294th Engineer Combat Battalion - 1944.

[Walt's Daughter]

You are very welcome. I and our fellow board members are only to happy to assist. The best to you.

[In memory of George]

I made a mistake.... George was in the 294th Battalion, Company C. I mistakenly wrote 249.

[Walt's Daughter]

Thanks for the clarification, We all make mistakes, me included!!!

[Walt's Daughter]

Colin:

 

I have a gentleman who is interested in the photos. I will email you with his email address, so you can correspond directly.

 

Here's his letter to me:

 

Hi Marion,

 

I recently interviewed my Uncle Jay Wingate regarding his WW2 experiences and he mentioned that he was involved in the March 20, 1944 training accident in Sherborne, Dorset, England. He was in Company C and 29 men were killed in the explosion of mines. Luckily, Jay was on the ground on both knees when the explosion occurred and he was not injured. The blast traveled over his head. I saw your photos of the 294th memorial plaque at the Sherborne Abbey that you posted on one of the forums. The plaque lists the names of the 29 who were killed. Unfortunately, the photos are very low resolution. Do you still have the originals of these photos? If so, will you please send them to me via email? I would like to include them in the video that I made of my interview with Jay. Here's the link to the forum where I found the photos.

 

http://www.6thcorpscombatengineers.com/eng...?showtopic=1130

 

I don't think Jay is aware that a memorial exists. I believe that he will be very surprised to see the photos in my video, assuming that you can send the originals to me.

 

I love your website. Nice job!

 

Looks like he would like some larger images to present to his uncle. Thanks. M1

[colinhotham]

M1,

 

Thank you for forwarding Chris's email. I have sent him the two photos I have from my Sherborne visit in 2005 in the original format. The plaque is easily readable so I'm sure they will do.

 

Colin.

[Walt's Daughter]

Fantastic. Thanks for getting in touch with him. Greatly appreciated.

 

M1

[Bob Mehm]

Fantastic. Thanks for getting in touch with him. Greatly appreciated.

 

M1

 

Hello, I came across this post from a google search. My Dad was in the 294th Co. C and told me this same story (the truck explosion) many years ago. He was one of just a few survivors that were in the immeadiate area. He was knocked out and sent to the hospital for a while, I don't think anyone ever told him what happened.

 

I was looking for more information on the unit, the one contact I found listed (James Hand) has passed away. If anyone has more info, please advise.

 

Thanks,

 

Major Bob Mehm

213 Engineering & Installation Squadron, NYANG

[Walt's Daughter]

Welcome Major Bob!

 

If you would like to talk to any of the people who have made posts on this topic, you can also click on their username, while you are logged in, and send them a PM.

 

Glad you found our site.

 

What was your father's name? Do you have any photos from the war?

 

Marion

[colinhotham]

Marion it has amazed me how this thread has grown over the years since I first read the story and posted my first item back in 2005. We know now about so many men who were serving with the 294th and what happened at the time of the explosion. I will bring my treasured booklet on the 228th American Hospital, Sherborne with me to show you at the reunion. At the time and since then I have been involved as you know with Sicily and Husky but I might now return to see if I can find out more about the 294th and 228th in England.

 

Colin.

[Walt's Daughter]

I was thinking the same exact thing, as I looked back to the very first post 5 years ago.

 

I'll look forward to seeing the book in September.

 

As I always tell everyone; you never know what info will appear at any time and any place. Keep the faith!