Douglas Stuart Necrews

Lance Corporal Douglas Stuart Necrews, Royal Army Ordnance Corps – the Only Military Burial at Ebenezer Congregational Chapel, Dunvant

Early Life and Family

Douglas Stuart Necrews was the son of William Nekrews and Rosetta Davies, who married in 1924. Following William’s death, Rosetta remarried in 1944 to James Gilbert Griffiths.

Military Service

Douglas enlisted in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and rose to the rank of Lance Corporal.

Death and Burial

On 12^th October 1947, at just 19 years of age, Douglas died following an accident and passed away at Birmingham Hospital.
His body was returned to Swansea and buried at Ebenezer Congregational Chapel, Dunvant, where he remains the chapel’s only military burial.

The Fatal Accident and Legal Case

Stratford-upon-Avon Herald

In January 1948, the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald reported on a case connected to his death. Private James George Boulton, also of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and stationed at Marlborough Farm Camp, Kineton, was charged with dangerous driving after an accident that claimed the life of Lance Corporal Necrews and left another passenger, Corporal George, with a fractured spine.

Earlier Incident

Herald of Wales

In 1945, the Herald of Wales reported that Douglas himself had once been charged with driving without due care.

Legacy

Though his life ended tragically young, Lance Corporal Douglas Stuart Necrews is remembered for his service and as the only soldier to be buried with military honours at Ebenezer Congregational Chapel, Dunvant.