Guardsman John Oliver Dinsmore (2723037) served in 1st Battalion Irish Guards during the Second World War. He was the son of James Dinsmore and Fanny Dinsmore of Portrush, Co. Antrim.
John became a prisoner of war after his capture at Anzio on 8th February 1944. His imprisonment likely took place at Campo PG52 Chiavari, Calvari, Italy. He died on 16th September 1944 aged 21 years old. Along with him was Royal Artillery Gunner L.E. Haddy. Both men had temporary burials at Spigno Monferrato, Piedmont. Reports suggest they escaped from their prisoner of war camps or transport trains and joined a group of Italian partisans fighting in the Apennines.
John Oliver Dinsmore’s grave is in Section III, Row B, Grave 13 of Staglieno Cemetery, Genoa, Italy. Reburial here took place on 17th October 1945. His headstone bears the inscription:
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.