https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/
Follow this link for an excellent selection photos in the 1st Special Service Brigade album taken by L/Cpl Ken Emmerson of the Bde HQ: https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/HQ+and+Sigs/1+SS+Bde/]]> en-us Gallery 2 RSS Module, version 1.1.8 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 11:59:49 +0100 120 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/d/4262-14/invasion+of+NW+Europ.jpg https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/ https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/007-MMPresentationCeremonyGroupPhoto-TomVardyIsTopLeft.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/007-MMPresentationCeremonyGroupPhoto-TomVardyIsTopLeft.jpg.html
Field Marshall Montgomery surrounded by troops after the ceremony.

Photo courtesy of David Vardy, nephew of Mne Tom Vardy MM of 46 RM Commando. Mne Vardy received his medal from Montgomery and is seen very top left of this photo. There are additional pictures of, and information about, Mne. Vardy, who was later killed in action, in our 46RM Commando album
In album Normandy - Operation Overlord]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Tue, 19 Sep 2017 22:20:01 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/jke092.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/jke092.jpg.html
Photo from the collection of L/Cpl. John 'Ken' Emmerson SS Bde HQ (formerly No.2 and 12 Cdo)courtesy of his son John. Posted by Pete R.

Update: Location and date provided by Stephane Saint Martin
In album Normandy - Operation Overlord]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sat, 14 Sep 2024 19:28:01 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/scan0236+copy.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/scan0236+copy.jpg.html
Photo from the collection of L/Cpl. John 'Ken' Emmerson SS Bde HQ (formerly No.2 and 12 Cdo)courtesy of his son John. Posted by Pete R.
In album Normandy - Operation Overlord]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sat, 14 Sep 2024 19:28:00 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/Monty_s+Cdo_+bodyguard.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/Monty_s+Cdo_+bodyguard.jpg.html
Field Marshal Montgomery surrounded by, at the time, his personal Commando bodyguard.
Front row(on ground): all unknown.
Second row (seated) left to right: u/k; u/k; u/k; Sgt Freddie Rhead, No6 Cdo; Capt H Ryan, No6 Cdo; Field Marshal B Montgomery; Capt Len Coulson, No4 Cdo; L/Sgt Terence Wakely, No6 Cdo; u/k; L/Cpl Joe E Humphreys, No6Cdo.
Third row (standing): u/k; u/k; Spr J 'Big Bill' Scott, No6 Cdo;the rest unknown.
Rear row: Cpl H F Elliot, No6 Cdo; L/Cpl H R Winrow, No6 Cdo; u/k; u/k; Pte Les Mapstone, No6 Cdo; u/k; u/k; u/k.

Photo from a collection at Inverary Castle and courtesy of the Duke of Argyll. My thanks to Jim Brown (Inverary Castle Esates Office) for his help, and to Pete Dunlop who photographed the collection for the CVA. Posted by Pete R
In album Normandy - Operation Overlord]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sat, 14 Sep 2024 19:27:57 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/Z448-Col+Peter+Young+briefs+two+snipers+in+the+Orne+River+area_+17th+June+1944.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/Z448-Col+Peter+Young+briefs+two+snipers+in+the+Orne+River+area_+17th+June+1944.jpg.html
Linda Driscoll adds the following information: My father, Bernard Machin is in this photo. We have an original photograph of this scene and my father wrote Bernard under the figure on the left, Joe under the figure in the middle, and Col. Young under the figure on the right. He informed my mother that it was him and Joe Leedham in the official photograph. He also mentioned that they called Peter Young “Bunny” and had a lot of respect for him. The typed caption under the official photo in our album reads:
“B.5761. CAMOUFLAGED BRITISH COMMANDO SNIPERS GET FINAL INSTRUCTIONS – NORMANDY. Some of the fighting in the bridgehead resembles jungle fighting with snipers operating from hidden eyries and troops camouflaged with leaves and twigs. Under these conditions it remains just as fierce as more open operations. Picture shows: Officers of a Commando unit giving final instructions to two camouflaged commando snipers who are going to watch a German held house on the edge of Breville.”

Further information from Linda:

Incidentally, the date (which we did not know) of the two snipers, dad and Joe, with Col. Young on your website is given as 17th June 1944, which coincides with the date in the war diary for No.3 Commandos for that day: “20.35 L/C Machin and Tpr Leedham. Report having covered area of power house and road. Started out 3 hours ago. But for snipers and AA fire coming from rear of farm in the area of gliders there is no sign of Germans.” They are also mentioned on 15th June at 14.30 and consequently in Appx B No. 7."
In album Normandy - Operation Overlord]]> Andy Maines photo Thu, 22 May 2014 16:01:17 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/1st+Special+Service+Bde+Cdos.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/1st+Special+Service+Bde+Cdos.jpg.html
Commandos of 1st Special Service Brigade move inland from Queen Red beach, Sword area, 6 June 1944. A Churchill AVRE, equipped with a small box girder bridge, can be seen in the background. Photo © IWM (B 5071)and reproduced here under the terms of the IWM Non-Commercial Licence.

[Unit query] The IWM label (not their title or description) identifies these as RM Commandos. However the Sgt with the Tommy gun has been identified (by the son of a No 4 Cdo veteran) as Sgt Ernie Brooks, No 4 (Army) Commando. The man carrying the covered equipment on his shoulder has been identified by family as Pte. Paul Knight, No.10 Commando. Additionally the big man further back looks like Jack Lewington also No 4 Commando. Finally see the very valid comments below from the late Dave Prichard RM.
In album Normandy - Operation Overlord]]> Geoff Murray photo Sat, 14 Sep 2024 19:23:30 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/Cdos+exiting+Sword+Beach_+June+44.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/Cdos+exiting+Sword+Beach_+June+44.jpg.html
In album Normandy - Operation Overlord]]> Geoff Murray photo Sat, 14 Sep 2024 19:23:30 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/Cdos+_amp_+Airbourne_+Orne+river_+D-Day.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/Cdos+_amp_+Airbourne_+Orne+river_+D-Day.jpg.html
Photo © IWM (B 5058)and reproduced here under the terms of the IWM Non-Commercial Licence.

Private Robert 'Bob' Moran No.6 Commando identified by his granddaughter in comments below as being far left.

Lance Corporal Vic Renshaw identified by his nephew as being the Commando holding the handgun head turned looking forward.

From a forum message [view here] about this image, the names are thought to be as follows (commando where shown): Pte. Robert "Bob" Moran (6 Cdo), Pte.Thomas "Jock" Hardie, possibly P. Moran (6 Cdo), L/Cpl. Victor Ernest Renshaw (6 Cdo) and Pte. Victor Albert "Spud" Watson.

Notes
The IWM description attached to this photo is as follows and is somewhat at odds with the units of the Commandos identified.
“Commandos of No. 4 Commando, 1st Special Service Brigade, and troops of 6th Airborne Division in Bénouville after the link-up between the two forces, 6 June 1944.“
In album Normandy - Operation Overlord]]> Geoff Murray photo Tue, 05 Oct 2021 18:26:12 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/Landings+at+St+Aubin-sur-Mer.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/Landings+at+St+Aubin-sur-Mer.jpg.html
Royal Marine Commandos of headquarters, 4th Special Service Brigade, making their way from onto the 'Nan Red' sector of Juno Beach at St Aubin-sur-Mer, on the morning of 6 June 1944. Photo © IWM (B 5218) and reproduced here under the terms of the IWM non commercial licence. Posted by Pete R.
In album Normandy - Operation Overlord]]> Geoff Murray photo Sat, 24 Feb 2024 23:45:26 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/Cdos+at+Ranville.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/invasion+of+NW+Europ/Cdos+at+Ranville.jpg.html
Cdos at Ranville, France, with captured Germans on jeep.
In album Normandy - Operation Overlord]]> Geoff Murray photo Sat, 23 Jan 2010 05:05:43 +0000