Register of Soldiers Effects JH Parker 20352 50th Bn MGC

[wibs]

Hi,

 

RE: John Henry Parker  (23532) 50th Bn Machine Gun Corps

 

The CWGC has the above soldier as killed in action 27 May 1918. He is on the memorial at Soissons.

 

Can anyone help with the entry below from the Register of Soldiers Effects....... under the column 'Date and Place of Death' it states 'on or since PW Germany'.

 

1. What does the PW refer to
2. If he's memorialised in Soissons, why would the register note he died in Germany?.... thought most soldiers were on memorials relatively close to where they were killed?
3. I can't trace the war diary for 50th Bn MGC in May 1918.... can find April, looks like they re-orged in May..?.. any idea's on where to find relevant war diary appreciated

 

Thanks in advance

 

Paul

[charlie2]

Paul

The ICRC files record that his pay/smallbook was sent to the German Central Office for Effects without any further information. https://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Details/5416936/3/2/

I suspect his body was found and buried by the Germans or he died shortly after falling into German hands and his grave was later lost. His book was sent in by the echelon kommandants office for Glennes, which would be where he was found/died. PW would normally stand for Prisoner of War.
 

Charlie

[kenf48]

3 hours ago, wibs said:

I can't trace the war diary for 50th Bn MGC in May 1918.... can find April, looks like they re-orged in May..?.. any idea's on where to find relevant war diary appreciated

At TNA https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7354697

free to download if you register

 

On Ancestry May 1918 starts here if you subscribe

 

Killed (or as Charlie puts it 'fell into German hands)  27 May 1918 first day of German Offensive 'Blucher - York' aka Third Battle of the Aisne.

As he has no known grave he is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial with 121 of his comrades from the MGC  who were killed that day and who also have no known grave.

[wibs]

Hi both........... just fabulous stuff thank you! 

 

Have had a look at the war diary and surprisingly it describes the first day of the 3rd Battle of Aisne in just the one sentence "at 1am a heavy bombardment was launched across the entire Corps front line and the enemy attacked in great strength"..... masters of understatement our British officer types!

 

Cracking shout re the ICRC, wouldn't have even thought to look there.

 

I'm researching x4 Parker brothers who all served (two killed in action) so may well be back for more help.

 

Thanks again,

 

Paul

[kenf48]

40 minutes ago, wibs said:

at 1am a heavy bombardment was launched across the entire Corps front line and the enemy attacked in great strength"..... masters of understatement our British officer types!

 While not denying that, there was an Appendix 'narrative' which appears to be missing.

 

Might be worth looking at the next level diaries e.g. more or less  at random 150 Infantry Brigade HQ has a narrative and map of their positions on the 27th May here on Ancestry there may be more on the 149 and 151 Brigade diaries.