Messages posted by: GUY

Pete wrote:Kelvin asks

My late father-in-law law, Reginald Gapper, was in No3 Commando. In clearing out old papers we found a photo of a reunion of old members. We think it was taken at the Royal Marines HQ in Bristol, where annual reunions were held. He is 3rd from left on back row. Can anyone assist in uploading as I would like to identify the others.

The man to Reginald's left is Bill Moore, the man with his eyes closed in the blazer with the Commando Association badge is Bill Salisbury and kneeling on the right of the Commando Battle Honours flag is Conrad Vaughan.

The three men I named all were all from Bristol. All the men present have a 3 Commando connection that I recognise from other reunion photographs.

Hopefully I can put other names to faces?

Can your wife remember any of the names of Reginald's Commando comrades?

LCI (S) 512 - 289
LCI (S) 509 - 290
LCI (S) 535 - 291
LCI (S) 538 - 292
LCI (S) 501 - 293

Good luck with your research

Guy

It also mentions his brother, Frederick George West aged 29. They were living at St. Mark's Road, South Norwood.

Dwest

There is a reference to your grandfather, Edward David WEST as a Marine Commando in the Norwood News 21st September 1945.

If Edward "Teddy" West served with a Royal Marine Commando unit in Italy, the possible units are; 40 R.M. Commando (Sicily) 41 R.M. Commando (Salerno) and 43 R.M. Commando (Anzio, Lake Comacchio)

All would be confirmed with a copy of his service records. Service number is not required for the application, just a copy of his death certificate.

Good luck with your research
Guy

Only other info No 4 Paratrooper

Possibly 4 Para, 4th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment?

https://www.paradata.org.uk/unit/4th-battalion-parachute-regiment-4-para

Good luck with your research

Vic,
Lt. Col. Michael Anthony WILBERFORCE R.M., assumed command of I.T.C.R.M. Lympstone in February 1965, could it be him?

The Saulnier Farm, Amfreville, requires preservation after a roof collapse of one of the barns.
A campaign has been launched to look for solutions to preserve the building that served as No.6 Commando Head Quarters from D-Day onwards.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3242562712659021/?ref=share

Attached, VI Commando graffiti, Saulinier Farm, Amfreville

Roy, 1 Troop 3 Commando, Weymouth, 1943 & 80 years later, Chelsea Hospital 2023

Belated best wishes to Roy Cadman, 3 Commando veteran and Chelsea pensioner, who turned 100 on the 26th March 2023.

David Blake, curator of the Royal Army Chaplains' Museum, confirmed the archive held a trcaer card relating to Reverend Captain Hepworth :

A card does exist for G J C Hepworth, however; there is no indication on the card of Hepworth being attached to either a Commando or Combined ops or Special Service Brigade. In July 1942, Hepworth was attached to the 43rd Wessex Division.[/i]

Reverend Hepworth may have been seconded from the 43rd Wessex Division to a Canadian Army unit for the duration of the Operation?

Good luck with your research

Kevin,

There are four possible records which may help with your research?

NUTTALL James Thomas 1918 - 1986 Hastings & Rother, Sussex

NUTTALL James Thomas 1912 - 1990 West Somerset, Somerset

NUTTALL James Thomas 1918 -1998 Burnley & Pendle, Lancashire

NUTTALL James Thomas 1915 -2002 Derby, Derbyshire

Good luck with your research

Victor's Merchant Navy service number was R147996 on his discharge, it also confirms his transfer to the Royal Air Force.
His service with the Merchant Navy and Royal Air Force would have made him eligible for the campaign medals he received.

If the medals reflect his service with the Royal Marine Commandos, men serving with 40, 41 & 43 Royal Marine Commando were eligible to receive the Italy Star.

The Queen's Crown cap badge on the beret is post-war, they may be replacements for an original?

All will be confirmed with a copy of his service record.

Good luck with your research

Zayley Marles wrote:I'm after information about my great grandfather FREDERICK ARTHUR SILLETT his death on 1987. He was born 1919. But there's no records. Many thanks

Frederick Arthur SILLETT
23rd November 1919 Bosmere, Suffolk - 3Q 1987 Wrexham, Denbighshire

Frederick A SILLETT married Mair JONES at Wrexham 4 Q 1945

It may connect F.A. SILLETT, R.A.M.C. attached 47 R.M. Commando, 4th S.S.Brigade with the Holding Operational Commando, Depot at Wrexham?

All will be confirmed with copies of his service records.

Good luck with your research

Edward John GILLING
17th November 1902 Lewisham, London - 2Q 1970 Croyden, Surrey

Paul,
This is the transcript of your great uncle's citation for his 'mentioned in dispatches',

"During the action between No.VI Commando and a Battalion of Herman Goering Jaeger Regiment, Fus. Service?s section position was attacked by a party of enemy approx. 80 strong ? finally they were 40 yards away when Fus. Service picked up the Bren Gun and fired it from the hip. The enemy advanced shouting ?Jaeger, Jaeger!? Fus. Service was standing hose-piping them with his Bren Gun and shouting back ?Commando, Commando!?. He killed many Germans and set an example of high courage and esprit de corps to his Section."

Good luck with your research
Guy