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Wolgang wrote:Hello Pete, I am looking for the children or grandchildren of Sergeant John Park. Do you know if Chris Morris has more information? Thanks in advance
Sorry Wolfgang he advised that he was unable to find anybody connected.
Pete
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Another photo from Chris where he has laid a wreath.
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Chris Morris has kindly sent in a photo of Sgt John Park and a wreath he laid at his grave
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Hi Harry and thanks for providing the excellent photo and information regarding your grandfather's distinguished military service. I have now updated the archive accordingly and these are the links to those entries. On the first you will see an additional link to his post war service timeline.
A-Z Personnel: https://www.commandoveterans.org/DudleySchofield2Commando
No.2 Cdo. Gallery (page 6): https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/?g2_page=6
Pete
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Bill Harvey shares the following details about the funeral:
Message from Johns son Martin:
We are finalising plans and running order for the service. In keeping with Dad?s life and his attitude this will be a celebration. Any members who wish to wear uniform will be welcomed fully and those who would prefer to be less formal are encouraged to wear bright colours. Dad will be buried in his swing band gear - Hawaiian shirt and jean, with his CVA and Scots Guards ties by his side.
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Geoff Murray advises us of the sad news of the death of John Whyte on 13 April 2024.
It is with much sadness that we inform of the passing of a dear friend and avid supporter of the Commando fraternity, John Whyte. John passed away peacefully at his home in Glenfinnan on Saturday 13 April, surrounded by his family.
Over many decades, John provided much sterling support, particularly in the provision of music, to the Commando Association during our annual visits to Fort William each November. You may have seen John at many CA events, particularly 'on the hill' at Spean Bridge for our annual service, where he lead the Lochaber community wind and pipe band, and also during our annual visits to the Lochaber High School for their music festival. He also gave sterling support to the CA committee in many other ways, always in the background, utilising his contacts and knowledge of the Lochaber area to make the organising of local events and the actual Remembrance weekends a success. His friendship and support was always immensely appreciated and we always managed to enjoy a 'wee dram' as a reward at the end of the day. John was an absolute gentleman and typified the words within the Commando Prayer - 'to give and not to count the cost'. He will always be remembered with much love and respect and will be sorely missed by both the Commando and Lochaber community. Rest in peace John.
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In response to your query about unit designations it was a time of restructuring of the newly formed Special Service units. This might explain a bit more.
https://www.commandoveterans.org/IndependentCompanies
Pete
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Hi Harry
I placed the two entries that refer to your grandfather into this archive some years back now so for the benefit of others here are links to each:
https://www.commandoveterans.org/DudleySchofield2Commando
and
https://www.commandoveterans.org/Malta_Force_X_Detachment
The term Force X was as found in a book 'Special Service of a Hazardous Nature' compiled by Dennis Reeves of the Liverpool Scottish Regimental Museum Trust. There is a bio for Captain Larry Taylor who led the group of 60 and had begun his military service in the Liverpool Scots before volunteering for and joining No.4 Independent Company. Looking at it Force X seems to refer just to the original group of 60 from the then Special Service Bn's during that short period of restructuring of the Special Service Brigade, the overall convoy operation for Malta being Operation Excess with the Naval Convoy as Force H. The book can be found here: https://www.liverpoolscottish.org.uk/index.php?page=shop.
I would like to add more about your grandfather to the above entry and include a photo if you care to send one? Also to include his dates and places of birth and death. I see your grandfather later served in Korea.
Pete
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Just as a point of interest the oldest No.4 Commando to die in the war was Private John Stoddart aged 41.
https://www.commandoveterans.org/JohnStoddart4Commando
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Yes that is what we have but for sure others may have called him Pops as has been said
https://www.commandoveterans.org/HenryDonkin4Commando
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Thanks Matt, you can contact Jeff direct regarding the books. His email is on the post above.
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Remembering all the Fallen and all who suffered life changing injuries 82 years ago this week.
The Commando Fallen https://www.commandoveterans.org/Operation_Chariot_ROH
The Commando Charioteers https://www.commandoveterans.org/operation_chariot
The Naval Charioteers http://www.operation-chariot.org/personnel-1.html
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Matt has started his charity walk. He needs more donations on his Just Giving page for such a worthy cause. If you read this please circulate it again on your social media pages and let's see if we can get him to his £1,942 target. Every little bit will help.
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/operation-chariot-walk-2024
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From Matt Minshall:
Once again I will be walking in memory of Operation Chariot, the Commando Raid on the docks at Saint Nazaire in 1942.
The Raid took place on 28 March 1942 and although the cost in lives on all sides was high the main dock was inoperable for use by the major German battleships and the action which may well have shortened the war. It is considered to be the 'Greatest Raid of All'.
The commemorative walk is endorsed by the Saint Nazaire Society whose aim is to keep alive the memory of the incredible bravery and sacrifice of those who took part. The walk precedes the 82nd anniversary and the route will be from the Commando Memorial at Saint Nazaire to Place du Murier at Batz Sur Mer via the Commonwealth War Grave at La Baule, where many of the fallen lie, and the Grand Blockhaus Museum, where many relics of the Raid are displayed...including a newly discovered door which will be unveiled on the anniversary of the Raid on 28th March this year.
The aim of the walk is to raise awareness and funds specifically for PTSD Resolution in the United Kingdom and the UNC in France which assists former servicemen and women in all matters. Any donations will make a huge difference to people's lives but our aim is to make £1,942.
From PTSD Resolution: "Thank you! You are helping us to resolve the trauma that too often blights the lives of Forces' Veterans, to enable them to return to a normal work and family life. We make every £ donated really count - we own no assets, pay no salaries."
Matt's Walk for PTSD Resolution - JustGiving https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/operation-chariot-walk-2024
The walk is open to anyone although there is no support for administration. All walkers must be self sufficent. If you would like further details, please let me know.
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Yes it is along with others in our Commando Training Gallery. Here is a link to that Gallery. The photo you describe is on page 2:
https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/Commando+Training/
Pete
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