Letter to any WW2 Veterans who served with or know soldiers who served with the 188^th Field Artillery Bn  during 1944.

     I am researching the (WW2) wartime history of some soldiers of the 188th Field Artillery Bn. (towed 155mm Howitzers), who, I understand, were stationed at Walberton, Sussex, England, prior to D- Day and went across to Utah beach soon after - 12th June?. They were involved in Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes -Alsace and Central Europe.

They were stationed in an old Manor House at Walberton. The gates to the house have brick supports that still bear the names and hometowns of some of the soldiers (scratched into the brickwork), dated “1944”.

The village wishes to restore the gates and supports and also preserve the “precious graffiti”, as an historical permanent memorial to these men.

There are 9 soldiers names etched into the brickwork (possibly bored with guard duties?!!). Namely:-

CP Acker, Virginia, 1944.
Paul Hampton, Houston, Texas.
Ike Paric, Crosby, Texas
EB Tuckey, Oak, USA.
Nick Lozok, Foiana County, Penn
R Eastey, Mattoax, Virginia, USA
WE Baxter, Wash, DC -
IC Partic, Crosby, Texas (same as above?)

When the gates are restored, it would be good to honour these men in a fitting manner. Or at least know of their past history.

Please send any replies to me at gessima@uwclub.net

Many thanks and best wishes

Vince Cooper - Walberton History Group Chairman