https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/French/Hardtrack+7/
From Claudine Cormerais " I'm a french woman, who discovered, few months ago, that my father's cousin started from France in 1940 aged of 20, and was engaged in Naval Forces of Free French in January 1941. My "little" cousin, Andre Dignac has been in Ayr, Criccieth, Achnaccary for hard training in 1BFMC of 4 commando, then, after selection of the groups, he had join the No.10 Commando Inter-allied. In December 1943, there were two raids for Sark Island, the 25th and 27th. During the first they had to return in England because it was too difficult to climb the cliffs.These raids were named Hardtack 7. I remind to you that Andre was named " Tarzan " among his troop because he was a special and trained climber; always the first, the pathfinder for climbing the very high cliffs and assure the others guys following him.The second raid two nights later, was difficult, but they climbed successfully on the top of the cliff : unfortunately they entered a minefield ; Roger Bellamy died immediatly and my cousin Andre Dignac badly wounded ; he received some morphine but died just after. The english officier Lt. McGonigal was wounded, and the raiders had to return very quickly to the dinghy because the noise of the mines woke the deutsh troops. Roger and Andre lay in the minefield, both died and were buried by germans on December 27 and Sark's population noted where that was. After the war, a memorial has been built for their memory. If you have some details more, I'll be so happy to know it "

(album created and posted 26th Sept. 2009 by Pete R.)]]> en-us Gallery 2 RSS Module, version 1.1.8 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:28:52 +0100 120 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/d/6592-9/Hardtrack+7.jpg https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/French/Hardtrack+7/ https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/French/Hardtrack+7/Ambrose+Joseph+McGonigal+MC.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/French/Hardtrack+7/Ambrose+Joseph+McGonigal+MC.jpg.html
Lt Ambrose Joseph McGonigal who led operation Hardtack 7 on Sark, and in 1944 was awarded the MC whilst with the SBS
In album Operation Hardtack 7 - Sark]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:30:30 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/French/Hardtrack+7/Andre+Diignac+Testament.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/French/Hardtrack+7/Andre+Diignac+Testament.jpg.html
In album Operation Hardtack 7 - Sark]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:37:14 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/French/Hardtrack+7/Andre+Dignac+certificate.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/French/Hardtrack+7/Andre+Dignac+certificate.jpg.html
A doc from the school of "commandos fusiliers" of Lorient, they gave the name of André to a group in formation in this special school with a hand drawing presentation of André climbing the cliffs. Information and photo courtesy of Claudine Cormerais
In album Operation Hardtack 7 - Sark]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:26:00 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/French/Hardtrack+7/The+route+of+the+raid.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/French/Hardtrack+7/The+route+of+the+raid.jpg.html
In album Operation Hardtack 7 - Sark]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:22:00 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/French/Hardtrack+7/Andre+Dignac+10IA.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/French/Hardtrack+7/Andre+Dignac+10IA.jpg.html
In Memory of Private Andre Dignac
1st BFMC and No.10(IA) Commando 1 troop
who died on Sark 27/28th December 1943.

Photo courtesy of Claudine Cormerais
In album Operation Hardtack 7 - Sark]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Mon, 22 Oct 2012 17:30:43 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/French/Hardtrack+7/Robert+Bellamy_+kia+Operation+Hardtack+7.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/French/Hardtrack+7/Robert+Bellamy_+kia+Operation+Hardtack+7.jpg.html
Click on this link to view more: https://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/French/Robert+Bellamy.jpg.html
In album Operation Hardtack 7 - Sark]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Mon, 11 Oct 2021 10:43:33 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/French/Hardtrack+7/Operaton+Hardtack+7+contd.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/French/Hardtrack+7/Operaton+Hardtack+7+contd.jpg.html
In album Operation Hardtack 7 - Sark]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:46:45 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/French/Hardtrack+7/Operation+Hardtack+7+last.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/French/Hardtrack+7/Operation+Hardtack+7+last.jpg.html
In album Operation Hardtack 7 - Sark]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:47:06 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/French/Hardtrack+7/Andre+Dignan.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/French/Hardtrack+7/Andre+Dignan.jpg.html
10( IA) Commando killed in action 27th December 1943 on Sark during Operation Hardtack 7.

[Photo courtesy of his cousin Claudine Cormerais]
In album Operation Hardtack 7 - Sark]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Mon, 22 Oct 2012 17:26:09 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/French/Hardtrack+7/Operation+Hardtack+7.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/10IA/French/Hardtrack+7/Operation+Hardtack+7.jpg.html
In album Operation Hardtack 7 - Sark]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:46:26 +0100