No.1 Special Service Brigade Headquarters War Diary

June through to September 1944. A transcript provided by Nick Collins

Brigadiers John Durnford-Slater and Derek Mills-Roberts, Le Plein, Amfreville

Photo courtesy of Nick Collins

Maj Vicomte Arthur de Jonghe (4th from left) and others SS Bde HQ

Photo courtesy of John Emmerson

Maj Vicomte Arthur de Jonghe and unknown RM Cdo officer

Photo courtesy of John Emmerson

The view of Le Plein and Orne Valley from the belfry of Le Plein Church 1944

Photo from the collection of L/Cpl. John 'Ken' Emmerson SS Bde HQ (formerly No.2 and 12 Cdo)courtesy of his son John.

The view of Le Plein and Orne Valley from the belfry of Le Plein Church 1944 (annotated and extended)

Note the mass of gliders in the background. Photo courtesy of John Emmerson

Cartography of Amfreville 1944 ( annotated version)

Photo courtesy of John Emmerson

View from the top of No.1 SS Bde HQ at Le Plein, Amfreville 1944

Photo courtesy of John Emmerson

Brig. John Durnford Slater takes the salute Le Plein, Amfreville 14th July 1944

The ceremony after the unveiling of the No.1 Special Service Bde. War Memorial. Photo courtesy of John Emmerson

Commando march past after the unveiling of the No.1 SS Bde War Memorial at le Plein

14th July 1944. Photo courtesy of John Emmerson

Detachment from No.1 Special Service Bde. HQ at Le Plein, Amfreville 14th July 1944

Maj. H.H. Blissett at the head, followed by RSM Fawcett and Capt. J.E.D. Watkins. Photo courtesy of John Emmerson

Brigadiers Derek Mills Roberts DSO MC and John Durnford Slater DSO, le Plein Amfreville, 14th July 1944

After the unveiling of the No.1 Special Service Bde. War Memorial. Photo courtesy of John Emmerson

Brigadiers Durnford Slater and Derek Mills Roberts, Abbe de Naurois, and Maj. Blissett

Le Plein Amfreville, 14th July 1944. Photo courtesy of John Emmerson

Les Anciens Combattants of Le Plein

After the unveiling of the No.1 SS Bde War Memorial on 14th July 1944 at le Plein. Photo courtesy of John Emmerson

Wreckage of a plane near Douville

Photo courtesy of John Emmerson

Padre reading the lesson

In front of the No.1 SS Bde Camp Commandant's dugout at le Plein. Photo courtesy of John Emmerson

Captain the Abbe Rene de Naurois addresses the men of No.1 Special Service Bde.

Le Plein 14th July 1944 at the unveiling of the No.1 SS Bde Memorial. Photo courtesy of John Emmerson

The Curate of Le Plein addresses the men of No.1 Special Service Bde.

Le Plein 14th July 1944 at the unveiling of the No.1 SS Bde Memorial. Photo courtesy of John Emmerson

The unveiling ceremony of the No.1 SS Bde Memorial at le Plein ceremony

Note the annotations on the photo written by and courtesy of John Emmerson

No.6 Commando Memorial stone at le Plein

Photo courtesy of John Emmerson

No.1 Special Service Brigade Memorial after the unveiling ceremony

Photo courtesy of John Emmerson

No 1 Special Service Brigade Memorial prior to the unveiling ceremony

Photo courtesy of John Emmerson

Original grave at Le Plein of Lance Corporal Norman Walter Cassey

Signals Clerk. No.1 Special Service Brigade HQ. Photo courtesy of John Emmerson

45 RM Commando graves at Le Plein

Photo courtesy of John Emmerson

Reverend Captain Pritchard - the Padre

No.1 Special Service Brigade. Photo courtesy of John Emmerson

Padre Captain Pritchard and his batman Pte Chivers

Photo courtesy of John Emmerson

Some of No.1 Special Service Bde HQ staff o/s Cafe Michel at Le Plein

Photo courtesy of John Emmerson

Local girls outside Cafe Michel at Le Plein

Photo courtesy of John Emmerson