flintman Posted 9 May , 2016 Share Posted 9 May , 2016 Hello Forum Experts. I have a mystery to solve. 7124 -(7124 a) - MT/Driver R West - ALIAS - He served as West but his name was Richard West Witham Date of death "between 9/11/1919 - 10/11/1919 Buried Tincourt Cemetary He was born Dukinfield and his father lived in Blackpool in 1920. I have his service records - he was aged 38 at time of death. His cause of death = "KILLED BY CIVILIAN FRANCE NIGHT OF 9/10 NOVEMBER 1919". ? Serial numbers C.I.B.L. 3669 I.B.826 MR(?) 1046 These appear against the entry ? ( Key to records or cause of death ?) As he was "killed" and buried in France would there have been a court of inquiry/Inquest into his death in England, France or Australia ? If so, any idea where I can obtain these records ? I would like to know the cause of his death and whether it was EG: Road traffic accident,crime of passion, murder or assault. ? PS: He still got his trio and death plaque (or at least his father did !) I would like to find out how he met his death almost 1 year after the war had finished in France ? If any one can help me with the location and likelihood of any official records being available and where I might find them I would be very grateful. I can of course try and find a report in the news papers at some stage but official records might be easier to track down ? (I can't think this is a simple road traffic accident given the wording but I suppose he could have been run over by a vehicle driven by a french civilian or something ? What do you think ? Thanks for any help or thoughts on this man. Regards Clive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 9 May , 2016 Share Posted 9 May , 2016 According to the unit diary it was murder. I can't post a link at the mo but will do later when I'm back on dry land Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPT Posted 9 May , 2016 Share Posted 9 May , 2016 Is this the relevant page, Mr dubaya? - https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/bundled/RCDIG1018433.pdf I wonder if Miss Rout was involved Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 9 May , 2016 Share Posted 9 May , 2016 Indeed t'is the page. Interesting date and unit mentioned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPT Posted 9 May , 2016 Share Posted 9 May , 2016 Dowdey's papers show that he was shot in the thigh during the incident, and spent seven weeks in hospital - http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3518411 French Cafe Fracas - http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/131157639?searchTerm=%22dowdey%22&searchLimits=sortby=dateAsc|||l-decade=191|||l-year=1919 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 9 May , 2016 Share Posted 9 May , 2016 Nice find...one has to chuckle at Motor Transport Flompany though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frev Posted 10 May , 2016 Share Posted 10 May , 2016 Another link to a newspaper article describing the incident: http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/15880715 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flintman Posted 10 May , 2016 Author Share Posted 10 May , 2016 Thank you all for your help on this one. Brilliant response which supports my belief there was a more interesting story behind the privately made plaque I acquired for this man. I will still try and locate official records following this mans death and post any additional information here. Again - many thanks to you all. Clive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trenchman Posted 5 March , 2019 Share Posted 5 March , 2019 (edited) Don't know whether this is still relevant or not but there is additional material on the incident in AWM4 25/1/26 Director of Mechanical Transport, Nov-Dec 1919 including further details on the nefarious Miss Rout! Miss Ettie Anne Rout was a most interesting person was later vilified in New Zealand for her work and publications on sexually transmitted diseases! Edited 5 March , 2019 by Trenchman Information missed out and now added Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flintman Posted 29 April , 2019 Author Share Posted 29 April , 2019 Thanks for this entry Trenchman. Any chance of a link or copy entry? Not sure how to find this ? would like to find out the sentences handed down to Frenchmen ! Was the Guillotine still in use then I wonder. ? Thanks again - Clive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trenchman Posted 29 April , 2019 Share Posted 29 April , 2019 Here you go... https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1353509 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Clifton Posted 29 April , 2019 Share Posted 29 April , 2019 2 hours ago, flintman said: Was the Guillotine still in use then I wonder. ? It was still in use until 1977. Wikipedia has the details. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flintman Posted 21 May , 2019 Author Share Posted 21 May , 2019 Thanks Ron. I havnt found any additional information yet but will be revisiting this interesting story soon. Clive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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