Hill 170 to Spean Bridge......A sons search

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 27/04/2007 22:40:06

Hill 170 'After words

Everything that follows started out for me as a personal search.
A search to find my Father. When dad died I was 27 yrs old it was the mid 70's and things were much different then. It's a tale that's been told and that is felt a million times over. I just didn't take that much notice of him. Sure he was dad, always there with a laugh and a joke always supportive always reliable, in fact everything a dad should be. I think I took things for granted.
When he died at 55yrs old it was a shock and everyone in the family felt it. But he was gone.
Having a young family myself I got swept away with life and dad sort of faded into the past
Always there but a memory. But always a nice memory.
As I now arrived at middle age I started to have more time to think. My children were grown into young adults and doing their own thing. Dad started to re-emerge into my life
And then it suddenly hit me. I hadn't known my father in any personal way at all. Because he'd died so young I'd never been able to ask him questions that one adult would ask another. How he felt about things? What had happened in his life? How had things shaped him?
One thing I had always known was dad had been a Commando in the war. Having said that he was never boastful or forthcoming with much information. There had been the occasional exotic story about his time in India. The joke and bravado about the tough training. The fact that he had seen action in Burma. And only once to my memory the mention of a hill Hill 170. The only details of which I can remember were it was an epic battle with many lost friends and dad himself getting a wounded leg. This rare conversation ended in a typical way
Dad saying 'only a few were able to walk back off of that position' and me interjecting, Was you one of them Dad? and dad replying "Well I'm bleeding well here aren't I" and then all of us collapsing in laughter at my stupid question.
As I say these fleeting memories are all that were left. That and a case of dad's old army stuff that had been given to me by my mum just after dad's funeral. And that had been in my loft with only the occasional cursory look for some 15yrs.
Sitting with my family one evening we had settled in to watch the new channel 4 production of Commando. A four part series detailing the early history of the wartime Commandos.
When I saw the first few minutes of it I was shocked but not in a bad way. The programme involved interviews with old Commandos. These characters were an amazing likeness to my father in nearly everyway their demeanour their attitude and most strikingly their total modesty. Although they were older the resolute character that had been such a part of dads' makeup shone through. These men it suddenly dawned on me represented who my father had been. That night I was restless it was as though a ghost of dad had appeared to me. The next morning I was determined to look further into my fathers' war time history.
The case of artefacts came down from the loft. It was all there. The record books, the old photos, the discharge papers. And then the FS fighting knife and the jungle issue Kukri. The Green Beret. My dad had played his part in the creation of a legend. A legend I needed to find out more about
Dad had been in No 12 and No 1 Commando from about 1941-1946. This information had been supplied to me via the Army records office in Scotland. I had a few photos of dad in his army uniform and even one of his troop taken in India or Burma but I knew it was No1 Commando. There was also a post card of a memorial to the Commandos in Spean Bridge Scotland. This became our first goal to visit this famous land mark.
The arrangements were made and we flew from East Midlands to Glasgow on a bright sunny May morning picked up a car and made our way to Spean Bridge just outside of Fort William.
The journey taking about 2hrs. During which time the conversation with my wife inevitably turned to the Commandos.
What had it been like to train at the famous Achnacarry Castle, what a shock it must have been arriving in this remote place for those men so long ago? Those men whose destiny was to fight and some to die on foreign shores in even remoter parts of the world
We past through Spean Bridge with mounting excitement and expectation for our first view of the famous Commando Memorial.
Dad started floating back into my mind. I was trying to imagine him walking and drinking with his army pals around this place. All the jokes and the trepidation they must have shared and felt
And then suddenly rounding the hill on the corner it was there. The memorial took our breath away. It was stunningly awe inspiring. It was totally dramatic and so emotionally charged we both fell into a silence... The Great Glen in which it stands gives the whole scene an almost cathedral like feel. The three Commando soldiers that form the monument stand proudly looking out across the silent valley. Their attitude one of resolute defiance. The very size of the memorial adding another unworldly feel to the scene. As you approach the dias the figures rear up at you almost daring you to come closer. It's as if they are defending this, their, hill and claiming this piece of the world their own. And of course it is.
The whole thing I found overwhelming and very emotionally raw. I put this down to the personal nature of my visit. What in terms of my father this meant to me. The walk to the memorial from where we had parked was no more than about five minutes and in this time I had unwittingly lost contact with my wife. She had known dad for only a short time but when I did link up with her again she had a tear in her eye. The effect of this fantastic memorial and its location had touched her just the same.
The creator of this, which can only be described as a brilliant piece of art, had captured totally the essence of these legendary fighting men. In every way, the location, the stature and the demeanour melds together to make you feel you are in the presence of something very special indeed.
I tried to control my welling feelings of belonging fused with an enormous sense of loss. But now I was clear. My mission was set out before me. This is where I would find all the things and happenings that had made my father who he was. All the experiences that had shaped him. All his reference points. Here among the history of the Commandos.
I stepped up onto the plinth and looked up at the three proud comrades with a strange feeling of recognition. To add a further almost theatrical touch a cloud passed over the figures heads as I reached up and placed my outstretched hand and lay it on the boot of the nearest man.
And with a soft almost whisper laced with pride I muttered 'Hello Dad'

John Mewett

Son of Bob'Mauler Mewett No12 & No 1 Commando

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 18/04/2007 09:02:15

John,
What a wonderful story. I hope you'll share some photos with us too?
Unfortunately, my father died at the age of 31 when I was 13 months old so all I have to remember him by are a few army bits and pieces and a few faded photos.
I do have one particular photo the has great significance for me though - the only photo, in existance, of him and me together.
I remember as a child that one of my greatest 'treasures' was a cutlery box with all his bits and pieces in, together with letters of support and condolence to my mother from The Commando Association...
Unfortunately, over the years and through many house moves most of these 'memories' have been lost.
Another special 'treasure' is the hand-written footnote my father inscribed in the back of his copy of Hilary Saunder's The Green Beret. I will endeavour to copy it and post it on this web site sometime in the future.

yes ,what a brilliantly told story The Spean Bridge memorial is truly awesome It never ceases to make me look at it in wonder
My father went throught the war with No5 being at the invasion of Madagascar in 1942 and onto Burma Then he had a tragic accident at work late Dec 1951 dying January 1st 1952 My mother who had 3 kids was carrying me. I was born June 1952 So I never knew him But I grew up knowing he was a hero for being a commando .My mother told me everyone in the family had been annoyed at him joining the green berets from the Lincolns as it was dangerous duties and he had a young family. But my dad was quite gung ho I think. He had the time of his life in No5. he was very proud. He use to go down to London for the re-unions I still have the Commando menu cards One of them is full of signatures including Mountbattens!
I too still have his copy of Saunders' The Green Beret which I treasure.
Incidentally ive sent for a new book called The Forgotten Invasion which is about Madagascar . It will include all about No5 Commando 's vital role in it .Should be good

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 18/04/2007 13:49:41

Stephen Donnison wrote:yes ,what a brilliantly told story The Spean Bridge memorial is truly awesome It never ceases to make me look at it in wonder
My father went throught the war with No5 being at the invasion of Madagascar in 1942 and onto Burma Then he had a tragic accident at work late Dec 1951 dying January 1st 1952 My mother who had 3 kids was carrying me. I was born June 1952 So I never knew him But I grew up knowing he was a hero for being a commando .My mother told me everyone in the family had been annoyed at him joining the green berets from the Lincolns as it was dangerous duties and he had a young family. But my dad was quite gung ho I think. He had the time of his life in No5. he was very proud. He use to go down to London for the re-unions I still have the Commando menu cards One of them is full of signatures including Mountbattens!
I too still have his copy of Saunders' The Green Beret which I treasure.
Incidentally ive sent for a new book called The Forgotten Invasion which is about Madagascar . It will include all about No5 Commando 's vital role in it .Should be good

Stephen,
I'm sorry to hear that you never got to be held in your father's arms - that makes my photo of my Dad and I even more special.
Isn't it a tragedy that our dads (along with countless others) survived the horrors of war only to die in peace time.
My father and mother decided to move from Hounslow, first to Cobham in Surrey, then to a smallholding in Fishguard, Pembrokeshire where they thought it would mean a better life for my two sisters to grow up.
But it was difficult starting off and so my dad had to take a job in the Royal Naval Armaments Depot (RNAD) Trecwn, near Fishguard. Working deep underground it wasn't long before the dreaded TB took over and he ended his life in a TB hospital at Sealyham - some 14 miles away from home.
I still have his last letter to my mother where he says he found it difficult to concentrate but that he'd be better soon...

Thanx Guys
for your comments......the saying 'you don't know what you've got 'till it's gone' rings true.
After this trip we went back in 2002 for the 5o yrs anniversary. We were very fortunate to meet a comrade from No 1 & 12 Cdo John Huntington who told us the story of 170 .........a very moving tale. The pride was very evident. I have written to John for the last 5 yrs and I am now proud to call him my friend. Subsequently we were contacted by John Lowman No 1 and Vic Ralph No1 then met up with Harry Winch No12 & No1 got invited to various functions and have enjoyed the company of these modest heroes ever since. I am now the secretary for the East Midlands Branch CVA.which I take as a great honour. The warmth and friendship of the Ex-Commandos has been overwhelming and has proved in words and deeds........'United We Conquer'

Regards

John Mewett

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 17/05/2007 11:44:25

John,

you have encapsulated succinctly my own feelings about my father, thank you.

To walk in the footsteps of those so brave
Tread gently in the heroe?s shadow.
They sleep so deep, for all eternity
Though they are gone, by us they are not forgotten
There are memories of laughter and smiling faces.
To keep faith, we remember.

Thanx Stephen

Sometimes you just have to put down your feelings down on paper.

When we visit the monumemt it still has the same effect on us.

Maybe we will meet in the future at Spean Bridge.

Which unit was your father in?

Your verse is also beautifully dignified.....and speaks a truth we should not forget.

regards
John M

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 17/05/2007 16:21:27

John,

My father was in No 4 Commando. We try to get to Spean Bridge every year and have made the journey since his death in 2003. Each time it is more moving and more emotional than before.

This year we can't make it as I lost my job, but my older sister is going and will also complete the Commando Speed March, although not anywhere near the time our fathers did it in! Our target is around 1hr 30 minutes, which is quite respectable.

One day those gathering at the memorial will be just the descendants of the original Commandos the men who, so it is better understood, set the standard for every subsequent special forces unit in the world.

Everyone a volunteer and in my eyes every single one a hero.

Regards

Steve

Silly me I forgot to Log In Before replying!

Aye
John M

John
As a relative newcomer to this site I have only just got round to reading your very moving account of your father. It really struck a chord with my self as my father died when I was seventeen in 1978.
My father (Hugh Maines) was also a member of No1 Commando and I have recently been researching his time with this unit. As a part of this research I was recently contacted by the daughter of another member of No1 (Eddy Fitzgerald) who has loaned me some interesting documents. One of these is a programme celebrating No1 Commandos return to Winchester in 1995. As you probably know Winchester was their last home base before going overseas to Burma. The programme lists all the names of those who were killed in action and theatre of operations in which they fell, it also lists the various decorations awarded and the names of the recipients. The final list is of all the names of comrades who are known to have died since 1946, one of the names listed is Pte Robert Mewett year of death 1978, is this your father?
The programme is very nicely produced and in colour, although my father is not mentioned I have made a good quality copy for myself to include with my research material and wounder if you would like a copy for yourself which I would be more than happy to arrange. Unfortunately I don't yet have a scanner so if you are interested I could post you a copy (obviously at no charge to yourself).
Also I notice in one of your messages that you are in contact with some ex members of No1 and wounder if it would be possible to contact them to see if they can shed any light on my fathers time with this unit.
many thanks
Andy Maines

Hello Andy
I have sent you a PM in response to this post.

Regards
JohnM

Hi John

I posted a brief message on the forum a few weeks ago regarding my visit to Spean Bridge . The message you left regarding your first visit brought my feeling,s flooding back. At 66 you tend to be able to control your emotion,s but I know that any visit I make to the memorial will provoke the same response. Thanks for sharing your memories

Keith Hurst

Hi,

My Grandad was in No 1 Commando. He fought on Hill 170 and most of the Burma landings, being stationed at Akyab sland. I am 29 and my Grandad is still alive.
Your story brought a tear to my eye as the journey you made is one I plan to make one day in the future.
Thankyou.
Also I would just note that my Grandad has recently been awarded £1000 towards a new car as he still likes to drive and visits the grave of his wife of 60 years every morning, which he s finding difficult after a fall and an injured shoulder. He paid roughly £20 after the war to be a lifetime member of the benevolence fund. It is such a refreshing story to heat that that the money has gone to a worthy cause rather than back to the government or the trustees.

Dan

Hello Dan

The journey you plan to make is very worthwhile ............why not join us on Remembrance weekend in November.....an emotional and wonderful experience!!

Regards

John M