Army Number: 2721665 Rank: Guardsman Name: V BROOKS Unit: 1 Company, 1 Irish Guards Theatre: Italy Missing Personnel file: 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS - Italy, Missing Personnel file TNA Reference: WO 361/784 Notes: Date of Payment 14 January 1944, 300 Local Currency
hi, I'm trying to research Guardsman Brooks (2721665) who was killed at Anzio on January 30th 1944. There was a memorial notice by Lt.Da Costa's family that said: "In cherished memory of our beloved son, Lt.Patrick Da Costa, Irish Guards, killed in action at Anzio, Jan.30.1944, and of GUARDSMAN Vincent Brooks, killed with him" I'm wondering if anyone knows what particular action these two men died in presumably together. I dont mean what was happening to the 1st Bn that day (although if you've got a transcript from the war diary that'd be lovely!) but I'm presuming there was something noteworthy to Da Costa's family to have mentioned Brooks.
I am sure a forum member will be along shortly to offer further advice BROOKS, VINCENT Rank: Guardsman Service No: 2721665 Date of Death: 30/01/1944 Age: 27 Regiment/Service: Irish Guards 1st Bn. Grave Reference: III, K, 12. Cemetery: ANZIO WAR CEMETERY Additional Information: Son of Frank and Lillian Brooks; husband of Winifred Dorothy Brooks. http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2677813/BROOKS, VINCENT DA COSTA, PATRICK CLEMENTS Rank: Lieutenant Service No: 156083 Date of Death: 30/01/1944 Age: 23 Regiment/Service: Irish Guards 1st Bn. Grave Reference: III, K, 11. Cemetery : ANZIO WAR CEMETERY Additional Information: Son of Darnley Clements Campbell Da Costa and Mary Christine Da Costa. http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2677930/DA COSTA, PATRICK CLEMENTS
Hi I take it you mean this notice http://www.ww2guards.com/ww2guards/Cemeteries_-_Italy/Pages/ANZIO_WAR_CEMETERY,_ITALY.html#20 It's possible that Brooks may have been Da Costa's batman, or that he went to this officer's aid. (I'm afraid I can only guess why Brooks was mentioned in the notice.) This is from the War Diary for the 1st Battalion.http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/45969-war-diary-1st-battalion-irish-guards-jan-1944-mar-1944/
I am out in Anzio in Apr 14 if you would like a photo of Gdsm Brooks's headstone in Anzio War Cemetery. I can also get you some photos of where 1 IG had to withdraw down the railway line. Regards FdeP www.cassinobattlefields.co.uk
that would be fantastic.I'd love a picture of his headstone, there are some on the net of others from the battalion but not his. A thousand thanks in advance!
Casualty Guardsman BROOKS, VINCENT Service Number 2721665 Died 30/01/1944 Aged 27 1st Bn. Irish Guards Son of Frank and Lillian Brooks; husband of Winifred Dorothy Brooks. INSCRIPTION: TOO FAR AWAY FOR WORDS OR SPEECH BUT NOT TOO FAR FOR THOUGHTS TO REACH. WIN Buried at ANZIO WAR CEMETERY Location: Italy Cemetery/memorial reference: III, K, 12. See 156083 Patrick Clements DA COSTA, 1 Irish Guards