|
|
|
235077 Lt. William Sangster Stewart MID.British Army 2nd Btn. Black Watch from:Longside, Aberdeenshire  On Tuesday 25th of February 1941, 200 Commandos from the 50 Middle East Commandos landed at Nifti Point, Kastellorizo.
Their mission was to capture the island for the Allies and hold it until a garrison of British Army troops arrived in 24 hours time to fortify the island.
My father, William Stewart, was one of the 200 Commandos landed that morning.
Despite the initial success in capturing the island and freeing the local population, the Italians counter-attacked and landed more than 300 troops from torpedo boats and destroyers.
On Thursday, 27th February, Cpl Bill Stewart was trapped leading his section near the Paleocastro Fort. After attacking the enemy, they were pinned down by heavy machine gun fire from the fort. He was subsequently captured with his remaining men and he was imprisoned as a Prisoner of War in Sulmona, Italy, until 1943.
He attempted to escape three times but was recaptured each time. In October 1943 he was finally successful and escaped to the UK. He was awarded a Mention in Dispatches for gallantry and he was later commissioned as a Lieutenant and he continued fighting until the end of the war.
He returned home in 1945, and in 1961 my twin sister, Frances and I were born. Sadly, my father died in 1983.
We salute him and his brave Commando comrades and the courage of the people of Kastellorizo who fought bravely for their home during World War 2.
It is a sad footnote that the Submarine, HMS Parthian, which cleared the way ahead for the Commandos to land on Kastellorizo, was sunk in August 1943 off Brindisi. My mothers first husband, ERA, Albert Nunn was killed on board.
To William Sangster Stewart, to Albert Nunn, to all the British Commandos killed in action, and to all the Kastellorizans who defended their homes so bravely. Lest We Forget, We Will Remember Them.   Captured - Bill Stewart - extreme right of picture beside italian guards. Gruppo di prigioneri inglesi catturati a Castelrosso, 5-3-41  Italian Press Reports 1941  Bill Stewart in POW Campo 78 Sulmona, Italy 1941 - 1943
|
Can you help us to add to our records?
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.
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.
|
|
