Hi everyone I am new to the site and stumbled across it when researching a relative of my wife. He was Sgt. Trevor Williams 145th Regt. RAC and was killed on 17th September 1944 at Coriani Ridge. I believe that he may have been 5th Troop A Squadron. His service number was 4625423. I would be very grateful if anyone has any memories of him or photographs to contact me. He was my wife's Nan's step-brother. She is now deceased but spoke very fondly of him and visited his grave a few years back. His father was William Williams, a coal miner living in Barnsley, but born in Wales. Regards, Steve H
Hi Steve and welcome to the forum. Have you thought about getting a copy of the units War Diary? Andy
Thanks for the reply Ron. So glad you made it out of there in one piece. It sounds like Coriano Ridge was a very tough time indeed.
Hi Andy, thanks for he tip regarding the War Diary. I had a look at the regiment site yesterday and have downloaded the application form. I look forward to it arriving.
Steve Much about the Coriano ridge on this thread. /30377-war-diaries-documents-info-units-fighting-gothic-line.html Ron
Steve, Hello and welcome to the forum. You have at least two Italian veteran's experiences to call on. Regards Tom
Steve, I have just had a look at where my father was on 17th September 1944 according to the war diaries. He was in the area with "B" Sqn of the 4th Recce Regt. Copies attached. Regards Tom
Thanks to everyone so far. Good stuff. I've left a post for Tom Canning. I have read a piece of his on the BBC website and it would appear he was in the same tank crew as my relative - very exciting indeed. I look forward to hearing from Tom.
Steve H - Just came on forum..... Treveor Williams was indeed my Tank Commander since I joined the regiment in North Africa and was near him when he died as we were all wounded by the same shell/mortar as we bailed out of our Churchill when the 88mm knocked it out - I was tending to Harry Gray our gunner whose kidney was hanging out and couldn't get over to Trevor as he went into a coma and died a few hours later..... I wrote about this day when some author ficitionilised that day as we lost our Troop Commandr Lt G. Douse just a few minutes before we were hit - and five of our six Tanks who were involved in the attack- and many Seaforths of Canada as well- you can read about it here .... BBC - WW2 People's War - The Gothic Line: The Battle for San Martina Cheers
Hi Tom, Thank you. Fascinating reading. Do have any photo's of the crew? We have none and it would be nice to know what he looked like. Kind regards.
Steve - unfortunately all my photo's etc went up with the Tank as I didn't send anything home in a green envelope....Trevor was a typical miner type - squat- well built - about 5'7"- broad Yorkshire with a tinge of Welsh when he got excited - terrible cook and so Charlie Bailey our Driver from Keighley took over and we survived ! Wasn't much on recognising food either as one day we were passing a field when he screamed for Charlie to Halt- he took off and came back with a bunch of what he called - 'Banana Melons'- and he spent a lot of time regaling us on how good these were for after dinner......you can imagine how we were after trying to eat unripe pumpkins ! - he never lived that down ! her is another tale of life in Italy.... BBC - WW2 People's War - Green Envelopes for Tank Brigade, Rimini Cheers
