Messages posted by: Julie W

Hi Lucy,

I have a brochure from the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Kangaw; an article by Major Mark Bentinck RM entitled 'Kangaw - 31 January 1945' from the Globe & Laurel in 2005; a 3,500-word account written by someone from 44 RM in 1994; and a copy of your grandfather's booklet prepared for the pilgrimage! Are any of these any use to you?

Best regards,

Julie

The diaries are actually much more relevant to his schooldays - items from which I also have and was intending to donate to his old school (if it still exists) or the local archives. The diaries from his war years have very little, if anything, written in them. I'm happy to scan the pages with entries for you if you'd like though?

One other thing I have and was advised not to include is a lock of his hair, taped to a piece of paper on which he's written, "This lock of hair was cut off my head, by me, this 8th day of June, 1935" and signed. If you'd like this, send me a private message with your address.

Julie

Hi Paul (& Pete!)

I was the previous owner of the collection and compiled the information about his life and death for the sheet of A4 paper.

You may be interested to know that I kept Mne Cooke's diaries and am tweeting them here: https://twitter.com/TamsDiary

Best regards,

Julie

Hello and welcome!
There are a couple of photos in the gallery. In case you haven't seen them, there's one here:
http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/1/hill170.jpg.html
and one here:
http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/Hill+170+post+Battle.jpg.html
Julie

Thanks Donno!

The book needs to get to its funding target through pre-sales before it goes into production. It's at 2/3 now so nearly there!

If anyone would like to secure a personalised first edition, you can do so on this link:
https://unbound.com/books/goons/

Thank you Bill

I've only just seen this - I don't know how I missed it!

Thanks for posting, Nick & thanks for adding the link, Mark.

Julie

This article (with photographs) has recently been posted by my local Community Archive
http://www.wickfordhistory.org.uk/page/mr_ken_phillott

My book will be dedicated to all the Commandos who served in WWII but I'd like to include the names of some of the men who fought.
Anyone who pledges (at any level) and has a relation who served during the war can choose to have his name added to the dedication page.
Just send me a private message with his name and Commando Unit and if you've already pre-ordered a copy, please also get in touch and let me know your relation's details.
Thank you
https://www.unbound.com/books/goons

Thanks for such a glowing report, Nick :-) and thanks to those of you who have already pre-ordered a copy.

There will be updates and competitions (with prizes!) for supporters as the project progresses.

At least we both said the same, Pete

Your great uncle is named in the book I mention above as having been killed in action in Kangaw in 1945, so Nick was right.

Julie

Hi Susan,

Is the book you've bought called, "Achnacarry to The Arakan" by Tony Mackenzie? If not, I would thoroughly recommend you try & get hold of a copy as it is a comprehensive record of 44 RM's movements and action during WWII.

Julie

How nice it is to see a photograph of him, Jackie.

Guy: Your latest piece of information has led me onto something else! Mollie L P Hulland (mother's name also Hulland) was born in Kensington in 1928. This suggests to me that Mollie/Mary was adopted by the Edwards.

In the Western Daily Press of 27 December 1947, the engagement is announced between Peter, elder son of Mr & Mrs C.G. Chate of Waadi, Egypt and Mary, only daughter of Mr & Mrs A.G. Edwards of Rylston, Beach Road, Portishead. They married in 1949 but Mary's real name seems to have been Mollie L. P. Edwards (just to make things a bit more complicated!)

Mollie L. P. Chate then married Royston C. Williams in 1961.

And that's as far as I've got so far :)