When taking headstone photos at Tocumwal cemetery (New South Wales) earlier this week, I came across these headstones. Any ideas as to the terminology "Labour Force" except the obvious. They seem to have been given a rank and a number. Was this similar in Britain? View attachment 1170 View attachment 1171
I have found some things myself as my search spelling was incorrect. http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/awm108/011/011101.pdf Ulrich Siegmund Laufer RankPrivate [Pte]Service NumberV510654 Unit8 EMP COY ServiceArmy Conflict1939-1945 Date of Death30 December 1943 Place of DeathAustralia Cause of DeathAccidental (Drowning) Max Schwarz RankPrivate [Pte] Service NumberV510653 Unit8 EMPLOY COY ServiceArmy Conflict1939-1945 Date of Death30 December 1943 Place of DeathAustralia Cause of DeathAccidental (Drowning) http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/awm108/018/018891.pdf
Interesting stuff, Spidge, and new to me. Could it be people who were waiting their call up? Just an idle thought that sprang to mind as my knowledge in this are is ashamedly negligible. Refugees? Or even recent immigrants who weren't allowed to join up because of German (wild assumption on the surnames) lineage? There would have been a few RAAF types at Tocumwal.
This is the story of the Tocumwal Base. View attachment 1172 They are both listed in the Australian Roll of Honour. Next of kin are both set out as relatives in New York.
During the 1st World War a lot of Chinese came over as labour. They are acknowledged by the CWGC and have CWGC headstones. There are some very big cemeteries in France dedicated to these guys, St Sever for one has quite a number buried there, also Noyles has a huge memorial and cemetery dedicated to them. Most were used for re-building and unloading of supplies from ships and trains. Must admit i haven't seen any WW2 labourers here in the UK. Sniper eep:
I have to admit that i still can't get a clear idea of whether they were officially military or civilian or militia. Depending on that their British counterparts could the Pioneer Corps or one of the civilian labour organisations, As to the CWGC the one group who I've felt have been unfairly excluded are the Bevin Boys who were assigned this job on call up. They could easily have ended up in the forces and thus deserve recognition for their casualties
Being designated with a rank (Private), number and CWGC burial, you would think they were army however I am sure we are no closer!:frusty:
