5 th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment

I am looking for more details of Pvt.Kenneth Reginald Wootton, killed in Sicily 30-7-1943, he has no known grave and is commerated on the Cassino Memorial.
Can anyone tell me where the 5th Battalion was on this day?
If I can pin down the area where he died I am aiming to visit Sicily to experience the countryside which is his last resting place.
I was named after him and luckily have inherited his medals which are much treasured.

 

I'm sure the Italian Campaign chaps will be along soon. In the meantime you may want to consider getting a copy of the units war diary for this period.

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If you can't get to the national archives I offer forum members and copying service. Drop me a PM if you are interested.

Cheers
Andy

 

Kan -
the 5th battalion Northampshires were in 11th bde of 78th (Battleaxe Division) along with 2nd Lancs and 1st East Surreys and on the 30th July 1943 were preparing to attack Centuripe- which we called "Cherry Ripe" and they fell victim to the famous German paratroop division.
So - to visit the countryside where he died you can fly into Catania and back down to Centuripe - it isn't too far away - but Cassino is about 400 miles North from Catania - so your best bet would be to fly to Naples - train to Cassino - train to Rome and home ....might be an idea to get the war diaries to pin point exactly where the 5th were holding the line alongside the Canadian 3rd Bde.

An alternative would be to rent a car and follow the 78th to Messina - Bari - Termoli -Sangro - Cassino - then Rome and Home....

A good read is Ken Ford's "Battleaxe Division" ISBN -0-7509-3199-X with a chapter on Centuripe which will give you some good background- and good background to Cassino can be read if you google for Stan Scislowski's "Return to Cassino" will set the scenario for that visit.
- and good luck - and remember -it's very hot there in summer...
Cheers

 

Welcome to the forum Ken!

Best,

Steve.

 

I'm sure the Italian Campaign chaps will be along soon. In the meantime you may want to consider getting a copy of the units war diary for this period.

Detecting your browser settings

If you can't get to the national archives I offer forum members and copying service. Drop me a PM if you are interested.

Cheers
Andy
Hi Drew
I have been onto the Kew website and according to their Catalog the war diaries are still closed for a further 29 years, if you can assist though I would be most grateful.
Thanks, Ken.

 

Welcome to the forum Ken!

Best,

Steve.
Thanks for the friendly welcome. regards, Ken

 

That causes lots of confusion.
They were closed for 29 years after the war.
Brilliant ! thanks for info, I will see what Drew can do for me.Ken

 

Kan -
the 5th battalion Northampshires were in 11th bde of 78th (Battleaxe Division) along with 2nd Lancs and 1st East Surreys and on the 30th July 1943 were preparing to attack Centuripe- which we called "Cherry Ripe" and they fell victim to the famous German paratroop division.
So - to visit the countryside where he died you can fly into Catania and back down to Centuripe - it isn't too far away - but Cassino is about 400 miles North from Catania - so your best bet would be to fly to Naples - train to Cassino - train to Rome and home ....might be an idea to get the war diaries to pin point exactly where the 5th were holding the line alongside the Canadian 3rd Bde.

An alternative would be to rent a car and follow the 78th to Messina - Bari - Termoli -Sangro - Cassino - then Rome and Home....

A good read is Ken Ford's "Battleaxe Division" ISBN -0-7509-3199-X with a chapter on Centuripe which will give you some good background- and good background to Cassino can be read if you google for Stan Scislowski's "Return to Cassino" will set the scenario for that visit.
- and good luck - and remember -it's very hot there in summer...
Cheers
Tom, thank you for your input, this is the kind of info I was looking for and I will follow up in as much detail as I can, the trip to Sicily looks now to be definately on.
Best wishes, Ken.

 

Hi Ken,

I've just sent you a PM.

Cheers
Andy

 

Thanks, I stand corrected. Ken

 

Thank you so much for the scan, I am trying to locate a copy of the book to buy but no luck yet. Ken.

 

Try this link Ken:

Battleaxe Division (British Army at War): Amazon.co.uk: Ken Ford: Books

Best,

Steve.

 

Welcome to the forum


Cheers
Paul

 

Found one and it's on it's way. Ken

 

Hi,
With the help and advice of people on this forum who have taken the time to reply, help and advise me I now have a clear picture of what happened to my Uncle Ken.
So much so that I go out to Sicily on the 20th. a car and driver is booked to take us along part of the route that the 5th. took after their landing, a visit to the Catania C.W.G.C. and a visit to the grave of the only man killed along with my Uncle who has a marked grave.
Then on to Palagonia and find the position where according to the Regimental War Diaries 1 Officer, 1 N.C.O. and 6 other ranks were killed during an attack by German fighter / bombers which annialated them and all their support trucks, one of the other ranks was my Uncle, this is as close to him as I will ever be able to get.
Continue along the advance route along the roads they used, through Catenanuova and finish at Centuripe.
I will be taking photo's as I go and will try to post them on this site on my return.
Thanks to all who contributed.
Ken.