Lottery salutes Plymouth Monte Cassino veteran 70 years on
10 Apr 2014 01:11 PM
Second World War
veterans from across the country are soon to embark on a historic pilgrimage to
commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino, the epic
struggle to capture a vital German stronghold and open up the way for the main
allied advance into Rome.
Recognised as one of the
most dogged and ferocious actions of WW2, the five-month struggle claimed over
50,000 lives. The battle of Monte Cassino (January – May
1944) was pivotal to the success of the Italian campaign and the greater allied
advance into mainland Europe. It eventually led to the destruction of the
formidable Gustav Line, the spine of German fortifications across
Italy.
Peter Ainsworth Chair of
the Big Lottery Fund, said: “As we approach the historic
70th anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino we are proud to remember and
honour the immense debt of gratitude owed to those brave veterans who endured
one of the most arduous campaigns of the Second World War and whose courage and
sacrifice finally brought an end to a conflict that cost over 60 million lives
across the world.”
One group preparing for the
historic anniversary are veterans of the Monte Cassino
Societyawarded a £28,535 Heroes Return
grant to join WW2 veterans from across the world to pay their
respects to fallen comrades at official ceremonies around the battle sites. It
is expected that the anniversary will also be attended by a member of the Royal
Household.
Part of the
group, 94-year old Garth Wright from Plymouth is one of the last
remaining Dunkirk veterans. Aged 19, Garth joined up with the
local Territorial Army and was due to go to firing camp when he received his
call up in September 1939.
He recalls: “We had a
Sunday Service and it was there that we heard we were at war. I joined as part
of the British Expeditionary Force. We were sent to defend British fighter
planes stationed at Lille airport in Northern France. But after the Germans
waded through the Maginot Line we retreated and took up defence on the beaches
of Dunkirk. I helped a badly wounded guy onto a destroyer and came back with
him.”
Garth then joined the 6th
Armoured Division anti tank and took part in Operation Torch the British
– American invasion of French North Africa.
Garth recalls: “We were on
4.2 mortars. Our job was to place guns just 200 yards in front of the German
pits. But we were beaten back by Rommel so the division moved to Italy to join
the Battle of Monte Cassino.”.
“I was stationed at allied
Headquarters as we went into the final battle half a mile up the road. We were
under constant heavy fire. My duties were to drive a tractor pulling artillery.
I was also a messenger and sometimes my job was to dash up the line to the
forward troops carrying large canisters of hot soup strapped to my
back.”
After the allies captured Monte
Cassino the division moved up to San Marino on the Italian
Peninsula.
He remembers: “All the
civilians came out to greet us with wine flowing. One villager was waving
around this tiny little gun which he boasted had killed many Germans. My
sergeant
thought this was funny and was playing with the gun when it accidentally went
off and shot my best friend through the stomach. He never recovered from the
wound and later died. During the war I also lost four very old mates who were
with me in the TA in 1939.”
Looking forward to the 70th
anniversary trip next month, he said: “I have been back to Monte Cassino
since the war. The first visit was the most difficult. I could still smell
rotting flesh. But I don’t have the same feeling now and the place takes
on a different look. I am dedicated to keeping alive the memory of all those
boys.”
94-year old Garth is still a
regular fundraiser who has recently singlehandedly collected £5,500 in
support of the Royal Artillery Association, Monte Cassino Society and to fund a
local memorial stone.
Big Lottery Fund has to date
awarded over £26.6 million to more
than 54,000 Second World War veterans, widows,
spouses and carers across the UK under its Heroes Return 2
programme.
If you would like an interview
with Garth or any further information please contact the Big Lottery Fund press
office on 020 7211
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The Big Lottery Fund has extended its Heroes Return 2 programme to
enable veterans to apply for funding to make second trips. The programme
deadline for closure will now be end of 2015. This will ensure
Second World War veterans from the UK, Channel Islands and Republic of Ireland
who have already been funded since the programme opened in 2009, will have a
second opportunity to apply for a grant towards travel and accommodation
expenses to enable them to make trips back to places across the world where
they served, or make a commemorative visit in the UK. For details
contact: Heroes Return helpline: 0845 00 00 121 or visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/heroesreturn
Big Lottery Fund Press Office:
020 7211 1888
Out of hours media contact: 07867 500 572
Full details of the Big Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available
on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Ask BIG a question here: https://ask.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Follow BIG on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BigLotteryFund #BIGlf
Find BIG on facebook: www.facebook.com/BigLotteryFund
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editors
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