It is with much sadness that we advise you of the recent death on the 18th January 2019 of Duncan Archibald MacGilp, a veteran of WW2 who served in the Commando Brigade Signals. Duncan was 93 years old. Our sincere condolences to his daughter Moira and to all his Family and friends. Here is an extract from his life story sent to us by Moira.
As Dad finished his schooling, he was called up and on 4th November 1943 started training with the Royal Signal Corps and to his delight, this meant motorbikes! He transferred on 4th November 1944 to the British Commandos, designed to be highly trained and equipped for carrying out raids in German occupied Europe. Training was at Achnacarry, near Spean Bridge and started with an 8 mile hike from the railway station in full kit. Physical fitness was a prerequisite and achieved by mountain marching, assault courses and river crossings, both by day and night, and the final exercise being a simulated night beach landing using live ammunition, all while living in Nissen huts. Real action took place in Belgium, France, Holland, Italy and eventually Germany. He contracted diphtheria from drinking contaminated water, which he was fortunate to survive, but later wondered if this in fact had saved his life, as many of his compatriots lost their lives in action during this time. Many of the stories were too painful to retell, but highlights were parachute training, the kindness of strangers and the deep friendships and he was immensely proud of his green commando beret. He was demobbed on the 4th November 1947 and returned to Mull and like many others started to rebuild his life.
Duncan was a late joiner of the Commando Association as can be seen in this extract from a Commando Association newsletter issued in March 1973:
Whilst stopping for petrol at Tobermory, on the Isle of Mull, last summer, Jack Quarries tie-pin and car badge caught the eye of the proprietor of the filling station, who turned out to be ex-Sigmn. MacGilp (Bde. Sig. Tp.). Though not an Association member at the time, he has now been well and truly roped in.
Duncan Archibald MacGilp
b. 18th September 1925.
d. 18th January 2019.
Rest in peace Duncan.