Genealogy Chat

A relative Elwyn Thomas died in Burma in WW2. He was not killed in action & I can find no trace of his death being registered in this country. In the past members of the family have implied that this is a bit of a skeleton in the family cupboard - I'm wondering if he committed suicide. Any ideas where I can look for info? Thanks Shân

Hi Shan, Do you have his date of birth, wifes name or where he was from? Have you chacked the overseas deaths on 1837?

Hi Fiona, He was born in 1920 I think in Wallasey, Wirral. I'm afraid I don't know his wifes name - I will try the website you mentioned. Thanks Just had a quick look at 1837online & I think it will every interesting. Do you think this is the best one to subscrobe to - what about Ancestry .com?

Shaun Who were his parents. Victor

Hi Shan, 1837 is pay per view, for deaths for the time period you are looking at it is the place to look but could cost a bit if you don't know what year your looking at and have to search many years and quarters. Ancestry and FreeBMD only go up to 1910 and then those years are not all complete. The War Grave site has a Elwyn Thomas living Cheshire, if you could find out your Elwyn's wifes name it may rule him in or out. http://www.cwgc.*org/cwgcinternet/search.*aspx Name: THOMAS, ELWYN Initials: E Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Trooper Regiment: Royal Tank Regiment, R.A.C. Unit Text: 46th (The Liverpool Welsh) Age: 29 Date of Death: 07/12/1944 Service No: 7913189 Additional information: Husband of Myfanwy Thomas, of Crewe, Cheshire. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: 17. B. 2. Cemetery: PHALERON WAR CEMETERY

Elwyn's parents were Louis Thomas & Edith Mary Thomas nee Littler This is all so interesting as there is a family tradition for serving in the Royal Welch - I think it could be our Elwyn Shân

No - it's not my Elwyn. Thanks for giving me that link - I'll have a good look through it Thanks# Shân

FOUND HIM!!!!! Thank you so much Shân

Hi Shan, Just got back from shopping. Glad you found him! With the date of death from the war graves site you should be able to find his death ref in the overseas section on 1837 online. Good luck with your searches. Fiona

How can I find out what he died from - will the death reference give me that? He died 15 Sept 1946

If you can find a death cert to order (overseas 1837online) it MAY give you the info you are after, but it may just say 'War Casualty' for cause of death. There COULD be other avenues such as contacting the regiment he was in.......Others on this site will be able to give you more info than I can...... You might be able to get his service record from the Ministry of Defence (costs about £25 and takes ages to come!). Try putting up a thread about him, including his regimental details. I'm sure someoe will help! Good Luck Merry