Pte R Tyson 4 Cdo

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 31/10/2010 01:30:18

My father was Pte R Tyson 4 Cdo killed in action 10/6/44. He enlisted in K.O.S.B. in June 1940 in Nuneaton, nicknamed Butch (named Bob but he was a butcher by trade). He volunteered for Commandos, joined the 12th, and later moved to 4th, after Dieppe I believe. I have letters from billets in Troon, and on the south coast. I have just paid my £30 to the Army Personnel Centre in Glasgow to try to find out what my father did in the commandos, but it seems like a black hole. My father's service file says that he enlisted in June 1940 and was killed in action in June 1944 - no mention of the commando service. They certainly give value for money! Can anyone tell me if records were kept of Commando Personnel, and if these records have been archived somewhere?
Regards, Ian t

Ian,
Welcome to the CVA Forum.
You must be bitterly disappointed with the information on your father's Service Record - I recently applied for my father's and wasn't expecting much but was delighted to receive pages of photocopies of his records (I have been encouraging loads of people to apply since!).

Presumably you have the CWGC record:

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2344573

That at least records him as a Commando in No4.

It would seem that most of us on here struggle to find many written records/archives kept by the Commandos and some Cmdo Units were worse than others - I guess they joined the Cmdos to fight not write!

Good luck with your research.

Regards,
Nick

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 17/12/2007 09:01:59

Dear Ian, I will endeavour to add your request for info in our next issue of Dispatches. Good luck.

Geoff

Surname: Tyson
Forename: Robert
Unit: 4 Commando
Rank: Private
Number: 3195138
Date Of Death: 10th June 1944
Age: 28
Gravesite: Ranville War Cemetery,France IA.L.11
Additional Information: parent unit 1 Bn King's Own Scottish Borderers
born Bolton,Lancashire
son of John Thomas and Ellen Tyson,Bolton,Lancashire
husband of Alice Tyson,Daubhill,Bolton,Lancashire
died Normandy
Image(s): No images added.

Record Added: 26 Nov 2005
Record Edited: 26 Nov 2005
Views: 20

Hello Ian

May I add further to Nic & Geoffs advice that you view the No 4 Cdo War Diaries at the National Adchives at Kew and the written documentation at the National Army Museum at Chelsea Barracks.

I have viewed both. I was impressed how many names etc were recorded in No 4's when you compare it to others I have looked at. The Army museum stuff particularly had lots of lists of names.

Also I think you should re-contact the APC and ask for his complete record.

Like Nic I have a complete photo copy containing about 10 sheets of my fathers record. I think they have sent you just a summary. I think this depends on the luck of the draw as to who sees to your case.

Keep at them!!

Best of luck
John M

Thanks John,
I needed a prod as I feel as though I am in a whirlpool. The letter from APC says there may be more info in the National Archives at Kew so I sent them an eMail. The tame coffee machine intoned that all service records after 1920 are kept by the APC. Holes and Buckets spring to mind.
Anyway, I have spoken to the Admin Officer, Ms Hand, at the APC - she has agreed to recall the Service Records pertaining to my father in an attempt to get more than the original 4 pages.
I have a 12th Cdo christmas card from my father to my mum - no year of course, Old Comrades Assoc card for the Special Service Brigade dated 19/8/43 - poss generated when dad was transferred to the 4th Cdo, and an A3 copy of the 4th Cdo R.O.H. Surely the KOSB at least should have noticed that he had moved on and not just gone AWOL!
I have two group Cdo photos of unknown vintage (with my dad on) may I forward them to someone for possible inclusion in the Gallery? Someone may recognise themselves and provide a place and a date.
Regards, Ian t

Hi Ian

I've sent you an email with some suggestions...... it's in your PM box.

Regards
John M

Hello IAN

Do you know in which troop was your father ?
I've many photos about 4 cdo so if you could know is troop it will be more easy.
I've seen several times the wreath on your father's grave in Ranville cemetery.
I wrote to the K.O.S.B regt association to have information but nothing from them

stéphane

Hi John and Steph
It seems like ages since my last visit, but I have been researching - mainly around Bexhill, but to no avail. Frustrated by queries about Troop etc. However, a breakthrough in the last few days - I have received letters sent by my father during the war to a younger brother (my uncle who died recently). Fortunately my father put his name and address at the top of each letter -

So I now know where he was, in which troop, and when.
June 41 - 1Bn KOSB Nuneaton
October 42 - Bridport - F troop 12 Cdo
December 42 - Dorchester
July 43 - Troon from a postcard I have.
March 44 - Bexhill - C troop 4th Commando
June 44 - D-Day

I still have no Service Records for his time in the commandos - does anyone know what Ftroop 12 Cdo were doing in Bridport and Dorchester?

One letter with no date sent from - HMS Fox III - the only reference I can find on the web to HMS Fox is an MTB station in Lerwick. Can anyone help me with "HMS Fox III"?

Hello IAN

It's good to know than your father was in C Troop for D.Day.
I've got many photos about C Troop during training in SCOTLAND, and WALES.
I will send it to you when I could, maybe your father is on.
I will give my respect on your father's grave next june. I was there ( Ranville cemetery ) last 8th of may ( VE Day ).
your sincerely

stéphane

Hi IAN

I received your letter ( with photos ) today. Thanks a lot.
I've got several photos about C Troop in training.
I only know one surviving about C Troop was BARNEY DAVIES, but I don't know if he is still alive today.

Stéphane

Hello

Find enclosed : C Troop 4 Cdo

Stéphane