NEW INFORMATION RECEIVED SINCE BOOK PUBLISHED
We Will Remember Them!
Book Page 81
Sergeant Fielding, ‘D’ Company, 1 York & Lancs. Missing Person’s Report
20 Jan 44
‘Private Holland [Private Stanley Holland, Minturno CWGC Cemetery] was transferred to my Platoon about 15 January 1944 because the Anti-Aircraft Platoon, HQ Company, was being disbanded. He was not with me long enough for me to get familiar with his home life, town, occupation, etc., but his age would be about 25 years, rather sharp features, slim build, fair hair.
At 7am on 20 Jan 44 the Battalion, on a two Company front, “A” and “D” Companies, were ordered to attack hill Point 172, about one mile Northeast of Minturno. I advanced with two Sections forward, Private Holland being in the Right Section. His Section Commander was wounded before reaching the objective. On the top of the hill, I disposed of one Machine Gun position, turned around, and saw my Right Section going for another one. I saw a German throw a stick grenade towards Private Holland, saw Private Holland fall down, and move his legs, and before I could get to him to evacuate him, or dispose of the enemy, he received a full burst of Machine Gun fire from the remaining Machine Gun position. Eventually we consolidated on hill Point 172 and being then the Acting Sergeant Major of the Company I called for Platoon casualty slips and detailed Sergeant Waddington, 18 Platoon “D” Company to gather in the dead bodies. We had 12 dead, and 33 wounded out of this action. Private Holland laid amongst the dead. I sent immediately for the Medical Officer of the unit to confirm the lost lives of the bodies. All personnel effects together with one identification disc was taken off, docketed, and forwarded to Battalion HQ. The Company was going to bury the men, but we had orders to move at once and on each man’s body was left all particulars on a piece of paper tied to the body, plus one identity disc. Major D. Young will bear out this statement.’
The dead were moved after the action. Ernest Strafford’s body was on its own on Hill 172 when buried on 4 February so was not amongst the 12 dead that were moved to Minturno.
This indicates that he was still alive on 20 January and went on to the Cemetery with either ‘A’ Company or ‘D’ Company
The 12 Dead Soldiers were:
Pte. S.A. Holland 1 York & Lancs. Killed 600 Yards N.E. Minturno
Killed 19 Jan 44, Taken to Point 172, 20 Jan 44.
L/Cpl H. Evan 1 York & Lancs. Killed Attack Point 172.
Pte. C. France 1 York & Lancs. Killed Attack Point 172
Pte. R. Gunn 1 York & Lancs. Killed Attack Point 172
Capt. B. Lang 1 York & Lancs. Killed Attack Point 172
Pte. J. Lowery 1 York & Lancs. Killed Attack Point 172
Pte. J.A. Lowery 1 York & Lancs. Killed Attack Point 172
Cpl. M. Norris 1 York & Lancs. Killed Attack Point 172
Cpl. W. Scarfe 1 York & Lancs. Killed Attack Point 172
Pte. W.H.Smith 1 York & Lancs. Killed Attack Point 172
L/Cpl. J. Stott 1 York & Lancs. Killed Attack Point 172
L/Cpl. J.Wilson 1 York & Lancs. Killed Attack Point 172
L/Cpl Jack Stott 1 York &
Lancs died 20 Jan 44 (Photo David Rigby)
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