Bill Myhill

This was what the Commander of the Divisional Artillery, Brig. J.M.S. Pasley C.B.E., M.V.O., C.R.A., wrote to his gunners during the beachhead battle for Anzio on the west coast of Italy.

WILLIAM (Bill) MYHILL, was there at Anzio in the 39 Battery of the 19th Field Regiment R.A. as an Observation Signaller. His job entailed joining the front line infantry to observe the enemy, signal back to the artillery and direct their guns to the target. 
As those of you who also were at Anzio would understand, Bill's role in this particularly savage action of the war in Italy, dominates his story. Although Brig. Pasley said the men in artillery never saw the infantry, the observation signallers spent most of their time with them. They were the eyes and ears of the guns.

Bill was in the Home Guard at the time of call-up in October 1942 and was sent to 56 Primary Training Wing, Berwick-on-Tweed. From there he went to 39 Signal Training Regiment at Wakefield, qualifying as a 2nd year Signaller Driver and Don.R. Then on to Cromer in Norfolk before being posted to the 'home of all Gunners' - Woolwich. He was billeted in the Grand Central Barracks, which sounds alright. In fact, Bill says it was a dump. 

Embarkation leave over (and how often we all recalled our embarkation leave during those long years abroad), Bill's train headed for Greenock and he embarked on the P.O. Ship ORION in August 1943 bound for .Algiers, a magnificent white looking city seen from the sea. Not so white when actually in its streets. Another ship, and then Bill disembarked at Philipville in Tunisia and had his first swim in the Med. A cattle truck to the 'notorious RA TD at Chateaudun' near the Sahara desert. A further two week cattle truck journey back to Hammamet. Here Bill joined the 39 Battery of the 19th Field Regiment, a Regular regiment with Regular Reservists and Militia men. All had seen action in N. Africa and it was a bit daunting for Bill at twenty years of age to be with such company. However he certainly excelled when the time came. It was fairly quiet at Anzio at first when the guns were positioned behind the 'Flyover'. They moved up to the second 'Flyover' and Bill was sent forward to be with the Grenadier Guards for a 48 hour stint, then back to the gun lines for a 'break'. During this 'break' German paratroopers had driven up the edge of the Wadi, jumped down, singing as they attacked and overan the Guards H.Q. 

It was there that Lord de Lyle of Dudley won his Victoria Cross. Bill was fortunate to have escaped that action. At one time the only troops between the Battery and the Germans was an RASC Company acting as infantry. Targets for the Battery were continually described as 'Enemy Infantry Forming up for Attack'. 

During the 'breakout' from the Beach Head, Bills' unit was supporting the Yankie Division, and after the fall of Rome they were pulled out for a well earned rest. Bill says " I had local leave at Salerno and as we drove through Cassino I was amazed how we had ever taken the place." 

Back into the line near Florence he saw an amazing sight at dawn along the Arno Valley, covered in a blanket of mist with the Mas roof on the Cathedral sparkling above in the sunlight. 

As winter arrived Bill found himself located high in the Appenines, in snow. To reach the Observation Post a jeep ride was necessary, with the radio being carried by mules first and then man handled to the top. All of this was carried out under bombardment from German mortars and guns. 

Bill went with his unit to Palastine for a rest, among the bright lights and flesh pots until the war ended. He visited, among other famous places, Beirut, a beautiful city at that time. A 28 day home leave, then back to Palastine and the troubles that had flared up between Arabs and Jews since his previous visit. 

Bill returned to England and leave, before going back to Woolwich, and then to a Prisoner of War camp at Henley on Thames. He was eventually demobbed in August 1947. Bill had four sons and one daughter, who provided him with two grand daughters. He enjoyed most sports. Before being called up he worked for an office equipment firm behind a desk.  Bill was a great source of information on the war in Italy, with books and newspapers including copies of 'The Beachhead News, VI Corps'. 

In later years, Bill suffered with facial neuralgia. It impaired speech and caused him considerable pain. Nevertheless, he continued to attend meetings or else send his apologies (on one occasion, one of his sons came into a meeting, sent direct from hospital).

Sadly, Bill died in November 2005. Contrary to his belief that he lacked conversation, Bill was one of the most convivial members you could hope to meet.