1st-8th November 1944 - Operation Infatuate - with ROH

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 07/11/2011 12:36:04

Bill Harvey has sent me some photos, with more to follow, so I have added a new album for the 2011 services/events:

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/events/Holland/2011/

This postcard of the Oranje Mill was sent to my father in 1984 when a group of veterans made the trip to Walcheren for the anniversary service.
I can recognise several names... Charlie Majer, Ozzy Osbourne, Don Martin and Robert Dawson. Perhaps others can fill the gaps.

Maurice Chauvet possibly?

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 29/10/2015 10:03:40

Alex Mc shown with Duncan above could be McCubbin. He was in 'C' tp of No.4 Cdo. an ex policeman shown as Duncan on this list but referred to in other places as Sgt. A. McCubbin.

http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/4/4+cdo+nom+roll/4+cdo+c+trp.jpg.html

I was actually there with my uncle. The cartoon figure was drawn by Maurice Chauvet. Duncan McCubbin clearly signed the card as, I believe, did his son Alan. I think that I also recognise the signature of Guy Vourch

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 20/11/2011 20:23:37

Yes, I should have picked out both Don Martin and McCubbin. My father spoke very highly of both men.

On the trip over this year to represent No4 and the CVA and remember the fallen, Jochem Schmetz, my dutch friend, and I went exploring to see if we could find the site of the temporery grave yard where Dad was initially buried in Biervliet. With Jochem's help and the archivist we found the grave yard and also discovered that all those killed in action in Flushing, including the French, and have secured the list of those buried there. This includes some of the Scots.

I will be putting details onto the CVA site once I collate them.

Bill

Gallery updated with pictures of this months services:

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/events/Holland/2011/

This message was edited 9 times. Last update was at 10/07/2018 09:56:34

Today,and all this week, is the 68th anniversary of the raid. In memory of all who lost their lives including the following (if you see an ommision please post their details or contact me):

No.4 Commando unless stated otherwise (including the French attached from No 10)

Lieutenant Nicholas Barrass
Lance Sergeant Alfred Walker
Private Henry Donkin
Private Maurice Gourong, 1 Bn de Fusiliers Marins attd No.4 Commando
Gunner Bill Harvey
Gunner Edward Hill
Private Owen Hooper
Private Pierre Laux
Lance Corporal Jean Monceau, 1 Bn de Fusiliers Marins attd No.4 Commando
Lance Corporal Jean Montean, 1 Bn de Fusiliers Marins attd No.4 Commando
Private Jean Nevin, 1 Bn de Fusiliers Marins attd No.4 Commando
Corporal Yvan Ruppe, 1 Bn de Fusiliers Marins attd No.4 Commando
Private John Stoddart

No. 10(IA) Commando

Corporal Salo Weich , 3 troop, served as Robert Hamilton
Lieutenant Adolphe Meny, 4 troop
Corporal Francois Dive, 4 troop
Lieutenant Alf Kristian Solbu, 5 troop
Trooper Ola Christophersen, 5 troop
Trooper Lars Hovstad, 5 troop
Trooper Sven Røsland, 5 troop
Trooper Leif Ludvik Larsen, 5 troop

HQ 4 Special Service Brigade

Lieutenant William Layman, South African Artillery attd. RM Commandos
Lieutenant Gordon McKenzie, South African Armoured Corps, attd. RM Commandos
Marine John Hughes

41RM Commando

Major Paddy Brind-Sheridan
Captain Peter Haydon DSO
Lieutenant John Holmes
Marine John Barnes
Marine William Cooke
Marine John Hay
Sergeant Herbert Heywood
Marine Reginald John
Marine Byron Moses
Marine Robert Nicholson (dow 13/1/45)
Marine Henry Page
Marine John Read
Marine John Robertson
Corporal Charles Smith
Marine Reginald Smith

47RM Commando

Lieutenant Norman Hayward
Lieutenant Michael Style
Lance Corporal Joseph Buchanan
Sergeant Reginald Brehme
Marine Albert Davies
Marine James Day
Marine Martin Derrick
Marine Andrew Duke
Corporal Edward Evans
Marine Joseph Fawcett
Marine Denis Fee
Marine Joe Flannagan
Lance Corporal William Fletcher
Lance Corporal Maurice Grimsdell
Marine Ronald Hubbard
Lance Corporal Edward Lawton
Marine Alan Longden
Marine Duncan McGregor
Marine James Muir
Lance Corporal Francis Nicholl
Marine Kenneth Patey
Marine Harry Payne
Marine Robert Pettit
Company Sergeant Major Harold Plank
Sergeant John Puddick
Segeant Robert Rackham
Corporal Charles Ripiner
Company Sergeant Major William Spear
Corporal Kenneth Teed
Marine Albert Thatcher
Marine Anthony Turner
Corporal James Unsworth
Sergeant Robert Webb
Marine George Wilson

48RM Commando

Major Derek De Stacpoole
Captain Noel Godkin
Captain Roderick McKenzie MC
Lieutenant Cyril Lindrea
Lieutenant Walter England, South African Tank Corps, attd. 48RM Commando
Lieutenant David Winser, RAMC attd 48RM Commando
Marine William Bean
Private Walter Branch, RAMC attd. 48RM Commando
Private William Brown, RAMC attd. 48RM Commando
Marine Norman Burgess
Sergeant Anthony Davis
Lance Corporal Dennis Fogg
Marine Robert Gibbs
Marine Leslie Haines
Marine Harold Hughes
Marine Kenneth Jordan
Corporal James Law
Marine James McArthur
Marine Alfred Mee
Sergeant Harold Peace
Marine Frederick Potter
Marine William Sage
Marine Lawrence Samwell
Marine Cyril Savage
Marine Philip Shears
Corporal Ernest Shrigley
Marine Colin Skelland
Marine Kenneth Stephens
Corporal Thomas Steventon
Marine Philip Titmuss
Marine Norman Wall
Marine Charles Ware

We will Remember them

The No 4 Commando French Troops who were killed in action in Flushing are missing.

1st Bataillon de fusiliers marins commandos

Cpl. J. Momceau.

Cpl. Y. Ruppe.

l/cpl. J. Montean.

l/cpl. J. Neven.

l/cpl. N. Gourong

Thanks Bill

I have updated the list above with those and quite a few others I have found

Pete

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 03/11/2012 01:52:13

Today, Friday 2 November, veterans of 47 Commando Royal Marines with family members visited the barracks of the Dutch Commandos and the Commando museum. They are in The Netherlands for the Remembrance Services which will be held at Flushing and Westkapelle tomorrow.

They were welcomed by the 2 i/c of the Regiment after which they visited the museum. The ones who used the lift to get to the first floor where the museum is, had an exciting experiance when the lift got stuck! They were all rescued and survived their "ordeal" in good humour. The visit to the museum as well as the lunch after that was enjoyed by all. Before leaving for the Bergen op Zoom War Cemetery a group photo was made in front of the Commando Memorial on the Parade Ground.

At the Bergen op Zoom War Cemetery wreaths were laid and a moment of silence was held. Before that I was given the opportunity to tell something about the story of Fuselier Joseph Ball of No 4 Commando, which can be read elswere on this forum. I would like to think that it gave the laying of the wreaths something special so to speak.

It was very interesting to listen to the stories that were told by some of the veterans of their experiances during the landings on Walcheren and more precise at Westkapelle in Operation Infatuate.

It turned out that two of the participants will be over in Fort William next weekend and will be staying at the Alexandra Hotel, so there will be a bit of a reunion!

Speaking of Fort William: Ria and I are looking forward to see you all next Friday!!

Thank you Jack for all you and the Dutch Commando do for us. Today 3 November my great friend Jochem Schmetz will lay a CVA wreath at Flushing today remembering the British and French troops of No 4 Army Commando and the loyal Dutch who were killed during the occupation and during the liberation. We will remember them.

Bill

This weekend will be the 71st anniversary. If you are attending events/services over in Holland, or remembering from these shores, please feel free to post your photos, and thoughts, either on this message or in the gallery.

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them"