Messages posted by: Pete

Just thought I'd post a quote from an email from Eric. I had asked him about Fred and Ernie Mather

"With regard to the Mathers, when I joined the unit they had transferred to the ?Heavy Weapons Troop ?, and Ernie, Fred, and another lad Andy Andrews, were a very Humorous 3? Mortar Team.
They had to carry Barrels, Tripods & Baseplates plus the 3?Mortar Bombs, that they had to fire, on and off Boats and into Battle. We always thought we were loaded, but the gear they had to tote about was much heavier. The Vickers Machine Guns and 3 ? Mortars were usually the only Heavy Weapon Support that we had. "

and as an added extra heres a bit from the history of a little manor that used to be known as Warfleet Creek which gives a mention of when the Commandos took over the old brewery:
"Warfleet House became a "Wrennery". The derelict Brewery was taken over by the Commandos as their headquarters, from which they set out for exercises in secret on Gallants Bower. The story goes that they once found a case of bottles of Bartlett's best Pale Ale hidden in the building, and no doubt had quite a party. All the area beyond Warfleet Bridge was out of bounds to the general public without a special pass. "

Extract found on the web from Henry Brown gives your answer :
NO 1 COMMANDO

In November 1940 soldiers of the No 1 Special Service Battalion
commanded by Lt. Col. W Glendinning, moved to this area of Devon. The Battalion H.Q occupied Derwent Lodge, South Town, and the Quartermasters stores was based in Warfleet Brewery. All ranks were paid a special subsistence allowance to enable them to be billeted on local families, and detachments of the battalion were housed at Dittisham, Kingswear and Stoke Fleming. Intensive training was conducted during the winter months of 1940 during which time it was obvious that the formation was too cumbersome for its amphibious role. Therefore, on 5th March 1941, the large battalion was divided into two, the Battalion HQ and ?A? Company forming No 1 Commando with part of the HQ Staff and ?B? Company forming No 1 Commando with part of the HQ Staff and ?B? Company stationed at nearby Paignton become No 2 Commando.

The men of No 1 Commando, volunteers for special service from almost every Regiment and Corps of the British Army, remained in the Dartmouth area until late May 1941, when the Commando moved to Irvine and Kilwinning on the West coast of Ayrshire.

--------------------------------

During 1941 and the early part of 1942 No 1 Commando took part in two small scale raids on the enemy occupied coast of France, whilst on the 8th November 1942 landed at Algiers, moving on within days to take part in heavy fighting in Northern Tunisia until April 1943 when they returned to England. In May 1943 the Commando was stationed in Winchester where intensive training took place, and the Commando was brought up to strength with new volunteers, and a large contingent of Commando comrades from the disbanded No 12 Commando.

In November 1943 the Commando again left the United Kingdom, this time for service in the Far East, but their troopship being bombed in the Mediterranean, caused a stay in Egypt during December of that year, finally reaching India in January 1944. The Commando engaged in an extensive programme of Jungle training, and later that year went into action in the Arakan region of Burma. January 1945 saw the Commando landing unopposed at Akyab and within days carried out opposed landings at Myebon and Kangaw where the Commando greatly distinguished itself in severe actions against large Japanese forces.

In August 1945 the Commando left India for further action in Penang but, due to the ending of hostilities, was re-routed to Hong Kong to carry out important garrison duties until the Commando was finally disbanded there at the end of 1946.

Many members of No 1 Commando received Gallantry Awards, and it was in fact the only Commando unit in the 2nd World War to gain two VC?s.

They performed whatsoever their King commanded.

Given by ? H Brown Esq., M B E

of the Commando Association

February 1991

Sent to me today by Steve Stewart. I am sure Steve won't mind my copying his private message to me on the forum. I think it just goes to show how important the CVA is.

From: steve stewart
To: Pete
Date: 12/02/2009 20:32:35
Subject: John Stewart
I am writing on behalf of my dad Thomas James Stewart (Jim) the photo posted on the forum is his brother John Alexander Stewart 2931169 of the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders and No2 Commando killed in action 13th September 1943. I visited the Casino War Memorial last year sadly my dad is not well enough to travel to Italy.

Thanks for remembering John, the photo will be treasured.

Stephen Stewart

In memory of Lance Corporal John Alexander Stewart
No.2 Commando 5 Troop

I have found a few very good pictures that had been posted in forum messages but somehow didnt make it to the gallery so I have posted them with the relevant owners details

I think Nick is right in that this may have been part of a scheme called the Kings Roll...rather than "Role" . Here is a quote:

The King's National Roll Scheme (KNRS) was an employment programme implemented for disabled ex-servicemen of the First World War. It was practical, innovative and ahead of its time. However, whilst it has been subject to examination in recent disability history studies, it has generally been ignored in both Great War and disability historiography. Indeed, very little secondary material exists on the scheme, despite a plethora of material surrounding postwar reconstruction itself. This article is intended to provide a critical history of the KNRS. Its central argument is that the KNRS was the most important piece of legislation enacted for disabled ex-servicemen in interwar Britain. Not only did it achieve significant short-term goals but it also invoked wider debate regarding the employment of disabled veterans and the responsibility of the state, paving the way for future reforms. This article will examine the implications of the KNRS for both disabled ex-servicemen and the wider disabled community.

Hi Ian , may I firstly offer my condolences to you on your fathers death. I can only imagine how proud you must have felt to wear his Commando tie at his funeral today. You mention St Nazaire, Salerno and Vis and these were actions that my late father was involved in also. I do hope that someone remembers your father James, or has some information for you on here. Whatever the case, and when you feel ready, you may wish to browse the photo galleries on here. There is a particularly large gallery of No.2 Commando who took part in all the actions you mention. If you have the information about which Commando he was in and the troop number you should post it here as that may jog memories.

Don't know if there are any in Stan Scott's book of his memories of No.3.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/FIGHTING-COMMANDOS-Recollections-Scott-Commando/dp/1844157741

Perhaps someone can assist here. I couldn't see any decent quality pictures on the web either other than the few in the CVA gallery for No.3.

This is a small dvd of the pictures i have posted of my father Joe Rogers and my Uncle Ken MacAlister of No.2 Commando 5 Troop and some others. I made it on my home computer for Ken's wife Sylvia who I am hoping may come to Fort William this year. I would highly recommend others to try it with their pictures ...its not that difficult. The quality is much better on the DVD itself but this will give you an idea of what can be done even by an absolute beginner. Click on the " watch in high quality " button
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ8NPfridLs

perhaps we could add a dvd section to the forum

2 further links re this unit. I posted this previously but can now put it here in the revamped specific forum

http://www.rt66.com/~korteng/SmallArms/41RMCpub.htm

http://www.memorials.inportsmouth.co.uk/rm-museum/41_commando.htm

Thanks for the posts Trevor...great to see my late Uncle - TSM Ken McAllister in one . Thats an impressive photo. I'll send a copy to his wife Sylvia. I'll also place your photos in the appropriate gallery here on the forum

The above Commando was killed in action during the raid on St Nazaire. I am trying to trace anyone who may have any knowledge of relatives, locations, contact details, etc. I am aware of his personal commando history, and have seen the previous posts on the CVA forum, its just relatives that i am seeking out.

The forage/field service cap as your great uncle is seen wearing I think was discontinued in December 1943 probably because of the issue of berets. I found this link which shows Royal Marines wearing forage caps. The quality of the picture is very poor but the storyline is a powerful one and should be read.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/57/a3723257.shtml

I have reproduced the picture below. Just seen Nicks reply above...

in addition for a better picture look at this combined ops link. Top left pic which can be enlarged - forage/field service caps....scroll down for a ww2 pic of a marine in dress uniform
http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.combinedops.com/NOTICE%2520BOARDS/jpg_group_williamson.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.combinedops.com/notice%2520board%2520veterans.htm&usg=__XDV_8XQ-tdY9o4W-oaMrY5hQb6M=&h=503&w=1140&sz=71&hl=en&start=14&um=1&tbnid=KIQA-o3rtHkQ7M:&tbnh=66&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dww2%2Broyal%2Bmarines%2Bshoulder%2Bboards%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4HPEA_en-GBGB310GB310

Geoff, the first of the 2 pics I sent to you has been identified by Eric Buckmaster. The second is still outstanding.
The following picture shows:
Roy Payne (known as Jack)- 5 troop No.2, seated,
Anthony ( known as Toc) Wright - 2 Brigade Signals
Stanley Buckmaster (the taller of the two standing)- 5 troop No.2.
It was sent to me by Toc's son. My thanks to John, Toc, and to Eric in establishing units and names and locations to the photo.
Eric kindly shares with us a little about this photo:
" About the time that we returned to the Italian Mainland from Vis, the Front line had moved far enough up the Italian Peninsular to allow Troops based in the Rear to have some time for Local Leave. They had set up two Rest Camps and leave was granted for periods of 1 / 2 weeks according Unit commitments. The Photo of the three of them was taken on an occasion when they had been given Rest Camp Leave in the ? Bari ? area, and wandered into a Local Photographers, having well tasted the fruit of the Vine. Hence the Facial Expressions. "

Not quite sure why I can't get the photo to show in forum. Have posted it in the gallery for No.2

This link relates to 3 troop (or X troop) of 10IA : It has a good deal of information and names of those who served :

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/ww2/sugar13.html