All these men wear French Para wings on tight breast.
Posted by David Prichard on Sat 29 Aug 2020 00:08:25 BST
In this picture the men on the second down ramp are manhandling a small Motor Bike issued to Commandos and Airborne Forces.
Posted by David Prichard on Sat 29 Aug 2020 00:02:54 BST
The left hand man in this group was a Squad mate name Skinner, may have been a Signaller when this was taken. We were in 723 (CS) Squad RM.
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 28 Aug 2020 23:53:18 BST
The handle, an extension of the blade and hidden by the grip would show the name of the man who forged the blade by hand, all their names are known.
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 28 Aug 2020 23:39:46 BST
The a Japanese name for this type of sword was a Katana. They were handed down from Father to Son, could be both very old and equally valuable.
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 28 Aug 2020 23:37:40 BST
The three medals shown are those issued to those who served in the First World War (WW1) and we’re commonly referred to as, ‘ Pip, Squeak and Wilfred’ characters in a popular Comic of that time.
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 28 Aug 2020 23:34:54 BST
1st Pattern F & S Commando Fighting Knife which had a narrower blade than the later version.
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 28 Aug 2020 23:29:43 BST
The man central in this picture is a Royal Marine who had served with the SBS, his Beret Badge is quite clear here.
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 28 Aug 2020 23:23:11 BST
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh who was a Captain General Marines until quite recently and he is wearing a Corps tie in this picture. This Title was an Honorary Post and he was presented with his a Green Beret on taking that Office (gave Lympstone a miss!)
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 28 Aug 2020 23:20:35 BST
A Royal Marines Commando Beret, every man was issued with a Name Stamp,to mark every item of his kit.
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 28 Aug 2020 23:13:02 BST
The Cap Badge is from a Staffordshire Regiment and has a Kings’ Crown. The origin of that knot is derived from one designed to hang three men together!
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 28 Aug 2020 23:09:56 BST
I believe the vehicle is a captured German Kubelwagen (based on a VW Peoples’ Wagon)
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 28 Aug 2020 23:01:46 BST
These Commandos are making a Field Brew using a ‘Tommy Cooker’ a small, tin folding issue item which comes with 8 Hexamine blocks usually handed out with a 24 Hour Ration Pack (4000 calories)
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 28 Aug 2020 22:59:34 BST
The Commando nearest camera is Australian. His distinctive Cap Badge shows a Silver F & S Commando Fighting Knife and. Gold coloured Boomerang on which is their Motto ‘Strikes Swiftly’. At one time very close links were maintained between this Unit and the Royal Marines. Back in the day 2 Young Officers came down to CTCRM from them to attend the UK Commando Course and I was given the task of taking them for the one week Acquaint.
Posted by David Prichard on Fri 28 Aug 2020 22:44:31 BST
The reference here to a ‘Tommy Cooker’ is the small, tin folding cooker using Hexamine Blocks which were still in use in the 1980 when I finally hung up my Green Beret.
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 27 Aug 2020 23:44:31 BST
Although Major Keiffer appears to be on Parade in an urban environment he still proudly wears his British Commando Toggle Rope
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 27 Aug 2020 23:32:38 BST
This unusual photo shows a Bren Gun mounted on a tripod designed for use when being used in the anti-aircraft role!
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 27 Aug 2020 22:50:10 BST
These Commandos are holding Rising Sun flag which will have been taken from a dead Japanese soldier..Traditionally these flags were given by families and would have messages written on them, they would be found wrapped around the body. There have been cases where these flags have been returned to Japanese families when the British soldier has made the effort and traced them for that purpose.
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 27 Aug 2020 22:27:53 BST
This is the standard British 3 inch mortar in general use, the base-plate would be stamped into the ground prior to firing
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 27 Aug 2020 22:17:32 BST
Two Commandos in this photo are holding Thompson Sub-Machine Guns fitted with the round magazines.
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 27 Aug 2020 22:13:09 BST
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 22:05:11 BST
These men are holding the famous Thompson Sub-Machine Gun so may well be their first sight of this US weapon.There was no British equivalent.
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 27 Aug 2020 21:52:02 BST
It seems the Scottish element has been dropped, Green Berets adopted and standard Army field dress worn.
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 27 Aug 2020 21:43:34 BST
Most of these Commandos are wearing the very popular issue brown leather jerkin (always a good ‘proff’) the man 6th left has the Commando Toggle Rope around waist.
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 27 Aug 2020 21:37:27 BST
The small packs worn on the chest hold the respirator (gas-mask) issued to all personnel as there was a real fear that the Germans both had, and would use, poison gases. Fortunately this never happened. The German equivalent is the metal, corrugated tubs often seen hanging off their Field Order. The men here are wearing field kilts in a plain, khaki cloth.
Posted by David Prichard on Thu 27 Aug 2020 21:25:08 BST
