DEMS gunner losses

Hugh, Steve,

Regarding Gunner W Murdoch, here are just a couple of press clippings from the numerous ones available (I'll post some of the others up once I've had a kip).

SS Circassia (and Operation Dragoon?) is maybe where the "killed South of France" stuff is coming from. I wonder if the family of Walter Murdoch received a letter (or letters) from Walter's fellow gunners and/or shipmates or even his CO prompting the South of France reporting (family receive letter, family approach/contact press?).

It would be good to have a definitive answer.

Kind regards, I'm still floundering.

Always remember, never forget,

Jim.







And:





Still being reported in December. I can but think that the dear family of Walter must have been banging the drum on his behalf. And if so good on 'em.

 

Here is the proof from deep within my files Jim.



North Africa, Not Southern France.

Regards
Hugh

 

Excellent Hugh, thank you so much; what you have posted up is more akin with Walter's RA Casualty Card, though that lacks in detail compared with the records you have kindly posted up here.

Again, thank you.

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

 

Saturday 9th September 1944

STUART, George G, Lance Bombardier, RA (1 Maritime Regt), 1566999 [KIRKEE WAR CEMETERY]

L/Bdr Stuart is listed by CWGC as being lost today. There is no shipping incident that I can see to associate with his death and he has a shore burial, so I believe his death was due to an accident/illness. Any ideas?

Regards,

Steve

 

Hi Steve,

Illness,
Infective hepatitis, amoebic dysentry.

 

While looking for a non-maritime gunner Steve (and Hugh too re #670) I came across this:





Never too late hopefully.

Always remember, never forget,

Jim.

 

Gnr William Moody.

They recovered his body which presumably was buried so why is he on the Plymouth Memorial?

Tim

 

No idea Tim!

The passage of time between Gunner Moody's "disappearance" and the recovery of his remains, and then the inquest being held in April maybe?

Did the three month "gap" see William "missed" from the updating of records side of things?

Hopefully Steve and Hugh will know, and know the way forward with it too.

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

EDIT: 19:10hrs 10/09/2025.

As Hugh states back in his post #670 that Gunner Moody's casualty card just states "died" the inquest findings must never have made their way through, or were missed by someone somewhere. Maybe.

 

Medals were applied for Tim, presumably NOK (father?) and/or another relative.





Haven't checked re burial and/or cremation yet. Ellesmere Port records check on the way. If you come up with an answer in the meantime Tim that would be good.

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

 

The Woodfield Road address (on the Medal Application Card) is one and the same as the address on William's death certificate. The applicant (Mr J? Moody) must be William's father.

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

 

Just a guess, but could that be due his body being cremated rather than buried and the ashes being keep with the family, rather than being interned somewhere?

Regards,

Steve

 

Absolutely Steve.

I'd already looked to see if cremations were being carried out at the time still. They were, but as of yet I have not found any cremation record (or a burial record for that matter).

I'll post up the documentation I have found as of yet next, which has not (I think) been posted up previously.

Will try and confirm the Moody family religion too. If RC then cremation would have likely been complete anathema to them (it was and largely still is to my left-footer family, though times have changed).

I wonder if William had stipulated any specific wish in his will?

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

 

Gunner 1728883 William Moody..

Documents available remotely.



Official Casualty List No.1428 (header, full page containing pertinent entry, and close up of same):







RA Attestation Book (full page and close up).





GRO digital image of death certificate.



Always remember, never forget,

Jim.

 

A thought, and I hope in being fair to the record keepers.

Perhaps the inquest's "Open" finding meant there was no further updating of records beyond "died" to be done?

Procedurally maybe?

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

 

Hugh, Steve, Tim.

Found!

Well register-wise anyway, and all thanks to your prompting Tim. Thank you!

Burial register entry, grave details etc. (but cemetery? Perhaps I'm missing, or have missed something, again!)

EDIT: My eyes truly are shot to bits! Overpool Cemetery.

Full page(s) and close up of page(s) headers and William's line.







I think that's as far as I can go with this at present (my eyes are blasted to bits).

Always remember, never forget,

Jim.

 

Re Overpool Cemetery.

https://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-...ils/2075411/ellesmere-port-overpool-cemetery/

I'm presuming(hoping) William has a marked grave within still.

It's a site I am in no position to check currently. But one day maybe.

Always remember, never forget,

Jim.

 

Yes, this is correct Jim, I just obtained it and was about to post it - wish I had known - would have saved me £2.50
You can see that details still ambiguious - no mention of his being armed forces - probably not known. He is noted as a Timber Yard Labourer. However, we know from the newspaper report that he worked for W. H. Wilson whom I believe was in the timber business in Ellesmere Port. The 1939 Register has him noted as a Labourer.

Many reasons why he would be on the Naval Memorial - The answer likely lies in the communication breakdown between

Middlesbrough coroner's office
Ellesmere Port family
Royal Navy (Plymouth manning port)
CWGC

Well done!

Hugh

 

Thank you so much Hugh, with profuse apologies regarding the £2:50, sorry (No consolation but that's exactly what I paid out too). I owe you one now and will readily reciporicate when you need Hugh.

Thanks for all your help and guidance with this, it is always, but always appreciated.

Jim.

 

You are one of the most helpful guys on this forum Jim. Keep doing what you do

It is probable that the CWGC are still not aware of his burial - so the documented evidence posted in the thread may help.

Regards
Hugh

 

You are too kind Hugh, always.

Would Steve be able to do that Hugh?

Not giving it the sloping shoulders but from the practical side and speed (Steve, and your good self will know the more recent ropes) you would always be quicker than me.

Unfortunately the longevity side of things now is always a question mark (I wouldn't want to make a start only to see said thing fall by the wayside because I have!)

Kind regards, always,

Jim.