Killed in France

[Swally]

Guys I need your help,

My great Uncle was born in 1892 and either joined up or was conscripted for the Great War. He was killed in France (inscription on his mother & fathers gravestone) but there is no mention of him in CWWGC site.......... strange.

I wouldn't imagine that he was brought home and buried would you?

The inscription states he was killed on 12th May 1917, his father was a Thomas Alexander haulage contractor / farmer and they stayed in Bo'ness near Falkirk.

any help would be appreciated,

Ally

[Terry Denham]

Ally

He is in the CWGC list - or at least a very good candidate.

Perhaps the date is wrong on the grave - many are.

ALEXANDER, ROBERT

Private 39312 Royal Scots "A" Coy. 16th Bn. Died 13/05/1918 Age 27

NIEDERZWEHREN CEMETERY, Germany Grave X. B. 6.

Died of wounds

Son of Thomas and Mary Alexander, of Bo'ness, West Lothian; husband of Joan C. Alexander, of 68, South Brae Drive, Jordan Hill, Glasgow.

SDGW has the same date as CWGC

Seems he died as a PoW. The relatives could easily have been unaware of this if he had been declared 'missing' or they did not know where he was held prisoner. Often people at home referred to anywhere on the Western Front as 'France'.

No men were repatriated to the UK after mid-1915 and no 'Other Ranks' were at all (except possibly the Unknown Soldier).

[paul guthrie]

The unknown warrior could be an officer. If so no OR men were returned.

[Malcolm]

Surname ALEXANDER

Firstname Robert

Service number 39312

Date of death 13/05/1918

Decoration

Place of birth Bo'ness

Other 16th Bn. formerly 22229. 5th Res. Cavalry.

SNWM roll THE ROYAL SCOTS (LOTHIAN REGIMENT)

Rank Pte

Theatre of death F.& F.

Aye

Malcolm

[ianw]

Quite possible that the information from Malcolm's source was latterly used on the Mother & Fathers gravestone and the France and Flanders error perpetuated.

I must say that I feel particularly sorry for those whose loved one's died in captivity in Germany. So much further to go to visit the graves and in a potentially hostile environment as well.

[Swally]

Guys thanks,

I widened the search myself and stumbled apon his grave at CWWGC

I presume that maybe this was the date he went missing and presummed dead and this was the info sent home to parents.

That's brilliant this is my first success

Bingo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ally

[ianw]

Ally - a trip to Germany on the cards ? You will almost certainly be the first family member to visit, I suppose. I hope you can make it.

[jamiemcginlay]

Here's a picture of the Bo'ness war memorial. The names on the bronze tablet are in alphabetical order and Robert Alexander is the fourth name listed at the top left of tablet.

[Swally]

Jamie,

thanks,

I have a picture of the monument and a good close up.

I can only imagine that the date on the gravestone is when he was presumed dead missing in action.

But what a result

Thanks

Ally