5382013 Lance-Corporal Reginald JJ WALLIS, 1 Kings Own Royal Regiment: 03/07/1944

Hello I'm a new member, I'm trying to find any info on my Uncle Lance corporal Reginald Joseph James Wallis, number 5382013, 1st Battalion, King’s Own Royal Regiment, Killed 3 Jul 1944. Age 25 any info on where he died and any photographs of him and his Regiment
Thank you so much Regards Christina

 

Hello Christina,

5382013 Pte. Reginald Joseph James Wallis
Enlisted Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
Transferred
7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment
W.I.A. 23.05.1940 Dunkirk





See 7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, War Diary, May, 1940 below.

Transferred
1st Battalion, King's Own Royal Regiment



1st Battalion, King's Own Royal Regiment, Lancaster

The new 1st Battalion landed in Italy on 28th March 1944 and operated as part of the 10th Indian Division. They were in the Tiber Valley in June, captured the village of Montone in July and took part in a night attack which opened the road to Citta di Castello.

On 30th June the 1st Battalion put in its first attack since reconstitution. Only rearguards confronted it that day and the operation was a complete success; all objectives were taken as were a number of prisoners. As the troops approached Umbertide, a market town twenty miles north of Perugia, resistance stiffened, but the battalion continued to be successful in a number of minor operations, amongst which was the attack on Pierantonio on 3rd July, a village overlooked by a hill which was strongly defended.

5382013 Pte. Reginald Joseph James Wallis
Seems likely that he died in the attack on Pierantonio on 3rd July, 1944.

 

Welcome aboard.

His name and number have not appeared here before.

We always recommend applying for the subject's full service record. Yes, it may take a year to arrive - either from the MoD or National Archives (TNA). It is not available online and is the definitive record. There is nothing you can do about the wait.

If you search online with his unit(s) if known or later, so for example: "XXth Anti-Tank Regiment" site:ww2talk.com that may identify threads mentioning them, at a glance without adding much. If you drop the 'th' more may be found.

Searching the National Archives for the subject or unit(s) can identify those who were awarded honours / medals and the existence of War Diaries – which rarely mention individuals soldiers. They do give context and details of activity.

Some research tips next via PM and good luck.

 

Thank you so much David

 

Looking at the concentration report on his CWGC record it states that his previous burial site was at 695096, in line with the information in David's post #2 this is located at Pierantonio, soldiers were often originally buried where they fell.
Lance Corporal Reginald Joseph James Wallis | War Casualty Details 2049269 | CWGC

This map reference is shown here:

 

Thank you Tony how sad those poor men

 

The battalion WD gives zero information for the 3rd July 1944 - you would be mistaken for thinking nothing happened.



The monthly summary, however, records 36 casualties on the 3rd.

 

The 25 Indian Infantry Brigade WD does give more information. Apart from intermittent shelling causing casualties, the King's Own attacks on Pierantonio and Point 504 failed on the evening of the 3rd, with over 30 casualties.

 

Wow Thank you Gary