Field Grave - El Alamein

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by BrianQ, Jan 7, 2022.

  1. BrianQ

    BrianQ Member

    I am researching the life and death of my uncle :

    Rifleman Sidney Hugo Quattrucci 2054230 of 2nd Battalion The King's Royal Rifle Corps, who died on 3 November 1942 at El Alamein.

    I assume that any deceased soldier would usually have a field burial somewhere near the place that they died and, at a later stage, reburied in a military cemetery if possible.

    I note from the Graves Concentration Report Form that Sid (his service number is incorrectly recorded here) was reburied at the El Alamein British Military Cemetery 2 months later on 18 January 1943. In the column headed 'Previously buried at' is recorded 'Ref BGR/5/319'. Would this be a map grid reference for his field burial and, if so, how would I be able to view a map to identify the location? I see that those immediately either side of Sid's entry have the same reference number, so maybe they were buried close together, and others have numbers ranging from 310 to 316. The 2nd Battalion lost 17 men that day.

    I appreciate that the desert was a very featureless place and all I know from researching the deployment of Sid's unit is that he probably died somewhere near a place known as Aqqaqir, close to the El Raman track. I haven't yet seen any relevant war diaries that might give more precise information.

    The form also shows that the entry relating to him was marked 'Unknown British', which suggests to me that his body may have been badly mutilated. This could fit with the only information I got from my father, who told me that Sid was 'killed by a tank'.

    I have attached a copy of the relevant part of the Graves Concentration Report Form and you will see that above the column marked 'Date of Death' there has been written 'GRME 40/6' and a line seems to link this with Sid's entry. Maybe it was just a reference as to how his identity was eventually discovered. Any help with what this might mean and my question about the location of his death would be much appreciated. Thanks.

    Brian Quattrucci
     

    Attached Files:

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  2. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Sorry Brian neither are grave references they are references to other reports and give no clue as to where he was originally buried. The Ref BGR/5/319' is in relation to the original burial (Find this you may find out more ,I posted one previously that had a sketch map on it)
    The GRME 40/6 is another reference which possibly deals with the circumstances of his identification ?

    Ask the CWGC if the reports survive in their archives?

    Kyle
     
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  3. BrianQ

    BrianQ Member

    Kyle,

    Thanks very much for your reply. It's a shame that they are just references to other documents. I'll take your advice and contact the CWGC to see if they can help.

    Brian
     

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