IN MEMORIAM

ANZIO 2002

The plaque is located on the wall of Pope Innocentious XIIth Castle. See map below.
Photo courtesy of Alfred Rinaldi.

Secretary of the Spartan Survivors, Mr Geoff Smith, and his daughter, Mrs Chrissy Laurence-Smith
beneath the plaque the Survivors have dedicated to their lost shipmates. Please click on image for CU.

After Sen. Amerigo Salvini of the Anzio Beachhead Museum, suggested a plaque on the Anzio foreshore honouring the men lost on Spartan, Survivor's Secretary Geoff Smith tabled the concept at the Survivor's Reunion, in the Nautical Club, Birmingham. The resulting support, particularly from the crew of the present HMS Spartan, SSN XI, resulted in the plaque being unveiled on the 58th anniversary of Spartan's loss. On behalf the Survivors, their families and friends, and all those who lost loved ones at Anzio, we would also like to express our gratitude for the assistance and reception afforded by the Mayor, dignitories and people of Anzio, as well as the Officials of the Anzio Beachhead Museum and the Italian Military. Anzio Beachhead Museum

As the following images show moments from the 58th annual ceremony remembering those who lost their lives in Operation Shingle and the Battle of Anzio. The group below are assembled on the forepeak of a naval vessel as it was escorted by six smaller craft to the Spartan's final resting place. There Mr Smith laid the poppy wreath with submariner's dolphins.

Left to right: V-Mayor of Nettuno, Stefano Di Magno; Mayor of Anzio, Candido De'Angelis;
Port Commander Michele Castaldo; Mr Geoff Smith; Senator Mario Palombo.

Left to right: State Police Inspector, Mario Morani; Italian General, Cosimo D'Arrigo;
US Military Attache, Thaddeus Moyseowicz USN; Mayor of Anzio [front]; Mayor of Nettuna [rear].

Mr Geoff Smith receives a plaque, on behalf of the Spartan Survivors,
from the Mayor of AnzioCandido De'Angelis, .

British Military Attache, Captain Angus Sinclair RN with Mr Geoff Smith.

Please click image for location of the wall of Pope Innocentious XXIIth Castle.