My Great Grandfather's Medals and Service Record

[GIZMO8Z]

Hello, all!

My Great Grandfather, Sebastiano Petrocca, was born in 1897 in the small Calabrian village of Petilia Policastro, KR, Italia.

To my surprise, during my last visit to the village, my Aunt gave me my Great Grandfather's World War I medals. I had NO IDEA that he had served, so this was a pleasant surprise!

I realize that this is the Italian WWII section, but I figured that this section would have the biggest audience interested in this thread. Also, it will probably have the people who can help me translate the documents!

I speak Italian reasonably well... reading the language is a different story!

Here are his medals. I have no idea why the victory medal ribbon is sewn onto the participation medal. I have no idea why participation medal ribbon is missing... This is the way my Great Grandfather had it... so I intend to keep it this way.

[GIZMO8Z]

Here is his grave (and my Nonna):

[GIZMO8Z]

Here are his military service documents:







This is the document I need the most help on!

[johnz138]

I cant help with the translation, but I will say nice collection you were given. I received my grandfathers ww2 medals and service record also, and it means the world to me.

[enorepap]

Hallo Gizmo

Your great-grandfather was the son of the late Francis and Rizzo Maria. He was first postponed from military service for poor constitution. I translate you his description from the military doctor: height mt. 1.56, chest mt. 0.74, straight brown hair, a flat nose, protruding chin, brown eyes, pale complexion, healthy teeth; illiterate. On February 7, 1917 he was drafted, probably because of the great need of men of the Army as a result of the bloody losses in earlier battles, though the only son of a widowed mother, but revised and sent on leave indefinitely. However, on March 2, 1917 he was drafted into the Army and on May 27, 1917 he was sent to the territory declared in state of war. On 9 August 1917 he was assigned to the 112th Infantry Regiment, with which he remained until the end of the war, and was demobilized on January 19, 1920.

One of the many heroic Italian soldiers who won the First World War

I enclose you the history of the Piacenza Brigade:

http://www.cimeetrincee.it/piacenza.pdf

[GIZMO8Z]

Thank you so much! Like I speak Italian reasonably well, but I am horrible at reading it...

There seems to be two rubber stamps... one for the 6th Infantry Regiment and a second for the 112th Infantry Regiment?

[enorepap]

Yes, but I think it refers to the depot unit of the sixth Infantry Regiment, in charge of training the recruits to be sent to the front.

[GIZMO8Z]

Yes, but I think it refers to the depot unit of the sixth Infantry Regiment, in charge of training the recruits to be sent to the front.

Incredible, thank you!

I assume by the link you sent me that he was a member of the Piacenza Brigade? I am having trouble reading what is in the link.

[enorepap]

Yes, regiments numbered from 111 to 162 (excluding 143 and 150) formed the Mobile Militia (2nd line), but in reality they were used as the permanent Army regiments, numbered from 1 to 94 (1st line), in normal combat duties. The 112th Infantry Regiment belonged to the Piacenza Brigade and it was formed on March 15, 1915. The Brigade was disbanded on September 8, 1920 after having been used for five years, including the final three months in Albania.

[GIZMO8Z]

I would assume he fought mostly against the Austrians in the Alps?

[GIZMO8Z]

Also, other than the photo on his grave, I have no other photos of my bisnonno. Would there be a way to get a photo of him in military uniform?

You have been an AMAZING help, enorepap. PLEASE let me know if I can return the favor!!

Best,
Joe T

[enorepap]

Yes. In August 1917, the Brigade was engaged during the Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo River in the Nad Logem area. August, 24, the Brigade was withdrawn to Romans to rest and refit. From October ,1 to 16, the Brigade returned to the Isonzo front in the Pod Koriti area. The Brigade was later involved in the retreat to the River Piave, fighting alongside some British units. Specifically, from June, 16 to 23, 1918 the Brigade repulsed numerous Austrian attacks, losing 33 officers and 1,209 enlisted men. After having refit, the Brigade returned to the line of the Piave from August, 5 to October, 24. On October, 29, the Brigade crossed the Piave, pressing the enemy towards Vittorio Veneto, where the Brigade entered on October, 30, after a 17 hours uninterrupted fighting march, and reached on November, 4, 1918, at the end of the war, the area of Serravalle.

[enorepap]

Also, other than the photo on his grave, I have no other photos of my bisnonno. Would there be a way to get a photo of him in military uniform?

You have been an AMAZING help, enorepap. PLEASE let me know if I can return the favor!!

Best,
Joe T

Hallo Joe

Unfortunately, the matriculary sheets of the enlisted men did not provide photographs.

I think, given that over ninety years have passed and, fortunately, he returned unscathed by war, receiving the usual decorations of all veterans, it is very unlikely that there is still his portrait, preserved by some association of ex-combatants of the Calabria. Since he received in 1968, as all veterans of World War I still living, the honorary cross and medal "Knight of Vittorio Veneto", you may try to ask, through your relatives, the Association of War Veterans more adjacent to his place of residence in Calabria.

[GIZMO8Z]

THANKS, ENOREPAP! I owe a debt to you!

[enorepap]

No problem Joe.

At your disposal.

Good night