Andy Goff Posted 17 January , 2008 Share Posted 17 January , 2008 My Great Uncle, Sapper Gordon Dakin of the Royal Engineers, was buried here. Killed 3rd May 1917 click here And this was taken in 1999 click here CWGC record here My second cousin writes I have found a war diary 1914-1918 of 560(Hants) Army Troops Coy.,R.E. this gives an account of the action on the day that Gordon Dakin was killed. The diary was compiled by a Capt.S.C. Carter R.E. who was a former C.O of above Company in 1923. There are pictures of twelve members of that Coy. who fell in the Great War, one of which is of Gordon P.M. Dakin, but his is the only one that is not taken in uniform, all the others are. There is also a hand written letter to Granny Dakin dated 20th April 1925 from the above S.C.Carter., Capt R.E. accompanying the diary and thanking her for the loan of and Returning the photo she had lent them, ie the one in civilian clothes included in the diary. It would seem from that there may not have been any photo of him in uniform.? link to photo of Sapper Dakin in civvies here And this was taken by his mother, my Great Grandmother click here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianw Posted 17 January , 2008 Share Posted 17 January , 2008 Andy - Thanks for taking the time to post this. I am most interested in early grave and cemetery photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Goff Posted 18 January , 2008 Author Share Posted 18 January , 2008 Andy - Thanks for taking the time to post this. I am most interested in early grave and cemetery photos. Good, I'm pleased to know these were of interest. Thanks a lot Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Robertson Posted 18 January , 2008 Share Posted 18 January , 2008 Andy, Thanks for posting these. as you will see from my signature my great uncle is also buried in this cemetery along with one of his comrades who was killed by the same stray shell. Ian W see attached photo of Tom Wilkie's original grave marker. It was replaced, I think, in 1923. regards Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Goff Posted 18 January , 2008 Author Share Posted 18 January , 2008 Hi Ian, Interesting picture. I'll dig out some more of my pictures and get scanning. My expertise on WWI is as nothing compared to some on this forum but I have spent many hours wandering around various sites and always deeply moved. Best Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Goff Posted 24 January , 2008 Author Share Posted 24 January , 2008 Sorry, I'm struggling with the inputting pictures bit so I'll put links in instead. 11 Nov 1997 parade in the cemetary A view of the French section 11 Nov 1997 Taken 11 Nov 1997 Regards Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Gower Posted 29 January , 2008 Share Posted 29 January , 2008 The official card with an original grave marker photo suggests the question: are the negatives, or copies of these photos, held anywhere. I have also read that all the Canadian graves were photographed, and have seen a similar card from Ottawa. Is there a treasure trove somewhere? Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Goff Posted 30 January , 2008 Author Share Posted 30 January , 2008 Hi Peter, The card I have was sent to my great grandmother - but from where? You raise an interesting question. There was obviously an official policy about supplying notices to loved ones. I also wonder if the trip my Gt Grandmother made to see the grave was formally organised or just a trip she decided to make off her own bat, so to speak. They were not a wealthy family and I reckon a trip abroad was quite a major event. Did the War Office organise an official visit for bus loads of relatives. How did they travel and which sea crossing as used? Best Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Robertson Posted 5 February , 2008 Share Posted 5 February , 2008 Andy, Many thanks for posting the links to the recent pictures of this cemetery. Peter, The picture of Tom Wilkie's original marker was mounted in a folded card and protected by tissue. I THINK it was an official picture from the War department after the war but I'm not absolutely sure. There was an official notification from the authorities when the permanent marker was errected in 1923. A photograph of this was obtained by my grandmother's newphew in the sixties and he arranged that through thE British Legion when he was an official. Foriegn travel for Tom's relatives was not an option (unless you count the ones that emigrated) regards Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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