<![CDATA[Alfred 'Chirpy' Deakin aka Alf Hill, No.5 Commando 5 troop]]> https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/5/Deakin/ en-us Gallery 2 RSS Module, version 1.1.8 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:16:51 +0100 120 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/d/38644-3/Deakin.jpg <![CDATA[Alfred 'Chirpy' Deakin aka Alf Hill, No.5 Commando 5 troop]]> https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/5/Deakin/ <![CDATA[Alf Chirpy Deakin, No.5 Commando 5 troop, aka Alf Hill]]> https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/5/Deakin/Alf_Hill_Deakin_pre_No5.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/5/Deakin/Alf_Hill_Deakin_pre_No5.jpg.html
Regiment: Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Wounded in action on 23 March 1944 when 5 Troop was ambushed and cut down by Japanese heavy machine gun. Photo courtesy of grandson, Gareth Hill.
In album Alfred 'Chirpy' Deakin aka Alf Hill, No.5 Commando 5 troop]]> Nick Collins photo Mon, 17 Mar 2025 22:16:05 +0000 <![CDATA[Alf 'Chirpy' Deakin aka Alf Hill, and No.5 Commando pals.]]> https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/5/Deakin/Alf_Hill_Deakin_and+No5_pals.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/5/Deakin/Alf_Hill_Deakin_and+No5_pals.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of Alf's grandson, Gareth Hill].

Chirpy Deakin,seated, was wounded in action on 23 March 1944 when 5 Troop, No5 Cdo, was ambushed and cut down by Japanese heavy machine gun. One of Chirpy's comrades, who was also wounded, told me: "When I entered the ambulance I met Chirpy Deakin who was in tears, apparently of rage. On my enquiry he showed me a tattoo of the head and shoulders of Buffalo Bill on his upper arm, through which a bullet had neatly carved a total mess..."
The aforementioned tattoo can be clearly recognised on Chirpy's left arm.
In album Alfred 'Chirpy' Deakin aka Alf Hill, No.5 Commando 5 troop]]> Nick Collins photo Mon, 17 Mar 2025 22:18:02 +0000 <![CDATA[Alfred 'Chirpy' Deakin, No.5 Commando 5 troop, aka Alf Hill]]> https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/5/Deakin/Alf_Hill_Deakin_No5_colour.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/5/Deakin/Alf_Hill_Deakin_No5_colour.jpg.html
Regiment: Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Wounded in action on 23 March 1944 when 5 Troop was ambushed and cut down by Japanese heavy machine gun. Photo courtesy of grandson, Gareth Hill.
In album Alfred 'Chirpy' Deakin aka Alf Hill, No.5 Commando 5 troop]]> Nick Collins photo Mon, 17 Mar 2025 22:15:43 +0000