Genealogy Chat

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I've just found a relative listed on the Menin Gate memorial in Belgium. He died 30th June 1915 and his grave site is unknown. Is there any way I can find out where his regiment was on this date? Any help gratefully received. Deb:)

Hi Georgina, His name was Alexander Sharp and he's on cwgc site. Deb:)

Deb have you searched the CWGC web site? What was his name? Georgina.

From the CWGC you can see that he was in the 2nd. Battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment. There is 1914-1918*net/southlancs*htm and The Great War Forum 1914-1918*invisionzone*com. Always sad to research WW1, he died young and left a young wife too

Thanks orange cat. I'll have a look at those site straight away. Yes, it is sad. I've been weepy all day. I can't stop thinking about him. I'm such a sook. Deb:(

Bingo orange cat. They were in Galicia, Spain in May/June 1915. Thanks so much for your help. Deb:)

Your welcome. Quite like the name ' Bingo Orange Cat ' I feel a change coming on !!

Hi Perhaps I have misunderstood something here but, for the avoidance of doubt, this chap died in Belgium. Denis

Hello, as you have more information than is usual, it is probably worthwhile paying to download the Medal Index Card for your relative. As he was lost to the War early he will more than likely be entitled to the 1914 or 1914-15 Star, the index card should also have him listed as KIA or died and also if read correctly theatre of operations. You have the Regiment & Corps, it is worth googling that info, often links will take you to or give battle honours in a time line. Best regards, Bob

Thank you Bob for the medal info. I will definatey look into that. The website that orange cat gave me for Alexander's regiment showed me a time line and the battalion's movements during 1915. They were in Galacia in May/June 1915, so in all likelihood, Alexander was probably buried by his comrades where he fell. It breaks my heart. Deb

Ahem.... I don't think Spain was a theatre of war in 1915. Galicia lies on the northern slopes of the Carpathians, a historical region in East Central Europe, currently divided between Poland and Ukraine. In 1915 it was part of the Austro-hungarian Empire. During the First World War, Galicia saw heavy fighting between the forces of Russia and the Central Powers. The Russian forces overran most of the region in 1914 after defeating the Austro-Hungarian army in a chaotic frontier battle in the opening months of the war. They were in turn pushed out in the spring and summer of 1915 by a combined German and Austro-Hungarian offensive. However, I can't imagine what the South Lancashire Regiment were doing there. Deb - what is your source of information?

The South Lancashire Regiment was at Hooge, Belgium on 30th July 1915. At 3.15am, with dramatic suddenness, jets of flame shot across from the German trenches. This was the first time in warfare that liquid fire flamethrowers had been used. The Germans achieved complete surprise, but although the British front lines were evacuated, they did not follow beyond them. This, I'm afraid, could explain why his grave site is unknown, as it would have been difficult to identify badly burned corpses.

Perhaps I have not made myself clear. The Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial only records those British and most Commonwealth soldiers who died in the Ypres salient before August 1917 and who have no known grave, all 54000 of them. He could not have died elsewhere. He may not even have been formally buried but, like many, could have just disappeared in a water filled crater or have been blown to pieces. These are the harsh realities of war and we should never forget what these young men had to endure. Denis

Thanks guys. Denis was able to put me right. I'd interpeted info on website incorrectly. Apparently, the 2nd battalion was near the river Somme in the early part of June. The pieces are slowly coming together for this somewhat naive researcher. Hopefully, I'll eventually have a full picture of Alexander's last days. I think I'll go and have another little weep for him now. Deb

Deb, upon reflection I think my last posting was a little insensitive. Too much information I think. Dry your eyes now. I'm sorry.