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

**Baconwallah** · 29-07-2012, 14:04

A valid point, Jim. We shall probably never know the truth.

If the RSM "moved some of the vehicles across the bridge" he may well have gone back for more, which would put him on the south bank once again. Unfortunately the RWF account in YDG does not mention the evacuation of DLI vehicles at all so it makes us none the wiser.

If the RSM actually crossed to the north bank, would he have taken his batman or would he have left his batman at HQ to help in the defence? In evacuating vehicles the services of a batman would not have been needed.

The DLI HQ position was on the tow path and the bank. The cottages north of the bridge were at least some 50 metres away from the bank, as the bridge was 160 metres long and must have extended some way past the northern bank of the Lys. If the RSM then made Anthony comfortable on the bank, he must have carried him some way and in my opinion might then just as well have carried him across the bridge. The whole point of leaving him on the bank was that the terrain was difficult to cross and a man could not easily be carried. That sounds more like the HQ position to me.

The German stretcher bearers seen by the RSM would probably not have been in the firing line, and that is what the north end of the bridge was. But the tow path and field around the DLI HQ, where fighting had ended, would be a very logical place for them to be.

In my opinion the cluster of cottages is not a very likely place to look for Anthony. But we cannot rule it out entirely.

John

**Verrieres** · 29-07-2012, 14:23

Hello John,
I really am rushing out to work so I will have to make this very brief. John I do not suggest that Anthony went with the RSM as you say he would be needed for the defence of the HQ.What I am trying to say in my own clumsy way is the RSM has already crossed with the Vehicles Tony at this point is left at HQ. When the order to fall back is given a group of approx 10 including Lyster-Todd and possibly Anthony escape over the bridge ..Anthony is wounded on the far bank...following the capitulation of the cottage defenders the RSM ,who was possibly one of them is marched off where he finds Anthony...making the possibility of the grave more interesting?
More later
Best
jim

**Baconwallah** · 29-07-2012, 23:57

I see your point, Jim, and was wrong is assuming that Anthony and the RSM would have crossed together.

That does not alter my view that "making him comfortable on the bank" would have been an improbable solution, the bank being at least 160 metres from the cluster of cottages and not on the way to the rear - that would have been the bridge.

The most obvious interpretation I think is still the one with Anthony and the RSM on the tow path near HQ. Not that that increases our chances of success...

John

**ivor43** · 30-07-2012, 01:40

John.
While I don’t know as much about this area as you guys I am staying quiet. But these last couple of posts have got me thinking. (probably a bad thing ). When the RSM and whoever ever else helped, were making Anthony comfortable would they have been able to give him Pain Killer. If his wounds, as believed by Goddard, were not serious. Then is there not a possibility that once the Pain Killer kicked in and under the cover of darkness, he could have made it across the bridge. This would obviously depend on the nature of the wounds, I they were only flesh wounds whilst they would have been still very painful he might have had some mobility. But where might he have gone from the bridge, I know there were several ditches in the area. Or might he have tried to carry on towards the forest where there were British troops.
Is there any indication of a Farm Boulet to the East or North East of Haverskirque.
I have read many accounts of RAF Pilots being shot down but evading capture for some time by hiding during the day and moving by night.
This might account for the fact that he seemed to have disappeared until the 29^th when he is found and shot. It is a pity that we don’t know where he was when he was found, in a barn or outbuilding, maybe of Farm Boulet.
This might be worth some consideration.

Ivor

**Verrieres** · 30-07-2012, 01:47

Just in and have read your post John and like you have said we will never know....but indulge me a little further the topography of the land is posing me problems as I have gone over these events so often for three years that its really like I can see it in my minds eye but whether my imaginative battleground and reality bear any resemblence I do not know.
I do not imagine that Anthony got anywhere near the cottages, in my scenario he has been wounded crossing that bridge be it North or South he has dragged himself to the relative shelter of the canal bank (North or South) The RSM has been in the last line the buildings and cottages which in time were overun by the Germans advancing through St Venant towards the Haverskerque Road making St Venant now the German rear. The Germans overun the British the Prisoners,including RSM Goddard,are marched away to the rear? Which is now back into St Venant across the bridge and presumably in full sight of both canal banks.Anthony cries out from the bank (What ever bank that may be) The rest we know up until the RSM is marched away.Anthony is left on the canal bank awaiting the German field ambulance.

Now I have two scenarios the first is simple Anthony is more seriously wounded than RSM Goddard thought and dies of his wounds and is left in situ by the Germans two days later M.Berthe returns (again depending where Anthonys body lies ) and buries what or who he can in the trenches along with Lt Col Harrison and those others previously named. The bodies are later removed to Haverskerque where they are all buried in row EE.CWGC confirm 20 unknowns from this period at Haverskerque.
Scenario two ;-Anthony as the RSM has describes is not seriously wounded he is left unguarded he isnt going to wait to go into a POW cage he drags himself off and hides (Either bank) The German Field ambulance arrives and theres no trace of Anthony hes crawled off.Two days later on the return of M.Berthe as per the account from M.Faivre 29th May 1940 (the day Anthony is reported to have died) German lorries pass M.Berthe hears a shot..The Germans had set fire to ...what did the Germans shoot? Anthony? Who had possibly been hiding nearby? According to St Venant-Robeqc M.Faivre at least three possibly four British Army soldiers were hiding in the ruins at least one is confirmed as DLI ..are one of these the witness who confirms Anthony had died on the 29th May 1940.Remember there was no investigation into Anthony being missing he is recorded as DEAD.Unfortunately there appears no record of the fate of these men they slipped away.Again the body is found and buried by M.Berthe .Yes I know I`m convincing myself that Anthony somehow ended up in that grave on the other side of the canal but it would explain how an expert French Historian like M.Faivre could not find any trace of Anthony Corkhill amongst his extensive St Venant records and his detailed autopsy reports which had aided in finding Tom Rodgers with a description of no more than Tall, Good build and a gap in his teeth like Terry Thomas!
M.Faivre was frustrated that he could not add to Tonys search...Could the reason be that M.Faivre could not find any information or a matching autopsy report because he never had Anthonys autopsy report to start with?These were for the men buried at St Venant whilst Anthony is actually in Haverskerque? Anyone know the Mayor of Haverskerque!

Best
Jim

**Baconwallah** · 30-07-2012, 02:00

Good thinking, Ivor!

All men carried a single dose of morphine, if I'm not mistaken. Anthony could have taken his. But with German stretcher bearers already combing the area when the RSM left him, it is difficult to see how he would have been able to wait until dark before trying to escape capture. Also, with the bridge the only supply route for the Germans advancing on Haverskerque, it would have been a bad route to take, especially crawling in the dark. Even on a clear day the risk of being run over would have been great.

Supposing that he did so, and managed to get across the bridge, the only way north would have been along the roadside ditch, climbing over the occasional body, and it would have taken him straight into the midst of the German front line troops. Hiding in a house or shed and waiting for civvy help would have been a better choice.

In short, it's possble this is what happened, but the odds are against it.

John

**Verrieres** · 30-07-2012, 02:05

Originally Posted by Baconwallah

Good thinking, Ivor!

All men carried a single dose of morphine, if I'm not mistaken. Anthony could have taken his. But with German stretcher bearers already combing the area when the RSM left him, it is difficult to see how he would have been able to wait until dark before trying to escape capture. Also, with the bridge the only supply route for the Germans advancing on Haverskerque, it would have been a bad route to take, especially crawling in the dark. Even on a clear day the risk of being run over would have been great.

Supposing that he did so, and managed to get across the bridge, the only way north would have been along the roadside ditch, climbing over the occasional body, and it would have taken him straight into the midst of the German front line troops. Hiding in a house or shed and waiting for civvy help would have been a better choice.

In short, it's possble this is what happened, but the odds are against it.

John

John how about he did as Ivor suggested attempted to crawl away and like you rightly pointed out didnt make it but did get as far as the other side? You know what I`m going to say next...M.Berthe arrived and put him in that grave!!

Best

Jim

**Baconwallah** · 30-07-2012, 02:22

An overwhelming set of possibilities, Jim.

If Anthony crossed the bridge, he would have landed on the north side of the Lys quite some distance away from the bank - it was a long bridge, probably high enough to allow canal traffic, and that means that the bridge would have extended quite a bit beyond the bank or the access slope would have been too steep. Going from the bridge to the bank would then have meant moving away from his mates again. Of course it's possible, but I doubt it.

Assuming that Anthony did cross the bridge, your second scenario is interesting. I can find no argument against it.

Tony tells me that he had no useful reply from M Faivre, who then, later, told my friend that he could not find Anthony. So why had he not informed Tony? And in trying to find Anthony, did he look at the Ferme Boulet area only or did he also include HQ and the north bank in his search? Lacking a good channel of communication with M Faivre, it's impossible to say how his statement to my friend should be interpreted.

I included the email address for the Haverskerque Mairie in a previous post. I suggest Tony drops them a line.

John

**Baconwallah** · 30-07-2012, 02:26

Originally Posted by Verrieres

John how about he did as Ivor suggested attempted to crawl away and like you rightly pointed out didnt make it but did get as far as the other side?

It's his getting to the other side, across a bridge with heavy traffic, crawling in the dark, that worries me. If he actually did so, and got across, it must have been the miracle of the century.

John

**Verrieres** · 30-07-2012, 02:36

Just for information purposes and to save a little time later should Tony wish to pursue an enquiry to Haverskerque.At the cemetery at Haverskeq there are twenty five known WW2 casualties and twenty unknowns.Our casualties which were named by M.Faivre are all buried in Row EE Row EE contains 31 Graves only thirteen are named graves.I will contact the CWGC to see if any of these `innconnu` have regimental markers/headstone rather than the plain `Known unto God` Headstones. This is a list of those who lie at peace in ROW EE. (We will remember them);-

ALDRIDGE, JAMES PETER
Rank:Private
Service No:5338050
Date of Death:25/05/1940
Regiment/Service:Royal Berkshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Grave ReferenceRow EE. Grave 13.
CemeteryHAVERSKERQUE BRITISH CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Harry James Aldridge and Mary Jane Aldridge, of Picket Twenty, Andover, Hampshire
COLLIER, KENNETH EDWARD
Rank:Lance Bombardier
Service No:914186
Date of Death:27/05/1940
Age:27
Regiment/Service:Royal Artillery
99 (The Royal Bucks.Yeomanry) Field Regt.
Grave ReferenceRow EE. Grave 26.
CemeteryHAVERSKERQUE BRITISH CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Edward and Daisy Collier; husband of Myrtle Irene Collier, of Ruislip, Middlesex.
DONALDSON, JOHN HENRY
Rank:Private
Service No:4444883
Date of Death:25/05/1940
Age:31
Regiment/Service:Durham Light Infantry
2nd Bn.
Grave ReferenceRow D. Grave 7.
CemeteryHAVERSKERQUE BRITISH CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Thomas and Beatrice Donaldson; husband of Winifred Donaldson, of Mill End, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire
EVANS, JOHN ARTHUR NORMAN
Rank:Drummer
Service No:4192167
Date of Death:Between 26/05/1940 and 05/06/1940
Age:24
Regiment/Service:Royal Welch Fusiliers
1st Bn.
Grave ReferenceRow EE. Grave 3.
CemeteryHAVERSKERQUE BRITISH CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Alfred William and Bridget Evans; husband of Eleanor Evans, of Queen's Park, Wrexham, Denbighshire.
GODDING, VICTOR JAMES
Rank:Private
Service No:5332339
Date of Death:27/05/1940
Age:34
Regiment/Service:Royal Berkshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Grave ReferenceRow EE. Grave 23.
CemeteryHAVERSKERQUE BRITISH CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Ernest James Godding and Mary Godding; husband of Ethel D. M. Godding, of Slough, Buckinghamshire
HARRISON, HERBERT BERKELEY
Rank:Lieutenant Colonel
Service No:12194
Date of Death:27/05/1940
Age:43
Regiment/Service:Royal Welch Fusiliers
1st Bn.
Awards:M C
Grave ReferenceRow EE. Grave 1.
CemeteryHAVERSKERQUE BRITISH CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Brigadier-General Robert Arthur Gwynne Harrison, C.M.G., Three times mentioned in Despatches, and Alice Harrison, of King's Worthy, Hampshire; husband of Jeannette Marion Harrison, of Denbigh.
JOYNSON, PETER
Rank:Lance Corporal
Service No:5336849
Date of Death:25/05/1940
Age:19
Regiment/Service:Royal Berkshire Regiment
1st Bn.
Grave ReferenceRow EE. Grave 12.
CemeteryHAVERSKERQUE BRITISH CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Laurence Bright Joynson and Ethel Vera Joynson, of Warwick.
NEWTON, GERALD
Rank:Fusilier
Service No:4189917
Date of Death:Between 25/05/1940 and 30/05/1940
Age:25
Regiment/Service:Royal Welch Fusiliers
1st Bn.
Grave ReferenceRow EE. Grave 5.
CemeteryHAVERSKERQUE BRITISH CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of John and Elizabeth Newton.
PHILLIPS, ROY BRIGHTMAN
Rank:Second Lieutenant
Service No:124510
Date of Death:27/05/1940
Age:22
Regiment/Service:Durham Light Infantry
2nd Bn.
Grave ReferenceRow EE. Grave 22.
CemeteryHAVERSKERQUE BRITISH CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Theodore John Phillips M.B., B.S., and Hilda Ansom Phillips, of Tynemouth, Northumberland
PUNTIN, THOMAS
Rank:Private
Service No:4446397
Date of Death:27/05/1940
Age:33
Regiment/Service:Durham Light Infantry
2nd Bn.
Grave ReferenceRow EE. Grave 2.
CemeteryHAVERSKERQUE BRITISH CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of George and Ada Puntin, of Gateshead, Co. Durham; husband of Kathleen I. Puntin, of Dunston, Gateshead.
ROBERTS, GERARD BRIAN CHIPCHASE
Rank:Captain
Service No:50971
Date of Death:27/05/1940
Age:28
Regiment/Service:Durham Light Infantry
2nd Bn.
Grave ReferenceRow EE. Grave 30.
CemeteryHAVERSKERQUE BRITISH CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Lt.-Col. Gerard Chipchase Roberts, The Gloucestershire Regt. (killed in Action in France, 8th June, 1916), and of Winifred Milbanke Roberts (nee Hudson), of Hamsterley, Co. Durham.
SMITH, CYRIL STANLEY
Rank:Fusilier
Service No:4189967
Date of Death:25/05/1940
Age:25
Regiment/Service:Royal Welch Fusiliers
1st Bn.
Grave ReferenceRow EE. Grave 31.
CemeteryHAVERSKERQUE BRITISH CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Mrs. I. Smith, of Cardiff.
TINKLER, JOHN THOMAS
Rank:Lance Corporal
Service No:4455105
Date of Death:24/05/1940
Age:23
Regiment/Service:King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster)
6th Bn.
Grave ReferenceRow EE. Grave 4.
CemeteryHAVERSKERQUE BRITISH CEMETERY

Best
Jim