T/5614692 Dvr J. Gent, RASC, Killed 27 May 1940 - appreciate your help & thoughts

Discussion in 'RASC' started by brimacombe, Jul 19, 2020.

  1. brimacombe

    brimacombe Active Member

    Hello all..

    Would really appreciate your thoughts...

    Casualty
    T/5614692 Dvr John Gent (age 32) was killed on 27 May 1940 and lies in a joint grave with T/151440 Dvr Thomas Alan Bicknell (age 28) in Anzac Cemetery - two of only five WW2 burials in this cemetery.
    Casualty

    Now, I know the chances of finding out the circumstances surrounding their deaths is pretty remote, but I'm wondering if J. Gent would have been a reservist. He was previously employed on the Buckland House estate in Devon, was married in 1937 (when it is stated that his employer was the owner of Buckland House, and was playing for Holsworthy football club throughout the 1938-39 season, so was not in the army during this (1937-39) period, but I'm wondering if he might have served previous to this, considering his death fairly early on in the war....

    I would of course, be really grateful for any detail - however ephemeral it may seem!

    Thanks as always
     
  2. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Both Gent and Bicknell (RASC HQ 2 Div) were reported 'Missing believed killed' on Casualty List No. 223 dated 5 June 1940, the casualty date was not reported.
    In Casualty List No. 244 dated 2 July 1940, they were both reported 'KIA' with a date of 27/5/1940.
     
    Harry Ree and dbf like this.
  3. brimacombe

    brimacombe Active Member

    Thanks Tony, pity I have no idea which unit they were with, but at least that's some valuable detail there.

    Thanks again!
     
  4. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Take away their `T` for transport designation and Gent`s enlistment is `Devonshire Regiment` .Bicknall enlisted direct into `RASC.`
    The Army Roll Of Honour 1939-1945 gives the unit at the start of the War and at the time of death if different. Gent is listed as RASC so your theory on him being a pre war soldier (Devonshire Regt) may be correct .

    Their unit at the time of death as Tony stated was RASC HQ 2 Div. I think 2DIV Hq were around Merville on the 27th May 1940. Certainly the 1 RWF ,2DLI and 1 Royal Berks were in action at St Venant and St Floris on the 27th May 1940.

    Kyle
     
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  5. brimacombe

    brimacombe Active Member

    Thanks Kyle - at least my theory hasn't been disproved!

    Really appreciate your input.
     
  6. Bruneval

    Bruneval Well-Known Member

    So, did a bit of digging on Driver John GENT who was a Army Reservist prior to the outbreak of WW2, and discovered the following which may be of use to you:

    • Date of Birth - 21 Jul 1908, Peters Marland, Torrington, Devon.
    • Enlisted - Exeter.
    • Profession on enlistment - Brickmaker.
    • Enlisted in the RASC on 27 Feb 1928 for a period of 6 years and 6 months.
    • John GENT had served with the 6th Battalion, The Devonshire Regiment (Territorial Army) with a Service Number: 5614692.
    • Mother - LL GENT residing at: 4 Yarde Cottages, Peters Marland, Torrington, Devon.
    • His conduct is listed as Exemplary.
    • Initially listed as 'Missing believed Killed' and subsequently as 'Died' on 27 May 1940.
    upload_2020-10-25_14-45-25.png upload_2020-10-25_14-45-38.png

    Regards

    Bruneval
     
  7. brimacombe

    brimacombe Active Member

    Hi Bruneval - what can I say! Thank you so much for taking the time and effort, your efforts are really appreciated.

    Thanks again!

    Shawn
     

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