Messages posted by: Pete

Hi

What was your grandfather's full name and date and city of birth if known. Being Hungarian my initial thought was that if he had served as a commando in No.10 (Inter-Allied) Commando it would have been in 3 Troop, also known as 'X' Troop. Feel free to provide as much detail as is known about him. Did he settle in the UK after the war or return to Hungary, etc, etc.

Pete

Hi Paul

Does the document you posted cover his entire record of service from enlistment on other pages ? It looks like it may be a Regimental record. I know your father was wounded at St. Nazaire so are there pages that record this wounding amongst a date timeline ? Dates and references of him being taken off strength units, or taken on strength, promotions before his commission etc etc. ? Most full service records would have this detail somewhere. It would be interesting to see the page or any entries specifically relating to the period between March and August 1942 which should be on the full service record.

Pete

Hi Ruth

I have emailed you back after you sent the extracts from the Service Record with an explanation of what is written on the testimonial where it mentions your grandfather as being "Highly recommended for 'the Force' or to any other civilian employer", the Force being the Police Force. I have added an entry referencing your grandfather's service at the Holding Operational Commando. Feel free to email me back with a photo of your grandfather if you wish. Pete

https://www.commandoveterans.org/Alfred_H_Martin_HOC

Hi Ruth

If you email me the documents I will check them out and upload them for you. Just click on the email button at the bottom if this message.

Pete

Thanks for that. I will tell the Commando Association who are jointly responsible for the memorial with the Royal Marines and the Highland Council.

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/365299/s-e-houchen/

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/365250/f-belfield

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/365304/arthur-large/

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/365237/albert-thomas-aldridge/

Gunner Ernest Cassey RMA died on the 3rd April 1918.

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/378950/ernest-cassey/

The inquest on the first four above was reported in several newspapers at the time.

This week marks the 80th anniversary of D Day at Normandy. We remember all the Fallen at Normandy and throughout the whole of World War 2 and in conflicts since, their families, and all who suffered life changing injuries.The Commando Fallen are remembered here: View our Roll of Honour [The Commando Roll of Honour]

Jackie Keefe has edited and published her father's memoirs and some of his poems. This a lovely book to read and is available from Amazon now.

John V. Lowman grew up in 1930's London and served in the Royal Fleet Air Arm, the Army, and the Army Commandos. He began writing poetry in 1946. The book is the memoir of a London lad conscripted in 1943 aged 18 with a mischievous zest for life that led him on to became one of Winston Churchill's Army Commandos. A highly personal account of serving in the forces during World War 2, preceded by his account of his childhood in a lower working class family in the 1930's.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Commando-Poet-Irreverent-Memoir-Memoirs/dp/B0D4825WW3

It is with much sadness that we advise you of the very recent death of Mrs Desiree Leila Margaret Roderick MBE, a staunch supporter of Commandos and their welfare for most of her adult life. Affectionately known as 'Dizzy' to many, Mrs. Roderick was a member of both the Commando Association and the St. Nazaire Society, and her tireless work for the Commandos' Benevolent Fund was rewarded in 2008 with her inclusion in Her Majesty the Queen's M.B.E. honours list. Honorary Secretary of the Fund since 1985 her connections with the Commandos go back to WW2. Her brother Captain Joe Houghton M.C., No.2 Commando, was captured and executed after a raid in Norway and her husband at the time Captain Richard Broome, No.2 Commando, was killed in action at Salerno. Post war Desiree married Lieutenant John Roderick M.C. who had served in No.2 Commando and was wounded and a prisoner of war after the raid at St. Nazaire. In 2021 Mrs. Roderick reached a milestone celebrating her 100th birthday. Her amazing recollection of events of commando significance, her willingness to help others in need, or those like myself seeking her help with research, and her attention to detail to ensure historical accuracy, never wained in all that time. She will be greatly missed and our heartfelt sympathies go to all her family and friends at this sad time.

A Return to Sachsenhausen by Lt. Col. J.M.T.F. Churchill DSO, MC, OC No.2 Commando.

https://www.commandoveterans.org/Return_to_Sachsenahusen

Hi 'Stonebow'

Welcome to the Commando Veterans Archive. Whilst there is as you will no doubt have seen a fair bit of information on your uncle Private Eric Gordon Curtis No.2 Commando https://www.commandoveterans.org/Musketoon I seem to have no information as yet on your Father's service in No.2 Commando. I do not have access to Service Records and so rely on other sources and recognise the nominal rolls are not complete. However you can apply if you have not already done so for a copy of your Father's record on the link below. Ensure you send a copy of his death certificate with your application. In the meantime if you have details or photos of your father from his commando days please do include them in any reply here, or feel free to email me the information via the email button below. I will then be able to update the archive accordingly.

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/mod-open-foi-request-step1

Pete

There is a fair bit of good research with sources in this forum entry elsewhere.

https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=266759

London Gazettes for his DCM: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35465/

National Archives DCM Recommendation: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7358144

Wolgang wrote:Hello Pete, I am looking for the children or grandchildren of Sergeant John Park. Do you know if Chris Morris has more information? Thanks in advance

Sorry Wolfgang he advised that he was unable to find anybody connected.

Pete

Another photo from Chris where he has laid a wreath.

Chris Morris has kindly sent in a photo of Sgt John Park and a wreath he laid at his grave

Hi Harry and thanks for providing the excellent photo and information regarding your grandfather's distinguished military service. I have now updated the archive accordingly and these are the links to those entries. On the first you will see an additional link to his post war service timeline.

A-Z Personnel: https://www.commandoveterans.org/DudleySchofield2Commando

No.2 Cdo. Gallery (page 6): https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/?g2_page=6

Pete