A work colleague is looking for info regarding her Grandfather: Cpl Harold Taylor 14612677 (of Upton, Pontefract) 1 Green Howards KiA 21 April 1944 (Anzio?) Grave - Anzio Beachead Cemetery Ref: IX. B. 2. Any members in Anzio that could perhaps provide a photo of his headstone? The family have never been able to visit. Any info would be great please re Brigade, Div and possible action he was involved in at the time of his death. Best regards Chris Woffenden
A few pages from Raleigh Trevelyan's The Fortress for that day. He was an officer in 1 Green Howards at the time.
There is this thread for events on the 25th, you could ask the chaps who posted on there for some help . Drew5233 has the war diary & dryan67 has the regimental history. 1ST Batt Green Howards 25 4 1944
Attacker 2. I will be there in Jun 18 guiding a group. If you send me an email address, I will send you a photo of the headstone. Regards Frank
Chris. 1 GREEN HOWARDS were in 15 Infantry Brigade which was part of 5 Infantry Division. The Division was rushed to Anzio after the landings having already completed a massive operation to cross the Garigliano on 17-18 January 1944. They stayed at Anzio right up until the breakout on 23 May 44 at which point they pushed along the coast towards what is now Fiumicino Airport near Ostia. Regards Frank
Hello Chris, From ‘The Story of The Green Howards 1939-1945’ (Synge), Page 261: NB. Words in square brackets added by me to aid understanding. Although there is no evidence that Cpl Taylor was killed in this action (he could have died from wounds received in an earlier engagement), the 1st Bn Green Howards had been in reserve for 3 days until the early hours of 20 April 1944 and this is the only engagement mentioned for the 21 April 1944. Best, Steve.
