAL Panel 76.
    HEAD THOMAS 29 01/06/1940 Assistant Steward TOWER HILL MEMORIAL Panel 76.
    LOUTH GILBERT 44 01/06/1940 Galley Assistant TOWER HILL MEMORIAL Panel 76.
    MARTIN ARTHUR EDWARD 23 01/06/1940 Assistant Steward MAZARGUES WAR CEMETERY, MARSEILLES Plot 3. Row C. Grave 29.
    PEGRAM WILLIAM HARRY 20 01/06/1940 Steward TOWER HILL MEMORIAL Panel 76.
    SMITH THOMAS 28 01/06/1940 Assistant Cook TOWER HILL MEMORIAL Panel 76.
    STYLES ROY ALECK 36 01/06/1940 Assistant Steward TOWER HILL MEMORIAL Panel 76.
    SWINBURN THOMAS 28 01/06/1940 Assistant Baker MAZARGUES WAR CEMETERY, MARSEILLES Plot 3. Row C. Grave 33.
    TUTTON WILLIAM CHARLES 43 01/06/1940 Assistant Steward TOWER HILL MEMORIAL Panel 76.
    WARWICK EDWARD CARTER 31 01/06/1940 Assistant Steward MAZARGUES WAR CEMETERY, MARSEILLES Plot 3. Row C. Grave 30.
    WATSON JACK 23 01/06/1940 Cook TOWER HILL MEMORIAL Panel 76.
    WINSTONE RONALD 23 01/06/1940 Scullion MAZARGUES WAR CEMETERY, MARSEILLES Plot 3. Row C. Grave 31.




    Kyle
     
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  5. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Am I missing something here - Sasha said:

    "This is truly brilliant. Thank you so much for your help. I can't wait to share this information with my followers. Will make sure to credit you."

    Where do I find that credit?? or is it something to do with the youth language of today?? - maybe this is more to do with increasing likes rather than the facts or history.

    TD
     
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  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    did you not click the link Kyle gave in post #4?

    ''ww2talk forums'' got a mention at bottom of one of the photos
     
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  7. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

  8. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Attached Files:

  9. Sasha

    Sasha Junior Member

    I also posted another tweet crediting Kyle directly.
     
  10. Sasha

    Sasha Junior Member

    The research was also reposted on other accounts with over 50,000 followers, where it has since been retweeted almost 1000 times on each. I've had a lot of wonderful comments about it, so thank you so much for your help.

    I have just received photographs for the next batch of research. Will make sure to add Kyle to the credits.

    Sasha
     
  11. Sasha

    Sasha Junior Member

    I thought you might like to see these two images together.

    Thanks,

    Sasha
     

    Attached Files:

  12. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    With the greatest of respect i have no interest what so ever in the life of Harry Styles however if you can bring to the attention of over 50,000 people `real` heroes then that must be a good thing. As this thread has gone from one `Styles` to another `Styles` I can see a progression to encompass all `Styles` who became casualties .I may be wrong but here`s some relevant headstone/memorials (Sorry no research with these :) )

    Kyle

    Leading Aircraftman Adrian Henry Styles
    Death: Mar. 27, 1942
    Unit;-Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    Number 971966
    Burial: Kalkara Naval Cemetery
    Kalkara
    Southern Harbour, Malta
    Plot: Prot. Sec. (Men's). Plot F. Coll. grave 94.

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    Last edited: Jun 17, 2019
  13. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    5386959 Pte Arthur John Styles
    Unit;- 7th Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry.
    Age: 30.
    Burial: Enfidaville War Cemetery
    Enfidaville
    Sousse, Tunisia
    Plot: I. D. 31.
    Son of Ernest Harry and Mary Ann Styles, of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

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    Kyle
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2019
  14. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Two in Catania

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    Name: Styles, Charles, C
    Rank: Warrant Officer Class II ( C.S
    Service: 2751225
    Unit Text:
    Regiment: Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
    Date of Death: 22/09/1943
    Age: 36
    Grave Reference: IV. G. 46.

    Name: Styles, George, G
    Rank: Private
    Service: 5122781
    Unit Text:
    Regiment: Hampshire Regiment
    Date of Death: 26/07/1943
    Age: 35
    Grave Reference: IV. K. 43.



    Kyle



    Photo credit Wikisicily
     
  15. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Worthy of Remembrance Civilian War Dead

    Norah Phyllis Carter Styles

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    Birth: 1905
    Wickford
    Essex, England
    Death: Oct. 30, 1943
    Wickford
    Essex, England
    Civilian casualty of WWII,Norah was 37 when killed by enemy action on her home at 4 Brickfield Cottages, Nevendon Road.
    She was the daughter of Alfred and Elizabeth Carter of 2 Brickfield Cottages, Nevendon Road, Wickford and the wife of John Styles of 4 Brickfield Cottages, Nevendon Road.
    Inquest held: BILLERICAY, URBAN DISTRICT
    She is commemorated on the war memorial in nearby St Catherine's church and at Wickford Memorial Park where a tree was planted in her memory.
    (CWGC additional info;-Daughter of Alfred and Elizabeth Carter, of 2 Brickfield Cottages Nevendon Road, Wickford; wife of John Styles, of 4 Brickfield Cottages, Nevendon Road. Died at 4 Brickfield Cottages, Nevendon Road.)

    Burial:
    Wickford Cemetery
    Wickford
    Basildon District
    Essex, England
    Plot: 287

    Credit: geoffrey gillon findagrave



    Kyle
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2019
  16. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

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    STYLES, CYRIL EDWARD


    Rank Driver
    Service No:T/170471
    Date of Death:08/08/1943
    Age:27
    Regiment/Service:Royal Army Service Corps 53 Inf. Bde. Group Coy.
    Grave Reference:6. C. 20.
    Cemetery: KANCHANABURI WAR CEMETERY


    Kyle
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2019
  17. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

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    STYLES, RICHARD THOMAS
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    Rank:Flying Officer
    Trade:Nav.Service
    No:165308
    Date of Death:31/03/1945
    Age:24
    Regiment/Service:Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 418 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn
    Grave Reference:Plot B. Row 6. Grave 9.
    Cemetery: HOOGEVEEN (HOLLANDSCHEVELD) GENERAL CEMETERY
    Additional Information:Son of Thomas Henry and Elsie Violet Styles, of Seven Kings, Ilford, Essex.


    Kyle
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2019
  18. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

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    STYLES, LESLIE
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    Rank:Guardsman
    Service No:2622686
    Date of Death:30/03/1945
    Age:22
    Regiment/Service:Grenadier Guards 1st Bn.
    Grave Reference:Joint grave 587/1.
    Cemetery:AALTEN (BERKENHOVE) GENERAL CEMETERY
    Additional Information:Son of James and Edith Styles, of Putney, London



    Kyle
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2019
  19. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

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    STYLES, GILBERT EDWARD


    Rank:Sapper
    Service No:14378758
    Date of Death:22/11/1944
    Age:35
    Regiment/Service:Royal Engineers 23 Bomb Disposal Coy.
    Grave Reference:9. B. 12.
    Cemetery:BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY
    Additional Information:Son of Edward and Anne Styles, of Ashington, Sussex.



    Kyle
     
  20. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

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    Cpl Frederick John Styles
    Corporal, Hampshire Regiment. Age: 26.
    DEATH 9 Sep 1943
    BURIAL
    Salerno War Cemetery
    Salerno, Provincia di Salerno, Campania, Italy
    PLOT I. A. 3.

    Kyle
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2019

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