Trying to trace 2 gunners WW,2 Royal Artillery

Hi
Looking for information of my grandad who served from about 39-45 well the end. His brother died in action in south Europe 1940. They were at Dunkirk then landed on Normandy on the 2ndwave supporting the Canadians.
They were both gunners. I've found my great uncles grave as he was brought home. Both from Edinburgh.surnames Meldrum. Andrew died aged 39 and my grandad was James. Both Leithers.

 

Welcome aboard.

Starting with your uncle, Andrew Meldrum, 1670274. His CWGC entry shows he died 20/8/1944 and at the time was serving in a local TA unit, 51 (Lowland) Heavy Regiment. The Graves Registration Form indicates his body was returned for burial in the UK in 1957. See: https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2451874/andrew-meldrum/

I would suggest he died in North-West Europe, probably in France after D-Day:

From: 51 (Lowland) Heavy Regiment RA (TA) - The Royal Artillery 1939-45

The website has a table showing which formation they were assigned to after D-Day.

Why do you refer to the 51st Highland Division? I cannot see on Wiki (a useful starting point) that 51st Heavy Regt. were with then; infantry divisions normally have only field regts. attached and medium / heavy regts. are controlled by higher commands, corps or army. See: 51st (Highland) Division - Wikipedia

Nothing readily found on your grandad, James Meldrum. Do you know his date of Birth and better his Service Number?

Only last week another new member was interested in 51 Heavy Regt., so taken from my Post 2: I used "51 Heavy Regiment" site:ww2talk.com in an online search, this found five threads; changed to 51st found a few more and with 51 (Lowland) two threads. Always worth checking here! From: Charles George Fowler- 20/7/20 - GNR : 1100930 RA That gunner left them, so remainder of thread not applicable.

We always recommend applying for a Service Record. it is the definitive source. Yes it can take time! Details and more on a PM next.

 

Thank you so much ! I have my GT uncle information, my grandad was in same regiment as his brother I'm assuming ". Uncle andrew was brought home and buried over here. I'm going to visit his grave today. My grandad was born 1910 enrolled at latek
1930's and was next to his brother unfortunately when he was killed I assumed they were in same regiment 51st heavy field division royal artillery. So my mum was a bit off. I'll check out everything. I had 3 great uncles in ww2! One was a sergeant in Burma but lost his hand. David Meldrum. But id love to find my grandad. What brave men they all were

 

Sorry, my phone is not working too well. My grandad made it through the war and due to him fighting so near his brother when his brother died I thought they were in the same regiment. I had no idea he was brought back so late to be buried here. Would he have been in a temporary grave until he returned home? Mum is out just now but I'll ask for granddad's dob. Where do you request the service numbers?

 

There was no "action" in Southern Europe during 1940, although some escapees from France exited via Spain. However, it was British and Commonwealth policy not to arrange for or permit repatriation of those who died overseas. If he is buried in the UK then he must have died there, perhaps of wounds.

 

Eve,

On the private message is a link to help you to start a request for the service records. There is an issue / problem with how long it takes to get a reply from the MoD and now The National Archives (TNA) as records are being transferred. The advice is to check with MoD first to determine who has the record.

I am not like Rich an expert on the CWGC and military process involved. That caveat aside there is no 'Concentration Report' for him; which means buried once and then reburied later. If his body was in the UK it is odd to me that it too so long to bury him and he was not alone in reaching the Edinburgh Cemetery.

 

Hi,

No he's definitely over here. Mum confirmed that and his gravesite is pictured,
I've no idea how he got home you know? I can refer to my mum regarding this. So id go with davidbfpo reply. As you can tell I'm a complete novice but am trying and this site is amazing!!!!

 

According to the notices places in the Edinburgh Evening News, Andrew Meldrum died of wounds in a military hospital in France on the 20th August 1944.
See British Newspaper Archive

 

I was incorrect he died in action in August 1944. I apologise for any mistakes I may write but I am very excited!!!

 

Thank you so much for this. I often wondered how my grandad felt watching his brother being killed beside him but he wasn't killed immediately. These details are everything. And thanks again for your help!

 

I think there must have been a mistake there and that he "died of wounds sustained in France". The British had a very efficient system in place from the very commencement of "Overlord" to bring back severely wounded casualties, both to improve their chances but also to reduce the burden on medical services in France. As far as I'm aware, they wouldn't have been burying at sea from the hospital ships and if he was landed at a British port then burial location could be chosen by the family.

At the end of the Great War, some monied families wanted to bring their sons home, but a government decision was made to the effect that all casualties should be treated equally. I have an idea that it was not until the Falklands conflict that this policy was rescinded.

 

1670274 Gunner Andrew MELDRUM
Royal Artillery record:-
Enlisted 15.5.23 for 4 years
Re-enlisted 5.7.27 for 4 years
Re-enlisted 6.5.37
Casualty lists and casualty card confirms died of wounds in UK.

 

Hi,

Just spoke to my mum.

Uncle Andrew was indeed injured in France, by American air forces who misjudged the information and dropped a bomb on the soldiers hence his injuries, He was brought to Aldershot and his mother and wife arrived just after he passed. Now please bare in mind my mother is 90! But very sharp. He was buried with full military honours! My mother and all her siblings attended the funeral.
James Meldrum my grandad dob is 21/4/1910. I've requested his service recordd.

Thanks again everyone

Daniel Dey, GT uncle was in merchant navy and torpedoed by the Germans. No further information.

 

Eve,

It is possible the funeral was covered by a local Edinburgh / Leith newspaper. Most (English) public libraries have a subscription to the British Newspaper Archive.

I would suggest you amend the thread title (only you can) to something like tracing one / two Scottish gunners.

 

Thanks I'll have a look. All these years I knew my grandad was in ww2 but while he was alive he was quiet in his twilight years. My mum said he never discussed the war.

I was given further information from my mum which was wrong, uncle David fought in Egypt not Burma and uncle William lost his hand in Europe not Burma.
Thanks I'll check the news information.

Wot a great site!

 

It is, it truly is. An awful lot of people with immense knowledge and patience. In the days when there was still a strong veteran contingent, it was better still, but the spirit and helpfulness live on.

 

I am truly blown away. My mother didn't know her uncle Andrew enlisted from 1937 Tony56 found out today. So that was really good for her to hear. These kind people have helped so much in one day than i tried for ages.

To think 4 brothers and a brother in law of mum's family went into ww2, 2 died and one was wounded. My grandad suffered in silence for the rest of his life as many thousands of others did who made the ultimate sacrifice. With a neat whiskey....he was very much a changed man my gran said..
Thanks again everyone..

 

Edinburgh Evening News, Thursday, August 24, 1944

 

Omg!!!!! That's amazing!!!! What a young man!! Thanks so much!!

 

If you are sure both brothers were in the same unit?

Enlisted 6 May 1937 850614 Gnr James Meldrum 51 Hvy Rgt from 5/5/41 (Previous 57 Med )

I can find only one other James Meldrum enlisting prior to Dunkirk but his unit doesn`t match your information but his card is below just in case.


Kyle