At first glance Niall Thompson appears to have a Parachute Regiment Cap Badge in his Green Beret but looking it closely I think it is a Dutch Parachutist Badge he has been ‘gifted’ it being common practice to ‘swap’ this type of item. We had Dutch Instructors at Lympstone but they wore a dark blue beret with a scarlet ‘flash’ their Cap Badge was a sloping Fouled Anchor with a Dutch Crown. I was told that Dutch Commandos were trained by the French and then posted to the Commando Troopen more similar to SAS and other SF.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 16 Sep 2020 11:32:31 EDT
The central man holds the Military Medal.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 17:37:13 EDT
All these men wear French Para wings on tight breast.
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 28 Aug 2020 19:08:25 EDT
Photo updated
John Richard Chadwick identified and added
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Fri 29 May 2020 07:32:30 EDT
Man on the left at present listed as unknown is my Dad. John Richard Chadwick No.2 Commando
Posted by Ann chadwick on Thu 28 May 2020 03:27:54 EDT
Photo update
Enhanced for clarity
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Mon 30 Mar 2020 10:01:23 EDT
Commando Association Edinburgh Branch
Back row, second left. Andrew Gillies, my dad
Posted by Andrew Gillies on Tue 24 Dec 2019 16:54:20 EST
Charlie Simpson
The man in the top row center with the beret is my grandfather Charlie Simpson (2 Cdo. 2tp)
Posted by Scott Thew on Fri 14 Jun 2019 16:23:37 EDT
Chris Hothersall (on the left with the pipe)
Posted by Guy Hudson on Tue 14 Aug 2018 11:41:08 EDT
" My Uncle Ken McAllister (2 Cdo. 5tp) is hatless behind the man in the cream jacket. This man looks like Jack Churchill's brother, Major General Tom Churchill, "
From Eric Buckmaster of 5 Troop " It is possible that the man on the left of Ken Mac is Lt. Col. Jack Churchill (2 Cdo.) Front Row - 2nd man on left ( Kilted & Sports Jacket ) is Desmond Rochford (2 Cdo. 1tp), 3rd Man next to him is Tan Rudge (2 Cdo. 5tp) The 5th Man taller & with a moustache, is Major Laurence MacCallum MC (2 Cdo). He was also a very respected tennis umpire. When Viginia Wade won in 1977 the Ladies Singles Championship at Wimbledon , he was the Umpire of that Match."
From Walter Ainslie of 5 troop " The man extreme left front row (on the left of Des as you view the picture) is Ben Fryer (2 Cdo. 5tp), on the other side of Des is 'Tan' Rudge (2 Cdo. 5tp) , behind 'Tan' with his left hand raised and smiling is 'Wee' Ainslie whose first name was...
Th following 3 updates 10/01/10 by Pete R
" My Uncle Ken McAllister (2 Cdo. 5tp) is hatless behind the man in the cream jacket. This man looks like Jack Churchill's brother, Major General Tom Churchill, "
From Eric Buckmaster of 5 Troop " It is possible that the man on the left of Ken Mac is Lt. Col. Jack Churchill (2 Cdo.) Front Row - 2nd man on left ( Kilted & Sports Jacket ) is Desmond Rochford (2 Cdo. 1tp), 3rd Man next to him is Tan Rudge (2 Cdo. 5tp) The 5th Man taller & with a moustache, is Major Laurence MacCallum MC (2 Cdo). He was also a very respected tennis umpire. When Viginia Wade won in 1977 the Ladies Singles Championship at Wimbledon , he was the Umpire of that Match."
From Walter Ainslie of 5 troop " The man extreme left front row (on the left of Des as you view the picture) is Ben Fryer (2 Cdo. 5tp), on the other side of Des is 'Tan' Rudge (2 Cdo. 5tp) , behind 'Tan' with his left hand raised and smiling is 'Wee' Ainslie whose first name was Leslie( 2 Cdo. 5tp)"
15/09/11 Update from Paul Bell " Des Rochford (2 Cdo)advises that this photo was taken in 1973 during a week long visit. Top left without headdress is Les Bates (2 Cdo.1tp ). Front row farthest right (looking up) is Steve ‘Dusty’ Miller."
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 05 Nov 2017 07:55:44 EST