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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

conflicting dates of death


private78245

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My grandfather , Pte. Benjamin Thomas Corbett 3732, also known as Thomas Franklin,

was reported missing on 18/19 th Dec 1914. Paper work to his wife supports this.

In Those Who Died he is reported to have died on 3rd July 1915. Regimental records

show btn not in action around this date in July 1915.

I have gone through possible capture with regard to Red Cross pow records and sources who both stick to their records as being correct.

Can anyone help?

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It sounds like a mistake in "Soldiers Died...." I'm not sure if you know this already, but The Commonwealth war Graves Commission records agree with your information. The CWGC records this soldier as

CORBETT, BENJAMIN THOMAS

Initials: B T

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment: Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Unit Text: 2nd Bn.

Age: 35

Date of Death: 18/12/1914

Service No: 3732

Additional information: Husband of Edith Mary Corbett, of 1 Back, 5, Ingleby St., Birmingham.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 2 and 3.

Cemetery: PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL

Tom

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It sounds like a mistake in "Soldiers Died...."

Hi, thanks for that. I must admit, it's the conclusion i have come to. but you never know

Dave.

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I have a similar mystery to this. Sgt J. Hughes (8799) 1/Kings Own (Royal Lancaster) Rgt went missing on the night of 2/3 March 1915 along with my Grandfather Sgt Henry Houghton (6704) 1/KO.

SDGW & CWGC give Henry as died 4/3/1915 and Sgt Hughes as died 22/3/1915.

A court of enquiry on 8/3/1915 shows neither man had been seen or heard of since. K.O medal rolls give Henry as DOW, yet all other sources give both men as KIA.

Given the attention of the enquiry I would have thought 22/3/1915 for Sgt Hughes was more than a "bit" out.

Any ideas anyone ?

Regards, peteg

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hello all

This will probably cause a lot of confusion !!!!!

In the Birmingham Daily Post casualty list published on 16 June 1915 there is listed:- Pte B Corbett 3732 2nd Bn RWR Missing.

Regards

Terry

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Pals,

I realise the date disparities discount it, but quite often the Army used a statement such as "death accepted as having occured on 'such and such a date' for official purposes". This could be due to uncertainty as to what happened to a person during a confused and prolonged period of fighting, such as a fighting withdrawal. Further complications ensue when it was known that a person was wounded and couldn't be got away and had to be left to the tender mercies of the enemy.

Is there perhaps any mileage in the fact that your grandfather seemingly used an alias. It is not unheard of for two soldiers details to get mixed up, particularly if one was using an alias?

Regards

Steve

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