Thanks for the info, Jim. I do realise that it's a big job. Still, it's been done before, so...
A copy of the 2 DLI WD for say 25 May (or whenever they first moved to the St Floris - St Venant sector) to 27 May would certainly help. Could you post that or email it to me, please? And the testimony of M Boulet and his maid?
If anyone on the Forum has the 1 RWF WD for the same period, that too would be much appreciated. Al perhaps?
I'm pleased that Verrieres has reigned us in a little. To be honest, I was getting a little carried away and I think that once your hopes are built up, it is easier to take the route that you'd prefer to take rather than the one that you should take. I have been trying to email you and Jack a copy of the St Venant War Crimes, or at least the page that this quest is based on. That is, case No 6, a British soldier, wounded in both legs, being shot in the head by an SS soldier on the land of Farm Boulet. There were two witnesses, Mr Victor Boulet aged 64 and a 20 year old girl. This British soldier was, after about three days, buried on the Robecq Road. Two years later his body (and others)was exhumed in the presence of a pathologist who took notes regarding each body. I believe that these pathologists reports are still in the custody of St Venant council officials. There is a record of where each body lay before exhumation.
If the reports say that soldier No 6 had wounds to both legs, a flesh wound to the neck and a final gunshot wound to the head, then I think it is highly likely that this soldier would be Pte Corkhill who was, I believe, operating in the area. As I have said all along, I believe that the location of Farm Boulet is vital to this enquiry. The reason being that if the farm was situated a fair distance from DLI HQ where Anthony was likely to have been at the time, then I would expect that soldier No 6 was not him and that part of my quest would, frustratingly, be closed.
Not having a military background, I might be a long way off with this next theory;- Anthony was batman to RSM Goddard who was with HQ. Whilst they would not have been tied together with a piece of string, is it not possible that where RSM Goddard was, his batman may have been expected to run errands and carry messages etc., thus creating a need to be 'not too far away' from one another. Wishful thinking perhaps, but if that was the case, it strengthens the expectation that Farm Boulet was the DLI HQ and that Anthony had reason to be in that vicinity.
It is said that 'up to sixty' murders were committed in the area but only four witnesses came forward because of fear. I think this is only partly true. It may be that the War Crimes Tribunal only called four named witnesses for whatever reason. I will read through the 250 page War Crimes document once again(!) and I will count up the witnesses. Possibly only four played any sort of major part but I am sure that there were more additional witnesses. That is to say that one person may have given their name in a statement but had been with others at the time who had also seen the murders. In any case, the War Crimes Trials were not held until, I think, 1946. By then there may well have been quite a lot of belated witnesses who, were prepared to say what they saw with reassurance that the war was over.
I have seen a document detailing where 54 bodies were buried prior to exhumation including the body of DLI lad Tom Rodgers. Many of these would have been murdered and although a good many are named, there are quite a few unknowns or 'inconnus'. Schoolboy logic again perhaps, but if witnesses were terrified to come forward how did the authorities know where all the bodies were buried? Jim has already highlighted that one 'inconnu' on this document was murdered on land occupied by Victor Boulet. This is the only mention of Victor Boulet on this one page list. Other bodies were dotted about in other areas suggesting that this would have been the body of soldier No6.
There should still be a record of where in the Communal Cemetery this body was reburied and, dare I say it again, if this body has injuries akin to those of Anthony, then it all falls into place.
Jim has already highlighted that one 'inconnu' on this document was murdered on land occupied by Victor Boulet. This is the only mention of Victor Boulet on this one page list. Other bodies were dotted about in other areas suggesting that this would have been the body of soldier No6.
There should still be a record of where in the Communal Cemetery this body was reburied and, dare I say it again, if this body has injuries akin to those of Anthony, then it all falls into place.
Exactly my reasoning, Tony.
We are hot on the trail of the Ferme Boulet and the path report, so all possibilities are still open. My friend is looking into both issues (and, he implied, enjoying it).
And yes, you are right in assuming that the RSM and his batman would be more or less in the same area. Moreover, if the RSM saw your uncle when he was being led away, he must have been close. I do not think that the Germans would have given him a grand tour of the battlefield while on his way to the PoW cage.
Thanks for the info, Jim. I do realise that it's a big job. Still, it's been done before, so...
A copy of the 2 DLI WD for say 25 May (or whenever they first moved to the St Floris - St Venant sector) to 27 May would certainly help. Could you post that or email it to me, please? And the testimony of M Boulet and his maid?
If anyone on the Forum has the 1 RWF WD for the same period, that too would be much appreciated. Al perhaps?
John
Hello John,
Please find attached files relating to the War Diary of 2 DLI 25th-27th May 1940
Thanks for the info, Jim. I do realise that it's a big job. Still, it's been done before, so...
A copy of the 2 DLI WD for say 25 May (or whenever they first moved to the St Floris - St Venant sector) to 27 May would certainly help. Could you post that or email it to me, please? And the testimony of M Boulet and his maid?
If anyone on the Forum has the 1 RWF WD for the same period, that too would be much appreciated. Al perhaps?
John
Hello John/Tony,
It has indeed been done before hopefully it will be done again,but this is only the beginning .I can answer the question relating to Anthonys proximity to RSM Goddard as it was RSM Goddard who asked the Germans if they could take Anthony with them it was also RSM Goddard who directed the Field Ambulance back in Anthonys direction, and Anthony was having a `lucid` conversation with RSM Goddard just prior to them being marched off.RSM Goddard also described Pte Corkhills wounds at the time.
Only four cases are covered in depth within the file there are the briefest of descriptions relating to the incident from the witnesses concerning `Soldier Six`.If Tony wants to forward these on I`m sure he will.I have the files which ,with respect, I will not be posting as some pages go off into detail of other cases in the area and their horrific nature I feel will lead away from the goal of establishing Ferme Boulet
Best Wishes
Jim, thanks for the WD pages. I had hoped to find some hints to the location of Bn HQ, but nothing doing. It's still not entirely clear where the RWF and DLI were, relative to the town of St Venant.
Thanks also for trying to keep my sensitive soul from harm. Not that I'm easily shocked, after 30 years in operating theatres and A&E, but it's the thought that counts.
Off now for some more digging in my library. Next week I expect to have more news from France.
Jim, thanks for the WD pages. I had hoped to find some hints to the location of Bn HQ, but nothing doing. It's still not entirely clear where the RWF and DLI were, relative to the town of St Venant.
Thanks also for trying to keep my sensitive soul from harm. Not that I'm easily shocked, after 30 years in operating theatres and A&E, but it's the thought that counts.
Off now for some more digging in my library. Next week I expect to have more news from France.
John
Hello John,
Sorry I`m sure you can stomach the details ,the reason for not posting was to protect any family member stumbling across something they would rather not know its different if like Tony you seek the truth some I have found would rather not know.The files are open in the National Archives for to research so they are open to the public.Also I would not like to deflect from Tonys aim.I`m sure you understand.
Best Wishes
Tony meanwhile sent me the typed (by him) text, queer Franglais and all, and it's very interesting indeed. We have been searching to the east of St Venant, but from the text it is clear that we should look on the other, western side. My 1917 map (detail attd) shows that the likely location is in a range of two map squares, i.e. 2000 yards along the Bas Hamel road.
My French friend told me that his information too indicates that the Ferme Boulet was to the west of the town on the Bas Hamel road. Locating it should now be much easier. He will visit the Mairie of St Venant next week to check the archives for M Boulet and while he's there to have a shufti at the path report as well. We'll see. Watch this space.
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