Messages posted by: Pete

I believe in using the power of the media as a tool to promote good causes and without a doubt the CVA is a good cause. With such a poignant time of the year as Remembrance Sunday approaching, when so many veterans, their relatives ,family and friends, and others from all walks of life, get together to honour the fallen, a suitable Press Release with information about the CVA and this website I hope has already been considered. The emphasis should be made on membership availability for past, and present, Green Beret holders . I was unaware of the CVA myself until I found it by chance on the web. My application for associate membership to Geoff is now on way. Perhaps an information page about the CVA that could be downloaded and distributed by existing members might help. The Home page here with the picture and welcome message and including the website details would be all that was needed. Any such advertising however might result in an increase in communication requests to the CVA so that should be taken into consideration also. If these things have been done already then I apologise but without ideas where would be

Hi Keith I remember taking my father to a Commando Association function in Warrington many years ago. I think this was an annual event. I cannot assist with anything further although I am sure someone will be able to

This photo was taken in Kirkintilloch, Scotland, on their return from Norway 1940. All these details are on the back.
Back row : Bob Lowson, Hugo Wynne,Arthur Ashcroft, "Tiny" Burke, Jack Cheetham, Les Horrobin;
Kneeling : Gerry Wilson, my Uncle Ken McAllister, Terry Jackson
front row: ??? Harrington, Eddie Prout and Nat Hayes.

A great pic and I can see why they nicknamed him "Tiny"

Here is a link to the Norway operations

http://www.nuav.net/commando.html

H Jim in addition to my private message to you please look in forum under recent topics and you will see one i recently posted titled 4 Commando and about your Uncle. There is a request from Bill Harvey to see if your Uncle John knew his dad Gunner William (Bill) Harvey. Perhaps you could ask John.

Pete

The 1st is my Dad, Stan Smith and another Commando whose name unfortunatley I don't know. They were all in the Edinburgh branch of the Commando Association.

The 2nd is of 3 soldiers with my Uncle, Ken McAllister, of 2 Commando , in the middle. Not sure of the names of the other 2. On the back of this photo is written " Nov 1940, Paignton, Devon"

Hi Bob thank you for taking the time and effort to investigate the photo...All the names you mention I recall my dad as mentioning at some time , and some I have had the pleasure and privilege of meeting. Thanks again.

Pete

Found this article on a linked site concerning the Commando Green Beret.
For those that don't know it makes interesting reading.

http://www.stnazairesociety.org/Archives/greenberet.html

Hi thanks Nic. I have a few more and have asked Geoff Murray the best way to get them posted rather than doing them individually here...but yes the quality of the one i posted is great
Pete

Now heres a photo I found. I believe that it may be 2 Commando but I'll leave Bob Bishop or anyone else to verify this as and when he sees it. I believe my Dad is in the front row extreme left as you look at it - standing.

Bill
I wont see John again for about 4 weeks but I will mention your dads name to him then ...He did mention Flushing when I spoke with him last night but only briefly

Met last night with an old friend of my Dads - John Power of No. 4 Commando. They didnt know each other in the war but both were heavily involved in the Edinburgh branch of the Commando Association when it was still going. Thought I'd put his name here in case some of his Commando mates from No.4 were about. He seemed incredbly fit and I have to say a very nice guy. I took some of my Dads old pictures of the members of the Edinburgh Branch to him and with his help managed to place some names to faces. I will post these and other WW2 Commando pics of my Dads as soon as I get a new scanner for my pc - modern technology !! Some names from the Edinburgh branch that cropped up during our conversation were Jack Wales, Stan Smith, Bill Humble, Ronnie Williamson, Hugh Hunter, Jimmy Adams, Jimmy Carrigan, Freddie Mills, Ron Crippen...

edited on 2/6/09 : one of the above names should read Jack Wells or Cpl. John "Jack" Wells. Info from Richard Wells...grandson of Jack. See this post in forum for more about Jack:
http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoForum/posts/list/951.page

Hi Bob, a reason the 2 names you mention may be missing is that the book appears to relate to a relatively short period of time...perhaps the end of 1942 through to August 1943. I have also found a page where all the guys have signed in pencil for the issue of one blanket dated 23rd July 1943. I find this book fascinating , and , now, an autograph book of many Commandos from 5 troop. I will bring the book along with me in November if you wish so you can have a look at it personally. The pages are fine but the covers wearing somewhat
Pete

Having only recently discovered this site I am not sure whether this may have been posted before, but I have found a copy of a magazine that my father had which details the raid in depth with some amazing pictures many from German military archives. The magazine is called "After The Battle" and the issue number is 59. Some of the pictures are quite harrowing and show the true horror of battle I have to say. If it still is in print I would highly recommend it to anyone who may be interested in the raid on Saint - Nazaire

Pete Rogers

son of Joe Rogers MM No. 2 Commando 5 troop

the final set of names from the notebook kept by my father - L/Sgt Joe Rogers MM

More of the names from the book