Hello

I have just joined this forum and this is my first posting.

I am researching a soldier of the 8th Battalion Welsh Regiment (formerly the Cheshire Regiment) who died of malarial fever on 20th July 1917 and is remembered on the Kirkee, also known as Khadki, Memorial, in Poona near Bombay.

What I would like to know is what was his battalion doing there and why, if he died of fever and not in battle, does he not have a grave?

Regards

Peter

Peter,

He will most probably have a grave in a cemetery that is now deemed unmaintainable by the CWGC, hence the alternative commemoration.

Bob.

Peter

Check out Chris Baker's page here:

8th Welsh

8th welsh were a Pioneer battalion part of 13th (Western) Division that served in Gallipoli and Mesopotamia (Iraq).

At the time of your man's death they were not in action probably due to the heat but were in Mesopotamia. It is possible your man contracted malaria in Mesopotamia and was evacuated to hospital in Bombay.

Have you checked the commonwealth war graves website to see if he is registered if?

Cheers
Dominic

Thanks Bob and Dominic

Dominic, the information I gave in my first posting was from the CWGC website.

Regards

Peter

Is it possible that this man was part of the permanent British colonial garrison of India. Perhaps he was stationed in a town or a village or maybe on the volatile North-West Frontier? Surely the British Army in India lost a steady stream of men from malaria and other tropical diseases.
Jon

Thanks Jon

I appreciate your input.

Regards

Peter