This shows a .303 inch Bren Light Machine Gun loaded with a magazine which could hold 28 rounds and there are spare mags stacked close to hand in the picture.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 07:45:42 EDT
These LSTs were built to run straight up onto the beach where, if possible, Tanks, Troops and other equipment could be landed ‘dry-shod’ through large doors in the bow. Each was also fitted with a huge Kedging Anchor on the Stern which had a swivel ‘fluke’ plate attached to powerful windlass also stern mounted. On the run-in to the beach that anchor would dig into the seabed. This meant that the LST and other similar ships could quite literally haul itself back out into deep water where that anchor was recovered. That Kedging Anchor features on the famous Combined Operation ‘ flash’ brought into use which also shows the equally famous Thompson Sub Machine Gun and an Eagle for the Air Forces involved.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 07:39:17 EDT
His Cap Badge is the Mailed Fist of the Royal Armoured Corps in silver or nickel metal.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 11 Sep 2020 14:32:17 EDT
In the preparation for D-Day Commandos used Bombed and wrecked British Cities to acquire skills for Fighting in Built-Up Areas which was to stand them in good stead once across the Channel. This known by the Acronym FIBUA.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:26:06 EDT
This photo taken on Tilbury Docks, the War had ended and these Commandos are back in the UK with bulging Rucksacks and Kitbags. I wonder what they have managed to ‘scrounge’ under the “To the Victor the
Spoils Rule! A war time Commando told me that the seabed outside the
entrance to Portsmouth Naval Base would have been littered with German
Lugers and Daggers after being warned that Customs Officers awaited!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 04:19:26 EDT
The Rifle being used in the photo was a captured German Sturmgewehr 44 (StG44) which could be fired single round, bursts or automatic. It used a ‘short’ 7.92mm round weaker than the standard German ‘long’ 7.92mm round bust that made it easier to fire and aim. It proved quite expensive so the design was amended to make it cheaper and easier to make.It was superior to the British .303” Lee Enfield No: 4 Rifle in its ability to bring heavy fire to bear, not dis-similar to the US .30-06” Garand kin that respect.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 04 Sep 2020 05:41:45 EDT
The left hand medal in the photo bears the Bar for the North West Frontier so dates from a Service in India up near the border with Afghanistan!
Posted by David Prichard on Mon 31 Aug 2020 16:00:16 EDT
In the preparations for the Invasion Troops trained in bombed-out areas of British Cities where they could practise and rehearse ’Fighting in Built-up Areas’ (FIBUA) as opposed to training in areas of open land such as the Hills and Moorland. In some parts of the UK whole areas were taken over and all the inhabitants and livestock moved out. Some have never been allowed back with those areas still retained by the MoD for Military Training. One is near Thetford in Norfolk, another at Imber on Salisbury Plain and the third is near Lulworth Cove which includes a ‘live’ Tank Gunnery Range. The whole of the South Hams in Devon was cleared for ‘live’ Infantry Training (means weapons were being fired ).
Posted by David Prichard on Sat 29 Aug 2020 13:15:00 EDT
Sam was a a Sergeant of the Cardiff City Police when I joined, there were a few Police Officers in the Force at that time who volunteered for service with the Commandos when the ban was lifted allowing Officers to either go RAF Aircrew or to the Commandos. The ones I can remember is Frank Kirby, Ray Sparkes, Bill Everett.They were highly respected in both aspects. I took some joshing having come from the Royal Marines Commando Training where I had been JNCO Instructor until I mentioned I was 4 on D-Day and shorter than their ‘A’ Frame rucksack. I believe they all served with 3 Commando. On retirement he took up a position as Chief Security Officer at The University Hospital of Wales. He was a fine man and extremely popular in the Force.
‘
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 13:10:32 EDT
Interestingly this Commandos’ Cap Badge is the 17/21 Lancers, and is the Skull and Crossbones Emblem of that Regiment with the Motto “Or Glory”. It must have looked well impressive on his Green Beret!
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 11:19:29 EDT
Photo update
Robert Abrams identifies John Abrams, his Uncle, back row 1st left
Tony Birth identifies his uncle Jim Hirst back row 3rd left.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 10 May 2020 09:39:44 EDT
EDIT
extra info to my comment, Cornelius, or Connie as he was known to his family, was one of 6 brothers, of which three others are confirmed to have served during the war. They were:
George - SSgt 7641906 in the REME
Harry - Royal Artillery in 8th Army at time of El Alamein
Albert - Royal Irish Fusiliers
Jonny
Ron
Other members of his extended family were:
Patrick - Royal Lincolnshire Regiment
Robert - Gordon Highlanders
Edward - Rifle Brigade
Thomas Simpson DSM (AB, RN on HMMTB416 KIA 24/06/1944) - brother in law
Posted by David Lynch on Sat 21 Mar 2020 16:18:45 EDT
Number 49 is my great-uncle, Pte (later Cpl) 2723548 Cornelius Cuthbert Lynch of the Irish Guards
Posted by David Lynch on Sat 21 Mar 2020 16:04:04 EDT
Joe Millard
My grandad Joseph Millard is sat on the front on the middle boat 290 with his feet over the edge, no beret and his arm round the fella next to him.
Can clearly see its him, with his jet black hair, thick eye brows, broad beaming smile (still smiles just like this) also verified by the fact he's always said he lost his beret getting on the boat over to France
Posted by Rebecca Harding on Sun 19 Jan 2020 16:12:11 EST
