Gunner David Macgregor 892279

[ryan37]

Hi folks im looking for some
Help to understand the circumstances of the death of gunner david macgreggor of Peterhead he died on 3rd July 1942
Aged 21 he was my grandfathers cousin

I would like to know where exactly he died and how ?

Thanks I appreciate any help given

Ryan

[CaroleW]

WW2 Service records are still with the MoD.  There is a fee of £30

https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records

www.cwgc.org shows he died at El Alamein

[ryan37]

Thanks very much , can’t seem to find his birth certificate on Scotland’s people either ?

Ryan

[CaroleW]

Although the cwgc entry shows his parents were of Peterhead that was 21yrs after he was born so are you sure he was born in Peterhead?

Where & when did his parents marry?

[ShaunJ]

Casualty records show that he was serving with 2nd RHA when he died. There is a casualty card which records that he was born in Peterhead.

3 July 1942 was the time of the first battle - the defence - of El Alamein

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_El_Alamein

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_Regiment,_Royal_Horse_Artillery

[ShaunJ]

Photo in the Aberdeen Evening Express 20 July 1942, page 4

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0000445%2f19420720%2f047&stringtohighlight=david%20macgregor

Report of his death in the Aberdeen Weekly Journal 23 July 1942, page 1

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0000573%2f19420723%2f003&stringtohighlight=gunner%20macgregor

[ryan37]

Hi folks thanks for the excellent help

I can add that I found a birth certificate for david in 1920 at Peterhead

He was named david Davidson smith

There is no father listed at time
Of birth


Ryan

[CaroleW]

I did wonder if he was illegitimate given there was no birth under MacGregor.  1926 marriage in Peterhead between John MacGregor & Helen Watt Smith