Messages posted by: NIC

:D I 'improved the photo I received and sent a copy to James! Brilliant! And thank you, I will inform Rosalind.

Nick

Hi,
According to an account by S/Lt Hill, 'H' Cdo, in Cecil Hampshire's book The Beachhead Commandos, "...the Cdo marched into their barracks - earlier abandoned by the Army since they flooded in the monsoon and were now distinguished by the ship name of HMS Salsette"

We know that 'H' Cdo was reformed in May '43, trained at Achnacarry & Inverary and was sent out to SEAC in July '43. So, given that Able Seaman Wild passed away on 13/03/43 it's fairly safe to say he wasn't with 'H' Cdo.

https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2191300/wild,-george-edward/

There is an account by Leading Telegraphist, GHL Bowman, on the Combined Operations Website which states

3 July 1942. Khadakwasla Camp. Arrived here, HMS Salsette, (the Royal Navy Combined Operations base), two days ago after hectic drive in army trucks. The place is in the catchment area of a reservoir... Once again I find myself a pioneer and spend the days road-making and making tents habitable. In this connection, it is comforting to know that officers? accommodation is no different from the mens'.

There is a record of No.5 Commando moving to a camp at Lake Khadakwasla on 18 June 45 which they then used as a base until 16 Aug 45

Khadakwasla Camp was some distance from Bombay; however, HMS Salsette is described as 'near' Bombay, I think that may be a relative distance - given the size of India!

Nick

I have been contacted by Rosalind Banfield, the niece of Frederick Llewellyn, KSLI and No.1 Commando.
Fred was KIA on Motor Launch ML306 at St. Nazaire, on 28th March 1942, and is buried at Escoublac La Baule Cemetery, St. Nazaire, France.

Rosalind has kindly given her permission for this photo of Fred to be uploaded into the No.1 Cdo Album in the Gallery.

Nick

Very sad news.
Rest in Eternal Peace Ron.

Nick Collins

Excellent addition information, which all fits in and makes sense. Thanks Alan.

Nick

Martin,
I think it might be worth your while to apply to the MoD for his service records - although you do not have his service number, you say you have his date of birth and, to apply, you need either one or the other!
He died in service so you don't need a Death Certificate...

I will enclose links to the relevant forms - As you are related I will include the Next of Kin form ( as opposed to the General Enquirer) you will see that there is a tick box to indicate your relationship to the deceased. If you tick 'Other' and state that you're 1st cousin (once removed), it is likely that the Records Office will not question it or, if they do, they will just send you the information a General Enquirer would receive - the fee of £30 remains the same anyway!

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/711147/20180524-request_service_details_NOK_part1_v6.2.pdf

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/711157/request_for_service_details_rnrm_application_part2__1_.pdf

Nick

As far as I know there was no 'training' camp on the Isle of Wight - however some Commando and Royal Marine Cdo units were based there for a short periods.

Just because he was from Southampton does not necessarily mean he would have trained close to home - for instance the RM Depot Deal (aka RM Depot Walmer) was in Kent.
It then depended what he was in the RMs - not all RMs were commandos (the first RM Commando was formed in February 1942, whereas the (Army) Commandos were formed in 1940!).

There were Training Establishments all over the UK and a cluster, the RMTG(W) [Royal Marine Training Group 9Wales] were in North Wales...

I emphasis that the photo was post July 1943.
If he was in 28 Battalion, he wasn't a RM Cdo and would have worn the blue beret with scarlet patch...
If he was in 41 RM Cdo he was a commando and therefore, after August '43, would have worn the green beret.

Both 28 RM Bn and 41 RM Cdo were in the right area for him to be buried at Uden War Cemetery.

28 RM Battalion: Formed August 1944. Trained as nucleus for a Beach Group. Changed to Army battalion role. Served on the Maas. Returned UK 6/1945 and took part in Internal security duties. Disbanded 21/1/1946...

41 RM Cdo took part in the battle of the Scheldt in November 1944. It then served on the Maas River for the remainder of the war and then occupation duties in Germany. On 20 January 1946 the commando was disbanded...

Nick

Hi Martin
Here is a link to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) and their record for Lt Albert John Parr, RM

https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2765963/parr,-albert-john/

The photo you attached is certainly that of a Royal Marine Officer - if you look at his right shoulder you can just make out the Lieutenant's pips.
Also his cap badge is clearly in two parts - a globe in a laurel wreath and a lion on a crown - which generally indicates an officer...
If you look closely at the cap badge you can make out that there is a piece of material between the cap badge and the beret - this was a scarlet tombstone shaped patch. This also means that the photo was taken after 8 July 1943 (when the blue beret was introduced to replace the field service caps).
However, the scarlet patch was not worn on the green beret when that was introduced for Royal Marine Commandos in 14 August 43.

Nick

If you look at the description for Lot 137 (page 25) you will see that his medals are listed.

Comprising: 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, France & Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, Territorial Efficiency Medal (GVIR) "6399236 PTE F CASEY R. SUSSEX".

Unlike WWII Medals and Stars, the 'Territorial' Efficiency Medal had the recipient's service number, rank and name impressed on the edge of the medal - you will note that the auction house has noted Fred Casey's number, rank, name & unit as part of the description of his Efficiency Medal.

I think the service number on the hand written certificate is wrong.

Pete,

Please check the service number again you have 6309236, but I believe it should be 6399236.

The regimental numbers for R Sussex were 6390001 - 6446000.

The number you have would put him in East Kent Regiment (The Buffs).

Nick

My apologies - a typo - Fred Casey's number should read 6399236...

He saw action in France with the BEF and was evacuated from France on the 30th May 1940.
Back in the UK he volunteered for The Commandos and on completion of training and was posted to F Troop, No.3 Cdo on 10th July 1940. After further training in February 1941 he was posted to No.8 Commando...

Nick

6399326 Fred Casey, Royal Sussex Regt, was originally in No.3 Cdo but joined No.8 Cdo in Feb '41.

Nick

Pupils of Sir John Nelthorpe School, Brigg attending a Remembrance Service in November 2019 and laying wreaths in the memory of the School's fallen alumni

Thank you Dave for the follow up to this fantastic story.

Nick

Brigg War Memorial

Dave Waite wrote: In November our students (from John's old school) took part in the town Remembrance Parade and laid a wreath in his memory. The first four names on the picture from the town memorial were all students at our school: Peter King was shot down over Berlin, Alan King was killed in February 1945 near the German border and George Longbottom was shot down in North Africa. All four were at school together, with Peter and George leaving in 1938, the same year as John.