Author Topic: Robert Anderson McDonald world war 2 death  (Read 922 times)

Offline ryan37

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Robert Anderson McDonald world war 2 death
« on: Friday 24 July 20 21:09 BST (UK) »
Hi there

I’m seeking any information on

Robert Anderson McDonald Gordon
Highlander Pte 2883065 who was killed in world war 2
His parents were John and Helen McDonald from
Strathdon

Can anyone tell me what happened to him and if there is any photo available I notice some newspapers printed photos of fallen men

Thanks in advance for any help given

Ryan

Offline Keitht

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Re: Robert Anderson McDonald world war 2 death
« Reply #1 on: Friday 24 July 20 21:36 BST (UK) »
He died on 12 June 1940, aged 22 and is buried in Grave 3 at Ourville en Caux Communal Cemetery, France.

He was the son of John and Helen McDonald, of Strathdon, Aberdeenshire.

Unfortunately the Commonwealth War Graves Commmission offers no further information.

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2689045/ROBERT%20ANDERSON%20McDONALD/

Offline MonicaL

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Re: Robert Anderson McDonald world war 2 death
« Reply #2 on: Friday 24 July 20 21:45 BST (UK) »
Hi Ryan

These look to be his burial details here www.ww2cemeteries.com/ourville-en-caux-communal-cemetery.html

Given the dates of the other 3 burials, the 11th and 12th June seem key. You may find some further details by trying to find war diaries for the Gordon Highlanders for that time. Dunkirk comes to mind around this time (a little earlier 26/5 to 4/6 1940).

Monica
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Offline tonepad

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Re: Robert Anderson McDonald world war 2 death
« Reply #3 on: Saturday 25 July 20 07:19 BST (UK) »
The 51st Highland Division tried unsuccessfully to evacuate at St. Valery on 11th June, a separate operation to the earlier evacuation at Dunkirk:

https://51hd.co.uk/history/valery_1940

https://www.poppyscotland.org.uk/get-involved/saint-valery/history-of-st-valery/


Tony
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Offline ryan37

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Re: Robert Anderson McDonald world war 2 death
« Reply #4 on: Saturday 25 July 20 17:27 BST (UK) »
Fantastic additions folks very very interesting links Aswell,

Thanks each and everyone of you very much for your help
And efforts

Ryan

Offline MaxD

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Re: Robert Anderson McDonald world war 2 death
« Reply #5 on: Sunday 26 July 20 15:05 BST (UK) »
Simon Sebag-Montefiore devotes a whole section of his book "Dunkirk - to the last man" to the sacrifice (his term) of the 51st Division at the time of Dunkirk.

If https://britishwargraves.co.uk/ have a copy of a photo of his headstone they will provide it free.

Max
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Offline ryan37

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Re: Robert Anderson McDonald world war 2 death
« Reply #6 on: Monday 27 July 20 22:05 BST (UK) »
Fantastic addition thanks

I will try that

Thanks for your great help and contributions

Ryan

Offline barryd

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Re: Robert Anderson McDonald world war 2 death
« Reply #7 on: Tuesday 28 July 20 03:35 BST (UK) »
I do not know what happened to Robert but looks like he was not killed in a major battle. Possibly with 3 others trying to get somewhere. May be they were killed trying to get to the evacuation areas. Four killed. Four buried. The family at home must have known about the incident as they comment after the war.


https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2689045/ROBERT%20ANDERSON%20McDONALD/

Offline barryd

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Re: Robert Anderson McDonald world war 2 death
« Reply #8 on: Tuesday 28 July 20 04:32 BST (UK) »
The query is above my generalist knowledge of war deaths, As you can see from one of the items the war graves people are still documenting the site in 1954. Was the grave documentation started at the time of death by the locals (Parish Priest?) and completed after the war ended. I have never seen anything like this before.