Archibald Widdowson
- Family History
- Military History
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He was the son of John and Selena Widdowson of Daybrook, Nottinghamshire. His wife Lavinia and children Christina and Dennis Baden Widdowson were all killed at the Dakeyne Street Communal Shelter which took a direct hit during the May 9th 1941 air raid. They had all lived at 70, Upper Eldon Street, Sneinton, Nottingham in 1939.
It was after the allied victory in Africa, that attention was drawn back to Europe with the Normandy landings and invasion of Italy. Italy overthrew its fascist government during the summer of 1943. This prompted the signing of an armistice with the Allies in the September, having previously been on the side of the Nazis. It was around the time of government break-down that German troops began pouring into Italy. The Allies, including the 2nd Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters landed on the 22nd of January 1944, at Anzio, 25 miles south of Rome and 70 miles behind enemy lines. Whilst there was little resistance to begin with, there were too few to do a major drive which led to the allies quickly becoming trapped. The bitter fighting that had begun would continue for months. The 14th Battalion landed and joined on the 24th of February. At least 38 members of the battalion were killed, many in a period of two weeks during mid-March.
BEACH HEAD WAR CEMETERY, ANZIO VII. B. 3. Italy
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