In search of a 3th Commando veteran

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 07/05/2010 10:15:47

Hello,

Yesterday the fifth of may it was liberation day here in Holland.
Me and my brother where thinking about several years earlier;

I'm from the town of Brachterbeek, and veterans of the 3th Commando's used to come over here to commemorate Eric Harden.

I'm looking for some background information, about a veteran wich I used to correspond with, I used to send him Christmas cards.
He was also one of the veterans that came over.

I was quite young back then so I don't really remember a whole lot of it.
I believe the veterans name was; Les Brown (not 100% sure)

Here's a picture of him together with my brother and me;

I hope he is still going strong,

Greetings Tristan

This message was edited 5 times. Last update was at 06/05/2010 23:54:14

Hi Tristan

Welcome to the CVA. What a great photo you posted. It reminded me of another young person who recalled a veteran they had met , on that occasion Joe Burnett of No.4 Commando. The photo he sent can be seen here :

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/4/4+cdo+veterans/Joe+Burnett+-+No_+4+C+ommando+B+Troop.jpg.html

Somehow, in my mind, your photo and his sum up what the sacrifices that so many made were all about, freedom and future generations.

I will place your photo, if I may, in the CVA gallery for veterans of No.3 Cdo. and I will make some enqs to see if we can find some information for you regarding the veteran in your photo.

Best wishes

Pete

Ps I have just made a quick check and seen that ther was a trooper Les Brown in No.3 Cdo and he is mentioned in our chairman, Stan Scott's book, Fighting with the Commandos. He is mentioned, albeit briefly, as being severely wounded in an action, but I will contact Stan to see if we can clarify anything about the identity of the man in your photo.

This is very likely to be Les C Brown (No 3 Cdo) formerly of Duston, Northampton who sadly passed away in 2007. Les was a member of the CVA and a dear friend of most of those in the photo below including Freddie Walker, Roy Cadman, Jim Petrie and John White all who are still very much alive. In fact they shall be in Normandy again this coming June; I shall enquire as to whether they will be in Brachterbeek and let you know.

Kind regards

Geoff

This message was edited 6 times. Last update was at 07/05/2010 13:52:18

Thank you for the replies so far,
I feel sorry to hear that he passed away,
may he Rest in Peace.

My brother and me have found one of the letters that I recieved of him. We found it on the attic.

At the bottom of this message there is a copy of it;
he included a picture of one of the CVA reunions.

If I remember correctly he did write to me that he was wounded in combat.
You may use these pictures to post on the website.

Greetings,
Tristan

I've added a few names to the photo:

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/reunions/CA+Reunion+circa+99.bmp.html