In Memory of

ARTHUR WILLIAM PANTING

Born: 1912 Faringdon, Berkshire.

Eldest Son of Jesse & Alice Panting of Ardington Wick Cottages Nr Wantage, Berks.

Husband to Florence, Father of Michael John

Pre-war occupation: Boiler Worker RAF Harwell

2611950 Lance Sergeant Arthur Panting

3rd Battalion (1st Guards Brigade), Grenadier Guards

Died: 28th May 1944 aged 32

Killed in Action – Cassino, Italy

REMEMBERED WITH HONOUR:

Cassino War Cemetery

Provincia di Frosinone, Lazio, Italy. VIII. B. 7. 

COMMEMORATED IN PERPETUITY BY THE

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

On 3 September 1943 the Allies invaded the Italian mainland, the invasion coinciding with an armistice made with the Italians who then re-entered the war on the Allied side. Progress through southern Italy was rapid despite stiff resistance, but by the end of October, the Allies were facing the German winter defensive position known as the Gustav Line, which stretched from the river Garigliano in the west to the Sangro in the east. Initial attempts to breach the western end of the line were unsuccessful. Operations in January 1944 landed troops behind the German lines at Anzio, but defences were well organised, and a breakthrough was not actually achieved until 18 May, when Cassino was finally taken.

Source https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2148235/cassino-war-cemetery

The site for Cassino War Cemetery was originally selected in January 1944, but the development of the battle during the first five months of that year made it impossible to use it until after the Germans had withdrawn from Cassino. During these early months of 1944, Cassino saw some of the fiercest fighting of the Italian campaign, the town itself and the dominating Monastery Hill proving the most stubborn obstacles encountered in the advance towards Rome. The majority of those buried in the war cemetery died in the battles during these months.

Arthur was the eldest of 4 children - 1 sister (Gladys May), 1 brother (George) & 1 baby brother (Albert James) who died. Arthur married Florence Vera May (Pinnock) at Wantage in 1938. According to the Probate Calendar, at the time of Arthur’s death he was living in 30 Hanney Road, Steventon with his wife, Florence and son (Michael). Michael was less than 2 years old when his father died. Florence and Michael lived at this address until her death in 1980. Michael still lives in the village today.