mountford James Cecil Mountford - Stoke-On-Trent (Burslem) Cemetery
Rank:Private
Service No:5125625
Died Result of Injuries from Explosion
Date of Death:20/10/1945 - Age:22
Place of Death Colchester Military Hosp
Regiment: Royal Berkshire Regiment 10th Bn.
Died as of Result of injuries from an explosion on
Military Ranges at Fingrinhoe - Essex
POW of Germany held at Stalag 4b, Muhlberg (Elbe)
POW No.279336
Released 3/5/1945
Grave Reference:Sec. R.C. Joint grave 783.
Previous Employment Wades Burslem
Additional Information:
Son of Joseph Cecil Patrick and Ethel Mountford,
of Ricardo Street Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent.
10th Battalion:
September 1940: The Battalion was formed. Initially it was the 50th (Holding) Battalion.
February 1941: The Battalion, relieved of its costal defence duties and was sent to join the 56th (London) Division, and had become a fully fledged field unit.
January 1942: Still in Suffolk commenced intensive training
28 August 1942: Set sail from Liverpool.
05 November 1942: Landed at Basra, Iraq. They then moved on to Kirkuk for further training.
March 1943: Left for Egypt where they continued their training.
June 1943: Went to Gaza where they were ordered to waterproof all their vehicles.
July 1943: Set sail for invasion of Sicily - codenamed Operation Husky.
12 July 1943: Landed. Their first action was at Fossa Bottaceto and suffered heavy casualties. Remained for a further five days under fire at a place they named "Berkshire Farm" before being withdrawn into reserve. They were then involved in operations around Primasole
05 August 1943: They took part in the General Advance after the German defences were breached at Etna.
10 October 1943: Moved to Italy and in the same month went on to a position at Pignataro then after took part in the attack on the ridge at Calvi Risorta followed by further actions at Teano, Gloriana and Roccamonfina.
Winter of 1943: In action at the River Garigliano and Monte Camino.
Early December 1943: Battalion was relieved and moved to Casanova.
01 January 1944: Left Casanova and returned to action and played a major part in the crossing of the River Garigliano.
20 January 1944: The Battalion themselves crossed the river.
21 January 1944: The Battalion arrived and occupied Mount Damiano. They were instantly attacked repeatedly by the Germans from dawn onwards.
22 January 1944: That afternoon the Battalion had experienced the heaviest shelling ever. They still managed to hold the hill. Fighting continued for a few more days.
25 January 1944: Were relieved and was able to have a short rest. They became part of an independent brigade group.
02 February 1944: Landed in Anzio, Italy and took up position north of the town.
05 February 1944: Took over part of the line near Carroceto from the divisional reconnaissance regiment.
Reported Missing 08/02/1944
Became a POW
Released 3rd May 1945
mountford James Cecil Mountford - Stoke-On-Trent (Burslem) Cemetery
Rank:Private
Service No:5125625
Died Result of Injuries from Explosion
Date of Death:20/10/1945 - Age:22
Place of Death Colchester Military Hosp
Regiment: Royal Berkshire Regiment 10th Bn.
Died as of Result of injuries from an explosion on
Military Ranges at Fingrinhoe - Essex
POW of Germany held at Stalag 4b, Muhlberg (Elbe)
POW No.279336
Released 3/5/1945
Grave Reference:Sec. R.C. Joint grave 783.
Previous Employment Wades Burslem
Additional Information:
Son of Joseph Cecil Patrick and Ethel Mountford,
of Ricardo Street Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent.
10th Battalion:
September 1940: The Battalion was formed. Initially it was the 50th (Holding) Battalion.
February 1941: The Battalion, relieved of its costal defence duties and was sent to join the 56th (London) Division, and had become a fully fledged field unit.
January 1942: Still in Suffolk commenced intensive training
28 August 1942: Set sail from Liverpool.
05 November 1942: Landed at Basra, Iraq. They then moved on to Kirkuk for further training.
March 1943: Left for Egypt where they continued their training.
June 1943: Went to Gaza where they were ordered to waterproof all their vehicles.
July 1943: Set sail for invasion of Sicily - codenamed Operation Husky.
12 July 1943: Landed. Their first action was at Fossa Bottaceto and suffered heavy casualties. Remained for a further five days under fire at a place they named "Berkshire Farm" before being withdrawn into reserve. They were then involved in operations around Primasole
05 August 1943: They took part in the General Advance after the German defences were breached at Etna.
10 October 1943: Moved to Italy and in the same month went on to a position at Pignataro then after took part in the attack on the ridge at Calvi Risorta followed by further actions at Teano, Gloriana and Roccamonfina.
Winter of 1943: In action at the River Garigliano and Monte Camino.
Early December 1943: Battalion was relieved and moved to Casanova.
01 January 1944: Left Casanova and returned to action and played a major part in the crossing of the River Garigliano.
20 January 1944: The Battalion themselves crossed the river.
21 January 1944: The Battalion arrived and occupied Mount Damiano. They were instantly attacked repeatedly by the Germans from dawn onwards.
22 January 1944: That afternoon the Battalion had experienced the heaviest shelling ever. They still managed to hold the hill. Fighting continued for a few more days.
25 January 1944: Were relieved and was able to have a short rest. They became part of an independent brigade group.
02 February 1944: Landed in Anzio, Italy and took up position north of the town.
05 February 1944: Took over part of the line near Carroceto from the divisional reconnaissance regiment.
Reported Missing 08/02/1944
Became a POW
Released 3rd May 1945