Guardsman THOMAS W SPEED 2623174; 4th Bn - Grenadier Guards

Discussion in 'The Brigade of Guards' started by dudford, Jan 19, 2018.

  1. dudford

    dudford Member

    Evening, looking for some information on the circumstance of my relatives death or details of the Battalion at the time of his death while serving as a Guardsman in Holland in late 1944.

    SPEED, Thomas William
    Rank: Guardsman
    Service No: 2623174
    Date of Death: 05/11/1944
    Age: 22
    Regiment/Service: Grenadier Guards 4th Bn.
    Grave Reference V E 10
    Cemetery: Mierlo - Noord Brabant, Netherlands

    Would really appreciate any information, thank you
     
  2. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Last edited: Jan 19, 2018
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  3. dudford

    dudford Member

    An excellent read thank you, I scrolled down briefly to the section on 5 November, seems TW Speed may have been one of a number caught out in the bog under fire.
     
  4. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Just to add here is a link to his CWGC record -

    Casualty

    If you look at the concentration report you will see the map reference for the location of his original burial - presumably on the battlefield.

    Steve
     
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  5. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    FMP casualty list
    speed.jpg
    Kyle
     
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  6. dudford

    dudford Member

    Thanks all, enlightening to say the least and evidently Gdsm Dan Carlan died potentially alongside Thomas... and to lose 4th 23 of its 48 tanks, hard to imagine the whole thing really.
     
  7. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    If you search CWGC you’ll find 6 4th GG were killed 5th November. Gdsn Carlan and Speed buried in Mierlo and the other 4 at Mook Cemetery.

    Steve
     
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  8. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    carlan.jpg Headstones of Speed and Carlan.
    speed.jpg

    Kyle
     
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  9. dudford

    dudford Member

    All this information, it really is excellent that you’ve all pointed me in the right direction and shared images, thank you it really means a lot to the family.

    So I’m all set for a journey into the big smoke to the RHQ of the GG’s. One query I have is for those who have already been before me, should I email my query for the SR before going or just doorstep it and hope for the best?
     
  10. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    You won’t get personal access to GG Archives at Wellington Barracks. You need to apply by post - here is a link with information....

    Find a Grenadier Ancestor - History and Archives - Grenadier Guards

    To be on the safe side I’d complete the usual 2 forms that are required for MOD applications and include a covering letter.

    Get a copy of military service records: Apply for the records of someone who's deceased - GOV.UK

    Steve
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2018
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  11. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    I would phone them & ask first.
    Contact - Grenadier Guards
    Regimental Archivist:
    Tel. 020 7414 3221
     

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