BEACH HEAD WAR CEMETERY
Anzio
Italy
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 41.48234, Longitude: 12.62499
Picture used with the permission of the CWGC
Location Information
Anzio is a coastal town 70 kilometres south of Rome.
To reach Anzio take the Route No.148 Superstrada Motorway, which runs between Rome and Latina. Turn off the Superstrada at the No.207, following the signs towards Anzio. The route is well signposted from the Superstrada.
The Cemetery lies 5 kilometres north of Anzio town on the No.207 and Commission signs are visible 150 metres from the cemetery. There is a small parking area at the main entrance.
Beach Head War Cemetery should not be confused with Anzio War Cemetery which lies just off the No.207, 1 kilometre north of Anzio just close to the communal cemetery of Anzio.
Cemetery address: Via Nettunense km 34 - 00040 Anzio (RM) Lazio.
Visiting Information
The cemetery is permanently open and may be visited anytime.
Wheelchair access is possible via main entrance.
A Visitor Information Panel has been installed at this site. The panel features information about the cemetery and a QR (Quick Response) code. When scanned with a smartphone, the QR Code provides access to further information, including the personal stories of some of the casualties buried or commemorated at Anzio Beach Head War Cemetery.
Historical Information
On 3 September 1943 the Allies invaded the Italian mainland, the invasion coinciding with an armistice made with the Italians who then re-entered the war on the Allied side.
Progress through southern Italy was rapid despite stiff resistance, but by the end of October, the Allies were facing the German winter defensive position known as the Gustav Line, which stretched from the river Garigliano in the west to the Sangro in the east. Initial attempts to breach the western end of the line were unsuccessful. Operations in January 1944 landed troops behind the German lines at Anzio, but defences were well organised, and a breakthrough was not actually achieved until May.
The site of the cemetery originally lay close to a casualty clearing station. Burials were made direct from the battlefield after the landings at Anzio and later, after the Army had moved forward, many graves were brought in from the surrounding country.
Beach Head War Cemetery contains 2,316 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War, 295 of them unidentified. There is also one First World War burial which was brought into the cemetery from Chiete Communal Cemetery near Rome.
The cemetery was designed by Louis de Soissons.
Total Burials: 2,317.
World War One Identified Casualty: United Kingdom 1.
World War Two Identified Casualties: United Kingdom 1,913, Canada 68, South Africa 25, Australia 6, India 5, New Zealand 4. Total 2,021.
World War Two Unidentified Casualties: 295.
Cemetery pictures in gallery below used with the permission of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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5568932 Serjeant Maurice Albert Wyndham Rogers, V. C. M. M.
2nd Bn. Wiltshire Regiment
3rd June 1944, aged 25.
Plot X. D. 8.
Son of Albert Edward and Dora Grace Rogers; husband of Lena Elizabeth Rogers, of Plaistow, Essex.
His headstone bears the inscription In Memory Of My Beloved Husband. May We Be Together Soon, Dear "Peace At Last"
Citation:
The citation in the London Gazette of 8th August, 1944, gives the following details; In Italy, a battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment was ordered to attack high ground held by the enemy. The carrier platoon of the leading company, dismounted were ordered to capture the final objective. They advanced under intense fire and sustained a number of casualties. The platoon, checked by the enemy's wire and the intensity of his machine-gun fire, took cover some 70 yards short of their objective. Serjeant Rogers continued to advance alone, and penetrated 30 yards inside the enemy's defences, drawing their fire and throwing them into confusion. Inspired by his example, the platoon began the assault. Serjeant Rogers was blown off his feet by a grenade, and wounded in the leg. Nothing daunted, he ran on towards an enemy machine-gun post, attempting to silence it. He was shot and killed at point blank range. This N.C.O.'s undaunted determination, fearless devotion to duty and superb courage carried his platoon on to their objective in a strongly defended position. The great gallantry and heroic self-sacrifice of Serjeant Rogers were in the highest tradition of the British Army.
2nd Bn. Wiltshire Regiment
3rd June 1944, aged 25.
Plot X. D. 8.
Son of Albert Edward and Dora Grace Rogers; husband of Lena Elizabeth Rogers, of Plaistow, Essex.
His headstone bears the inscription In Memory Of My Beloved Husband. May We Be Together Soon, Dear "Peace At Last"
Citation:
The citation in the London Gazette of 8th August, 1944, gives the following details; In Italy, a battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment was ordered to attack high ground held by the enemy. The carrier platoon of the leading company, dismounted were ordered to capture the final objective. They advanced under intense fire and sustained a number of casualties. The platoon, checked by the enemy's wire and the intensity of his machine-gun fire, took cover some 70 yards short of their objective. Serjeant Rogers continued to advance alone, and penetrated 30 yards inside the enemy's defences, drawing their fire and throwing them into confusion. Inspired by his example, the platoon began the assault. Serjeant Rogers was blown off his feet by a grenade, and wounded in the leg. Nothing daunted, he ran on towards an enemy machine-gun post, attempting to silence it. He was shot and killed at point blank range. This N.C.O.'s undaunted determination, fearless devotion to duty and superb courage carried his platoon on to their objective in a strongly defended position. The great gallantry and heroic self-sacrifice of Serjeant Rogers were in the highest tradition of the British Army.
2722272 Guardsman
Stephen Barker
1st Bn. Irish Guards
4th February 1944, aged 32.
Plot XVI. G. 10.
Son of William and Nellie Barker, of Burnley, Lancashire; husband of Phyllis Barker, of Burnley.
Stephen Barker
1st Bn. Irish Guards
4th February 1944, aged 32.
Plot XVI. G. 10.
Son of William and Nellie Barker, of Burnley, Lancashire; husband of Phyllis Barker, of Burnley.
Flying Officer
Neil Alexander Gray
93rd Sqdrn. (Spitfires) R. A. F.
12th April 1944, aged 20.
Plot XXI. J. 3.
Son of Reverend and Mrs J Meikle Gray, The Manse, Bressay, formerly Fetlar
Neil Alexander Gray
93rd Sqdrn. (Spitfires) R. A. F.
12th April 1944, aged 20.
Plot XXI. J. 3.
Son of Reverend and Mrs J Meikle Gray, The Manse, Bressay, formerly Fetlar
6983037 Lance Serjeant
Leslie Henry Lewis
2nd Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
2nd May 1944, aged 23.
Plot XIV. C. 3.
Son of Jerimiha and Lidia Ethal Lewis, of Leicester
In memory of an uncle, brother and dear cousin, Eric Lewis (War Veteran)
Leslie Henry Lewis
2nd Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
2nd May 1944, aged 23.
Plot XIV. C. 3.
Son of Jerimiha and Lidia Ethal Lewis, of Leicester
In memory of an uncle, brother and dear cousin, Eric Lewis (War Veteran)
14327921 Private
Phillip James Valentine Rea
2/6th Bn. The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
Between 24th February 1944 and 27th February 1944.
Plot XXII. B. 8.
Son of Samuel Edward and Millicent Olive Rea, of Lichfield, Staffordshire.
Phillip James Valentine Rea
2/6th Bn. The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
Between 24th February 1944 and 27th February 1944.
Plot XXII. B. 8.
Son of Samuel Edward and Millicent Olive Rea, of Lichfield, Staffordshire.
