Lt. (later Brigadier) Denis William Venables Patrick O'Flaherty

[Photo courtesy of his daughter Marye Humphery].

Lieutenant O'Flaherty, No.3 Commando was severely injured at Vaagso being hospitalised for two years. Awarded the DSO In recognition of gallant and distinguished service in successful combined operations against the enemy at Vaagso and Maaloy. Upon recovery he resumed his military career serving in Korea with the Royal Artillery. Whilst in Korea he was awarded the American Bronze Star on the 8th June 1951. He was later appointed the first Commanding Officer of 29 Commando Regiment RA when formed.
Brig. D. W. V. P. O'Flaherty, C.B.E., D.S.O. (106695) late R.A. retired on retired pay, 10th December 1975. He died in March 1980 at the age of 59.

His daughter Marye Humphery adds this " I thought you might also like to know what little I know about Vaagso. My understanding is that a machine gun was placed in an upper floor of the warehouse you mentioned, pinning down his men. He stormed up the stairs and managed to take out the post, but received 5 bullets in his face and head. One took out his eye and one side of his jaw, another shattered the atlas bone in his neck (the bone that holds your head up). As you say, he was in hospital/recovering for two years. They took out one of his ribs and put it in his neck. This later broke and had to be replaced with metal (I believe this happened when he was injured crossing the Rhine). He wore a black patch for the rest of his serving career and was probably the only one eyed gunner in Korea."