Family contribution, Joined the Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry in the late 1930s posted to Aldershot and was a PE instructor and cross country runner. Volunteered for the Commandos about 1941 and sent to Achnacarry Scotland for training.
Known to have served in Burma, Norway, India and Madagascar.
Mentioned in Dispatches in a Burma operation probably on Hill 170 in support of No 1 Commando.
Posted by Philip K Johns on Sun 19 Mar 2017 12:33:52 GMT
identity
Second row sitting no 9 L-R arms folded Sgt. Philip Johns DCLI
Posted by Philip K Johns on Tue 13 Sep 2016 18:49:19 BST
Photo updated
New and higher res version added from CVA archives
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Thu 05 Mar 2015 16:31:34 GMT
Photo updated
New version added from CVA archives
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Thu 05 Mar 2015 16:29:32 GMT
Photo updated
New better version added from CVA archives
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Thu 05 Mar 2015 16:25:57 GMT
On close examination of this photo it appeared that the soldiers were wearing hackles in their berets. Whilst No5 Cdo did wear a Golden Hackle, on their Tam O'Shanters, in their early days, the hackle was dispensed with when the green beret was issued. Closer examination also revealed a white patch on all of the four soldiers whose top button of their battledress blouse was in view.
After consultation with two friends - who have far greater knowledge on the uniforms etc., than I have - it was also noticed that there were two different BD blouses in the photo and the NCOs' chevrons were not those of a commando but were actually those of the Light Infantry.
Both my friends concluded that the 'hackle' was, in fact, a white 'Minden Rose' and that the photo was taken post WWII after the Commandos had disbanded and Cpl Allan Jameson (as he was at the time the photo was taken) had returned to his parent regiment - The KOYLI (King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry).
The only question ...
On close examination of this photo it appeared that the soldiers were wearing hackles in their berets. Whilst No5 Cdo did wear a Golden Hackle, on their Tam O'Shanters, in their early days, the hackle was dispensed with when the green beret was issued. Closer examination also revealed a white patch on all of the four soldiers whose top button of their battledress blouse was in view.
After consultation with two friends - who have far greater knowledge on the uniforms etc., than I have - it was also noticed that there were two different BD blouses in the photo and the NCOs' chevrons were not those of a commando but were actually those of the Light Infantry.
Both my friends concluded that the 'hackle' was, in fact, a white 'Minden Rose' and that the photo was taken post WWII after the Commandos had disbanded and Cpl Allan Jameson (as he was at the time the photo was taken) had returned to his parent regiment - The KOYLI (King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry).
The only question that remains is why they are wearing two white roses - one on their blouse and one on their beret.
Thanks to Mike & Richard Beckett & Leigh Kitchen for their expert advise and information. N.Collins
Posted by Nick Collins on Fri 19 Dec 2014 23:04:51 GMT
Father
Seated far right, tattoo left forarm, I am sure is my Father Gerald Page. Thanks for the picture
Posted by Neil Page on Mon 17 Nov 2014 18:08:47 GMT
Third row from the bottom, and ninth from the left is my father, Harry Alexander Curtis - so good to see him! Thank you.
Posted by Ann Roberts on Sat 08 Nov 2014 11:16:16 GMT
Father
Ronald Davies top row 3rd from right
Posted by David Davies on Sun 25 May 2014 07:36:37 BST
Seated 6 in from the left wearing SgtMaj rank slide is I think my Grandad Earnest Lacey - Thank you for the photo!
Posted by Alex Lacey on Thu 28 Nov 2013 23:21:09 GMT
Photo of 4 Troop, 5 Commando.
I too have this photo and can confirm that my father Lance Corporal Ronald Ernest Hicks, Royal Engineers is in the 3rd row from the front, 2nd left. He annotated the photo "Falmouth January 1942".
Posted by Michael Stuart Hicks on Thu 08 Aug 2013 17:41:22 BST
Photo updated with comment transferred from details
Photo updated 1/08/10 by Pete R. The following information comes from Andy Dalziel (jnr) " My father, Andy Dalziel, you already have as well as my godfather, Paddy (Tommy) Ludlow. Third row down and six from the left, with the little moustache, is Des Crowden, Des was a Londoner who after the war worked for Paddy Ludlow in the TV and radio rental he set up, DER. My father died in 1974, Des in the early 1990s as I recall. The photo was taken in the gardens beside the Greenbank hotel where they mustered every morning. "
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Fri 26 Jul 2013 23:02:13 BST
Photo updated
Info from John Anderson "I can confirm that my father John James Anderson is in the photo, I have a newspaper cutting of the same photo which I understand was taken in Falmouth, Dad is standing in front of his best pal John Skipper, My dad served alongside John Skipper in the Royal Berkshire's and they both volunteered for the Commando's in 1940 following Dunkirk, John lost a leg during one conflict, I am not sure if it was in Burma or Madagascar. My Dad was known as Andy and was born in Hackney East London on the 22.12.1919, he settled in South Wales in the mid 1970's he worked until he was 65 years old spending the last 10 years of his working life as a Railway Guard."
John James Anderson died on the 20th July 2013
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Fri 26 Jul 2013 22:52:21 BST
Jane Harfield identifies her father Ronald Henry Wensley
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sat 06 Jul 2013 16:40:49 BST
Photo updated
Jane Harfield identifies her father Ronald Henry Wensley
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sat 06 Jul 2013 16:40:05 BST
Photo updated
Jane Harfield identifies her father Ronald Henry Wensley
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sat 06 Jul 2013 16:38:16 BST
Photo updated
Jane Harfield identifies her father Ronald Henry Wensley
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sat 06 Jul 2013 16:36:42 BST
Photo updated
George 'Chippy' Wood identified by his daughter Sandra Lindsay
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 12 May 2013 15:44:30 BST
Photo updated
George 'Chippy' wood identified by his daughter Sandra Lindsay
Jacob 'Jake' Ford identified by his daughter Tracey Chambers.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 12 May 2013 15:39:59 BST
Photo updated
Amy Howell identifies her Grandfather Fred Manning
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Wed 28 Nov 2012 22:10:16 GMT
The railway carriages in the background have the letters
MSM, which may be
Confirmed today with grandfather, George Norton Barnes -14987370 Fus. Barnes G.N Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers -
that he is 8th left, row 3 from bottom. He still has the bushy black eyebrows, but not much hair.
He currently can not recall where it was taken, as such group photos were common, but he now has a copy of this photo and the one at http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/5/Group+of+No5+Cdo_e.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1
where he has his right arm on Sgt Ted Tharme shoulder, he could recall a Ted, but not the surname.
A few comments he made were:
1. Such group photos were common, so please post them for all to share.
2. The white "blanco" belts/putties were probably from stores for the photos.
3. Each solider wears the cap badge of their original regiment, but in some cases -such as his coming from the Royal Marine Commandos- a regiment was assigned, hence my grandfather is 14987370 Fus. Barnes G.N...
Confirmed today with grandfather, George Norton Barnes -14987370 Fus. Barnes G.N Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers -
that he is 8th left, row 3 from bottom. He still has the bushy black eyebrows, but not much hair.
He currently can not recall where it was taken, as such group photos were common, but he now has a copy of this photo and the one at http://www.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/5/Group+of+No5+Cdo_e.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1
where he has his right arm on Sgt Ted Tharme shoulder, he could recall a Ted, but not the surname.
A few comments he made were:
1. Such group photos were common, so please post them for all to share.
2. The white "blanco" belts/putties were probably from stores for the photos.
3. Each solider wears the cap badge of their original regiment, but in some cases -such as his coming from the Royal Marine Commandos- a regiment was assigned, hence my grandfather is 14987370 Fus. Barnes G.N Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
4. People would come and go from units: people got killed or wounded or posted elsewhere. George himself was posted to 5 Commando India/Burma, then along with "as many as could be spared sent back for D-Day" then later posted back to Burma and finally HongKong where he finished the war . Prior to this he had been in Royal Marine Commando units and with "the gang" as he called it, living in bed and breakfast on the isle of white and being sent on raids, sometimes with a ex con safe cracker.
Posted by mark hudson on Mon 02 Jan 2012 16:24:01 GMT
Identity of Commando
My grandfather Thomas Wardle, second right, row 2 from bottom
Posted by Steven Wardle on Thu 06 Oct 2011 13:31:47 BST
Identity of Commando
My grandfather Thomas Wardle, second left,row 2 from bottom
Posted by Steven Wardle on Thu 06 Oct 2011 13:30:24 BST
