Messages posted by: geoffmurray1

Dominique, Nick,

I have Gaston listed as a LCpl and having received the Croix de Geurre. He is listed in the Commando Association Lost Legion List No 2 as serving with No 4 Commando (possibly incorrect as he was clearly 8 Tp of No 10) and living in Melochville, Quebec.

Regards

The CVA offer a paver service for those Army Commandos who have passed away. The pavers are installed below the Army Commando Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas. The format for the text is shown below in the example. Pavers cost £30, which includes paver, engraving and installation. They can be ordered via Fred Davies on 07980754478 or by email: [email protected]

Pte Smudger Smithers
No 8 Commando
1921 - 2009

Once ordered there may be a waiting period of some months prior to paver being installed, however this can be discussed with Fred if necessary.

Regards

Geoff

In our continued efforts to raise funds for the memorial wall there will be a few more small auctions over the coming days/weeks. I have not added any reserve prices however I would ask that bids are made charitably so that we get a fair winning bid. Package and posting will be included in winning bid. Please pass on the message of the auction so that we can get as many people bidding as possible.

Auction 5:

We have an original Commando Tea Towel in as new condition. I would say these are rare however possibly not highly sought after :) They probably first arrived in the 60/70s but I cannot be sure. This would be a great gift or general keepsake.

The Tea Towel will be delivered to the winning bidder on receipt of the winning bid amount to CVA HQ

The auction will run until close on Sun 24 March at 21.00 hrs

Can we start the bid at £8.00

Please bid generously, this really is for a fabulous cause.

Geoff

In our continued efforts to raise funds for the memorial wall there will be a few more small auctions over the coming days/weeks. I have not added any reserve prices however I would ask that bids are made charitably so that we get a fair winning bid. Package and posting will be included in winning bid. Please pass on the message of the auction so that we can get as many people bidding as possible.

Auction 4:

We have an original Commando Battle Honours Plaque in very good condition. These are very rare indeed and highly sought after. I believe that they were made in the 50/60s but cannot be sure. This would be a great gift or general keepsake. If an appropriate bid is not made then the plaque will make it's way to Fort William and be added to the Commando Exhibition at the West Highland Museum.

The plaque will be delivered to the winning bidder on receipt of the winning bid amount to CVA HQ

The auction will run until close on Sun 24 March at 21.00 hrs

Can we start the bid at £30.00

Please bid generously, this really is for a fabulous cause.

Geoff

In our continued efforts to raise funds for the memorial wall there will be a few more small auctions over the coming days/weeks. I have not added any reserve prices however I would ask that bids are made charitably so that we get a fair winning bid. Package and posting will be included in winning bid. Please pass on the message of the auction so that we can get as many people bidding as possible.

Auction 3:

We have an original Commando Association Tie (unworn in original wrapper) and Cravat. These are now very rare and would be a great gift for a father or grandfather or as a general keepsake.

The tie and cravat will be delivered to the winning bidder on receipt of the winning bid amount to CVA HQ

The auction will run until close on Sun 24 March at 21.00 hrs

Can we start the bid at £25.00

Please bid generously, this really is for a fabulous cause.

Geoff

In our continued efforts to raise funds for the memorial wall there will be a few more small auctions over the coming days/weeks. I have not added any reserve prices however I would ask that bids are made charitably so that we get a fair winning bid. Package and posting will be included in winning bid. Please pass on the message of the auction so that we can get as many people bidding as possible.

Auction 2:

We have an original Commando Association Blazer Badge. These are now very rare and would be a great gift for a father or grandfather or as a general keepsake.

The badge will be delivered to the winning bidder on receipt of the winning bid amount to CVA HQ

The auction will run until close on Sun 24 March at 21.00 hrs

Can we start the bid at £10.00

Please bid generously, this really is for a fabulous cause.

Geoff

In our continued efforts to raise funds for the memorial wall there will be a few more small auctions over the coming days/weeks. I have not added any reserve prices however I would ask that bids are made charitably so that we get a fair winning bid. Package and posting will be included in winning bid. Please pass on the message of the auction so that we can get as many people bidding as possible.

Auction 1:

I have another full sized J Nowill & Sons Commemorative FS knife with gold plated handle c 1980's.

It is a 3rd pattern knife and only has a small rust spot on the tip which could be cured easily.

I am also donating the post/packing and delivery charges.

The knife will be delivered to the winning bidder on receipt of the winning bid amount to CVA HQ

The auction will run until close on Sun 24 March at 21.00 hrs

Can we start the bid at £30.00

Please bid generously, this really is for a fabulous cause.

Geoff

In our continued efforts to raise funds for the memorial wall there will be a few more small auctions over the coming days/weeks. Please pass on the message of the auction so that we can get as many people bidding as possible.

I have another full sized J Nowill & Sons Commemorative FS knife with gold plated handle c 1980's.

It is a genuine 3rd pattern knife and only has a small rust spot on the tip which could be cured.

I am also donating the post/packing and delivery charges.

The knife will be delivered to the winning bidder on receipt of the winning bid amount to CVA HQ

The auction will run until close on Sun 24 March at 21.00 hrs

Can we start the bid at £30.00

Please bid generously, this really is for a fabulous cause.

Geoff

Many thanks to John for so kindly donating the knife for auction.

Thank you to all who placed a bid and congratulations to Brian who certainly got a bargain.

We are still actively trying to raise the last few thousand pounds for the renovation of the memorial and addition of the memorial wall.

All assistance or donations very welcomed.

All the very best.

Geoff

An email from a friend of mine who is as mad as a hatter!

All,

Please check out this Veterans leap from the north face of one of the most dangerous mountains in the world, the Eiger. But not before bowing their heads in silence in memory of the fallen. They then fly their wingsuits in an arrowhead wingman formation at speeds over 100 mph.

This expedition was done to raise awareness of the amazing work the Royal British Legion does in aiding our troops and veterans.

Support Our Troops by Sharing this video. Comment on the YouTube page as well to help get the message out. This was carried out by Ex Commando Ord Sqn WO1 Spence Hogg, 59 Commando Sqn Sgt Deane Smith & May Al Macartney RLC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TAC_bepNAg

Be lucky

Spence

It is with much sadness that we inform of the passing of our dear friend and fellow Commando Bill Liddle who died on 24 January 2013 aged 96 years. Bill was CSM of 1 Troop, No 3 Commando; he held his Commando comrades in very high regard and was a great supporter of the CVA.

Our thoughts are with his son John and family.

Rest in peace Bill.

It is with much sadness that we inform of the passing of a fellow Commando and CVA member, Herbert 'Bert' Smart (No 2 Cdo) who died on 7 February 2013.

Rest in peace Bert.

Email from his wife Heather:

Dear Geoff, Bert passed away on the day after his birthday, on the 8th feb. He needed oxygen at night on several occasions, before being taken to emergency on the 6th evening. He came back to the nursing home the next morning after no more could be done for him, because of lung and heart failure
So he didn't suffer for long and died at 10.30am on Friday 8th.[ that time was 11.30 pm in U.K. his birthday]
He was able to see your card and the nurses sang happy birthday and brought a cake.

I hope you will contact me when you come to Aus., it would be good to meet you and family.

A memorial service will be held at 2.30pm. on thursday 14th. Kind regards Heather Smart.

Email from Helen Ball:

hi i hope you can help me or point me in the right direction i have found a silver id braclet inscribed with 1493138 GNR D Webb no 1 commando it looks old and would love to reunite with the family.
hoping to hear from you helen ball cardiff

We have a Gnr D Webb listed on the master nominal. I believe he had a mention in one of the No 1 Cdo Newsletters if anyone has them to hand. I have Helen's telephone number if required.

Regards

Email from Sheila Guppy received 1 Feb 13:

Hi

I have somehow managed to log on to your CVA site and noticed a note from a A Hewlett asking for info. about a Sydney Hewlett.
He was my mothers half brother. His mother also being the mother of my mother. He was born in Barry South Wales ( a couple of miles from Barry Island). His mothers maiden name was Emily Thomas. She was born in Poplar London in 1882 and was married to Charles Hewlett on 22nd Oct 1900 at Emmanual Church Camberwell London. She died on 1st March 1972 in Clacton. He died in new tredegar in the Welsh Valleys in january 1943. One of Sydneys half sisters, my aunt, is still alive and lives here in Rugby. We have always been told that the middle commando in the statue at Spean Bridge is that of Sydney as he taught the commandos in Scotland. One of his daughters lives in holland. I hope it ok for me to email you as I didnt know how to reply to A Hewlett through your site, not very good with a computer. I still have a christmas card sent to my mother from Sydney and he was then living at 4 Woodstreet Kilwinning. Hope this is of some help to the person enquiring. Sheila Guppy

Francis

PM me with your size, I should be able to sort one for you.

Rgds

Geoff