22972513 Cpl DJ Humphreys MM

[ap1]

Picked this up off Beefy's Royal Welsh Part One Orders, it deserves its own thread, can any of our many "Old Sweats" help out on this search:

22972513 Cpl DJ Humphreys MM (gained with the 2nd Bn RWF in Malaya on 16Sept 1956) and died during the EOKA campaign, if anyone knows the whereabouts of where he was laid to rest could they please let the Forum know.

[Bob Bacon]

No idea yet of where he was buried, but he died on 12 Nov 1956. (He drove over a pressure mine on the Polystipos/Khandria road)

[ap1]

Pretty sad if we can't answer this one.

Just a quick question for the guys who were serving at this time. Were any of the killed in action repatriated back to the UK, or were they always buried in situ?

[Smokeyjoe]

Al,
I am sure that I have seen a photograph of a headstone similar to a war grave in design with Cpl Humpreys name on it, I will ask at our comrades meeting which is this Friday and try to get an answer from a couple of our members who served at the time.
Regards,
Joe.

[ap1]

Thanks for that Joe,

Just to paint a better picture for members:

Cpl Humphreys was a Section Commander with 10 Pl D Coy 1RWF. On the 12 Nov 1958 he was returning to base with his vehicle mounted platoon, after destroying an EOKA munitions dump, when the convoy was ambushed on a cliff road near Polystipos.

The lead Veh was allowed to pass the ambush point, and the explosives were detonated under the second vehicle, killing Cpl Humphreys and wounding 9 others, Lcpl Bryant, Fusiliers Bolton, Parton, Jones 14, Porter, Meacock, Morris 32, Marine Ivel and an interepreter.
(Source: Gen Riley Vol 6 Regimental records).

Strange that when you start looking at these individual actions, how names appear who's existence you were already aware of. Even though you never served with them.

[BennytheBall]

Al,Bob,
Cpl Humphreys DereK , Killed in Action in Cyprus his grave is in MOLD Cememtary near my father in laws grave

[Bob Bacon]

I have searched the CWGC site and there is no record of Humphreys being buried in Cyprus. I have also been in touch with a David Carter, Britain's Small Wars and a weekly columnist for CYPRUS TODAY. His reply is shown below:

"I am surprised that HUMPREYS was not buried in Wayne's Keep
Military Cemetery, Nicosia, Cyprus, but the authorities may have felt he
deserved to be brought home to be laid to rest because of Military Medal.

Unfortunately I do not have details of any vets' burial places in the UK,
but I feel certain his old regiment will be able to provide details."

[Bob Bacon]

Al,Bob,
Cpl Humphreys DereK , Killed in Action in Cyprus his grave is in MOLD Cememtary near my father in laws grave

Wonderful, Benny. Thank you. Would it be possible to take a photograph of the Headstone, if there is one?

Is this the address of the cemetery?

Cemetery Superintendent: Arfon Williams-Cooke

The Lodge,
Mold Cemetery,
Alexandra Road,
Mold,
Flintshire.
CH7 1HJ

Telephone: 01352 753820

[BennytheBall]

Bob
Yes the address is correct, I'm visiting my father in laws grave this weekend and will try and take a photograph of Derecks headstone as he does have a nice stone with the RWF cap badge on it.

Yours

Benny the Ball

[beefy22]

benny,
a picture would be great, and will be passed onto the RSM. thanks

[Bob Bacon]

I have also been in touch with a David Carter, Britain's Small Wars and a weekly columnist for CYPRUS TODAY.

I have updated David with the whereabouts of Cpl Humphreys' grave as he has an interest in those soldiers that died in Cyprus. He has replied:

"Bob, Thanks for coming back so swiftly. I look forward to seeing Humphreys' headstone and I will look up your site.

I was in conversation the other day with the relatives of an HLI soldier who died in Cyprus. To bring his body back for burial in Glasgow, the family had to raise £119 to pay the 'War Office'/MoD. Quite a lot of money in 1956, when some houses cost no more than £250."

Regards, David

You can visit the small-wars website by clicking here (http://www.britains-smallwars.com/cyprus/ROH.htm)

[Rog Ball 01]

Al, Was the Fus Bolton, who ended up as CSgt Pat Bolton?

[dai hood]

fus parton is my uncle ,hes my mams brother, i remember her telling me the story when i was younger and he got wounded in the leg,He still lives in the shotton area.

[jungle1810]

Hello All,
Re Humphreys M.M. I have spoken to ex C.S.M. MacCormack and he was fairly sure Humphreys was repatriated. He thought he lived in Chirk but was sure he lived in North Wales.
Regards Don

[jungle1810]

Hello,
Just had a phone call from CSM MacCormack. Humphreys was buried in Waynes Keep Nicosia. Then his body was repatriated to Mold.
Regards Don