War Grave Belgium: Joseph FAIL, 2 LINCOLNSHIRE, DENDERWINDEKE COMMUNAL CEMETERY

I am posting this because of the number of similarities that it shares with the account of my Nana (Grandmother) Myra Carr- (Nee Potts).

She once told me that her brother, Joseph Potts was killed at Dunkirk.
She was born in Sunderland around 1911with her brothers and sisters to Elizabeth Potts (Nee Fail) and Joseph Potts.

Summary
My Great Grandparents
Elizabeth Fail / Joseph Potts

Their Children
Myra (Mary May) Potts, my Nana: Joseph Potts (shot at/near Dunkirk – a good boxer in the army): Gladys Potts: Betty Potts: Frederick Potts (Wagon Driver in Army): Terrence Potts: Josephine Potts: Jack Potts: Elsie Potts

Not sure if there is a definite connection but there seem a lot of co-incidences if not.

As you quite rightly say, a lot of similarities.

I could not find a Joseph Potts listed on the CWGC website though for the Dunkirk campaign.

Will look at this again tomorrow. The analytical side of my brain is fried after a long day looking at very detailed information.

 

As you quite rightly say, a lot of similarities.

I could not find a Joseph Potts listed on the CWGC website though for the Dunkirk campaign.

Will look at this again tomorrow. The analytical side of my brain is fried after a long day looking at very detailed information.


Hello over there, we will see what we can find in our documentation about this.

It was quite calm for a few months about our Fail research, but the work is sure not finished. We hopefully wait until the documents of his records will be provided.

My mate Eric is also injured at his back, but after a lot of pain it is going better step by step.

Greetings from Ninove - Belgium

 

I am posting this because of the number of similarities that it shares with the account of my Nana (Grandmother) Myra Carr- (Nee Potts).

She once told me that her brother, Joseph Potts was killed at Dunkirk.
She was born in Sunderland around 1911with her brothers and sisters to Elizabeth Potts (Nee Fail) and Joseph Potts.

Summary
My Great Grandparents
Elizabeth Fail / Joseph Potts

Their Children
Myra (Mary May) Potts, my Nana: Joseph Potts (shot at/near Dunkirk – a good boxer in the army): Gladys Potts: Betty Potts: Frederick Potts (Wagon Driver in Army): Terrence Potts: Josephine Potts: Jack Potts: Elsie Potts

Not sure if there is a definite connection but there seem a lot of co-incidences if not.

Hello Robotbaby, the Jospeh Potts that married Elizabeth Fail died in 1943 aged 57.

Their son Joseph Fail, is the same Jospeh Fail mentioned in this thread.

 

Upload how me and Eric made the tree with our information.



Upload from Steve

 

Hi
Joseph Fail seated front row centre
My Grandfather standing left hand side

 

Thanks for providing a photo of Joseph Fail and your Grandfather. What was his name, as I've got a copy of the majority of the photos of the nominal rolls of the Lincolns and can give you a copy, if I have it.

I'm still trying to get hold of the service record of J Fail for Hza, but without much success.

Cheers - Rob

 

Hi Rob
My Grandfathers name was Thomas Rippin
He served with the 2nd Lincolns from 1931 -1945
Any other Photos or info would be greatly appreciated

Cheers
Gary

 

I've just realised your Grandfather won the DCM. Another Forum member Pegasusgary is currently writing a history of the 2nd Lincolns, so this will help with more information about what they did and where they served. I'll send him a message to say you are researching your Grandfather.

Regards - Rob

 

Hello ,

After a period of having no links anymore about the J.Fail topic, we have a message from Rob that the service records are available. I'm so happy from that news!

Also many thanks to Gary, seeing the second foto of J.Fail gave me again a very emotional moment.

Kind regards, Peter.

 

What an interesting thread this has developed into and a fruitful outcome....a BEF casualty remembered by our Belgium friends.

Must have been a real nightmare for the BEF and the indivuals concerned reeling from the onslaught of the Blitzkrieg.Wounded in what was a continual withdrawal operation leaving a high risk being left behind or worse.

 

This is a summary of the service record of Joseph Fail (Potts):-

Joseph Fail
Service Number 4446116

The Joseph Fail who is listed on CWGC, actually enlisted as Joseph Potts on 11 May 1927 in Sunderland aged 18 Years 1 Month for 4 Years Service in the Territorial Army. He joined the 7th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry.

His Father's name is not shown on the enlistment papers, but his next of Kin is recorded as his Mother, Elizabeth POTTS, of 46 Clanney Street.

[SIZE=14.3999996185303px]Address: 46 Clanney Street, Sunderland.[/SIZE]
Date of Birth: 6 April 1909
Trade: Miner
Marital Status: Single
Height: 5ft 3.25 inches.
Weight: 122 lbs.
Eyes: Grey.
Hair: Brown.
Religion: Roman Catholic

He was discharged from the TA on 26-3-1928, having enlisted into the Regular Army (The Lincolnshire Regiment) on 26 March 1928, with the same service number, but a different surname, Joseph FAIL. He signed up for 7 years service.

The next of Kin is now recorded as Joseph POTTS of the same address as his Mother.

He served with the 1st Battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment, as follows:-

27-3-1928 – 3-2-1930 (UK)
4-2-1930 – 13-10-1931 (Gibralter)
14-10-1931 – 29-9-1932 (Shanghai)
30-9-1932 – 29-12-1935 (Hong Kong)
30-12-1935 – 13-7-1936 (Malta)
14-7-1936 – 21-12-1936 (Palestine)
22-12-1936 – 3-10-1939 (UK)

On 10-5-1934, whilst in Hong Kong, he applied to extend his period of Army Service to complete 12 years with the Colours. At the time of the application, he held 2 Good Conduct Badges with a character reference of Exemplary.

During service in Palestine, he was awarded the General Service Medal (Palestine) with Clasp.

Service with the 2nd Battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment

4-10-1939 – 17-5-1940 (BEF)

Next entry in the Service Document shows that he is granted 10 days leave in the UK on 2-2-1940, followed by a final entry, that of Died of Wounds 17-5-1940.

Final Medals awarded were 1939/45 Star and War Medal 1939/45.

(J Fail - Middle of front row - Thanks to Gary Rippin)

 

Friday May 24th 1940 Sunderland Echo and Shipping Gazette

Kyle

 

I finally found a copy of Joseph Fail's entry in the Lincolns Nominal records, coal miner from Sunderland. Last book of 29.

Regi 3-29 pages 79 & 79A:-