One of the last brits that fought at monte casino

[ellie]

Hi All just got the news that my Uncle Bill past away tonight after a long illness. He was in the signals. and fought in North Africa and Italy. he was 96 years old. as kids we used to love it when my dad and uncles used to tell us stories about the times in the war.

they never glorified what they did but we were very proud of them. My dad is the last of that generation of my family and he's 95. Always remember my uncle telling me how bad it was at casino and how he admired the Germans as good fighters, he used to say the buggers took some digging out.

He may be gone but he will never be forgotten good night and god bless uncle Bill

From

Ian, Ellie, Douglas, and the lads

www.elliesminiatures.com

 

[Helm]

RIP Bill a grim battle that by any standards
Steve

 

[ellie]

Thank You Steve it sure was and from the stories I heard from him it was hell on both sides. very brave men.

Ian

 

[Huw63]

Sorry to hear of your loss. Sadly there are fewer and fewer veterans left who can remind younger generations of how terrible war is. RIP

Huw

 

[Mat Lambert]

My condolences to you and your family Ian.
Mat

 

[Babelfish]

Give it another 10 years and they will all be gone. But their memory will live on. I think there was a lot of mutual admiration and respect by the troops on both sides Ian. I've met German vets who have said the same about Brits and Americans - and even the Russians - that your Uncle Bill said about the Germans. Most of them were just young lads plunged into a horrific situation over which they had no control, and all they were worried about was staying alive and not letting their mates down. They all deserve our greatest respect, and I doff my optivisor to your Uncle Bill and your dad.

- Steve

 

[billyturnip]

RIP Bill. Old soldiers never die....

Ian if you haven't already read this it's definitely worth a read, quite a lot of firsthand accounts of a particularly grim time for young men like your Uncle Bill.

 

[ellie]

Thank you guys for the Kind words I will pass them on to my cousin and Bills grand and great Grandchildren, as you say the memories will live on in future generations.

Thanks roger will look it up.

ian

 

[Nap]

Ian ,

Sorry to hear the sad news , my total RESPECT to him and all like him and a thank you for what he went through a very brave man ....all heroes.

My condolences to all the family and RIP Bill

Nap

 

[ellie]

Thanks Nap, I will pass it on mate, he was an imposeing figure of a man with a big voice a peiceful end to a good life.

Ian

 

[OldTaff]

My sincere condolences to you and your family, Ian. Memories are heirlooms we can pass on to our children and grandchildren, and we can only hope that they remain treasured.

Alan

 

[ellie]

Thanks Alan

Ian

 

[peedee]

My thoughts are with you and your family Ian



..............and in the morning we will remember them

Paul

 

[ellie]

Thank you Paul I have passed all the messages on to the rest of the family and they have said think you too we know he would have loved all your thoughts.

thank you again

ian