Photo 342: John S. GIBSON. Author and historian.
Specialist on Jacobite history.
Appeared in the ITV film "Achtung Achnacarry".
Posted by Jan Mas on Tue 17 Nov 2020 20:05:40 GMT
Photo update
Whilst many from this unit went onto join the new 48RM Commando, inclusion in this photo is not in itself a guarantee of later service as a Commando. This must be established on an individual basis.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sat 14 Nov 2020 22:24:57 GMT
My father is number 65.
William George Doughty.
Posted by John doughty on Sun 08 Nov 2020 13:08:24 GMT
Photo update
Whay Campion identified by his son Andy.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 08 Nov 2020 11:59:19 GMT
Frederick Charles Whisker
My Father Frederick Charles Whisker Extreme bottom left
Front row left
Still with us age 98 (23/10/2020) dob 23/10/22
Posted by Janetwhisker on Wed 04 Nov 2020 21:55:34 GMT
Frank Allum
Richard. I finally saw your post on the photo of 12 Commando E Troop in Dover for Operation Chess. Unfortunately I don’t get notifications when posts are made as I didn’t put the photo on the site - one of the administrators did on my behalf. My father left behind a note book he kept during some of 1942 when he was still in E Troop and in it are various lists of names of soldiers he served with. Unfortunately your father’s name isn’t mentioned although that of Sgt Parr is. If you could get in touch with me we can discuss the photo - I’m afraid it is very small and rather blurred.
Regards
Graham
Posted by Graham Robinson on Tue 03 Nov 2020 10:54:06 GMT
Allum Parr Wright
Richard and James. Sorry but I haven’t looked at this site for a while and don’t get notified when something is posted about this photo as it was put on the gallery by one of the administrators on my behalf. I think it’s highly likely that Malcolm Parr was on the raid. My father kept a note book of various E Troop activities during 1942 and Sgt Parr gets a mention. John Huntington’s Memories also mentions a Sgt Mac Parr in the list of E Troop comrades. Unfortunately, I can’t comment on anyone called Allum or Wright - neither are mentioned in my father’s notes nor in John Huntington’s Memories (apart from Sgt Knocker Wight and L/Cpl Dicky Wright RMC). The photo is very small and what you see on this site is probably as good as it gets although if you want, once I am able, I will explore what a professional might be able to do with it. Graham
Posted by Graham Robinson on Tue 03 Nov 2020 10:22:34 GMT
This photo represents the Belgian Commandos of 10 IA Commando during a parade at the Abbaye de la Cambre in Brussels. The occasion is the Belgian National Day of 21 July 1945.
They will soon leave the British Army to become part of the new Belgian Army as "Régiment Commando".
The reviewing officers are (L/R):
Capt.Paul ROMBOUTS; Maj.Godfrey FRANKS(HQ 10IA
Commando); Lt.Gen.BEERNAERT; Maj.Georges DANLOY(C.O.);
Capt.Pierre ROMAN M.C.;Maj.Gen. G.E. WILDMAN-LUSHINGTON (Commando Group).
Posted by Jan Mas on Mon 02 Nov 2020 14:45:27 GMT
Clare Ash added at the time of providing this image "I note there is a photo on this site with Marine Todd in it. 46 RM Commando Z troop, second row from back on the right side end. I think Wally Todd is the miserable looking one in the same position in my photo, although I can't be sure. Can anyone help me with his RM career? His name was William Alfred Wallace Todd, known as Wally, b. 1912, Westbourne, W. Sussex"
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Wed 21 Oct 2020 16:24:39 BST
Capt Dennis Buckle is the very tall officer at the back
Posted by Nick Collins on Sat 17 Oct 2020 01:23:37 BST
Info from Maureen Kelly "The man with the pipe is my father-in-law, William John Kelly (Bill) - the pipe was almost his ‘trademark’! As far as we know, he was not a Commando but – we understand - with the Military Police. As the war authorities expected to send him to Norway, they decided he should undergo arctic training with the Commandos. He joined them early in 1943. As you can see, at 34 years of age, he was a bit older than many of the others. He did not go with the Commandos when they left Braemar but was transferred to another unit in the Military Police. In 1944 his occupation is recorded as ‘Major: General List’.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Fri 16 Oct 2020 16:48:32 BST
Photo update
See our Archive page for more about Maj Gen. A.P. Willasey-Wilsey CB, MBE, MC, MiD.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Wed 07 Oct 2020 21:22:56 BST
These Police Officers carry their Gas Masks in the small chest haversacks and are training with the .303 inch Lee Enfield SMLE Rifle fitted with an
18 inch bayonet.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 02 Oct 2020 21:59:20 BST
Trooper Wall wears the Territorial Army LS & GC Medal so probably may have resumed serving Post War. I understand that a Year of War Service counts as two when calculating entitlement.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 02 Oct 2020 21:50:22 BST
The “X” Troop Insignia on the board held centrally shows a Skull and Crossbones with the letter SS in each eye socket. That symbol was given a whole new meaning by the German SS. It was changed to a picture of a Disney’s’ Pluto wearing a Green Beret and a Fairbairn & Sykes Commando Fighting knife clenched in its jaws. The original Artist attended a Re-Union of 45 Commando RM at RM Condor and made a Presentation of this to “X” Company who have since adopted it as their emblem. I will attach a copy soonest.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 02 Oct 2020 21:16:55 BST
Every Royal Marine had his own dhobi bucket!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 02 Oct 2020 16:24:49 BST
RAS - Replenishment at sea.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 02 Oct 2020 16:16:12 BST
In the photo he is wearing the Undress Tunic of Guards Officer which may be confusing but he was “released “ from the Commandos and not liked by Lord Lovat. There are reports of “friction.”
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 02 Oct 2020 16:11:08 BST
His rank then was Troop Sergeant Major.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 02 Oct 2020 16:02:40 BST
The detonator and fuse on No: 36 HE Grenade was shaped like a Capital “J” when you pulled the Grenade FROM the pin you lobbed the Grenade (high) the spring loaded handle shot off with a very distinctive “ping” the plunger shot down onto the low end of the “J” striking the det cap then the fuse burnt for 4 seconds before “going off”. Immediate killing area 25 yards but the base cap could be dangerous out to 100 yards. The Grenade Case was indented so it broke into shrapnel pieces about half an inch square. The Grenade held one pound of HE and looked like a metal Pineapple.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 02 Oct 2020 15:59:21 BST
The rifles are “slung” from the right shoulders in the photo a more relaxed marching style.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 02 Oct 2020 14:35:07 BST
The Officer behind the man “Stood at Ease” May have given him that Order as he is holding his Swagger Stick low and looking downwards.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 02 Oct 2020 14:31:32 BST
“F” Troop was the Commando Vickers .303” Medium Machine Gun Troop.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 02 Oct 2020 11:07:50 BST
This is the 105mm Artillery Piece used by Commando Gunners and was designed by the Italians as a Mountain Gun as it is claimed it can be moved by man and mule once disassembled. It has three roles, A Howitzer B Artillery C Anti-Tank. When withdrawn it was replaced by the 105mm Light Gun which weighed twice as much and which Pussers’ Helicopters could not lift in one piece!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 02 Oct 2020 11:02:22 BST
The kit being filled with water in the photo are widely used in hot climates and were known, in Aden, as “Choggles” the material used is canvas which is not waterproof so it leaks leaving the outside continuously wet. The wind acts to cool this and that means you have ready access to a cool drink but the “Choggle” needs topping up regularly.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 02 Oct 2020 10:54:15 BST
