Messages posted by: GUY

Pete,
I will check A-C.
Guy

Pete, thank you for pointing that out.

I remember reading that TSM Walter Rae MM of 6 Commando landed on D-Day with his Black Watch hackle attached to his beret. He chose to wear it every time he went into action.

Guy

Graham,
I have seen examples of OR's in Troop photographs wearing the green beret with Parachute Regiment cap badge.
Guy

Rick,
The painting is by war artist Richard Eurich. The original is part of IWM's collection.

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/8756

Guy

From the Daily Telegraph today.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/12003649/Colonel-John-Reynolds-obituary.html

Noellie,
I have attached your grandfather's entry in the Royal Artillery attestation book. It confirms his full name and that he enlisted in the Royal Artillery in 1938. It also lists when he left the Army.
Guy

3658119 QUILLIN Douglas Gordon Sgt. South Lancashire Regiment served with 7, 12 and 5 Commando
Born : 22nd March 1916 Stockport, Cheshire
Died : 3Q 1989 Birmingham

3973636 PAWSON Anthony "Tony" Pte. Welch Regiment, 4 Troop, 1 Commando
Born : 1922
Died : 5th January 2008, Oldham Lancashire aged 86

3393053 MALONEY Daniel Pte. East Lancashire Regiment, 6 Troop, 1 Commando
Born : 1912 Chorlton, Manchester
Died : 1990 Manchester

Both Pawson and Maloney are listed as wounded in action at Hill 170 on the 31st January 1945.

It would be interesting to know when the "Blighty" messages were recorded, was it prior to their wounding?

It must have been wonderful for the families to see these messages. Daniel Maloney was the father of four children in 1944.

Guy

LT. JG Lockett citation for his Military Cross (LG 5/8/1943)

http://www.chindits.info/Awards/MCLockett.htm

Guy

Graham,
Major Jeffrey Gordon Lockett was awarded a DSO for actions with the Chindits. (LG 26/4/1945)

http://www.chindits.info/Awards/DSOLockett.htm

Guy

Graham,
I have been interested why three of the four men involved in the training accident are not listed as Commando's. I found some additional information on Haydon's Royal Artillery attestaion paperwork. From the short time he was attached (20 days) I assumed he didn't complete his Commando training.

998913 HAYDON Alan Albert Gnr Royal Artillery (34th Signal Training Regiment).
Transferred to Training Centre (CD) on the 8/11/41
Drowned on the 28/11/41
Special Service cancelled on 31/1/42

He does appear on the 3 Commando nominal roll.

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2457738/HAYDON,%20ALAN%20ALBERT

Of the four men who died in the drowning incident the only man listed as a Commando:

4203290 TURNER Frederick William Morgan Cpl. Gloucestershire Regiment and 12 Commando.

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2457746/TURNER,%20FREDERICK%20WILLIAM%20MORGAN

5509745 McCARTHY Patrick Pte. West Yorkshire Regiment is also buried in Fort William Cemetery.

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2457742/McCARTHY,%20PATRICK%20%28PAT%29

Guy

Some additional information about Eric Hookway Gibson.

Charles Gibson (Eric's grandfather) was born in Musselburgh in 1860. He was a club maker and professional golfer. He moved from Scotland to take up the post of golf professional at the Royal North Devon Golf Club.

In January 1939 Eric was appointed professional assistant to Laurie Ayton jnr at Stoneham Golf Club, Southampton. If Eric had survived the war he too would have had a successful professional golf career.

Eric Hookway Gibson was born in Bideford Devon in 1920. Sadly, he was the only son of William and Susan Gibson of Bideford.
I have found a newspaper article about Sgt Gibson. Pre-war he was a talented athlete and rugby player.

Please send me a message by PM and I will forward you the newspaper article.
Guy

Nick,
Interesting, less than two months. Does it list any training in the area for that period?
Many thanks
Guy

Pete,
Unfortunately no. All I know is that 9 Commando were there in March 1941, their arrival may pre-date this?
I wonder if any one has access to their war diary?
Guy

Noel,
Good luck with the project, I look forward to visiting the memorial. 9 Commando were also billeted in Criccieth in 1941.
Guy