This is my Father, C/Sgt James Atkin (X103416) who was born in Salford in 1909 and died in Prescot in 1976, thirty years after demob. He worked for a Manchester mens clothing supplier as a rep. driving all over the North West until he retired. He had three children, two sons and a daughter, two grandsons whom he met, and three grandsons who were born long after his death. He remained immensely proud of the Royals and of his time serving, but he didn't talk much about the war. He did mention Petit Enfer as a classic RM action, pressing home a determined attack against a fortified position, crossing wire, minefields, and trenches, clearing houses and causing the enemy to surrender withour sustaining any losses. He also mentioned the terrible losses sustained by B Troop in the Rots action which obviously left its mark. I remeber as a young teenager suggesting that he must have been disappointed when the D-Day cliff-climbing raids on the gun batteries were cancelled. He laughed and said 'No we were all...
This is my Father, C/Sgt James Atkin (X103416) who was born in Salford in 1909 and died in Prescot in 1976, thirty years after demob. He worked for a Manchester mens clothing supplier as a rep. driving all over the North West until he retired. He had three children, two sons and a daughter, two grandsons whom he met, and three grandsons who were born long after his death. He remained immensely proud of the Royals and of his time serving, but he didn't talk much about the war. He did mention Petit Enfer as a classic RM action, pressing home a determined attack against a fortified position, crossing wire, minefields, and trenches, clearing houses and causing the enemy to surrender withour sustaining any losses. He also mentioned the terrible losses sustained by B Troop in the Rots action which obviously left its mark. I remeber as a young teenager suggesting that he must have been disappointed when the D-Day cliff-climbing raids on the gun batteries were cancelled. He laughed and said 'No we were all deligheted'. I was confused at first thinking these crack troops would be looking forward to such a risky and demanding operation but I suddenly realised on that day that these guys actually wanted to live as long as possible just like the rest of us! The difference between them and ordinary folks is that when the need arose they would put their lives on the line in the most challenging of circumstances. If the coastal battery raids had gone ahead most of them would probably have died; well done the RAF for taking them out! Jimmy appears in at least five other photos in this excellent album and I still have his Green Beret.
Posted by David Atkin on Thu 10 Feb 2011 03:35:17 EST
Dick Hawkins No1 Commando
A picture taken at Braemar Castle with my father on far right.
Posted by Dave Hawkins on Mon 31 Jan 2011 18:51:10 EST
The gentleman on the right of the picture in the grey suit, holding the top of the flag is my grandfather, Jimmy 'Jock' Muirhead.
Posted by Derek Muirhead on Fri 21 Jan 2011 17:33:41 EST
I was just examining this photo and realised that one of the faces difinately appears in the No1 panorama, it is N.Piglot his number in the panorama being 450. I will include his name in the list that is attached to this photo.
Andy Maines
Posted by Andy Maines on Tue 18 Jan 2011 21:08:39 EST
patricia
Thats my brother Tom R I P Tom God Bless Patsyxx
Posted by patricia heard on Fri 14 Jan 2011 14:01:49 EST
*** Photo updated.Register and post a message on our Forum if you have any relevant photos***
No 19 is my father Frank Edmund Allum born 9th May 1919, died 26/2/1980. He had 2 children, my sister Valerie and myself. He joined the Royal Artillery Territorial Army in May 1939 and was posted to 99th Field Regiment September 1939. Joined BEF and was evacuated from the eastern mole at Dunkirk on the night of 1/2 June 1940 on the Winchelsea. 6th July posted to 145th Field Regiment Royal Artillery, stationed at Bangor NI where he volunteered for the Commandos. 9th August 1940 posted to 12 Commando, was involed in raids, notably on the French coast at Ambleteuse July 1941 and Operation Anklet on the Lofoten Islands Dec '41. 12 Commando was disbanded in July 1943 and he was posted to 1 Commando at Winchester, hence his apprearancre in the photograph. He was in Burma from Jan 44 to November 44 where he was involved in 3 landings, 2 against enemy forces. He...
*** Photo updated.Register and post a message on our Forum if you have any relevant photos***
No 19 is my father Frank Edmund Allum born 9th May 1919, died 26/2/1980. He had 2 children, my sister Valerie and myself. He joined the Royal Artillery Territorial Army in May 1939 and was posted to 99th Field Regiment September 1939. Joined BEF and was evacuated from the eastern mole at Dunkirk on the night of 1/2 June 1940 on the Winchelsea. 6th July posted to 145th Field Regiment Royal Artillery, stationed at Bangor NI where he volunteered for the Commandos. 9th August 1940 posted to 12 Commando, was involed in raids, notably on the French coast at Ambleteuse July 1941 and Operation Anklet on the Lofoten Islands Dec '41. 12 Commando was disbanded in July 1943 and he was posted to 1 Commando at Winchester, hence his apprearancre in the photograph. He was in Burma from Jan 44 to November 44 where he was involved in 3 landings, 2 against enemy forces. He was then posted to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and then to India, returning to UK in March 1946. A fascinating life that he never spoke to me about. I was only vaguely aware he was in the Commandos and later assumed that as a young boy that was wisheful thinking on my part as in the early post-war years the Commandos occupied a very special, exciting and glamnorous position in everyone's minds, especially young boys. I found out all the above a long time after his death which is a great pity to me.
Posted by Richard Allum on Sun 09 Jan 2011 20:01:04 EST
Update from Roy Hickey whose father is No.13
Tpr.Ronald Edward Hickey 6353021 was in 3 Cdo 4 trp. He sadly passed away in October 1990. He was a member of the Army Commandos Association and was very proud of his time he served with 4 troop as we his family are.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Tue 28 Dec 2010 10:47:34 EST
message from John Davies
*** Photo updated.Register and post a message on our Forum if you have any relevant photos*** Number 247 is my dad Victor Oliver Davies (known as Vic) He passed away on the 6th Dec 2010.
John Davies (son)
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Thu 16 Dec 2010 13:37:04 EST
photo duplicate
this photo is replicated alongside Ted's 14 pages account of his attachment to Mission 204
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 05 Dec 2010 12:49:47 EST
Front row : 5th from right : Fred WALKER
Third row : 2nd from right : Bill BRITNELL
Third row : 3rd from right : Bob CUBITT
Fourth row: 4th from right : Arthur CHIVERS
Posted by stephane on Sat 04 Dec 2010 17:26:03 EST