Veteran looking for his mate's grave: T/113595 Stanley MONAGHAN, RASC

Discussion in 'War Grave Photographs' started by JOHNB84, Jan 11, 2008.

  1. JOHNB84

    JOHNB84 Member

    I was talking to one of our village veterans yesterday, and he told me a story of when his best mate was killed, I didn't like to press him to much on the matter because he was getting himself a little bit upset.
    However he did tell me that he was in a foxhole on the Anzio beachhead with his mate, when he himself had left get them both some grub, when he returned his mate was lying dead, having been hit by a shell, he said the following day they placed him in a blanket and laid him to rest on a small hill.
    To this day he doesn't know if his mate has a grave. He the told me his mates name was Stanley Monaghan.
    On returning home I checked the CWGC and found that Stanley does indeed have a grave in the Beach Head Cemetery, Anzio.

    CWGC :: Casualty Details

    Could any members possibly point me in the right direction of trying to get my village veteran, whose name is Gordon Ingram, a photo of his friends grave.
    And for myself I would be very interested to know what Bill and Stanley's unit was up to etc on the Anzio beachhead, the day Stanley lost his life.
    If possible also please any history on their unit would be a great help too.
    Like I said above I didn't like to press old Bill to much on the matter.
    Any help please would be greatly appreciated.

    All the best
    John.
     
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  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Hopefully, I will be going there in May.
    If you've had no luck by then either Paul or myself will take a photo.
     
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  3. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    No problem - we will make sure we visit this in May.
     
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  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Is 80 Inf. Bde. Coy. RASC same as 80 Coy RASC ?
    If so then he was a 5th Div man.
    Manchester Eighth Army Veterans Association
    Im just looking at their Div History.
    John could you ask your friend if he was in 5th Division.
     
  5. JOHNB84

    JOHNB84 Member

    Owen/Paul
    Brilliant, thank you so much, it will make old Bills day when I tell him. I will also ask him if he was with the 5th Division.

    Thanks again
    John.
     
  6. JOHNB84

    JOHNB84 Member

    Just popped round Gordon's house (he just lives round the corner), he is chuffed to bits with the news, and sends his thanks.
    If its ok with you lads I will get Gordon a cross and poppy for him to write a few words on in memory of his mate, I could then send it onto one of you if thats alright, if you could lay it on Stanley's grave on Gordon's behalf that would be great.
    I asked Gordon if it was the 80th Bde, 5 Division in which he served, at first he said no it was the 17th Bde, but then said that he remembers that the 80th Bde changed to the 17th Bde, or he transferred from one to the other, but he said it was defiantly the 5 Division he was serving.

    Thanks again lads
    John

    PS...You may have noticed on my lasts posts I revered to Gordon as Bill also, got my wires crossed here a bit, as yesterday I was also talking to another veteran Bill Newby of the Royal Navy.
     
  7. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Nearer the time PM one of us our address and we'll put the cross there.
    Has he any photos?
    Love to see them.
    Can you also ask him how long he was with 5th Div for?
     
  8. Capt.Sensible

    Capt.Sensible Well-Known Member

    I've just had a look at the RBL website. Whilst they organise subsidised pilgrimages to various locations, they don't seem to offer much in the way of financial assistance to anybody apart from widows/widowers. I wondered if Gordon would like to go to Anzio and if anybody out there in forumland knew of any charity or means of supporting such a visit? H
    The Royal British Legion - Can We Help You? - Grants & Loans
     
  9. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    I've just had a look at the RBL website. Whilst they organise subsidised pilgrimages to various locations, they don't seem to offer much in the way of financial assistance to anybody apart from widows/widowers. I wondered if Gordon would like to go to Anzio and if anybody out there in forumland knew of any charity or means of supporting such a visit? H
    The Royal British Legion - Can We Help You? - Grants & Loans

    It's things like this we hope to address with the WW2 Society. Aside from the Veterans Return fund, there is very little help for vets who want to go back.
     
  10. soren1941

    soren1941 Living in Ypres

    It should be paid for by the State, a small price for these Guys and Gals bravery, oh no I forgot, we give the money to Iranians so that they can go home and start Ostrich Farms!
     
  11. Capt.Sensible

    Capt.Sensible Well-Known Member

    It's things like this we hope to address with the WW2 Society. Aside from the Veterans Return fund, there is very little help for vets who want to go back.

    Shame..I can't help but wonder what if Gordon and his oppo had been American? Oh well, we have a lovely NHS..don't we? How can I find out more about the WW2 Society, Paul?

    H
     
  12. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

  13. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Strong stuff chaps.
    It is a dreadful shame.
    Good on you Owen, Paul, & John for helping this chap out as best you can. Reputation points for all :).

    Cheers,
    Adam.
     
  14. Capt.Sensible

    Capt.Sensible Well-Known Member

  15. JOHNB84

    JOHNB84 Member

    Gordon was called up at 18, he fought his way across the world, from Madagascar to Iran the invasion of Sicily and Italy, he ended up finally in Germany.

    Gordon is going to write down his memoirs down for me of his time in service, he is also going to sort some photos out too, I will ask his permission if its ok to share them with you all here.

    As for him visiting Anzio etc, he did say he wished he had done it years ago, it had always been his intention to return one day, but now aged 86 he believes it is to late. John.
     
  16. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    John, as has been mentioned on the forum. 5 Div was probably the most widely travelled of all. Gordon has neglected to mention the period on the plains of India when they were effectively quarantined due to the virulence of the Madagascan malaria.

    My Grandfather was with 2nd Northamptons in 17 Bde and I know that Anzio made a lasting impression on everyone who was there.

    You might like to have a look at the "D-Day Dodgers" website. They would certainly be pleased to hear from you if Gordon fancies talking about his experiences (they have made audio recordings of a number of veterans).

    index (Link)
     
  17. Wolves Guy

    Wolves Guy Member

    Well how nice it is to hear you guys (Owen, Paul & John) helping this chappie out. You all deserve a medal.
     
  18. Kieran Bridge

    Kieran Bridge Junior Member

    Could any members possibly point me in the right direction of trying to get my village veteran, whose name is Gordon Ingram, a photo of his friends grave.

    Hello John,

    There is a photo of the cemetery at this link:

    CWGC :: Certificate

    Some of the Commonwealth War Graves sites offer photos of individual headstones, but apparently not this one.

    Best wishes,
    Kieran
     
  19. JOHNB84

    JOHNB84 Member

    Rich
    Thanks for the link to the D-Day dodgers site, I will drop them a line, you never know.

    Kieran...thanks also, very much appreciated to you both and to everyone else that has taken an interest and posted.

    John
     
  20. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    John,
    Can you ask your friend to get his cross ready.
    The trip is all booked & we're busy planning places to see.
     

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