Killed in action 16 November 1918

[Mark Abbott]

I have the MM awarded to this chap for gallantry as a sniper in April 1918. Soldiers died show him as having been killed in action on 16th November 1918 and I have always assumed this to be a mistake.

I have today located his service papers on Ancestry and it clearly states in several places that he was kia on the 16th whilst serving with 423 Field Coy. A reference is given: C/1755/59131/18 and the entry is signed by a RE officer.

There is nothing in the units War Diary. Does anyone have any ideas?

Any help welcome!!

Mark

[Mark Abbott]

From Ancestry.co.uk

[John_Hartley]

Mark

Does his place of burial tie in with the war diary location for the 16th? If not, track back in the diary until it does.

In any event, track back the days in the diary to, say, beginning of November, to see when any fatalities are mentioned. Then try and ID them from SDGW and CWGC. If you find one man you can't ID you might have your answer.

Also look for any diary reference for men being detached to another unit and chase down that diary

John

[Stephen Nulty]

May be way off beam here, but what would the classification be for a man who was killed, for example, handling unexploded shells, etc.

SDGW has 146 men shown as KIA on or after 12/11/1918 in F&F

[Mark Abbott]

Stephen,

That was my thought, but there is nothing in the War Diary.

Mark

[Mark Abbott]

Remembered today.