Paul I think you have nothing to lose but probably an awful lot to gain by getting a copy of his records. Don't be put off by the tales of huge delays in obtaining his records, the time will pass soon enough and you will be more than glad that you took this step. Ron
Hi The CWGC route came back with some news (thanks Bexley84). They tell me that SIDS body was first buried in a cemetery in Presenzano Plot 1. Row A. Grave 16. before they moved it to Cassino about 28thFeb1945 So now I will try to find out what hospital or medical unit used that cemetery. Also had an email from the army records office saying that the service records do not contain details of death see below You should be aware that Army records are of a purely administrative nature for pay and pension purposes and do not therefore contain detailed information regarding the exact locations and movements of individual servicemen or units. The events surrounding his death will not be not recorded. I am not sure if they are giving me a nod and a wink to what's in SIDS file?
Bod - again - IF you were to look at my posting #14 - you will note that I did mention a Field Ambulance at Presenzano at that time of death - NO hospitals as it was too close to the front line only about 15-20 miles South from the town of Cassino - and where we were assembling for the attack on the Liri Valley… Cheers
Very good...some progress. As mentioned, we shall hope to be laying a wreath at the Beds and Herts memorial in May and able to reflect further on the memory of Private Hyde and his comrades. best
Tom Have been looking at your posts and looks like you were right about Presenzano I am just trying to confirm the events Thanks Paul
Sid's service record came back yesterday,not too much in it. I have attached a photo of the last entries . Does anybody know if any of the numbers relate to where Sid died or what fl. Amb. Or hospital Thanks Paul
Paul Is that the only info you received from the MOD? A lot missing I am afraid, they are not the FULL records. Forms B103 are missing - take a look at my gallery, there are more details on those forms. They should tell you which field ambulance etc he was taken to. I suggest you ring the MOD sharpish and tell them to look again-many people have had the same problem and have received more forms after a telephone call. Don't let them put you off, be firm and tell them you want your money's worth :biggrin: Lesley
Lesley Thanks for reply. We have 4large sheets of paper titled. territorial Army. Record of Service Paper. Army form B 200d and 2 small pages which I enclose Att.
Paul It is the Service and Casualty forms B103 that are missing, like the 3 pages I have put in my gallery. These are the forms which have the most detail on them. You need to give the MOD a ring-their usual reply will be to say that you have received all they have got. Ask them to pull the file again and don't be put off, because if you insist that they look again, surprise, surprise, many members have received these forms at the second time of asking :wink: Good luck! Lesley
Bods I note that your are STILL on about finding the Hospital(sic) where he died - looking back over this thread - I note that I have mentioned the Field Ambulance at Presenzano three times - Ron mentioned #11 Field ambulance at Presenzano before entraining for Napleeven the Cemetery states that he was buried at Presenzano - so I would have to assume that whilst he was wounded at Cassino - he died of these wounds at Presenzano #11 Field Ambulance buried at their cemetery- THEN - after war his body was moved and noted at Cassino Cemetery which was not built until the war had moved NORTH of Cassino- and now contains the bodies of many from as far away as Sicily Salerno and Anzio and Presenzano. So you should be clear that when your party finally gets to the Cassino Cemetery- his remains will be there… Cheers
Tom- I do hope Bods receives the full set of records, as usual he has been short- changed by the MOD . My father's records had the field ambulance number on them, so here's hoping they will find more forms and confirm what you have been saying all along and help fill in the gaps for him. Lesley
Anyone looking for individuals buried or commemorated at Cassino will find this site very helpful. http://www.wikisicily.com/cassino/scheda_cassino.php?id=1740&plot=I&fnd=E.%204 I only wish I had known about it before I paid my own visit there. Ron
Paul. I have tracked down the three Fd Ambs at Cassino in 4 BR Inf Div. They are: 10 Fd Amb - 10 Inf Bde 12 Fd Amb - 12 Inf Bde 185 Fd Amb - 28 Inf Bde Regards Frank
Frank This has nothing to do with how many field ambulances were at Cassino - it has been confirmed that the man in question was taken to #11 FA at PREZENZANO after being wounded at Cassino where he succumbed to his wounds there and was buried in the #11 FA cemetery - finally - when the Cassino cemetery was built - moved to Cassino where his remains are to this day… see Post # 23 Cheers
Tom. I am confused why you are so certain that the casualty was taken to 11 Fd Amb at Prezenzano. 11 Fd Amb was not supporting 4 BR Inf Div at that stage Regards Frank
Frank Not sure whether the following info regarding 1tth Field Ambulance clears or just muddies the water, but here it is anyway. At the time in question I was with the 49th LAA Rgt working with the New Zealanders at Cassino at the onset of the 3rd Battle. My dates are confirmed by my Army records and the rest is from the Rgtl Diary: On 3 Mar C/90 Tp moved to protect a diversion on the Speedy Express supply route. The CO ordered all SP guns to put chains on their wheels. On the night 8/9th 280 Bty completed deployed to Speedy Express to relieve US troops. 13th March Ron admitted to 11th Field Dressing Station On 15 Mar the NZ Corps operation to capture Cassino and break into the Liri Valley, which had been postponed daily since mid Feb, began at 1200 hrs. It was agreed that after a bridgehead had been established on the west bank of R Rapido a tp of 90 Bty would allot 3 guns for the defence of each bridge on the east bank, the remaining two tps to go through the bridgehead, one to protect 138 Fd Regt and the other to deploy 3 guns at each bridge on the west bank. 17th Mar, Ron admitted to 93rd General Hospital, Naples On 21 Mar the regt was ordered to take over the task of providing a smoke screen at Speedy Express Highway and Highway 6 Bridges over R Rapido. 84 Bty took on this task. Between 1250 and 1310 hrs on 25 Mar 30 to 40 enemy aircraft in three main waves approached Cassino from the south, flying up Speedy Express and Route 6. They were engaged first by 18 guns of 84 Bty concentrated at Mignano. 90 and 280 Btys and all other local LAA engaged. Seven aircraft were destroyed in all and 84 and 280 btys claimed one each. On 24 Mar 280 Bty fired pointer rounds at two Me 109s and our own fighters took up the chase. On the night of 25/26 Mar 21 guns of 57 LAA Regt were relieved by 90 Bty, B Tp at Cervaro, A Tp, the next night, to north of Trocchio and C Tp, that same night, to San Michele. On 26 j Mar the CO was taken off duty by the MO and Maj Bent assumed temporary command. The CO went to hospital on the 27th. At about this time the regt took over 24 x 20 mm Oerlikon guns for deployment in 11 and 36 Bde areas in the mountains north of Cassino. On the 27th BC 84 Bty reported that the areas to be defended by the 20 mm guns were a 4.2 inch mortar area and a Jeephead. Daylight recce was believed to be impossible. On the night 28/29th six 20 mm were deployed in pairs and another six in pairs, on the night 29/30th. Maj Mouland returned from hospital and resumed command of 84 Bty On the 29th SOP guns became available for 280 Bty, the 12 existing guns having been employed, 6 to each of 84f and 90 Btys, an SP tp in each 30th March Ron returned to his unit from 93rd General Hospital Ron
