Saturday, August 13, 2011

A son of Godalming who gave his all




Photographs (courtesy of Mr. R. Verhagen):

(Top): The 'Torenmuseum', Geffen, Netherlands
This is ocated in the old village church tower.
The museum wall still shows structural damage from WW2.

(Bottom): The Godalming WW2 War Memorial
One of those listed is Lance Corporal Brian W. Hackman
(L/Cpl Hackman was killed in action at Geffen)


Lance Corporal Brian William Hackman, Grenadier Guards, a son of Godalming, Surrey was killed in action at Geffen, Netherlands on 27 September 1944. The 'Torenmuseum' at Geffen remembers the sacrifice of Lance Corporal Hackman and others who died liberating their area.

For additional information click on 'Comments' below

1 Comments:

Blogger ritsonvaljos said...

Additional information

Lance Corporal Brian William Hackman, Grenadier Guards, from Godalming, Surrey was the only son, and believed to have been the only child, of Alfred Harry Hackman and Annie Hackman (nee McCashen). Alfred and Annie married in 1921 and Brian was born in 1925. At the time of Alfred and Annie's wedding, the Hackman family were already established in the Godalming / Guildford area.

Annie McCashen originally came from Whitehaven, Cumberland and was born on 25 July 1900 and baptised at St Begh's R.C. Church. Annie's parents were James McCashen and Elizabeth McCashen (nee Knowles). Annie had at least three other siblings who, it is believed, remained in West Cumberland: Rose McCashen born 12.9.1901, Elizabeth McCashen born 11.04.1905 and a son Robert McCashen born 18.5.1903, all baptised at St. Begh's. (The Irish surname 'McCashen' is sometimes also spelt as 'McCassion').

During WW2 the Hackman family lived at 5 Cattersall Lane, Godalming: which has since been demolished. Lance Corporal Hackman was killed in action at Geffen on 27 September 1944. Checking the archives of both the 'Surrey Advertiser' (Brian Hackman's home area) and 'The Whitehaven News' (his mother's home area) for September and October 1944, there was no mention of Lance Corporal Hackman having been killed.

Lance Corporal Hackman was buried at Mook War Cemetery, approximately 11 kilometres S.E. of Nijmegen. Brian Hackman is also commemorated on the Godalming WW2 War Memorial, Surrey (where he was born) and at the museum at Geffen, Netherlands (where he fell).

This is Brian Hackman's CWGC citation:

Casualty Details

Name: HACKMAN, BRIAN WILLIAM
Initials: B W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment/Service: Grenadier Guards
Age: 19
Date of Death: 27/09/1944
Service No: 2624437
Additional information: Son of Alfred Harry and Anne Hackman, of Godalming, Surrey.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. C. 5.
Cemetery: MOOK WAR CEMETERY (Netherlands)

Acknowledgements:

Mr Ruud Verhagen,
Torenmuseum, Geffen, Netherlands

Mr John B. Wright,
WW2 researcher, Surrey

Mrs Maud Smith,
Parish Secretary,
St Begh's R.C. Parish, Whitehaven
====================

Sunday, 14 August, 2011  

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