Harry, No3 Cdo, from Southport?

I have received an email from an old friend of the CVA, Mrs Lowri Coulten, niece of Gruffydd Meirion Jones, late of No3 Commando.
Lowri continues the research into her uncle - KIA in April 1945 - and is busy translating, from Welsh, the 320+ letters that her Uncle wrote home...

Lowri wrote:...We found a wallet - mouldering in my mother's attic - and this photo was
among the several it contained.
We think it was my uncle's buddy, Harry, who we again think might have come from Southport.

Anyway, I wondered if the sleuths on the CVA might like a crack at getting him recognised...

It would be fantastic if we can put a name to this Commando.

Nick

Did somebody say 'sleuth'? )

Harold Farmer?

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 05/09/2013 11:46:10

Hi Eileen,

Thanks for your quick response - but I'm afraid we have to rule your suggestion out.

Harold Farmer was in the Welch Regiment and the cap badge in the portrait is not that of the Welch Regiment.

I am looking at a number of No3 Cdo casualties with the name Harold/Harry but 'our Harry' may have survived the war unscathed.
Having compiled a couple of Commando Nominal Rolls, I know that the name "Harry" may be a nick-name that has absolutely no connection with his given names!

Keep sleuthing,
Nick

On close scrutiny the cap badge appears to be a Star, surmounted by a Crown and the centre appears to be 'pierced'.

I considered the Devonshires but discounted it as it would be unlikely for a Southport lad to join the Devonshire Regt.

I consulted a friend of mine, an expert on badges, and he thinks it is the cap badge of the RASC (Royal Army Service Corps.) with the George VI cypher.

I think he probably right...

Nick

Just a link to another thread relating to this one...

http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoForum/posts/list/0/4154.page#15444

Nick

Further information has been unearthed and it is now known that Harry's surname was either Baker or Barker

Nick

Nick,
I found a Harold Baker listed on the electoral register for Southport as late as 2005.
Regards
Guy

Hi Guy,
Thanks for that - any idea of your Harold's age?
Wouldn't it be fantastic if it was Lowri's uncle's pal.

Cheers,
Nick

There was a Fusilier H. Barker, RASC and No 3 Commando. His original Regiment was the Lancashire Fusiliers so Southport would make sense. Unfortunately there are no other details at all

That definitely sounds like our man Pete. thanks - every little helps.
I'll let Lowri know.

Nick

Nick, Sorry for the late reply. Good news about putting a name to the face.
Regards
Guy

I've just heard from Lowri who has returned from a 'foray into a mass of paperwork' in Wales where she has finally uncovered the name of the commando in the photo.

Lowri's uncle's commando pal was 1791221 Harry Barber, No3 Cdo & RASC.

Another brilliant result and another commando that will be remembered.

'When shall their glory fade...?

Nick

The service number is Royal Artillery and their attestation record for that service number shows Harry Barber attested into the RA 7 May 1941 (Coastal Defence RA.);29 October 1946 (Field RA). Commando Association newsletter 14 of 1952 mentions a Gunner H. Barber (3 Cdo) ?

Thank you,

Lowri has now confirmed that the photo is of 'Uncle' Harry Barber - who settled in Oldham post WW II...

Nick

Sorry but you have not addressed the Regiment and cap badge anomaly as in my previous post. On reading back through these posts several surnames have been provided. Where has the service number come from that has been attributed to the man in this photo. Presumably Lowri told you.