HI, I am trying to find out more about the death of L/Cpl W Bourne RASC, namely which unit of the RASC he was serving with and where he was killed. The official rolls state Killed in Action, Western Europe. H eis buried in Becklingen War Cemetery. Can anybody assist? Cheers, Rick
Hello Rick I am sure other forum members will add more Have you applied for his service records Get a copy of military service records LANCE CORPORAL WALTER BOURNE Service Number: T/218066 Regiment & Unit/Ship Royal Army Service Corps Date of Death Died 08 April 1945 Age 30 years old Buried or commemorated at BECKLINGEN WAR CEMETERY 1. J. 3. Germany Country of ServiceUnited Kingdom Additional InfoSon of George and Nellie Bourne, of Walsall, Staffordshire; husband of Dorothy Mary Bourne, of Walsall. Personal InscriptionGREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT HE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS LOVED ONES Download certificate FROM THE CWGC ARCHIVES GRAVE REGISTRATION (2) Click to view Click to view CONCENTRATION (2) Click to view Click to view HEADSTONE (1) Click to view BURIED OR COMMEMORATED AT BECKLINGEN WAR CEMETERY NiedersachsenGermany Number of casualties: 2404 View cemetery details regards Clive
Seems he was originally buried at Diepholz It would seem you need to obtain his service records to correctly identify which specific un it of the RASC he was in at the time, so you casn then obtain the War Diaries for that unit to see what happened on 8th Apr 1945 The forms you need are here Request records of deceased service personnel you dont need a copy of his death certificate per se but you will need to copy and include the certificate that is found on his CWGC details - about halfway down on the left hand side Casualty Details | CWGC where is says (helpfully) Download Certificate TD This might provide a flavour of what was happening in and around Diepholz at the time he was killed 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles in WW2: 7th to 13th April 1945 - Diepholz
1939 Register 19 John Street, Walsall, Staffordshire Name - DOB - Occupation - Marital status John B Sanders - 08 Apr 1881 - Nickel Polisher - Widowed Walter Bourne - 12 Oct 1914 - Motor Van Driver, Furniture - Married Dorothy M McGrath (Bourne) - 24 Jan 1915 - Unpaid Domestic Duties - Married
Many thanks for the info Guys, I suspect he was also a member of 257 Amb.Car.Coy which should be confirmed when I get a copy of his papers, it seems plausible that Dvr Hunt was wounded on the day that L/Cpl Bourne was killed, probably in the same location. Rick
Rick Just noticed as you mentioned about Hunt as well, that he has the same 'Report Number' as Bourne and I am wondering whether or not, if you contact the CWGC they may have more details included in that report - I have never been down that avenue, but is perhaps one to explore TD Just for interest - https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9123148
That could have been in the Twistringen - Bassum area. The region was fought over on 7/8 April. If I should guess, then a mine would come into consideration, or also artillery, which fired from the area Colnrade the advance routes. (I grew up in the vincinity) This is what a contemporary witness once told me: