LSgt Fred Peachey, MM*, Lockerbie 1941, No.2 Commando

Photo courtesy of his great nephew Mark Brammer.

Fred Peachey South Lancs Regiment, volunteered in 1940 for the Independent Companies joining No 4 Ind. Coy. After the short redesignation to the 1st Special Service Bn. Fred then joined the newly raised No 2 Commando serving with 1 troop. Later in the war he also served with 4 troop. Fred was involved in early operations to Norway, and in March 1942 set out with others from Falmouth heading for St Nazaire (Operation Chariot) on the raid to destroy the entrance into the dry docks. Fred was on board ML 443 and was one of those who were evacuated back to the UK after the raid. In 1943 he sailed with the rest of No 2 Commando to Gibraltar from where they took part in the invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky), and later the invasion of Italy (Operation Avalanche). Fred was awarded his first Military Medal during the Salerno landings, specifically during operations at Piegolette.

Later No 2 Cdo were involved in attacking bridges across the River Reno and it was during these operations that the now Lance Sergeant Peachey MM was awarded a bar to his MM. From there Fred moved with the rest of No 2 Commando to the Dalmatian Island of Vis. There they operated with the Partisans for 6 months targeting the nearby German occupied islands and the Albanian coast, before returning to Italy. The Commando then faced a short period of placement in the line held by the 8th Army. In 1945 Fred and the rest of No 2 Commando took part in operations at the Argenta Gap, and in April were involved in Operations Roach and Impact at Lake Comacchio. When No 2 Commando was disbanded Fred was drafted into No 4 Commando and was sent to Recklinghausen Germany taking part in post war "policing" duties.

Fred was called after his mother's youngest brother Frederick who was in the Cheshire Regiment during WW1 and who also was awarded the Military Medal and bar for bravery shown in action."