Hussar info is sought for 'roll of honour'

9:10am Tuesday 20th May 2008

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A FORMER member of the Royal Hussars is appealing for information about a soldier who hailed from Weymouth.

David John Eason is compiling the 'Roll of Honour' for the 11th Hussars (PAO), 1939-1947, a memorial to the 161 members of the regiment and two attached personnel who sadly never came back.

He wants to know if anyone has information on Sergeant Dennis Joseph Fitzpatrick who is buried in a war cemetery in Berlin.

Mr Eason said: "Dennis had been a past Provo Sergeant, and one of the oldest sergeants in the regiment, serving from day one (June 1940) through the North African, Italian and Western Europe Campaigns.

"On September 8, 1945, Dennis was fatally injured in a traffic accident only weeks after returning back to the regiment after escaping captivity. He was born in Weymouth in June 1906.

"Dennis was taken captive on September 8, 1944, along with three other 2 troop members between St Nicholas and Kemseke, Holland, during a meeting with a German Mk IV Special Tank, precisely one year before the fatal accident.

The 11th Hussars Journal Obituary recorded: 'Sgt Fitzpatrick (Military Medal), will always be remembered for his toughness and ability, we have lost an invaluable friend who had proved himself a first-class soldier.' Mr Eason added: "I am trying to trace relatives and descendants of Dennis for information which will be included in Dennis's entry in the 'Roll of Honour'.

"I would also like to hear from anyone else who knows of Dennis's commemoration either Church or War Memorial, also any one who knew Dennis and/or his family as well as any veteran of the 11th who served with Dennis.

Anyone with information should contact Mr David John Eason, The Mews Cottage, (Rear of) 1 Acacia Road, Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 6EF. Telephone: 07896 201176. Email: husrollho@yahoo.co.uk.