Sunday 10 March 2019

Pte B Di Duca, 16 DLI


I've now added some fascinating and very rare documents to the site relating to the Army career of  L/Cpl Bragia 'Ben' Di Duca, from Hartlepool, Co Durham. 

Ben enlisted in 16 DLI on its formation in July 1940, with the Army number 4466417. He later served in Italy as an Army interpreter with both the 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade and the Special Investigation Branch.

The documents posted include: passes for both these organizations, a 1942 markmanship score card for B Di Duca while serving in 17 Pln, 16 DLI, a 1941 16 DLI Christmas Card, a guard roster listing several D Coy soldiers, several pages from his AB64 Paybook, the reference from his 1945 Soldier's Release Book, his Record of Service Card and a detailed ammunition cargo listing for a lorry from Di Duca's time as a driver with 16 DLI.

These pages start here.

It seems Di Duca served in D Company after training so he very well could feature on the 1942 D Company, 16 DLI photograph, which is posted on the site here

If you can spot him, or know anything more about him, please get in touch.