This memorial page is dedicated to Thomas Edward Roberts, one of more than 725 war victims connected to the municipality of Deurne documented by Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers. The municipality of Deurne and the surrounding villages of Liessel, Vlierden, Helenaveen, Neerkant and Zeilberg were liberated in the autumn of 1944 during heavy fighting. Victims fell on all sides: Allied soldiers from countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and New Zealand, and German soldiers.

But the archive covers more than just the combat victims on Deurne soil. Residents of Deurne who lost their lives elsewhere are also commemorated: civilians who were murdered in concentration camps, forced labourers who died in Germany, people who were executed or succumbed to the effects of persecution and oppression. In addition, residents of Deurne who entered German military service and were killed elsewhere are also included.

Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers has been documenting the story of all these people since 1995, without distinction of nationality, side or background. The goal is to give every person a name and a face, and to keep their memory alive.

 

Name: Roberts
First names: Thomas Edward
Nickname: –
Date of birth: –
Place of birth: Glamorgan
Residence: –
Rank / Occupation: Gunner
Identity tag: 1124446
Unit: Royal Artillery, 151st (The Ayrshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment
Date of death: 21 November 1944
Place of death: Deurne, Zeilberg
Cause of death: Mine explosion
Cemetery: Mook War Cemetery
Memorial site: Aberdare Boys Grammar School World War II Memorial


Additional information

Grave location: IV. C. 12.

35 years.

Thomas Edward Roberts’ field grave was situated near Zeilberg Z. 191, Hanenbergweg 20, in Deurne.

Thomas Edward Roberts died as a result of a mine explosion when his ‘Y’ Truck struck a mine. The War Diary states: “OPs of 123 & 124 Btys issued with ‘Weasels’ fitted with w/t sets. The regiment received orders to return to action at 1500. In full action by nightfall. A ‘Y’ Truck of 125 Bty blown up by a mine. Gnr T. E. Roberts killed. Gnr B.F.E. Boileau died of his wounds (Brandram Francis Etienne Boileau died a day later from his injuries in a field hospital at Griendtsveen). Wounded – Sgt G. Goulden, Gnr S. Price, Gnr J. Smith. All battery records were destroyed when the truck burnt out.”

View all persons in the category: Allied soldiers killed in action