WW2 heroes remembered Do you know Robert Mcfall’s family?
An amateur historian is trying to trace the family of a Blantyre man who was killed in combat during World War Two.
Corporal Robert Mcfall, of 46 Royal Marines Commando, died in Normandy in June 1944 aged 22.
He sailed to France on D-day, June 6, 1944 and fell, along with 21 comrades, almost a week later while fighting in the village of Rots.
His name is on a war memorial at High Blantyre Cemetery.
Jeff Hewitt – the son of RM commando Sgt Harry Hewitt, who survived the war – is to present a memorial plaque to the mayor of the village on the 75th anniversary of the commandos’ deaths, June 11, 2019.
The Oxfordshire man is seeking any relatives of Corporal Mcfall in the hope that they can join him in France to mark the anniversary.
Retired building maintenance surveyor Mr Hewitt (65) said: “My late father Sgt Harry Hewitt, who died in May 2003, aged 83, fought alongside these men.
“He was fortunate to survive this battle and the rest of the conflict his unit encountered throughout WW2 and he safely returned to the UK.
“Having now walked in my dad’s footsteps through France, Belgium, Holland and Germany I consider it a duty and an honour to remember his fallen comrades.
“By tracing any surviving family of Robert Mcfall I will be able to share with them his war history and invite them to join me in June 2019 to pay tribute to him and his fallen comrades.”
After the war the villagers of Rots erected a marble monument to commemorate the 22 men who gave their lives to liberate the village from German occupation.
Anyone with information about Robert Mcfall or his family can contact Jeff on 01869 356082 or email him at: jeffhewitt1952@outlook.com
Having now walked in my dad’s footsteps through France, Belgium, Holland and Germany I consider it duty and an honour to remember his fallen comrades