Hello Im new to WW2 forums but been around WW1 for a few years. currently in France looking at houses for sale and combining with CWGC visits. Today using CWGC POI on the sat nav we called into Framecourt Church and visited the grave of Lance Corporal Herbert Thomas Bardell Adam, 6287810. interestingly his date of commemoration is between 17-05-1940 and 08-11-1940. also on CWGC records. Casualty Ive seen on another post in the 1940 mention of the Buffs in the area but could not see Herbert's name, does any one know why there would be such a gap between May and November for his death, I would have thought an actual date would be known, any idea please,
Hello Chaz, there are quite a number of BEF memorials with widely spaced dates (although this one is exceptional). Generally, the dates would be those when he was last seen and that of the finding of his remains. Perhaps in this case there was a suggestion that he was wounded and cared for locally but the occupation meant that nothing could be recorded officially. With a bit of luck, Drew will be along shortly to check in 5 Buffs' 'Missing Men' files.
Hopefully Drew has the file, which does exist for the missing Buffs from the BEF. Of course Herbert may not be mentioned.
A bit of info here Margate War Memorial 1939 - 1945 Roll of Honour – Servicemen (in alphabetical order) ADAM H. T. B. 6287810 L/Cpl Herbert Thomas Bardell Adam, 5th Bn The Buffs Reported missing in May 1940 whilst serving as a Territorial during the France and Flanders Campaign (Dunkirk). He was aged 22 and was officially reported, at the end of March 1941, as killed in action. The CWGC show his date of death as 17th May–8th November 1940. He was formerly employed by Bobby & Co. Interred at Framecourt Churchyard, Pas de Calais, France http://www.margatecivicsociety.org.uk/Margate%20War%20Memorial%20WWII%20Roll%20of%20Honour%20-%20Parts%20I%20&%20II%20rev1.pdf http://en.tracesofwar.com/article/42604/Commonwealth-War-Grave-Framecourt.htm
This has an ever wider date: Herbert Adam in the UK, Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945 Name: Herbert Adam Given Initials: H T B Rank: Lance Corporal Death Date: 1940 Number: 6287810 Birth Place: Kent Residence: Kent Branch at Enlistment: Infantry Theatre of War: France and Belgium Campaign, 1939/40 Regiment at Death: Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) Branch at Death: Infantry However the family tree for him is a little more accurate, but coincides with Chaz's details - but then he may be the originator of the tree Herbert Thomas Bardell Adam Birth: Oct Nov Dec 1918 (Oct 1918) - Surrey Death: 17 May 1940 - Framecourt, Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France TD
I've checked the nominal roll of 5 Buff's who arrived in Le Havre on 20 April 1940 and Herbert Adam's name is not on the list. It'll be interesting to see if anything is in the Buff's missing men files, as 2 Buffs were also with the BEF.
There's not much on the 5th Bn in the missing men file. It mainly focus's on the 2nd Battalion. I have found Adam's listed with 5th Bn though and listed as 'died' which would suggest to me that he may have been wounded and died of those wounds - Make of it what you will. You may have some joy talking to the locals with it being only one grave in their churchyard.
thanks for the thoughts and info. dicky the family tree nothing to do with me. funny, you visit all the big cemeteries and memorials , hundreds and thousands there, then you drive round innocently come across a small village church and find strays
