Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

Hi Folks,

I am trying to help a friend with some info about her uncle, William Hesketh, I have his birth reg and his parents marriage ref etc, but he died in WW2 in Sicily. He is listed on the Commonwealth WGC site.

William Hesketh, Lieutenant Kings Own Royal (Lancaster) reg and Durham Light Infantry. Service number 219093. Age 30, Died 17/7/43.

Son of William and Annie Hesketh, husband of Mary Elizabeth Hesketh of Liverpool.

What we are trying to find out is, would his death be registered in Sicily, and if so, how can my friend get a copy of his death cert?

I know there are different GRO death registers for overseas deaths, but how do we get the GRO ref number for this?

I think they may be on FMP but I don't have a sub for it, can anyone help/advise please?

Thanks in advance.

Jan

There are World War two deaths fiche boxes at The Record Office. He should be recorded on them

Thanks Katie,

I have had a PM from a member who has given me the ref for this.

Cheers for the help.

Jan

Jan, I dont believe that Death Certs were issues as such for soldiers killed in battle. but you may find this interesting

[/url]http://www.wikisicily.com/catania/sched ... =III&fnd=C. 12# Double click on the photo to enlarge ... erpool. P

Hi Phil,

Thanks very much for that, I have saved the details I will send an e-mail to my friend and tell her about it.

OT a bit,

Another friend of mine had a great uncle who died in Bangalore in 1903, he was in the Kings LPool Reg, and I have his army papers, (found on the anc site) found his death reg in the overseas army deaths (just ordered the cert) but I wonder where he may have been buried. It says on the army papers that he died in hospital.

Jan

jan44 wrote:

Hi Phil,

Thanks very much for that, I have saved the details I will send an e-mail to my friend and tell her about it.

OT a bit,

Another friend of mine had a great uncle who died in Bangalore in 1903, he was in the Kings LPool Reg, and I have his army papers, (found on the anc site) found his death reg in the overseas army deaths (just ordered the cert) but I wonder where he may have been buried. It says on the army papers that he died in hospital.

Jan

If you let me have the name Jan, I can see what I can find out. He will be buried in one of the Military Cemeteries in India, so it's a case of identifying which one.

I will also emaila contact who specialises in the Durham Light Infantry to see if he can find anything else out regarding Hesketh.

P

Hi Phil,

Thanks for that, the person I am doing research on is Reekin Davies, he was born in Frodsham, 1879 and his service number was 6987. I have all the details of his family in census etc.

Cheers

Jan

Background info on the activities of the 6th DLI on the 17th July 1943

Nothing specific regarding William Hesketh listed probably because he was attached rather than commissioned into, however the 17th July was the day the Bridge was taken and the heaviest fighting so far was recorded. Zero hour was 0100hrs 17/7/43 6th DLI led followed by the 9th The objective was to cross the river at the ford and advance to the edge of the vines from the road westwards to the bend in the river. A Comp were on the left, C Comp centre B Comp right with D Comp protecting the battalions left flank. A Company were the lead company and the men crossed the river using a guide rope/wire but when they emerged on the far bank the Germans were found to have machine guns in the Sunken road (Known as stink alley) which took a heavy toll on the 6th DLI before they even reached the official start line, further problems were encountered when the British Barrage did not move but fell short on the advancing Durhams, only one companies radio was working (B Company) and communications were by runner, nevertheless the Durhams pushed on and breaking through the heavy lines of cactus, B comp managed to force the Germans out of the sunken road to run a Gauntlet between the Durhams and the open road and suffered heavy casualties as a result. The Durhams failed to take their original objectives and things were not helped by three Shermans who arrived and provided no support for the Companies which were now pinned by heavy German MG fire and our own Barrage! The only way to contact the tanks was for someone to climb on the back and rap on the hull...suicide and no one was prepared to do it thus the tanks blasted away with the infantry prone in front of them the tanks blissfully unaware of their presence A and B Comp were ordered to withdraw to allow more tanks which had arrived a clear run on the German positions. By 1230pm all Durham companies were established in their objectives aided by tank support and the 6th DLI Anti tank platoon who had crossed the bridge at 0600am carriers and six pounders followed by the two pounders these also suffered heavy casualties but by 1300pm The battle for the Primosole was all but over. The 6th DLI lost 25 men killed another two died on the 18th as a result of wounds this does not include men attached to 6DLI. Hope this helps