PETCH, Roy Henry


No.235840, Lieutenant, Roy Henry PETCH
Aged 23


268 Battery, 67 (2nd/5th Bn East Surrey Regiment), Anti Tank Regt. Royal Artillery
Killed in Action on Friday, 3rd March 1944


Born in 1921 (1st qtr 1921 Bury St.Edmunds 4a:1732) son of Cyril Henry and Nellie Blanche PETCH (née PENNER). According to probate, his father was a provision merchant's manager, of 28 Newmarket Road, Bury St.Edmunds


Strangely for an officer there is nothing found in the Bury Free Press
The 2nd/5th East Surrey were converted to an anti tank unit and as 67th Anti Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery fought with the 8th Army toward the end of the North African campaign, before going on to Italy. The landings at Anzio were bottled up due to the American commander not being willing to immediately drive inland. The result was that it took 4 major attempts between January and May 1944 before the Allies eventually broke out.




photo C.W.G.C.


Roy Petch is buried in Beach Head War Cemetery, Anzio, Italy 6:B:1

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


BACK