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

[Verrieres]

hi again.
The following link seems to be a good source of info. but sadly i can not find our vehicle, so it may well be a captured one

http://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/ww2-weapons.asp

ivor

Hello Ivor,

From Kyle Hinson on the WW2 Talk Forum the vehicle has been identified as a Hotchkiss R15R Command & Reconnaissance 4x4 or a a Laffly V 15T.. Car built in 39-40 French manufacture 200 in total made and operated by the Germans following the fall of France. Production ceased after 1940.

Jim

[ivor43]

hi all.
Chow just linked this on F Book. While i have been on this site on a number of occasions i have not seen the attached photos. Photo 12 shows the Old Bridge structure which is the bridge from the North Bank, over the River to the island on which stands the Lock keepers Cottage.
So now we have the complete picture, this pic, 70 yrs later, of the Old Brick Bridge and the 1940 pic with the Staff Car crossing the Temporary bridge over the Canal.
http://www.webmatters.net/txtpat/?id=272

wonderful.

ivor

[Verrieres]

Hello Ivor,
I`m not sure which photo you are referring too but if it is the brick bridge with the Rodgers family commemoration then that isn't `our` bridge that's `D` Company 2 DLI and Royal Berks Bridge and not the one over the lock. In their book `In Search of Tom` reference is given to their initial search being in the wrong place as D Company (and remnants of B) 2 DLI fought at another bridge over the Guarbecuque Canal and not over the Lys at St Venant itself.(Hope this makes sense?)

Jim

[Verrieres]

Hello,

Tony will be along soon to tell you about his `Ministerial` replies to say they are disappointing and condescending is an understatement. Tony is being, understandably, diplomatic but if it was my right to reply I would word it something like this;-
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Dear Mr (MP),
I have received your reply and after due consideration I am of the opinion that I am once again being fobbed off with standard non relevant drivel. Every step you have mentioned are steps that any newcomer would receive on an initial enquiry direct to one of the departments and not one from a so called Ministerial level.
Yes I have undertaken research ,extensive research and it is because the files you have stated are either incomplete or at worst `doctored` that I have sought your help. I am aware of the CWGC stance, I know about the Corporal in the grave next to Pte Walt the very fact that his dates of death are estimated from the 1st May to the 31st May 1940 are in themselves impossible As hostilities began on May 10th the 2nd DLI RWF and R Berks were in Belgium not France so unless they drove their dead around for a month before burying them in a different country whilst fighting a frantic rear guard action then the dates are totally unbelievable ? I have indeed done my research it is obvious the Minister has not done his.
My request is a simple one I want a copy of the document the War Office sent to the CWGC confirming my uncles death. Simple isn't it? As the CWGC state themselves they do not know when the unknowns were killed thus they give a `between date` In Anthony Corkhills case we have a specific date THE 29th MAY 1940,SPECIFIC!! What document was forwarded on to the CWGC to be SPECIFIC?
I know the file references you have quoted but these are not the original file numbers, they are incomplete where are the rest? The NA do not know where Forms Q are that too is on their website on the Discovery page.
Everything you have forwarded to me is either available on a Google search or would be the first step the most green of amateur researchers would perform. I have been fobbed off by these organisations already that is why I turned to you, now whilst you seem to have accepted their lame excuses I do not It is clear to me that the sacrifice of this brave soldiers life means nothing to the Government of the country he fought for We at least refuse to give up on him!

Yours

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Sorry I`m a little Peeved at present :(

Jim

[teecee1941]

Hello Everyone,

As Jim says, the reply is disappointing. Unfortunately, I am once again unable to say too much at this stage because there are issues that are still pending.

There is still very much to do, but I am still very hopeful of a favourable result.

Will be back in touch ASAP

(Still having a lot of trouble typing. Has taken about 20 minutes to type this)

[dcdl12976]

Tony keep pushing mate eventually someone will give up and give you the info you need (within the constraints of legalities of course)

Dave

[Verrieres]

Hello,
I`ve been a bit busy lately so I haven't been able to pop in as much as I would have liked but here`s a little bit of a puzzle for you

Last year the MoD sold off copies of Soldiers Wills at £10 a time, Tony applied for Anthony Corkhill`s a copy of what he received he kindly forwarded on to me `Army Form B.2089`
Army Form B.2089 was contained in a Soldiers Paybook if there`s no information on Anthony and he was never found..then how were they able to retrieve the Will from the paybook?

From the National Archives of Scotland;-

..He could write another will when issued with a new pay book, and if he died his most recent will would be retrieved from his pay book whenever possible. Known as a 'Short Form of Will'.

I do not know enough about these wills to do anything but speculate at this time but I doubt there would be two copies? Worthy of consideration ?


Jim

[ivor43]

hi all.
i think i am correct in assuming that a man would have kept his pay book on him at all times. or would they be kept at a HQ Bgd or Regiment.

[ap1]

He may have forwarded the will to the orderly room!
http://www.ab64.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/a12.htm

[dcdl12976]

possibility is that his paybook containing his will was full and therefore returned to Regiment and replaced by a new one, it is likely he would not bother doing a new will since the Regiment already had the original in there possession