Parade at Ravenna just prior to Commachio 1945. Update courtesy of Peter Vatcher-Dow. GM
Posted by Geoff Murray on Sun 25 Sep 2011 14:18:03 BST
Trooper Peter Vatcher-Dow in Molfetta, just after Sarande Albania. Nov '44.
Posted by Geoff Murray on Sun 25 Sep 2011 14:12:30 BST
Row 3 No.2 - Pte Bert Dixon
My grandad who didn't go on the raid.
Posted by Tim Huelin on Fri 23 Sep 2011 15:56:53 BST
in this photo is my grandad it was taken on his 21st birthday by a news photographer for the paper the cigs and cornedbeef were presents of the other boys in the troop my grandad gave the cornbeef to the other commando in the photo my grandad did tell me his name once and said he was a good friend and he used to keep this photo next to the chair he always sat in i think he also said he was kia i think thats why he kept the photo close to his chair so would like to know some moore about him any help would be great thanks
Posted by stanley mcmullen on Thu 22 Sep 2011 22:33:09 BST
my grandad is stanley mcmullen (no12) and i have some photos of him but am looking for some more my grandad also served in the royal glosters at imjin in korea after the war and sadly died about 5 years ago would like to know more on his comando service any help would be great thanks
Posted by stanley mcmullen on Wed 21 Sep 2011 03:45:05 BST
Major James Willis Gardner
*** Photo updated.Register and post a message on our Forum if you have any relevant photos***
No. 331 is Major James Willis Gardner born Weybridge, UK 28/02/1915, died Rome, Italy 11/11/1997. Following the war he worked for Procter and Gamble in Newcastle and left for Lausanne, Switzerland in 1952 to start up company operations in continental Europe. He retired from the company in 1980 as administrator of the Italian branch and lived out his retirement in the 'Castelli Romani' a renowned wine region of central Italy. He married Leila Tusgioglu from the island of Rhodes and had three children Marina, William and Alexia. His grandchildren live in three continents, with one niece married to a 'James' working for P&G from and in weybridge(!).
Posted by William Patrick Gardner on Tue 20 Sep 2011 02:19:33 BST
Henry Pirth
Details sent in by Des Rochford of No 2 Commando: Henry Pirth was an illegal entrant into Palestine in 1939. Originally from Chechoslavakia he joined the Palestinian Police as a Jewish Constable with false documents. He joined No 2 Cdo in Jan 44 until Sep 44. He then asked to be RTUd as life in No 2 Cdo was too dangerous. He said that he wanted to die for Isreal and not Britain. He joined the terrorist group Irgun Zevai Leumi. In 1947 his group attacked the Argyll and Sutherlasnd Highlanders in Jaffa and he was shot dead. Courtesy of Des Rochford No 2 Cdo.
Posted by Geoff Murray on Sat 17 Sep 2011 14:38:34 BST
Members of The Glosters who served in 'G' tp (later designated 'B' tp) No.4 Cdo.
Aidan, I am currently writing a book for the relatives of Bill Adlam, who is in the picture. I would be grateful to correspond with you and exchange information both on the Glosters and on Four Commando.I have researched and drafted chapters on 5 Glosters 1939 - 40, including Bruyelles, Ledringhem and Dunkirk and on Four Commando on Lofoten, Operation Puma and Operation Cauldron.I have a complete list of all personell who took part in Operation Cauldron on the Varangeville Battery and can confirm that Fred Brooking was there.
Please advise if you would like to swap information. Regards...Jeff Steel
Posted by Jeff Steel on Thu 15 Sep 2011 16:09:22 BST
My grandad
Hi Geoff,
Les was my granddad. He died when I was 2 and never really talked to my mother about his time at war or as POW. If you have any information or Amy photos that you could send me, my mother and I would be hugely appreciative.
Posted by Nina fox on Sun 11 Sep 2011 23:05:05 BST
Les whelan
Hi Peter, Leslie wheelan was grandfather, my mum's dad. He died when I was 2 years old so I never really got to know him. So if you have any further photos of him or any stories about his time in the troop or as POW then I would love to hear them. My mother is also very excited to have found this image and would also be grateful for any further information.
Thank you
Nina
Posted by Nina fox on Fri 09 Sep 2011 22:22:20 BST
Posted by stephane on Wed 07 Sep 2011 14:40:45 BST
Hello,
This is E Troop. with : Alan COOTE, John SKERRY, Harvey O'HARA etc...
Posted by stephane on Sat 03 Sep 2011 13:23:27 BST
E Tp No 4 Cdo leaving transit camp at Southampton Common. End of May 1944 on their way down to the docks.
Posted by Geoff Murray on Sun 28 Aug 2011 20:21:13 BST
Lt Col Dawson on 'Maid of Orleans' briefing D & E Tps No 4 Cdo before D-Day.
Posted by Geoff Murray on Sun 28 Aug 2011 19:42:48 BST
Identification
The guy behind Bill is my dad, Sammy Ryder. I have this picture an Dad always told me that the third guy, lying down, had been sent out to bring Bill and Dad (his spotter) back to the unit.
Dad dropped with David Haig Thomas who was the liaison officer with the 1st Canadian. David Haig Thomas was killed in an ambush shortly after the drop. Dad rejoined 4 commando approx. 3 days later. I'd appreciate any more information about his service.
Pete Ryder
Posted by Peter Ryder on Sat 13 Aug 2011 21:20:11 BST
Hugh Maines
I actually uploaded this photo some time ago and am embarassed to admit that I never really checked it out properly at the time, after a recent re-examinination, I am now fairly sure that the figure second from the right is my father!
Cheers Andy
Posted by Andy Maines on Sun 07 Aug 2011 13:07:12 BST
Roy (not Robbie) Bellringer
Hi, Just to let you know that L/Sgt Bellringers first name was Roy. Thank you for displaying the photos.
Posted by karen pendragon on Wed 29 Jun 2011 05:07:04 BST
2nd from right sitting on floor is James (Jim) Edward Harding
Posted by cliff harding on Thu 23 Jun 2011 00:01:26 BST
LEN TILDSLEY with the cigarette ( left )
Posted by stephane on Sun 12 Jun 2011 01:39:12 BST
I took this photo the 6th of june 2009, I was enjoy to met Bill for the first time, but unfortunately the last time.
Posted by stephane on Wed 04 May 2011 19:59:13 BST
William (Billy) Blundell is No 43
My brother and I went up to Benbecula last year to visit the place our Dad called "the most God forsaken hole in the world." We arrived when the sun was going down and it felt like we'd gone back in time, it is a really magical place although I'd imagine when they were training it must have been pretty harsh.
On the way up we stopped off for a night in the Speen Bridge Hotel and discovered this photo on the wall of the dining room.
I took some pictures and stitched them together in Photoshop, it now sits proudly on mine, my brother's and sister's walls. We are all certain that our Dad, William (Billy) Blundell, is number 43.
Although there are no names it fits with all the info that my Dad told us and is corroborated with the info I've found on this site.
Posted by Steven Blundell on Sun 01 May 2011 17:45:52 BST
message from Margo Hathorn
*** Photo updated.Register and post a message on our Forum if you have any relevant photos***
No 101 is my father Sgt Arthur (Toby) Hathorn 1915-1985,No 142 is George Pearson,also deceased, a close friend of my father. Margo.
Posted by Margo Hathorn on Sun 24 Apr 2011 19:35:47 BST
My grandad was just showing me this picture tonight and here it is,im amazed...he's 7th from the left back row...Fred Hartley...where did this picture come from? any info would be helpful.
Posted by rebecca hartley on Tue 05 Apr 2011 00:48:07 BST
Deanna from Pete R. - Gallery manager. The year is not known at the present time.
What year was this taken?
Posted by Deanna Walker on Tue 22 Feb 2011 19:44:00 GMT
Deanna ...from Pete R. gallery manager..please register on the forum and post your enquiry there. Fred is still with us !
Can anyone tell me more about these boys?, I'd like to know where Fred Walker was from please.
Thank you.
Posted by Deanna Walker on Tue 22 Feb 2011 19:32:23 GMT
