Amoroso M Lt Royal Field Artillery
Lieut. MICHELE AMOROSO, 95th Brigade Royal Field Artillery.
Lieut. Amoroso, son of the late Mr. Michele Amoroso, shipbroker, of Liverpool, and Mrs. Amoroso, of “Ellerslie,” New Brighton, was killed in action on July 3rd, 1916, aged 24 years. He was educated at Stonyhurst College, and was a member of the Racket and Liverpool Ramblers football clubs. He joined the Liverpool Scottish on August 4th, 1914, and after three months’ training in Edinburgh, obtained a commission in the R.F.A. He was sent to the front on September 1st, 1915, and went through the battle of Loos, where he distinguished himself, and was promoted Lieutenant.
Lieut. Amoroso served continuously for over ten months with the R.F.A. in France, and took part in much heavy fighting. His fighting record during the last few days of his life had been distinguished by several acts of conspicuous bravery.
On July 1st, Lieut. Amoroso, with a brother officer, succeeded in bringing in wounded men over the front line parapet under heavy fire.
On July 2nd, with great coolness and thoroughness, he ran his telephone wire out over a shell-swept area in front of our troops, establishing connection with an advanced post of importance known as the “Crucifix.” Owing to the care with which his line was laid, communication with his battery was never interrupted throughout the day. In the evening he led a small party of bombers, and cleared the “Crucifix” trench for a distance of a hundred yards beyond the point designed as an artillery observation post near Fricourt.
Next day, July 3rd, working parties were being worried by snipers close in front of his trench. To investigate this annoyance, Lieut. Amoroso took charge of a machine gun, which he worked until he was killed by a sniper at the close range of thirty yards.
His brother officers and men were keenly affected by his loss. His unflinching devotion to duty, and notably the way in which he was always ready to sacrifice his own convenience to relieve others of irksome duties, had made him a general favourite.
The expression of his face in repose, as seen in our illustration, might convey an impression of sternness. But in reality his was a merry nature, always kindly and equable. Thus he is remembered by the many Stonyhurst friends, who regret his untimely end.
The Chaplain who buried him, and knew him well, bears testimony to the high character he bore, his personal attachment to the practices of his religion, and his zeal for the religious welfare of his men.
Source : Stonyhurst War Record
