Messages posted by: NIC

I've just retired after working for Johnson Matthey for almost 20 years!
Live up the A1198 at Godmanchester...

Nick

Hi Sam,

That's very interesting as from 4 Aug 45 to 25 Aug 45, his diary records almost the exact same detail as is recorded in a No.5 Commando 'diary', 'Bognor Regis to Hong Kong'.

Also, the 26 group, you mentioned, is the 'Age and Service Group 26' - a system by which the repatriation for demob was worked out.
[A & S groups 27 & 28 left for UK on 19 Oct, 29 - 31 left on 20th Nov...]

But these are all Army groups and I believed that the RMs had a different system...

I have a copy of a nominal roll for No.5 Cdo which certainly dates after 9 June 1945 - and quite probably after 26 July 1945 - but before 17 November 1945. There are a number of RMs spread around the various troops but there are at least 15 RMs in the HQ Troop...
I say at least 15, because part of the HQ Troop roll is missing.

It could be that your grandfather, Mne Albert Read served, as a signaller, in HQ Troop in No.5 Cdo - but he doesn't appear on my document as he was in A &S Group 26 which left on 25 Aug 45...

Just on the off chance, does he mention any of his friends names in the diary?

I also noticed that he came from Royston, Herts. Do you live there?

Nick

Hi Graham,
Just a few snippets which may help with your research...

Caryll Astley COOPER-KEY - 29 May 1909 - December 1996
commissioned into Yorks & Lancs Regt - 2nd Lt. 30/1/30. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33575/page/652/data.pdf
promoted Lt. 30/1/33.

Inniskilling Fus - Lt. 30/1/33.
promoted Capt. 1/8/38.

Nick

Also, can you confirm his name, I'm not sure whether Willis is a Christian name, or a hyphenated Surname: Willis-Jones...

Ta,

Nick

Hi mekz48,

The reason you cannot find his service record online is simply because it won't be there.
The only custodian of WWII Service Records is the MoD.

Sadly there are a few commercial online genealogy sites, such as Forces War Records etc who misleadingly claim they have 'World War Two genealogy collections list - which includes many completely exclusive collections, painstakingly transcribed from original sources by our team of UK based data transcribers...'

But, realistically, the only information they have is that that you feed them in you initial search...

The good news is that you can apply to the MoD for your grandfather's service records. There is an admin fee of £30 (unless your grandmother is still with us and can sign the Next of Kin form - in which case the MoD waive the fee) and you will need a copy of his death certificate ( available from Gov.UK if you don't have one.)

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/894930/20180524-request_service_details_NOK_part1_v6.2.pdf

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

Nick

Hi Bill,
Well done on attending the British Royal Legion's Commemoration of VJ at the NMA on 15 August. Unfortunately, circumstances dictate that I am not able to attend - as much as I would love to as my father served in No.5 Cdo in India & Burma...

Depending on the 'other clothes' you're proposing to wear, it is far more acceptable for you to wear your father's medals, than his regimental tie.

It is acceptable etiquette for you to wear his medals pinned to the right breast of your jacket/blazer/coat.
This signifies that you are honouring a close relative, whereas wearing regimental tie is interpreted that you were part of that regiment/Corps and, as you weren't, is frowned upon.

Nick

Hi Tim,

There are a few photos of the Dory in the Gallery
http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/SSRF/

Nick

This is very sad news, especially considering the sterling efforts put in by Bill Harvey, Willie Hervo & John Whyte over the last two years when they have been busy photographing & cataloguing all the exhibits and artifacts and building new display cabinets and updating and installing all the lighting.
However, ironically, this closure may be a good thing as it now means a more permanent home for the' Commando Museum' is being sought...
Meanwhile Bill, Willie & John have re-photographed and re-catalogued everything - again, and it has been carefully packed away and is in secure storage for the time being.

Nick

Hi David,

Pte Frank Stone, DLI, served in No.1 Commando - it would be nice if you could upload the photo of the group to this thread so we could try ti ID more members of that group...

Nick

Alexander,
Can I recommend the book, 'One Day In August,' by David O'Keefe.

O'Keefe explores the theory that the whole raid was actually a diversion for the Ultra Secret Raid which was to be carried out by 10 Platoon, (part of 'X' Company, RM Commando).
The plan was for 10 Platoon to land in the docks and look for the four-rotor Enigma...

10 Platoon became the foundation for 30 AU - Ian Fleming's 'Red Indians' - a special intelligence gathering Commando unit...

Nick

Hi,

Sandgate was at Shorncliffe in Kent. The guys in the front row have APTC on their jackets, indicating they are instructing staff at the Army Physical Training Centre.
It's only a guess but it could be that the guys in white vests are being trained as PTIs (Physical Training Instructors) before being attached to:

(a) The CBTC (Commando Basic Training Centre) Achnacarry,
(b) The HOC (Holding Operational Commando) Wrexham.
(c) the various Commando Units. Commando Units had PTIs attached to the Unit but, as a rule, they did not go into operational theatres with the Commando; however, there is certainly one record of a PTI managing to smuggle himself onto a raid...

Nick

Sad news.
Aeternum Requiescant in Pace, Eric...

last two

I have been sent these photos of members of 5 Troop, No.10(IA) Commando in Walcheren by Tor Eric Arntsen, grandson of Norwegian commando, Knut Arntsen, for inclusion in the Gallery.
Please could they be included.
I will ask Tor Eric if he has anymore details.

Nick

The Fife Hotel in Braemar was the home of the CSMWTC (Commando Snow & Mountain Warfare Training Camp)...
The Commanding Officer was Squadron Leader Frank Smythe, RAF, an accomplished mountaineer and the 2nd in command and Chief Instructor was Major John Hunt...
Its role was to train Commandos to fight in high, snow covered, mountain territory.

CSMWTC had been established, in December 1942, following some successful operations carried out by No.12 Commando and the Free Norwegian Commandos in Norway, its aim was to train specialist Commandos to carry out more, sustained, operations in Norway.
The CSMWTC HQ was set up in the Fife Hotel, but, for those attending courses, it was two-man 'Arctic Tents' and 'compo rations' out in the mountains!
Three full Commando Units attended the CSMWTC - Nos. 1,4 & 12 Commandos but, within 6 months, the decision was made that the base should no longer be used to train Commandos but to train The Lovat Scouts, a Terrotorial Army unit, as a Mountain Battalion.
Following this decision, the unit moved from Braemar to Llanrwst in Snowdonia and the word 'Snow' was dropped from its title.

Nick