Pte W. J.Cornish 6Btn Somerset Light Infantry

[brimacombe]

Hey guys

Have recently 'discovered' a 'new' 'Holsworthy Boy' to add to me Roll -

27955 Pt William John CORNISH - 6thBtn Somerset Light infantry

Who died on 19 January 1919 and is buried at Niederzwehren Cemetery, Germany - one of the four main cemeteries into which commonwealth service men were brought (from other gravesites) throughout Germany.

Now, it's likely W.J.C. died of influenza (but not confirmed yet) BUT I'm just wondering if he was in Germany with the Battalion and died whilst with them (I can't confirm a location for the unit in late 1918/early 1919) OR was a repatriated POW who had died after release but before returning to the UK.

Would be grateful for your thoughts as always...

[brimacombe]

Any SLI experts out there with any thoughts on this one....?

[dave ricketts]

No SLI expert, but as I read the main site 6/SLI were part of 16 Division at the end of the War. As far as I can see the Divisional summaries on the LLT mention those Divisions which were selected for the Army of Occupation, and this isn't mentioned for 16 Division.

I would have thought he was probably a PoW, as I note that 6/SLI were returned to UK for re-building in 1918 (presumably as a result of a rough time) before rejoining 16 Division in the Summer of 1918.

I am sure a 16 Div expert can confirm whether they were in Germany.

Cheers,

Dave

[sotonmate]

shawndymond

It occurred to me that there might be a note on the MIC if he was a POW,I see that now and then. But not this one. I didn't find an SDGW entry either !

Sotonmate

[brimacombe]

Thanks Dave

Sotonmate - I dont think he appears in SDGW - cut-off dates seem a bit odd for SDGW and, I guess because he didn't die until early 1919 he wasn't included (and yet I have another individual who died the following month - in a different unit - who IS included on SDGW!)

I guess there isnt a definitive way that I can ascertain if he was in captivity....