Sergeant Pat McGuinness, 7th Queen's Own Hussars

The above photograph shows Sergeant Pat McGuinness, 7th Queen's Own Hussars.

It was taken on 4 February 1944 at Netanya, Middle East (Palestine).

In 2007 this photograph of Sergeant Pat McGuinness was sent to me by Mrs Monica Dalby to pass on to Pat's family in Whitehaven, Cumbria on behalf of her Dad, Sergeant Eddie 'Taffy' Morgan. 'Taffy' had served with Pat in the 7th QOH in the Middle East and Italy during WW2. Pat's relatives have hardly any photographs of him so 'Taffy' and Monica sending this photograph means they now have something else to remember him. Pat McGuinness, who saw wartime service firstly with the 5th Battalion (T.A.) The Border Regiment and then the 7th Queen's Own Hussars (Royal Armoured Corps). Pat McGuinness lost his life on 17 July 1944 during the Battle for Ancona, Italy. He is buried in the Ancona War Graves Cemetery [Grave reference: Plot No IV. H. 19].

Eddie and Monica managed to get in touch with me via my local newspaper 'The Whitehaven News' after they came across one of the stories I had posted to the BBC "People's War" website which included another photograph of Pat taken at Netanya

Subsequently, I have been able to speak to 'Taffy' on the telephone. Taffy has also spoken to one of Pat's daughter's Mrs Frances McAlone about her father, which was much appreciated. Taffy's daughter, Monica, has kindly written down his memories about the action at Ancona in which Pat lost his life and has given permission that it can be included in this article. To read this account, please click on 'Comments' below.