Two Commandos in the family?

This message was edited 5 times. Last update was at 07/09/2013 18:20:30

Hello all,
I've just received some information regarding my paternal Grandfather's wartime service. As I might have mentioned before :wink: my maternal Grandfather served with 46 (RM) Cdo and having read this recent information I'm wondering if my paternal Grandfather served with an RAF Servicing Commando unit. There is very little information but after badgering relatives I have collated the following...

He trained at RAF Cranwell, must be 1940/41 and eventually became a Corporal/Sgt? in Chemical Warfare but if asked what he did the reply in his words would be.. ?lighting flares to mark runways.. and peeing on them to put them out!?.

By the end of the war he'd seen some of Italy having gone in through Salerno, Austria, Yugoslavia, and the South of France following the landings there. His Primary function apparently was with a team establishing forward operating bases for the RAF...searching out ground, buildings and supplies locally. I remember photos of Partisan mass graves, hangings, trains stood on end and and major havoc reaped by the Germans but he was most annoyed because having found a German Riding School staffed by Russian Prisoners they wouldn?t let him bring me his favourite pony home.

My father describes a vague memory of "being woken up in the early hours and there being some bloke there with sweets (very rare beast ?cos of rationing) and a large flat leather football with a perished inner bladder".....he was three and the strange bloke was his Dad coming home after demob in 1945.

I have his original medals group consisting of (LtoR) 39-45 STAR, ITALY STAR, F&G STAR, DEFENCE MEDAL, 39-45 MEDAL.

To me it sounds plausible, but then I am biased! The next step will be to sort out his service records. In the meantime any feedback will be greatly appreciated.

Steve. :-)