Messages posted by: NIC

I'm delighted to say that, following a query I made via Forces Reunited, I have been contacted by the daughter of a veteran of 5Troop, No5 Cdo.

Irene Palmer tells me that CSM Robert (Paddy/Ginger) Wright is living in Belfast where he works in the WWII Museum.

My father's name (Collins) is familiar to him, he remembers Billy Moore and remembers the ambush on 23 March 44 when 5 Troop Commander (Capt Kerr was badly injured.
Bob was dispatched to the nearest troop to get them to 'lay down smoke' so that the casualties could be recovered.

I'm informed that Capt Ray Bolitho replaced Capt Kerr.

Bob Wright also rememberss Capt Heptinstall, Lt Houston, Tommy Hamilton the piper (now deceased) and a commando called Billy from Omagh.

Nick

Just popped in while on holiday;

Warren, try pressing the 'Attach Files' button at the bottom of a new message then,on the next page, press the 'Browse' button and you should be able to trace your file that you're trying to download from your computer's 'C' drive.

Nick

A link to the many museums, cemeteries and memorials in Normandy

http://www.normandie44lamemoire.com/versionanglaise/indexus.html

Minor Commando Ops 1939 - 42

a series of 5 films about Commandos and Paras - well worth watching, some very good original footage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jZhCa9cGKI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4pSpPc9-o8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZwsKIDoDDA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffrO7dvh3LQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APrZlAzNVZk

Nick

Don't know about Gilchrist but, even before Jack confirmed it, I thought that the Lt Col in the picture was Charles Vaughan.

I'd certainly agree that the the person wearing plaid, in the two pictures, is one and the same.

nick

Anne,
Thank you for informing the Commando community of the sad passing of Peter Smith, May he Rest in Peace.

I hope that someone can come up with some info for you - especially as your surname is quite famous within the Commando world!

Nick

Ross,
Good luck with the photos - they may give us a few clues which may help us start you off.
As has been said before, very few of us started with much info but through research and gleaning info from others it is possible to build up a better picture.

I've certainly found it intriguing and very rewarding to find out a little more about my dad and other Commandos.

Nick

the convoy passed ALGIERS on the 26th Nov and the convoy was attacked by German planes at 16.45 & 17.40 hrs. RANCHI (carrying No1Cdo, 42 RM Cdo & 3 SS Brigade HQ) was hit and one man killed. Two German planes shot down to one of ours. Air attack resumed at 18.15 and continued until 18.50. A ship carrying US servicemen was sunk - only 5 survivors.

Nick

Pete,

HMT 'Reina del Pacifico' sailed out of Gournock on 15 Nov 1943 with No5 Cdo & 44RM Cdo arriving at Bombay 19 December 43

Further details are contained in the No5 Diary "From Bognor Regis to Hong Kong" (which I seem to recall you telling me that you have) but I can send you a pdf file if you want.

Nick

Pete Keane wrote:Nick,

On the photo section for 5 Commando, there is a photo for 2 troop - is it correct, would you know? Its just that i'm sure the same photo is elsewhere as 5 troop - or maybe they just look similar!

Pete.

That photo was given to me by Billy Moore, No5 Cdo.
I've seen that same photo in 'The Third Jungle Book' - the 3 Commando Brigade 'magazine', Issue No9, March 1946 and it is labelled as 2 Troop.

As Billy was in 5 Troop I'd guess that it was probably 5 Troop?

I want to restore it and return it and a copy to Billy.

nick

Pete,
Well done at 'finding' John Wall - by coincidence I only added his name to the No5 Cdo List of Names yesterday (thanks to Stephen Donnison)

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoForum/posts/list/762.page

Although my dad was in 5 Troop, I'd be interested in anything relating to No5 Cdo.

Nick

Pete Keane wrote:Do you know which book it is from?

Pete,
no I'm sorry I don't - it's just an extract that I came across whilst doing some research.
However, the website address leads to the USA Command & General Staff College and from there you can go to Combined Arms Research Library (CARL)
http://www-cgsc.army.mil/carl/

Following your query I poked around on here and came up with this:

http://comarms.ipac.dynixasp.com/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=12I1B090A1425.172708&menu=search&aspect=subtab327&npp=25&ipp=20&spp=20&profile=carlcgsc&ri=&term=chindits&index=.GW&aspect=subtab327&term=&index=.SK&x=11&y=14#focus
Which gives lists of books etc and again you can explore further and come up with a whole host of lists , reports and extracts...
Hope it helps - have fun!
Nick

Andy,
Thanks.
I also know what you mean about correcting the errors on your father's cert - Fortunatelyor unfortunately (depending on how I look at it) I don't have that problem as all I'm doing is using yours as a template and putting in the correct info.

As you have the original, maybe you could make one correct one and one duplicate of the original (warts an' all).

Nick

http://www-cgsc.army.mil/carl/download/csipubs/historic/hist_c1_pt1.pdf