AB Oakley wears seven Medals. He may have a bronze Oak Leaf which
means ‘Mentioned in Despatches ‘ (MiD) on the sixth Medal, if so it would indicate Bravery of some Order on Active a Service.
,

Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 11:49:20 EDT

AB Oakley wears the Cap Tally for HMS ‘Drake’. a Stone Frigate (Shore
Base) in Plymouth (Guz) still in use in 2020.

Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 11:44:53 EDT

RN Beach Commando "Nan"

I believe that my father is in the front row seated front left, S/Lt L.V.Parry RNVR N1.

Would it be possible to get a copy of this photo ??

Posted by Dieter HV Parry on Sun 10 Jun 2018 17:29:22 EDT

Hi Jim

I looked up number of the LCM just out of curiosity and it appears it was amongst the Landing craft mechanised (MkI) LCM lost during Operation Torch
http://www.naval-history.net/WW2BritishLosses4Amphib.htm

If so it might be possible to find the exact location where it sank as this is the sort of thing the Navy should have a record of and might indicate where this picture was taken and where your father landed in North Africa.

Best Regards

Griff

Posted by Griffin Turton on Wed 20 May 2015 04:04:48 EDT

Dear Ron

My grandfather was an RN Commando and I am trying to collate information about the RN Beach Commandos generally and wondered if possible you could let us know a bit more about your father's service in C Commando and whether he served in any of the other RN Beach Commando units later on.

Best Regards

Griff

Posted by Griffin Turton on Wed 20 May 2015 03:52:53 EDT

Photo update from Griffin Turton

J. Farndale is my aunt and I have her permission to use the photo, though it was probably an official photo originally and was used in the Eighth Army News in May 1945.

Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Fri 24 Oct 2014 17:00:31 EDT

Photo update from Griffin Turton

Leda Kipling is the wife of Syd Kipling, who wrote a short history of the RN Commandos, which can be found on various sites, he was a member of my grandfather's unit Nan Commando. Leda gave me the photos about seven years ago

Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Fri 24 Oct 2014 16:59:39 EDT

Photo update from Griffin Turton

Leda Kipling is the wife of Syd Kipling, who wrote a short history of the RN Commandos, which can be found on various sites, he was a member of my grandfather's unit Nan Commando. Leda gave me the photos about seven years ago

Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Fri 24 Oct 2014 16:59:07 EDT

Which RN Commando is this?

Jim excellent photo, was just wondering, which commando unit this is?

Posted by Griffin Turton on Fri 17 Oct 2014 13:06:09 EDT

RN Beach Commando Nan

The picture is of NAN Commando and was taken in August 1944 at Porto San Giorgio, on the Adriatic Coast.
Circled is Acting Petty Officer Raymond Henry Seaton who was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his actions during the landings in Sicily.
The CO at that time Lt Cdr Thomas Turton RNVR (my grandfather) is sat at the centre of the front row.

Posted by Griffin Turton on Fri 17 Oct 2014 12:56:26 EDT

To clarify: Ronald Victor Giles is in the top right hand area of the photograph, with his hand on the shoulder of the rating in front of him.

Posted by Ron Giles on Sun 21 Sep 2014 17:42:30 EDT

Pat Coffey

Hello Jim
My father was Ronald Victor Giles, or 'Arvey' to his group.
He was in 'C' Commando too, and is fourth from left in this photo.
When I was young I remember him telling tales of the commandos and his mate 'Paddy Coffee' from Liverpool.
I now know, of course, it was your dad Patrick Coffey.

Posted by Ron Giles on Mon 15 Sep 2014 06:09:16 EDT

Photo updated

Graham Chaplin believes his father, P/JX/156000 Petty Officer Arnold David Chaplin DSM, 'M' Party RN Commando, is the Petty Officer to the right

Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sat 23 Mar 2013 17:52:53 EDT

RN Commandos.
22 Commandos were formed throughout WWII. The RN Cdos were designated Alphabetically, not Numerically like the Army Commandos and the Royal Marine Commandos, beginning with A Commando through to W Commando. (W CDO being all Canadian).

Posted by Nick Collins on Sun 18 Oct 2009 13:36:51 EDT