Colonel LEAHY

Hello to all

Did someone has information about Colonel LEAHY. He came few times in Normandy for ceremonies.

I think he was during a time in 4 cdo.

Best regards

stéphane

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 21/09/2013 20:55:22

During 1944. Major A J Leahy, Royal Signals, was D.C.S.O. SS Group (Deputy Chief Signals Officer, Special Service Group) and, according to War Diaries, visited 1 SS Brigade Signals Troop at Le Plein, 16 July 44.

Nick

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 20/09/2013 21:06:46

You are right Nick. I spoke with Ron Youngman and he advised me that this would be John Leahy. His full name being Arthur John Leahy. He was awarded the OBE in 1945 as can be seen by the photo I believe:

Captain (temporary Major) Arthur John Leahy (63550), Royal Corps of Signals, as can be seen in this entry of London Gazettes

Ron says he was in charge of the Special Service Brigade Signals (or Deputy as the entry shows). He had been in action in Holland at one stage and made the journey back there. Ron added he was a really nice guy.

I came across his name when I was transcribing the records of another Commando Signaller - his CO was Major Leahy.
I will look for more details about him.

Nick

Graham Cooper has kindly pointed out to me that I have Capt A J Leahy listed in the No5 Cdo Nominal Roll as OC 3 Troop...

Thanks Graham :D

Nick

Ron advises that he was not with No.5 Cdo very long before going in Oct 1940 as Captain to SS Bde Signals (possibly when it was formed?)

Here is a short obituary written by Henry Brown for the Commando Association Newsletter

Commando Association Newsletter, No 119, Set 2004 wrote:COL. A.J. (JOHN) LEAHY OBE
With very deep regret the passing of Col. John Leahy OBE is recorded.

John, during 1996-98 so excellently served the Association as President. His long service
with the wartime Commandos commenced in 1940 with No.5 Commando, but he was
to become better known to many as the Commanding Officer of the Special Service
Brigade Signal Troop, where there is no doubt he served with great distinction.
After the disbandment of the Army Commandos he served on in the Army in the
higher echelon reaching the rank of full Colonel, later being awarded the OBE.
Throughout his post-war life, John Leahy continued to have a very keen interest in
Association affairs and activities and regularly attended meetings of the General
Committee.
There is no doubt that with his passing, the Association has lost a very great
Commando and staunch supporter of the Association cause. HB.

Nick

Pete wrote:Ron advises that he was not with No.5 Cdo very long before going in Oct 1940 as Captain to SS Bde Signals (possibly when it was formed?)

Graham Cooper has reminded me of a document, dated 5 July 1940, recording the formation of No5 Cdo - from Northern Command - which shows:

Lt A J Leahy, Troop Leader No 3 Troop; unit from 152 OCTU, R Signals Regt, Catterick.

Nick

I believe Mike Beckett knew John Leahy personally, maybe he can add some information...

Nick

Thanks a lot Nick an Pete for these informations, I remember to have a list about the 1st brigade signals troop on D.Day.

Hope to find it.

Thanks again.

stéphane

Hello,

I found the list :

This is 1st commando brigade signal troop with names for D.Day,

captain J ALEXANDER Royal Signals
captain B A BEATIE Royal Signals
Lieut L W BRIDGER Royal Marines

Csm E B MEPHAM
Csm H LARKHAM

Etc...

there is too, list for 23rd march 1945 crossing of Rhine to V.E. Day

regards

stéphane

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 29/09/2013 22:57:34

Hello Nick and all

I apologise for the delay in responding

It was in deed a great pleasure to get to know John during the grand reunion at Fort William during November 2002. My brother and I shared his company having been introduced by Ron Youngman. We acted as John's chauffeur. I had previously liaised with John and continued to do so. He was very generous with his information - I regret not having enquired more about his own career. He was extremely modest, and obviously pivotal in developing Signals aspects across and within Commando units. He was delighted when I said I had found a War Diary entry showing Commando Signals had won an arduous inter-unit cross country challenge, at the time many units were posted in and around the Isle of Arran. He laughed about it and added CO's (like him) had to participate and he had instructed his team to wear gym shoes rather than boots.

From correspondence with John his recollections included the following:

5 Commando - July 1940 to November 1940
3 Commando (raising Special Service Brigade Signal Section) - Nov 1940 to Dec 1940
Semi-independent Special Service Brigade Signals - Dec 1940 to October 1943
Layforce (small section raiding?) - Oct 1943 to January 1944 (I wish I had asked John to clarify this as Layforce was disbanded before this date)
Deputy Chief Signal Officer, Special Service Group - Jan 1944 to Dec 1944

Vaagso 1941
Gravelines Raid 1943
Isle de Yeu reconnaissance August 1944
Walcheren / Westkapelle Nov 1944

Left Commando Service December 1944.

John was a great gentleman, and a true friend who always had time for my enquiries and questions. Sadly missed ...

Mike

PS - I should add that John asked whether my brother and I were related to Captain Peter Beckett - one of his Officers. We are not aware of any direct relationship. The same question was asked by Charlie Hustwick when we met at Cardiff reunions.