100 Comments

1. Lesley 5th September 2015 at 1:44 pm

   Hello again Colin
   You don’t need his service number to apply to the MOD, but you do need his FULL date of birth

   Lesley
2. Pradeep 9th December 2015 at 10:37 pm

   My Dad was in the 8th Army, a VCO in the QVO Madras Sappers and Miners. He stayed back in Bari after the war to supervise the mine clearing operations. He has the Italian Star, with the Africa Star and quite some more for he served later as an officer in the Indian Army till 1972.

   Do you have any historical notes on the Indian Engineers in Bari. I have several anecdotes that he related to me.

   Nice website.
3. Robin Hollamby 10th December 2015 at 8:01 am

   Dear Pradeep,
   Could I ask you to resubmit this using the ‘Lost Trails’ link this will hopefully help us to reach others who either may have been there at the time of have relevant information for you.

   I do hope will be able to help.

   Robin
4. M EDWARDS 29th December 2015 at 6:06 pm

   Anyone remember by late father sgt nat edwards served in A HQ and B company 6th Royal Welch parachute battalion 1942 46 in North Africa Italy Southen France and Greece,
   1. Robin Hollamby 8th January 2016 at 7:22 pm

      Hi,
      We may be able to help.
      But could I ask you to resubmit your request using the form on the ‘Lost Trails’ page.
      Give us as much information as you can and if you have any photos you should also be able to upload them at the came time (use the ‘Add Media’ button).
      Once you have done this I can get your ‘Lost Trail’ live within a few hours.
      Regards
      Robin.
5. Lyn Atterbury 26th March 2016 at 6:09 am

   My uncle, Lt.Frederick HEAD, served in the Royal Fuseliers (City of London Regiment) in North Africa and in Italy. He was killed on 03 December 1943 just prior to the assault on Monte Cassino. He is buried in the Cassino War Cemetery. Does the name ring a bell with anyone, and does anyone have any memories (probably second-hand) of him? Many thanks.
   1. Robin Hollamby 29th March 2016 at 7:37 am

      Hi Lyn,
      Could you please submit this on the Lost Trails page please, there might be a better chance that someone will reply that way.

      Robin
6. Alan Benbow 18th April 2016 at 3:23 pm

   My father Wilfrid Benbow WO1 [sub conduct] [ served in the IEME 8th Indian division. I have a copy of the broadcast in June 1945 “the story of the Eighth Indian Infantry division” it is signed by many I presume serving in the regiment.
7. douglas hughes 13th August 2016 at 1:12 pm

   my father in law JOHN LEWIS has both the italy and the africa star he was in the rn lcts what do you think and where did he served
8. Diane Jackson 21st December 2016 at 2:04 pm

   My Uncle Private Joseph Watson took part in the amphibious landings at Taranto Harbour, Italy in September 1943. He was on board the Minelayer HMS Abdiel. Unfortunately two ground mines detonated beneath the ship and caused it to sink within 3 minutes. My Uncle lost his life, aged 20, at sea on the 10th September 1943. He was among 58 from The 1st Airborne Division who unfortunately lost their lives during Operation Slapstick.

   My grandparents were devastated by the loss of their son and I don’t think my Grandma ever really got over her loss. My Mum, lost her only Brother, who she had some fond memories of and loved dearly. I never knew my Uncle Joe, but am very proud of him as we all are. I am trying to gather together as much information as I can about his time serving in the British Army and if anyone has information, I would be very grateful if you could share it with me (diane.watersmart@btinternet.com). He attended Parachute Training at RAF Ringway 5th April to 16th April 1943 (course number 59).

   RIP Uncle Joe, we are immensely proud of you and how you served your country.
   1. Richard Morgan 26th December 2016 at 1:35 pm

      Good evening Diane,

      My father was in “A” Company 6th Battalion (Royal Welch) Parachute Regiment. “A” Company was not on HMS Abdiel when it was lost. They were still in Tunisia at that time.

      I have some dates from various records that might be of interest to you. In early 1943, the Battalion had been camped at Bulford and Larkhill Camps on Salisbury Plain. They travelled by train to Glasgow where they boarded a vessel on 13 April 1943 for Oran in Algeria, where they arrived on 22 April 1943. Perhaps your Uncle travelled on a later vessel. His personal record of service would record the date he “embarked”.

      The Battalion was transported to Thiereville (I can’t locate this place – perhaps the name was changed after the colonial era) and trained for the invasion of Sicily, but they did not take part in that operation. On 20 June 1943 they left Thierville by train for Tunis, apparently taking 7 days in open trucks. On arrival they camped near Sousse (now a beach resort I recall).

      On 8 September 1943 they were transported to Bizerte, where the Battalion, minus “A” Company, boarded HMS Abdiel. “A” Company followed on 11 September.

      There is (or at least was) a memorial to the men lost in the Free Church, Taranto. A photograph of it is on Paradata, but I have not come across a present day photograph. There is also a long shot photo of it in my father’s photo collection which is here –

      https://www.flickr.com/photos/24862546@N03/

      This Battalion (which was originally 10th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers) is of interest to the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum, and Lt-Gen Jonathan Riley, is writing a history of 6 Para, so I suggest you check there website now and again to see if it has been published, as I am sure he will cover the HMS Abdiel losses in detail.

      Best wishes,

      Richard Morgan
   2. Karen Rooke 30th June 2022 at 4:39 pm

      My Uncle James L’Homme was also killed on the HMS Abdiel. He was 19. He was my father’s youngest brother and I believe he was my grandparents youngest child. I am going to Italy later this year and hope to visit his grave in the CWWG Cemetery at Bari. I have seen a photograph of a memorial plaque in Taranto Free Church which I would like to see but I can find no information re the church or the plaque.
9. John Mooney 12th January 2017 at 10:23 pm

   My father Michael Mooney from Liverpool DOB 14.2.11 could have been 1910 was in the 8th army. I remember as a child he had a number of medals including the North African and Italian Stars and pictures of him in khaki shorts on a horse in North Africa.

   Any information on his army service, where he fought, which army unit and any information or tips for getting this information would be greatly appreciated.

   John Mooney
10. Katrina Kittel 28th February 2017 at 7:21 am

    Dear Italy Star Assoc UK,
    PLeased to know of your organisation. I am an Australian historian, and descendant of WW2 POW escaper in Italy. My research kicked off in 2011 following contact made with ex-POW and researcher Bill Rudd. Currently I near completion of my first book about 50 or so escapers, mostly ANZAC but also several Brits. My second book is already commenced and it focuses more on the longer-term escapers of which a number of ITaly Star awardees are included as well as others who were eligible but for various reasons, did not apply for the award. I welcome hearing from any members if I can help. I am familiar with the names and outcomes of many Aus POW escapers in Italy, and a number of New Zealanders, and as mentioned several Brits and Sth Africans. Best wishes Katrina Kittel (NSW, Australia) My facebook page is included above but here is my blurb on Professional Historians Australia website: http://www.phansw.org.au/tracing-australian-pows-in-italy/

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