Jack Victor Raymond Rogers

Hi wonder if someone may be able to help with some info and advice.

My Mothers fiancee was helping out an old couple he knew. Sadly the Mr Rogers passed away. He is now helping his widow to sort through his belonging. As far as we can make out Mr Rogers was a Commando service number 161251 (though on another doc there is a number of R(or maybe K)151251. From conversations they had before he died he took place in over 30 landings in WW2 both in europe and asia.

We would like to know a bit more info on his service record but not sure where to investigate (I've done research on WW1 veterans in my family but am a novice when it come to WW2).

They also have his medals and we were wondering whether they would be best placed in a museum and, if so, where?

Any help would be appreciated.
Carlos

Hi Carlos

First of all please pass on our condolences to Mrs Rogers on her loss. Would you please contact me on my email address below ( also shown on the CVA Contact Us section) and I will make some enquiries about Jack Rogers (no relation to me as far as I know)

Regards

Pete Rogers

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 03/10/2012 23:15:24

Hi carlos,
Welcome to the CVA.
Whilst Pete is making enquiries may I answer another of your questions regarding museums.

The CVA is very excited about the new Commando Exhibition in the West Highland Museum in Fort William which is due to be officialy opened in November.
Fort William has very strong connections with The Commandos as it is the largest town near Achnacarry, where the Commandos carried out their training, and it is Fort William that the Commando Veterans hold their Annual Gathering for Remembrance Sunday.

Nick

Dear Pete & Nick
Thank you both for your responses! Pete - emailed you as requested.

Nick - do you think the West Highland Museum would be happy to have the medals and include them in their display? My mothers fiancee told me that Mr Rogers did indeed mention training near to Fort William. He couldn't remember the name of the town Mr Rogers mentioned but we both recalled seeing a TV programme on the Commandos which included mention of their training location but Achnacarry rings a bell.

Hopefully if Pete manages to find further info we will have a story to go with the medals.

I've also asked my Mothers fiancee if there are any photos of Mr Rogers dating to the war or around that time.
Regards
Carlos

Carlos

I am sending you an email in response to yours which covers the aspect of the West Highland Museum as well as other matters

Pete

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 11/08/2013 23:46:01

Sadly Carlos advises us that Jack's widow died in June having been taken ill not long after Jack himself died. Carlos has sent some items in and we are looking for any help.

Anyone recognise the blue shoulder patch with Pegasus wings and ships wheel - probably something to do with Normandy Landings. Jack served in the Royal Marines and by the looks of things also at some stage in the RM Commandos. He served on HMS Delhi for the Anzio and Salerno landings, and from his medals took part in the Arctic Convoys. He appears to have an MiD on one of the medals

Additionally any information on this medal which was issued to him in 2004 along with a document from the Russian Government certifying it as the 60th Commemorative medal :

Some more of Jack's things. On the Anzio certificate Jack was asked to fill in his own details and I see he has put RN

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 12/08/2013 16:56:48

Carefully considering the nature of Jacks effect's I would certainly recommend contact with the Royal Marine's Museum at Southsea. Their contact details are as follows:

http://www.royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk/about-us

I would ask if either a member of museum staff, or alternatively the Royal Marines Historical Society can shed any light on things, and whether they have any records/advice to draw upon.

Jack's service appears extremely varied and it may be worthwhile applying for his service papers - there is guidance on this CVA site, see this link

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoForum/posts/list/179.page

However, the RM Museum may be able to give initial thoughts. I may be wrong, but it looks like any Commando service is a small part of Jack's story, particularly given the Russian medals. As Pete notes, it is interesting that Jack has 'Royal Navy' on his Anzio Certificate. The Russian medal appears to be inscribed MN RN on the reverse - strengthening the Merchant Navy, or Royal Navy connection. If he was a Royal Marine (not certain at this stage) I would not discount the possibility he served some time as a 'Ships' Marine. I understood 'Ships' Marines undertook such duties as manning 'X' turret on larger ships, as well as a host of other potential activities. The Royal Marine Museum would know more.

Mike

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 12/08/2013 17:55:59

Mike

Thank you for this. I had advised Carlos in an email to do the same re contacts and service records. I note you say

I understood 'Ships' Marines undertook such duties as manning 'X' turret on larger ships

In a letter written post war he describes exactly that whilst on HMS Delhi at Anzio

I was in gunnery position below decks

Regards

Pete

I've joined this simply to reply to this string of messages. Jack and Laura died in 2013 and didn't have children. Sadly, I didn't know them. Their medals with certificates and other items passed to my Father, Jack's younger brother. My Father died late 2020 and the medals have passed to me. Still sat in the box they went to my Father in, I aim to have them professionally framed together with their photograph.
Please be reassured they these are kept together and will stay in the family. I have left them to my nephew, also a Rogers and currently serving in the Royal Navy. Also my Grandfather's (Jack's Father) medals from WW1 and China War / relief of Peking and my own Father's medals from the Falklands conflict.