Searching for relatives of David (Dave) Honey killed in action 13/08/1944

[robpettitt]

Hello everyone, I hope that this is appropriate here, if not let me know and I will delete.

I am searching for any living relatives of David (Dave) Honey 5105919 who was part of 2Bn Royal Warwickshire Regiment in WW2. My Dad served alongside him in Normandy June-August 1944. On 13/08/1944 Dave was killed by the same mortar that wounded my Dad. He is buried at St Charles de Percy War Cemetery near Vire in Normandy.

My Dad lived a full life and passed away in January 2011. We went back to Normandy many times over the years, and my Dad always tried to visit the cemetery and remember his old comrade.

On the morning of the day he died, Dave received a telegram telling him that his wife had given birth to a son, who was named David in his memory. So he would have been born in July/August 1944 and would therefore be 81 if still alive himself, or there may be other relatives. Dave (senior) was married to Ivy (nee Swancutt) and she apparently lived in Ladywood. I have been told that she re-married after the war (which would make sense) but I have no further details.

So, I am searching for either David (junior) or any other relatives. They may have changed their surname from Honey after Ivy remarried but again I have no information. I simply want to let them know that Dave (senior) was never forgotten, and indeed still remembered now.

Thank you,

Rob Pettitt

 

[Brummie a long time ago]

We have visited a number of war grave sites in France, some only accessible by 4x4, others fully open. They always instill a feeling of quiet reflection, and also of futility, but that tends to be on a ‘large’ scale. Stories like yours above bring home the sense that behind every headstone there is a very personal story of grief and sadness. I cannot help with your query, but thanks for telling your story.
Andrew.

 

[Astoness]

View attachment 202233

Hello everyone, I hope that this is appropriate here, if not let me know and I will delete.

I am searching for any living relatives of David (Dave) Honey 5105919 who was part of 2Bn Royal Warwickshire Regiment in WW2. My Dad served alongside him in Normandy June-August 1944. On 13/08/1944 Dave was killed by the same mortar that wounded my Dad. He is buried at St Charles de Percy War Cemetery near Vire in Normandy.

My Dad lived a full life and passed away in January 2011. We went back to Normandy many times over the years, and my Dad always tried to visit the cemetery and remember his old comrade.

On the morning of the day he died, Dave received a telegram telling him that his wife had given birth to a son, who was named David in his memory. So he would have been born in July/August 1944 and would therefore be 81 if still alive himself, or there may be other relatives. Dave (senior) was married to Ivy (nee Swancutt) and she apparently lived in Ladywood. I have been told that she re-married after the war (which would make sense) but I have no further details.

So, I am searching for either David (junior) or any other relatives. They may have changed their surname from Honey after Ivy remarried but again I have no information. I simply want to let them know that Dave (senior) was never forgotten, and indeed still remembered now.

Thank you,

Rob Pettitt

hi rob...how nice of you to try and find any of daves living relatives..so pleased that dave was able to know that he had a son.. ..we have some very good researchers on here that maybe able to help you so fingers crossed..

i am moving this thread to our surname interests of the forum where it will have more coverage...good luck

lyn

 

[MWS]

1939 Register lists her at 62 Downing St. She re-married in 1952 to a William J Hayward, they don't appear to have had any children. She possibly died in 2007, death registered in Sandwell.

There doesn't appear to be a death registered (England & Wales) for David (as Honey) up to 2023.

 

[robpettitt]

Thank you so much @MWS that is very helpful. So it probably then rests on David junior, possibly Hayward if he changed his name.

 

[MWS]

I can't be sure but it's possible that he was the fourth husband of a Beryl Mavis Herrington. They didn't marry until 1988, so if that was his only marriage (and I can't see any others in Eng & Wales) then he probably hasn't had any children. She died in 2010.

 

[MWS]

I also note that his age looks to be incorrect on his gravestone. He appears to have been born in 1910/1911.

He had at least 2 brothers and 6 sisters.

 

[robpettitt]

I also note that his age looks to be incorrect on his gravestone. He appears to have been born in 1910/1911.

He had at least 2 brothers and 6 sisters.

That's curious, when they were about to depart for D Day, both he and my Dad were spoken to by their CO as they were both technically outside the age range for front line action (19-35). My Dad recalls the CO saying that Dave was 36, and my Dad was 18. They both volunteered to go anyway. So I'm not sure how this fits in but interesting anyway.