Corporal Brian Mullen

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 09/09/2008 09:21:40

At the invite of Mr. John Mewett, I am looking for any information concerned with the story below.

I am researching my late father's wartime history at HMS Armadillo
for training as a Royal Navy Commando (Reference his Service record
and Torpedo History Sheet.) and his ship, HMS Prins Albert, a Landing
Ship, Infantry (Small) and have just started a webpage http://rickles23.webs.com/.
A photograph was sent to me with the explaination that it was bought
on board the HMS Prins Albert. It showed a sketch of the landing craft
and is entitled "H.M.S. Prins Albert's L.C.I's by the late Corporal
Brian Mullen".
Just a few days ago another photograph of a sketch arrived this one
was of HMS Prinses Beatrix and the same name, Corporal Brian Mullen
but underneath was 4 Commando.

Hello

My name is Bill Harvey and my Dad was in A troop of No4 Commando.

From the list of those who served on the Dieppe raid I found a L/CPL. B J Mullen R.E. 2075499.

I also remember seeing a picture of the Dieppe riad sketched by one of No 4 but I cannot remember his name.

Welcome aboard Rick,
That's an excellent website you have there - it's about time a little more was known about the RN Commandos.

I do like your Raven avatar.

Nick

Thank you for your kind comments.
I 'Googled' Corporal Brian Mullen and came up with the CVA No. 4 Commando Remembrance list.
My next stop is to check the Commonwealth Graves Commision site.
Regards

Rick

Best wishes with you search.

Bill Harvey

Rick Smallman wrote:Thank you for your kind comments.
I 'Googled' Corporal Brian Mullen and came up with the CVA No. 4 Commando Remembrance list.
My next stop is to check the Commonwealth Graves Commision site.
Regards

Rick,
This may also be of use to you

http://www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1003-Intro.htm

Nick

Update..
I was adding some photos to myFlickr website and thought why not so I typed in Lance Corporal B.J. Mullen's name and it came up with:

"Explaining the bravery of Lance Corporal B.J. Mullen"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/portmanspad/2578544088/in/set-72157605606576213/?addedcomment=1#comment72157607215905197

is the page in question. If you read the plaque it states 'talented artist'.
So I left a comment and hope that the people contact me back.

Regards

Hi Bill Harvey,
You mentioned a drawing done by a 4 Commando at Dieppe.
Is this the one?
Regards

Rick

I have not seen that one but it looks as if it is the same artist as the one I saw.

I will check my Commando books to see if there is a picture there.

Thanks.

Bill

Rick

I have found the sketches as follows:-
In Maj. James Dunning's book "The Fighting Fourth" shows two sketches - LCAs approaching Orange Beach One and withdrawal from Orange Beach Dieppe.
In Will Fowler's book "The Commandos At Dieppe - The withdrawal sketch and the rescue of the airman.
In Donald Gilchrist's book "Don't Cry for Me" a sketch going through an enemy minefield on the night of 18-19 August 1942 by Brian Mullen, Intelligence Section, No4 Commando.

Hope this is helpfull.

Bill Harvey

Rick

I was looking at Donald Gilchrist's book. There is a mention of Brian Mullen of how he had disigned a 100 foot rope to be dropped from planes to be used as a ready made cliff-climbing ladder. The book records "Mullen drew sketches and plans to illustrate the gadget". It was never used because of lack of ships, aircraft and men.

Bill Harvey

Rick

Extract from the Fighting Fourth recounting Doc Patterson - "The first wounded man of No4 that Patterson saw was little Cpl Mullen, the popular intelligence corporal, unit inventor and "unofficial war artist". The little man had a very brave heart - he was submerged up to the chin. Patterson and one of the orderlies cut away Mullen's rucksack and dragged him to the water's edge. Then Patterson felt a smack across his bottom as if someone had hit him with a big stick, fortunatly it hit nothing important. Less fortunate was Mullen; he died there and then, he was beyond help".

Bill Harvey

Hi Bill,
You have been busy!

I was sent another copy of some scetches by BJ Mullen and one of them is the one attached.

It's attributed to BJ Mullen as I cannot make out the signature but what I can make out I am sure it is he.

Hi,

I have just been sent another picture drawn by BJ Mullen.

Regards

Yes that is the one I have seen too.

Bill