Home Guard, died 20 November 1943: CWGC

Hi Folks,

Would anyone have an idea of how to determine if a bombing raid took place on the above date?

A home guard/6th Middlesex Bn (14883849) I'm researching, Walter O'Driscoll, was killed on that day according to the CWGC. I've searched online but can't seem to find any reports of a raid that day/night.

It would be great if someone could point me in the right direction as to where I might find further information.
Thanks,
Pat

 

Hello Pat,
According to this site War, State and Society – Bombing Britain a night raid took place on Battersea 20/21 November 1943, 7 killed and 50 injured.
Richard

 

Thanks for the prompt reply Richard. The information I have suggest that my man was killed near Paddington which is roughly about 5 miles from Battersea. Do you think it's possible that he is one of the 7 you mention?

 

Casualty Details | CWGC
Pvt Walter O'Driscoll (unknown-1943) - Find A Grave Memorial

14883849 was an enlistment number for the General Service Corps but transferred to the Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment 7 December 1944 and transferred to the Royal Engineers 25 April 1945 - are you sure you have the right man?

 

My apologies Tony56 the enlistment number refers to his son who survived the war. The CWGC provides the details of Walter who according to the headstone died 20/11/1943.

 

Pvt Walter O'Driscoll (unknown-1943) - Find A...

Walter O'Driscoll
1903–1943
BIRTH SEP 1903 • Blarney County Cork, Ireland
DEATH 20 NOVEMBER 1943 • Ealing, Middlesex, England



According to UK, World War II Civilian Deaths, 1939-1945 shows a number of deaths in the Beaufoy Road Battersea area

TD


Shirley Ann Curtis abt 1937 20 Nov 1943 Battersea, London, England Herbert Henry

Lilian Penelope Collings abt 1877 20 Nov 1943 Battersea, London, England

Francis Alfred Collings abt 1881 20 Nov 1943 Battersea, London, England

Raymond Arthur Ward abt 1930 20 Nov 1943 Battersea, London, England Philip, Alice

Emily Turner abt 1879 20 Nov 1943 Battersea, London, England Herbert Osborne

Edith Maud Turner abt 1914 20 Nov 1943 Battersea, London, England Herbert Edward

Terence Alfred Parkinson abt 1943 20 Nov 1943 Battersea, London, England Alfred


Walter will NOT appear in this list as he was NOT a Civilian at the time of his death

 

OK, problem solved!

 

Not the question you asked but presumably you have found him in 1922?
https://census.militaryarchives.ie/...Southern_Division_Southern_Command_Page_4.pdf

 

Thanks for the info - I did know he spent some time in the Irish army but not sure when he went to London. Tricky Dicky thanks for the list of casualties. That would seem to coincide with the 7 killed in Battersea mentioned in the Bombing Britain site above. It might be that he died of natural causes - if so would he still get a CWGC headstone?

 

Have a read through this - IFCP - War Grave Criteria

TD

Also - https://www.cwgc.org/media/udkhsep3/cwgc-policy-eligibility-criteria-for-commemoration.pdf

 

Thanks TD - from my reading it would seem that under CWGC criteria the Home Guard was considered a Category 3 'civilian' organisation and thus to qualify for war grave status the... death (essentially) has to have occurred due to a war related cause and whilst serving overseas.

However, when I checked the CWGC eligibility criteria at https://www.cwgc.org/media/udkhsep3/cwgc-policy-eligibility-criteria-for-commemoration.pdf (see page 10) it states 'while officially on duty'.

This would seem to suggest that Walter was on official duty when killed.

 

Then your next step is to apply for his Home Guard service records - forms are here Request Home Guard service records

I have never seen a record of this sort but I would assume it should explain if he was on duty that fateful night and may even tell you where etc

TD

 

Thanks TD - will do!

 

Example
This chap Home Guard died of meningitis so not commemorated

 

is it possible he was involved in a vehicle accident either crash or run over whilst on duty or other accidental injury

what info do you have to associate him with Paddington that evening

 

My understanding is that death would have to occur while on official duty.

 

Maybe - I tried a newspaper search but no luck there.

 

yes thats correct it was just an example

death cert required

O'DRISCOLL, WALTER BENEDICT 39
GRO Reference: 1943 D Quarter in PADDINGTON Volume 01A Page 18

 

The accidental death is a possibility worth exploring further - so thanks for that.

 

I have his grave photo in my collection
Home Guard Headstones