Messages posted by: Pete

Thanks to Eric Buckmaster a further 25 names have been added identifying individuals in this superb photo. For details see photo in No.2 Album in the Gallery

Hi Andy , MGB 314 of the 14th MGB Flotilla was the only gunboat on the raid. It was a Fairmile C Class wooden hulled gunboat. She was quite well armed but her aft 2 pounder gun broke down and was u/s for the raid itself. MGB 314 was in fact the HQ boat carrying amongst its crew , Commander Ryder and Col. Newman. Also on board was Able Seaman Bill Savage. All 3 were later awarded the Victoria Cross. On the return journey she had to be scuttled. It was later accepted that there should have been more gunboats on the raid to comabt the shore battery defences at St Nazaire. If you down load and enlarge the image of the formation I posted on here you will see MGB 314 at the head of the flotilla. Her one negative was that she had limited range and for much of the journey I believe she was towed by one of the accompany destroyers to conserve fuel.
I recommend James Dorrians book " Storming St Nazaire".

Attached are the links to the BBC Wartime Memories articles concerning L/Sgt Richard (Dick) Bradley MM , 1 Troop No.2 , his role at St Nazaire, being wounded, taken prisoner, 1st escape, capture, then 2nd escape but this time successfully to freedom. Quite a guy.
The raid:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/79/a7185279.shtml
Prisoner of war:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/22/a7211422.shtml
First bid for freedom:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/64/a7211864.shtml
Capture:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/34/a7212034.shtml
Escape to freedom:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/68/a7212368.shtml

The approach formation

Another picture I found of a Remembrance Parade at St Nazaire not sure when

Here is a link to an article by Lt. John Roderick MC , Chevalier de Legion d?Honneur, 3 Troop No.2 Commando at St Nazaire. There are several pictures of some of those killed in action or wounded or taken pow at St Nazaire in the No.2 album and in the sub album for 5 Troop

http://www.war-experience.org/history/keyaspects/stnazaire/pagetwo.asp

On page 1 of this link is a picture of Lt Philip Walton of 1 Troop No.2 one of the many who died at St Nazaire

I have also posted a picture which I believe to be typical of the MGB on the raid. I have not found a picture of one of the ML's

*** update 30/12/09 by Peter Cooper - the picture appears to be a Fairmile B motor launch rather than the MGB

Hi Steve welcome to the CVA and a great picture of your Dad may I say. Your father's name is mentioned in my fathers notebook that he kept whilst in 5 troop. A copy of some of the info from the notebook is in the gallery of the CVA - have a look here :
http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/rolls+of+honour/No+2+Commando+5+troop/page1.jpg.html

I can possibly help you decipher his service record and am in touch with two men who were 5 Troop Commandos - one from its start like yr dad and one from after St Nazaire. My mobile phone number is just below my signature to this message or I can email you whichever you wish

Here is the photo of George Sansom. if you knew him please post a reply here for Linda

And we are not alone. Here is a link to coalition fatalities in Operation Enduring Freedom:

http://icasualties.org/OEF/ByNationality.aspx

Here are 3 MOD links to lists of British fatalities, 2 for Iraq and 1 for Afghanistan. I was going to just post the Commandos but somehow , as its all still going on, it didn't seem appropriate to leave out the others :

Afghanistan:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsFactsheets/OperationsInAfghanistanBritishFatalities.htm
Iraq : 7/10/07 - 12/2/09:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsFactsheets/OperationsInIraqBritishFatalities.htm
Iraq : 2003 - 31/12/2006:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsFactsheets/OperationsInIraqBritishFatalities20032006.htm

Tring to post the pic. hope this works

Hi Linda I have received your uncles picture in your email. I believe there may be work being done on the gallery by the administrator and that is probably why your picture would not load. I will post it as soon as I am able to.

Regards

Hi there. A good start would be to apply for his war service record. That should at least give you some details about him such as his original regiment, when he joined No.2, his overseas postings, and some medical details. Some give much more detail than others. A link on how to do this is below:

http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/service_records.html

Also if you can find any pictures of him during the war...check them against those in the No.2 Gallery. Have a look in all the Troop Albums in case he wasn't in 4 Troop or moved troops as some did. Whatever the result consider posting a picture in the forum on this thread for others to look at and check. Do any relatives have some pieces of information or documents that might help you. Worth asking around the extended family.
Finally good luck in your search and keep us all posted with any information you get. I hope someone on here can help you further.

excellent video . link works perfectly

Hi Stu in addition to my private message to you I am sure everyone on this site will agree with your comments here. I look forward to seeing the photos you are going to post and have read with interest your forum message about 148.
Our troops do a fantastic job wherever they go, but in Afghanistan those tours seem particularly difficult. I think a recent series on Sky TV by Ross Kemp brought home to many of us sitting at home just how difficult and dangerous it is out there. Our thoughts will be with the families and friends of all who have lost their lives, and also with those individuals who have suffered injury, during this and other conflicts.