I'm researching Private Albert Tonks 14505589 ACC, who died on 22nd March 1944 in Italy, he is remembered at Beach Head War Cemetery, Lazio, Italy. His death wasn't reported to the War Office until 8th April that he died of his wounds. Does anyone have access to war diaries? Kind regards Alan
My first cousin once-removed also died while serving with Army Catering Corps in Italy. He was Private William Charles Gittings 748810, previously with the Worcestershire Regiment.
For the War Diaries I think you would need to know what unit he was attached to as they tended to be spread across all units - I'm not sure if there were actual ACC units in theatre - having said that I'm not sure how you would find which unit he was with except from his service records - CWGC and casualty returns only have him as ACC.
just a minor bit of amateur analysis of the CWGC database.. of the 955 named as serving with the ACC, 567 had a named "secondary regiment" albeit a significant number of these under a general heading like "Royal Artillery"/"Royal Armoured Corps" etc.. About 140 of the ACC men were killed in Italy.
Alan. I am in Beach Head Cemetery in Anzio in Mar 20 so if you would like a photo of his headstone do say. Regards Frank
There is a reference to the death of one of the regiments cooks in the diary of 70th Medium Regiment. Pte F. Lee (A.C.C), killed when their wagon detonated a pile of lifted mines. It seems appropriate to mark that in this thread. The role was clearly not immune from the dangers of war. This was just a few days after they landed on the Italian mainland.
Three ACC men were killed in Italy while attached to the Skins - Private Frederick Birch, near the Simeto River in August '43. - Private Kenneth Chinn, near the Sangro river in December '43. - Private Ronald Lush, near Lake Trasimene in June '44.
Cooking facilities were in both wars often specifically targeted by mortars and other artillery if their location became known. If they were located sufficiently in the rear to avoid this then supplying the men in the front line with hot food became difficult and could create a morale issue particularly in the winter.
Is there a way of finding which regiment Albert Tonks (ACC) was attached to? I know I could possibly find this through his service record, but that will take a few months to receive. As I'm research all 65 persons commemorated on the Castle Bromwich War Memorial I don't have the funds to obtain all service records. The responses and information I am receiving is really appreciated. Alan
My cousin, William Charles Gittings, was buried in Meldola War Cemetery in Italy. His secondary regiment was listed as the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Here is a picture of his gravestone.
It may be worth checking the local papers in case his death gets any mentions - its a long shot but it may say he who he was attached too or maybe have a photo showing a Div sign that slightly narrows it down - I think most units of decent size would have ACC attached so there are lots of possibilities
Another bit of top down...given the date, 22nd March '44, you might surmise that he could have been with a unit in either 1st or 5th Infantry Divs or with the RE or RA, say.. there are 13 men buried at Beachhead CWGC for that date and you can see the following units for these men: Reconnaissance Corps, R.A.C. 1st Recce. Regt. Royal Engineers 245 Field Coy. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 1st Bn. North Staffordshire Regiment 2nd Bn. York and Lancaster Regiment 1st Bn. Royal Artillery 92 Field Regt. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 2nd Bn. Royal Artillery 67 Field Regt. York and Lancaster Regiment 1st Bn. Army Catering Corps Royal Artillery Army Catering Corps Northamptonshire Regiment 2nd Bn. York and Lancaster Regiment 1st Bn. As you can see, the other ACC man killed on 22nd March is noted as having been with the Royal Artillery. Doesn't really help too much but anyway... hopefully the service records can clarify.
My father's mate Jim Sadler, Sgj HJ Sadler ACC, served with the 2nd Bn London Irish Rifles all the way from North Africa to Austria and came up with this festive smorgasbord for the battalion in the mountains of northern Italy in 1944:
