Does anyone have Alex McReady grave ,5th Bn Black Watch, Catania, Sicily

Hi there

I wonder if anyone has grave photos from the above cemetery?

I am looking for the grave of

Private Alexander McReady, 1760458
5th Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
died aged 23 on 19th July, 1943

The Grave reference is IV.B.46

If no one has a photograph, will anyone be visiting the cemetery, who would be able to take a photoraph for us? Alternatively, can you tell me of any other site that I may be able to obtain a photograph from.

Thank you
Janice

 

Janice

I think there was someone on the Forum not so long ago who was near Catania, but I cannot remember the name! (Old age I think catching up on me!)

You could try the War Graves Project too, they maye already have it, and will suupply a copy for a donation

Regards

Andy

 

I think his forum name is Ariete? lives in Sicily doesn't he? Pity he wasn't a Cameron as I have them.

 

Thank you both Andy Baldeagle and 51 Highland

I have tried the War Graves Project already and they do not have it as yet.

Perhaps Ariete will see this message and get in touch.

Thanks again for your help.
Janice

 

Here you go Janice
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/members/ariete.html

Click on the link and send him a PM. It may send him a email to encourage him to log on sooner rather than later


Andy

 

Thanks Andy, I have sent him an email, and will keep my fingers crossed.
Janice

 

Thanks for this Owen. It is really good to have some background.

regards
Janice

 

Thanks for this information. It sounds like absolute hell !!!

regards
Janice

 

Janice, I saw your post last night and since I was going to Catania today I snapped a few photos. I happened upon your post because I was researching the battles at Sferro and Gerbini. Do you have any info/photos or book references to these battles? Sferro is not very far from Catania, and actually closer to where I live. It would be interesting to know of any stories Pvt. McReady may have recorded before he died. According to the day of his death and the history I have, I know the general area where he was (Sicily has not changed much in 65 years). Let me know if you need anymore photos.

Mike

 

Janice,
I'm not sure the pics posted the last time, here they are again just in case.

Mike

 

I live in Catania, near cemetery
I can help you

 

Dear Mike

I just received a message from Owen telling me to look on the forum as you had got the photos for me.

What a surprise ! They are lovely and very clear. Thank you so much. It was very kind of you to take the trouble to get them. The photographs are a surprise for my friend, who has been researching him. Even so, I feel very emotional looking at his name, which has been etched all this time on that stone so far away. He was only 23, the same age as my youngest son. Such a terrible waste.

As to background, all I have is the two lots of background information from Owen on this thread. I don't have any other book reference. Sorry about that.

Anyway, you have just earned yourself a wee place in heaven, as we had almost given up, thinking that it was too much of a coincidence that someone would be going there.

Heartfelt thanks.
Janice

 

I live in Catania, near cemetery
I can help you

Dear Sicily43

Thank you so much for your kind offer. I would certainly have been very grateful to take you up on your offer, however, as you will see, I have just received some lovely photos from Mike.

Thank you again.

best wishes
Janice

 

Thought this might be of assistance, the areas that 51st HD were fighting around Sferro, Gerbini etc. Can scan relevant pages of 5th Camerons history if you would like. As it mentions the change overs to and from Black Watch Gordons etc.

 

51highland, wow the maps are fascinating. Thank you. Any other maps illustrating the Sferro and Gerbini areas would be exremely helpful. The maps you sent will be of great use. What I have been unable to accomplish is the exact locations of the 13 Gerbini airfields. I have located the main aerodrome (which still has a hard surface and some aircraft bunkers), satellite #7 and #11. I have a hunch about two other areas, but nothing concrete. If you have any info on this that would also be appreciated. Thanks again.

 

Janice,
I'm glad you got the photos. Thanks to heroes like Pvt. McReady we can live in freedom. His sacrifice and those of his family/loved ones will not be forgotten.

Mike

 

I would just like to say a big thankyou to everyone who has helped me on this.

Andy 1 and Andy2, 51 Highland, Owen, Sicily43, and of course to Mike for taking the photos.

People like you make the world go round.


Janice

 

Janice,
Aline asked for some pics of Mt. Etna and I couldn't figure out how to attach them to a PM, so I'll post them here. The first is a pic of the volcano and at the extreme right of the photo is the village of Sferro. You can just make out a stone arch bridge in the foreground of the town. Just above the stone arch bridge you can see the group of buildings that make up the town. The stone bridge goes over the Dittaino River. Sferro was the town Alexander's Batallion was assaulting on the day of his death, and the bulk of the Batallion was somewhere between the Dittaino River and the town on 19July1943. The second pic is of Mt. Etna alone. The third pic is a close up of the bridge and town. Let me know if you need any more pics.

Mike