Pippa1 Posted 10 June , 2010 Share Posted 10 June , 2010 At the risk of being told I have posted in the wrong place, and/or that the subject was covered several eons back. I must admit I cannot find it In September I and my wife and daughter plan to be at the Menin Gate. All I know of my Uncle is: William Gordon ROBERTS Regt. No. 6483 KIA 20th September 1917 Panel 7 - 17 - 23 - 25 - 27 - 29 - 31. YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL It is this last bit that has me perplexed. I was told that among other things the various numbers refer to his unit. Can any of the members enlighted me as to what the actual numbers mean. Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headgardener Posted 10 June , 2010 Share Posted 10 June , 2010 Panel 7 - 17 - 23 - 25 - 27 - 29 - 31. YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL It is this last bit that has me perplexed. I was told that among other things the various numbers refer to his unit. Can any of the members enlighted me as to what the actual numbers mean The numbers refer to the various panels on the Menin Gate on which the various members of your uncle's regiment (possibly several hundred, or more, names) are commemorated (i.e. panels 7 to 17, panels 23 to 25, etc). Your uncle's name will be on one of them, you just can't tell which one until you go there. Or until someone here enlightens us all........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headgardener Posted 10 June , 2010 Share Posted 10 June , 2010 The numbers refer to the various panels on the Menin Gate..... (i.e. panels 7 to 17, panels 23 to 25, etc) It could also be panel 7, panel 17, panel 23, etc..... Either one or t'other. It definately refers to the panels on the Gate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_hughes Posted 10 June , 2010 Share Posted 10 June , 2010 The panel numbers quoted aren't just for the 6th Australian Infantry but all the AIF battalions. Logic would suggest that because the arrangement is in numerical order of battalion, the 6th will be close to the start of the sequence. The dead are listed by battalion, then by rank, then in alphabetical sequence within each rank. If you enter the Gate from the town end, Panel 7 will be the third on your left (order runs 3,5,7), just before the central steps. If you need to go to panel 17, this is literally just around the corner, beside where the steps go up to your left. If you still need to go on to find the 6th's entries, the remaining Australian panels are again just on the left hand walls as you reach the top (where a stand of wreaths may be) and keep following the steps round. You can in fact keep going right around that stairwell section to the other side and almost back to the wreaths before the Australian names end. I'll only add that the names on the 2 panels under the main Arch are blackened-in and easy to read. Once you reach the wreaths, all those other panels are exposed to the elements and in my opinion look a bit faded and streaked in places. Enjoy your trip - it's a moving experience to stand under the archway, and more so if you can attend the Last post in the evening. LST_164 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralphjd Posted 10 June , 2010 Share Posted 10 June , 2010 Bill. Your Uncles records are available on the National Archives Australian Imperial Forces site, 36 pages (some duplicated) he was born Lockwood Victoria, enlisted 22-9-16 and was killed two days short of this anniversary, his number was 6840 not 6483. Regards. Ralph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headgardener Posted 10 June , 2010 Share Posted 10 June , 2010 ......enlisted 22-9-19 and was killed two days short of this anniversary.............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralphjd Posted 10 June , 2010 Share Posted 10 June , 2010 WHOOPS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinBattle Posted 10 June , 2010 Share Posted 10 June , 2010 Hello and welcome billgw: I'm sure you already have your itinerary planned, but don't be shy to ask away here if there are any specific places to stay, visit or do are required! Name: ROBERTS, WILLIAM GORDON Initials: W G Nationality: Australian Rank: Private Regiment/Service: Australian Infantry, A.I.F. Unit Text: 6th Bn. Date of Death: 20/09/1917 Service No: 6840 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 7 - 17 - 23 - 25 - 27 - 29 - 31. Memorial: YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL Panel Numbers quoted at the end of each entry relate to the panels dedicated to the Regiment with which the casualty served. In some instances, where a casualty is recorded as attached to another Regiment, his name may appear within their Regimental Panels. Please refer to the on-site Memorial Register Introduction. The Addenda Panel lists those service personnel whose details are awaiting addition to the Regimental Panels. All odd panel numbers are on the North side of the road and even numbers are located on the South side of the road. Steps on either side of the memorial leading to the rear of the memorial, make wheelchair access to the rear impossible. There is however, a slope at the side of the memorial which gives wheelchair users some access but due to the incline, it may not be possible to ascend/descend unaided. (Ralph's comment obviously should therefore read 1916) He was one of 40 casualties that day, so you may be interested in the other comrades attached. No doubt other Pals will be able to detail some of the action surrounding their loss. Have a good trip and keep in touch! 6th_Battn_Casualties_20_09_1917.doc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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