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If you have any questions or information about relatives who fought in Italy, then please contact us below. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Hi,
Would you have any records on our Polish uncles who died at monte cassino. All I have is their names and dates of birth
Klemon Leon Brylowski 1919
Franciszek Brylowski 1924
Would love to know any information on them if possible .
Thank you
Mrs Deborah Brylowski
I’m trying to find my uncle’s military record
Edward Tarrant Came from Knutsford Cheshire. Born 1910
Joined the Veterany courps. He served in
Africa and fought at Monte Casino 1945 where he was injured, losing an eye He retired as Captain. Came back to live in Cheshire
Thankyou for any help you can give me.
Yours sincerely. Letitia Tetsill ( Mrs)
My late father
Arthur Harrison
56th recces service no 7892408
12thvroyal lancers.
Was he at Monte Casino please
Sheila.robinson@hotmail.co.uk
Sheila.
I answered your original email.
I have sent that answer to your email address. Look out for it.
Regards
Frank
arthur geoge butler of darlaston died on 8 arpil 1944
Arthur.
There is no record of Arthur George Butler on the CWGC database.
Are you sure of your facts?
Regards
Frank
I have found Arthur Butler. He was killed on 7 Mar 44 whilst serving with 1/6 East Surreys.
Regards
Frank
Hi
My Grandad, Harry Palmer (Ginge) fought at Monte-casino with the 1/4 Essex Regiment, 4th Indian Division, 8th Army.
I have an article that he kept from a newspaper clipping about his regiment taking Hangman’s hill and being trapped up there for 9 days.
I would love to find out more especially if any of the old comrades are still alive ?
Any information would be greatly appreciated .
BR
Lee
Lee.
Get me through my website http://www.cassinobattlefields.co.uk and I will share with you the full story of what 1/4 Essex got up to in the castle and then the two Rifle Companies up on Hangman’s Hill. The two Companies were sent to reinforce the single 1/9 Gurkha Rifle Company that reached and occupied Hangman’s Hill.
Are you aware the the Royal Anglian Regiment erected a memorial to 1/4 Essex
in 2007. It is inside the castle grounds.
Regards
Frank
My father, Norman Eric Bothamley, fought at Monte Cassino with the 2nd Btn Coldstream Guards. I have extensive details of his time during WW2, including Dunkirk, North Africa and Italy. I have his war diaries and an account of his war experiences written when he was in his 80’s. If anyone is interested in any of the information I can forward it. Despite his records would love to know more about his war history.
I have a film of The Siege of Monte Cassino. Would you be interested? If so please contact via email
john.franklin 4@BTinternet.com Gwyneth Franklin
My late father was in the 56th Reconmaidsnce Corp and also the 12th Royal Lancers. He was un the Izitalian campain. But is there anyway if you could tell me if his name is in your archives for the Momte Cassino .campaign.He would have been 24 at the time. He was a Tank Driver.
Arthur Harrison service no.7892408
Sheila.
Your father was indeed at Cassino because 56 Recce Regt were the reconnaissance unit for 78 Infantry Division.
The Division held ground behind the monastery and directly below it in the castle after the Third Battle of Cassino in Mar 44 before handing over to the Polish Corps and been withdrawn in preparation for their role in the Fourth Battle of Cassino.
For the Fourth Battle of Cassino the Division was the reserve for XIII (British) Corps in May 44 and took up the lead on 16 May 44.
I am not sure how he ended up in 12L because 56 Recce Regt were involved in 78 Infantry Division impressive advance through the Argenta Gap in Apr 45 during the Final Offensive and would have been required for that.
Could it be that he was transferred to 12L after the war when the Div was in Austria?
Regards
Frank
My father fought at Monte Cassino in April/ May 1944.
He then went on pushing up through Italy until November 1944 when he trod on a mine being blown up and loosing a leg, amongst other horrific injuries. He was with the SE Surreys, transferring to the London Irish after Cassino as there were only 11 left standing of his group. My father was Joseph John Taylor , aged 30 at the time of Cassino.
I have visited the Monastry and many cemeteries a very moving experience.
Penny.
If he was transferred to 2 London Irish after Cassino that would likely put him in 1 Surreys. Is that correct?
Regards
Frank
I had two uncles in the battles at Casino. My English uncle was only seventeen and unfortunately lost his life My other uncle who was Polish survived. I have never been there but would be interested in visiting the area My uncles names were Raymond Truslove. and Jan Swavikovski
Leslie.
Raymond Truslove was a Private in 2nd Battalion Somerset Light Infantry and was killed on 15 September 1944 in the Battle for the mighty Gothic Line in the area around Rimini.
2 SLI were part of 10 Infantry Brigade in 4 Infantry Division and they played a major part in the successful Fourth Battle of Cassino in May 44.
He is buried in the wonderful Coriano Ridge CWGC Cemetery – I was there a few weeks ago and probably passed him.
If you would like to see all this for yourself, do get in touch through my website http://www.cassinobattlefields.co.uk
I guide groups at both Cassino and the Gothic Line. Off the top of my head, Raymond Truslove was killed in the area around the village of Cerasola.
Regards
Frank
Watching the Remembrance service in Whitehall prompted me to wonder about my father’s war time history as I know he fought across North Africa and then the length of Italy. He rarely spoke of his time in the army as he had a very hard time, seeing a lot of action and lost many friends. However, I do recall him once talking about Monte Casino hence this email.
I wonder how I can research his time in the military. I believe he served1939-1945. Name: Alfred Henry Neale
d.o.b. 1921. died 1990
Born in Bethnal Green, London.
I’m afraid I don’t have any other records as I lost various paperwork after his (untimely) death. I won’t enlarge, unless needed, but as I said he had a very bad war and this greatly impacted the rest of his life.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.
James Neale (son)
James.
You should go to http://www.gov.uk and type in ‘How do I obtain a Service Record’.
Follow the instructions and do not worry if you do not have every detail that they are asking for.
Regards
Frank
James.
You should go to http://www.gov.uk and type in ‘How do I obtain a Service Record’.
Follow the instructions and do not worry if you do not have every detail that they are asking for.
Regards
Frank
Hello, I’m hoping you may be able to provide further information as to my grandfathers Military Cross award at Cassino.
He was with the Reconnaissance Corps.
Capt JDM Williamson.
John.
I have checked with the National Archives and can find no record of a Williamson with the initials JDM as having been awarded the Military Cross.
Do you have those initials in full?
Regards
Frank
I’m hoping you have some information on my late mother’s brother who fell at the battle of Monte Cassino, March 29th 1944, age 27, and is buried in Cassino War Cemetery.
Lieutenant James Austin Burgess 262180,
132 (The Glamorgan Yeomanry) Field Regt.,
Royal Artillery.
I recall once seeing a letter from his CO, which says he was killed by a ranging shot from the German artillery, which may or may not be true, if course.
Regards,
Ray
Ray.
132 Fd Regt RA were one of the three embedded field artillery regiments in 78 Infantry Division. Where the Div went then so did 132 Fd Regt RA.
29 Mar 44 was right at the end of the Third Battle of Cassino. James Burgess was an Officer so it is a 99% likely that his death would have been mentioned in the Regiment’s War Diaries.
Get me through http://www.cassinobattlefields.co.uk and I will happily put you in touch with someone who can get you those War Diaries.
Regards
Frank
My father LCpl Jozef Bal – 30085285
served in Monte Casino with the Polish forces under British command from 1/4/42 – 19/2/47
He was wounded and lost his left eye in the conflict
Dad didn’t speak about the war when he was alive. I would like to piece together more information
Go to the Sikorsky Museum in London. They hold lots of information.
Regards
Frank
Good morning
My grandad was George Henry Conlan
He lost his life in this battle
Is there anyone still alive that served with him that could tell me anything about him
Thankyou
Mark.
Sjt GH Conlan was serving in 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade at the time. The battalion were part of 61 Infantry Brigade who were the infantry for 6 Armoured Division.
The Division was pushing up the Liri Valley towards Rome when he was killed.
Only the War Diaries can confirm where the battalion was on 4 Jun 44.
Regards
Frank
My father Patrick George Docwra was at the invasion of Sicily and then went on to the Anzio landings. From the information I hold he was part of a reconnaissance unit he passed away in 2010 of lung cancer.
I hold his medals and his discharge papers etc.
Andrew.
Do you know his Regimental Number?
Regards
Frank
Hello, my father Vernon Ruff fought in Italy serving in the Royal Sussex Regiment, went through Monte Cassino and eventually ended up stationed in Verona northern Italy . I had a brief service record from the MOD but would like to know more about his service. He sadly passed in 2003, and I finally managed to fulfill his ambition to return to Verona last year and stand in the holding area he was stationed in before major development was undertaken ( I was amazed it was still there)
But obviously would like to know more and fill in gaps,
best regards,
Andrew Ruff
Just to let you know my wife’s father served in the RAMC and was at Monte Cassino. He was Pte Harry Locke.
184 Field Ambulance 48 Div 7397639
Desmond.
I think that you mean 46 Infantry Division.
They were at Cassino between the First and Third Battles before being withdrawn to North Africa. They had landed at Salerno on 9 Sep 43 and by April 44 were completely shot through.
At Cassino, they were in the mountains to the south of the Liri Valley. Ghastly places with names like Monte Rotondo, Monte Cerasola or Monte Faito.
Regards
Frank
Hello.
I’m very interested in finding my great uncles participation in the battle of Monte Cassino. His name was Jan Wromyko he was a member of the Polish forces that took part in the battle. He came to England after the war where he married my great aunt.
Thank you for your consideration.
Paul.
Your starting point should be the Sikorsky Museum in London.
They hold lots of records.
Regards
Frank
Just to let you know my wife’s father served in the RAMC and was at Monte Cassino. He was Pte Harry Locke.
Hello there.
I’m very interested in learning more about my fathers role in the battle of Monte Casino. He was an RSM and he lost most of his team in the battle. I would love to understand where he was and how things unfolded for him. His name and service number are below.
Barrington John Stancombe: 6020495
He served in Greece and Italy.
Many thanks for any signposting you might be able to share?
Mark
Mark.
6020495 is from the batch allocated to the Essex Regiment. If he served in both Italy and Greece then he was in 1/4 Essex who played a major role in the Third Battle of Cassino in Mar 44.
Get me through my website http://www.cassinobattlefiields.co.uk and I will happily share more information. My Regiment erected a memorial to 1/4 Essex in the castle at Cassino in 2007.
Regards
Frank
I am off on a Leger Battlefield Tour this coming Monday 6th October 2025
The Italian Campaign specifically around Cassino.
Have read a couple of books about the campaign but my first time to the Italian battle grounds.
Ian.
If the Leger tour whetted your appetite for a lot more detail about Cassino, you are welcome to join one of my tours.
Get me through http://www.cassinobattlefields.co.uk
Regards
Frank
Hi, I am still trying to find my dad’s service record, he was in the RA and served in north Africa and Italy. His service number T/279209. WILLIAM CLAY DOB 5/7/1914, any help would be great.
many thanks
Joe
Free Ancestry war records until 12 Nov 2025 . I have just found out a lot of info from there. Hope that helps
Hi, my dad was at Monte Cassino during ww2, he served with the royal artillery as a gunner/driver/mechanic.His friend named SYDNEY ALBERT BODKIN sadly lost his life and is buried there, I really want to know if there is a record of my dad being there 1944. My dad was WILLIAM CLAY – SERVICE NUMBER 1125740
Hi, my dad was at Monte Cassino during ww2, he served with the royal artillery as a gunner/driver/mechanic.His friend named SYDNEY ALBERT BODKIN sadly lost his life and is buried there, I really want to know if there is a record of my dad being there 1944.
When is the next event being held at the National Arboretum.
Widow of Casino Veteran would like to remember them all., especially her late husband.
Lives in Derby.
I am the link, RBL Branch Chairman
Littleover.
Information on how the Resistance aided in Monte Cassino
I am keen to know anything about my grandfather Walter Tilley who fought with the 7th Battalion Green Howards Yorkshire “C” company at Monte Cassino.
Sorry forgpt to add – the new headstone for Hantman sghoukd have a Star of David on – the cross was wrong and CWGC agreed to change some years ago
Dear Friends
Can you ask a member to take a good quality photo full view, of the new headstone of a casualty at Cassino, Gdsman. Samuel Hantman ? Grave XIX H 23
Martin.
I will be in the CWGC cemetery on 2 Oct 25. Get hold of me through my website http://www.cassinobattlefields.co.uk so that we can exchange emails and I can attach the photo to an email when I have taken it.
Regards
Frank
Martin.
If you go on to the CWGC website and type in his name you will see that the CWGC have posted a photo of the headstone.
Frank
Hi my father served in the British Eighth Army in Monte Cassino and I am trying to locate his service records. His name was Ismail Hassan and he was born in Cyprus. My son is visiting there tomorrow. Do you have any advice on how we might find these? Thank you
Did he serve with the Cyprus Regiment. I ask because soldiers from the Regiment were brought to Italy to man the Mule Pack Transport Companies that operated in the hills all around Cassino.
Frank
Hello
I have a photo of Dad’s which is of the troops gathering to hear Mr Churchill’s speech at 3pm on VE Day. Dad wrote on the back that this was at Alexander Barracks, Maddaloni, where he was stationed, presumably. I can find the town but there appears to be no record of the location of the barracks online. Do you know where it was located in the town? Thanks so much.
Hi Jeanie.
Thanks for your enquiry. I have found a photo on the Imperial War Museum website. The photo is captioned ‘Mrs.Whateley is met by Brigadier J.H. Woods, CBE.,DAG.,GHQ., 2nd Echelon, at the Alexander Barracks in Maddaloni.’, so that proves that it exists. I will do more research to see if I can locate it.
This is the link for the photo: 
CHIEF OF THE A.T.S. IN ITALY Image: IWM (NA 25847)
Regards
Des James
Good morning
I am looking to bring my Partner to memorial service at National Arboretum in May .
Do we need to book ?
Many thanks
Is this Society restricted only to British veterans of this Battle? I noticed on your site that there are no other veterans of other Allied forces. My father was a Polish veteran fought & wounded at the Battle of Monte Cassino. He wrote down his personal memoirs of his entire journey from when he was sent to Siberia, released after the amnesty, joined the Polish army in Russia, went to Iran and the Middle East where he trained along side the 8th British Army, fought throughout the Italian Campaign, to when he immigrated after the war to Canada. Would this be something the Society would be interested in?
Dear society.
My family comes from a little village near Cassino, and I have always been passionate about the story of what happened there.
Being able to connect with veterans, transcribe their testimonies, and honor the memories of those who lost their lives would greatly contribute to expanding this memorial. Even something as simple as a date of birth, a place of death, the name of a unit, or a photograph of a soldier would be incredibly valuable to my work.
I sincerely thank you for taking the time to consider my request, and I remain at your disposal for any questions or additional information you may wish to share.
Thank you once again for your attention and support.
Hi,
I am researching my family tree and am trying to find out some more information about my paternal grandfathers war service (Warrant Officer John Sutherland Campbell Stirling). He served in the Royal Engineers from 1939 and was evacuated from Dunkirk in 1940. Subsequently, he served in North Africa and the Middle East then in the Italy campaign (after being seconded to the US 5th Army as an engineer. He was mentioned in dispatches for something he did during the battle of Monte Cassino but we have never been able to find out what he did (he didn’t talk about his war when he was alive and died relatively young in 1974 aged 58. Just wondering if you have any pointers on where I can find out more information on his service? Many thanks, John
John.
If you could post his full name, and Regimental Number if you know it, I will have a dig around.
Regards
Frank
Hi Frank
That’s great. His full name was John Sutherland Campbell Stirling and his regimental number was 1913429.
Many thanks
John
John.
His Regimental Number is from the batch allocated to the Royal Engineers so that is correct. Your best bet is to go to http://www.gov.uk and look up ‘How to I obtain a Service Record’. That will secure you his Service Record and all will be revealed about where he went and with which Field Company or Field Squadron.
Regards
Frank
I am desperately trying to buy an 80th anniversary pin badge but am having no success…. My great uncle John Walker died there on 13th May 1944 and I have memories of going to his memorial every year in Budworth Cheshire…if you can help at all I would be thrilled … many thanks..Christine Mercer X
I am writing to you as a result of a photo a friend took last month of my father’s gravesite in the Cassino cemetery. Beside the site (P J Dudman) was a message from your society stating that you had recently held a remembrance service in the cemetery to mark the 80th anniversary of the battle, and that those present had each selected a gravesite to stand by. I was very moved. I have also stood at the gravesite, in 1998, and my brother previously. We were born in England in1941 and 1942, so had no memory of our father. My father’s family was indeed doomed – my grandparents and my aunt were killed in the Blitz in 1940, their youngest son Tony was killed at El Alamein in 1942, my father in 1943 and his twin brother, Jim, shot down over Paris on June 11th, 1944. I thank you from my home in Auckland, New Zealand, for this gesture your society made this year. My friend, Peter Charlesworth, a fellow Italian student, took the photos and made the visit on my behalf. i am now 82, but as long as I live, the sacrifice of my family will never be forgotten. And, as I well know, they were surely just the tip of the shocking iceberg. Thankyou again
Maureen Rutledge
Hi
My name is Marc Kirsten
I thought you might like this short interview I did for the RLB about my father who fought at the Battle of Monte Cassino, which was posted on their fccebook page on Saturday.
All the best
Marc
I have just read about the society,my father was in the 2nd battalion london irish rifles as was you sec.what if anything can i contribute.
John.
Come out to Cassino and see what 2 London Irish did in the Fourth Battle of Cassino. As part of 78 Infantry Division, they were ordered to push up the valley right underneath and in full view of Point 593, Point 575 and the monastery. It was quite an ask.
Regards
Frank
I was talking to mark Smith at Temple at War on Saturday .
Asked him why the Battle of Monti Cassino was never pubisised as much as D Day and that my father Oliver Douglas Barnard fought there with the 8th Army .
He told me of the Monti Cassino Society .
So here I am wishing to join you all .\
Olivia.
As a battlefield guide for the Italian Campaign, I am immensely frustrated that Normandy and NW Europe get so much more of the media attention than Italy. Part of it is because Normandy was so much easier to get to after the war but with the arrival of Easyjet, Wizz and Ryanair it is now possible to reach the Italian battlefields at far less cost. I am hoping that this will improve the public’s understanding of what exactly the troops in Italy endured from Sep 43-May 45.
Diary of Harold Brand. I found his account very moving. My father had fought in the previous Monte cassino Battles. He was attatched now to the “Fifth Indian”. At one timr he took a unit of troops through the ruins of Cassino and up to Castle Hill. He also fought the German assault from the castle ruins. There is a possibility that he is the Sergeant mentioned in Mr. Brands account.
John.
I am confused by where your father would have been. Are you saying that he was in 5th Indian Brigade, 4th Indian Division. If so, that would place him on or near Snakeshead Ridge for the Second Battle of Cassino in Feb 44.
Is this correct? What unit was he serving in at the time?
Regards
Frank
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