In Memory of
FREDERICK ERNEST PUNCHARD
Corporal, C/4963
Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, R.C.I.C.
who died 25 age
on 19 July 1943
Remembered with honour
AGIRA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY
AGIRA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY
Born 22 Giu 1918, Great Yarmouth, Great Yarmouth Borough, Norfolk, England;
Son of Herbert and Agnes Alice Punchard, of Bath, Ontario.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 2009-08-06
'B' Company found itself in the middle of a German strong-point and was pinned down. From their right flank a dozen Panzer Grenadier s came forward, their hands held high: "Kamerad! Kamerad!" they yelled, but as several unwary Canuks stepped forward, the Germans threw them-selves flat on the ground and opened fire.
Corporal Freddy Pankhard (correct: Punchard), caught in the open with his section, was called upon by the enemy to surrender. "Not bloody likely", he screamedd back and with a bren gun at his hip went forward, doggedly firing.
When the bren ran out of ammunition, he tossed it to one side, snatched a tommy gun from a dead comrade and continued to advance. Next morning his body was found, surronded by seven dead Germans From "Sicily" - Hugh Pond, eigth chapter:The Battle of Agira
Corporal Freddy Pankhard (correct: Punchard), caught in the open with his section, was called upon by the enemy to surrender. "Not bloody likely", he screamedd back and with a bren gun at his hip went forward, doggedly firing.
When the bren ran out of ammunition, he tossed it to one side, snatched a tommy gun from a dead comrade and continued to advance. Next morning his body was found, surronded by seven dead Germans From "Sicily" - Hugh Pond, eigth chapter:The Battle of Agira
Oscar Policastro, 2011-02-08
OBITUARY
F. Punchard of Bath is Killed
NAPANEE, Aug 7 ? Word has been received by Mrs. A. Punchard of Bath that her son, Cpl. Fred Punchard, was killed in action on July 10. He is the first casualty as a result of the Sicilian campaign from this district.
Cpl. Punchard was connected with Hastings-Prince Edward Regiment, which is at present in Sicily, for the past four years and had been overseas with the First Division for three years. Previous to enlisting with the army at the outbreak of hostilities, Cpl. Punchard farmed. He was a member of the Anglican Church at Sandhurst.
Surviving besides his mother, residing at Bath, are four brothers, Herbert of Adolphustown, William, and Albert and John, both overseas. Albert Punchard, formerly of Conway, is in Sicily with the same regiment.
Six sisters survive, Jessie, of the Campbell Nursing Home here, Daisy of Wilton, Joan at Bath, Mrs. Arthur Bartlett of Bath, Mrs. Payne, Kingston, and Mrs. Barber (Florence) in England.
Sources:
1. 1943 Harkness Scrapbooks
2. the Adolphustown-Fredericksburgh Heritage Website
F. Punchard of Bath is Killed
NAPANEE, Aug 7 ? Word has been received by Mrs. A. Punchard of Bath that her son, Cpl. Fred Punchard, was killed in action on July 10. He is the first casualty as a result of the Sicilian campaign from this district.
Cpl. Punchard was connected with Hastings-Prince Edward Regiment, which is at present in Sicily, for the past four years and had been overseas with the First Division for three years. Previous to enlisting with the army at the outbreak of hostilities, Cpl. Punchard farmed. He was a member of the Anglican Church at Sandhurst.
Surviving besides his mother, residing at Bath, are four brothers, Herbert of Adolphustown, William, and Albert and John, both overseas. Albert Punchard, formerly of Conway, is in Sicily with the same regiment.
Six sisters survive, Jessie, of the Campbell Nursing Home here, Daisy of Wilton, Joan at Bath, Mrs. Arthur Bartlett of Bath, Mrs. Payne, Kingston, and Mrs. Barber (Florence) in England.
Sources:
1. 1943 Harkness Scrapbooks
2. the Adolphustown-Fredericksburgh Heritage Website
Find Grave, 2024-11-26
FURTHER INFORMATION:
1. England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2005
Name: Frederick E Punchard
Mother's Maiden Surname: James
Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1918
Registration district: Mutford
Inferred County: Essex, Suffolk
Volume Number: 4a
Page Number: 1525
Source Information: England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2005
2. Canada, WWII Service Files of War Dead, 1939-1947
Name: Frederick Ernest Punchard
Birth Date: 22 Jun 1918
Birth Place: Greta Yormouth, Norfolk, England
Residence Place: Bath R.R.I., Ont.
Death Date: 19 Jul 1943
Service Number: C4963
Force: Army
Regiment: Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, R.C.I.C.
Rank: Corporal
Next of Kin: Anges Alice Punchard
Relationship: Mother
Source Citation: Library and Archives Canada; Ottawa, Canada; Service Files of the Second World War - War Dead, 1939-1947; Series: RG 24; Volume: 26852
1. England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2005
Name: Frederick E Punchard
Mother's Maiden Surname: James
Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1918
Registration district: Mutford
Inferred County: Essex, Suffolk
Volume Number: 4a
Page Number: 1525
Source Information: England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916-2005
2. Canada, WWII Service Files of War Dead, 1939-1947
Name: Frederick Ernest Punchard
Birth Date: 22 Jun 1918
Birth Place: Greta Yormouth, Norfolk, England
Residence Place: Bath R.R.I., Ont.
Death Date: 19 Jul 1943
Service Number: C4963
Force: Army
Regiment: Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, R.C.I.C.
Rank: Corporal
Next of Kin: Anges Alice Punchard
Relationship: Mother
Source Citation: Library and Archives Canada; Ottawa, Canada; Service Files of the Second World War - War Dead, 1939-1947; Series: RG 24; Volume: 26852
Find Grave, 2024-11-26
Freddy Punchard was killed in action during the advance towards Nissoria. Here is a part from "Operation Husky" by Mark Zuehkle about his death, page 318:
"Corporal Freddy Punchard, a rangy, taciturn lad, was caught completely in the open. Punchard ordered his men to break away while he gave them cover, and crawled through the appaling weight of machine-gun and mortar fire, most of them to reach safety in the end. The Germans moved in on Punchard and called on him to surrender, but there were still two wounded men of his section in danger and Punchard cried out; "Not bloody likely!" and fired the last of his Bren magazines. When that was done he picked up a Thompson and waited for the ultimate attack. It came in a few moments. Punchard did not die alone, for the position was cleared several days later, his body was found with those of seven grenadiers to bear him company."
Fred lived with his mother and two sisters in Bath (ON). His father had passed away in 1930 and he had also four brothers and four sisters in England.
"Corporal Freddy Punchard, a rangy, taciturn lad, was caught completely in the open. Punchard ordered his men to break away while he gave them cover, and crawled through the appaling weight of machine-gun and mortar fire, most of them to reach safety in the end. The Germans moved in on Punchard and called on him to surrender, but there were still two wounded men of his section in danger and Punchard cried out; "Not bloody likely!" and fired the last of his Bren magazines. When that was done he picked up a Thompson and waited for the ultimate attack. It came in a few moments. Punchard did not die alone, for the position was cleared several days later, his body was found with those of seven grenadiers to bear him company."
Fred lived with his mother and two sisters in Bath (ON). His father had passed away in 1930 and he had also four brothers and four sisters in England.
Jimbo Jimmy, 2024-11-26
"Still the sections fought their own independent actions. One section under Cpl. Freddy Punchard, a rangy, taciturn farm lad, was caught completely in the open.
Punchard ordered his men to break away while he gave them cover, and they crawled through the appalling weight of machine-gun and mortar fire, most of them to reach safety in the end. The Germans moved in on Punchard and called on him to surrender, but there were still two wounded men of his section in danger and Punchard cried out "Not bloody likely!" and fired the last of his Bren magazines. When that was done he picked up a tommygun and waited for the ultimate attack. It came in a few moments. Punchard did not die alone, for when the position was finally cered several day later, his body was found with those of seven grenadiers to bear him company.
Farley Mowat "The Regiment"
Punchard ordered his men to break away while he gave them cover, and they crawled through the appalling weight of machine-gun and mortar fire, most of them to reach safety in the end. The Germans moved in on Punchard and called on him to surrender, but there were still two wounded men of his section in danger and Punchard cried out "Not bloody likely!" and fired the last of his Bren magazines. When that was done he picked up a tommygun and waited for the ultimate attack. It came in a few moments. Punchard did not die alone, for when the position was finally cered several day later, his body was found with those of seven grenadiers to bear him company.
Farley Mowat "The Regiment"
, 2024-11-26
In his book, 'Tales From the Townships', Ross Morton tells the following story:
"My mother told me the following; Mrs. Punchard lived across the road from my parents and was very distressed one morning as she recounted an event that had occurred during the night. Mrs. Punchard said she was awakened by Freddy, who was standing next to her bed. They talked, but when asked to come closer, he replied, "No, Mum, I have to go." Mrs. Punchard insisted it was not a dream. She was understandably upset and certain something awful had happened to her son. Later, when word was received from the military of Freddy's death, it was believed his bedtime appearance was in the same time frame as his passing."
Susan Wright
"My mother told me the following; Mrs. Punchard lived across the road from my parents and was very distressed one morning as she recounted an event that had occurred during the night. Mrs. Punchard said she was awakened by Freddy, who was standing next to her bed. They talked, but when asked to come closer, he replied, "No, Mum, I have to go." Mrs. Punchard insisted it was not a dream. She was understandably upset and certain something awful had happened to her son. Later, when word was received from the military of Freddy's death, it was believed his bedtime appearance was in the same time frame as his passing."
Susan Wright
, 2024-11-26
Information courtesy of the 