As Executor to my cousin Jane Watkins I was made aware that she still had letters from her father.
As a young boy growing up in the 50’s I remember being told that the photograph within a silver frame of an Officer in dress uniform wearing the cap badge of the 2nd Monmouthshire Regiment was my ‘ Uncle Bill who died in Italy ‘ – Nothing more was said !
Following her passing I discovered those letters & other items hidden in various places. No living family members were able to shed any light on why Uncle Bill was in Italy. I soon discovered that the 2nd Mons actually landed in France in late June 1944.
However a wartime photo of his grave marker showed that he was with 1st Recce Regiment ? So I set about trying to establish the truth in his memory.
Firstly I was able to obtain his full service record and as his medals were never claimed by his Widow I was delighted to receive them.
Following my correspondence with the CWGC their records were updated – He was no longer just a name & number in a foreign cemetery.
Some years ago while I was at a military vehicle event in Kent I spoke with the then secretary of The Italy Star Association who very kindly posted his story on their website albeit with a few omissions.
I have chosen only this one letter from the many as it appears to be ‘ different ‘ in content to others, a letter of reminiscence perhaps. It’s significance became clearer when I obtained the war diary for 31st August 1944.
There is so much that I have discovered while establishing the facts behind his sad journey.
Lest we never forget.
