Lance Corporal John 'Ken' Emmerson who was serving in 1 Commando Brigade HQ at the time was instrumental in setting up this uniquely named venue of light refreshment and entertainment. Ken took hundreds of photos during the war copies of which were provided by his son some years back for this archive. View more about the Cafe here:
Thanks Guy for posting this and best wishes to Roy. He is well looked after at the Royal Hospital Chelsea and deservedly so. The Commando association recently held their annual event at the RHC. Here is a photo of Roy at that event https://twitter.com/RobbieMacNiven/status/1650158418458443777
We have a section on the RM Engineer Commandos here which I hope you have found https://www.commandoveterans.org/RMEngineerCommando. I am always looking to add to the archive when commando service is established so it's good that you have your Grandfather's service record now. Should you wish to do so, can you scan the relevant sections of the record and either include it here in a reply (max file size 1mb) or email me it via the email button below and I will add some information in the archive about him from the record. That way the record itself will not be posted. I can also include a photo of your Grandfather if you send one. Can you include your Grandfather's dates and places of birth and death where known.
To be honest I can't remember but I have done so now. I have included a possible baptism record for him but you will have to check it out to see if it is.
It is with great sadness that we read today of the death of Roy Maxwell aged 101, a veteran of No.4 Commando. The CWGC posted this announcement about his passing and a video of him visiting the graves of some of his fellow commandos in Normandy. Our sincere condolences to all his family and friends.
We are very sad to learn that World War veteran Roy Maxwell has passed away aged 101. Heartfelt condolences from everyone at the CWGC to his family and friends. In 2019 Roy made an emotional visit to the grave of his friend Lieutenant Colley in France. View the video https://youtu.be/fW6TV5hGc18
Have you tried this website which has a tremendous amount of information and is managed by the son of a RN Beach Commando. They also have a Facebook History Group.
I have recently added the name of another commando to our Roll of Honour for Operation Chariot which took place 81 years ago this month. He had previously been recorded as seriously wounded during the raid. We did know he died in the UK 10 months later but not the cause or circumstances. On receipt of his death certificate I can now confirm he died by enemy action as a result of the gunshot wounds to his head and leg. This is clearly marked on his death certificate.
Not all the courses that took place there were Commando courses. We have a list of Courses at Achnacarry which shows there were numerous non commando units attending Courses. Additionally the Courses all have very different time lengths. The Home Guard had two Courses at Achnacarry. Elements of the 24th Guards Brigade attended four different Courses between May and October 1942 each course varying between 9 days and 15 days in length. This was likely in preparation for operations in North Africa.
Thanks for the photos which have now been, or are in the process of being, added to archive. I have also attached a clip of the write up about the gathering at Arran in Commando Association newsletter 84.
Not sure if this was the Tice you mentioned, but here was a Commander Cecil Montague Tice in the RN Reserve. He was brought back from retirement during WW2 along with many other retired naval officers. Is the detail about your Father from his Service Record that you have obtained ?
Pete