George Alfred Hanstock No 2 Commando

G'day, im after any info you can give me on my Grandad, he told me some amazing stories when i was young and i was and still am very proud of him, id like the info to forward to my kids and Grandkids, regards Chris

Hi Chris

I have a note of a Pte. G. Hanstock serving in No 2 Commando. Can you confirm any family connection to to Mexborough in Yorkshire and do you have a photo of your Grandfather?

Regards

Pete

G'day Pete,
Thanks for your prompt reply, thats right my Grandad did live in Mexborough, he moved his family to Australia in 1970 and occasionally visited UK, I'm working away at the moment but i have this one pic of my Grandad with two other soldiers, i"m heading home (Perth) tonight so i can have a look through his history, hope you like the pic, regards Chris

My Grandad is in the centre, sorry i don't know other soldiers, regards Chris Peachey

So very interesting and great photo!

I'd be interested in hearing those stories as my dad was in No.4 but volunteered to fight with No.2 at Salerno and Sicily. It's amazing how even one snippet of information can help others in their research.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 29/06/2017 11:28:42

Hi Chris

The Commando on the right as you look at the photo is Doug Webster who ended the war as a Sergeant. He served in 4 troop and 1 troop of No 2 Commando.

We have a good panorama image of 2 Commando in 1945 which if clicked on enlarges to be able to identify people easily. Not everyone from 2 Commando is in there, but worth looking at to see if you can spot your grandfather. Also look through the album maked 4 troop but bear in mind they were moved sometimes to other troops. Here is the link to the panorama

http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/2+cdo+panorama/2__Commando+panorama.jpg.html

I will post your photo into our gallery in due course.

Coincidentally Chris, noting your last name, also in No 2 Commando 4 troop, was a Sgt Frederick Peachey who was awarded two gallantry medals in the war !

http://www.commandoveterans.org/Peachey2Commando

Thank you for posting the photo Chris, I can confirm that Janet is correct in saying that my dad is the soldier on the right as you look at the photo, sadly i cannot elaborate anymore than that as i have never seen this picture before.

jim

Now that you have confirmed that Chris, on the note I have it shows his rank as Private and that his army service number was 5781568, which was in the batch of numbers allocated to the Royal Norfolk Regiment. This will be handy if you ever decide to apply for a copy of his army service record.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 30/06/2017 22:23:06

Chris,
The photograph of your grandfather looks like it was taken in Alameda Botanic Gardens, Gibraltar. The camp was below the gardens, the car park for the cable car now occupies the site.
Guy

G'day Everyone, thankyou so much for the info so far, its been great, ive looked through my Grandads paperwork photos and newspaper clippings and will put them on as soon as possible, when i apply for his service record will it show everything that happened to him during all his service or just length of service etc? Regards Chris

This pic is glued inside the Old Comrades Association of The Army Commandos

This picture sits proudly in the lounge.

Marvellous!

I've just seen the date on the newsletter - that's the day after my 9th birthday ... about the time dad went up to Fort William for the November service. He'd previously been on the Lost Legions list but had been to Flushing a few times.

Please have a look and see if he's mentioned anywhere, or if you have photos from any Fort William/Spean Bridge events. Dad's name was George Francis Harris - I'd love to find information from that weekend. Not sure of the year but that would be close.

Images now in the 2 Commando gallery currently on page 5. Here is a direct link to that page:

http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/?g2_page=5