I am trying to find more information on my mate's dad who died in Italy on 10.8.1944. "R.A.C. " Trooper Benjamin Agombar 7956251"On his Field service Form. It states he was with Force 133.He died in 98 British General Hospital in Bari,Due to head/chest and leg wounds-Injuries due to Explosion on duty " Not to Blame"? what ever that meant. Be for Italy ,he was in North Africa/Middle east .He spent some time in and out of Hospitals 3wks or more at the time. Hospital XII and XIVA. He served in the middle east 26.10.42 - 10.7.44 , then Italy 11.7.44 - 10.8.44. If any one could steer me in the right direction . Where was the Hospitals ? What sort of Explosion ? Many thanks. From Troy 1 Queen's
Hi Troy, Welcome to the forum. There was a recent post involving Bari, the guys that responded to that might be able to help. Have a look: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/royal-artillery/51437-grandfather-killed-italy.html
98 General Hospital was a major rear area hospital in Italy for the more seriously wounded. Bari was the site of several Allied military hospitals and related support facilities. Some were housed at the Bari Polyclinic, built by Mussolini as a showcase of Fascist health care. The Polyclinic was home to the 98th British General Hospital and the 3rd New Zealand Hospital, among others. World War II: German Raid on Bari My uncle was a patient there when the Luftwaffe bombed the harbour in December 1943 and unwittingly hit the SS John Harvey, which had mustard gas shells amongst its cargo.
Troy King Number of questions there - first his Title and number suggests ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS - served in Mid East 26th October 42 suggests middle of Alamein - until Italy - 11th July '44 - 8th Aug '44 - suggests before Gothic Line - AND 1st Armoured Division - probably mis fire in gunnery practice ..(?) Hospital would be CCS - Ancona - Hospital ship to Bari where there were three LARGE British Hospitals one large NZ and one large Cdn hospitals- btwen then more than 3000 beds - and a large cemetery.... Try the war diaries for 2nd Armoured bde - 4QOH - Bays et al Cheers
Troy - the other regiments in 2nd AB were 9th Lancers and 10th Hussars - Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoons) and 4th QOH which was the recce unit for the bde - you might have better luck at Bovington for the diaries Cheers
Thanks read through it all,there was 1 thing in it,( Honey had a Accident )doe's that mean own goal?. Thanks very much.
At around this time there were some accidents at the SOE Packing station near Bari which resulted in injury and loss of life. Steven
Hi Troy, Welcome to the forum. There was a recent post involving Bari, the guys that responded to that might be able to help. Have a look: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/royal-artillery/51437-grandfather-killed-italy.html Hi Steve,thanks for the message and all the other help from people on this site. Just thought i let you know that my grandad thought the Japs,and as the Burma star with the pacific bar on it.And his brother John Hines is buried on a island called Karangi-Singapore.
Hi Troy, Is this him: Record Details Surname: HINES First Name(s): John Clement Rank: Pte. Service No: 5773126 Service: A Date of Capture: 15/02/1942 These details are from the COFEPOW database here: Record Details He will probably have what is called a Japanese Index card to his name, these are held at the National Archives under the file reference WO345.
