Messages posted by: Pete

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

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?

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.

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

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.

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

Here is a list of Barracks and units based there in 1945 in the area you mention:

http://bfg-locations.editboard.com/t431-barracks-in-schleswig-holstein

Note that it mentions May and June 1945 for 1 Commando Brigade:

NEUSTADT (HOLSTEIN)
Headquarters 1 Commando Brigade RM (with 45 and 46 Commando RM under command) were based in the area in May/June 1945 to provide the Guard Force and to carry out other security duties along the Baltic coast

Also note RM Commando not Army Commando is mentioned.

Hope this is of some help

Pete

Michael Hampson has provided this photo amongst several others from the collection of his father - Sgt James Derrick 'Lofty' Hampson 4 troop No.3 Cdo.

I believe 2 of the men are Lt Col. Peter Bartholomew, Somerset Light Infantry and No.3 Commando, who took command of 3 Cdo. and his Adjutant Captain J. E Martin (aka Slinger). Any ideas on the third man to the left of the photo , or corrections to the two named above ?

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/3/commando+0001.jpg.html

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Alex, in the book The Fighting Fourth by James Dunning, the author says this about your Grandfather,

Page 97

"An extraordinary character, Cambridge rowing blue, Olympic oarsman, naturalist, explorer, and family man. He became one of the most popular and respected officers in the Commando, in spite of his unsoldier -like bearing and habits."

Page 143

" It was a sad loss, he was a very popular and respected, fun loving, Commando Officer".

Just those few words say a great deal about the character of your Grandfather. They were written by Jimmy Dunning who was a TSM in 'C' troop, the same troop as your grandfather for a period of time.

The only pictures we have are here:

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/4/nov+43+panoram/Z5-Copy+of+Z2-No_4+Commando+panorama-stage+6.jpg.html

and

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/4/4++Commando+Captains.jpg.html

and this one here which I know you have already seen:

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/4/in+remembrance/Lt_+David+Haig-Thomas++No_4++C+Troop+kia+Normandy.jpg.html

If you contact me by email (address below) there is one other detail that I would like to pass to you

Regards

Pete R.

In Memory of Lieutenant 120492 DAVID HAIG-THOMAS
Royal Army Service Corps and No. 4, Commando
who died on 06 June 1944 age 35
Remembered with honour at BAVENT CHURCHYARD

A link to the Armed Forces Memorial page in memory of Sgt William Stephenson:

http://www.veterans-uk.info/afm2/certificate-hi-res.php?SerialNo=X4613

We will remember them

Hi Jim

In addition to the albums Nick mentioned we have an album that I created last year that is specific to the Americans who served with the Commandos. Albeit there are not many entries in there, what is there is very good. There is an excellent account in a letter home by Leilyn Young of his journey to Ireland from the USA and onto his training in Scotland and subsequent operations. There is also some good information in the album there for Staff Sgt. Eugene Patrick Duffy of the 168th Infantry Regt and 1st US Rangers. Also a photo of some from the 168th. It may be of some interest to you

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/comb+ops/US+Rangers/

Additionally your father is named on this forum message some 2 years ago

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoForum/posts/list/831.page

Regards

Pete R.

The following information has been received from WMR Productions:

As part of the series called 'Narrow Escapes of World War 2' there is an episode called 'Lucky Laycocks escape from Crete'.

Below is the schedule of screening:

Yesterday Channel (available on freeview) 9pm tonight 24th October , repeated at 1pm tomorrow 25th October, and again at 1pm Sunday 30th October 2011

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Just a reminder to all that it was on this day, the 23rd October, 69 years ago, that the 7 men from No.2 Commando named above were executed at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. The aforementioned article on Captain Joe Houghton MC is definitely worth downloading and reading

We will remember them

Hi Stewart

Lt Col. Newman VC of No.2 Commando also came from the Essex Regiment. Out of interest No.3 Independent Company was formed from the 54th East Anglian Divn. which comprised of, amongst others, Battalions from the Essex Regt.

The Independent Companies were formed into Special Service (SS) Battalions. 1st SS Btn. A and B Coys. was formed from Nos. 1,2,3,4,5,8 and 9 Ind. Companies . No.2 Commando was later formed from B Coy. under Lt Col. Newman at Paignton.

If you email me on my email address below I will try and get the hi res version for you

Pete

I have just been sent this photo by Major Jimmy Dunning which includes Sgt Geoffrey Langlands and a few others from a section of No.4 Commando 'C' troop June 1942 Ayrshire. All are named on the photo:

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/4/cdo++jd486.jpg.html