Hope somebody can help me.
My grandfather Henry John Baker was an Able Seaman in the WW2. I have his service record JX328627 Port division, Portsmouth! He was killed, March 1944, in action on the beach's of Anzio Italy. His service record states a list of ships which I believe are land based.
Collingwood, Victory, Quebec & Copra.
I was told he was one of Churchill's Commandos. But his service record does not mention this or in fact Anzio, Italy. Looking at the Commando web sites the only Commando division sent to Anzio in March 1944 are 9th Commando. I have no proof of this only family memories!
I would like to find out more about his service record and confirm he was indeed this Commando hero.
Any info would be helpful
Regards
Monkfish[/couleur]

BAKER, Henry J, Able Seaman, P/JX 328627 is shown in casualty lists as being one of the crew of LCI(L) 273 which was sunk 17 March 1943 at Anzio by an aircraft attack.

LCI(L)273 - Landing Craft Infantry (Large) - built in the USA; 234/384 tons - 158ft x 23ft armed 4 x 20mm guns;diesel engine - 14 knots; capable of carrying 188 troops.

273 was based in the Med; she sailed from Naples in the assault forces 21 Jan 43 to land troops at 'P' beachhead; evidently stayed in support of the troops ashore; the ships came under repeated and intensive air attacks, during one of which 273 was sunk with heavy loss of life.

QUEBEC and COPRA were indeed shore bases, being the bases for combined operations, the former at Inverarary, the latter at Southend.  They would have acted as "parent" establishments, looking after pay and admin - he may not have actually been there. If you look at the service record, it may well have another name/number in brackets after the name of the establishment - this shows the actual ship served on.

The fact that he was serving as crew onboard and LCI would suggest that Able Seaman Baker was actually assigned as landing craft crew.

...whoops, I said '43 - I meant of course 1944.

[couleur=#0000d4]Hello PhiloNauticus
I have spent hours searching for info about my G,father and you've given more info than I was truly expecting many many thanks.
You must have a huge library of info!
Regarding the ships served there are no names or numbers in brackets or other wise. My uncle has the original record and I've only got a copy and I'm guessing I'm missing a 4th sheet.
The only extra numbers written on yhe record are
DMTN 170.1
NS No RNL 1385AF SUTTON
NS AF/ OCT 1939
Is it possible to assume that he might have been in the Churchill's Commandos?

Monkfish  

--Last edited by monkfish on 2008-05-07 21:58:59 --

Hello PhiloNauticus
Sorry I just read your last paragraph again in the cold light of day. Your saying he could have been Working on the 273 and nothing else!
Regards
Monkfish