Unknown ..believed to be.

Others from the 9th Bn whose DsOD fall on 18th or 19th are listed below. 2 incl Evans are on the Cassino Memorial, 2 in Catania and a 4 in Syracuse

Any info given in a Roll or Honour or in The Times as to status ie DOW/KIA/Missing presumed etc?

001Link DISTON RF 4448907 9TH BN 18/07/1943 DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY
002Link DOBSON R 4470046 9TH BN 19/07/1943 DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY
003Link EVANS G 1488974 9TH BN 18/07/1943 DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY
004Link KING W 4537802 9TH BN 18/07/1943 DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY
005Link LYNCH J 3461291 9TH BN 18/07/1943 DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY
006Link MORGAN EJ 3606892 9TH BN 18/07/1943 DURHAM LIGHT INF
007Link WATSON HW 5117968 9TH BN 19/07/1943 DURHAM LIGHT INF
008Link WOOD C 5047607 9TH BN 18/07/1943 DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY

I have cross referenced these names with, both, The Gateshead Gurkhas (Moses) and The Sign Of The Double 'T' (Barnes) and there is no specific information, except for CSM Ralf F Diston DCM, who is reported in the former as having been killed on the 17 July 1943 - although later shown as the 18th in the Roll Of Honour. He won his DCM at Mareth (Wadi Zig Zag) on 22 March 1943, whilst CSM of 'A' Company.

This same 'A' Company is reported as being down to its CO, Capt Hudson, and only 7 unwounded men after attacking the farmhouse (I assume to the right of the road) early on the 17 July. Running low on ammunition, 'A' Company was forced to withdraw and Hudson was wounded and taken prisoner; but The Durhams prevailed.

We know that casualties were extremely high at Primosole, as the foregoing paragraph reveals and also that it appears CSM Diston's official date of death maybe a day out. Possibly also explains George Evans unusual date of death?!

Best,

Steve.

 

The grave ref given for the Unknown grave in question is IV. L. 4.

Hi Diane,

The grave in question is actually IV.L.15
shown below from Wiki Sicily
BRITISH VIRTUAL WAR CEMETERY OF CATANIA by 1°IIS M. Bartolo - PACHINO. 15

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=51505&d=1306713149

Jim

 

Cassino Memorial 1488974 Pte G Evans 9th DLI

 

Jim, here is the details for G Evans from the Army ROH, showing that he was from Grimsby.

Name: George Evans
Given Initials: G
Rank: Private
Death Date: Jul 1943
Number: 1488974
Birth Place: Grimsby
Residence: Grimsby
Branch at Enlistment: Infantry
Theatre of War: Sicily
Regiment at Death: Durham Light Infantry
Branch at Death: Infantry

Born in 1909, this is the family as at around 1910 - 1912

Person: EVANS, George
Address: 14 Eastgate Terrace

EVANS, William Head Married 7 years M 32 1879 Coal Porter Grimsby
EVANS, Alice Wife Married F 27 1884 Grimsby
EVANS, James Son M 6 1905 Grimsby
EVANS, Lucy Daughter F 4 1907 Grimsby
EVANS, George Son M 2 1909 Grimsby

 

Jim, here is the details for G Evans from the Army ROH, showing that he was from Grimsby.

Name: George Evans
Given Initials: G
Rank: Private
Death Date: Jul 1943
Number: 1488974
Birth Place: Grimsby
Residence: Grimsby
Branch at Enlistment: Infantry
Theatre of War: Sicily
Regiment at Death: Durham Light Infantry
Branch at Death: Infantry

Born in 1909, this is the family as at around 1910 - 1912

Person: EVANS, George
Address: 14 Eastgate Terrace

EVANS, William Head Married 7 years M 32 1879 Coal Porter Grimsby
EVANS, Alice Wife Married F 27 1884 Grimsby
EVANS, James Son M 6 1905 Grimsby
EVANS, Lucy Daughter F 4 1907 Grimsby
EVANS, George Son M 2 1909 Grimsby

Hi Phil,
Thanks mate gives me a little more information and opens a few more options I know in my copy of Roll of Honour Land Forces WW2 (Vol 6) it gives his date of death as ?/7/1943.Theres a Grimsby Roll of Honour at
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LIN/GreatGrimsby/grimsby_ww2_roll.txt
unfortunately he isnt listed.

Jim

 

I want to keep this one going if I can if only to attract the opinions of other members who initially missed it.

I have today forwarded copies of the documents and a brief summary of the correspondence to two former members of the Durham Light Infantry ,a Lt Colonel and a Major,both very much active with the Regimental Association and the `Friends of the Durham Light Infantry` just to see what their opinions are on this summary.Once they reply I`ll post the information here.
Please feel free to post other (relevant ) suggestions.

Jim

 

What an extraordinary case, and some of the comments from CWGC are a little odd.

My feeling from the mention of zipper & studs is that this man was in a Denison smock but it is very hard to be sure with the passage of time. The dental records may prove conclusive for any future research.

I sincerely hope this case won't affect the status of the records this is drawn from. If anyone sees any evidence of this can they please contact me at once.

 

Thought I would seek some advice from the Regimental Association /DLI Friends group sent this asking for advice;-

Sirs, I have attached two documents to this mail which I believe you will
find of interest and I hope you agree the contents are worthy of further investigation.

The documents are a summary of a file released from the National Archives (WO 361) and deal with the activities of `Searcher Parties` who were sent out after the second world war in an effort to find missing British Soldiers.This file summary is in relation to a grave discovered in Sicily on the 13th March 1946. Where a complete skeleton was found,light brown to blonde hair size 9 boots full equipment description etc but what is really significant and relevant is section 7 .`.......

It is this Units belief that the above mentioned casualty is the body of
1488974 Pte Evans.G.DLI 9 Bn who was last seen on the 17.07.1943 at approx Kilo 109 Primisole ridge(?) in close proximity to the enemy,who was counter attacking and also stated to have been KIA on the outskirts of AVONLA`(?)

The second sheet is dental records of this casualty .Pte George EVANS has no known grave and is commemorated on The Cassino Memorial.I have been informed that George was formerly with the Royal Artillery before joining the Durhams and was a native of Grimsby.I have contacted the CWGC regarding this but they have shown no interest in pursuing an investigation stating they are Commemorating not investigating,To be
honest they appear concerned that this information is in the Public Domain and not that the information contained within it may lead to some poor soul being identified at last.They view `belief` is not actual fact but this summary I feel must have originated from a more thorough investigation,would`nt you agree?

I am hoping you can advise as to what the next best course of action maybe I can send these off to the MoD or contact the local press but would value your opinion first not only as representatives of the `Friends of the DLI` but as former Durhams yourselves. I look forward to your views on this matter



Best Wishes

Todate there has been no feedback or reply but it is early days yet.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Second appeal for advice went to `In from the Cold` who were prompt,polite and very helpful

The sad reality is that it is nobody’s responsibility to investigate old cases - except possibly that of the general public.

CWGC is quite correct in that they commemorate casualties and care for their graves. Identification was undertaken by the military and other government departments. If CWGC is given a name by the appropriate authority, they will commemorate as required.

Nowadays, the MoD would be the people to approach but I doubt if much attention would be paid without absolute proof. Hearsay and assumptions will kill a case stone dead. If you have evidence which proves the case, I would contact Veteran Affairs at MoD. The VA website will give all the contact details.

If they are convinced, they may be persuaded to contact CWGC and a ‘Believed to be’ headstone could be erected over the grave. However, be warned, that the evidence would have to be very strong and such investigations often take several years.

Good luck.

Regards

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Then out of the blue came more correspondence from the CWGC which had they sent this originally then I would have been happy that it was being taken seriously!

Dear Mr
I have already spoken with my colleagues at the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre who deal with such cases.

I am sorry that you have seemingly misinterpreted the tone of my correspondence. I am more than happy to pass on the evidence which you have presented for their consideration.

Yours sincerely






Jim

 

I received a further piece of the puzzle today apparently there was further investigation but the summary and dental records were sent for validation to the officer i?c York the reply is sadly (For Pte Evans) not positive.The dental records forwarded show teeth present on the deceased which according to records were removed previous to service.Only now do I see sense in the CWGC statement of causing upset to the family I had my hopes raised I`m sure the same would have been true of any family member who may have been researching him.To find a part file that promised a glimpse into what could have been a great outcome..then to receive this is .....well its self explanatory .....Still disappointed that I got no reply from the DLI Regimental sources


Thanks to all who showed an interest...wonder who this poor lad actually was?
Whoever you are in Catania Grave IV.L.15 rest in peace

 

Jim,
I take it that this last piece of information came either from the same file or from one similar to it?

If so, I'd say that any interests/expectations raised by seeing the first images you posted would have been quickly solved on reading the final piece of the puzzle. A family member would surely be just as satisfied that the proper avenues of investigation were followed and that the correct conclusion was reached.


Hi Diane,
Yes it came from the North Africa/Sicily Searcher Files unfortunately I doubt any relative would have had an expert with Brian Sims knowledge behind them guiding them to the missing pieces
(Thanks Brian.)
I still think theres more investigation files but I cannot argue with the Dental Record outcome.Whatever they contain.

Best Wishes

Jim

 

Hello Jim,

I do know that there were US Paras dropped short and who fought with 6DLI at Avola on 10 July 1943. They actually acted as the 6DLI CO's personal bodyguard for a while before being returned to unit. That said, it is more likely that the 'Evans' jacket was a British Denison and as we know, the British Paras were the first troops at Primosole. Any chance the soldier was a missing Para? If so, is there any information that would be useful in identifying him?

Best,

Steve.

 

Hello Jim,

I do know that there were US Paras dropped short and who fought with 6DLI at Avola on 10 July 1943. They actually acted as the 6DLI CO's personal bodyguard for a while before being returned to unit. That said, it is more likely that the 'Evans' jacket was a British Denison and as we know, the British Paras were the first troops at Primosole. Any chance the soldier was a missing Para? If so, is there any information that would be useful in identifying him?

Best,

Steve.

Hi Steve,
Sadly theres nothing further on this case Pte Evans seems to have been added onto the missing register again and the files move on to the next investigation these files are not DLI related in any way indeed hold only three or four mentions of DLI soldiers and deal generally with the discovery of (often) mass graves and information regarding their occupants demise and more rarely their identification.
Best Wishes
Jim

 

I had a read through (Verrieres) old postings here and despite their negative emails they (CWGC) actually did pass this case on . With nothing further forthcoming they `Rejected` the case for this soldier (Evans) not on `evidence to the contrary` as suggested by the email from York regarding the `missing teeth` but simply because they found the ` Evidence insufficient/inconclusive` . The truth is still out there and despite claiming it isnt their remit the CWGC have been involved in quite a few succesful identifications

Open case files | CWGC

Kyle