Cyril Gale

The 6th Bn took part in the invasion of Italy. On the 9th September 1943 they were part of Operation Avalnche at Salerno.
Died of wounds.
6th Bn Grenadier Guards War Diary:
1/9/1943 Tripoli:
The battalion moved to a concentration area-the Triploi Racecourse Camp, which resemebled nothing more or less than a POW cage. However, in tthe evening a first class concert party paid the camp a visit. Lots of the division appeared to be there.
2/9/1043: 11:00 hrs: The battalion marched down to the docks to embark on the three LCIs (landing craft infantry). This was accomplished with the minimum of fuss.
3/9/1943: The three LCIs were still in Tripoli harbour.
4/9/1943: 16:30 hrs: Our convoy set sail. The sea fortunately calm.
5/9/1943: The sea became rather rough and a great many Guardsmen felt and were very sick.
7/9/1943: Sicily was sighted at first light.
10:00 hrs: The three LCIs were anchored outside Termini.
10:05 hrs: The sea was full of officers and men having their first decent wash since embarkation.
17:00 hrs: The convoy set sail again.
8/9/1943: The 8th was an exciting day. First came the news that Italy was out of the war, secondly at 16:00 hrs we saw in the distance the isle of Capri.
When darkness came the convoy was sliding slowly towards the beaches. it was an unpleasant sensation being bombed at sea but the spirited defence put up by the flak ships and destroyers was comforting. The LCI on which the Commanding Officer had a very near miss.
9/9/1943: 07:15 hrs: No. 3 Coy were the first troops of 201 Guards Brigade to set foot on Italian soil. It was an unopposed landing and dry shod. The two assaulting brigades had cleared the beaches and there was no difficulty or opposition in moving the Battalion to its assembly area.
10:00 hrs: When the LST and LCIs were unloading the beaches were under shell fire. One portee received a direct hit and two Guardsmen were killed and Lieutenant Thwaite was wounded.
16:00 hrs: The battalion was ordered to move to increase the size of the bridgehead. The 3-inch mortars were used and while Lieutenant Ridpath was observing from an OP (Observation Post), the building received a direst hit and Lieutenant Ridpath was killed,. Captain Vaughan was wounded in the same building.
The battalion was forced to delay its advance but by dark, orders were received to move to the Main Road No 18 to conform with 167 Brigade on our right.
10/9/1943: 05:15 hrs: No. 3 Company attacked again, this time with more success and the enemy were pushed back. Lieutenant Drake was killed in this action. No. 3 Coy suffered
some casualtieshere chiefly due to Spandau fire. No. 3 Coy reported some tanks and AFVs to their immediate front and so no further advance could be made.
10:30 hrs: One squadron of Grey's (Royal Scot Greys) appeared at Brigade HQ but did not have to be used as the enemy had moved back.
12:00 hrs: the battalion moved forward to the area of Battipagalia . No. 2 Coy attacked the town with the help of two platoons from No. 4 Coy.
16:00 hrs: No. 4 Coy right, No. 2 Coy centre (less one platoon in Battipaglia), No. 1 Coy left,
No. 3 Coy reserve.
11/9/1943: During the day our position was heavily stonked by mortars and shell. During one of these dtonks Captain Hermon was killed.
16:15 hrs: No. 2 Coy reported enemy infiltration through their lines supported by tanks.
At this time No. 2 and No. 4 Companies of the Coldstream Guards were under command holding the gap between No.2 and No. 1 Companies. No. 2 Coy Grenadiers and No. 2 and No. 4 Companies Coldstream Guards were forced to withdraw over 350 yards and took up a position just left of No. 3 Coy. Major Porter (No. 2 Company) could only at that time muster thirty men of his company.
The Scots Greys who were under command had remained in their position during the hours of darkness a feat which tanks cannot usually perform. The risk was well taken and one Geman tank received a direct hit at 200 yard range and was completely brewed up. Battalion HQ, meanwhile, owing to the confused reports received, burnt all its secret papers, marked up maps, intelligence logs and even the RAP put out the Red Cross flag.
12/9/1043: However, by first light the line was retaken and position stabilised.
16:00 hrs: During confrence held in Battalion HQ. No. 1 Company reported that Captain Wigram had been killed by a shell.
The Brigade was then ordered to shorten its line and the battalion had to move out of a position which might be attacked at any moment
Careful preparations were made by the Commanding Officer for thinning our artillery support and MG support.
20:00 hrs: The right-hand company began thinning out and by 20:40 hrs the battalion had finally abandoned its position which it had held so well. If any withdrawal can be called a success this one was. Thanks to the splendid cooperation of the Gunners the battalion withdrew without a single casualty to an assembly area, where companies sorted themselves out. As soon as any company was complete it moved off to its new defensive position at Verdesca.
13/9/1943: The battalion's new line was as follows; No. 1 Company right, No. 2 Company centre, No. 3 Company left, No. 4 Company in reserve behind No. 2.
During the day Nos 1, 2, 3, Companies laid mines in front of their position and necklaces of 75 Hawkins granades were made to be pulled across the roads if necessary.

The battalion slowly advanced from the Salerno Beachhead inland encountering heavy opposition and was invloved in the major battles to take Italy. Its strength had been reduced to such an extent that the men were transferred to the 5th Battalion.

Cyril was one of 5 Grenadier Guards who died on the 13th September.

Buried at Salerno War Cemetery, Italy. plot 11. F.12.