4744156 Pte. Francis Horace Harston

Discussion in 'Italy' started by vitellino, Feb 6, 2019.

  1. vitellino

    vitellino Senior Member

    Hello Cassino experts,

    Does anyone know in what circumstance Private Harston, 6 York and Lancaster Regiment, was captured along the Garigliano on 22/01/44?

    Thank you in anticipation,

    Vitellino
     
  2. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Hello Vitellino,

    I believe the date of capture given 22/01/1944 was given on this document;-
    GBM_WO417_072_0440harston.jpg
    On this document the date was given not of his capture but of his death and was then corrected in this document;-
    GBM_WO417_086_0108harston.jpg

    Kyle
     
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  3. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    UK, Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945
    Name: Francis Harston
    Given Initials: F H
    Rank: Private
    Death Date: 28 Jan 1944
    Number: 4744156
    Birth Place: Worcestershire
    Residence: Sheffield
    Regiment at Enlistment: York and Lancaster Regiment
    Branch at Enlistment: Infantry
    Theatre of War: Italy
    Regiment at Death: York and Lancaster Regiment
    Branch at Death: Infantry

    TD
     
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  4. ClankyPencil

    ClankyPencil Senior Member

    WO_170_1491_0004.jpg WO_170_1491_0005.jpg WO_170_1491_0006.jpg

    At a quick glance he isn't mentioned in the missing personnel file WO 361/854 for the 6th Y & L in Italy, plus he isn't listed as a casualty in the 6th Y & L Diary of Events 43-45 (although there are quite a few omissions in the casualty lists) 6th Y&L - Diary of Events 1943-45 - 010.jpg
     
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  5. vitellino

    vitellino Senior Member

    Thanks a lot. The war diary has answered my question.

    I know exactly what happened to him after having been captured. He was taken to POW camp P.G. 54 Fara in Sabina and loaded onto a POW train on 26 January. He was mortally wounded when this train was bombed by the Germans (WRONG SEE BELOW) AMERICANS at Allerona Italy two days later. He died that same day 28 January - in Orvieto hospital and was buried in Orvieto Civil Cemetery before being transferred to Bolsena.
    bombed train broughton draper harston pyott barry asser.jpg

    Edited to say that the other three men captured with Pte. Harston on 22 January were also on the train, were wounded, hospitalised and then sent on to Germany:

    5735434 Private Joseph Minchella, Scalp wound, Stalag IVA

    7677972 Private Clifford Ogden, Wound to left ear and wound to left hand, Stalag 344

    6211898 Private Frederick J. Ellis, Bruising and multiple abrasions, Stalag 344

    SOURCE WO 361/668
     
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2019
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  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Why did the Germans bomb their own train ?


    Wouldn't it have been the Allied airforces if it was behind the German lines ?
     
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  7. vitellino

    vitellino Senior Member

    I must be half asleep/ It was the AMERICANS who BOMBED THE TRAIN!! See my website bombedpowtrain.weebly.com

    I am now going to edit the other post.
     
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