63144 Edward Antony FitzHerbert WIDDRINGTON, MC, MiD, 5 Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards & 2 SAS

I have been asked by an old friend of mine to see what can be found out about the life and service of his cousin, Major Tony Widdrington who was a member of 2SAS and was killed when a bomb he was defusing exploded during Operation Pomegranate.
Casualty

I've managed to pull together quite a lot from a range of online sources including previous threads on this forum which have been absolutely invaluable. However, a couple of things still elude me and I hope someone out there can help.

Widdrington was gazetted for his Military Cross on 19.8.43 but I can't find the actual citation or recommmendation anywhere - I know this area is often frustrating but I'd be grateful for any assistance

Secondly, is there any record of Widdrington being involved in any other special forces operations either with 2SAS or another unit - I can't find him named on other ops in Italy but I might have missed something.

My friend is visiting Perugia soon to visit the scene of Widdringtons death and wants to take as full an account as possible of his life and service to present to the Mayor and the community.

Any help will be gratefully received - thanks in advance

 

The attached gives a good account of the circumstances in which Widdrington met his death http://www.winchestercollegeatwar.com/archive/widdrington-edward-anthony-fitzherbert/

 

A most interesting read and a story of bravery by those involved in the operation.
Regards
Tom

 

Has the cousin applied for his service records ??? - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records#how-to-apply-for-service-personnel-records

TD

 

Below is the citation for his MID - as he was killed in action he would not get awarded a MC posthumously, the only awards in WW2 awards posthumously given were either a VC or MID . I have also shown Lt Hughes's MC citation. I do have some further bits and pieces I think, but I am away from home at the moment and don't have access to my files. Could you PM


Widdrington/E A F Major 63144 5 RIDG? – 2 Special Air Service LG ??

Major Widdrington MC was commanding a party of two officers and 4 O.R.s who were dropped by parachute on the 12th of January, 1944, close to Lake Trasimene (Italy), with the object of attacking grounded aircraft on San Egidio airfield. On the night of the 14th of January, 1944, the detachment attempted to cross the Tiber but were intercepted by and enemy patrol. Major Widdrington gave the order to disperse. Unfortunately the two officers failed to make contact with the remainder of the party again. They continued on the night of the 15th January towards the airfield and on the 16th January arrived at the objective placing bombs on 4 J.U.88’s, 2 Fieseler Storch, and 1 JU 52. No further aircraft could be found and the two officers began to disarm their remaining bombs. During this procedure a bomb which Major Widdrington was disarming exploded killing him and seriously wounding Lieut Hughes, who was subsequently captured. Major Widdrington MC displayed throughout high courage, determination and devotion to duty.

(Major Widdrington is buried in Assisi War Cemetery, Italy)

Hughes/James Quentin Lieutenant 187543 Royal Artillery - 2 Special Air Service Regiment LG (post July 1944)

Lieut Hughes was one of a party of two officer and 4 ORs who were dropped by parachute on 12 Jan 44 close to Lake Trasimene, with the object of attacking grounded aircraft on San Egidio airfield. On the night of 14 January 1944 the detachment attempted to cross the Tiber but were intercepted by an enemy patrol. The officer commanding the detachment gave the order to disperse. Unfortunately the two officers failed to make contact again with the remainder of the party. They continued on night 15 January towards the airfield, and on 16 January arrived at the objective placing bombs on 4 JU 88's, 2 Fieseler Storch, and 1 Ju 52. No further aircraft could be found and the officers began to disarm their remaining bombs. During this process a bomb exploded killing the detachment commander seriously wounding Lieut Hughes, who was captured. On 10 March this officer was put on board a hospital train bound for Padua, and although blind in one eye succeeded in escaping by jumping from the train. On 30 March he returned to our own lines. Lieut Hughes displayed throughout high courage determination and devotion to duty.

Regards

Andy B