Harold Edgar Priestley (RAMC)

[Simon Mills]

A slightly unusual one, this, but one of my current lines of research concerns one Major Harold Edgar Priestley (RAMC), who was awarded the CMG for his services in the Wittenberg prisoner of war camp. He later served on the hospital ship Britannic and was mentioned in despatches when the ship was sunk. He eventually retired due to ill health, having reached the rank of lieutenant colonel, in 1932.

For the most part my research is now largely complete, but try as I might I cannot find any indication as to where he is actually buried. What I can say with reasonable confidence is that he died in Yateley (Hampshire) on 16th March 1941 but none of the local cemeteries, etc. seem to have any record as to where he was actually buried.

Can anyone help?

S.

[ralphjd]

Have you tried the local paper obituary section this nearly always quotes the place of internment. Ralph.

[seaJane]

Yately is not so very far from the Army Medical Services Museum; someone there might know.

[CGM]

Hi,

I have PM'd you re Reading Crematorium.

CGM

[Simon Mills]

Dear all,

Many thanks for your very quick responses on this.

Ralph: No, I hadn't tried the local newspapers, but I had been in touch with some individuals from the local Yateley Historical Society, but they couldn't help.

seaJane: Good thought, but I did try them a year or so back. Captain Peter Starling has been incredibly helpful in the past (they now retain most of Priestley's papers and medals, by the way) but unfortunately the one thing they didn't have were any details of the burial.

CGM: That is very interesting. The age at Reading says 60 although in fact Priestley was 62, but the fact that we have identical names only two days apart is pretty good primary evidence. It is definitely worth looking in to after Christmas.

Many thanks again to all.

Simon.

[Simon Mills]

Dear CGM,

Just a quick note to let you know that I heard back from Reading Crematorium earlier this afternoon. It would appear that the birth date they have in their records is wrong (not that it matters all that very much after seventy-odd years) but the good news is that they have confirmed that the Harold Priestley who was cremated there in 1941 is the same Harold Priestley that I had been seeking. He's not actually buried there as his ashes were apparently collected by the funeral director, but at least the last piece in the puzzle has now been found.

Many thanks for your help and Happy New Year!

Simon.

[CGM]

That is good news. I am glad to have been able to help.

And a Happy New Year to you

CGM

[nzclover]

On 29/12/2011 at 10:33, Simon Mills said:

Dear CGM,

Just a quick note to let you know that I heard back from Reading Crematorium earlier this afternoon. It would appear that the birth date they have in their records is wrong (not that it matters all that very much after seventy-odd years) but the good news is that they have confirmed that the Harold Priestley who was cremated there in 1941 is the same Harold Priestley that I had been seeking. He's not actually buried there as his ashes were apparently collected by the funeral director, but at least the last piece in the puzzle has now been found.

Many thanks for your help and Happy New Year!

Simon.

Hi Simon, I came across this post while researching (for genealogical purposes), Harold Edgar Priestley. I believe his wife, Katherine Mowbray Maxwell, was my first cousin 3x removed (although I am waiting on documents to confirm this) I would love to read what you have researched about Harold if you don't mind sharing. 

[Simon Mills]

Dear nzclover,

 

It's been quite a while since I last went through my Priestley file but I think I still have much of the information. FYI, this is a photograph of Katherine.

 

[nzclover]

Oh wow! That is incredible and very unexpected. Thank you so much for that. I will message you my email if you do find more information. Or you can use my username here at gmail. Appreciate this a lot. Thanks, Sarah