Glen Ashton wrote:dear sir,i was wondering if you could tell me what commando unit,my grandad were in.he were in army 1936-1948.pte. ernest ashton from barnsley,with thanks,glen ashton.

I can confirm that your Grandfather, Ernest Ashton, and his friend Ted McGhee, were both in No.2 Commando. Your Grandfather was in the Royal Artillery ( Light Anti Aircraft) prior to the Commandos. He was attached to No.2 Commando from there. Ted was in the Royal Artillery (Coastal) and attached from there to No.2 Commando. The list I have is an unofficial one but quite an accurate one. The next of kin for your Grandfather is shown as his wife from Cumnock, Ayrshire (full address supplied), and his father from Barnsley (full address supplied). Incidentally your Grandfather's friend Ted McGhee's next of kin is shown as his wife and resident at the same address in Cumnock as your Grandfather.

To get the full details of his military service you, or your father, would have to apply for a copy of his Army Service record from the MOD. If you decide to go down this path please contact me and I?ll explain how to do so should you need that. In the meantime I will update the forum post put on by Nick. Your Grandfather you say served in Gibraltar, Sicily, and Italy, this was the route No.2 Commando followed. They then went to the Island of Vis off the coast of Yugoslavia, Albania, back to Italy, and finally some went to post war Germany. Of course this would be dependant on him staying within No.2 Commando