HOC Farewell Dinner 8th November 1945

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 03/02/2013 14:40:47

Ted Land has sent us a copy of the Farewell Dinner Menu Card for the Warrant Officers and Sergeants of the Holding Operational Commando with signatures thereon. Some of the names I recognise are:

Lt Col. A.L. Blake MC, RM : Officer Commanding HOC and formerly Bde. Major in 2 Special Service Brigade

Jimmy Newall, No.2 Commando : http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/1+troop/2+cdo+1+trp/1_Troop+Dec+42.jpg.html

Alf Searson MM, No.2 Commando : POW after St Nazaire, escaped from Stalag V111b in Germany making it to Switzerland and back to the UK;

Ted Douglas MM, No.2 Commando : http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/Joe+Rogers+and+another.jpg.html

Jimmy Smith, No.2 Commando : http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/2+cdo+officers+and+sgts+copy.jpg.html

S. Stevenson, No.2 Commando : http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/2+Troop/2+troop.jpg.html

Frankie Walsh MM, No.9 Commando

Now lets see what others can discover

The No. 5 signature about halfway down on the right hand side could be E J Plumridge?

Others on here that i have spotted with additional details where known:

D. Richards No.4 Commando : Major D. Richards

J. Flynn No.3 Commando : John Flynn MM served with 3, 4 and 7 Commandos

G. Pyne No.3 Commando (George was a Sergeant in No.3 Cdo and a former CVA member who died 2010) http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+War+Graves+Memorials+and+Plaques/National+Arboretum/Army/10.jpg.html

W. M. Burridge 46RM Commando : Sergeant PO//4900

F.W. Hucklebridge 47RM Commando

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 04/02/2013 13:03:01

A bit more about Frank Walsh MM.

Ken Young 9 Commando ( see http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoForum/posts/list/1093.page ) spoke of Frank Walsh in a taped interview and I posted a forum message trying to find more information (see http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoForum/posts/list/1267.page#5178 )

Ken described TSM Walsh as

" a bloody fine troop sergeant major"

:

Acting Sergeant Frank Walsh 2986730 Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders and No.9 Commando
Military Medal (Immediate)
Ref.Map Italy 1/500,000 No.158 IV
On 5th March 1944 No. 2986730 Sgt Walsh F. was commander of a section of a fighting patrol operating in Area Square 8230. Throughout the patrol, Sgt Walsh showed outstanding courage and leadership whilst under heavy small arms fire and mortar fire, both in locating enemy positions and leading the assault on these positions. During a period in which the patrol was pinned down by enemy fire and sufferred 40% casualties, Sgt. Walsh organised and led small parties to outflank the enemy position in a most determined and courageous manner. Whenever his party was held up, he pushed on himself in order to outflank the enemy and cause their fire to be lifted from his sections position. During the final asault on the enemy position, he displayed an outstanding example of leadership to all the men and although he was wounded during the assault he carried on until he had bayoneted and killed the Boche who had wounded him. After being wounded he refused to return to the Regimental aid post until he had organised his section and was ordered to return by his patrol leader. ( L.G. 20.7.44)