walter newman cornish

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 12/08/2018 16:15:11

I am trying to find out if there is any record of my fathers time in the commando unit in 1942 approx, I know he was involved in the landings at Salerno Italy, his name is Walter Newman Cornish, born 14th March 1920, and died in 1965, I appreciate that most of the solders then have died, but wondered if any war records exist of his time in this unit, in on of his photo cutting there is a picture and comment about the death of Lieutenant Commander J Milner- Gibson, I think my father may have served under him.

Any information or help where to look would be greatly appreciated.

Regards Trevor Cornish

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 05/08/2018 09:12:35

Hi Trevor,

Welcome to the CVA WEbsite & Forums.
Although you didn't mention which branch of the Armed Forces your father served in, I must presume, because you mentioned Lt Cmdr J Milner-Gibson, RN, DSC., he must have served in the Royal Navy...

We, as an association, don't hold any service records - the ONLY custodian of WWII service records is the MoD - but as a close relation you maqy apply to the MoD for a scan of his records - but more about that later.

My initial thought was to have a quick look for Milner-Gibson and then start working from there...
This gave me a couple of results...

The first was the announcement in the London Gazette, dated 19 July 1940, reporting the award of the DSC - for gallant and skilful leadership in a raid on the enemy coast. [Operation Collar, June 1940]

The second result was a mention that Milner-Gibson was aboard HMS Fidelity (D57) when, on 30 December 1942/ 1 January 1943, she was attacked by enemy submarines, off the Azures.
Further investigation into HMS Fidelity revealed she was a Special Service Vessel and, at the time of the U-Boat attack was carrying Commandos and two landing craft.

274 crew members, 51 Royal Marines and the 43 survivors that had been previously picked up by HMS Fidelity were lost. One of those killed was Lt Cmdr Milner Gibson.
Eight crew from the ship's MTB were rescued along with two other survivors.

However, your father was not listed as having been on board.

The third mention of Milner-Gibson is in the book," Beachhead Commandos" by A Cecil Hampshire. Here he is mentioned as being in charge of a scratch team of 29 officers and ratings on the Admiralty yacht Melisande 1 on the River Hamble. This team dubbed themselves 'the First Naval Commando' which was not wholly inaccurate since they had been told they came under the aegis of the Special Service Brigade.

1 Admiralty Yacht Melisandre was the original HQ of Combined Operations.

So although I haven't found anything about your father, his association with Lt Cmdr Milner-Gibson, DSC, shows that there is a possibility that he was a RN Commando.

Do you have any photos of him in uniform at all?

If you wish to apply to the MoD for a scan of his original service records, I can point you in the right direction. You will need the consent of his next of kin, a copy of his death certificate and the fee is £30 - if you mother is still with us and she signs the consent then the fee is waived.
There are two forms you'll need:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/711147/20180524-request_service_details_NOK_part1_v6.2.pdf

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/711157/request_for_service_details_rnrm_application_part2__1_.pdf

Hope this helps but don't hesitate to contact us if you need any guidance...

Nick

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 05/08/2018 21:34:56

In the book Secret Flotillas, Brooks Richards, the author records

The only common factor in these operations was the provision by Slocum of a specialist navigating and conducting officer in each case Lt. H.W. Goulding DSO, RNR. who knew the channel coast intimately and Lt. Cdr J.W.F. Milner Gibson DSC RNR. Between them carried the responsibility for navigating and conducting clandestine cross-Channel operations by high speed craft for S.I.S., S.O.E. and the Commandos until September 1941.

Just to thank you for all the information you sent me.I,m hoping to get my fathers death certificate (copy) within the next few days, and I will sent it off to the war veterans.
I also have quite a few photos taken during the war, I will look to see if he has any wearing the commando uniform. My father had quite an interesting war career, I believe from the merchant Navy, then Royal Navy were he was torpedoed on the HMS Arethusa , and in between times trained as a commando, I can remember as a youngster playing with dads knuckle duster, until my mother took it away (lol). Anyway I digress, if I find any photo`s can I sent them to you ?

Once again thanks for your help

Regards Trevor Cornish

Hi Trevor,

I think it's best if you scan and post any photos of you father on this thread first - that gives everyone an opportunity to spot clues as to his experiences in the RN...
Any problems with posting photos, please let us know.

May I also suggest that you edit your original post and change the Subject Title to show your father's name - it makes it easier to find again in the future should we need to add information etc...

Nick

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 09/08/2018 19:57:57

re Walter Newman Cornish Born 14 March 1920 died July 1964. Just been looking through my fathers war time photo`s, and there`s one that he took of four of his comrades taken in Somalia dated
12th of July 1943, Did the commandos operate in this region during that date? I also meant to add I also have a photo of troops landing on a sandy cove during WW2 but unfortunately no date or location, would it be of interest to anybody if I posted this photo?

Regards Trevor Cornish ( his son )

Hi Trevor,

Post any photos you have - you never know there may be an eagle-eyed reader who recognises the sandy cove having holidayed there and we can start building on that information.
Experience has certainly taught me that no matter how irrelevant a piece of information may seem to you, it just may be the key to a treasure trove of information...

In my previous post I recommended that you edit your original/first post - I think you may have misunderstood and I see you've edited your latest post instead.

If you go back to the first post you made and click on the 'edit' box in the top right hand corner you will get the page I have attached.
Go to the box adjacent to Subject and edit 'Tracing my father war record' to read "Walter Newman Cornish"

Once you have done that click on the 'Submit' box at the bottom.

Although, as Administrator, I could do this for you, it is important that you do it so you will receive notifications each time someone replies to your post.
Any problems, please let me know...

Nick

By The way I found these two photos in my dads album, one shows a group of commandos ( I think ) in Somalia dated 12th July 1943 , and the other shows a landing taking place who knows were ? as there is no comments made about this photo. I apologise for the quality of the photos, but if any member can shed any light on the history of the photo`s it would be greatly appreciated.

Regards Trevor