Photo of Joseph Deakin 5 Commando

Hi,I'm trying to get a photograph of Joseph deakin Gnr 5 commando,service no 1586315 and any information about the personality of the man and wondered if anybody knew of him.we have managed to get his service records and are currently working through the notes.He first joined The blackwatch (royal highland regt)in 1936,on the outbreak of war Joseph was with the royal artillery search light units 399/59 and 427/59 (HAA) jumping ahead to late 1942 he transferred to 5 commando.He was in shanklin on the Isle of Wight in July 1943 then disembarked to India.There is quite a lot of information there after ,but its hard to decipher..Thanks for your time Darren

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 21/05/2019 10:47:24

Hi Darren,

Unfortunately we don't have any photos of Joseph Deakin - that we know of!
Obviously, within the tens of thousands of photos we have in the CVA Gallery, there are many photos of commandos in our No.5 Commando Album, many of whom have not been identified.
Joseph may be one of those - we just don't know...

As a matter of course, we always urge relatives of commandos to look through our respective albums and if they spot their relation, to identify him to us, but we are fully aware that there are going to be many who will remain anonymous; however, they have been identified, for posterity, as commandos, albeit, anonymously!

I am assuming, that you are a relative(s) of Joseph's? In which case I would imagine that you're not going to give up with your research? Many of our members have learnt never to give up looking as often someone else will turn up a photo that has not been seen before.
After decades of searching and research into The Commandos, just a fortnight ago I happened upon half a dozen photos of my father - who was also in No.5 Cdo but he passed away 63 years ago - which I'd never seen before! If you do manage to find a photo of Joseph, would it be possible to have a copy for our archives.

If you're struggling with the Service Records and need them deciphered, I am happy to have a look at them for you - although I do have a few that I'm working on at the moment, so it mightn't be that quick...

Could you tell me if Joseph had a middle name and, if he did, what it was...

Thanks and good luck with your search.

Nick

Hi nick,Thankyou for your reply,as far as I know Joseph did not have a middle name,but I'm unsure on that.The connection between me and Joseph is ,he's my grandfather,but I don't know much about him.on his join up papers in 1936 his date of birth is 14th February 1914,5ft 6 and a quarter inches tall,brown hair,brown eyes,distinctive marks....multiple scars on both arms and legs...If we find a photo I will update his records with you....I would like his service records deciphered if possible,we have covered a fair bit of it.What is the best way of getting them to you?Your time is very much appreciated...Thanks Darren

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 21/05/2019 21:19:18

Hi Darren,

If you scan the records then you can email them to me - [email protected]

The reason I asked if your grandfather had a middle name is that we have three Deakins on the No.5 Nominal Roll -

Alf Deakin - who later changed his name to Hill.

Gnr Joseph Deakin.

Gnr John W Deakin.

Until you contacted us, nothing was known about the latter pair so I was just checking to make sure that Joseph and John weren't the same person but there had been a typographical error somewhere down the line... The presence of a middle name could have helped to prove that either way!

Nick

Hi nick.Thanks for reply.I have be trying to get our printer to scan,but have had no luck.I have done a complete paper copy of records which I'm happy to post to you if you can some how give me your address privately if ok.Thanks Darren

Darren,

I have sent you a PM.

Nick

Hi nick.Yes Thankyou.All sorted ,will post over the weekend..Darren

Hi Darren,

Received this morning and at first glance there shouldn't be too much of a problem...

I could have saved you the postage as I was in Sandown on Friday!

Nick

😀nice one.Its a small world.Thanks Darren

Darren,

It is indeed a small world and, as you know, the Isle of Wight has strong connections with the Commandos and, not least, No.5 Commando.

No.5 spent a few months on the Island training and based it's HQ at the Upper Chine School in Shanklin. Other troops were based in Ventnor - sadly the location of a tragic accident involving a hand grenade.

During the 1970s my mother moved to the Island and took up a position as the Matron in the Upper Chine School - oblivious to it's connection to No.5 Cdo.
I have also learned, many years later, that No.5 Commando held many annual reunions in Shanklin.

My mother moved back to the Island in April and resides in Broadway - hence my visit on Friday last...

Nick

Hi nick,that's mad.I know there was a lot of military activity here on the island.I have been here all my life and lived in shanklin,it was here in shanklin 1943 when my nan met Joseph.Also of some interest is my dad John has a restored 1942 Bedford MW that had always been on the island ,and when we found the original markings is was something to do with the navy beach commandos,but again its deciphering the badge correctly.Next time your on the island and have a spare 10 minutes,let me know and you can come and have a look at some of the toys.Thanks Darren