The Wartime Memories Project - The Second War

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213480 2ndLt. Archibald Ness McCall South African Army 12th Field Supply Regt from:Johannesburg, S Africa My grandfather, Archibald Ness McCall, a butcher by trade, served in North Africa from 1940 till the end of the war as 2nd Lieutenant in Field Supplies. From all accounts and photos I have, he spent most of the time in Egypt and El Alamein. He spoke little of the war, but I have in my possession a letter written to him by the Duchess of Rosta in Naples on 16th February 1945, thanking him for the flag which draped her son's coffin after his he was killed in Africa. Her son was S.A.R. Amedeo di Savoia Duca d'Aosta. Though he was the enemy with the Italian forces, my grandfather, in the goodness of his heart, sent the flag which draped this boy's coffin back to his grieving mother in Italy. Her letter is transcribed as follows: "Dear Lieut. McCall, I have just received the flag that covered my poor boy's coffin and accompanied him in his last journey. With it was a kind note from Major Williams in which he transcribed the noble sentences you wrote when you sent this precious token. It is no use me trying to tell you how deeply I was moved when I held to my heart that precious flag and read your touching words, nor shall I be able to tell you how thankful and grateful I am to you for for the gift and thought - but I am sure you know my feelings, for only a person with great heart and profound human understanding could have acted so kindly and so unselfishly as you have towards me. You will then forgive me if I do not even try to tell you all there is in my heart for you, but I want to assure you that your generosity has given a great comfort to a very unhappy mother. May God bless and reward you and from the deepest of my soul, my sincere thanks. Yours sincerely, H di Savoia Costa. Preggia di Lapodimonte Naples, Italy" I have tried to contact the family of this person via the internet, but have received no reply. I would appreciate any advice as to what I should do with this valuable letter as I don't want it destroyed after I have gone. Lorraine Cripps Add to this record.  Related Content: Italian Campaign Can you help us to add to our records? Add a record to our website. The names and stories on this website have been submitted by their relatives and friends. If your relations are not listed please add their names so that others can read about them Did you or your relatives live through the Second World War? Do you have any photos, newspaper clippings, postcards or letters from that period? Have you researched the names on your local or war memorial? Were you or your relative evacuated? Did an air raid affect your area? If so please let us know. Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice. Contact us. Celebrate your own Family History Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Secomd World War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc. Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages.

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