First attempt at attaching a photo, so if it doesn't work perhaps someone could give me a tutorial! The picture is of a grave marker from Klagenfurt CWGC cemetery in Austria. It was taken in 2004 (not that that is relevant), but was he REME or RAF? Confused but hopeful, Steve Gray.
The service badge is Royal Air Force, CWGC records show him as REME, wonder what the story is or is it a wrongly carved Headstone BAKER, AUSTIN Rank:Warrant Officer Class I Trade: Asn. S.M. Service No: 1072596 Date of Death: 27/11/1946 Age:37 Regiment/Service: Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Grave Reference 5. F. 14. Cemetery KLAGENFURT WAR CEMETERY Additional Information: Son of Charlie and Ada Mary Baker; husband of Alice Helen Baker, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
Just a thought. Could he have been a member of an Air Op Squadron? I know the REME took over ground crew duties post war for Air Op squadrons and according to this site no REME personal were attached in WW2 but I float it out there as a possiblity as these were one of the few types of units that mixed army and air force serving together. Air O.P. Squadron R.A.F
I have to say, my first thoughts were that someone had carved the wrong badge, but how likely is that? I hope someone has a definitive answer. I have three other pictures of REME headstones from Klagenfurt. Is there a place to post them, or is that not wanted?
I have three other pictures of REME headstones from Klagenfurt. Is there a place to post them, or is that not wanted? Feel free to post them in a new thread in here. War Grave Photographs http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-grave-photographs/
There were units such as AIRBORNE R.E.M.E. but they used the pegasus and or para badges alongside R.E.M.E. insignia. Never seen anything like this. What criteria was used when deciding what was put on a headstone? Could he have transferred between RAF and REME at some stage and someone decided to put both on the headstone?
Maybe worth contating CWGC to see if they can add any more information as to why it was recorded as such. Orwell's reply could be the right answer as the date of death is 27/11/1946
Feel free to post them in a new thread in here. War Grave Photographs http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-grave-photographs/ Will go away and scan them in, then post them as suggested, thank you. Steve.
Maybe worth contating CWGC to see if they can add any more information as to why it was recorded as such. Orwell's reply could be the right answer as the date of death is 27/11/1946 Thanks again. I will get in touch next week to see what they know. Steve.
It has taken a while, but CWGC has confirmed an error, so thanks once again for the advice which has finally resolved it. Confirmation below. [FONT="]Our Ref:[/FONT][FONT="] 71191[/FONT] [FONT="] [/FONT] [FONT="] [/FONT] [FONT="]Dear Mr Gray[/FONT] [FONT="]Thank you for contacting us on 16th June 2012 regarding the grave of Warrent Officer Class I Austin Baker, 1072596, in Klagenfurt War Cemetery, Austria.[/FONT] [FONT="]We are grateful to you for pointing out that the headstone is inscribed with an R.A.F cap badge. Having checked our records, I can confirm that this is indeed an engraving error that appeared to have occurred when a replacement headstone was manufactured in 2003.[/FONT] [FONT="]Please be assured that arrangements will be put in hand to ensure that a R.E.M.E. cap badge will be inscribed when the headstone is next replaced in the course of our on-going Works Maintenance Programme.[/FONT] [FONT="]I trust this is satisfactory and thank you once again for contacting us in this matter.[/FONT] [FONT="]Yours sincerely[/FONT] [FONT="] [/FONT] [FONT="] [/FONT] [FONT="] [/FONT] [FONT="]Sarah Quinn (Mrs)[/FONT] [FONT="]Enquiries Administrator[/FONT] [FONT="] [/FONT] Commonwealth War Graves Commission
I have just realised that the reply above started a new page, when I thought it had not appeared. One day I will get the hang of it, I'm sure. Anyway, no need to do it all again as I had intended, but it does allow me more space to say what a great site this is and keep up the good work everyone. Regards, Steve. PS. I did point out to Mrs Quinn that Warrent should be Warrant.
Steve Great result! I presume that they will take steps to replace the headstone as time permits Yes, but who knows how long that will be? Still, better late than never. Steve.
