How do i find out about somebody: 7045793 Pte Albert Evans, MiD, 2 Glasgow Highlanders

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by Robert williams, Aug 18, 2020.

  1. Hi, im trying to find out about my nans ( deceased ) brother ( KIA ) Albert Evans. Heard lots of stories about him, but would like to know the offical circumstances. He is buried at Westerbergraafplaats Ghent City Cemetery. We try to get over aleast once a yr to pay our respects.
     

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  2. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Last edited: Aug 18, 2020
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  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

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  4. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

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  5. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    From the Battalion history talking about the fighting 10th September "Number 18 Platoon D Company, commanded by Sgt (later Lieut) McLaren, had paused to reorganise at one stage when they were vigorously attacked by about 80 Germans from 3 directions. Number 7045793 Pte Albert Evans was ordered to cover two roads with his Bren while the platoon withdrew. Evans was wounded by Spandau fire almost immediately but refused to be evacuated. He kept his gun in action and died at his post, having covered his comrades back, killing 10 Germans and wounding many more"
     
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  6. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Thanks for the clarification regarding the number ..they usually correct any errors later.
    Cheers

    Ps CWGC have an original Date of death of 16th September 1944 ?

    list.JPG

    Kyle
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2020
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  7. travers1940

    travers1940 Well-Known Member

    Apologies if you have already seen this, but his grave at Westerbergraafplaats Ghent City Cemetery is one that he had been reburied in by 14 Feb 1945. In the concentration documents on CWGC his original grave location is shown as MR 177.283, where he was buried alongside at least 7 other other Glasgow Highlanders, 4 of whom were also killed on the 10th Sept 1944.
    Casualty Details | CWGC

    I expect someone will be along soon to pin point this location more exactly.
     
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  8. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    At first I was assuming it would just be a transcription error, I've noticed a few of those - it is odd that it doesn't have a follow up correction
     
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  9. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Mentioned in Dispatches
    SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 10 MAY, 1945


    Kyle

    From Find a Grave
    12530700_135272243225.jpg
     

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    Last edited: Aug 18, 2020
  10. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    I was wondering if he was MiD for his actions as from reading them I was thinking an MM wouldn't have been out of the question had he survived - interesting to note the London Gazette entry doesn't mention him being deceased as I think they normally do
     
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  11. Wow guys, you've given me more information in one afternoon than ive tried in 2 yrs.
    Do you know where the fighting took place as my nan thought there was a school with a memorial to him. I know this may not be true, but that's how the story goes.
    Didnt know he was originally in the Irish Fusiliers either.

    Meant to add what is the piece in London Gazette?
    KIA?
     
  12. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Using the co-ords in the war diary & this website.
    The "Coordinate Translator"
    "Canal crossed at 175616" Nord de Guerre Zone vJ175616 gives 50° 53' 09'' N 3° 43' 07'' E (???) Which doesn't seem correct as it too far south of Ghent.


    "Consolidated in area 1782" put it in the translator as Nord de Guerre Zone vJ170820 it gives 51° 04' 08'' N 3° 41' 46'' E which is north of Ghent as per war diary.

    Maybe members with the actual maps can help out.
     
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  13. Where fo you guys find all this out?
     
  14. Does that seem correct ( red balloon)
     

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  15. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Where did you get those co-ords from ?
    They don't match either of the 2 I posted.
     
  16. Bottom of your last post. You put 2 coordinates one which you said " doent seem correct as its too far south"
     
  17. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    These are where my co-ords show up.
     

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  18. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    The actual pages from the Battalion history, there is an extra little note after the bit I posted above that somehow I managed to miss - hopefully the full scans give a bit more of an idea of the fight

    IMG_0660.JPG IMG_0661.JPG IMG_0662.JPG


    The 15th Division history also mentions him, very similar to the Battalion history - this was published 2 years later and probably drew from individual unit histories like the above

    IMG_0663.jpg
     
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  19. Looks like he died right next to where hes buried. Virtually next to the msin gatd of the City Cemetery.
    Absolutely fantastic guys for the info. If you have any more thst would be great. I'll pass this onto the rest of the family
     
  20. Richard Lewis

    Richard Lewis Member

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