I have over 120 letters written by my mother’s fiance from August 1942 when he was conscripted, covering the time of training in S. W. England, through embarkation to Cairo, Egypt and finally in January 1944 to Italy. My mother kept them securely and after she died in 2010, I now treasure them too. They are part of our family history.
This letter written on 4th December 1943 gives a tiny snap shot of life in Cairo, Egypt before Christmas.
Gordon Roe was a wireless operator in a Honey/ Stuart REECE tank with the 7th Indian Infantry Brigade, 4th Indian Division. The Division fought all the way up the foot of Italy from Taranto and beyond.
Gordon was killed in action on 14th March 1944 at Monte Cassino, Italy. His story is remembered on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Evermore stories site for anyone to read and also on the Monte Cassino Commonwealth War Cemetery virtual site, which helps tell the story of 13 of the over 3,300 graves of men (British, Canadian, Indian and New Zealand) killed in action at the 3 battles of Monte Cassino. The 4th battle of Monte Cassino finally saw the Germans surrender the monastery of Monte Cassino to the Polish army. The road to Rome was then opened.
Gordon was 20 years old when he was killed and was very much loved by his mother widow Beatrice Roe, his sister Mrs Kitty Wood and his fiancee Mary Brailsford.
