Italy and Germany 2012: To Rome

Sadly left Torre del Greco this morning, had some rain overnight so it was a nice cool day for driving. On our way to Rome today and the end of our travels through Italy.

Called into the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Cassino. This is such a beautiful place for the last resting place of so many young Commonwealth Armed Forces personnel. Loads of Canadians, New Zealanders, Indian and British graves. Of course they are mostly in their early 20s’ and some of the messages on the grave stones made us feel very emotional. The only Australians in the cemetery are from the Airforce – very significant to many in the O’Toole family. The cemetery holds over 4,000 bodies, 284 are unidentified, most are from battles in mid 1944 in central Italy. Left there feeling very sombre.

Speaks for itself.

So well maintained and respectful.

Not a blade of grass out of place.

Such a beautiful place for the remains of lost youths.

The following photos is detail from the headstones on the graves. There were so many British Regiments I couldn't record them all, suffice to say they all deserve to be remembered with pride and sadness.

Canada

New Zealand

RAF

Arrived in Rome about 3 o’clock and drove straight to our unit. Drove past a huge pile of stones (albeit very well stacked). Unloaded our bags and took the car back to the Europecar at the train station without ONE scratch!!!!! Pam can’t believe it that I am such an Italian driver – beware Queensland!! On one of our last manoeuvres - I turned left in front of 3 lanes of traffic going straight ahead and cut off a bus and three scooters – oh what a feeling!!! In reality I was a little worried and stressed today and Pam was very negative in her comments regarding some of my driving skills??

Walked back to our unit and past that previously mentioned pile of stones which are about 200 metres from our place. Called into a grocery shop and bought supplies for tomorrow, had a drink, had another drink, had another drink, had tea and went home.