In our cemetery is a headstone with:- ARTHUR SIDNEY PAGE Killed on Active Service Nov. 27th 1942 aged 36 He was the husband of Beatrice Page who died in 1971 I have searched CWGC but can find no mention of a 'Page' death on that date. I've tried searching with Page A S Page A Page S A Page S A S S A A S all on or within 3 days of that date and nothing...... GRO has:- Arthur S Page Birth year: 1906 Age: 36 Death quarter: 4 Death year: 1942 District: Hereford Volume: 6A Page: 643 I have found his probate:-
I know that the CWGC values their records being correct so perhaps an email to them might galvanise them into action. Their Amendment section says: The accuracy of our records is very important to us - we are willing to consider amendments where appropriate. Any application for amendment must be supported by relevant documentary evidence. This can include a service record, birth, marriage and death certificate. There is a form that needs completing and sending through to them. It may be that he was omitted through an administrative error - you never know.
I can find no service record for him, but then there aren't many records for WW2 out there. I have just ordered his death cert (PDF) should get it by Friday.
Was he actually a service person or a civilian working there? He may come under different memorials. I tried Page & got reams of different 'pages' as of newspapers. Tried Sidney, tried adding Knighton. the internet went nuts but not in a useful manner. Sorry.
I have no idea Wendy, all I know is what is on his headstone Maybe his death cert may give more information. Maybe a regiment number.
Have you had a look at the ROF Rotherwas, Hereford (where he died) website? Loads of background information for you. Code: https://www.herefordshirehistory.org.uk/archive/rotherwas-munitions-workers
There is also a memorial. It might be worth contacting those who have the names recorded to see if Arthur is on there: Code: https://www.rotherwasmunitionshereford.co.uk/
Have filled in their proforma and sent it. Will await their reply. They also use the WIX site as I do.
Probate to his widow Beatrice confirms that he died at the Royal Ordnance Factory, Hereford and lived at Larkey Cottage, Knighton
Curiouser and curiouser.... I know that everything has said that Arthur died on 27th November 1942, but the factory was bombed on 27th July that same year and at least 16 people died. There is also an article in the Hereford Times that you might find interesting. Code: https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/15291749.Project_aims_to_uncover_complete_list_of_names_and_stories_of_those_who_worked_at_Rotherwas_munitions_factory/
Died from injuries received? The above herefordtimes article seems to suggest civilian employees rather that military.
The death certificate will shed a lot of light on this. I believe the CWGC had different criteria for civilians from military people. If I'm correct, a soldier who died of natural causes during the war would be included in the CWGC register but a civilian who died of natural causes, even inside an armaments factory, would not.
well the burial for Radnorshire says buried 1st Dec 1942 so guess Wendys suggestion of death from injuries is most likely
Unless I've missed it, but is the headstone a CWGC headstone? I believe that WW2 civilian deaths have to be due to enemy action to get a CWGC mention. If he had an accident at work it would seem that it would not count. As you say, the Death Certificate should throw some light on it.
