looking for info about my great uncle: 4461740 Zacharias Georgiou, Lincolnshire Regt formerly DLI

hey all. Been looking around on this sit for a few days, wasnt sure where to post. Recently an uncle of mine passed away, as we where sorting his house out i came accorss docments,medels and a photo of my great uncle. who was part of the Lincolnshire Regiment. This was the first time of any one in the family knowing of our great unlce of being in the army during ww2. As i was going through the docments i learnt he was killed in action in italy. However, the date of his death didnt match of with any of the noted engagements, he died on the 14th november in 1943. im hoping some people on here have some information that can share the light to what happened to him out there.what im confused about when googling online it says he was in the lincolnshire regiment but on the notfication of death he was in durham light infantry. we also know he is buried in Minturno war Cemetery his name and army ID is private Zacharias Georgiou 4461740

 

hey all. Been looking around on this sit for a few days, wasnt sure where to post. Recently an uncle of mine passed away, as we where sorting his house out i came accorss docments,medels and a photo of my great uncle. who was part of the Lincolnshire Regiment. This was the first time of any one in the family knowing of our great unlce of being in the army during ww2. As i was going through the docments i learnt he was killed in action in italy. However, the date of his death didnt match of with any of the noted engagements, he died on the 14th november in 1943. im hoping some people on here have some information that can share the light to what happened to him out there.what im confused about when googling online it says he was in the lincolnshire regiment but on the notfication of death he was in durham light infantry. we also know he is buried in Minturno war Cemetery his name and army ID is private Zacharias Georgiou 4461740

 

Welcome to the forum. He was formerly in the DLI but on his death was in the Lincolnshire Regiment.
Here is a photo of his grave I took in Minturno War Cemetery in 2014.

We have forum members who will be able to help you further and I am sure they will be along soon to assist.

Lesley

 

thank you so much

 

hello and welcome. I've replied to your enquiry here
looking for information about my great unlce


[moderator edit, dbf: posts moved, merged.]

 

The CWGC entry says he was in the Lincolns, but had previously served in the 70 (Young Soldiers) Battalion DLI

At 28 he wasn't a "Young Soldier" (<19) - so he would have been with it when it was a demonstration unit.

This would fit. The 46th Division was in the line on the Italian coast in the Winter Line battles. Minturno is the big British War Cemetery in the area.

 

Thank you I can start reading up about the 46th devision

 

Casualty



The above shows that he was initially buried at reference JPW/2060 - other will help I hope in finding that location - before he was reburied Minturno War Cemetery

UK, Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945
Name: Zacharias Georgiou
Given Initials: Z
Rank: Private
Death Date: 14 Nov 1943
Number: 4461740
Birth Place: Cyprus
Residence: Darlington
Branch at Enlistment: Infantry
Theatre of War: North Africa
Regiment at Death: Lincolnshire Regiment
Branch at Death: Infantry


1939 England and Wales Register
Name: Zacharias Georgiou
Gender: Male
Marital status: Married
Birth Date: 24 Jan 1915
Residence Year: 1939
Address: 45
Residence Place: Darlington, Durham, England
Occupation: Hairdresser
Schedule Number: 28
Sub Schedule Number: 5
Enumeration District: FACV
Registration district: 543-1
Inferred Spouse: Zacharias Georgiou
Household Members:
Name
Frederick E Turnbull
Mary A Turnbull
Doris Turnbull
Frederick E Turnbull
Zacharias Georgiou
Zacharias Georgiou

TD

 

Thank you, this has help a lot about him

 

What is his story.? How did he as a Cypriot, end up in Durham? There are big British Cypriot communities, but I thought most of these seem to be post WW2.

 

i don't fully know the story my self, he my granfather uncle. my granfather was rougly 2 and still in cyprus at the time Zacharias death. what we do know he moved from cyprus just as my granfather was born to live and work in the UK. we have no idea if he got drafted into the army or he volunteered. we only found out about Zacharias after his brother (my greate uncle) died recently.

 

Apply for his service records - Request records of deceased service personnel and as he is on the CWGC database you will not need a death certificate, these will help answer some of your questions

TD

 

England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995
Name: Zacharias Georgiou
Death Date: 14 Nov 1943
Death Place: Darlington
Probate Date: 10 Nov 1944
Probate Registry: Durham, England


TD

http://powbooks.atspace.co.uk/page155.html

Georgiou, Pte Zacharias, 4461740. Died 14/11/43, serving with the Lincolnshire Regt, 'formerly of the 70th Bn. Durham Light Infantry.' Lincolnshire Regt battalion not specified by CWGC, aged 28. Husband of Florence Georgiou, of Darlington, Co Durham. Native of Cyprus. Minturno War Cemetery, IV C 19.


List of battalions of the Durham Light Infantry - Wikipedia
70th (Young Soldiers)[80] December 1940 Britain Disbanded August 1943, Tow Law Served as demonstration battalion for G.H.Q. Battle School.
Over 400 officers and men sent overseas, intended for the 151st Brigade, over 150 however reached the 16th Battalion D.L.I. and the 6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment of the 138th Brigade, both in 46th division then in Italy. After their first actions in Italy the C.O. of Lincolns said "...If we received drafts like this every time, the war would soon be over.".[92]

 

thank you so much tricky

 

From the Nominal Roll of the Lincolns:-

Book Number REGI 3-24, ODD Numbers, Page 16.

 

From the the History of the Tenth Foot, 1919 - 50, by Major L.C. Gates. This looks like the moment that Z. Georgiou was killed in action.

 

From the Roll of Honour of the Tenth Foot (6th Battalion):-

 

omg thank you so much ramacal, this has answers so many question we had about him.

 

Fron the ROH at Lincoln Cathedral.

 

thank you so much ramacal, you have been a massive help in finding out what happened to him