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05/08/2007 20:30:54
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JSelman
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Joined: 05/08/2007 20:23:30
Messages: 3
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My father took part in a raid on the French coast in, he believes December 1941. He says they left from Southampton and the raid it self did not go well and had to withdraw, not helped he says by the fact they were 'blacked up' and landed in a snow storm! His Bren gunner was mentioned in dispatches for the action.
Any help would be appreciated. Thankyou
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05/08/2007 22:15:17
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NIC
Forum Member
Joined: 10/04/2007 22:56:27
Messages: 3322
Location: Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire
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Hi JSelman,
Do you have any other details? Your father's name , rank, Commando and/or parent unit - in fact any details you can! Even the Bren gunner's name may help someone remember or come up with something that will help.
Good luck,
Nick
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Nick Collins,
Commando Association Historical Archivist & Photographer.
Proud son of Cpl Mick Collins, 5 Troop, No5 Cdo
"Truly we may say of them, when shall their glory fade?"
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06/08/2007 14:25:33
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JSelman
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Joined: 05/08/2007 20:23:30
Messages: 3
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My fathers name is Frank Selman, he ended the war as a Sgt. He was a TA soldier and called up in 1939. He went and trained in Scotland with Lord Lovat. He says he was due to go on a raid in Norway but it was cancelled. Apart from the French coastal raid, i only know he was involved in training as a weapons instructor and spent a lot of time in the South of England at various infantry schools and D Day training at Studland. I hope to be able to talk some more with him soon, he has only just started talking about his time in the war, so much so that my mum thought she had been stood up on their first date, she has just found out it was hard for dad to make it as he was on a beach in France!!..hence the questions to you all..Many thanks
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07/08/2007 11:13:34
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NIC
Forum Member
Joined: 10/04/2007 22:56:27
Messages: 3322
Location: Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire
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Hi JS,
The more you get to know about the Commandos the more you will realise that, as well as their bravery and tenacity, one of the things they all have in common is their quiet, unassuming modesty - they all had a job to do and so they all just got on and did it. No fuss, no bragging.
We are all looking for information (pukka gen) about our own fathers/grandfathers but, and I'm sure I speak for everyone on this site, we would also welcome any of your father's stories...
First hand accounts are extremely valuable pieces of information that go to make up the true, untold story of the Commandos.
Good luck,
Nick
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Nick Collins,
Commando Association Historical Archivist & Photographer.
Proud son of Cpl Mick Collins, 5 Troop, No5 Cdo
"Truly we may say of them, when shall their glory fade?"
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