Channel Islands Red Cross Form

[Chris Grimshaw]

Good Afternoon Team

Received the inquiry shown below this morning, any assistance appreciated.

"I am a member of the Channel Islands' Specialist Society and am researching the German Occupation period from 1940-1945.  I recently obtained an interesting Red Cross Message form sent from Chester to Guernsey on 11th July 1941, sent by Mrs Verna Edmonds to Emma Mould.  Message reads " Bruce reported missing, believed killed in action May 1940",  Reply is " Poor Bruce, I still hope on".  I wonder if any of your members can help me with any information, I assume he was Bruce Edmonds,  possibly around Dunkirk time?  Any information would help."

Chris

[Alan Baker]

The only Bruce Edmonds on FWR was a Leading Seaman on HMS Southampton, Killed 1941. His family was from Kent.

As for Verna Edmonds, the only record on Ancestry is of an American citizen who arrived on the White Star liner Homeric at Southampton in 1930.

Any chance of seeing a scan of the document?

[Chris Grimshaw]

Hi Alan

Scan was attached to the original post, if for any reason you cannot see it please advise and I'll send direct.

Chris

[Alan Baker]

Never thought to look!

Not many clues there, apart from mention of Brenda and Marshall (sounds American).

There appears to be a message on the reverse, but can't make it out (apart from "Lov from Dad"). May not help

[Chris Grimshaw]

Hi Alan

Found this reference, same as your find.

LEADING SEAMAN
BRUCE RICHARD MCLEAN EDMONDS
Service Number: C/JX 133931
Regiment & Unit/Ship
Royal Navy

H.M.S. Southampton

Date of Death
Died 12 January 1941

Age 26 years old

Buried or commemorated at
CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL

Dates seem to tie in well.

Chris

[Chris Grimshaw]

A little more.

"On 15 November Southampton sailed for the Mediterranean. She participated in the action off Cape Spartivento on 27 November. In December the cruiser was moved to the Red Sea to escort troop convoys, and at the same time took part in the bombardment of Kismayu during the campaign in Italian East Africa. On 1 January 1941 she joined the 3rd Cruiser Squadron and took part in Operation Excess. In the early afternoon of 11 January,[1] both she and fellow cruiser Gloucester came under attack from 12 Stuka dive bombers of II Gruppe, Sturzkampfgeschwader 2, Luftwaffe.[2] She was hit by at least two bombs south-east of Malta and caught fire; the resulting blaze spread from stem to stern and trapped a number of men below decks.[1] 81 men were killed with the survivors being picked up by Gloucester and the destroyer Diamond. Heavily damaged and without power, Southampton was sunk by one torpedo from Gloucester and four from the cruiser Orion."

Chris

[Alan Baker]

The date in the message suggests this is not him though.

[Michael Dobbs]

Chris

I agree with Alan - the message states "believed killed in action May 1940" which is way before your Leading Seaman Edmonds who died 12 January 1941.

As Alan also states there is a message on the back - is it possible to have a scan of the back of the message please?

Thanks, Mike