Sgt. Des Rochford

Des Rochford No.2 Commando 1 troop. Photo courtesy of Des via Eric Buckmaster. Eric mentions the following - Des was a Private in his Commando Days in 1 Troop. He came from the Black Watch, and joined us whilst we were in Gibraltar. He was an incredible distance runner. Not many others could keep pace with him including myself. He does not have a Commando Photograph but has sent us a post war picture of himself when he returned to the Black Watch at the end of the war. Like many former Commandos they very quickly found themselves promoted when they returned to their Regiments.

Paul Bell advises us of the following: Desmond Rochford served with the Admiralty Battalion, Home Guard in Bath, Somerset during the Blitz. He joined Black Watch in 1942 and fought with the 6th Battalion in Tunisia in 1943. Having caught sand fly fever, Desmond was sent to Gibraltar, where he fully recovered and volunteered to join 2 Commando on a trial basis. After a month he was accepted for special service and fought with 2 Commando in Sicily, Yugoslavia, Albania, Corfu and Italy through to its disbandment in 1945.

Des passed away on the 1st September 2015.