Ria Bakker advises that the house in the background is the type seen in Limburg, a provence in the South of Holland
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Wed 08 Feb 2012 14:08:35 GMT
Bert Smart No Cdo
1940 - No 5 Independent Company, then No 1 Special Service Battalion.
1940 - No 2 Commando - 3 Troop (founder member)
1944 - Posted to HOC Wrexham from Yugoslavia as Sgt instructor.
1945 - Posted to Commando Group HQ.
Retired in 1947 after 1 year in hospital.
Posted by Geoff Murray on Mon 06 Feb 2012 00:21:52 GMT
Tony joined the Commandos in 1943 from the Cameron Highlanders. He fought with No 4 in Walcheren and was involved in the liberation of Brussels. He broke his ankle whilst training for D-Day and could not therefore take part. He was always immensely proud to be a Commando. GM
Posted by Geoff Murray on Sat 04 Feb 2012 12:06:58 GMT
Sandy Seaton
I think this is RQMS Sandy Seaton
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Mon 30 Jan 2012 01:29:35 GMT
It looks like AMFREVILLE Le Plein. Is it Gliders, background ?
I'm going to AMFREVILLE tomorrow, I will see if I can find the same spot !
Posted by stephane on Fri 13 Jan 2012 01:02:41 GMT
Photo updated
Higher res version (courtesy of Jacvk Bakker) uploaded
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 08 Jan 2012 16:25:03 GMT
We saw someone playing bagpipe, maybe Bill Millin ?
Posted by stephane on Sat 07 Jan 2012 11:52:41 GMT
Le Plein, AMFREVILLE.
Posted by stephane on Sat 07 Jan 2012 11:49:23 GMT
Le Plein, AMFREVILLE. 14th July 1944
Posted by stephane on Sat 07 Jan 2012 11:48:59 GMT
Le Plein, AMFREVILLE. 14th july 1944. Look the photographer on the tree !!
Posted by stephane on Sat 07 Jan 2012 11:48:03 GMT
Confirmed today with grandfather, George Norton Barnes -14987370 Fus. Barnes G.N Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers -
that he is 8th left, row 3 from bottom. He still has the bushy black eyebrows, but not much hair.
He currently can not recall where it was taken, as such group photos were common, but he now has a copy of this photo and the one at http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/5/Group+of+No5+Cdo_e.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1
where he has his right arm on Sgt Ted Tharme shoulder, he could recall a Ted, but not the surname.
A few comments he made were:
1. Such group photos were common, so please post them for all to share.
2. The white "blanco" belts/putties were probably from stores for the photos.
3. Each solider wears the cap badge of their original regiment, but in some cases -such as his coming from the Royal Marine Commandos- a regiment was assigned, hence my grandfather is 14987370 Fus. Barnes G.N...
Confirmed today with grandfather, George Norton Barnes -14987370 Fus. Barnes G.N Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers -
that he is 8th left, row 3 from bottom. He still has the bushy black eyebrows, but not much hair.
He currently can not recall where it was taken, as such group photos were common, but he now has a copy of this photo and the one at http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/5/Group+of+No5+Cdo_e.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1
where he has his right arm on Sgt Ted Tharme shoulder, he could recall a Ted, but not the surname.
A few comments he made were:
1. Such group photos were common, so please post them for all to share.
2. The white "blanco" belts/putties were probably from stores for the photos.
3. Each solider wears the cap badge of their original regiment, but in some cases -such as his coming from the Royal Marine Commandos- a regiment was assigned, hence my grandfather is 14987370 Fus. Barnes G.N Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
4. People would come and go from units: people got killed or wounded or posted elsewhere. George himself was posted to 5 Commando India/Burma, then along with "as many as could be spared sent back for D-Day" then later posted back to Burma and finally HongKong where he finished the war . Prior to this he had been in Royal Marine Commando units and with "the gang" as he called it, living in bed and breakfast on the isle of white and being sent on raids, sometimes with a ex con safe cracker.
Posted by mark hudson on Mon 02 Jan 2012 16:24:01 GMT
From Mrs Cann
Hello,I see photo of Officers,Sergeants & WO's in number 1 commandos on the site.My father in law( deceased) is at number 32 .named Jack Cann. He later returned ,I think after injury to Welch regiment as RSM.
Posted by Geoff Murray on Sat 31 Dec 2011 12:51:49 GMT
From Mrs Cann
Hello,I see photo of Officers,Sergeants & WO's in number 1 commandos on the site.My father in law ( deceased) is at number 32 .named Jack Cann. He later returned ,I think after injury to Welch regiment as RSM.
Posted by Geoff Murray on Sat 31 Dec 2011 12:50:45 GMT
I'm pretty sure the man 4th from left is my father John Bugg. He was just 19 years old here.
Posted by Phillip Bugg on Tue 20 Dec 2011 22:01:35 GMT
Fred Walker in a London boy, currently an In-Pensioner at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. A diamond geezer!
Posted by Geoff Murray on Sun 11 Dec 2011 21:56:02 GMT
Ref Comments re Robert Griffin
Chris I manage the CVA Gallery. Please email me with as much detail as you may have about your Grandfather's Commando service. My email address is on the CVA Contact Us page ...Pete R.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Mon 05 Dec 2011 22:53:25 GMT
Commando front row 2nd from right.
I believe the commando in the front row 2nd from the right is my grandfather Robert Griffin, who was from Middlesbrough. I would be really pleased if this could be confirmed.
Many thanks
Chris
Posted by Chris Dunne on Mon 05 Dec 2011 22:13:24 GMT
Dave Losban, RM.
** Photo updated: Mike please contact me via the Contact Us page if you have an additional picture of your father for our gallery **
My Dad, Dave, is pictured (2nd row back/ 5th from the left)on the steps in Putignano, with the others of 'A'Troop, 43rd RM. He was seriously wounded in action near Argenta, on 19/4/45. I believe that he was shot during the last half-hour that the 43rd were in during WW2. I feel such a sense of honour to have had a father like mine; a true gentleman with a great sense of humour.He was a paraplegic due to his wounds and indeed, when he died, his death certificate stated 'gunshot wounds', even though it was 48 yrs on from his wounding.
'All that we have of freedom
All that we use or know
This our Fathers bought for us
Long and long ago'
Rudyard Kipling.
Posted by mike losban on Fri 11 Nov 2011 13:41:30 GMT
No 105 is my father Harry Morrell
*** Photo updated.Register and post a message on our Forum if you have any relevant photos***No 105 is my father Harry Morrell 1913-2000 he had 2 children Roma and Anthony wife Ada morrell sent in by son anthony morrell
Posted by anthony morrell on Sun 06 Nov 2011 21:26:07 GMT
James Derrick (lofty) Hampson clenched raised fist second row seated 4th from left
Posted by Michael Hampson on Fri 28 Oct 2011 20:01:31 BST
David Haig -Thomas
Thanks for putting David Haig-Thomas's photo up. I am one of his twin grandsons, Alex Haig-Thomas. If anyone knows anything about his last day, the ambush or indeed any information about him, anecdotes, funny stories, something memorable about him or trivia, I would be incredibly keen to hear from you.
Best wishes,
Alex HT
Posted by Alex Haig-Thomas on Thu 27 Oct 2011 15:41:33 BST
David Haig-Thomas
Peter,
I am David Haig-Thomas's grandson. I have not heard much about my grandfather's last day, the ambush etc. Do you know any more about it, perhaps though your dad, perhaps other sources?
Alex HT
Posted by Alex Haig-Thomas on Thu 27 Oct 2011 15:34:22 BST
Front row seventh from right Sgt. Derrick James "Lofty" Hampson.
Posted by Michael Hampson on Thu 20 Oct 2011 22:06:30 BST
No. 33
This is my father Derrick James "Lofty" Hampson
Posted by Michael Hampson on Thu 20 Oct 2011 22:02:53 BST
photo updated
names added to photo
Update 3/12/10 by Pete R. Info from Liz Reece that her father John Morgan is on the 2nd row - 3rd from the left.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Thu 06 Oct 2011 19:14:05 BST
