Messages posted by: DPugh

Thank you for your response.

I understand that towards the end of his career he was some kind of instructor and the tracer card says O.C.T.U (Officer cadet training unit) October 1945.

He began with the 9th Field Training Regiment in July 1942. Then comes under 131 Field Regiment - there is a tracer card entry for 26.11.42.

He definitely landed on Sword and on 5th July 44 he is put on an x list 2 (all ranks evacuated on medical grounds), but the CVA archivist kindly provided a document that says 'delete this entry - not a battle casualty' for the day in question which matches the date, his name and 131 Field Regiment.

Then on 20.10.44 - which I am assuming is the Holland incident, he appears on another x list (3) - the criteria of which seem quite serious . Then in early November he is on a y list - which I assume is him being invalided out. There are several dates around this time that link to Holland - Battle of the Scheldt (2.10.44 - 11.10.44), Battle of Walcheren (1.11.44 - 8.11.44).

I have some more pictures, but I cannot identify the insignia on these. Unfortunately I have no personal documents of his. If nothing else, I have learnt a lot about Operation Overlord. My grandfather's brother never told anyone he was in the Lofoten Raids until he was on his deathbed!

Thank you for this. This is him. After much confusion on my part initially, I feel I am finally narrowing down the search! It confirms he was therefore an army commando. His tracer card for 5/7/44 was x list (2) - which I understand as 'All ranks evacuated on medical grounds.'

Hello. I have been trying to piece together Commando information about my grandfather. He rarely spoke about what he did in WW2. On the rare occasion he did, I jotted down some notes which I have recently found. My grandfather said he was in the Royal Artillery Field Regiment (Anti-tank Regiment) and operated 17 and 25 pounders. He said he landed on Sword beach with 227 Highland Brigade and went to the 15th Scottish Regiment. He mentioned the Canadian and the 1st Commando brigade, but did not elaborate other than say he was a Commando who spent time with other regiments. He said they tried to take Caen. I asked how far he had got to in the war, and he said he was invalided out in Holland.

I recently came across his Tracer card on Ancestry. It states he was initially in the 9th Field Training Regiment of the Royal Artillery. Then it says he was in the 131st Field Regiment. There is no mention of any Commando unit (I gather records were not kept of who was and wasn't a commando?) and it is very brief. I know that these cards may not also be a complete record. However, on the back of one of his army photos it says No.4 Commando. His name does not appear on your website under No. 4.

I am interested in re-tracing his steps on D-Day and beyond. However, I do not fully understand how the army operated. Would I be right in assuming it would be the war diary of No. 4 Commando that I would be looking at? Or would it be that of say 227 Highland Brigade he landed with, which I understand was part of the 15th Scottish regiment? Or the 131st Field Regiment? What would your opinion be please as you probably have a better understanding of how everything fitted together?

Is there any way I can find out more about where he specifically was? Would only the M.O.D be able to give this information? I have been reading about X and Y lists on Tracer cards and am intrigued as to why he was specifically put on an X list (3). I am attaching some pictures too. I have one more in a ceremonial looking uniform I could not upload as it only takes 3 pictures. Thank you for your assistance.

On the back of one of Norman?s photoS which was scanned by a family member, it says No. 4 commando.

Thanks for the link. I will have a look. I have a few photos of Norman in uniform.

His brother appears on a Combined Ops site, but is not listed on the no 3 nominal roll.

Thanks for your reply. Sorry - I may have mixed up my facts. His brother was in No. 3 originally and was in the Lofoten Island raids. Apparently he and his brother bumped into each other on the beach on d-day even though serving in different units.
I have a photo of Norman when younger and this is not him. He had no middle name. He rarely spoke of his experience and didn?t want me to see his records when alive.
He definitely said he was a commando and took out German tanks and got to Holland. He was assigned to other units. He landed with/near the Canadians. I found a scribbled note I took on one occasion but he didn?t elaborate and I didn?t really understand it.

4th special service brigade

Commando units No 41 Cdo - right of Sword
No 48 Cdo (RM)?
Juno beach with 3rd Canadian Infantry division.

Hi. My grandad, Norman Grant is not on any of the rolls. He once said he was in No.3 commando and landed on Queen Red, Sword Beach and was invalided out in Holland. I believe he was in charge of a few men. He was anti-tank and said he was sometimes attached to other regiments. There are two other Grants on roll, which are not him. One being a Pte and the other a much higher army rank.
However, I recently noticed in the Pegasus Archive war diaries for no. 3 Commando that there is a L/Cpl Grant. Could this him? Any help appreciated thanks.