Richard Frank Cutler

Richard Frank Cutler(known as Frank).
Born 1920
Died 4th August 1943
Aged 23
Lived in Poole, Dorset
Was brother to the late, Ivy, Bessie, Henry (Jack), William (Bill), Ronald. Also brother to
Kathleen, Donald & Maie.
Son of the late Albert Charles Gordon Cutler and Bessie Pitfield.
He was sadly killed in WW2.
Richard was my uncle. I was not born until 1970 so sadly never knew him. My father was born in 1929
and Richard left home when he was only about 7 and does not really remember much about him. I
searched for ages trying to find soemthing about him but was looking under the name Frank. Most of
his brothers and sisters only knew him as Frank. They were surprised to here his name was Richard.
He was named after his uncle. His fathers brother. Richard Frank Cutler born 3/4/1899 died
8/12/1958.
He left home as I am led to believe at about 16. Then went into the army and served in India for
many years. Then went onto Sicily.
Name: CUTLER, RICHARD FRANK Initials: R F Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Private Regiment:
Dorsetshire Regiment Unit Text: 1st Rn. Age: 23 Date of Death: 04/08/1943 Service No: 5725586
Additional information: Son of Albert Charles Gordon Cutler and Bessie Cutler, of Poole,
Dorsetshire. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. F. 42. Cemetery:
CATANIA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY Cemetery: CATANIA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY Country: Italy Locality: Sicily
Visiting Information: The cemetery is permanently open and may be visited anytime. However, as we
have experienced several thefts of the cemetery register and visitors` book, these will not be
available outside normal working hours of our gardening staff. Outside normal working hours the
register and visitors` book are kept locked in the gardeners toolshed. We apologise for any
inconvenience caused to visitors. Wheelchair access to site is possible, but may be by alternative
entrance. For further information regarding wheelchair access, please contact our Enquiries Section
on telephone number 01628 507200. PLEASE NOTE: The Commission is aware of the fly-tipping on the
road leading to this cemetery but this is outside our control. However, our staff do inform the
Security Personnel whenever this occurs. Location Information: Catania War Cemetery is 7 kilometres
south-west of Catania. From Catania Airport follow the tangenziale (main road) towards the A19 (in
the direction of Palermo). Before reaching the A19 the cemetery is signposted. Historical
Information: On 10 July 1943, following the successful conclusion of the north African campaign in
mid May, a combined allied force of 160,000 Commonwealth and American troops invaded Sicily as a
prelude to the assault on mainland Italy. The Italians, who would shortly make peace with the Allies
and re-enter the war on their side, offered little determined resistance but German opposition was
vigorous and stubborn. The campaign in Sicily came to an end on 17 August when the two allied forces
came together at Messina, but failed to cut off the retreating Axis lines. Catania War Cemetery
contains burials from the later stages of the campaign, from Lentini northwards. Many died in the
heavy fighting just short of Catania (the town was taken on 5 August) and in the battle for the
Simeto river bridgehead. Catania War Cemetery contains 2,135 Commonwealth burials of the Second
World War, 113 of them unidentified. No. of Identified Casualties: 2029