https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/1/Hirst/
Tony adds "Jim volunteered at Dartmouth on the formation of No.1, and served with the Unit until the end of the Operation Torch campaign in North Africa, including the battle of Sedjenane. He was then returned to the UK to continue service with the Suffolk Regiment, and took part in the Sword Beach landings on D-Day until wounded during the action around the Chateau de la Londe".

Jim passed away on the 3rd August 2015.]]> en-us Gallery 2 RSS Module, version 1.1.8 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 22:22:15 +0100 120 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/d/41087-2/Hirst.jpg https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/1/Hirst/ https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/1/Hirst/Jim+Hirst+2.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/1/Hirst/Jim+Hirst+2.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of his nephew Tony Birth].
In album James Richard 'Jim' Hirst, No.1 Commando]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sun, 08 Feb 2026 11:52:23 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/1/Hirst/Jim1.JPG.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/1/Hirst/Jim1.JPG.html
[Photo courtesy of his nephew Tony Birth].

James Richard Hirst, No1 Commando & Suffolk Regiment. Photo courtesy of Jim's nephew, Tony Birth, who adds the following "Jim and some of his comrades from the Suffolk Regiment volunteered for service as glider pilots and mustered at Dartmouth for that purpose. Once there, they were told that plans had changed, and the need now was for volunteers for Special Services. They were given the choice of returning to their parent regiment or staying to form an Independent Company, which they chose to do, eventually evolving to become No.1 Commando. He recounts much time spent in endurance training in Scotland (based at Irvine) and on Dartmoor (from a base at Stoke Fleming), punctuated by various sea voyages including to Norway, St. Nazaire, and Madagascar, from all of which his group returned to base without disembarking or landing. In the North African campaign he recalls landing in company with a US Ranger unit at Algiers from the USS Leedstown (subsequently sunk with some of his possessions still on board!) and being in charge of a number of donkeys which sadly didn't make it to shore. He says that for the landing he and his comrades were made to wear US helmets and carry US weapons because the British were not kindly regarded by the French at the time, following the destruction of the French fleet at Toulon. Thereafter he took part in the battle for Sedjenane and various other actions before moving by train to Bizerta. At some point after that he was travelling in a truck which ran over a landmine, the effect of which resulted in his RTU to the Suffolks."
In album James Richard 'Jim' Hirst, No.1 Commando]]> Nick Collins photo Sun, 08 Feb 2026 11:50:44 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/1/Hirst/Jim2.JPG.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/1/Hirst/Jim2.JPG.html
[Photo courtesy of his nephew Tony Birth].
In album James Richard 'Jim' Hirst, No.1 Commando]]> Geoff Murray photo Sun, 08 Feb 2026 11:50:44 +0000