New Information 17 Jan 44 Book page 19

 "Mark Howard, historian researching the 98 Field Regiment Royal Artillery”

It is believed that the Sergeant working on the gun in the opening sequence is Sgt. Gerry Tonkin.

See Video below 643 5/7

Priest F1 Sgt. Gerry Tonkin on right Winter 1944

Lieutenant Geoffrey Winter 1 York & Lancs.

Additional Information: 

Book: Battle For Monte Natale Introduction Page xix

From left to right: Fleur Winter (wife of Geoffrey), Eileen Norton (wife of Colonel Geoffrey Norton), Colonel Geoffrey Norton – Former Colonel of the York & Lancaster Regiment, John Strafford, Lieutenant Geoffrey Winter - Platoon Commander 1 York & Lancs., Caroline Strafford (wife of John).   John Strafford was presented by Colonel Norton with the tie of the York & Lancaster Regiment in honour of his father Ernest Strafford.   Colonel Norton and Lieutenant Winter are wearing the regimental tie.   (Photo 2014)

Seaforth Highlanders of Canada at Ortona Jan 44

 When researching my book "Battle For Monte Natale" I came across this film at The archives of the Imperial War Museum which I thought might be of interest in particular to the Canadians. The film starts with a shot of the town of Ortona, Italy and then the Padre (Major Roy C.H.Dunford of Price Regent, Canada) leading the men in prayer and then singing the hymn "Lead Kindly Light". Then the Pipe Major (Pipe Major Esson of Vancouver( slow marches in front of the graves playing "Flowers of the Forest". I Battalion York & Lancs. fought near Ortona at the end of December 1943. My father Ernest Strafford, was there!

Extra Information - Photo of Bombardier Reggie Keast

 

Book: Battle for Monte Natale page 97

Mark Howard, historian researching the 98 Field Regiment Royal Artillery” 

Lt. Col TB Davis Regimental History of the 98 Field Regiment Royal Artillery

20 Jan 44

 l Battalion the York and Lancaster Regiment on the right, supported by Captain Jerdein and E Troop Observation Post, seized Monte Natale, a mile to the north of Minturno. During the afternoon the O.P. was dive-bombed and Sergeant Howard was slightly wounded. Then, as the light faded, the enemy counter-attacked in force and infiltrated to the right of the position. The O.P. was heavily shelled and twice cuts in the remote control cable were repaired under heavy fire by Bombardier Keast. Later, further German advances cut off the O.P. completely, but Captain Jerdein managed in the dark to work his to the way round to the south of the Monte Natale feature and succeeded, in spite of heavy machine-gun fire, in joining the York and Lancasters and his own O.P. vehicle just before the position was evacuated. With the O.P. vehicle Bombardier Belcher and Gunner Alcott had spent an uncomfortable night, having first been closely shelled by a German self-propelled gun and then after dark having tried in vain to contact their missing Troop Commander on foot. However, Captain Jerdein completed an excellent day's work by backing the O.P. vehicle, half trapped by shell craters, down a twisting, sunken lane and finally leading the whole party back to Rear Headquarters Battalion near Point 172, north of Minturno.”

Extra information received since the book "Battle For Monte Natale" was published re above.

Bombardier Reggie Keast who won the Military Medal at Monte Natale as signaller to Captain Jerdein, 471 Battery Observation Post. (Photo (Mark Howard)

5 Infantry Division Revised Plan of Attack

 

         18 Jan 44             

 5 Infantry Division Revised Plan of Attack showing 15 Infantry Brigade moving ahead to take Tufo and Minturno. 13 Infantry Brigade are to the right of them. No area was safe from mines. 10 Corps War Diary. (TNA)