Page 146 - KBHA BULLETIN 6

and a sergeant lying wounded beside a damaged tank was described
today by an officer of a South African tank regiment, says an army
observer.

The Honey was commanded by Corporal R. C. Frost of Kalk Bay.
The other two members of the crew were Trooper N. T. Brooke of
Rosebank and Trooper A. D. Upton of Maritzburg.

The area was under close observation from a German observation
post and the slightest movement brought shells from the German
gunners. Information was received that a tank was damaged and
that an officer and sergeant were lying wounded beside it. Corporal
Frost and his crew were detailed to bring them in.

Their tank dashed over difficult ground towards the two wounded
men about 500 yards away. The tank was immediately subjected to
heavy fire but weaving its way through shells, it reached its
objective unscathed. The officer and sergeant were bundled into the
tank and the journey back was completed under a rain of shells but
without damage.

Later, on 4 August, he was in the leading tank that entered Florence upon its liberation by
th
the 6 SA Armoured Division.

By late October 1944 Allied troops had reached the vicinity of the Gothic Line along the

Appenines - the last major obstacle before the Po Valley and the industrial heartland of
northern Italy. The deteriorating winter weather reduced the level of hostilities and resulted

in a relatively static front. The Division established its rear headquarters at Castiglione dei

Pepoli, a small town 60 km north of Florence and 60 km south of Bologna. The troops
were rested for the eventual assault which opened only the following year on 15 April

1945. It was shortly before this, on 6 April, that Robin Frost lost his life in an accident. He
held the rank of Corporal and was buried in the SA Cemetery at Castiglione dei Pepoli,

Plot III, Row C, Grave 16. The war in Italy ended four weeks later on 2 May.

He was survived by his parents Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Frost, younger brother Esdon and sister

Joan, of "Woodlea", Prenton Road, Kalk Bay.

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