No. 2 Commando 1 troop

Photo courtesy of Mark Heard

Update from Pete R. I have added the names from adjacent photo also supplied by Mark Heard. Where known and confirmed, I have also included first names, and other details as can be seen below.

1st/Front row seated l-r: Laurence Murphy; Walker; L/Sgt.Ray Buckby kia 17/4/45; Sgt.R.Amos **; Lt.Barry O'Meara kia 7/3/45; unknown; Capt. Robin Benn; TSM George Hutton DCM; L/Sgt Fred Peachey MM; Lt. Wilkingson; Sgt. Doug Webster; L/Sgt. T.Goldie; Cpl.H.Jones.
2nd row l-r: Ward; James Harding; John Morris(full name Herbert John Morris); Harry Banks; J.Wright; Des Rochford; Donnelly; G. Shankland; Tom Heard ; E. Blackie; W.Neil; Wilkie;
3rd row: Bristoe ***; Bernard Edwards; Vaughan; Micky the Greek; Leonard 'Bomber' Wells; J. Firm; D.Cooper; Miller; D.Collins; R. Collins.
4th/Back row: Chris Sheehan; Scouse Hale; J. Church; Chunca Green; George York; Winter; Raymond Arthur Cripps kia 2/4/45; George Picket; Smudger Smith; Gnr.J. Merry; Gnr. R.G. Baldock.

The man front rank 3rd from the left was shown as Buckley. He is in fact L/Sgt Ray Buckby who was sadly kia on 17/4/45. There is a photo of him in the No.2 Cdo In Remembrance album

The man front rank who was shown as F. Peach is confirmed by his grandnephew, Mark Brammer, as Fred Peachey MM.
J. Morris is confirmed as John Morris (full name Herbert John Morris)
Scouse Hale is likely to be G. Hale formerly RA from Bootle
The man shown as Bauldock will be Gnr R. G. Baldock.
P. Murphy may be L/Cpl. L.K. Murphy
TSM G. Hutton will be WO Class 11 George Francis Hutton who was awarded the DCM after Sarande for " gallant and distinguished services in the field". L.G. 15.3.45.

**The man shown originally as D. Amos is likely to be Sgt. Richard Henry Amos

*** Bristoe could be Lance Corporal T/264673 Harold Briscoe Royal Army Service Corps and No. 2, Commando who died age 26 on 17 April 1945 (the same day as Ray Buckby above). Remembered with honour at RAVENNA WAR CEMETERY

Rifleman 11420547 ARTHUR RAYMOND CRIPPS, Royal Ulster Rifles and No. 2, Commando, who died age 23 on 02 April 1945. Remembered with honour at RAVENNA WAR CEMETERY

9/5/10 Update from Eric Buckmaster re some of those named here. Eric was in 5 troop of No.2 Cdo " When George Hutton returned from his years in America he married and settled in Ipswich, a few miles from me then, and I used to collect him and a few others en-route and take them up to London Meetings. Harry Banks always attended the London meetings every month, but he died suddenly a few months ago. I knew Dickie Hooper as Captain of the Heavy Weapons Troop whilst we were on VIS. Along with Captain Larry Taylor and several others including RSM Sandy Seaton they were returned to the UK, by virtue of their ages and length of Service overseas. After Captain Barton was transfered out of 2 Commando from VIS, Robin Benn took over 5 Troop at that time."

22/12/10 Update from Chris Sheehan "Top left hand in photograph is my father rifleman Chris Sheehan formerly of the 8th Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles. His mate Cripps was killed outright in front of him in the early minutes of the battle for Commachio Lake. Shortly after dad was badly wounded in the leg by an exploding grenade."

Update 20/4/12 by Pete R. Des Rochford who is in this photo advises that Lt Barry O'Meara, also shown here, was killed in action by a mine on the 7th March 1945. He is remembered with honour on the Cassino Memorial