No. 9 commando

Hi, i was wondering if anyone could tell me the movements of No.9 commando during WW2 as my father , Peter Mckinlay served with that unit I seem to remember he was originally H.L.I. and that he was batman to Col ? Todd.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 13/11/2018 17:59:56

Hi Jim,
here is a quick history of No9; Sept 43 - May45 whilst commanded by Lt-Col R.J.F TOD,

http://www.commandoveterans.org/9_Commando_overseas

Nick

The combined ops website has some information on No.9 Commando on this link:

http://www.combinedops.com/No%209%20Commando.htm

CIAO voleva informazioni del 9 ° BRIGADE 2 SS 44 febbraio COMMANDO GARIGLIANO-ORNITO-FAITO sono ancora vivi
BARTON HAROLD
Belasco DAVE
Bostock TOMMY
CALLF LESLIE
HOPKINS LESLIE
Quarrie JACK
WILSON (Willie) ALIX
WOOD TIMER

information wanted from the 9 COMMANDO, 2 SS BRIGADE, February 44 - Operation Ornito - [GARIGLIANO, Monte ORNITO, Monte FAITO] are any of these still alive?

RSM Jack Quarrie passed away January 2010

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 14/05/2010 16:10:29

faito44 wrote:CIAO voleva informazioni del 9 ° BRIGADE 2 SS 44 febbraio COMMANDO GARIGLIANO-ORNITO-FAITO sono ancora vivi
BARTON HAROLD MM
Belasco DAVE last known residence Faitly, Clydebank
Bostock TOMMY MM
CALLF LESLIE MC BAR
HOPKINS LESLIE DCM
Quarrie JACK died 1 Jan 2010
WILSON (Willie) ALIX
WOOD TIMER

What a bunch of warriors!

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 25/05/2010 18:12:28

Hi Salvo

I now have details regarding the above Commandos who are sadly all deceased - dates below:

Leslie Hopkins DCM - November 1986
Harold Barton MM - May 2005
Leslie Callf MC and bar - December 1994
Tommy Bostock MM - October 1992
Dave Belasco - December 1997
Jack Quarrie - January 2010
Alex Wilson - February 1996

Without the proper first name of Wood an accurate result cannot be given.

I have updated the details here for others benefit. I will contact you by email regarding the pictures you sent me

Regards

salve,e possibile trovare foto,della battaglia dell'ornito,faito,cerasola.italy 44

After a bit of research I have discovered my grandfather served here as well, he was awarded the M.M for bravery on the 2/3 Feb 1944. He took seven German prisoners and rescued five Commandos whilst himself being unarmed. He was recommended for this award by LT.Colonel R.J.F Tod

information to sergeant major TOM BEARDMORE 2ss 9°dead 03/02/44 in faito hill gustav line- sun DOMINIC BEARDMORE

information,contact

Hi Salvo

Thanks for posting these pictures which I will place in our gallery in due course.

In Memory of 5048331 Warrant Officer Class I Thomas Beardmore
Mentioned in Despatches
North Staffordshire Regiment and No. 9, Commando
who died age 27 on 03 February 1944
Remembered with honour CASSINO MEMORIAL

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 26/10/2010 14:51:18

My thanks again to Salvo for sending me a photo of Minturno War Cemetery and also of the memorial at Monte Faito. I have now created a War Graves album for Minturno War Cemetery and added the names of the Army and RM Cdos who are buried there. I will add the photo of the monument in due course but I place it here for now.

Perhaps Salvo, or others, can update this message on exactly how to get to this memorial for the benefit of others who may wish to visit in the future.

Pete

Doug Smith, son of Eddie Smith 5 troop, 9 commando, has been in touch to say

The sign is posted on the road to Suio, a short distance from Castelforte. The track up the side of the mountain is impassable for any vehicle other than a four wheel drive. I attempted it last year in a rental car but turned around when the pot holes became larger than the car wheels. There use to be an annual trip to Italy by veterans of 9 commando and they would rent a car and driver, I believe in Castelforte but I was unable to find anyone to drive to the cairn. "

This message was edited 4 times. Last update was at 04/11/2010 10:06:02

Salvo has been in contact again and has sent this link to a video a friend of his, Romano Filippo , made and uploaded to Youtube within the last few days. It is the journey on foot to the site where Tom Beardmore's son left a small memorial and headstone dedicated to his father, and then onto the Cairn shown in the picture posted above. It shows the beauty and tranquility of the countryside which was the scene of such bitter fighting and loss of life all those years ago. The annotations are in Italian. The introduction reads

" On the day of 1 November 2010 the excursion embraced the two memorials of our mountains, to Mariaranne-Coreno-and that of Retelle-Castelforte-and with the desire to remember all the soldiers killed in wars for world peace, a few prayers were said and a candle placed in dedication.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGRkeMTm84s&feature=player_embedded

Salvatore Costanzo.se (Salvo) has also offered to help anyone thinking of visiting any of the places such as Cassino, Minturno,Faito, Ornito etc. in the future. I have his contact email should anyone require them

Thanks Salvo for your ongoing help.