Messages posted by: GUY

"Wounded and half drowned in landing, pulled over by the heavy rucksack, then picked out and pulled over the sand - Mullen the artist, like a broken doll, lay with both legs shattered, at the end of a bloody trail. He was beyond speech but out of pain; a glance showed a hopeless case and death was busy with him. A gifted man, Mullen should have landed later with the reserves, but he would not hear of it. No volunteer in the whole brigade was prouder of his beret."

Lord Lovat 'March Past'

Adam,
A question was asked about Victor in thread.

http://forum.commandoveterans.org/cdoForum/posts/list/6209.page

Good luck with your research
Guy

14210395 Fusilier Walter VICKERS M.M. 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers
Killed in action 23rd October 1944 Age 23

http://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/unknown-british-soldiers-body-found-on-monte-spaduro.57855/

Manchester Evening News Tuesday 12th September 1944

I have been trying to obtain information regarding my fathers involvement during the early stages of WW2 and the Normandy landings.
He is pictured in this photo on the bottom row Freddie Lister, (Fred Lister).
Could anyone give me information on how I could obtain his service number?
Thank you
His son John Lister.

7406358 Lance Corporal Fred Lister Royal Army Medical Corps attached to 46 R.M. Commando
Wounded in action 12.4.1945

Npteggchaser,

3907388 Sgt. Sidney HEWLETT Dorsetshire Regiment & 1 Commando

Sidney originally enlisted in the South Wales Borderers before transferring to the Dorsetshire Regiment. War Office casaulty list entry (WO417/32) lists him as being wounded at home, date not reported (October 1941). 1 Commando war diary may contain details of his wounding, possibly a training accident?
Good luck with your research
Guy

Excellent yes that?s him,next question would be what are the medal bars for above his Brest pocked?
And where could I find his army number?

1939-45 Star
Africa Star
Italy Star
France and Germany Star
Defence Medal
War Medal

41 R.M. Commando were involved in the invasion of Sicily and landings at Salerno, Italy. Looking at the medal ribbons it would suggest that Robert was involved in these campaigns, in addition to Normandy and other operations in N.W.E.

All would be confirmed by obtaining a copy of his service records.

Good luck with your research
Guy

Exhibition at the National Army Museum
https://www.nam.ac.uk/whats-on/art-persuasion-wartime-posters-abram-games

I've found a still of "Tag" Barnes M.M. on the 'Calling Blighty' archive

Arthur Earl died in Tunbridge Wells, Kent in 1994

Jim,
Thank you for the reply.
Your dad is No.28 in this photograph of 3 Troop prior to D-Day

http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/3/trp+photos/3+Troop+3+Cdo+avec+noms+steph.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1

Guy

2049245 Pte. Robert O'BRIEN Royal Engineers, 2 Commando, 11th S.A.S. Battalion and 1st Parachute Battalion
originally enlisted in the Royal Engineers

Wounded in action 3rd February 1943 serving with the 1st Parachute Battalion at Djebel Alliliga
https://www.paradata.org.uk/article/djebel-alliliga

Posted as missing 25th September 1944 serving with the 1st Parachute Regiment, Operation Market Garden
Prisoner of war Stalag 12A Limburg

Pete wrote:Any idea what the 58 on the board might signify ?

58 on a red square is the Arms of Service number used to identify 45 R.M. Commando vehicles.

Josh & Nick,

The brothers :

Albert Robert FENN
29th April 1912 Bethnal Green - 1987 Waltham Forest, Essex

Alfred Harold FENN
27th March 1914 Bethnal Green
In 1939 Alfred was a french polisher residing at 26 Birbank Road, Leyton, Essex

William Adam FENN
5th February 1917 Hackney - 1979 Waltham Forest, Essex

Albert and William were living with their mother Mary Ann Fenn at 10 Wilman Grove, Hackney in 1939.

Royal Artillery enlistment record, this may be for the brother Albert? :

1580048 Gunner Albert Robert FENN Royal Artillery (Searchlight)
enlisted in 1938
Released to Z/T Reserve 25th March 1946

Lost Legion No.4 March 1974

Gunner FENN A.H. 5 Commando Leytonstone London E11

There was a Fenn casualty in Burma in 1944 (not a Commando) :

14548603 Pte. William Robert FENN 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment
1920 Hackney - Killed in action 29.4.1944 Kohima War Cemetery, India
Son of Robert William and Lilian Ann FENN of Bow, London

https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2601382/fenn,-william-robert/

William Robert Fenn was born in Hackney and resided in Bow, I wondered if he could be a cousin?

As Nick has advised, the service records will confirm Royal Artillery, Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment and Commando service.

Good luck with your research

Guy

Josh,
Was your great-uncle born in Bethnal Green in 1914?
Guy

Helena,
Thank you for posting the summary of your grandfather's service record. I see he initially enlisted in the Royal Army Service Corps which explains the six figure service number (154517).
The photograph was taken while Arthur was attached to H.Q. 1st Commando Brigade (attached 15th September 1943 until he was posted to Holding Operational Commando at Wrexham on 18th July 1945)
Prior to D-Day H.Q. 1st Commando Brigade were based in West Sussex in the East Lavington and Petworth area.

I recognise two other Sergeants in the group,

FISHER (2nd row standing, far right)
JOHANNESEN (3rd Row, far right)