Messages posted by: Belly

Noel

My badges came from here:
http://www.leberetvert.com

They're not expensive, about 12 euros. Be careful though as not everything they describe as WWII is WWII, I'm no expert though on French badges and have to rely on others for advice on the continent. Depending on how fussy you want to be, I do have a post war version, which to be honest is so similar would look fine. I'll happily send you this free of charge if you wish, but understand if you wish to source a correct WWII type. See attached image.

Regards
Paul

The badge is a French Fusiliers 'Seconds Maitres' badge, you'll notice some are also wearing the FNFL anchor (as worn on the ORs bachie), I'm not sure why some wear them, but not all do, and it only seemed to be practiced early in the war (Pre combined ops). Please see original examples attached from my collection.

Noel, would it be possible to provide higher resolution scans of those excellent photographs please?

Regards
Paul

The most likely explanation is that your father was on staff at STC Lochailort. It was only opened in June 1940 as the MI(R) irregular warfare school, and most of the trainees that went there were typically only there for a month, so to be there for a year suggests he was one of the original 203 staff, maybe one of the 55 instructors.

Whilst your father isn't mentioned, if you want to read about what went on there, I'd highly recommend 'Commando Country' by Stuart Allan.

Regards
Paul

They were approved/ordered in May 1942

Sounds wonderful and a fitting tribute to some very brave men.
To see the Llanystumdwy photograph referred to, see the link below:

http://ecole.nav.traditions.free.fr/encadrement_kieffer_philippe.htm

Paul

Might or might not be interesting:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2676334/Matt-Willis-wields-rifle-shoots-scenes-WW2-drama-Allies.html

cheers
Paul

Standard WWII issue stripes attached. I think Nicks are the printed variety which look very different.

Note, real version held by the IWM:
http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30060249

Glad you found it Graham, sorry I couldn't be bothered to search for it! :)

Hi Graham

This has been covered on here before, the suggestion was never implemented but the felt was ordered and subsequently returned to the WD central stores and was turned into arms of service strips for regular troops. Documents to this effect are in the same file at the NA.

cheers
Paul

Kevin

They were worn in pairs, but I have never seen either an actual badge or a photograph of one where the salamander is facing to the right. This leads me to believe that the badges were not 'sided' and all face to the left. You never know though, someone might find one in a loft one day! :D

cheers
Paul

David

The NA reference numbers for 44 Cdo war diaries are:

ADM 202/95 - Aug 1943 - Dec 1944
ADM 202/96 - Jan ? Dec 1945

I would highly recommend visiting Kew, it's a great day out, and to touch the original documents is a treat to behold!

Good luck
Paul

Not conclusive but it doesn't appear on here:
http://www.secretscotland.org.uk/index.php/Secrets/SpecialOperationsExecutive

But does here:
http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/105245/details/achdalieu+lodge/
Note the references to Commando Country by Stuart Allan

Not sure I've helped, just wanted to share these good websites!

Paul

The booked arrived today safe and well, many thanks Denise for kindly donating it. Yes I could have got it from a well known 'tax dodging' bookstore, but the fact that it was your father's copy, a veteran of the raid makes it extremely special, priceless in fact in my mind. Rest assured it has gone to a good home and will be well looked after! :D

Kind regards
Paul

£26...