John ?Jock? Gowans Port - 9th Commando 5th Troop - letter home to parents.

That?s amazing thanks Pete.

His regiment record is as below -

16/11/1940 enlisted age 16. Lied about his age stating he was 18.
24/01/1941 appointed to the 70th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
25/02/1942 appointed to the 2nd Royal Highland Regiment
17/03/1942 transferred to the Commando depot at Forres.
28/04/1942 appointed to the 9th Commandos

Let me know if you need anything else.

Hi Kenny,

What great photos and a wonderful letter from your grandfather.
I'm sure you'd like to know that your grandfather's friend, Len, was - 2881130, Lance Sgt Leonard Alfred Wade, Gordon Highlanders/London Scottish & No.9 Cdo. who was Killed in Action on 3 Feb 1944
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2099020/leonard-alfred-wade/

The other two mentioned by name were,
32187, Lt Col (later Brigadier) Ronnie John Frederick Tod, DSO, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders & No.9 Cdo.
Gunner J. Todd, Royal Artillery & No.9 Cdo.

Nick

Hi Nick

Thank you. I?ve been trying to figure out who they all were so thank you. Those mentioned are below. As you can see I am still struggling with Jimmie and Scotty.

Len Wade - LANCE SERJEANT LEONARD ALFRED WADE
Eddie - Eddie (Smudger) Smith
Jimmie - ?? Man he passes his Bren gun to.
Todd - Gunner J. Todd
Scotty - ?? The third man with John and J. Todd who enter the farm house and capture the Germans.
Col RJF Todd - Lt Col (later Brigadier) Ronnie John Frederick Tod

https://www.commandoveterans.org/LeonardWade9Commando

https://www.commandoveterans.org/RonnieTodCommando

https://www.commandoveterans.org/Eddie_Smith_9Commando

I am so glad to see these men remembered here.

Thank you so much for telling us about your grandfather - such a moving letter, so full of interest.

Hi Kenny,

Thanks for posting the letter it was interesting to read. Jock and my dad Eddie Smith were very close and beside the personal arrangement(s) they made in the event of death or injury my dad promised to be best man at Jock's wedding.

Two or three days before the big event I recall my dad requesting time off from my boarding school and we travelled by train to Glasgow, staying in Bellshill with your great grandmother. Leslie Calff also attended the wedding. My only memory is the coach ride to and from the reception where everyone was required to sing a song.

Thanks again, Doug

Hi Doug

Thanks for messaging. Amazing that you were at my grandparents wedding. I will private message you.
Thanks

Hi Kenny

I have now added the original letter to the archive and linked it to the entry for your grandfather. You can download it here:

https://www.commandoveterans.org/John_Port_9cdo_letter_home

Pete

Great thank you Pete!