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John,
Your picture clearly shows the War Office sign - the Barbed Arrow or Crow's Foot - so I seriously doubt that it is a Scouting Beret ( and I don't think the beret was introduced into the Boy Scouting Movement until much later anyway).
The only suggestion I can offer is the The War Office gave the contract for the manufacture of British Army Berets to that particular maker in 1940?
With interest,
Nick
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Stephen and Ron,
Thanks for your answers guys but now I'm even more confused - Stephen I've seen the badge you've mounted with your dad's photo and it's as Ron describes but isn't that the ensignia for the V Force and not No 5?
I thought the V Force were units made up from British Officers [actually plantation managers and the like - with local knowledge - rather than Military Officers] and 'local' O/Rs for the purpose of guerilla and intelligence gathering activities etc?
Regards,
Nick
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Does anyone have any idea what No 5 Cmdo used as a badge in their berets?
I have my dad's medals(genuine), a No 5 shoulder flash (smells old), a Combined Ops ensignia (smells new) a 2nd issue F/S dagger and the King's Royal Rifle Corps hat badge but would like a No 5 cap badge to finish off the display...
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No probs
Wow I've just noticed I'm a Lance Jack already - promotion is far faster in here than it was in the RAF :wink:
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Dan,
I like the forum, you have kept it nice and simple which is good.
One of the little niggles that I do have is, if after I've typed my message I then want to convert some of the text into bold etc., the 'code' defaults to the end of my message even though I've highlighted a particular word in the middle of the text message...
Perhaps some general instructions on how to post a thread?
I discovered one member who was not sure how to post a thread - a couple of PMs later that person had cracked it but there are probably others out there with the same predicament and who may be too proud to ask, or they just don't understand phrases like URL or http//, maybe they don't know how to get a jpeg or gif address!
Please provide simple step by step instructions on how to:
Post Threads,
Post Images,
Send PMs,
(Iknow that there are some instructions already in place but please make them simple and readily understood for those who don't know their way around Website Forums.)
Cheers,
Nick
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Geoff,
Thanks for your message.
I hope I'm not treading on anyone's toes by posting links and advice (eg. on posting photos)?
I, of course, realise that you will have a long list of Links to be posted into the menu, but I also appreciate this all takes up valuable time so, in the meantime, I hope no-one will mind if I continue to post appropriate links within Threads?
Naturally, I would only post links to 'official' sites, the 'private' sites I will leave to your discretion...
Kind regards,
Nick
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http://www.burmastar.org.uk/commando.htm
This may be of interest to anyone with connections to Nos 1 & 5 Commandos and 42 & 44 (RM) Commandos
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Helen,
Here's another lead that may be helpful: The 44 CommandoAssociation.
44 Commando (3RM) - Mr H J Phillips OBE QPM DL, Wychwood, 3 Hocombe Wood Road, Chandlers Ford, Hants SO53 5PN (02380 252467 or 07831 553210)
Happy hunting...
Nick
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YVONNE ROTCHELL wrote:I am looking for information about my fathers service in the Commandos at Achnacarry, and any person who has knowledge of him or information which would refer to his service. My father is still alive. I am sure he would be glad to know of anyone who remembers him.
Hi Yvonne,
I bet your dad has a few good stories to tell about the men he helped to turn into Commandos during his time at Achnacarry?
Any anecdotes you can share with us here?
Nick
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Dusty's son wrote: Well ,Nic and Stephen I have one as well , my Mother wanted me to have it after my Dad passed away. They are a treasure .
I am using the beret dagger made from a spoon as mentioned in a previous thread. Two years ago I was in England and visited some of my Dad's family and one of my Aunts gave it to me thinking that that it was more of a direct line through me . Needless to say i was quite pleased an honoured.
BTW... I should mention I am in Canada. Likewise I hope no one minds the avatar
Hi Dusty's son,
That is a nice memento! Do you know if your dad made it himself? You have it pointing down in your avatar, is this because your dad was in No2 (as discussed in another thread) or was it common to all Commandos to wear the dagger inverted in their berets?
NIC
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Stephen Donnison wrote:yes ,what a brilliantly told story The Spean Bridge memorial is truly awesome It never ceases to make me look at it in wonder
My father went throught the war with No5 being at the invasion of Madagascar in 1942 and onto Burma Then he had a tragic accident at work late Dec 1951 dying January 1st 1952 My mother who had 3 kids was carrying me. I was born June 1952 So I never knew him But I grew up knowing he was a hero for being a commando .My mother told me everyone in the family had been annoyed at him joining the green berets from the Lincolns as it was dangerous duties and he had a young family. But my dad was quite gung ho I think. He had the time of his life in No5. he was very proud. He use to go down to London for the re-unions I still have the Commando menu cards One of them is full of signatures including Mountbattens!
I too still have his copy of Saunders' The Green Beret which I treasure.
Incidentally ive sent for a new book called The Forgotten Invasion which is about Madagascar . It will include all about No5 Commando 's vital role in it .Should be good
Stephen,
I'm sorry to hear that you never got to be held in your father's arms - that makes my photo of my Dad and I even more special.
Isn't it a tragedy that our dads (along with countless others) survived the horrors of war only to die in peace time.
My father and mother decided to move from Hounslow, first to Cobham in Surrey, then to a smallholding in Fishguard, Pembrokeshire where they thought it would mean a better life for my two sisters to grow up.
But it was difficult starting off and so my dad had to take a job in the Royal Naval Armaments Depot (RNAD) Trecwn, near Fishguard. Working deep underground it wasn't long before the dreaded TB took over and he ended his life in a TB hospital at Sealyham - some 14 miles away from home.
I still have his last letter to my mother where he says he found it difficult to concentrate but that he'd be better soon...
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Stephen Donnison wrote:Hey Nic
Ive still got my dad's Commando Ass. badge too!
Stephen,
Do you know I was starting to think it was unique - I've never seen any others in my 52 years!
I hope it doesn't offend anyone if I use it as my avatar!
It is meant to be in homage to these great heroes - not to try and make anyone believe that I was a Commando.
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John,
What a wonderful story. I hope you'll share some photos with us too?
Unfortunately, my father died at the age of 31 when I was 13 months old so all I have to remember him by are a few army bits and pieces and a few faded photos.
I do have one particular photo the has great significance for me though - the only photo, in existance, of him and me together.
I remember as a child that one of my greatest 'treasures' was a cutlery box with all his bits and pieces in, together with letters of support and condolence to my mother from The Commando Association...
Unfortunately, over the years and through many house moves most of these 'memories' have been lost.
Another special 'treasure' is the hand-written footnote my father inscribed in the back of his copy of Hilary Saunder's The Green Beret. I will endeavour to copy it and post it on this web site sometime in the future.
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I am greatly encouraged that, since finding, joining and posting a thread on this website, my post [Michael (Mick) Vincent COLLINS] has, within 5 days, had 121 views.
That's fantasic; however, there are only 43 registered members which means there are a lot of 'visitors' to the site.
Come on you lot, it doesn't cost anything to 'join' this website so get yourselves registered - it's very easy, and you may have something worthwhile to say...
NIC
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Bob Bishop wrote:Re Archives searches
The material is most interesting to read, but also frustrating due to the practice of not naming ORs nor giving them the appropriate credit due. I was able, however, to recall certain names and events from what was provided.
Lots of luck in your search.
Bob,
Many thanks for your information, I'm sure it will prove to be most valuable.
I can understand the frustration regarding the details of O/Rs, having not long left the RAF after serving 27 years, I'm afraid that it still rings true today that commisioned officers get most of the credit for a job well done [obviously because of their leadership] and the O/Rs get the blame when things go wrong.
I had a good friend who, as a SNCO Instructor at RAF Cranwell, was told to teach officer cadets NOT to trust their SNCOs as they would just try to show them up! Great grounding for a career in the Forces! Fortunately, most (but not all) officers in the RAF quickly learnt that they relied on their SNCOs to get them through each day...
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