2 crewman of SS Matra found today at Margate Cemetery. They formerly had duplicate entries on the CWGC civilian ROH which enable to me find they had died at Margate. They are KALA MIAN Rank:SeamanDate of Death:13/11/1939Age:24Regiment/Service:Indian Merchant Navy S.S. Matra (Liverpool) Panel Reference: Memorial:BOMBAY / CHITTAGONG 1939-1945 WAR MEMORIALS MUNIR Rank:CassabDate of Death:13/11/1939Age:41Regiment/Service:Indian Merchant Navy S.S. Matra (Liverpool) Panel Reference: Memorial:BOMBAY / CHITTAGONG 1939-1945 WAR MEMORIALS
from a Remembering Today post http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/34847-remembering-today-131139-greaser-yaqub-ullah-ss-matra-liverpool-indian-merchant-navy/ http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?73893
One of the most pleasing aspects of my work for IFCP. These 2 seamen will finally receive a headstone. MUNIR Rank:CassabDate of Death:13/11/1939Age:41Regiment/Service:Indian Merchant Navy S.S. Matra (Liverpool) Grave Reference:22278. (Jt.)Cemetery:MARGATE CEMETERY, KENT N.B. Recent research has shown that this casualty is buried here. The Commission is in the process of producing a headstone to mark his grave. KALA MIAN Rank:SeamanDate of Death:13/11/1939Age:24Regiment/Service:Indian Merchant Navy S.S. Matra (Liverpool) Grave Reference:22278. (Jt.)Cemetery:MARGATE CEMETERY, KENT N.B. Recent research has shown that this casualty is buried here. The Commission is in the process of producing a headstone to mark his grave.
Saw the newsfeed on Facebook today covering this story. Seems like the CWGC have double standards when it comes to allocating headstones. Six years ago I sent them details of four Merchant Seamen who are commemorated on Tower Hill from the Nailsea Lass who had actually been buried ashore by the local population in unmarked graves. The CWGC decided to send someone over to check this out, but due to not being able to find the exact location of the graves refused to mark an area close by as has been done with other cases on file. I even wrote their story and had it printed in the SeaBreezes magazine to highlight the case. Maybe I need to reopen the case with the Commission.
Hello Billy, All I can suggest is that you take the case back to CWGC. Attitudes have changed over the last few years. Chris
Thanks Chris. Email below from CWGC: Hi Billy, Thank you for getting in touch with me regarding your rejected commemoration case. There is very little that I can do, I have however spoken with my colleagues in our commemorations department about your request. You are always able to challenge a rejected commemoration case however any appeal needs to address the issues and concerns that were raised during the initial rejection. This would involve providing new evidence to support the case, to answer the concerns, and to support that the casualty should appear within our records. If no new evidence is provided and the concerns are not addressed then the case cannot be presented for re-adjudication. Hope this is helpful. Best wishes and merry Christmas, Max Max Dutton Assistant Historian Commonwealth War Graves Commission 2 Marlow Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 7DX, United Kingdom Tel: +44 1628 634221 | Ext: 1218 | Direct: +44 1628 507218 | Fax: +44 1628 771208 | Website: www.cwgc.org