Barbara Lewis wrote to me -
just re-read your message to me and noted the name L/Cpl F. Thrift amongst the names mentioned in No.2 which jogged a cell of grey matter in my brain and I have just dug out from my box of treasures a Services Diary of my fathers from 1941 as I remembered a name written with some other information on one of the back pages - namely - L/Cpl Thrift F. British Prisoner of War No. 18681. Marlag und Milag Nord, Germany. Are you able to cast any light?
Dear Barbara, Thank you for your message concerning L/Cpl. F. Thrift. This N.C.O. was a member of 3 Troop, No. 2 Cdommando who took part in the St. Nazaire operation March 28, 1942. As you point out, L/Cpl. Thrift was made a prisoner of war at the end of the battle. His part of the action is unknown to me because of the confusion both on land and in the river that so characterized this encounter.
It is probably fair to say that Corporal Thrift landed under the command of Capt. M.C. Burn, M.C., who was also made captive. His tenure as a P.O.W. precluded any further participation in No. 2 Commando's activities in the war, as did Capt. Burn's.
The connection between your Dad and the Corporal would seem to be as comrades in the ranks of No. 3 Troop and possibly friends. Your father would have certainly had no contact with L/Cpl. Thrift after March '42 for the remainder of the war.
Thank you once again for your memories of No. 2 Commando men. Sorry I do not have more information to offer.
Kindest regards,
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 24/02/2009 21:13:17
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