He is armed with the 9mm Sterling Sun-Machine Gun a gas and blow-back operated weapon.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 11 Sep 2020 17:38:18 EDT
The second man from left is carrying the very heavy MMG Tripod like it Has no weight! The Commando in front of him has a Bren slung over his right shoulder.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 11 Sep 2020 17:34:50 EDT
The badges on the left arm of Jess are his rank, ie: Leading Seaman, and the three stripes are Long Service Stripes , one for each period of 4 years, indicating 12 years under the Colours since the age of 18, any time before that was regarded as ‘Boys Time” and did not count towards Pension. At this time youngsters still went to Sea regardless, with many being Killed in Action!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:16:46 EDT
The creature in this Crest is a Salamander which in myths is claimed to survive fire.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 08:39:23 EDT
I hope that is a Green Fez!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 12:41:48 EDT
This shows a 3’ Mortar Team preparing to open fire. No: 1 of the weapon is setting the sight whilst the others prepare bombs for the ‘stonk’ they are about to drop onto the target.The striped rod in front is one of the aiming posts which would be set out to use in the DF(SOS) mode, Defensive Fire SOS. The range would depend on which fuses were placed in the base of each bomb.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 12:37:01 EDT
The three front Commandos each hold a .30-06 inch a Garand Rifle issued to provide extra fire power as these are semi-automatic weapons
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 12:25:41 EDT
The cups of tea are a major clue!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 11:59:33 EDT
This an interesting a Commando photograph. As the Commando Units were being formed they had no regular home or Barracks, added to that was the fact they moved frequently to many different locations. What was decided is they would be paid a Subsistence Allowance and take lodgings near to their current training area. This proved popular, they could pick and choose, were away from Barracks Routine, could team up with chums, would be living in Town close to attractions such as Pubs, Cinemas, Dance Halls and young ladies! The rent money they paid was welcomed by their Landladies many of whom had siblings serving in the Armed Forces and they would also bring home anything they could scrounge. It worked well and explains the smiles in this photo, some long-terms friends and relation ships were forged, many married into families they had lodged with.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 11:58:19 EDT
This Commando is wearing a standard issue life-belt but fully inflated for reason which are not clear. It was inflated by blowing through the mouthpiece.
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 27 Aug 2020 17:05:11 EDT
Photo update
Hi Paul
I imagine the info about your Father being a POW came from the commando (now deceased) who provided the image. I have checked the POW Lists National Archives files and can find no trace of your Father on there. If you have a good photo of your Father you would like added please post it on our Forum or contact us via the Contact Page https://www.commandoveterans.org/contact
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Thu 12 Mar 2020 12:18:35 EDT
Albert Raymond Wogel 1 Commando
Hi All,
My Name is Paul Wogel Son of A.Wogel #3 above.
Have noticed that the above photo of my father A.Wogel #3 in it they have mentions he was taken as a POW in Tunisia WWII, im unable to find anything about this in his records.
Can anyone let me know if this did happen ?
He past away 26th Dec 1952, 6 weeks after i was born.
We now know he suffered from Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - Due to battle fatigue.
He was involved in a number of engagements.
Regards
Paul Wogel
Posted by PAUL WOGEL on Fri 06 Mar 2020 12:34:03 EST
Albert Bacon & James Casbolt
Hello,
Referring to what my relative Philip said in the later reunion. This one I think is again in Porchester Hall and although I have been able to identify Albert Bacon (I know him as Great-Uncle Bert) I'm still not 100 percent sure of James Casbolt (I know him as Great-Uncle Jim).
Albert Bacon is the man at the back just right to the lampshades (his left), the tallest man in the photo.
While I'm not 100 percent sure, James Casbolt is in the first full row 7th from HIS right, the man standing not below but just next to what looks like the old curtain tie string.
I've only taken glances at my relative Philip's reunion photo later on and compared faces but I think I am right with this identification. Anyone let me know if you can identify any others.
Posted by Jacob Gosling on Wed 04 Mar 2020 09:46:30 EST
1. James Casbolt & 465. Albert Bacon
Hello, I know my distant relative Philip Bacon has identified these people already. Sjt James R. Casbolt was my grandfather's cousin and Pte Albert W. Bacon was James' brother-in-law.
I wondered if there was anybody within this community who actually remembered my granddad's cousin and his brother-in-law. There were known to my family as Uncle Jim and Uncle Bert and while I know Jim went to Norway and they both went to Burma that's about it.
I am new to this society and only starting to learn the bravery of these men but if anyone has any information it would be much appreciated as I never met my dear Great-Uncle Jim neither Uncle Bert and would love to know more.
Kind Regards
Posted by Jacob Gosling on Wed 04 Mar 2020 08:56:53 EST
