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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:


Marilyne

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I have one question: on all websites about Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Poperinghe I find the same thing: there is one non-war burial on the cemetery.

I did not record that info during my visit.

can somebody help me out and tell me who this is and how it comes he is on that cemetery???

Thanks.

MM.

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Marlyne,

I believe it is Thomas McGrath, a Sergeant with the Chinese Labour Corps during the war, later working for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Thomas died on the 23rd April 1920.

R'ds

Sajackr

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Thanks for the answer,

Are you sure?? The only Thomas McGrath on Lijssenthoek, according to the CWGC database died in 1916...

MM.

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Does that medal card really say "Deserted 17/9/19"?

Seems a bit cruel to withold medals on that basis as it was after hostilities ceased. (Yes, I do appreciate I am being naieve here). Who was the enemy at that time?

Would love to know the story as to why he ran away!

Regards

Ian

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Does that medal card really say "Deserted 17/9/19"?

Seems a bit cruel to withold medals on that basis as it was after hostilities ceased. (Yes, I do appreciate I am being naieve here). Who was the enemy at that time?

Would love to know the story as to why he ran away!

Regards

Ian

Quite a few men deserted after the Armistice and although medals were initially withheld, many got them in the 1930s after attitudes had softened. All they needed to do was to sign a form admitting their crime and no further action was taken against them. I presume many thought that they'd signed on for the duration of the War and wanted to get their lives back once the fighting had stopped.

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