CWGC added the following casualties to the WW2 War Dead Roll today. BROWN, Harry Diver’s Linesman Age 24 McGAHAN, John Able Seaman Diver Age 31 WILLS, Philip Ordinary Seaman Age 17 Merchant Navy, M.V. Dutch Lady Died 12.12.44 Commemorated: Tower Hill Memorial, London NOT FORGOTTEN The above were In From the Cold Project cases. - Merchant Seamen Brown, McGahan and Wills died in an explosion during salvage operations at sea (Volunteer: Chris Harley)
I submitted Philip Wills name to the CWGC several years ago and it was rejected by the Commission. I found all three men listed in the Deaths at Sea register from April 1945, but did not submit the other two men as I was only dealing Merchant Navy casualties at the time and believed the other two (without checking) would be automatically commemorated as members of the armed forces.
There is now evidence that 4 bodies were recovered from the explosions. One was RAF. Therefore I will be checking for graves in the Poole area.
Not CWGC as such, but the people who carry the acceptances for the former Board of Trade whoever they are
BROWN, HARRY Rank: Diver's Linesman Date of Death: 12/12/1944 Age: 24 Regiment/Service: Merchant Navy M.V. Dutch Lady (Southampton) Panel Reference: Addenda Panel Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL Grave Found Parkstone Cemetery.
BROWN, HARRY Rank: Diver's Linesman Date of Death: 12/12/1944 Age: 24 Regiment/Service: Merchant Navy M.V. Dutch Lady (Southampton) Commemoration Moved to Poole Parkstone Cemetery. He will be receiving a new headstone.
Able Seaman (Diver)McGAHAN, JOHN Died 11/12/1944 Aged 31 M.V. Dutch Lady (Southampton) Merchant Navy Grave Found Larne Cemetery.
