http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/
See also No.2 Cdo. "In Remembrance" album and the album of WW2 photos where there are some pictures of the original No.4 Independent Company many of whom went to 5 Troop.

nb. When viewing troop albums be aware that individuals on occasions moved troops

** All photos subject of copyright © 2010. Contact the CVA for further details **]]> en-us Gallery 2 RSS Module, version 1.1.7 Fri, 24 May 2013 09:46:48 +0000 120 http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/d/3272-6/5+troop.jpg http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/ http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/Sgt+Don+Randall+DCM.jpg.html http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/Sgt+Don+Randall+DCM.jpg.html
No.2 Commando 5 troop. Photo cropped from a troop photo courtesy of and posted by Pete Rogers

Citation for the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal (from the book Commando Gallantry Awards of WW2 by George Brown and London Gazettes)

2929382 Lance Sergeant Donald Charles RANDALL, The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders and No.2 Commando

On 28th March 1942 during the Commando raid at St Nazaire, France, Sgt Randall was a member of an assault force commanded by Captain Roy. The second in command of this force was wounded in the leg and unable to land, and Sgt Randall, showing great initiative, immediately took charge of the section and led it to its objective. On arriving at the objective both his section and the remainder of the force were seriously depleted owing to wounds and it was found impossible to carry out written orders. Realising this Capt. Roy immediately called for a volunteer to assist him to destroy two gun positions which were on top of the Pumping Station some 20 feet high at the top of a two storey building. Sgt Randall immediately volunteered. With Capt Roy, in the face of heavy plunging fire, he reached the top of the building with a scaling ladder and with amazing coolness forced the enemy gun crew to withdraw and placed the charge on the guns and brought about their total destruction. On completion of this task Sgt Randall went straight to the bridge where he took up a position without cover with an LMG, and with total disregard for his own safety, gave covering fire to the remainder of the force which had to cross the bridge. Throughout the whole action this NCO's individual bravery, and total disregard of his own personal danger, was an example to all, and worthy of the highest traditions of the British Army. His cool courage is worthy of high recognition.
(London Gazette Issue 37162 published on the 3 July 1945. Page 1 of 4)]]> Peter Rogers photo Sun, 30 Dec 2012 17:37:09 +0000 http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/Pete+Honey+MM659+copy2+copy.jpg.html http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/Pete+Honey+MM659+copy2+copy.jpg.html
No.2 Commando 5 troop. Photo cropped from a troop photo courtesy of Pete Rogers

Citation for the award of the Military Medal (from the book Commando Gallantry Awards of WW2 by George Brown)

2930015, Private Peter Honey, Cameron Highlanders, No.2 Commando

On 28th March 1942 during the Commando raid on St Nazaire France, Pte Honey was in a small protection party whose duty it was to protect demolition parties at work on the destruction of the dry dock installations.
It was due to his personal initiative and bravery that the enemy machine gun post, housed on the roof of a building and sited in such a position that it was a danger to the demolition parties, was successfully destroyed. The demolition party were thus allowed to continue their work unhampered and complete their task.
Throughout the whole 5 hours of the action, Pte Honey was always seen to be where the fighting was thickest; he was continually dashing from building to building seeking and destroying the enemy. The particular area in which this soldier had to fight was under the heaviest of fire and his individual bravery, unflinching devotion to duty, and aggressiveness, were of the first order. He was a true example to all and his drive and initiative remain imprinted on the minds of all who saw him

[Gazette Issue 37162 published on the 3 July 1945. Page 1 of 4]]]> Peter Rogers photo Sun, 30 Dec 2012 17:37:09 +0000 http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/unknown+5tp592+copy.jpg.html http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/unknown+5tp592+copy.jpg.html
No.2 Commando 5 troop Ayr Jan/Feb.1942. This photo was in my father's collection. I believe it is Private Fred Wilkes who was in the Liverpool Scottish, and the No.4 Independent Company, and then No.2 Commando 5 troop. He was taken prisoner at St Nazaire. Photo courtesy of, and posted by, Pete Rogers, son of Joe Rogers MM]]> Peter Rogers photo Wed, 13 Jun 2012 22:14:51 +0000 http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/dad+and+others590.jpg.html http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/dad+and+others590.jpg.html
No.2 Commando 5 troop c.1941. Photo courtesy of and posted by Pete Rogers

Rear left and right : Edward 'Tiny' Burke and Len Perkins;
Front left and right: Bill 'La' Aspey, and Joe Rogers]]> Peter Rogers photo Sat, 03 Mar 2012 14:20:06 +0000 http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/5troop588.jpg.html http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/5troop588.jpg.html
This improved quality and unnumbered copy of a 5 troop photo already in the gallery courtesy of and posted by Pete Rogers. The numbered copy is adjacent in the album and has these details:

1. Harold Harbert; 2. Cyril Lima ; 3-5. n/k; 6. Pete Honey* (awarded MM St. Nazaire);7. Joe Rogers* (awarded MM at Spilje, Albania); 8. n/k; 9. Leo Homer*; 10. n/k; 11. Joe Slater; 12. n/k; 13. "Dolly" Gray; 14. n/k. 15. Tom McCormack (kia at St Nazaire); 16. Dick Wilcox* ;17. Hugh Cox*; 18. Fred Wilkes*; 19. Syd Murdoch*; 20. Bill Hughes*; 21-23. n/k; 24. John Stewart (kia at Salerno); 25. Ernie Hurst*; 26. A.'Molky' Molkenthin; 27. Cyril Wilkinson; 28. Arthur 'Aggs' Ashcroft*; 29. Les Whelan*; 30. Bill 'La' Aspey; 31. Len Perkins (awarded the MM 1945); 32. Jack Cheetham*; 33. Ken McAllister; 34. Don Randall* (awarded DCM at St Nazaire); 35. Ken Bruce; 36. Capt. Donald Roy* (awarded DSO at St Nazaire); 37. Louis Walter 'Ben' Brown*; 38. William Challington* (awarded DCM at St Nazaire); 39. Colin Jones* (awarded MM at St Nazaire) ; 40. Fred Holt*; 41. Edward "Tiny" Burke; 42. Ted Douglas* (awarded the MM at St Nazaire and escaped through France back to the UK); 43. Ted Coates; 44. n/k; 45. Harold "Aggs" Roberts*; 46. John Gwynne* (kia at St Nazaire); 47. Frank Sumner*; 48. Gnr. R.Milne*; 49. Ben Fryer; 50-51. n/k; 52. H.Jacobs; 53. 'Cocky' Moffat

*Denotes took part in Operation Chariot - St Nazaire

On the night 27th/28th March 1942 many from 5 troop took part in the raid on St Nazaire and a considerable number from this picture were wounded and/or taken prisoner. Tom McCormack and John Gwynne both pictured here were killed. A few including my father made it back immediately after the raid. Ted Douglas was one of only five men from No.2 Cdo who escaped through France eventually getting back to the UK. Later at Salerno, John Stewart was killed. He is pictured here standing behind the left shoulder of Capt Roy.

(Later on arrival at Ayr, Sgt George Haynes DCM replaced Ken Bruce as TSM of 5 troop.)]]> Peter Rogers photo Wed, 13 Jun 2012 10:11:03 +0000 http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/jke015.jpg.html http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/jke015.jpg.html
The formal picture taken a few minutes later is adjacent. with most of the names thereon. Follow this link to view it:
http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/2+cmdo+5+troop+dumfries+1941a.jpg.html

This photo is from the collection of L/Cpl. John Emmerson SS Bde HQ (formerly No.2 and 12 Cdo)courtesy of his son John. Posted by Pete R.]]> Peter Rogers photo Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:30:52 +0000 http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/img616+_1_.jpg.html http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/img616+_1_.jpg.html
No.2 Commando 5 troop. Lionel was killed in action at Salerno. Photo courtesy of Paul Bell. Posted by Pete R.

In Memory of Private 5956867 LIONEL GEORGE BOWMAN
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment and No. 2 Commando
who died on 18 September 1943 aged 28.
Remembered with honour at SALERNO WAR CEMETERY]]> Peter Rogers photo Sun, 30 Dec 2012 17:37:02 +0000 http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/Group++Rt+-+BD+copy.jpg.html http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/Group++Rt+-+BD+copy.jpg.html
No.2 Commando 5 troop. Photo courtesy of Tim Huelin, grandson of Bert Dixon. There are additional photos of Bert in the 6 troop album as he served there initially. His memoirs are in the Letters and Memoirs album. Sgt. Edward "Tiny" Burke BEM was in the 1st Bn Liverpool Scottish TA, volunteering for and being posted to No.4 Ind. Coy., before being attached to No.2 Commando 5 troop on its formation. His s/n was 2929845. He remained in the Army post war. He died on the 14th February 1992 aged 82yrs. Sgt.Len Perkins, s/n 2930945, 2nd Bn Liverpool Scots TA volunteering for No.4 Ind. Coy, before being attached to No.2 Commando 5 troop on its formation. He was awarded the Military Medal in 1945 for Gallant and distinguished services in the field.

Posted by Pete R]]> Peter Rogers photo Sun, 30 Dec 2012 17:37:01 +0000 http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/alan+moss+and+ken+bruce.jpg.html http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/alan+moss+and+ken+bruce.jpg.html
Both Alan and Ken were from the original Liverpool Scots volunteers who went to No.4 Independent Company, then into the SS Btn., and finally No.2 Commando. Alan was CSM in No.4 Ind Coy and Ken was a Sgt. When No.2 Cdo was formed Alan became the first RSM of No.2 Commando and Ken became TSM of 5 troop. There is a troop picture showing Ken as TSM in our gallery. When the Commando moved to Ayr, George Haines took over as TSM of 5 troop. There is an additional picture of Alan with more information about how he was killed in action during Operation Chariot in the No.2 Commando In Remembrance album.

The following words were written by my father Joe Rogers MM who was in No.4 Ind Coy and No.2 Cdo. along with Alan Moss and Ken Bruce. Against a photo of Alan Moss he writes the whole line below placing the emphasis on the 2 words at the end:

RSM Alan Moss 2 Commando "The Best"

In another type written document listing the names of the Liverpool Scots who were in No.4 Ind. Coy. and who later joined 5 troop No.2 Cdo, against the name of Alan Moss, my father adds:

"4 Ind. Coy in Norway; became the first RSM of 2 Cdo; was killed at St Nazaire and would most certainly have been highly decorated if he had lived. MiD St Nazaire."

In Memory of Warrant Officer Class 1, 2930992 ALAN MOSS
Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders and No. 2 Commando
who died on 29 March 1942 at St Nazaire age 32
Remembered with honour at ESCOUBLAC-LA-BAULE WAR CEMETERY

Photo courtesy of Adrian Smith, grandson of RSM Alan Moss. Posted by Pete R.]]> Peter Rogers photo Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:18:02 +0000 http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/Donald+Roy+Obituary.pdf.html http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/2/5+troop/Donald+Roy+Obituary.pdf.html
Capt. Donald Roy DSO Queens Own Cameron Highlanders (Liverpool Scottish)and No.2 Commando 5 troop was captured at St Nazaire and imprisoned at Oflag 9AH (Spangenberg) until repatriation in 1945. Photo courtesy of John Robertson.

This cutting froim the Daily Telegraph dated 23rd May 1997 is courtesy of April Richer, daughter of Eric Groves MM of No.2 Cdo. Posted by Pete R.

Click on 'Download document' typed in blue below to open the document

*** NB *** when finished and if you wish to go back to the gallery click on the 'back arrow' top left rather than on the close document 'X' top right. Clicking directly on the close document 'X' may take you out of the website]]> Peter Rogers photo Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:15:04 +0000