Unidentified photos from the collection of Lance Corporal Emmerson

I'm pretty sure that the CSM centre of the photo

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/main.php?g2_view=dynamicalbum.UpdatesAlbum&g2_itemId=23002

is 5946830 CSM J (Curly) Gimbert, Beds & Herts & No3 Cdo

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/3/No+3+Cdo+Sgt_s_Mess.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1

nick

pictures #6 & #27 are at Maasbracht Gemeentehuis (Town Hall), near Brachterbeek

nick

Hi Nick

I have done updates on all but your last on 6 and 27. The upper windows look different in 27 to the one you formerly identified as the town hall - 6 x panes of glass compared to 4. Can you point out why you are so sure about those 2.

Pete

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 27/01/2012 14:44:29

Hi Pete,

Look at the houses opposite the Gemeentehuis on the photo attached - you will see the larger one still has the gated arch to the left side of the house - see picture # 27 (the shell hole in the gable end has been repaired though).

The building on picture #6 is the house to the far left of photo attached.

Nick

Thanks for clearing that up Nick. I definitely see its one and the same in both. I think it's great that you and Stephane have found these photos to match up with the ones from the actual time of the 1st Special Service (Commando) Brigade advance 1944/5

Without the photos for comparison we'd never be able to positively id the buildings on Ken Emmerson's photos, so it's all part of the research.
The church of St Peter & St Paul at Ostend was a piece of cake - not only did my late father-in- law's family originate from Zeebrugge/Oostende but, when serving in Germany with the RAF, I'd often catch the ferry to the UK from Ostend - then it was just a case of searching through my old photos...

Nick

Danny,

Danny L wrote:Hello Nick,
That is how it is spelt in all of the entries in the War Diary but you are right it is Leese.

There are other places listed in the War Diary. When I get a chance I will do another list of dates and places.

And if we look at the Commandos' Battle Honours Flag. LEESE is there as one of those Battle Homours.

Nick

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 17/04/2012 17:02:39

Looking at the officer in the centre of this photo, I do not think it is Lt Col Tom Trevor.

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/The+Commanders/scan0137.jpg.html

I think it could be the same General that appears on photos #17, 18 & 19 in the Ken Emmerson collection.

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/HQ+and+Sigs/1+SS+Bde/Emmerson+photos/

Nick

Another batch of photos posted in the album. they can be viewed on this link to it ;

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/HQ+and+Sigs/Emmerson+photos/

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 09/02/2012 21:13:55

Photos #76 & #77 show LTVs (Landing Tracked Vehicles) - also known as Buffaloes - crossing a river.
1 Commando Brigades made a number of river crossing on its advance through Holland & Germany.

Photo #65 shows Brig Mills-Roberts and a General (as yet unrecognised) - looking at the expression on all the faces, they have just received bad news; could it have been the news that The Commandos were to be disbanded; or maybe it was the discovery of thousands of dead bodies on the shore at Neustadt; or the dreadful sight of the nearby Concentration Camp.

Nick

The photo #6 is near the Maasbracht Gemeentehuis (Town Hall), near Brachterbeek - see B&W reference photo in previous post (building furthest to the left of photo).

Nick

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 17/04/2012 17:06:58

Pete wrote:there is a picture of 'A' troop 45RM Commando July 1945 on the Combined Ops website. I believe the Captain shown in that troop photo is the man shown 3rd from the left in this photo. (The Captain of 'A' troop 45RM Cdo in January 1945 is referred to in the book By Sea and Land as Captain E.W.D. Coventry attached from the East Lancashire Regt.)

Pete,
Whilst I agree that the RM officer on the Combined Ops photo is the same as seen in the links below (with Arthur de Jonge) and on photos # 21, 22 & 42, I'm not wholly convinced that the RM Officer is Dudley Coventry (E W D Coventry).

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/HQ+and+Sigs/1+SS+Bde/Maj+vicomte+Arthur+de+jonge+and+another.jpg.html

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/HQ+and+Sigs/1+SS+Bde/scan0024+copy.jpg.html

There are a couple of links to photos of Dudley Coventry and, although he was moustachioed, I think the head shape is wrong.

http://www.paradata.org.uk/units/independent-parachute-squadron

Zoom in on the Major on the front row (1956)

http://www.ourstory.com/thread.html?t=533143

Also it seems that on the two photos above Dudley Coventry wears his beret at a different attitude to the RM Officer - as an ex-beret wearer I can tell you that no matter how many berets you get issued with, you shape and wear your beret to a style unique to you...
http://www.specialforcesroh.com/gallery.php?action=view_image&id=2124

You'll see from the above link that Dudley Coventry was a man of action but, sadly, he was murdered at his home in Rhodesia.

Nick

Hi Nick

I would agree with you now I have seen pictures of Major Coventry. Still at least we know this officer was Captain of 'A' troop 45 RM Commando in July 1945

http://www.combinedops.com/45%20Royal%20Marine%20Commando.htm

Ever hopeful of finding more

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 17/04/2012 17:08:54

Nick, would you agree both the Captain and Lieutenant (2 to the right of the Captain as you view it) shown in this photo are also in the A troop 45RM Commando photo:

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/HQ+and+Sigs/1+SS+Bde/Emmerson+photos/scan0022.jpg.html

and

http://www.combinedops.com/45%20Royal%20Marine%20Commando.htm

Pete,

Pete wrote:Nick, would you agree both the Captain and Lieutenant (2 to the right of the Captain as you view it) shown in this photo are also in the A troop 45RM Commando photo:

The Capt - absolutely, but not so sure about the other. However, I think it's a fairly safe assumption that he is the same guy.
It would be good to put a name to them though - especially the Capt as we have so many good photos of him.
I did think it might have been Capt E E Grewcock who was OC A Troop on D-Day, however, Eric Grewcock died
12 June 44.
As the Group photo was said to have been July 45, presumably Dudley Coventry took over A Troop some time after this...

Pete wrote:Ever hopeful of finding more

But we're doing well - very well...

Nick