Messages posted by: bowtr

Hiya,

I've been trying to find out more about my Grandad who was a RM Commando signaller, but I seem to have hit a bit of a wall. I had been trying to link him to a particular Commando, but I think as some of these posts suggest that they may have been attached to various units as needs demanded. He was also in Sicily and Northern France, so I'll post the link up here on the off-chance that it may throw some light on my own research.

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoForum/posts/list/1401.page#12748

Regards,

Ian

Thanks Pete,

I'll get that email sent.

regards,

Ian

Dear all,

I am researching my Grandad's time as an RM Commando on another thread.

Nevertheless, I am writing this one so as to keep it seperate and because it may draw people in from their own research and help to pool resources etc. The main reason to ask, is if anyone has any information on the activities of Naval Party 1570?

So far I have found out that it's administrative centre was in HMS Odyssesy in Ilfracombe at the Collingwood Hotel (recently demolished). I know NP1570 was concerned with activities in norther Europe after D-Day and that is about as far as it goes at the moment.

Therefore, any help that anyone can give me with this will be very gratefully recieved.

regards,

Ian

Mark,

Well done on getting the records.

You mention safe-cracking etc. Did you ever see the recent documentry on Dieppe, where it claimed the actual raid was a front for a pinch raid to secure the latest Enigma etc equipment and was the brainchild of 007 writer Ian Fleming? Here's a link which mentions the Canadian researcher behind it...

http://www.globalnews.ca/feature/6442694158/story.html

'During the Second World War, Ian Fleming ? the legendary author of the James Bond spy series novels ? acted as a personal assistant to Britain?s head of naval intelligence, Admiral John Godfrey.

He, along with other naval intelligence specialists, created the No. 30 Commando or the 30 Assault Unit (30AU) ? a team of special commandos that were put into the Dieppe operation under the unit name No. 40 Royal Marine Commando.

According to the newly-discovered files, while Fleming and the 30 AU were looking to hit various German vessels that were in Dieppe?s harbour, their primary target was the German headquarters, located at Hotel Moderne near the main harbour in Dieppe.'

My Grandad who you are aware of, wasn't at Dieppe as far as I am aware, but he knew a lot who were. According to my Dad he befriended a lot of the Canadians who I think he met in Iceland, but I can't be sure. I've got a photo of some of those he met at my parents house.

Anyway, I hope this is of some help.

Regards,

Ian

Thanks Mark,

Ian

That could be a missing link for me. I remember hearing my Grandad visited Africa at some time and even considered emigrating after the war. I just considered it was pre-war.
Any photos would be really good.

Thanks,

Ian

Here you go Mark,

regards,

Ian

mickyg1000 wrote:Pete, John,
Thanks for the replies. Given the information, I would say that he was in Iceland as a Royal Marine rather than a Commando. I will continue my research. :(

Many thanks

Mike

Regards

Pete

My Grandad Bert (Harry) Coote was a Royal Marine in Iceland in 1940 (I think) and also in The Battle of Norway. He later gained Commando status as RM units didn't get this until 1942 I believe? I've added some pictures that he took in Iceland and Norway as well as some other group photos which may be worth a look under this link,

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoForum/posts/list/15/1401.page

Thanks,

Ian

Group Photos. If anyone can help with identifying any of the people or locations in this and the previous two posts i would be extremely grateful,

Regards,

Ian

Battle of Norway

HMS Adventure

HMS Vindictive

HMT Mashobra

Not sure if this one is from Norway or Iceland. It's possibly while on Mashobra.

The occupation of Iceland 1940

My Grandad was with one of the MNBDO groups but his record doesn't state whether it was 1 or 2. His name was Bert Coote but I believe he was known as Harry while in the Marines.

Here's a link to the thread.

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoForum/posts/list/15/1401.page

Regards,

Ian

Thanks Pete,

I'm pretty sure my Grandad was at Antwerp (Walcheren) and my Dad remembers him mentioning him as being at Le Havre.

Is there any chance of this being linked to a particular Commando? 41 seems to be likely if this is the case?

Thanks,

Ian

Dear all,

Can anybody please give me any information on MNBDO or NP1570 so I can help trace my Grand-Father Bert (Harry) Coote? I've posted requests in another area but wondered if anyone could help me with these specific units?

Thanks,

Ian

I've had a look and it says that 41 Commando was in Scicily and I know my Grandad was there. It also says they were in Walcheren so could this tie in with NP1570?

Ian