Viaques is on Puerto Rico where the US Marines have Training Area.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 16 Sep 2020 14:42:16 EDT
Judging by the embroidered Cap Badge I am guessing this Commando is an Officer. Rank badges are now worn of a small frontal chest flap.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 12:58:13 EDT
When skioring Troops are towed behind an over-snow tracked vehicle hanging onto an attached rope of cable. Vehicles used previously was the BAE (Sweden) BV but that has now been replaced by the “Viking” Armoured Fighting Vehicle. Skioring is a hard art to acquire as seen in the photo!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 12:55:29 EDT
This Battery is a mix of RN, RM and Army Commandos who operate in very close liaison with SF out of a South Coast Base, I had a RA Oppo Radio Op who served with this Special Unit. Gunner John Mahoney RA (RIP). They are all Parachute Qualified.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 05:40:56 EDT
I was stationed at CTCRM Lympstone when the first Gunners were going through training. Colonel O”Flaherty RA was very much in evidence during that time with his distinctive eye patch. The ‘buzz’ that went around was Spot On with regard to his Bravery at Vaagso but someone did say he had been awarded the VC. He was the holder of the DSO and from a distance the Medal Ribbon might have been mistaken.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 05:35:58 EDT
Top Row:
Hunt V,Scott,Sheldon,Reay,Spalding, Bennett, Prior, Manning, Reberio
Next Row
Hunt D, Wright, Lecky, Stray, Eccleson,Holden,Fishlock,Brotherton
Next Row:
Addy, Mason R, Mason D, Rose,Barnes, Jones, Macally, Pattison, nk
Front Row:
Gunner Byrne, Staff Sgt Stead RA, Me, Lt Mackie RM, Sgt Jock Wilkinson
Cpl Jack French, Gunner Brown, Rev Taylor RN and Gunner Newman
Posted by David Prichard on Sun 02 Aug 2020 15:52:44 EDT
Note the toggles
Toggles still issued
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Mon 23 Feb 2015 02:29:25 EST
Photo updated
Details of awards added
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Wed 20 Aug 2014 07:54:05 EDT
Photo updated
Full name and nickname of Gnr Simcox added (source: James Walton)
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Wed 20 Aug 2014 07:26:44 EDT
Photo updated
Details re circumstances of the death of Sgt swain added
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Wed 30 Jul 2014 19:11:32 EDT