RASC death 1941 - no GRO record?

[Shep]

I'm trying to locate the GRO reference for the death of :
Name: WILLIAMS, DAVID TUDOR
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Royal Army Service Corps
Date of Death: 27/03/1941
Service No: 122452
Buried in Overleigh Cemetary in Chester

I've located his memorial in the local paper confirming he was killed on active service (but it doesn't say where) but the GRO WAR DEATHS ARMY OFFICERS INDICES (1939 to 1948) don't mention him.

No mention on FreeBMD or CheshireBMD either so the local Register Office can't help.

Can anyone advise how I might find his death certificate?

[andycand]

Hi

FreeBMD does have a death for a David T WILLIAMS age 36 in the Macclesfield Reg Dist in March Qtr 1941, CheshireBMD is a work in progress and deaths to the 1940's haven't been transcribed for all Districts/Sub Districts. If you look at the Coverage you can see what has been transcribed.

Andy

[Shep]

Chester is covered upto 1950 but I think he may have died abroad so I would have expected the death to appear in the GRO WAR DEATHS ARMY OFFICERS INDICES as he was a Lieutenant but doesn't.

He gets buried in Chester 4 days after his death which means he may have died locally. His obituary simply says he died on active service but not how or where - aaarghh!

[IMBER]

He didn't die abroad as those who died abroad were not repatriated.  He may be buried in Chester but could have died anywhere in the UK. Was he brought back to Chester because of a connection with the area? Surely if he died in the UK he would be recorded in the normal GRO record? On the other hand if, for example. he died in Scotland or Northern Ireland then you would have to check out the records there.

[IMBER]

Sorry, I should have said:

"Surely if he died in England or Wales he would be recorded in the normal GRO record?"

Imber

[grandarog]

The Woolwich registered Death seems to be the favourite.He could well have been in London at the time and killed by bombing as the blitz was at its height through 1940/1941 and obviously if he was Serving King and Country he would have been listed as Killed on Active Service as opposed to Killed in Action. That would also account for the 4 day gap before burial as time to certify and transport body to Chester.

[Shep]

Thanks Roger - it seems the best option.