The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

jrah60 · Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 5:00 pm Post subject: Sheriffmuir - Atlantic Wall

The Whitestone ranges north of Dunblane were used as a military training area.
In the summer of 1943 224 Field Coy RE and 8th DLI supervised the construction of a training area for 3rd Infantry Div. which simulated the Atlantic Wall on the European coast.
Would anyone have any information/knowledge of any training fatalities during this period 1943-1944?

John

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 7:50 pm Post subject:

I lived near there for 10 years and had a few libations in the Sheriffmuir Inn but I had never heard of this before.
The following has a bit of info.
http://www.stirling.gov.uk/services/business-and-trade/planning-and-building-standards/archaeology/archaeological-hidden-gems/stirlings-finest-hour

Note one "r" two "f" s.

There are six male deaths ages 18 to 50 registered in Dunblane in 1943/4.
20,25,29,31,43 and 49.
_________________
Ken

apanderson · Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 8:37 pm Post subject:

Curiosity getting the better of me (as usual), I picked one man out and his Death Certificate reads as follows:

Edward Seddon, age 20, Single, son of Robert and Ellen Seddon nee Rothwell
Window Cleaner (Private, Duke of Wellington's Regiment)
Died 3rd January 1944 at Haining Camp, Dunblane, usual residence 28 Lime Street, Wigan
Cause of Death: (a) Perforating wound of abdomen (grenade explosion), (b) Internal Bleeding.
Certified by: G. L. K. Crampton, Lieutenant, R.A.M.C.
Informant: R. H. Smith?, Lieutenant, Duke of Wellington's Regiment, 2 Blenheim Road, Bradford.

Anne

jrah60 · Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 9:23 pm Post subject:

Thanks Ken & Anne, I've copied the info from scotlandspeople

1 1943 CUTHBERT ROBERT MCCONNAC M 49 DUNBLANE AND LECROPT /PERTH 348/00 0026
2 1943 DUNK EDWARD M 25 DUNBLANE AND LECROPT /PERTH 348/00 0041
3 1943 SADLER PHILIP M 31 DUNBLANE AND LECROPT /PERTH 348/00 0006
4 1944 SEDDON EDWARD M 20 DUNBLANE AND LECROPT /PERTH 348/00 0001
5 1943 SMART ALEXANDER MICHA M 43 DUNBLANE AND LECROPT /PERTH 348/00 0020
6 1943 THOMPSON ROBERT FOSTER M 29 DUNBLANE AND LECROPT /PERTH 348/00 0016

John

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

Anne

Can you confirm Pte. Seddon died on 3rd January? If so, can you send me the DC?

Thanks
_________________
Jim

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

www.kinnethmont.co.uk

apanderson · Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 11:17 pm Post subject:

Yes, he died on 3rd January.

I'll send you a copy of his DC.

Anne

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 8:00 am Post subject:

SEDDON, EDWARD
Rank:Private
Service No:14206703
Date of Death:02/01/1944
Age:20
Regiment/Service:Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)
7th Bn.
Grave ReferenceSec. S. C. of E. Grave 198.
CemeteryWIGAN CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Robert and Ellen Seddon, of Wigan.

and another was

DUNK, EDWARD
Rank:Serjeant
Service No:4803875
Date of Death:17/11/1943
Age:25
Regiment/Service:Lincolnshire Regiment
4th Bn.
Grave ReferenceSec. 125. Row A. Grave 13.
CemeteryGRIMSBY (SCARTHO ROAD) CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Joseph and Ellen Dunk; husband of Katherine Dunk, of Grimsby.

Died from a "Penetrating wound Right eye caused by a fragment from an explosion" on the land of Harperstone Farm, Sheriffmuir, Dunblane.
_________________
Ken

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 8:08 am Post subject:

Phillip Sadler was hit by a train near Dunblane Station.

SADLER, PHILLIP
Rank:Gunner
Service No:1729315
Date of Death:04/02/1943
Age:31
Regiment/Service:Royal Artillery
360 Bty., 147 H.A.A. Regt.
Grave ReferenceSec. B. Grave 89.
CemeteryRUDDINGTON (VICARAGE LANE) CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Bertha Sadler, of Ruddington; husband of Olive Madge Sadler, of Ruddington.
_________________
Ken

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 9:20 am Post subject:

I don't see the other three on CWGC.
_________________
Ken

kinnethmont · Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 1649 Location: Aberdeenshire

apanderson · Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 9:59 am Post subject:

For information on location/photos etc., see: http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/search/?keyword=atlantic+wall&submit=search

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 7:54 pm Post subject:

From the Allanwaterherald http://www.allanwaterherald.co.uk/news/roundup/articles/2013/02/27/448289-provosts-atlantic-wall-appeal/

Provost's Atlantic Wall appeal
Published: 27 Feb 2013 09:30
PROVOST Mike Robbins is renewing an appeal from Stirling Council to find people to help re-discover the story of the Atlantic Wall training ground in Sherrifmuir, Dunblane in 1943.
At the last meeting of Dunblane Community Council, the Provost spoke of how Professor Tony Pollard from Glasgow University, an expert in battlefields, will be exploring the archaeology together with the council's own archaeologist in time for the 70th anniversary of D-Day.
An archaeological project is under way to learn more about this part of Stirling's hidden history - and about the men who trained here and went on to storm the beaches of Europe in the fight for freedom.
For those with an interest in World War II, just north of Dunblane there is an impressive remnant of the Allies' preparation for the D-day landings. In the summer of 1943, at the Whitestone Army ranges in Sherrifmuir, British 3rd Division built a training area for the planned invasion of Normandy.
This complex of replicated German defences survives - complete with shell fire and demolition charge damage - and you can still see the large defensive wall and ditch, trench networks and two concrete bunkers.
The wall and bunkers were built to test weapons and give troops practise for storming the real Atlantic Wall in Normandy on D-Day.
The replica Atlantic Wall stands to a height of three metres and runs for 86 metres in length. The front of the wall has been visibly damaged by weapon fire, including a spectacular four-meter breach in the wall. In front of the wall is a four-meter wide flat-bottomed anti-tank ditch. Across the UK, five of these replicas were made and the Stirlingshire one is the largest and most complete.
Provost Robbins reiterated his appeal for more information. He said: "Can you help tell the story of the Atlantic Wall? If you or members of your family were involved with the Atlantic Wall we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch by emailing communications@stirling.gov.uk."
_________________
Ken