2665638 Guardsman Frank Arthur BURCHELL, 3 Coldstream Guards: 18/10/1943

Discussion in 'The Brigade of Guards' started by Tobin, Jun 26, 2020.

  1. Tobin

    Tobin Member

    I wonder if any of you knowledgable folk on here can help. My Father in law was mates with Frank and would like to know more about his friends war and death. Can anyone help with more information. He was 2665638 Guardsman Burchell from Godstone and died on 18th Oct 1943 aged 21 in Italy.
     
  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Hi

    For record, CWGC link and full details:
    Casualty
    Guardsman BURCHELL, FRANK ARTHUR
    Service Number 2665638
    Died 18/10/1943
    Aged 21
    3rd Bn. Coldstream Guards
    Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. S. Burchell, of Godstone, Surrey.
    INSCRIPTION: GOD IS LOVE
    Buried at MINTURNO WAR CEMETERY
    Location: Italy
    Number of casualties: 1954
    Cemetery/memorial reference: V, A, 6.
    See cemetery plan

    Don't know, however, if he was Killed in Action or Died of Wounds on that day.


    Official CG Regimental History online & downloadable
    The Coldstream Guards, 1920-1946, by Michael Howard and John Sparrow.

    On the night of 14 October the Coldstream returned to Santa Maria and the following morning the Brigade crossed the Volturno by the American bridge.

    North of the Volturno the plain forms a rough triangle, with the river at its base and on either side a range of mountains which gradually draw together until twenty miles farther north they are separated only by the Mignano Gap, through which Route 6 leads to Cassino and thence to Rome. 201st Guards Brigade found itself at the bottom right-hand corner of this triangle. Before it lay a long mountain range running north-westward, which had to be cleared before, the rest of the Division could advance over the plain to the west. The Coldstream crossed the Triflisco bridge in the early morning of 15 October, and climbed straight into the hills to relieve the Americans on the lower slopes of the 1,000-foot high M. Grande. Patrols went out that night to find the rest of the mountain strongly held. Next morning [16] Lt. C. L. Loyd attempted to dislodge the enemy with a platoon attack, leading his men under heavy fire to within 70 yards of the German positions, where he was forced to go to ground among the rocks.There he remained sniping and throwing grenades until at last shortage of ammunition forced him to return. That night a German officer who had witnessed this action lost his way and blundered into the Coldstream positions; he declared that Lt. Loyd's performance was the bravest thing that he had ever seen. The repulse of this platoon, the information brought by the prisoner, and the experience of a patrol which Lt. Quilter took out early that evening, made it clear that a stronger force would be needed to clear the mountain. During the night, therefore, 2 and 4 Coys. formed up in thick darkness and pouring rain to go forward, after a heavy precipitous track which led to the hill-side village of Pozzillo. 4 Coy. was in the lead, and at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, as they approached this track, the leading platoons came under fire from Germans hidden in the houses and the olive groves of a little hill which the guardsmen dubbed 'the Mount of Olives'. Maj. Beck deployed his men to return the fire, Capt. Davidson brought 2 Coy. up on the left, and after one spandau had been eliminated by 2-inch mortar-bombs, Lt. Quilter and Lt. Tom led their platoons through the failing light in a charge up the mountain-side which overran twelve spandau posts. Sgt. Lee and Gdsn. Harrison — the latter a reservist aged 37 — especially distinguished themselves in this attack.

    Next morning the Scots Guards advanced two miles along the ridge Oct. 19 to M. Calvento, and the Coldstream went forward to join them later in the day.



    Two others from the same battalion died on same day and are also buried in Minturno War Cemetery

    Casualty
    Lance Serjeant BONAS, CHARLES WILLIAM LEONARD
    Service Number 2658886
    Died 18/10/1943
    Aged 22
    3rd Bn. Coldstream Guards
    Buried at MINTURNO WAR CEMETERY
    Cemetery/memorial reference: V, A, 5.
    Additional Info: Son of Herbert John and Marion Bonas, of Northfield, Birmingham.
    Personal Inscription HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR OTHERS NOT COUNTING THE COST

    Casualty
    Guardsman COOK, LAURENCE CHARLES
    Service Number 2665615
    Died 18/10/1943
    3rd Bn. Coldstream Guards
    Buried at MINTURNO WAR CEMETERY
    Cemetery/memorial reference: V, A, 7.
    Son of Charles and Alice Julia Cook; husband of Doris Julia Cook.
    INSCRIPTION: FATHER IN THY HOLY KEEPING LEAVE WE NOW OUR LOVED ONE SLEEPING





     
    Tony56, Owen and ozzy16 like this.
  3. Tobin

    Tobin Member

    Thank you very much indeed for your superb help!
     
  4. Adrian Clapp

    Adrian Clapp New Member

    Hi Tobin
    My name is Adrian Clapp and my father Leslie Clapp was with Frank when he died. My father dug and buried Frank in a shallow grave that night along with with a Padre. He also buried Guardsman COOK, LAURENCE CHARLES
    Service Number 2665615" one of the" band of brothers". Frank died in action, we believe shot by a Spandau The 5 close friends had made a pact when billeting at the Salerno Opera House . The pact was that any survivors in the coming action would make contact and if possible visit any close family members ( which my father carried out ) if any of them were killed in action. Of the 5 only my father survived the coming weeks, although badly shot with life changing injuries .
    My brother (Living in the USA ) is currently writing a book about my father and his time in the Italian campaign and asked me to help with research. Of the band of 5 we have photos of 3 of them but do not have one of Frank, he being so close to dad is an important one There is so much more information we have that might be of help in your search.

    If you are able to help or wish to know more about who his friends were etc then please contact myself

    Adrian Clapp
    Adeclapp@aol.com

    Or my brother who has all the information

    Brian Clapp
    bclapp767@aol.com

    FRANK ARTHUR BURCHELL 2665638
    3RD BATTALION COLDSTREAM GUARDS
    KILLED 18 OCT 43 AGE 21
    BURIED MINTURNO WAR CEMETERY ITALY
    SON OF MR AND MRS (HILDA) W J S BURCHELL
    4 SALISBURY ROAD
    GODSTONE, SUSSEX
    Considered dad his brother, He had a brother (probably married) Stanley, serving in Southern Rhodesia
     

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