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08/09/2021 09:59:00
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manufan
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Joined: 08/09/2021 09:43:20
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Have only recently discovered this relative whilst researching my family tree on ancestry. I have spent weeks researching No 9 commandos and the training they underwent. Had no idea these units even existed previously. Alexander is listed as being accidentally killed whilst training on the 20th October 1941 aged only 21. Can anyone give me a possible insight as to the nature of his death ? Was there a particular field of training with relatively high numbers of accidents/deaths. Also, he was taken to Dumfries Royal Infirmary, where he sadly passed away, was that a military hospital at the time as I am thinking surely there would have been a closer one.
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09/09/2021 14:44:36
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NIC
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Joined: 10/04/2007 22:56:27
Messages: 3322
Location: Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire
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Hi manufan,
No.9 Cdo were at Kirkcudbright during Sept/Oct '41 - although at least one Troop at a time was on detachment at Castle Douglas...
The official War Diary for No.9 Cdo, during the month of Oct, shows three entries where 3311891 Private Alexander Watson, H.L.I. (Highland Light Infantry) is mentioned...
Unfortunately the nature of the accident nor the findings of the Court of Inquiry are recorded.
Nick
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Nick Collins,
Commando Association Historical Archivist & Photographer.
Proud son of Cpl Mick Collins, 5 Troop, No5 Cdo
"Truly we may say of them, when shall their glory fade?"
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11/09/2021 13:20:35
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GUY
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Joined: 26/05/2012 17:50:52
Messages: 310
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The Statutory Death Register (821/485) records Alexander's cause of death as "Traumatic rupture of the spleen."
Good luck with your research
Guy
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 11/09/2021 13:21:33
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26/09/2021 21:00:49
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manufan
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Joined: 08/09/2021 09:43:20
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Thank you both for sharing this information with me and for taking the time to reply. It is very much appreciated
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13/10/2021 14:12:42
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manufan
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Joined: 08/09/2021 09:43:20
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So after some research and thinking Alexander may have sadly lost his life during training, I have discovered the cause of his death. I have a photo of him and a photo of a local newspaper article explaining the details of his death.
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13/10/2021 16:36:50
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Pete
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Joined: 23/09/2008 00:08:02
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Hi Manufan ( sorry I don?t know your name)
We have 2 entries for your relative. Neither however show how he met his death just that it was an accident. So thank you for details in the newspaper which I will add to the ROH entry.
The Roll of Honour:
https://www.commandoveterans.org/AlexanderWatson9Commando
The Gallery (a photo I took of his grave a few years ago): https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+War+Graves+Memorials+and+Plaques/graves/UK/A+G+Watson+9+cdo.jpg.html
Can you advise me of the name of the newspaper and date of the article.
Also the photo you posted is extremely small in resolution. Do you have a higher resolution copy of it ?
Pete
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Pete Rogers, son of LSgt Joe Rogers MM & nephew of TSM Ken McAllister. Both No2 Commando.
God and the Soldier, all men adore, In time of danger and not before.
When the danger is passed and all things righted, God is forgotten, and the Soldier slighted.
**** nb. I no longer monitor the pm facility **** |
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13/10/2021 17:18:27
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manufan
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Joined: 08/09/2021 09:43:20
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Hi Pete thanks for your reply. My name is Karen btw.
I found this article on the British Newspapers Archive website. The article was in the Dumfries & Galloway Standard & Advertiser, dated October 25th 1941. I took a photo off the screen to send to a relative but also downloaded the full page as a PDF, which I have now attached. Hope this may be a bit better.
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13/10/2021 17:25:17
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Pete
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Joined: 23/09/2008 00:08:02
Messages: 4654
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Hi Karen
Thanks for the newspaper. It is the actual photo of Alexander that is only 3kb in size so tiny. Do you have a higher resolution one ?
Pete
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Pete Rogers, son of LSgt Joe Rogers MM & nephew of TSM Ken McAllister. Both No2 Commando.
God and the Soldier, all men adore, In time of danger and not before.
When the danger is passed and all things righted, God is forgotten, and the Soldier slighted.
**** nb. I no longer monitor the pm facility **** |
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13/10/2021 19:02:22
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manufan
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Joined: 08/09/2021 09:43:20
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Oh I'm sorry that is the best I can do I think. Tried to make it a bit bigger but dont think its worked
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13/10/2021 19:58:30
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Pete
CVA Website Archivist
Joined: 23/09/2008 00:08:02
Messages: 4654
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Hi Karen
That is much better thank you. I have updated the ROH Page as you will see below and added the full size to the No.9 Commando gallery with links on there to his ROH page and his grave here: https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/9/?g2_page=3
ROH page: https://www.commandoveterans.org/AlexanderWatson9Commando
If you wish your surname included I will add that to both.
Pete
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Pete Rogers, son of LSgt Joe Rogers MM & nephew of TSM Ken McAllister. Both No2 Commando.
God and the Soldier, all men adore, In time of danger and not before.
When the danger is passed and all things righted, God is forgotten, and the Soldier slighted.
**** nb. I no longer monitor the pm facility **** |
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