I have now found my last remaining unknown Cockermouth casualty and he was in the 7th Bn Cheshire Regiment and died in Italy. Peter Bell Rank: Private Service No: 4123050 Date of Death: 03/06/1944 Age: 30 Regiment/Service: Cheshire Regiment 7th Bn. Grave Reference: II. B. 9. Cemetery: BEACH HEAD WAR CEMETERY, ANZIO Additional Information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bell; husband of Margaret Lilian Violet Bell, of Enfield, Middlesex. So I am wondering if any body can assist with any information regarding the Cheshires please. Regards Mike.
Deacs As you perhaps know - the Cheshires were a Machine Gun Battalion and as such gave support to anyone in the Division who needed more than just rifles - They were then attached to 56th Division - which joined 8th Army at Enfidaville in Tunisia - didn't do so well then after some training Monty sent them off to X Corps which landed at Salerno where they did better in the capture of Naples and area and ended up at Anzio where this chap was killed as they broke out - they then went off to Egypt and returned to Italy in time for the very harsh battles at Croce and Gemmano and took part in the final battle for Italy eat the end of that Campaign…. (Gooogle for Croce / Gemmano ) Cheers
7 Cheshire's were under 5 Div. Pte Bell was part of No. 15 Platoon and they were supporting 1 York and Lancaster's attack on Point 55 and or 51. As far as I can tell this was up the coast from Anzio attacking L'Americano From Crookenden's Regimental History: At 530pm No. 15 Platoon reported that they were pinned down and were not yet able to get their guns forward to the selected positions. At 7pm Lt J Arnsby-Wilson was able to get No.1 Section further forward, but Privates Bell and Daniels were killed. By 9pm both sections were in forward positions.
Pte Bell appears to have been in 1 Sec, 15 Pl, D Coy: From Crookenden's The History of the Cheshire Regiment in the Second World War.
Deacs Sorry about that - I was quoting the 6th Battalion in 56th Div as both 56th and 5th Divs were at Anzio Cheers
Mike. I have a lot of stuff on 7 CHESHIRE at that time. What exactly do you want to know? I havea ot of info about their activities during the breakout from Anzio. Andy N mentioned Op CUB, the attack on L'Americano, but that was on 23 May 44 and well over by the death of Pte Bell. He was killed on 3 Jun 44 as they pushed through the German defence line and on towards Ardea and Pomezia. I was in Beachhead Cemetery yesterday and could have tipped my hat to him. I am back there in May guiding for a diffrent group if you would like a photo of his headstone. Regards Frank
He was a member of 15 platoon, D Company and killed at Ardea. They were pinned down at around 5.30pm on 3rd June and in pushing a section forward Pvt Bell and Daniels were killed. The situation was stabilised at 9.30pm and water and ammunition were got forward.
Brilliant response thank you very much this is great cheers. I have searched for ages to find out who this chap is and now to actually find out where he died is fantastic. So a big thank you to you all who have helped.
As promised Frank as kindly taken a photo of Peter's headstone and forwarded it onto me. Thank you Frank it was much appreciated. Regards Mike.
