saint venant 1940-------farm boulet

Howdy everyone, this is my first visit and I am hoping that it may prove fruitful. My uncle, Private Anthony Corkhill of the 2nd Btn Durham Light Infantry is buried in an unmarked grave in St Venant, France, having been killed around the 27th May 1940. He was Batman to RSM A.Goddard who last saw him alive on that day. Following fierce overnight fighting, Pte Corkhill was lying, wounded in both legs near the canal as the Germans were rounding up the British who had incurred heavy losses. Although not seriously wounded and fully conscious, Anthony was unable to walk and was unarmed.

The Germans said there was a field ambulance operating nearby and promised to take him to hospital. After the war it transpired that there were no records of Anthony ever being taken to any hospital and no records of him being held in a P O W camp. It would appear that he had been killed by the SS who were patrolling the area at the time.

Amongst the 250 pages of the St Venant War Crimes record there is reference to a British soldier, wounded in both legs, being shot in the head by an SS soldier. The time and location of this shooting was around 12 noon on the 27th May at 'Farm Boulet, St Venant'. I understand that the HQ for the DLI was in a barn situated on an un-named farm. Finding out the whereabouts of Farm Boulet is vital to my enquiries and a major hurdle to overcome before I put all the pieces of the jigsaw together.

I am asking this forum because I believe the RWF had their HQ quite near to the DLI and it may just be possible that someone may have knowledge of the exact location of Farm Boulet. The Boulet family appear to have been well known in St Venant and identifying where they had their farm should not be a major issue. However, the opposite is proving to be the case and I am still no further forward despite having contacted a variety of information sites.

Needless to say, I would be extremely pleased to hear anything that might point me in the right direction. You are very welcome to contact me by email via the editor of this forum. Thank you. TC

In similar circumstances I have always found it productive to write to the Mayor and ask him for help. Have you done that? There is even a form in the internet (http://www.saint-venant.fr/index.php...id=5&Itemid=91). I have some experience with French Mayors and generally find them helpful.

John

Good luck in your quest ....but just a thought have you tried Google earth.... that way you can walk up the streets of St Venant........

Thanks Dennis, your google earth suggestion was indeed a good idea but I'm sure the farm is no longer there. It's probably a takeaway or a bingo hall now!

Thanks again, TC

Baconwallah, thanks John, I've had someone on my behalf email the Deputy Mayor almost two weeks ago. Up to now, no reply, but you never know. I did, about three months ago, email the St Venant Tourist Office but no reply from them. I will try that internet form that you speak of.

Many thanks to you and Dennis for posting quick replies.

This is an entry from 1RWF Records for the 27th May(although the diarist notes it could have been the 26th). It may not assist, but it does give 2DLI's task:

"On the following day, A and C Coys started to move down the road from ST VENANT towards the AIRE Canal. A farmhouse just N of the canal was occupied by the enemy. While A Coy took up a covering position, "C" attempted to clear the farmhouse. At this point enemy opened fire from along the canal bank. Both companies suffered casualties 2Lt S Rillington of C Coy was wounded. Capt Parker-Jervis now decided to withdraw C Coy. The first party under 2Lt Bothy-Jones withdrew in the direction of HAVERSKERQUE as MT guard

HQ Coy meantime, who were still at ST VENANT(cemetery) tried to withdraw under Capt Clough Taylor towards HAVERSKERQUE.
In the course of the withdrawal the coy was suffered heavy casualties from mortar fire and Capt Clough Taylor was killed.

BN HQ, what remained of D Coy, the rest of A and C Coys under Capt ROF Pritchard, were still in the ST VENANT area.

2DLI had meantime been holding the rd ST VENANT-COLOUNNE. A and C Coys were ordered to take up positions on DLI left flank."

I have an e mail addresss for Dominique Faivre who is the Chairman of the St Vennant Historical Research Society. He is very knowledgeable about the St Vennant Battle and will certainly be able to help you with finding the location of the Farm Boulet and the BOulet Family. Try dominique-faivre@wanadoo.fr

Dominique can read English well but does have difficulty writing in English but I know he will do all he can to help. If you need any translation let me know. I will forward him a copy of your initial thread for information.

Robert

Bob, many thanks for taking the time to reply. Last year I was in touch with Dominique Faivre but I was enquiring about my uncle's disappearance in the broadest sense not just the mystery of Farm Boulet When he replied to me he indicated that he would be extremely busy this year with a major project. I intend to get back in touch with him at a later date, possibly soon after I find the location of the farm. Thanks again, I really appreciate your interest and your invitation to help with any translation. Regards, Tony

ap1, many thanks for a swift and comprehensive reply. I expect to reply more fully after I have looked at the map references a few times. Thanks again, Tony.

Further to that on the 28th(Possibly the 27th):

0600 - Bn HQ Suffered a direct hit from arty fire. No further contact was made with Bn HQ. The following officers were reported missing as a result of this action. - Commanding Officer(Lt-Col Harrison) 2i/c (Maj D I Owens), Adjutant(Capt Hood), IO(Capt Willes), MO, Padre and RSM(Mr Sheriff).

The following officers are known to have been taken prisoner- 2i/c, Padre, IO, RSM

0700- DLI decided to withdraw. Enemy tanks overran the position as soon as it had been vacated. Bridge at ST VENANT, which had been mined, was blown. Troops of A and D Coys had to swim the canal. Tanks firing along the canal bank inflicted about 30% casualties on these troops as they made for the near bank. Those who got across made their way to HAVERSKERQUE and contacted the R.W Kents, who were to relieve the BN. Bde Comdr now decided to make for LA MOTTE, beyond FORET DE NIEPPE. Just south of FORET and to the E of the road, automatic fire from enemy tanks inflicted a further 20% casualties. At this stage a Coy of the Manchester Regt who were in support had only one MG left in action. From LA MOTTE, Bde group moved to VERTE RUE, where it lay up for the night.