Doug Chant, 2 Trp., No2 Cdo

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 01/08/2009 14:18:22

Mr. Lee Watts has today made a request for any information concerning the service of his Grandfather, Doug Chant, who served with our unit from April 1941 until disbandment at the end of hostilities. From my memory and what records I have, I can record that Doug was recruited by Charlie Newman and was posted to 2 Troop where he remained for all his service with us.

Doug was one of 20 selected from the 60 man 2 Troop roster to participate in the St. Nazaire raid. In that operation he was part of an assault group headed by T.S.M. Hewitt. Following his survivor's leave he returned to Ayr and assisted in instruction and training of the replacements that came down from Achnacarry. Doug was a Bren gun specialist.

In the tenure of Doug's service in Ayr he was a valued and very effective member of our boxing team, and he managed to get himself married in December '42. His married life was to be brief as No. 2 Commando left the U.K. shortly thereafter and did not see the U.K. again until late 1945, so there was no home leave for anyone for three years.

During his time overseas the operations Doug would have been involved in included Sicily, Salerno, Yugoslavia, Albania, Greece and Northern Italy. Very few of his contemporaries were there from his early 1941 days when it was all over.

It is an honour for me to record the service of this Commando soldier and to count myself as one of his comrades. His remembrance by his Grandson is very much appreciated.

Bob Bishop