Engineman John Buchan LT/KX111073

Discussion in 'The War at Sea' started by Steve49, Sep 30, 2021.

  1. Steve49

    Steve49 Boycott P&O...

    Monday 21st April 1941

    BUCHAN, John, Engineman, RNPS, LT/KX 111073, killed [PETERHEAD CEMETERY]

    From minesweeper HMT Ben Bhrackie [though CWGC list as 'HMT Ben Brachie']. naval-history.net note him as being killed by bombing, so any ideas if he was killed ashore or was the trawler attacked by German aircraft?

    Regards,

    Steve
     
  2. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007
    Name: John Buchan
    Death Age: 32
    Birth Date: abt 1909
    Registration Date: Apr 1941
    [May 1941]
    [Jun 1941]
    Registration Quarter: Apr-May-Jun
    Registration District: Lothingland
    Inferred County: Suffolk
    Volume: 4a
    Page: 2405

    Yes it does exist - Lothingland - Wikipedia
     
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  3. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    thank you TD

    assume he was around Lowestoft


    Monday 21 April 1941 Letters from Lowestoft 1941 – The letters - 1941

    We have had quite a quiet time since the above with no particular incident. The deportment of the whole family during the above raid merits my proud but silent approval. They all came up to my expectations. The number of HE bombs dropped is computed to be between 40 and 50 and at least 2500 incendiaries, most of which were extinguished or burnt out in open places with the possible exception of Austin and Wales place and the goods office which were probably set on fire by them and they were both burnt out.

    What a night. I spoke too quickly when I said above 'no particular incident'.

    About 8.40pm we were playing 'Rummy' when we heard gunfire and Keith shouts 'there are incendiaries', so we all made a dive for the cellar except Jack and Keith who rushed out, found an incendiary on the tennis court and promptly extinguished it with a sandbag, though bombs and incendiaries were coming down so close that they threw themselves down on their bellies four times. They then joined us in the cellar. Michael, who had gone to bed, was with us and also Jack and Kitty Boughton who had been to tea. We were quickly joined by Mrs Tuttle and her two daughters who were next door neighbours. Bombs were falling till about 10.20pm. and one of the last really shook the floor. The 'All clear' went at 11.30pm and we went to bed about 1.30am.

    Tuesday 22 April 1941

    We reconnoitred the town and found that the nearest HE bomb was on the corner of Acton Road and Walmer Road. Not much damage beyond glass but one man killed there. Pakefield Church is destroyed to all intents and purposes. The Venlaw and The Poplars both severely damaged and The Cedars, all in London Road South. A huge crater close to the Convent and St. Lukes and there is damage to the houses in the Middle Drive (Kirkley Cliff Road). There was a huge fire in the lower part of Walmer Road and we found 3 net stores all burnt out at once although some distance from each other. One was being used for storing furniture.

    Editor's note: 'The Venlaw' was on the south corner of Kirkley Park Road and London Road South and 'The Poplars' was at the same junction on the north side.

    Dr. Boswell's house in Kirkley Park Road had a bomb burst under a front window but not much damage to be seen. Meadow's private hotel badly damaged windows and all others nearby. Further south the yard of Suffolk County Council opposite Pakefield School had an enormous bomb crater about 40 feet across by 25 deep. Nearby property badly damaged including Sterry's Cottages, roofs, ceiling, windows, etc. Also houses on new estate knocked about. Casualties are believed to be comparatively small, reported 5 killed and 18 injured. There were several 'Delayed Action' bombs exploded between 1.00am and 5.30am.

    Editor's note: Dr. Boswell lived in the house between Wilmington and no 7, Kirkley park Road.

    Meadow's private hotel was The Kingswear, owned by Walter J. Meadows, was on the corner of Kirkley Cliff Road and Rectory Road. It became the Borough Planning Office and has now been redeveloped as flats.

    Deadly wartime bombing raids on churches remembered
     
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  4. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    UK, British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960
    Name: John Buchan
    Event: Death
    Birth Date: 8 Apr 1909
    Birth Place: Peterhead, Aberdeenshire
    Death Date: 21 Apr 1941
    Death Age: 32
    44994_adm_104_128-0161 (2).jpg

    Shows Lowestoft but as he had a civil death record the assumption would be that he wasnt onboard a ship or within a military base
     
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  5. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Looks like he either died in Lowestoft area of illness or was a victim of the 21st April 1941 bombings
     
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  6. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Similar to others that may need a copy death certificate to help narrow down the cause and location
     
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  7. Steve49

    Steve49 Boycott P&O...

    Thanks Gents,

    Yes looks he died in the Lowestoft area and buried at his home town of Peterhead.

    Regards

    Steve
     

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