This is quite a macabre photo as it appears to be a staged ‘execution’ with the man in trunks welding a Japanese sword (Katana) and his pals using a cape to suggest a beheading as there are two men under the cape, one crouching the other lying flat, face down. Not PC chums!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 14:08:27 BST
His Regiment is the Kings Royal Rifle Corps (Light Infantry) and he wears the black Corporals stripes of his ‘home’ Regiment. All SAS Troopers today have this same “home Regiment” and if killed that is used avoiding a SF reference.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 16:56:35 BST
Everything in these photos point to them being taken in the Far East.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:59:11 BST
The Rifle pictured would be issued with an 18” Bayonet.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:58:00 BST
The leading Commando has a slung .303” SMLE Rifle as evidenced by
the two studs just under the muzzle so this might be an early photo I. By
mid-1944 the .303” Lee Enfield No: 4 Rifle with a pig-sticker bayonet was
on issue.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:57:10 BST
The caption states “Mortars on Fire!” But this probably means the a Mortar
is BEING fired as there are casings for the Bombs for the 3 inch Mortar visible on the grass on the low right of this picture. A Mortar is simply a strong steel tube and the only thing that can burn are the ‘charges’ attached to the Bombs by the 3 man crew. The type of charge and number being governed by the type of target and range. These charges look similar to the phials of petrol which could be bought in a Tobacconist for lighter fuel.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:52:39 BST
The item low centre is a No: 36 HE Grenade which has a distinctive shape
similar to a pineapple, they must be expecting trouble having this so close
to hand! The segmentation design meant that the Grenade exploded into
many pieces propelled outwards by 1lb of HE.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:42:47 BST
This looks like “Letters from Home” being distributed by the man standing
who might be the Unit “Postie”.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:39:31 BST
This would appear to be a Japanese PoW judging by he cap he is wearing.
Not many prisoners were actually taken as they either died in a final
“Banzai” charge or committed Seppku (A form of ritual Suicide also known as Hara-Kiri)
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:36:44 BST
They are preparing food for either a Section or Troop as the the metal “box’ to the left of the seated Corporal is a Hay-Box liner in which hot food was
taken forward to Troops in the field. The steel pot handle visible in the bottom left hand corner is a standard issue cooking pot used on a 1Star Petrol fired Field Cooker still in use well into the 1960s. The ladle the Corporal is holding is another clue!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:32:22 BST
The Welch Regiment.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 22:55:18 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
These Commandos are working/cleaning a .303 inch Bren and the others have the US .30-06 Garand rifles might indicate they were issued to give their Rifle Section additional firepower.The ammunition for these weapons are a different calibre so are not compatible.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 19:12:09 BST
These Commandos are carrying out a ‘live’ 3 inch Mortar shoot.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 19:03:17 BST
This Officers’ Sam Browne has a fitting for his whistle on the shoulder strap normally seen on those worn by Light Infantry Officers although his ‘collar dogs’ are either Royal Artillery or Royal Engineers.
Posted by David Prichard on Wed 26 Aug 2020 17:48:59 BST
Photo update
'Tich' Dayson surname seen spelt elsewhere as Dyson.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sat 30 May 2020 21:26:43 BST
Photo update
Davidson surname spelt elsewhere as Davison
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sat 30 May 2020 21:22:58 BST
My Grandfather Captain Jack Cameron Short is 3rd left.
My Grandfather Captain Jack Cameron Short is 3rd from the left, he was shot attempting escape Sulmona Campo P.G.78 on the 30th of September 1943.
Posted by Douglas Rory Cameron-Short on Tue 19 May 2020 14:43:13 BST
Photo update
Update 21/12/12 by Nick Collins. Mike Nayler and two of his siblings identify their grandfather, Sgt Haydn William Jones, as 4th from the left, top row.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 17 May 2020 15:48:30 BST
The 4 mentioned in the wedding photo stuck together all through the war, my Dad told me that one of them had an identity change when they first volunteered for the Commandos as he didn't get in but I can't remember who.
Posted by Derek Younger on Tue 29 Jan 2019 16:48:53 GMT
Photo updated
Ted Hofford identified by his niece Bridget Niemann.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 25 Nov 2018 18:47:25 GMT
William Stobbart identified
His son identifies him
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Tue 22 May 2018 10:52:55 BST
Original names and identifiers
Ron Davies: rear row, far right;
Billy Moore: 4th row from front, 4th from right;
William Hutchison: 4th row from front, 8th from right
Peter Frederick Mclaughlin: 2nd row from front, seated far right.
Lt Larry Stephens: 2nd row from front, seated 6th from left
Lt John Salt: 2nd row from front, seated 9th from right
Andy Younger: 1st row, seated, far right
photo submitted by Nick Collins
[updated copy courtesy of Justin Mclaughlin, 14 Sept 2010]
** updated 4/4/11 by Pete R. Julie Warren identifies the man 2nd row from front,6th from the left, as her cousin Larry Stephens who was an officer in No.5 Cdo.
*** updated 28 Aug 13 by Nick Collins. CVA Member, David Davies identifies his father, Ron Davies. Ron remembers the photo being taken at Poona in 1945.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Tue 22 May 2018 10:43:08 BST
Photo updated
Pte Baseley identified by his daughter.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sat 01 Apr 2017 18:41:23 BST
![No.5 Commando Officers [possibly taken 3rd July 1941]](v/units/5/Commando_officers.JPG.html)
