Post by KG on Apr 30, 2009 22:10:13 GMT
Although given full permission in the past to both reproduce and post the works of Billy (Deep Sea ) McGee and others such as the eminent Captain Joe Earl, I have copied and posted the following without actuallly contacting him as I would normaly attempt to do even with the permissions given. AS IS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NEWS ETC.
If I err on this I can only apologise, my intemtions are and will always be honourable:
Back in 2005 it was brought to my attention that a Merchant Seamen named Reginald Earnshaw commemorated on Tower Hill Memorial, Panel 74 from the SS North Devon killed 6th July 1941 and he may have been buried ashore. After searching for records at Kew for the ships Official Log Book, it was discovered his body was found in the ships alleyway after being attacked by enemy forces. To verify his body was landed ashore I obtained a copy of his death certificate to prove this and he was registered at Cleethorpes reference 7a 1170. More research found he was buried at Comely Bank Edinburgh Section P Grave Space 440. (Details from Edinburgh City Council Phone No 0131 664 4314 Morton hall Edinburgh) This information was submitted to the CWGC and our findings were accepted and we are awaiting the erection of an official headstone (his grave was with a temporary cross)
The ships Log Book has his date of birth as 5th February 1926 in Dewsbury and his death certificate has him aged about 15. Only problem being there was no birth registered at Dewsbury for Reginald Earnshaw in 1926, but there was one registered in Dewsbury in the March quarter 1927 in Volume 9b page 864. Having obtained a copy of the birth certificate, I can verify he was born the 5th February 1927, so the Log Book shows an error of exactly one year to the day, which made him 14 years 152 days old when he was killed as to Raymond Steeds 14 years 207 days.
I felt obliged to contact the National MNA Secretary on the matter as he is the Treasurer for the Raymond Steed Memorial Fund . I know Newport have been working hard on raising the funds for their memorial, but I would hope that amendments could be made before any of their final work is undertaken. This is a dilema I could do without, but feel obliged on behalf of myself and others who found Reginald Earshaw. Four years ago he was just another name on a memorial. Now we have his final resting place and proper identification and believe he should be recorded as such by the CWGC and have informed them of our findings.
Deep Sea.
Will follow up K.