No 12 Commando, 2 Parachute troop ( No 1 stick )

Photo from the collection of Edward Sims (aka Eddie or Ted) who served in No 12 Commando until disbanded in 1943, then in No 6 Commando. He is pictured here arrowed and sitting on the ground at the front. Submitted by his son Ian Sims.

See adjacent photo of all the annotations written on the reverse..

Back row 3rd from left. Lt Peter Cruden. The photo is annotated by Pte. Sims with the following "OC Peter Cruden. Best bloody officer in the British Army"

Julia Cruden writes this of her father Peter Cruden "After the war he went to Assam India where he was a tea planter and where he and his wife Daphne had three children - James, Charles and Julia. He returned to England in 1962 or 1963, I would have to ask my brother, and worked for his great friend and my godfather Captain Ryan Price. ( Also from No 6 Commando). He then, in 1976, became the late Lord John Cowdray's Polo Manager, he was a very accomplished horseman a real natural. He loved his racing! Sadly he died way too soon in September 1998, after fighting cancer. He was so stoic. He was always a great role model. I, and my daughter are keen equestrians and we all miss him very much."