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I have been sent the following citation for Kenneth Harold Chapman MM by Mike Griffiths whose father was Trooper Arthur Griffiths, 3 Commando. I had put Mike in touch with Stan Scott and he likewise put Mike in touch with John Carney who was his dad?s troop sergeant. Mike adds the following " John Carney remembers Dad fondly as one of his Vickers gunners and recalled the landing on Sicily. My understanding is that my dad lost his knee-cap at Termoli in the German counter attack and his military records confirm him wounded by tank shell on 5th October 1943 after which he was invalided home via North Africa."
Mike additionally adds this in relation to Tpr. Chapman " I ?think? this citation could relate to my dad. He was blown up and came-to with his leg up his back so somehow he was brought back to medical attention. I have it in mind that once dad said that the chap who got him out got a medal. It?s circumstantial unless there is more information somewhere."
So if anyone has any information that might help confirm whether or not there is a definite link please post the details here
Citation for the award of the Military Medal
Chapman, KH, 5958297, Pte, Bed&Herts, No.3 Commando.MM (Immediate)
During the operations at Termoli between 3rd and 6th October 1943 in the second attack on D+2 a trooper of his Unit was badly wounded in the leg. Pte Chapman in the next weapon pit immediately went to his assistance although he was exposed to a fierce enfilade of a MMG. He applied a torniquet which involved kneeling in the open for a considerable time. He then reported the casualty and went to find a stretcher. Owing to the disorganisation he was unable to do this, but he returned with two medical orderlies. The wounded man was then carried back on a blanket, Chapman assisted. All this coming and going was done under intense machine gun and shell fire and Chapman showed disregard of danger in the highest tradition of the Commando. (LG.27.01.44)
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I have just posted a new album for the above named Commando. Les and my father were good friends, my father being best man at les's wedding to Molly. Les was wounded and taken prisoner during Operation Chariot - St Nazaire. One of the photos we have is well known and taken by the Germans on his capture.
http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/les+whelan/
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Hi John
Thanks for posting that link. I was up at Fort William myself along with many others from the CVA so missed the BBC programme. I have also phoned the Alexandria Hotel and asked them to bring it to the attention of Janet and Bob's family, and the others who stay on for a bit longer before making their long journeys home. They have a computer in one of the seated areas near the dining area
Pete R.
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Hi Liz
Thanks for the photos. They have been added to the gallery for Commando Gatherings pre CVA:
http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Gatherings+pre+CVA/FW/
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I have also now posted the main report on the Destruction of the German Battery at Dieppe from the copy Jack Bakker provided:
http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/documents/dieppe/
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Hi Paul
Thanks for this document which I have now included in our Letters, Documents ,Reports, Maps, and Certificates Gallery, alongside the copy we have for Salerno:
http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/documents/
Pete R.
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Hi
X Lists are explained here by Geoff Murray
http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoForum/posts/list/990.page
The X-11 list(W) - wounded
The service record column with the X215/44 is headed on my father's record as "No. of Part 11/Order or other authority" although this is Army records and yours will be Navy if RM Commando
SW may be Sustained Wound
I edit the CVA galleries so if you have any photos of your Grandfather please email me (address below)
Regards
Pete
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Bill Harvey has sent me some photos, with more to follow, so I have added a new album for the 2011 services/events:
http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/events/Holland/2011/
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Now this is spooky - no other word to describe it. I am meeting Jack Bakker tomorrow who is over from Holland and he is bringing me a copy of this document issued to 10IA Commando. In fact I have been in touch with the Information Policy Advisor at the National Archives in preparation so as we can put it on our site. So all is prepared and there it is already for all to see.
Its been a 'spooky' period. Just this week I was contacted by the granddaughter of a Commando whose picture she had seen on our site seeking more information about her grandfather. Only the week before I had been sent some photos by someone else which included a POW photo taken in Germany and guess who was in one of those photos. Yes, it was her Grandfather. They have yet to see that but will soon
The final spooky thing is that, unbeknown to their family, my Father was her Grandfather's best man at his wedding.
Maybe its the time of year.
All will be uploaded to the galleries in due course unless ----------------
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A reminder that it is the 67th anniversary of Operation Infatuate this week. I know Bill Harvey is over there remembering his Dad
http://www.commandoveterans.org/WilliamHarvey4Commando
and all those who were killed during this and other operations
http://www.commandoveterans.org/OperationInfatuate
We will remember them
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Forgive me if I have missed something here but why are you just concentrating on him being possibly with 6 Army Commando when 45RM and 46 RM Commando were both there in the same place at the same time with them as part of 1 Commando Brigade along with 3 Army Commando. Have you already eliminated him from being attached to them?
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Additionally in Stan Scott's book he mentions the barracks was a " Marine Barracks". Stan was an Army Commando . Maybe you should ask him as he was there.
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Perhaps not if the Brigade had split and the Army Commandos returned to the UK in preparation for the invasion of Japan leaving the RM Commandos there. Worth checking
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Also Stan Scott of 3 Commando mentions the Arcona in his book and a concentration camp in the area. I believe 3 Commando returned fairly quickly to the UK afterwards arriving at Tilbury.
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1 Commando Brigade was basically Nos.3 and 6 Army Commandos and 45 and 46 RM Commandos. Their last action before the end of the war in Europe was at Lauenburg and the crossing of the River Elbe
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