Hello I would be most grateful for any suggestions as to where I may find further information on Richard Fontyn 1900 - 1942. I am preparing a family history book for his son's 90th birthday and have information on Richard obtained from Ancestry, Forces War Records and Commonwealth War Graves Commission but I wonder if there are other sources? Lieutenant Richard Fontyn served in the Indian Engineers. He was born in Mawlamyine (formerly Moulmein), Burma (Myanmar), was the son of Henry Matthew Fontyn 1857 - 1915 and Clara Dow Lwin 1857 - 1907 and the husband of Hope Blanche Simon 1903 - 2000. They married in Burma around 1925. Sadly he died of enteric fever (typhoid fever) in Sewri, Bombay (Mumbai), India on 23 September 1942 aged 42 leaving his wife and four children. Richard is laid to rest at Kirkee War Cemetery, Khadki, Maharashtra, India. He was awarded the British War and Star medals and is commemorated in perpetuity by Commonwealth War Graves Commission. I am very pleased to have found WW2Talk and look forward to receiving any ideas on where I may discover more of Richard's life. Many thanks Cassie
Welcome Cassie, Cannot add anything at present although if you have his medal entitlement from FWR (a `site which isnt mentioned here`) it`s wrong . They give a basic entitlement of 39-45 Star and War Medal for those who served /died overseas but havent the details available to give his true entitlement . Service details ,dates and places and medal entitlements can only be found on Service records then a subsequent application to the medals office. Links below:- Get a copy of military service records Medals: campaigns, descriptions and eligibility Kyle
Regarding your other post you can find his headstone here: Photograph of the final resting place of Fontyn, Richard - The War Graves Photographic Project (twgpp.org) For his military history there is only one place: Requests for personal data and service records: a detailed guide - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Originally buried at Sewri the day following his death, service by J F W Ruddell, Chaplain of Colaba. Note age given as 35 years! The 'Gro War Death Indian Services (1939 To 1948)' also gives his age as 35, although his baptism certificate shows a birth date of 5 Aug 1900 and a baptism at St Augustine's Church on 16 Sept 1900. It would be interesting to see what age he declared when he enlisted.
Thanks so much. I realised a while ago that XXX give a basic entitlement as they don't have the correct entitlement, therefore usually in anything I record I write "was likely to have been entitled to" rather than "was awarded". I'm not sure if I would be able to send for his service record not being related to him personally. I'll take a look though. I'm grateful for your help.
you dont need to be related date of birth (also you have his service number which helps) death cert ( you can use the CWGC certificate at the foot of this page as proof of death) plus £30 SECOND LIEUTENANT RICHARD FONTYN Regiment & Unit/Ship Indian Engineers Date of Death Died 23 September 1942 Buried or commemorated at KIRKEE WAR CEMETERY 7. F. 14. India Country of ServiceIndian Download certificate
Many thanks. I sent for an uncle's service record last year and had to get his daughter's signature on the application - I see now that was because he died less than 25 years ago. I just had a vague memory that I needed to be next of kin! It will be very interesting to see Richard Fontyn's.
Hi, The advice above should enable you to chart his service. You may or may not have an example/image of his Corps cap-badge: ….. this seems to match that on his headstone. Do you have any photos indicating his Unit? Might he have been in the Bombay Sappers and Miners, for example? Generally associated material may give you clues and examples of the interesting uniforms of the local sappers he might have commanded. Good hunting, anyway. Afternote. He does not appear to have been with the Kirkee based Bombay Sappers, a transcript of: A history of the Royal Bombay Sappers and Miners, 1939 to 1947 being at: Full text of "THE ROYAL BOMBAY SAPPERS & MINERS 1939 1947"
Oh that's fabulous, thanks so much! No, unfortunately I have nothing indicating what his Unit may have been.
