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In 2011
the grave of Private Kenneth Gardiner was adopted by
Marielle Wiertz, 42 years old, living in Elsloo, The
Netherlands. In the above photo she is seen attending the
grave in the summer or 2011.
His
parents were William G. Gardiner and Selina Gardiner (his
mothers maiden name was Davis). They married in 1923 at
Pershore, Worcestershire. During 1944 they were living in
the Yardley Wood, south of Birmingham. Kenneth Gardiner was
their first child and he was born in 1924.
Private Kenneth Gardiner was listed as died on the 19th
November 1944 but it is very likely that he was among the
men of Carrier Platoon that were killed or mortally wounded
when they were attacked by two German Self-Propelled Guns as
they headed towards the village of Rischden on the late
afternoon of the 18th November 1944. The Carrier Platoon was
only about 500 metres south-west of the village of Rischden
when they were attacked, they suffered 31 casualties (dead
and wounded). Many of the wounded died later the same day or
the next day the 19th November 1944. During the early
morning of the 19th November 1944 the casualties were taken
and place in two garages belonging to 4 bungalow houses at
the entrance to the village of Rischden. |
