This is CSM Jim Kelly. He was my CSM at Merseyside (Morpeth dock) RMFVR, changed during my service (1963 - 1968) to RMR. He was the nicest man you could meet and yet a very tough Commando. I was 18 years old, he was "old" (40!) I remember thinking how could this old guy possibly keep up with us on our 6 milers - he, of course, ran us into the ground (also drank us under the table). He was part of the D Day invasion and, amongst other awards, was awarded the Croix de Guerre for his actions. He and Sgt. Jerry Kelly (not related), would do a great version of "the brothers Malone". He taught me much and I still think of him very often. What a great guy! According to this site, he passed just a few years ago. RIP CSM.
Posted by Terry Fitzsimmons on Sat 12 Jun 2021 16:13:33 BST
Trooper Churchill wears his Legion d’Honneur Medal above his British War Medals.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 01 Oct 2020 11:47:13 BST
There are an enormous variety of berets badges at these Re-Unions which represent all the many Regiments, Corps and Branches of HM Armed Forces who have traditionally formed the Commandos.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 01 Oct 2020 11:29:08 BST
The Standard borne by this Polish Special Forces Trooper interestingly bears the Combined Operation emblem or an Eagle, Thompson Sub Machine Gun and the Kedging Anchor so they retain the Wartime connection with Pride.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 01 Oct 2020 10:41:43 BST
The Trooper on the right in the photo is Polish.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 01 Oct 2020 10:38:59 BST
Steve Unwin is a former Chief Petty Officer Royal Navy and wears the Dolphins Badge of the Submarine Service above his Medals . Medals on the right breast are those of a family member worn in their honour.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 01 Oct 2020 10:36:34 BST
The RN Commando at rear would have completed the Commando Course
probably at CTCRM Lympstone and been a member of a Commando Unit
in on e of three roles: 1 Doctor 2 Dentist 3 Instructor or ‘Schoolie’.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 01 Oct 2020 10:23:50 BST
CO and men of 43 Commando RM in front of the Commando Memorial at
Spear Bridge.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 30 Sep 2020 19:18:21 BST
Trooper Parsons wears the white and red hackle of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and a Royal British Legion and British Veterans badges on his lapel.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 30 Sep 2020 19:01:40 BST
This is a mixed Dutch Contingent.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 30 Sep 2020 18:46:48 BST
The Royal Navy Rating in the photo is a Naval Airman (Photgrapher) who is at the Service taking Official photographs. The Specialist Qualification on
the right arm also indicates that he is Class 2 (two stars) and the letter ‘P.’
his Job.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 30 Sep 2020 18:35:29 BST
The Commando Troopers grouped behind the CVA Standard Bearer are drawn from the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps. In their Green Berets they wear the RNLC Cap Badge which is a Naval ‘fouled’ Anchor capped by the Dutch Royal Crown and angled. They will have trained at a French
Commando Centre to Special Forces level and are quite distinct from the Dutch Commando Trooepen.
Berets
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 28 Sep 2020 18:05:12 BST
The Polish Soldier is wearing a white metal Beret Badge with a black patch below the Polish Eagle, that is Special Forces.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 28 Sep 2020 14:21:27 BST
Trooper Davies is speaking to a Polish Soldier evidenced by the red and white ‘flash’ who is wearing a Green Beret and the patch on left sleeve below Country colours appears to be Polish Special Forces.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 28 Sep 2020 14:08:56 BST
The Troopers shown in this photo are Royal Engineers who form part of U.K. Commando Forces.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 27 Sep 2020 11:04:47 BST
As the Officer leading is Royal Artillery this group is probable drawn from 29 Commando Regiment RA who have a Battery forming part of 45 Commando Group RM based at RM Condor near Arbroath, Scotland.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 27 Sep 2020 11:02:02 BST
They can be distinguished here also as the Dress CapTops are all white.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 27 Sep 2020 10:56:46 BST
The Marines in lighter coloured striped trousers are members of the United States Marine Corps who are probably serving with the Royal Marines after Commando Training and the award of the Green Beret.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 27 Sep 2020 10:55:36 BST
The group of identically dressed Troopers in the photo are Veterans. of the Dutch Korps Commandotroepen formed after WW2 and included volunteers who had served in British Commando Units. The man nearest the camera wears Dutch and French Parachute Badges.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 27 Sep 2020 10:51:03 BST
The Troopers in this photo are saluting with palm facing down which is that traditionally used by the a Royal Navy.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 27 Sep 2020 10:42:12 BST
This Commando Trooper is wearing Medals on his right side which date from the First World War (known as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred) together with a Second World War Defence Medal which are usually those of a family member, this is an old tradition and good to see as it shows there is a continuity of Service to Sovereign and Country
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 27 Sep 2020 10:39:45 BST
The tall man behind the hatless Squaddie is a member of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and wears the beret seen with Scarlet patch. His Cap Badge is a Naval ‘fouled anchor’ with the Dutch Royal Crown. The Anchor lies at an angle and the Corps is known as ‘Korps Mariniers’ . They liaise closely with the Royal Marines in many areas.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 26 Sep 2020 18:02:21 BST
Royal Marines Commando Kelly proudly wears his Green Beret with cloth dagger badge which means he is a WW2 Veteran, he appears to have a ‘Split’ Cap Badge and if so is a former Commissioned Officer or Warrant Officer, in the case of the latter he would either be a Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) or Quarter Master Sergeant (QMS) in the Royal Marines during WW2 as Warrant rank was not introduced in the Corps until well after the War ended.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 26 Sep 2020 17:51:39 BST
In this picture Mr Mark Heard wears Miniature Dress Medals of those which were awarded to his Father. He is also wearing the miniature Legion d’Honneur awarded to his Father.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 25 Sep 2020 20:05:22 BST
The man on there right of the group (as looked at) is wearing Medals on his right breast. This is traditionally how Family members are allowed to wear these hard earned Medals in salute to the person who was awarded them.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 25 Sep 2020 20:02:28 BST
