The Scottish War Graves Project

Tonym · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 91 Location: East Sussex

I have a dilemma as you will see from the following CWGC Commemoration:-

Name: MacDONALD-MURRAY, ADELAIDE FOREMAN
Initials: A F
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Voluntary Aid Detachment
Secondary Regiment: British Red Cross Society
Age: 33
Date of Death: 24/09/1947
Service No: W/683083
Additional information: Daughter of William Stark Thomson and Madalene Thomson, of St. Andrews; wife of Maj. Robin MacDonald-Murray, Royal Horse Artillery, of St. Andrews.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. G. Grave 274.
Cemetery: ST. ANDREWS WESTERN CEMETERY

My dilemma is 'Where do I record her?'

She has the rank of Private with an ATS Regimental number and her regiment is quoted as Voluntary Aid Detachment - British Red Cross Society.
I have queried this with CWGC and BRCS Archives; neither could offer a logical reason.
I note that the cemetery has not yet been surveyed but if anybody is in the area I would be very interested to learn what crest the headstone bears, assuming that it is a CWGC headstone.

Be grateful for any assistance

Tony

Adam Brown · Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 714 Location: Edinburgh

Tony

CWGC have her as VAD-BRCS for primary & secondary unit, not ATS. They are usually pretty accurate for units so I'd say record her as VAD.

Adam

Tonym · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 91 Location: East Sussex

Adam

I go along with what you say but I am still intrigued as to how she inherits the rank of Private with an ATS Regimental Number.

I have a strong feeling that there is probably more to her war service and cause of death than is apparent by her CWGC Cert. Will have to do some digging.

Regards

Tony

spoons · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 10:03 pm Post subject:

I once came across a guy (in the 1970s) who was a Sgt and an officer at the same time! Sgt in the TA and an office in the CCF. I am sure that's not supposed to happen but it did.

\Paul