David Murray Irvine

I am the daughter of Cpl David Irvine who died in June 1976.

I know he was in the 1st Commando Brigade and landed in Normandy on D Day.

I think, but am not sure, that he was in the 6th Commando.

He served in the Commandos from 20 May 1943 until 3rd November 1945 and I have his Commando Service Certificate stating both these dates.

His Service No was 14604374 and he was with the Seaforth Highlanders prior to joining the Commandos.

I know nothing else about his army service and would be very grateful to receive any information you may have.

With thanks,
Nina Tweedle

Hi Nina,
Welcome to the CVA Website & Forums.

I haven't got your father listed in any of the Nominal Rolls we have compiled for the Commando Units. That doesn't mean that he wasn't a commando - indeed you have the evidence to show he was - but during the War there was no definitive nominal roll (that we have been able to find) so the CVA has tried to compile one for each WWII Commando Unit.
This has involved a huge amount of research by a very small group of amateur researchers and we are very proud of our achievements.
The nominal rolls are not definitive, there will be mistakes and omissions but we are more than happy to make amendments and add names to the nominal rolls.

We will add your father to the relevant NR as soon as we can find out which unit he was in...
Unfortunately we are not in possession of his service records - they are held by the MoD - the only custodians of WWII Service Records.
The good news is that you can apply to the MoD for a scan of the original Service Record and this will give all the details of his Army service - including which Commando he was in...

It will cost £30 one off fee, and you'll need a copy of his death certificate and to fill in the attached two forms (click on the links)

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/545060/request_for_service_details_army_application_part2_1_.pdf

The forms are fairly straight forward but please don't hesitate to ask us for help if you need it.
I should add that if your mother is still with us and signs the consent form as Next of Kin then the MoD will waive the £30 fee.

In the mean time, do you have any photos of your dad that you are happy to share with us?
If so post them in this thread and we'll look and see if there is any clue to0 identify which Commando he was in...

Nick

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 30/08/2018 22:55:40

Thanks for your prompt reply Nick.
I'll apply for my father's service record as you suggest.
In the meantime here are a couple of photographs of my father which could be of use.

Many thanks,
Nina

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 30/08/2018 22:52:37

Sorry Nick. My computer skills are not the best. This is the photograph of my father.
Nina

Difficult to make out any shoulder patches but they look like Commandos to me.

Hello Nina,
Your father was a Police Constable serving with 'E' Division of the Metropolitan Police. The Metropolitan Police released a cadre of men who had volunteered for service in the Armed Forces on the 20th May 1943.

Do you remember where your father was billeted prior to D-Day?
Guy

Hi Nina

The images you posted were very low resolution. I have removed the blank white spaces around each to make them a bit clearer, but if you know anyone who can scan them at a higher resolution they would be much clearer.

Pete

Hi Guy,
My father was stationed at Bow Street station prior to the war and at Finchley and Hendon when he returned to the Met Police after the war.
By the way, how did you know that he was in the Met Police?
I had not been aware that he joined the commandos immediately on leaving the police. He said he carried out his commando training in Fort William and Achnacarry but other than that I have no idea where he was posted.
With thanks
Nina

Hi,
Your second photo is also in the 1st SS (Cdo) Brigade gallery.

Thomas Cyril Sharpe (right) & others, 1 SS Brigade Intelligence Section Le Plein July 1944

http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/HQ+and+Sigs/1+SS+Bde/IMG_0033+copy.jpg.html

Regards

Danny

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 31/08/2018 20:45:06

Great spot Danny, we're getting closer to finding out which Commando David Irvine was in...

Nina,

Following on from Danny's post, have a look at the big commando with a pipe and the Seaforth Highlander's cap badge in each of these photos...

http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/HQ+and+Sigs/1+SS+Bde/IMG_0044+copy.jpg.html

http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/HQ+and+Sigs/1+SS+Bde/IMG_0041_2+copy.jpg.html

http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/HQ+and+Sigs/1+SS+Bde/IMG_0027+copy.jpg.html

Nick

Thank you for your detective work Nick and Danny. I'm pretty sure that is my father on all three of those photographs, in fact I find that I've actually got a copy of photo 0044 myself.
I do have a few more photos. Would it be worthwhile putting these on the website to see if they jog any more memories?
Nina

Hi Nina,

Well now you've witnessed, first hand, how useful these group photos can be to identify commandos, you'll understand why photos are such an important part of the Website and a very useful tool for those of us carrying out research...
But, as Pete pointed out, the original set that you posted were very, very low resolution.

Is there any way you can improve them by scanning them to a higher resolution?

Nick

Hi Nick,
I'll have to add one at a time at this higher resolution.
Nina

2nd photo
Nina