Messages posted by: Pete

Amongst the photos I have been posting was this one of 5 troop in Bitetto 1944. I sent it off to Eric Buckmaster who was in 5 troop ( I did give him a day to get over his 90th birthday celebrations ! ) and as a result many of the names are now placed on there. Once again my thanks to Eric who also added a few memories :

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/5+trp+bitetto+1944+copy.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1

Pte Boyd was known as Micky. For some reason that I can?t now remember we were in Glasgow, and he introduced me to his Family, including his Grandma. She was actually in Bed, but they made us welcome and made quite a fuss of us.

Dave King was quite Tall, at least 6? 4?. He had a rather serious and Gentlemanly manner. Sadly he was killed in action. He and Paddy Cleary in the Picture came from the same Artillery Unit. Paddy Cleary did not have a strong accent, but seemed like Dave King slightly up market. But he was only about half his height. They were close friends but the difference between them was that whilst Dave king was of a Sober disposition. Paddy Cleary was Happy go Lucky, possibly Mischievous, and especially when he had had a few, usually got them into some sort of Scrape. Dave King was often threatening to have nothing more to do with him, but it did not last long. One good example was that on an occasion when they were at the Bari Rest Camp, they went to the Opera House to see the Current Quite serious presentation. Half way through Paddy Cleary decided that they were not doing it properly. Or that he wanted to join in. You can imagine the amusement of some of the No 2 Lads when he turned up on Stage and started Directing, a little bit Pickled.

There were 2 Welshmen in 5 Troop, one was Taffy Davies (who used to sing Mr Booze). A small man, the other I understood to be Ray Davis physically well set up as in the Photo. He was the one KIA.

By the time of St Nazaire, Ken Mac had become a Sergeant, and afterwards moved into the role of 5 Troop Sergeant Major. He was always the very firm Father Figure of the Troop.

I have just received notification from the CWGC that they have amended the error on their database regarding the spelling of his surname as mentioned above. It is now spelt correctly:

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2836156

Steve, that is indeed a great photo of your son, and he has every right to be proud of his Great Grandfather, and your Grandfather,
C/Sgt. Bob 'Beau' Ghest of 46 RM Commando

For the information of others, more photos of C/Sgt. Ghest, and many others of 46 RM Commando, sent in to us previously by Steve George, can be seen on this link to their gallery:

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/46/

Hi Neil

This link to a previous forum message explains the 'x lists'

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoForum/posts/list/990.page

On the abbreviations list with his record you will note that S.O.S is Struck off Strength . Scan the relevant parts and post them on here. Someone will know the answers hopefully

Pete

I know some of you have been at Alrewas over the weekend and by the look of Nick's photos it was another great event. During that period I have added several photos of Commandos from No.2 Cdo. most pre St Nazaire and from 5 troop found in my cousin's family albums. These will no longer show in the Latest Updates section of the gallery. I still have more to post but should you wish to view them here is a link to the No.2 Commando main album and also the specific 5 troop album. I have also been able to add several names to unidentified Commandos in the pictures we already had. The new or updated photos will have that shown under the thumbnail of each picture:

The main No.2 album:

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/

5 troop album:

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/

Jill has sent me this photo of one of the insignia that she has found that belonged to her Grandfather. Anyone any ideas about it?

Pete R

Happy 90th Eric. Thanks for all your help over the last 3 years in identifying individuals within No.2 Commando photos. Also for sharing your memories with myself and others who sought information from you about our relatives.
Have a great birthday.

Pete

Ps.. This is Eric just a couple of months back pictured with Dougie Roderick and just a few of their fans:

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/events/events/durrant/13.JPG.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1

Hi Edward

A new picture of Sgt. Neslon Smallbone has just been added to the No.2 Commando gallery

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/IMG_6973_001.jpg.html

Pete R.

Linda has just message me to say she has spotted George in a 3 troop photo

"3 Troop No 2 Cdo ? 3rd row from the front, 6th from the left" and in 2 others.

This tallies with a faint '3' that was on the list I have next to his name. As a result I will move his photo into the 3 trp album. Here is a link to that album:

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/3+troop/

It is with much sadness that we inform you of the death on Wednesday 22nd June 2011 of Major William Seymour of 52 ME Commando, and 'D' Bttn. Layforce. I have no other details at present.

Rest in peace William

This message seems to have slipped the net , or my memory, or both, having been posted when we were having some difficulties with the gallery. Since then I have been able to confirm that Private George Sansom was definitely in No.2 Commando from at least 1943, possibly before, and I have his service number shown, albeit on an unofficial list, as 5888422.

Pete R.

I have recently discovered that my uncle Ken McAllister, not only knew Tom well, but was also great friends with him and all those named within this forum message and thanks to my cousin Stephen McAllister, Ken's son, we now have some excellent photos of the group together. We also have one of Ken and Josie McCormack (Tom's sister) taken in July 1942 after the raid. In this photo the two on the left are not known but I suspect may also be family. Here is a gallery link to just one of them shown below in happier times before the raid in which Tom lost his life. All will be placed in the 5 troop album of No.2 Commando gallery.

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/sid+tom+ken+and+bill+on+leave+1941.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1

additionally we have established the identities of the 2 men either side of Ken in this photo we already had - Gerry Wilson on the left, and Tom McCormack (with the pipe) on the right:

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/img005.jpg.html

Here is a link to the 5 troop album of No.2:

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/

So Mark your first message on here on behalf of your mother is now fully answered and you can show her these pictures.

Pete R.

David has sent me an email with further details. I will respond direct regarding service records etc. and post any relevant information here as and when. Here is the CWGC certificate for David Campbell:

In Memory of 7885941 Corporal David Campbell
48th, Royal Tank Regiment, R.A.C.
who died age 29 on 15 May 1944
Son of David and Isobella Mair Campbell; husband of Theresa Campbell, of Troon, Ayrshire.
Remembered with honour DELY IBRAHIM WAR CEMETERY

I am pleased to say that Jill has identified her grandfather in several of the SSRF photos which I have updated . Here is a link to one of them:

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/SSRF/Further+training+with+Grapnells+_amp_+Dory.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1

She has also sent me some pictures and information which will be placed in the SSRF album in due course.

In the meantime here is a picture of Commander Harold Wilkinson Goulding DSO RNR with his son outside Buckingham Palace courtesy of Jill Goulding

Eric Buckmaster has added this to what he has already said about Paddy Donovan :

Although my recollections of Paddy Donovan were brief, they did, I believe, encapsulate the character of he man. He was a good Comrade, always good company, it was his very Irishness that was so endearing. He had a tremendous sense of humour, and could always see the funny side of situations, which he showed with a broad smile. Both he and Paddy Deighan, could have stepped out of a Rudyard Kipling novel. As with the other characters that we had in 5 Troop, we were Blessed with the Mixture that really was the ? United Kingdom at it's Best.?

Simon has asked me to pass on his thanks to Eric for sharing his memories and this I have done

Pete R.