True Stories Of The Commandos

picked up a battered ol paperback called True Stories Of The Commandos by Robin Hunter circa 2000 Most of us will be familair with the content which is mainly the Army Commandos But there are some good stuff and alot about my dad's No5 in Madagascar and Burma plus the original training pre Achnacarry

In the book Fred Musson No5 Commando recalls how he did his training at Loch Fyne and Lochailort. Is there anything there worth visiting now ? he also says No5 were issued with Balmoral bonnets to wear (thats what my dad is wearing!) and the cross dagger patches for the arm
Other names from No5 include Geoff Riley,Matt Bold , Denis Crowden ,Frank Atter, Fred Palmer, Freddie Hoyle John Wall, ,Titch Shoreman , Sam HartleyAnyone know of them now?
Two officers from no5 mentioned Lt Noble and Chips Heron i know of

Stephen,
Nice one, I've seen a few of those names but will add any that I haven't already got to the No5 List.

Keep them coming

Nick

Stephen,
I will be adding six of those names to the No5 List of names (already got the others)
Nick

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 01/05/2009 19:54:51

Hi Steve, Des Crowden was 2 Tp and later became RSM of 5 Cdo. He is a member of the CVA and lives in Surrey. Sam Hartley was RQMS of 5 Cdo and John Wall was in 2 Tp TQs and was a former member of the 3 Counties Branch of the CA. Lt Ralph W Noble won the MC as did Maj JG 'Chips' Heron who was OC of 3 Tp (also served with 6 Cdo).

Regards

Geoff

thanks for that Geoff.. some good stirring kick arse stories in the book from these men .. im in awe of 'em
I know Chips Heron came to see our family A lovely man our mam told me . hes inthe book taking on the french in Madagascar ,storming the guns and winning a MC in Burma whacking the nips there

Stephen Donnison wrote:In the book Fred Musson No5 Commando recalls how he did his training at Loch Fyne and Lochailort. Is there anything there worth visiting now ? he also says No5 were issued with Balmoral bonnets to wear (thats what my dad is wearing!) and the cross dagger patches for the arm
Other names from No5 include Geoff Riley,Matt Bold , Denis Crowden ,Frank Atter, Fred Palmer, Freddie Hoyle John Wall, ,Titch Shoreman , Sam HartleyAnyone know of them now?
Two officers from no5 mentioned Lt Noble and Chips Heron i know of

I realise this thread is very ancient and came across it by accident.

I can fill in some info. on Frank Atter. After the war Frank resided in Wolverton (Bucks) where he worked in the railway works. He was solid working class and served as town councillor (Labour) for very many years and when the area was swallowed by Milton Keynes, he did a term as Mayor of the "city". He was that relative rarity: a trustworthy person in local politics who was respected by everyone on each side of the political divide and he always treated towns folk problems with equal effort: if anyone reported an issue, typically he'd walk around in his own time to see and discuss it.

Frank was always exceptionally calm and exuded authority without resorting to fear. As kids, we had no idea of his war heroics which I guess shaped his character. He married and had 2 sons (1 of whom was my closest friend). Sadly Frank passed away too soon into retirement: 1991 at the age of 68 or 69 I think. For me, he was quintessentially English from an age we have largely lost: someone who got serious stuff done without fuss or ego.

Hi,

Thank you for the background story of Frank Atter - it's fantastic to know he was an honest, trustworthy and respected man.
You say you were a close friend of Frank's son - I don't suppose you're able to post a photo of Frank on here?

Nick

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 24/06/2022 14:54:42

Clearly very well respected. There's a street locally named after him - Frank Atter Croft, Wolverton.

https://www.commandoveterans.org/FrankAtter_5Commando