Minturno
Sunday 11th February 2007. We boarded our train at Rome Termini station and settled in for the one and a half hour journey to Minturno. Along the route we where treated to fantastic views of the countryside, coastline and mountains. I found Italy a very beautiful country. I was very tense on the train knowing why we where making the trip. We arrived at Minturno-Scauri station and phoned for a taxi. As i waited i was almost sick and my nerves had gone completely. The taxi arrived and after a short trip we found ourselves outside Minturno War Cemetery. It`s very strange as you have so many emotions and your head is spinning, yet you cant help but notice how beautiful and well maintained the cemetery is. A short walk through the tree lined entrance brings you to the Stone of Remembrance , beyond which are the 1,952 graves of the fallen.
Entrance To Minturno War Cemetery
Stone Of Remembrance
Stone Of Remembrance
I had no trouble finding my Grandfathers grave, I had read the map enough times. Plot 7, Row A, number 23. third from the right. I cant really explain what i was feeling. My emotions where high, i was so proud of my grandfather and looking around at all the graves i was so humbled. so many men from towns and cities like my grandfather, so many stories to tell. one boy was only 16.he was younger than my son, what was he doing fighting a war? It was so sad. I would have liked to have taken photographs of other graves but my time was short, and maybe I am selfish but i wanted to spend my time at my grandfathers grave. We had come on this trip for my father who sadly passed away in 2006. he never got to come here so we came for him. I can tell you for certain that my father was with us that day and i know that when we left, we left him with his dad.
My Grandfathers Grave
From what we believed my grandmother had never known where my grandfather was buried and had never had the chance to say goodbye. so we where all in for a shock when we saw the headstone with the message " In memory of my darling husband Bernard. Eternal rest grant unto him , O lord"
My Grandmothers Message
We laid our messages on wooden crosses and a few tears where shed for my father. He would have loved this, but as I have said i know he was there with us.
Our Messages
My Grandfathers Grave. Third From The Right, Front Row.
Historical Information And Rest Area
Cross Of Sacrifice
Cross Of Sacrifice
Before leaving we visited the register box and left our messages and a couple of photographs. It was nice to see that the cemetery gets a lot of visits. However sad our trip was, I was left with a feeling of peace. Minturno War Cemetery is very well cared for and it shows as soon as you arrive.
Register Box.
While in the cemetery i met an Italian couple, who through broken English told me they where historians. I showed them the pictures of my grandfather as they looked at his grave. they where delighted to see a picture of one of the men. It was nice to meet them.
And so our day was over and we headed back to Rome. I hope you enjoyed reading this page.
This page is dedicated to my father. Bernard Hogan.Trade Unionist Supreme.