FINCH Geoffrey Wykeham

Appears on the Army Casualties list for Worcestershire.

Geoffrey Finch was the second son of Charles and Lily Finch of Kempsey, Worcestershire. He was educated at Wolverhampton Grammar School and Worcester Royal Grammar School (RGS), attending RGS from 1931 to 1932. He was regarded as an outstanding trials driver for the Worcester Auto Club where he was regarded as an enthusiastic and popular member with many friends in motoring circles in the city.

His unit formed part of the Allied landing force at Anzio on 22nd January 1944. The operation was an attempt by Allied forces to outflank the German army and speed up the advance through Italy. Although the landing was successful, the men were unable to break out of the beach head resulting in the type of trench warfare reminiscent of the First World War.

On 9th May the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters were ordered to relieve the 14th Battalion in the ‘Centre Sector’ of the beach head. Whilst moving in they were caught in a heavy artillery barrage which resulted in many casualties and the death of Geoffrey Finch and 3 of his comrades. The Americans from the main Allied front were able to link up with the beach head on 26th May by which time the 2nd Battalion had suffered a 100% casualty rate, the highest of any unit fighting at Anzio.

Source for additional information: In Dedication to a Future World By Mark Rogers, 1999.

A letter from the Reverend H.W. Glasgow, Kempsey Vicarage, dated 17th May 1950 can be found within war records held at Worcestershire Archives requesting that Geoffrey Finch, Army (Italy), be added to the county roll of honour.