The Forum has seen several posts announcing that a previously non-commemorated casualty has been accepted by MoD/CWGC for war grave recognition after eighty years or so - usually through the work of researchers or relatives.

Recently, just such a group of researchers has achieved an outstanding success in getting twenty-one naval casualties added to CWGC's database in one go. This was the result of dedicated research and determination. They are remaining anonymous but I think their efforts are worthy of praise on this Forum.

Most of the men died after discharge through service related illness or wounds - usually the hardest category to get accepted due to the level of proof required. There is also a further naval group under consideration by MoD.

For anyone who has a possible 'non-com' in their records, this has to be an encouragement to press forward with putting a case to MoD/CWGC.

The men listed below now have their recognition after so long out in the cold and twenty of their names will appear on the United Kingdom 1914-1918 Memorial as their grave locations are unknown as yet. The last in the list is buried in West Coker (St Martin) Churchyard, Somerset, UK.

ROYAL MARINES
Pte Norman Charles CLATWORTHY Died 21.01.17
Spr Cornelius Henry CURRELL Died 28.03.21
Pte Frederick Montague DEAN Died 01.11.19
Spr Harold FOX Died 26.11.17
Saddler Charles Walter HALL Died 11.05.18
Spr James William HART Died 21.12.17
Pte Thomas Winder HAYDOCK Died 16.03.18
Pte Ralph SIMPSON Died 24.03.18
L/Cpl William WARREN Died 02.03.16

ROYAL MARINE LIGHT INFANTRY
Pte Edwin Bedford AMBLER Died 31.03.17
Pte Theophilus BURTON Died 25.02.18
Cpl Joseph BUSH Died 13.03.19
Sgt John William COOK 02.06.19
QMS Herbert Collis FINCHAM Died 17.12.20
Pte Albert Henry GILFOY Died 11.07.19
Sgt William LAW Died 29.12.20
Pte George James NELSON Died 24.09.20
Pte Thomas RAMSDALE Died 24.09.20
L/Cpl Arnold SMITH Died 11.01.19
L/Cpl William John WALKER Died 05.06.17
Pte Lot HAYWARD Died 18.11.17

May they rest in peace.

Here, here.

Whoever they are, they've done a wonderful job.

'They' may wish to remain anonymous, but there are many of us (I'm sure) that can work out who is behind this.

Well done, guys!!

"They" did'nt forget these forgotten heroes.

Jimmy

Last Thursday I heard another good piece of news. A medal collector researching a 1914 star discovered that this man was one of the first two Glosters killed in the First World War, 26th August 1914. Both had no known graves. However, while looking for a grave at Landrecies, where the Glosters fought their first action of the war, someone noticed two graves at the back of a small cemetery. 'Unknown private of the Gloucester Regiment, killed August 1914' and 'Unknown L/Cpl. of the Gloucester Regiment, killed August 1914'. It was clear from all the evidence (War Diary, Battalion history etc) that these could only be L/Cpl. C.H. Hackling and Pte. G.F. Cole. Putting all the evidence together he wrote to the CWGC and they have accepted his evidence and so, 90 years after their deaths, L/Cpl. Hackling and Pte Cole now will have identified graves and are no longer missing.

Steve

Well done to all concerned.

Raising a glass to to all those involved & to those now properly remembered.

Good news, Steve.

Incredible... great news, takes time and patience

John

Excellent news, it just goes to show that 90 years later these men are not forgotten and rightly so.

Steve

Outstanding work and an inspiration to all of us, well done one and all!

Name: GILFOY, ALBERT HENRY
Initials: A H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Marine Light Infantry
Secondary Unit Text: Late of 2nd R.M. Bn. R.N. Div.
Date of Death: 11/07/1919
Service No: PO/16706
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: BROOKWOOD (UNITED KINGDOM 1914-1918) MEMORIAL

Grave Found

Southampton Old Cemetery Section Q130 Grave 36

Name: LAW, WILLIAM
Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant (Acting)
Regiment/Service: Royal Marine Light Infantry
Secondary Unit Text: Late of Deal Bn. R.N. Div.
Date of Death: 29/12/1920
Service No: PO/13196
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel.
Memorial: BROOKWOOD (UNITED KINGDOM 1914-1918) MEMORIAL

grave found

Gosport Ann's Hill Cemetery Plot 120 space 25


Name: RAMSDALE, THOMAS
Initials: T
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Marine Light Infantry
Secondary Unit Text: Late of 2nd R.M. Bn. R.N. Div.
Date of Death: 28/12/1916
Service No: PLY/832(S)
N.B.: Recent research has shown that Private Ramsdale is buried here.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: CC. Con. 446
Cemetery: MANCHESTER (GORTON) CEMETERY

Well done, Chris. Your hard graft seems to be paying off.

John

John

more to come - I have sent about 50 emails so far this week

Chris

QMS Herbert Collis FINCHAM Died 17.12.20

Grave found by Izzy

Liverpool Kirkdale Cemetery CofE Sect 8 grave 183

Amazing dedication.

Wepp done to those involved.

Garry

L/Cpl William John WALKER Died 05.06.17

Grave found by Izzy

"West Derby Cemetery Liverpool section 3 No 2259
"

Spr Cornelius Henry CURRELL Died 28.03.21

Grave found

Willesden New Cemetery grave 906 section Q

I have just seen this thread for the first time, amazing job done.

Congratulations to the anonymous team of researchers and to Terry Denham, Chris "Gravefinder General" Harley and their friends in locating the graves.

Not Forgotten

Best regards,

Ian.