5502679 L/Cpl John James WATTS, 1/4th Bn. Hampshire Regiment: 15/09/1943

Remembering Today
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Casualty Details | CWGC
WATT, JOHN JAMES

Rank: Lance Corporal
Service No: 5502679
Date of Death: 15/09/1943
Age: 25
Regiment/Service: 1/4th Bn. Hampshire Regiment
Cemetery: SALERNO WAR CEMETERY
Grave Reference: II. E. 40.
Additional Information: Son of James and Rachel Watt, of Powhill, Cumberland.​

Personal Inscription ALL HE HAD HOPED FOR, ALL HE HAD, HE GAVE

 

The Casualty lists also reports him as being previously wounded, North Africa, 22.4.43

The 1/4th, 2/4th and 5th (Hants) Battalions:
These Battalions were formed into the 128th ‘Hampshire’ Brigade, originally part of the 43rd (Wessex) Division, they later joined the 46th (West Riding) Division for North Africa. The Brigade landed at Salerno, Italy and suffered very heavy casualties.

War diary WO 169/10225
1/4 Hampshire Regiment | The National Archives

128 Hampshire Bde, 43 (Wessex) Div to Jan 43 the 46 (West Riding) Div
128th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom) - Wikipedia.

 

UK, Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945

John J Watt Sapper Liverpool 7 Jan 1943 At sea

John J Watt Fusilier Glasgow 10 Jul 1943 Sicily

John J J Watt Lance Corporal Cumberland 15 Sep 1943 North Africa


TD

 

How can I access the casualty list? How badly was he wounded and how?

 

Does that mean he died in North Africa?

 

Hi, according to the war diary of the 1/4 Hants (WO169/10225) they were involved in an attack on White Cross Hill on 15 September 1943:

15 September 1943
0130 “B”, “D” Coys & Bn HQ arrived area ‘B’ Ech 687290 preparatory to receiving orders for attack just after first light.
0600 “B”, “D” coys & Bn H.Q. moved by march route fwd to area 674313 –
0800 where Coy Comds “B”, “C” and “D” Coys received orders for attack on features at 683322 (White Cross) and 687323 (Pimple).
PLAN –
“B” Coy to attack White Cross via 677317 (Rocky Crag).
“C” Coy fire coy.
“D” Coy in reserve, to pass through “B” and take pimple.
0945 Attack commenced. Numerous enemy machine gun posts were encountered and when practically on White Cross feature orders to withdraw. Casualties were:-
12 killed; 40 wounded; 36 missing.

I hope that is of interest.

Regards

Tom

 

Am afraid that casualty lists are just that, a list, the only information is name, rank number, date and location (North Africa). Details may be in war diaries or regimental history, like Owen's post #2, above. As he was subsequently killed at Salerno, most likely a completely separate incident, and not too severe as he returned to action.

 

apply for his service records read this link here www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records

 

I'm not next of kin though and looks complicated!