Messages posted by: GUY

Pete,
Thank you for the reply.

I have found only one name from the group that launched from HMS Triumph. Albert Andrews who received the MM and was captured on the raid.

Guy

Please could anyone point in the direction of any book references to the SBS raid on the Palermo and Messina railway on the 29/30 August 1941?
Many thanks in advance
Guy

Attached to 9 Commando for Operation Partridge 29/30 December 1943, raid over the Garigliano river.

Peta,
There is a newspaper clipping in the gallery that confirms your father was 2 Brigade Signals. It looks like it may have come from the Echo?

http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/documents/Newspaper+cuttings/img780.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1

Regards

Guy

Martin,
Harry Johnson born 6/9/1909
Joined the Royal Artillery 9/1/1928 age 19
Transferred to the Pioneer Corps 17/7/44

3 Commando from possibly June 1940 to July 1944

Died last quarter of 1988, Ferryhill Durham

Graham found the obit reference from the newsletter March 1989.

Send me a PM and I will forward the documents I have.

Regards

Guy

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-two/10879667/Lord-Lovat-he-was-a-giant-among-giants-on-D-Day.html

Martin,
He is also in the 4 Troop photograph
http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/3/trp+photos/4+trp/Commando+group+3+pd.jpg.html
Guy

Eileen,
Africa Star medal ribbon.
Regards
Guy

Andy,
The photograph that you have posted shows him wearing a Military Cross not the Military Medal. He must have received a commission at some time in his military service.

There is a E Rushton F Troop 4 Commando in this photograph.
http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/4/troop+photos/f+troop/F+TROOP+4__.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1

His cap badge appears to be a Lancashire Fusiliers.

Regards

Guy

Sally-Anne,
One of my favourite stories relating to your Great Uncle was a non Achnacarry story. This was recounted by Derrick Mills-Roberts in his memoir 'Clash By Night'. Charles Vaughan visited Brigade Headquarters at Venray in Holland (Feb / March 1945) on the proviso that he could accompany a night patrol.

"I assured him that my promise had not been forgotten. I had an idea - we would take him on a raid tonight.

We got hold of an additional canvas boat for myself, Charles Vaughan, Arthur de Jonghe, Donald Hopson and Joe Lawrence. Our distinguished crew of paddlers launched the boat silently behind 6 Commando. I took the steering paddle and we followed the patrol at a discreet distance of about twenty yards. Soon I had occasion to complain of the efforts of two of the paddlers - Charles Vaughan and Arthur de Jonghe were not putting any life into their work at all, they were merely dipping their paddles into the water. When these two gentlemen had been sorted out we glided over and landed on a mud bank where we could get a grandstand view of the target.

The racket soon started and as streams of tracer fire came from the house and over our mud flat a benign smile crossed the Colonel's face. "D'you mean to tell me I'm under fire?" he asked. When told that he was, "Oh, good!" he said. "Oh, bloody good!"

The fire was coming lower. "You'd better get down, Charles," I said, "or you'll get yourself punctured." But he seemed oblivious to all this once he had smelt powder.

The small raid was a success, four prisoners wre taken. Charles then looked at his impeccable service dress which had been ill protected by a duffle coat when he reluctantly settled himself in the mire. However, willing hands set to work, and with the use of hot irons and other impedimenta he left us looking exceedingly smart - neither the Coldstream Guards nor the Buffs could have faulted his appearance"

Regards
Guy

Major Muldoon's medals auctioned last week.

http://www.dnw.co.uk/auction-archive/catalogue-archive/lot.php?department=Medals&lot_id=98353

http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/heritage/scots-sword-wielding-wwii-hero-honoured-by-book-1-3357307

http://www.defence.gov.au/defencenews/stories/2014/feb/0213a.htm

4th Special Service Brigade June 1944

HQ Capt(Rev) G Costello

Caradoc Hughes RN 41 (RM) Commando

Kennen DSC RN 45 and 46 (RM) Commando

Haw 47 (RM) Commando

J Armstrong 48(RM) Commando

I see Pete has already listed Kennen and Armstrong

Regards
Guy

DJR Thomas is listed as serving with No.2, 4 and 6 Commando. Rene de Naurois was a RC chaplain, there would also be a C of E chaplain attached, possibly reponsible for the Brigade.

Cpt(Rev) Lunt is described as Brigade Chaplain responsible for 3 Commando, SRS, and 40(RM) Commando in 1943.

Regards
Guy