2663126 Guardsman Alfred Frederick JAMES, 3 Coldstream Guards: 12/11/1943

Remembered Ashley Green, Bucks

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2410241/alfred-frederick-james/
GUARDSMAN ALFRED FREDERICK JAMES
Service Number: 2663126
Regiment & Unit: 3rd Bn. Coldstream Guards
Date of Death: 12 November 1943
Age 35 years old
Buried or commemorated at CASSINO WAR CEMETERY
Grave Reference: XIV. G. 9.
Location: Italy
Additional Info: Son of Alfred and Mary James; husband of Alice Amy James, of Chesham, Buckinghamshire.
Personal Inscription: GOD'S GREATEST GIFT, REMEMBRANCE. WIFE ALICE, DAUGHTERS WIN. AND SHIRLEY

 

Many thanks Clive

 

Can any one give me any more information on the death of my grandfather where he died and how, many thanks

 

Welcome to the forum
I've moved some posts to create a dedicated thread.


This should give you a general picture of the circumstances:
The Coldstream Guards 1920 - 1946, Howard & Sparrow, Online copy - The Coldstream Guards, 1920-1946, by Michael Howard and John Sparrow.

From the above, pages 166-7


A couple of photos from IWM Collection
THE CAMPAIGN IN ITALY, SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER 1943: THE ALLIED ADVANCE TO THE GUSTAV LINE
Monte Camino November - December 1943: Exhausted troops of the Coldstream Guards after being withdrawn from Monte Camino after the unsuccessful first assault.


ITALY : FIFTH ARMY
Original wartime caption: Men of the Coldstream Guards just back from their mountain positions, unshaven, tired and weary after their heroic fight.


See also
Monte Camino

 

Thank you for your help, I am not very good at looking for information.

 

Kevin.

Here is the topography of the area mentioned in the COLDM GDS Regt'l History that Diane has provided.



Although you do not know which Rifle Company your grandfather was in, here is the 3 COLDM GDS attack on Calabritto on 6 Nov 43 which he would have been part of.



And he is where 3 COLDM GDS were on the hill when he was killed on 12 Nov 43.



Regards

Frank

 

Kevin.

I go regularly to Monte Camino - I am a battlefield guide, so if you ever want to understand exactly what your grandfather had to ensure on that windswept hillside in early Nov 43, do get in touch.

And then we will go and tip our hat to him in the Cassino War Cemetery.

Regards

Frank

 

Grdsmn Alfred Frederick James (unknown-1943) -...

 

Thank you so much for all your help..

thank you…

 

Hi
Many thanks for all the help you have all given. Can you tell me if back in the 40s did they take photo’s of you when you joined the services?? If so is it possible to get a copy as my Nan his wife told me what he looked like but it would be nice to see him….

 

Kevin, firstly, welcome to the forum, you’re in excellent hands here, as you have already seen.

Secondly, do you have, or have you applied for your grandfather’s service records?

Get a copy of military records of service

 

Hi again
I have just come across some more info 121 company or some thing I can only get the numbers clearly..
Would these numbers mean any thing ????…..
Many thanks for any reply’s…

 

Hi,

Sorry but individual ID photo’s weren’t taken back then but an official Squad Passout photo was taken and men could buy a copy (or more for relatives). Sadly none were retained by the Regiment so it’s case of looking at what is on the forum and out there on the internet and hopefully you will spot him.

Steve

 

Some more info.

 

Hi,

If you’ve seen the numbers written down could you post a photo of the source document please?

As a general point CG infantry Battalions were numbered 1, 2, 3 & 4 Companies. There was also a HQ Company and if memory serves me well there was also a Support Company by 1943.

Manpower in all Guards infantry Regiments was so problematic that Scots Guards had a supplementary Company attached to both 2nd & 3rd CG in Italy - S & X Company if I remember correctly.

Steve

 

By the time of Camino,3 Coldstream Guards were operating with three rifle companies (Nos. 2, 3, 4). No. 1 Company was disbanded on 28th September 1943. It wasn't reformed until March 1944, when the battalion was transferred to 24th Guards Brigade.

 

Hi yes and they have been back in-touch to say it will be around 20 days at a cost as well which I have no problem with.
I know I have thanked you and others but I really am so thankful for all the assistance I am getting fro every one and this is such a good forum and so helpful….

 

Many thanks I will carry on looking…

 

Hi ladies and gentlemen.
You have been a great help to me I hope you don’t mind me asking when the first Coldstream guards went up the track in Camino to clear it for the other guards. Did they have a list of names of those who went up there ?? I’m convinced that my grandfather was one of the first. Many many thanks for any help….,

 

Kevin.

In the First Battle Camino in Nov 43, 6 GREN GDS were the first up the hill followed by F Coy 2 SG who were there to exploit the 6 GREN GDS success when it came. Whilst all this was going on, 3 COLDM GDS were putting in their attack on Calabritto. Only much later did 3 COLDM GDS go up the hill to the area where 6 GREN GDS & F Coy 2 SG got stuck.

Regards

Frank