Alf 'Chirpy' Deakin aka Alf Hill, and No.5 Commando pals.

[Photo courtesy of Alf's grandson, Gareth Hill].

Chirpy Deakin,seated, was wounded in action on 23 March 1944 when 5 Troop, No5 Cdo, was ambushed and cut down by Japanese heavy machine gun. One of Chirpy's comrades, who was also wounded, told me: "When I entered the ambulance I met Chirpy Deakin who was in tears, apparently of rage. On my enquiry he showed me a tattoo of the head and shoulders of Buffalo Bill on his upper arm, through which a bullet had neatly carved a total mess..."
The aforementioned tattoo can be clearly recognised on Chirpy's left arm.