This was passed on to me by PatriceL who took some photos for me at MORIGNY-CHAMPIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY in France. Was it someone attempting to alter his real name or just an error? The pronunciation of the name is probably Deeth/Deathe not Deth! The name is not uncommon as there were 40 killed in both wars and both of that name from Australia (RAAF/AIF) were brothers. Any suggestions? Should the CWGC be contacted and the error reported? In Memory of Sergeant LESLIE FREDERICK DEATH 1250525, 44 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve who died age 30 on 09 June 1944 Son of Arthur William and Ada Annie Death; husband of Winifred Margaret Death, of Stoke by Nayland, Suffolk. Remembered with honour MORIGNY-CHAMPIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY Cheers Geoff
Spidge, It is possible that that is how the family pronounced their name, dee-ath, so they would not be known as the deths. I know of people who pronounce it the former way. So, no I wouldn't contact CWGC. Mark
Spidge, It is possible that that is how the family pronounced their name, dee-ath, so they would not be known as the deths. I know of people who pronounce it the former way. So, no I wouldn't contact CWGC. Mark Only playing Devils advocate here by the way. Pronunciation and Spelling are two different things. Looking for that name on the headstone would give you a blank on the CWGC debt of Honour. I wonder whether it was a request? If so, it would be registered as such wouldn't it? Cheers Geoff
Spidge, I would think it would be registered with CWGC, and I understand about the spelling/search situation. I wouldn't know who to contact to ask though? When I read your initial post, I was reminded of one of my father's C.O.'s whose surname was spelt Bastard, but pronounced it Basst-hard. Mind you Dad said he lived up to the former. They didn't like him much, and so put a fish on his car's muffler, when they serviced it for him in the airfield Engineer section. Mark
I served with a De'Ath there are apparently 9589 so named people within the UK! I also served with a Dalzel Job, - prounounced De L Job as in the biblical Job not the job as in job of work.
hello Geoff I have come across this in the UK. broken down to De'Ath,De'ath or de'Ath A simple explanation could be the surname Death was not deemed to suit and it takes the edge from the name. Surname Database: De Ath Last Name Origin It is worth sending a query to CWGC,they will check their records.
There are 4 de'Ath's in CWGC WW2 and one for WW1 001 DE'ATH A 1260021 - 09/01/1941 ROYAL AIR FORCE 002 DE'ATH EW 747876 101 SQDN 02/02/1941 ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE 003 DE'ATH LJ 134070 218 SQDN 24/08/1943 ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE 004 DE'ATH SA 1332723 - 21/01/1943 ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE
Well done Kevin, I didn't do a reverse check on CWGC database. There is still a query whether his name is De'ath or Death. This lad is listed as Death. If his real name is in fact, that on the headstone, the CWGC datebase should reflect that.
Hi, I have some information that may clear this up. Leslie Death was my great, great uncle, (my mums, dads, dads brother, if that makes sense). I can confirm it is pronounced Death and not De'ath. The family never bothered with the abbreviation. I was honoured to discover all about him several years ago and amazed to find so much about his grave online. I really thought it would take some time to find. His niece is still with us and remembers him well. His wife never re-married and passed away 20 years ago. Sadly the family name will soon disappear with only my uncle still carrying it so it was a nice surprise to find this post with it being discussed. Leslie followed in his fathers footsteps as he saw active service in WW1 although he too gave his life for this. I recently discovered Leslie didn't have to fight in WW2 as he was a reserved occupation but felt it his duty to sign up. Sadly in 1944 only weeks after marrying he lost his life along with his fellow crew. The family always planned to take his wife to his grave but sadly never got the chance, one day we are planning to make the trip to pay our respects. Hope this helps guys.
Welcome to the forum, Adam. Do the family have any photographs of Leslie ? It would seem fitting to post one here if they don't mind.
Hi Rich. We may do, I will have to check. When my grandparents passed away a few years ago we inherited most of the family photos which are taking a while to go through. Hopefully there will be one in there.
Remember that 'mostly' all details were confirmed and corrected by the family, including any mis-spellings. We have both surnames in our local Cemetery, Death and De'Ath. We also have a few Allbones, one Nomore and even a Dide. Seem to have all angles covered here.
