Youngest known WW2 British casualty identified Reggie Earnshaw 14 years of age

Discussion in 'The War at Sea' started by CL1, Feb 5, 2010.

  1. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

  2. LesCM19

    LesCM19 "...lets rock!"

    James S likes this.
  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I heard this today on the radio.....They aired a part interview of his mate who set about finding him. Very emotional.
     
  4. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Also aired this morning on the BBC World Service.

    What a sacrifice.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  5. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

  6. Plumer

    Plumer Junior Member

    Just seen it on Sky News. Unbelievable news after all these years. RIP soldier.
     
  7. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    I was honoured to attend this service today at Comely Bank Cemetery along with Billy McGee, Roger Griffiths, Ray Buck and Bill Watt. We have been researching the tragic circumstances of this young boy's death for some time now and provided the evidence proving that he was the youngest known service casualty of WWII - his age 14 years and 152 days.

    I was present last year for the unveiling of his headstone see details here: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-cemeteries-war-memorial-research/20127-youngest-brit-die-wwii-given-proper-resting-place.html

    Lest We Forget :poppy:

    Regards
    Hugh
     
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  8. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    A very worthy dollop of rep added......Very well done Hugh !
     
  9. Gage

    Gage The Battle of Barking Creek

    Also saw this on news this morning. Thought provoking. Awfully young.
     
  10. China Hand

    China Hand No Longer A Forum Member

    Just seen on BBC Scotland this evening - very good report. I noticed his sister was presented (by RBLS ?) with three campaign medals to which he would have been entitled - Defence Medal, and two others I did not quite see properly in the short clip - I think. Great work by Hugh MacLean and Alf Tubb !

    A quick search on Google News shows it has been picked up by worldwide press agencies including AP, UPI, and AFP...so I suspect it will get very substantial coverage as it such a wonderful story.
     
  11. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    The story received good coverage in Yorkshire too on the local news as he was from Dewsbury, West Yorks.
     
  12. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Just seen on BBC Scotland this evening - very good report. I noticed his sister was presented (by RBLS ?) with three campaign medals to which he would have been entitled - Defence Medal, and two others I did not quite see properly in the short clip - I think.

    Billy McGee organised the medals and the framing and presented them to Reginald's sister, Pauline Harvey.

    The medals were the 1939 - 45 Star, The Atlantic Star and the War Medal.

    I took some photos but were not the best - Billy may post some later.

    Regards
    Hugh
     
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  13. Billy McGee

    Billy McGee Senior Member

    I was proud to attend the service in Edinburgh yesterday for Reggie and had the privilege to present his sister with his medal entitlement. It has been forwarded on to me and been noted that the events of the service had been reported by some 234 media sources worldwide, including a piece in the Washington Post. It is also reported the Edinburgh City Council is considering including Reggie's story in the school curriculum. Surely a long needed eye opener to those who still have no knowledge of the role played by the MN during war and that the act of remembrance is never to late to commemorate.

    After over four years research on finding Reggie and having him accepted by the CWGC it was the first time we had all met together.

    Left to right Hugh MacLean, Roger Griffiths, Ray Buck & Billy McGee
     

    Attached Files:

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  14. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Even though I had no involvement in this fantastic piece of research it makes me quite proud to know that this 'Pidgeon' is amongst such 'Eagles' on this forum.

    Regards
    Andy
     
  15. China Hand

    China Hand No Longer A Forum Member

    Thanks for the additional info and pics, Hugh and Billy - fantastic work ! Interesting that Edinburgh Council is considering it for the curriculum - given the august body's rather less supportive attitude to such matters at times in the past. Another great result.
     
  16. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Great job Hugh, Billy and I just read the story in todays Daily Mirror.
     
  17. RJL

    RJL Senior Member

  18. arkrite

    arkrite Senior Member

    There are a few comments there I think are ill informed and some flippant. I only like the Daily Mail for its crossword and Garfield cartoon. You can keep the rest. Would the lad have to give a false age ? A School Leaving Certificate would be issued in his 14th year.
     
  19. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    RJL,
    The comment by Peter Tyson typifies for me why so many of us feel aggrieved at the lack of recognition given to the MN. His ignorance is beyond words.
    Regards
    Hugh
     
  20. Billy McGee

    Billy McGee Senior Member

    I posted a reply on to that thread earlier today, but is not showing yet
     

    Attached Files:

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