Two years ago I saw a feature in an English paper over here about a project that was endeavoring to build a database of photographs of ALL the war graves of British service personnel since the start of the First World War. Having visited their website at http://www.wargraves.org.uk/ I decided to volunteer and see if I could help.
I was asked to cover the departments of Charente and Charent-Maritime initially and that amounted to some 125+ War Graves. This task is about half done and offers us a pleasant day out photographing.
Among other tasks that I have volunteered for is the re-naming of large batches of photographs that have been taken in cemeteries in Northern France. I have just finished re-naming ( open photo in Photoshop, read the name on the grave and re-name the image as the grave stone.) some 2000 images from the Somme Cemeteries of Delville Wood and Caterpillar.
While carrying out these tasks I come across some gravestones that trigger questions such as “Why is a sailor buried so far from the sea ?” or “I wonder if I can find out anymore about that ship/squadron/unit ?”
One such grave was on the latest re-name files I have been asked to work on. They are from cemeteries near Dunkirk and one in particular was of a Sub-Lt DH King RNVR of HMS DEVONIA. Died 31 May 1940 aged 25.
I was interested to know what type of ship she was to start with and so put in an internat search which came up with nothing. I then remembered that many years ago I was in a military book club and had bought a re-print copy of ‘Jane’s Fighting Ships 1944-45’ which also includes details of all war losses for every nation.
I dug it out and looked up HMS Devonia and what did I find?
“Auxiliary Minesweepers. Devonia (1905) 622 tons gross. Lost, May 31 1940” In the same column are:- Brighton Belle, Brighton Queen, Crested Eagle, Gracie Fields, Parktown and Waverley, all lost at Dunkirk.
Of course I then started browsing the pages, as you do, and because this is an authentic re-print it also has the original adverts.
Here is one that might interest you.
If anyone can help with this project, which now includes all Commonwealth Service personnel than please let me know and I will arrange to pass your details to the relevant person in the UK.
