Messages posted by: NIC

Hi Marie,
Your grandfather is on the No.6 nominal roll which I compiled with the help of a handful of friends over the last 12 years...

However, what you need to do is apply to the MoD for a scan of his service records. Do not bother with commercial online genealogy sites such as Forces War Records who despite their misleading and dubious claims do not have access to WWII service Records - the MoD is the only custodian of WWII service records...

You'll need to provide a copy of his Death Certificate (also available from Gov.UK website), EITHER his service number OR his date of birth, and a one off fee of £30 - unless your grandmother is still with us and can sign the the Next of Kin form, in which case the MoD will waive the fee.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/913064/NOK_request_service_details.pdf

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/869588/army_application_part2_final.pdf

Fairly straight forward forms but if you aren't sure of anything just ask - on this thread, by PM, or email...

Nick

Hi Guy,

There are a couple of options - I will PM you.

Nick

Hi Guy,

Thanks for your reply.
One of the FS Knife experts has had a look at your photo of your father's FS Fighting Knife and his first impression was, "Wow, What a beauty"
So I think you've got a special memento there...

I've attached three clippings from the Commando Association's Newsletters, Issue 30, March 1960; Issue 56, March 1973 and, sadly, in Issue 105, September 1997.

Nick

Hi Guy,

Great photos - thanks for sharing.
I am no expert on the subject but your FS Fighting Knife looks very good to me - I may be wrong but just going on that photo it may be a 1st Pattern...
There are a few experts - but they would want to see photos of every mark, stamp, number and engraving and even the pinch marks on the little nut on the top of the handle...

The photo of the dapper Sgt on he phone shows him wearing the Commando formation patch - which, for Commandos, replaced the Combined Ops patch after a request by Major General Sturges to the Chief of Combined Ops in November 1944.
He is also wearing the Commando shoulder titles - which would have been removed when the Commandos were disbanded in 1946.

Just for the record, what was your father's name please? I would like to ensure that it's on my master copy of 4 Troop, No10(IA) Commando' Nominal Roll

I will contact a couple of recognised FS Fighting Knife experts and send them a link to this thread...

Nick

Hi Andrew,

Here's an entry from a file held in the National Archives of all British Army PoWs held in Germany.

18A is the Camp - Wolfsberg
7237 - his PoW number
3603092 - is his service number
18 was the Borders Record Office in Lune Street, Preston

Nick

Hi Andrew,

On completion of Basic Training, all new soldiers start as Privates - although the title may be Trooper, Gunner, Signaller, Sapper, Guardsman, Rifleman or even Kingsman depending on the Corps of Regiment in which they are serving...

It was No.3 Cdo's Commanding Officer, Lt Col Durnford-Slater decision to refer to all his Privates as Trooper, irrespective of which regiment they came from!

No.3 Cdo were certainly heavily involved at Sicily.

I would strongly advise that you apply to the MoD for his service records - The MoD is the only custodian of WWII service records and, for a one off fee of £30, you will get a record from enlistment to demob.
If Norman's widow is still with us and can sign the Next of Kin form, the MoD will waive the £30...

You will need a copy of his Death Certificate ( available online from Gov.UK) and, seeing as you don't have his service number, his Date of Birth

http://forum.commandoveterans.org/cdoForum/posts/list/179.page

Nick

Hi James,
The best way to start your search for information about your great uncles, Tom & John, is to apply to the Ministry of Defence for their respective service records.
This will give you a history of their service from enlistment to demob and is a good foundation stone from which you can build their stories.
The MoD is the only custodian of WWII service records and will remain so for some time yet.
There is a one off payment of £30 for each application - unless their widows are still with us and are able to sign the Next of Kin form, in which case the MoD will waive the fees.

http://forum.commandoveterans.org/cdoForum/posts/list/179.page

Nick

I have been sent this photo by a friend who had grandfathers in both No.5 Cdo and in the RM Cdos (although the grandson wasn't sure which RM Cdo his grandfather was in).
Today he visited Shanklin Chine - where both No.5 and The RM Cdo had their HQ in Upper Chine School, at different periods.
This photo was on the wall in the Shanklin Chine museum and shows 9 Platoon, 'X' Company, RM Commando, July 1942.

It is the same photo as this one in the 40 RM Cdo Album.
http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/40+RM+Cdo/_20160331_154909.JPG.html

Nick

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Please could you add the photo of the gravestone for Dvr Ralph Evans, No.2 Cdo to the appropriate album.
The grave is in the WALTON-ON-THAMES (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD

Nick

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Well I do like the suggestion that it was a piece of tackle used for horses - but my family used to have horses and I can't think how/why it would be used.

But what about a hook for attaching a flag to the halyard - a sort of crude Inglefield hook (pictured) but instead of disconnecting the metal hooks, the swivel 'gate' is opened, the loop on the halyard inserted into one circle and a loop on the flag into the other, gate swiveled shut, raise the flag...

Nick

Hi pocketslint (sorry I don't know your given name)

I would go with the figure 8 belay too - especially now you've pointed out the swivel gate which would allows the rope to be inserted or removed quickly and without the tedious threading the whole length.
That it is made of brass probably is the reason that it looks as if a rope has worn the holes and made them more pear shaped than circular...

I would suggest the the 'v' was a size rather than a unit ID.

May I ask who the No.5 commandos is/was?

Nick

Hi Dave,

You do not need your father's service number to apply for his Service Records - you need EITHER his service number OR his Date of Birth. You will also need a copy of his Death Certificate - available from Gov.UK if you do not have a copy...

http://forum.commandoveterans.org/cdoForum/posts/list/179.page

Nick

Well done.

A very important resource of factual information about The Commandos and their history, coupled with some fantastic photos!

Nick

Hi Benny,
I have definite records of the following in 4 Troop, No.10(IA) Commando:

Private David Lambrecht
Private August. J. Lambrechts (7307)
Cpl (1st Sgt) Marcel Lambrechts

At the moment I have no other information

Nick

Hi Jamie,

Further to previous replies, the Pte Frederick Naylor, listed in No.5 Commando's nominal roll, served in the DLI (Durham Light Infantry) prior to becoming a commando.

Nick