Q.M.S.I. J.C.Dickason

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 03/02/2010 19:16:31

I am the son of Q.M.S.I. J.C. Dickason. My father was in the A.P.T.C. as an instructor in Unarmed Combat at Achnacary Scotland. He was there right up to the end of WWll. I am trying to trace any of his records during that time at the Commando School. He often spoke about Kentra Bay and the setting of machine gun fire on practice beach landings. Previous to the A.P.T.C. he was a trained machine gunner in the Royal Sussex Regt. He passed away while an In Pensioner at the R.H. Chelsea in 2003. If anyone can help me on this venture I would be very grateful. Yours Dougie Dickason. After the Commando School he was posted to Head Quarters West Africa Command. The family went with him from 1947 - 1953. I am Ex Royal Signals. 1954 -1957 Army Apprentices School Harrogate.
R. Signals 1957 - 1968. Radio Tech.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 03/02/2010 22:57:46

Hi Dougie

I felt compelled to respond even though I cannot assist with any information about your father. His period as an instructor at Achnacarry, and the training Commandos received there from men such as your father, forged the foundations of Special Forces training around the world.I do hope someone can assist you with some information about your father. I assume there must have been records kept at Achnacarry from 42-45. I have seen documents relating to the type of training but never anything similar to that of a War Diary that Commando Units kept. There must have been some record of staff , recruits, incidents, etc., and the only place I can imagine them being filed is the National Archives. If you get no joy on this site that would seem your obvious next avenue of research.

I wish you luck in your research. Should you have any information or pictures you would like to post on our site about your father please contact me direct if you need any assistance.

Regards

Pete