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01/12/2011 14:40:52
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NIC
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Joined: 10/04/2007 22:56:27
Messages: 3322
Location: Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire
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Thanks to Julie Warren who sent me the link to this interview with my father's Commando Pal, Geoff Hill.
http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80023528
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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03/12/2011 09:47:45
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Julie W
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Joined: 30/03/2011 16:35:24
Messages: 155
Location: Essex
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My pleasure Nick. I hope it leads to more for you.
Julie
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Cousin of Capt. Larry Stephens, No. 5 Commando 1943-1946
His biography is available from all good bookshops from April 2020 https://www.waterstones.com/book/its-all-in-the-mind/julie-warren/9781783528622 |
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03/12/2011 10:54:21
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Stephen Donnison
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Joined: 08/04/2007 10:16:31
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Location: Lincolnshire
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This is excellent Oh I wish my dad was still alive
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SE Donnison |
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03/12/2011 11:27:42
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NIC
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Joined: 10/04/2007 22:56:27
Messages: 3322
Location: Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire
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Stephen,
Stephen Donnison wrote:This is excellent Oh I wish my dad was still alive
Dad died when I was too young for me to ever remember him so, when Julie sent this link I was quite excited to hear that Geoff mentioned my father.
My family had spoken about a friend whom they thought was called Geoff but they couldn't quite remember...
As I listened it was obvious that Geoff mentioned my father quite a lot and knew, and remembered, little details about my family.
I don't mind admitting that I was quite emotional when I heard this recording and was quite choked when he even mentioned me at the end.
I have to say though that Geoff did get a couple of facts wrong -
My mother, Yvonne, was not French. Her father was, but she was born in London.
When my father died she did not marry a German a few months later. She did not re-marry until I was 9 years old (My father died when I was 1 year old) and then it was to an Englishman.
Nick
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 03/12/2011 11:28:16
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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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03/12/2011 12:10:21
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geoffmurray1
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Joined: 10/01/2007 22:08:43
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These clips are a fantastic addition to our website and are just perfect for taking forward the history of the wartime Commandos. Brilliant!
I must mention that Geoff's Sergeant, John Southworth MM was also a member of the CVA before he died aged 89 years in February 2010. His daughter Elaine is a very proud associate member.
Regards
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Geoff Murray
'United We Conquer' |
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03/12/2011 13:18:23
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NIC
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Messages: 3322
Location: Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire
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geoffmurray1 wrote:I must mention that Geoff's Sergeant, John Southworth MM was also a member of the CVA before he died aged 89 years in February 2010. His daughter Elaine is a very proud associate member
I found it very poignant that, for the Fort William Remembrance Parade, I was stood with Julie (who found the clip) on one side of me and Elaine on the other and, with the Golden Eagle soaring high overhead, it was a very special moment.
When Julie sent me the clip and it mentioned my dad and Sgt John Southworth it seemed as if it was meant to happen...
Nick
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 03/12/2011 13:21:48
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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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04/12/2011 21:57:19
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Jack Bakker
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Joined: 02/05/2009 18:48:04
Messages: 151
Location: Roosendaal, The Netherlands
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Very good to put the interviews on the site! I totally agree with Geoff: brilliant! And it has been very wise to put their stories to tape as they are slowely but surely fading away....
I have listened to the interviews and what struck me was that none of the men I listened to bragged about their experiences. The opposite is true: they are all very humble. When I heard the voice of Vic Ralph I was sure that he must have been a very nice man. With some of them (mainly the Londeners; sorry about that!) I thought it was a pity that there weren't any subtitles.... But that is entirely my shortcoming of course!
All were convinced that they did a job that had to be done and that they did it in the best way they could. All along the line of: let's get on with it and get this thing sorted. Harry Winch even said that he didn't like the Army but that it had to be done.
They were also men who had and kept their own mind and their own opinions, no matter how hard the training and operations were. Independant minds; I like that!
All the interviews make clear that they were all very proud of being in the Commandos. They wouldn't have missed it for the world! When I compare all this with my own unit I can truly and happyly say: nothing has changed! It is good to know that their spirit has not faded but has been kept and is being passed on.
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