I believe the man on the right is, Hendrikis Bijnolt (Henri Bijmolt?)or similar name. He was a witness at my father's wedding on 23rd January 1943 in Cardiff. His name is on the wedding certificate and he is also in the wedding photo. I have not been able to find any information about him.
Posted by Irene beatrix hofayz on Tue 13 Jan 2015 16:01:22 GMT
Photo updated
Forenames added with LG entry
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 11 Jan 2015 16:38:22 GMT
Photo updated
Details of award and CWGC entry added
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 11 Jan 2015 16:37:34 GMT
Photo updated
Details of award added
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 11 Jan 2015 16:36:16 GMT
Photo updated
Details of award added
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 11 Jan 2015 16:35:44 GMT
Photo updated
Forename of Pte JG Nixon added
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 11 Jan 2015 16:34:12 GMT
Photo updated
Details of award added
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 11 Jan 2015 16:32:56 GMT
Query on surname spelling
Note spelling on the surname on the London Gazettes entry differs to the CWGC entry in that it ends with double T rather than single.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 11 Jan 2015 16:28:05 GMT
Photo updated
CWGC details and forenames added
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 11 Jan 2015 16:20:12 GMT
Photo updated
First name added
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 11 Jan 2015 16:16:51 GMT
Photo updated
Link and first name added
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 11 Jan 2015 16:15:49 GMT
Photo updated re Lt Bisset
CWGC details added
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 11 Jan 2015 15:13:39 GMT
Photo updated re Capt Kither
CWGC details added, with link to the forum and his grave. Both the CWGC and originator of photo have his first name as Harry, whilst London Gazettes show Henry
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 11 Jan 2015 14:51:21 GMT
The Strymon Ferry, new Drama - November 1944
This picture was taken on the banks of the Strymon River near Drama in November 1944 when 9 Commando detached two Troops to help quell some unrest in the Drama area. To get there they need to cross the Strymon River whose bridge had been blown up by the retreating Germans. The Commandos had to improvise a ferry to get its vehicle and stores across. In this picture are, l-r, Lt Francis, the British interpreter and guide, who looks as if he has a 9 Commando black hackle behind his cap badge; an ELAS soldier (it was the tension between ELAS and the Greek royalists that had precipitated 9 Commando's presence at Drama), Lt Harry Kither, and Lt Angus Ferguson.
Posted by Gregor Ferguson on Sun 11 Jan 2015 00:18:36 GMT
More information
This was indeed the Liberation Day parade in Drama, 12 November 1944. This photo shows and 2 Troops of 9 Commando in Review Order. The officer in front isCaptain WW (Bill) Carrie, OC 2 Troop and 2i/c of the force; the other officers standing to attention are, l-r, Lt GD Bisset, RE of 1 Troop (also force adjutant); Lt DWD Peel, RA of 1 Troop, and Lt MD Kennedy of 2 Troop.
Posted by Gregor Ferguson on Sun 11 Jan 2015 00:06:28 GMT
Interesting detail
If you look closely you'll see that both my father and the sergeant sitting to his right have parachute wings on their right fore-arms. Normally, the wings worn by parachute-trained personnel in non-airborne units consisted of the 'lightbulb' - a simple parachute on a circular patch. In airborne units the full wings were worn on the right shoulder, two fingers'-widths down from the seam.
Posted by Gregor Ferguson on Sun 11 Jan 2015 00:01:41 GMT
I also have a copy of this photo. On the back is Moffat 1941.
Posted by michael fuller on Sat 03 Jan 2015 10:48:15 GMT
The man behind Nelson Smallbone and the man with the pipe is Denis Fuller.
Posted by michael fuller on Wed 31 Dec 2014 07:20:10 GMT
My father is E.G. Stokoe. Affectionately known as Ted. On the back row second from the left. The author of Lower the Ramps and Once a Marine. He lost his leg to a German mine on 12th March 1945. He always had tremendous spirit and unless they were told, people could not believe he had a disability.
Posted by Colin Stokoe on Tue 23 Dec 2014 23:15:55 GMT
Photo updated
Sgt Harry Hewitt identified. see below.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sat 20 Dec 2014 23:08:18 GMT
3rd Row 6 is Sgt Harry Hewitt
Posted by Jeff on Sat 20 Dec 2014 14:59:42 GMT
Photo updated
Denis Fuller details added from comments below
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sat 20 Dec 2014 12:38:55 GMT
Photo updated
Denis Fuller details added from comments below
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sat 20 Dec 2014 12:38:19 GMT
Photo updated
Denis Fuller details added from comments below
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sat 20 Dec 2014 12:37:48 GMT
On close examination of this photo it appeared that the soldiers were wearing hackles in their berets. Whilst No5 Cdo did wear a Golden Hackle, on their Tam O'Shanters, in their early days, the hackle was dispensed with when the green beret was issued. Closer examination also revealed a white patch on all of the four soldiers whose top button of their battledress blouse was in view.
After consultation with two friends - who have far greater knowledge on the uniforms etc., than I have - it was also noticed that there were two different BD blouses in the photo and the NCOs' chevrons were not those of a commando but were actually those of the Light Infantry.
Both my friends concluded that the 'hackle' was, in fact, a white 'Minden Rose' and that the photo was taken post WWII after the Commandos had disbanded and Cpl Allan Jameson (as he was at the time the photo was taken) had returned to his parent regiment - The KOYLI (King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry).
The only question ...
On close examination of this photo it appeared that the soldiers were wearing hackles in their berets. Whilst No5 Cdo did wear a Golden Hackle, on their Tam O'Shanters, in their early days, the hackle was dispensed with when the green beret was issued. Closer examination also revealed a white patch on all of the four soldiers whose top button of their battledress blouse was in view.
After consultation with two friends - who have far greater knowledge on the uniforms etc., than I have - it was also noticed that there were two different BD blouses in the photo and the NCOs' chevrons were not those of a commando but were actually those of the Light Infantry.
Both my friends concluded that the 'hackle' was, in fact, a white 'Minden Rose' and that the photo was taken post WWII after the Commandos had disbanded and Cpl Allan Jameson (as he was at the time the photo was taken) had returned to his parent regiment - The KOYLI (King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry).
The only question that remains is why they are wearing two white roses - one on their blouse and one on their beret.
Thanks to Mike & Richard Beckett & Leigh Kitchen for their expert advise and information. N.Collins
Posted by Nick Collins on Fri 19 Dec 2014 23:04:51 GMT
