Stevedore Battalions France 1939-1940

[Nigel Hall]

Hi

New to RootsChat but looking for some help please...

I am researching a RE Sapper who according to the casualty lists was killed in action 3rd June 1940; he is listed on the Dunkirk Memorial. The initial casualty list had him in the 2nd Stevedore Battalion (as do CWGC) however a later casualty list corrected his unit to 1 Stevedore Centre.

I have found limited references to 2nd Stevedore Battalion but nothing for 1 Stevedore Centre. Any ideas anyone please? I have applied for his service records but these will take a while and I'm trying to get a start.

The Sapper is related to a friend and I'm trying to provide them with some ideas as to why he has no known grave. He may not have even been killed at Dunkirk.

Thanks
Nigel

[MaxD]

War diary here http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C789525.

This is a Home Forces diary which indicates that No 1 Stevedore Centre was UK based (it was in Folkestone) and administratively perhaps passed on the details to the casualty list compilers. 

maxD

[Nigel Hall]

Thanks MaxD

So he may well have been actually serving with the 2nd Stevedore Battalion as the initial casualty lists and CWGC state.

[MaxD]

I would say that is the case and the Centre's role was purely administrative.  You might consider getting the 2 Battalion war diary for the period http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C163369.  It is unlikely that he is mentioned by name but the activities of the battalion will give some context.

And belatedly, a welcome to Rootschat.

maxD

[Drew5233]

WO 167/896 2 Stevedore Battalion 1939 Oct-1940 Jun