Darby's Rangers

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 04/01/2010 11:23:20

From Darby Watkins:

Hi Geoff and Happy Holidays.

I have spent the past 12 months researching and writing a biography about my uncle, Col. William O. Darby of Ranger fame. I am about 60% done.

Do you know of any Commandos with remembrances of shared actions with the Rangers in Sicily and Italy? Also, I am interested in their opinion (on any aspect) of the Rangers from prejudices (good/bad) to training to legacy to ?

I'm also looking for info and contacts from any surviving crewmembers, Commandos and/or relatives who served/sailed on HMS Royal Ulsterman, HMS Princess Emma, HMS Princess Beatrix, HMS Ulster Monarch, and HMS Royal Scotsman.

Any unique and rare photos (and the ability to publish them) would be wonderful.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Regards,

Darby Watkins

[email protected]

Hi Darby

I have recently had two meetings with a veteran of No.1 Commando, Idris Jones, one of his photos that he has given permission to be used on this site is either of the Prince Leopold or Princess Beatrix. It shows Idris and other members of No.1 taking part in a training exercise. I don't know if this photo would be of any use, but if you are interested I would be more than happy to contact Idris to see if you could use it in conjunction with your research ie to publish it etc.
Here (hopefully) is the link to the where the photo is stored in the CVA gallery:

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/1/trng+1+cdo/

Cheers Andy

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 24/01/2010 19:16:23

If you are looking for information still, on HMS Princess Beatrix, you will find all my published research at http://sites.google.com/site/hmsprincessbeatrix/
and photographs at http://picasaweb.google.com/Peter18647
My Uncle Stanley Lee served on her as AB Quartermaster (Coxswain) during WW2, and I have constructed a radio controlled 1/100th scale model of her, pictures to be found on above sites.
Hope they are of some use to you Peter47

Peter47 wrote:If you are looking for information still, on HMS Princess Beatrix, you will find all my published research at http://sites.google.com/site/hmsprincessbeatrix/
and photographs at http://picasaweb.google.com/Peter18647
My Uncle Stanley Lee served on her as AB Quartermaster (Coxswain) during WW2, and I have constructed a radio controlled 1/100th scale model of her, pictures to be found on above sites.
Hope they are of some use to you Peter47

Thanks Peter,
fascinating information that is very much part of the Commando story.
Great model of Princes Beatrix too.

Nick