Fusilier Anthony Addis
We received details of the life and service career of Fusilier Anthony Addis, from William Best, the husband of Anthony’s niece.
Fusilier Addis served with the Royal Irish Fusiliers in Italy and died in hospital of wounds suffered at the River Trigno at the end of October 1943. He would be re-interred a year later at Bari CWGC Cemetery.
“Tony (as he in later years called himself) was born on 1st July 1915 in the Parish of Knocknadona, Lisburn, Co. Antrim.
On 17th Oct 1940, now living in Oxfordshire, England, he enlisted into the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.
On 12th August 1943, he embarked for North Africa, arriving there on 24th August. From this date onwards, he in a “Reinforcement Pool” during which he was transferred to the London Irish Rifles and finally to the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers.
5th Oct 1943 – Landed at Termoli on the Adriatic coast of Italy, having travelled in Landing Craft (by sea) from Barletta.
19th Oct 1943 – During a lull in fighting, he is able to compose and send a letter to his sister, Florence (and her husband Tommy).
22nd Oct 1943 – On this day, whilst attempting to cross the Trigno River, he is mortally wounded and is eventually transported back to an Army Hospital in Foggia.
26th Oct 1943 – Tony dies and is buried in Foggia Civil Cemetery (his first burial).
28th Sep 1944 – Tony has been exhumed at Foggia and reburied at Bari Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery (his second and final resting place).
HERE RESTS HIS HEAD UPON THE LAP OF EARTH, A YOUTH TO FORTUNE AND TO FAME UNKNOWN
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