Genealogy Chat

I am trying, with difficulty, to find a copy of my grandfather's death certificate, he was in the REME and was killed in France after the end of the war. He was involved in digging war graves when he was killed, he is buried in a war grave but no one can help me with a death certificate - any ideas?

He should be on the Commonwealth War Graves site with his date of death on there.

Once you have the date of death you should be able to find the reference for his death certificate on Findmypast overseas military deaths.

You then order in the normal way from the GRO remembering to select "overseas deaths".

Kath. x

Thanks Jonesey,
There is a story that he went over there to dig the graves but he was playing cards and winning and was beaten up for his winnings and left to die - dont know how much truth there is in it.

Thank you Kath, I will have a look at that site.

Since he was a Scottish soldier, his d.cert should be available thru ScotlandsPeople but, like Jonesey says, the war death registers are singularly uninformative. For an example of what they're like, see the links at the foot of:
http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/content/help/index.aspx?r=554&404

I have discovered Scottish ancestors military records on

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

It included when and how long he was hospitalised following a "slight gunshot wound to his left side" and being missing from barracks from 6.30pm but returned drunk at 9.30pm.

The same sailor's death registration on Scotlandspeople.

Thanks TootyFrooty, I will check that site out.