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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: bluedooo on Monday 29 October 18 15:53 GMT (UK)

Title: 21 June 1944 William Caldwell Currie age 26 Durham Light Infantry
Post by: bluedooo on Monday 29 October 18 15:53 GMT (UK)
I would like to know more about the service record of my relative William Caldwell Currie killed in action on 21 June 1944 in Eastern Europe. His rank was Private service number 3133796 his regiment was the Durham Light Infantry.  William was born 1918 in Ayrshire Scotland.  Any information would be appreciated.

Best Regards

Bluedooo
Title: Re: 21 June 1944 William Caldwell Currie age 26 Durham Light Infantry
Post by: JJen on Monday 29 October 18 16:37 GMT (UK)
Just a slight amendment  :)

William's death is recorded as 26 June 1944  -

Source - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56181728

CWGC has his death as above. Son of Mary Currie, of Hill House, Ayrshire

JJ

Title: Re: 21 June 1944 William Caldwell Currie age 26 Durham Light Infantry
Post by: MaxD on Monday 29 October 18 16:38 GMT (UK)
His record is still held by the Ministry of Defence, the process for application is here:
https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records/apply-for-someone-elses-records

His Commonwealth War Graves Commission entry is here:

https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2348092/currie,-william-caldwell/

Although he is now buried in Fontenay le Pesnel cemetery he was initially buried with another 11 men of 11 DLI (the date is given as 27 June 1944) at Rauray.  An account of the battle which mentions the part played by 11 DLI is here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Martlet

MaxD


Title: Re: 21 June 1944 William Caldwell Currie age 26 Durham Light Infantry
Post by: bluedooo on Monday 29 October 18 18:57 GMT (UK)
Just to thank JJen and MaxD for the useful information on William Calder Currie - much appreciated.

Regards
Bluedooo
Title: Re: 21 June 1944 William Caldwell Currie age 26 Durham Light Infantry
Post by: verrieres on Tuesday 30 October 18 22:40 GMT (UK)
He transferred into the DLI on 26/6/1940  after originally enlisting into the Royal Scots Fusiliers. Served in Iceland in 40-41 returned to England landed in Normandy on June 12th 1944. Killed in Action 26th June 1944 (Official DLI Roll still quotes 27th June as do the original CWGC records see concentration report at the bottom of the page )

https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2348092/currie,-william-caldwell/#&gid=null&pid=1


 Born Gloucestershire according to the National Roll of Honour despite the Scots Fusiliers and Ayrshire parentage connection.

http://70brigade.newmp.org.uk/wiki/Currie_William_Caldwell_Pte_3133796

Jim
Title: Re: 21 June 1944 William Caldwell Currie age 26 Durham Light Infantry
Post by: bluedooo on Wednesday 31 October 18 08:42 GMT (UK)
Message for  verrieres
Thank you for this information Jim.  I appreciate you taking the time to investigate this issue.
Kind Regards
Bluedooo