Messages posted by: asaegert

Thanks Nick & Pete for your replies. The main issue for me was to not concede the right to determine how the image is used outside this site. In offering my permission for this site to use the photo, I had a pretty good sense that the image would be used and shared in a positive, sensitive and responsible manner - a trust of sorts.

Obviously, illegal use of anything on the internet is difficult, if not impossible to control, but I feel that at least I've asserted my rights to the image 'on the record', so that in the remote chance that the file is exploited, it's easier to specify that permission was not granted.

Thank you both for your support,

Alex Saegert

Hi Pete,

Please do go ahead and add my grandfather's picture to the gallery, but I'd like to retain the copyright to it. And thanks for looking after that spelling correction.

Alex

Hello,

I am the grandson of Lt. Col. John Maclean (Jack) Saegert, RE, DSO. I only recently learned of my grandfather's service with 9 Commando from a personal letter that I found in our family archive, to my grandfather, from (then) Governor General Harold Alexander, Earl of Tunis, relating news of 'your old commando', and making reference to (Ron) Tod and the exploits of 'No. 9' in Europe.

With this information, internet research led me to this site, where I was thrilled to find a reference to see my grandfather's name (albeit misspelled). I requested a correction, but alas, the correction too, is incorrect.

I am interested to learn more about his contribution to the origins of the Commandos. When I asked my grandmother, she recalled that he left Canada for England in April 1940, and had a history of forming up and leading new units in India and Burma in the 1930s.

I am also interested in learning more about his service after leaving 9 Commando: I know that he served with the 10th Indian Division in North Africa. I imagine that he was selected for the task because of his long service in India, and his familiarity with the people and language. From the records that I have, I know that he was serving as Chief Royal Engineer when he was captured some time around 29 - 30 June 1942, the 'last man out' after supervising the demolition of Mersa Matruh.

I'd love to hear any additional information from anyone who may served, or may have known someone who served with him. My father barely remembers him, and while my grandmother has fond, but faded memories of him, she knows little about his actual wartime service.

I'd also appreciate any information that the forum members can provide about books or resources that may help me to learn more about my grandfather, his contributions, and in particular the sort of leader / soldier / engineer he was.

Thank you for your attention,

Alex Saegert