Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 11 Jan 2015 15:13:39 GMT
Photo updated re Capt Kither
CWGC details added, with link to the forum and his grave. Both the CWGC and originator of photo have his first name as Harry, whilst London Gazettes show Henry
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 11 Jan 2015 14:51:21 GMT
The Strymon Ferry, new Drama - November 1944
This picture was taken on the banks of the Strymon River near Drama in November 1944 when 9 Commando detached two Troops to help quell some unrest in the Drama area. To get there they need to cross the Strymon River whose bridge had been blown up by the retreating Germans. The Commandos had to improvise a ferry to get its vehicle and stores across. In this picture are, l-r, Lt Francis, the British interpreter and guide, who looks as if he has a 9 Commando black hackle behind his cap badge; an ELAS soldier (it was the tension between ELAS and the Greek royalists that had precipitated 9 Commando's presence at Drama), Lt Harry Kither, and Lt Angus Ferguson.
Posted by Gregor Ferguson on Sun 11 Jan 2015 00:18:36 GMT
More information
This was indeed the Liberation Day parade in Drama, 12 November 1944. This photo shows and 2 Troops of 9 Commando in Review Order. The officer in front isCaptain WW (Bill) Carrie, OC 2 Troop and 2i/c of the force; the other officers standing to attention are, l-r, Lt GD Bisset, RE of 1 Troop (also force adjutant); Lt DWD Peel, RA of 1 Troop, and Lt MD Kennedy of 2 Troop.
Posted by Gregor Ferguson on Sun 11 Jan 2015 00:06:28 GMT
Interesting detail
If you look closely you'll see that both my father and the sergeant sitting to his right have parachute wings on their right fore-arms. Normally, the wings worn by parachute-trained personnel in non-airborne units consisted of the 'lightbulb' - a simple parachute on a circular patch. In airborne units the full wings were worn on the right shoulder, two fingers'-widths down from the seam.
Posted by Gregor Ferguson on Sun 11 Jan 2015 00:01:41 GMT
Identified!
The officer in the middle of the front row in this picture is my late father, Lt Angus Ferguson, who was commissioned into The Black Watch (RHR) before volunteering for the Commandos. He spent most of his war with 9 Cdo in Italy, Greece and the Adriatic and spent a short period with 3 Cdo after 9 Cdo was disbanded. Angus died in 1997 but he left some photos of his wartime service and I shall get these scanned and uploaded to share the with other veterans and their families.
Posted by Gregor Ferguson on Sun 27 Apr 2014 03:40:13 BST
Liberation of Poros, October 1944
When 9 Commando was sent to Piraeus as part of the force liberating Athens and then the rest of the Greek mainland, a Troop was detached under the command of my late father, Lt Angus Ferguson to Poros to take the surrender of the enemy garrison there (numbering several hundred) and organise relief for the starving population. Considering he was just 20 years old at the time, it was one hell of an ask!
Posted by Gregor Ferguson on Sun 27 Apr 2014 03:33:57 BST
9 Commando in Greece 1944
I believe this was the Liberation Day parade held in Drama in Thessalonika in October 1944. My late anther, Lt Angus Ferguson, was an officer in 9 Cdo and I have a very faded contact ring of this same image, with a couple of soldiers named. I shall post this later.
Posted by Gregor Ferguson on Sun 27 Apr 2014 03:30:17 BST
My grandfather Peter Connelly is 2nd from left in back row, thank you for sharing.
Posted by jennifersmillie on Fri 01 Nov 2013 22:06:26 GMT
I believe the officer 6th from the left in the front row is my uncle Jack McNeil:-
"The three raiding parties were reorganised and by 0100 hrs they had accurately established their position on the coast. Y force of 120 men from Nos 1 & 2 Troop was under the command of Captain J McNeil.....As they approached they heard the unmistakable skirl of bag pipes playing the 'Pwbrrachd of Donald Dubh'. In reply McNeil ordered his piper to play his Troop's march 'Green Hills'. In this way the two Troops met up without firing on each other."
Posted by William JS Clark on Wed 30 Oct 2013 19:26:27 GMT
Photo updated
3663412 James Carten identified from other photos sent in by his nephew including a copy of this one.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sun 27 Oct 2013 22:42:30 GMT
M Straughan MM citation
Although his name is not spelled exactly right, Sgt Straughan is mentioned in M Lindsay's (same Officer as on citation) excellent book about the Gordon Highlanders in NW Europe in WW2; called "So Few Got Through".
Please see other comments on this post re my Dad's recollections of 'Geordie' Straughan.
Posted by M Shepherd on Thu 05 Sep 2013 20:03:40 BST
To the family of JMS,
I have known about your Father since I was a boy (now 55). My Dad, Allan Shepherd (now 85) knew him as 'Geordie' Straughan whilst serving in 1 Battalion Gordon Highlanders and has, over the years, spoken about him often and with great esteem.
My Dad joined the Gordons just after the war ended in 1945 as a regular soldier on his 18 birthday. Apparently had tried to get in earlier but didn't look old enough! His mate did and got in. My Dad is a Yorkshireman but was drawn to the Gordons when he joined up.
Once at battalion, my Dad used to pal up with your Dad. To my Dad, Geordie was an 'old soldier', probably in his early thirties then!
Dad has told me that Geordie had re-enlisted after the war ( having to come back as a private), having been a Sergeant before demob. As a result, he knew many of the NCO's who he had previously served with andhad their respect ( which the other rookies didn't !). Apparently, Geordie wouldn't answer roll call unless they said 'MM'...
To the family of JMS,
I have known about your Father since I was a boy (now 55). My Dad, Allan Shepherd (now 85) knew him as 'Geordie' Straughan whilst serving in 1 Battalion Gordon Highlanders and has, over the years, spoken about him often and with great esteem.
My Dad joined the Gordons just after the war ended in 1945 as a regular soldier on his 18 birthday. Apparently had tried to get in earlier but didn't look old enough! His mate did and got in. My Dad is a Yorkshireman but was drawn to the Gordons when he joined up.
Once at battalion, my Dad used to pal up with your Dad. To my Dad, Geordie was an 'old soldier', probably in his early thirties then!
Dad has told me that Geordie had re-enlisted after the war ( having to come back as a private), having been a Sergeant before demob. As a result, he knew many of the NCO's who he had previously served with andhad their respect ( which the other rookies didn't !). Apparently, Geordie wouldn't answer roll call unless they said 'MM' after his name !
My Dad knew of your Dads escape from St Valery and of his MM exploits.
Sadly, my Dads memory is failing ( when I told him of seeing Geordie details on this site) but he could remember that he used to be know the Army with him.
Posted by M Shepherd on Thu 05 Sep 2013 14:24:25 BST
Photo updated
Previously unidentified, Brian Blackwell identifies this Commando as his father in law Geoff Clay whose 90th birthday is on the 25th August
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Tue 20 Aug 2013 12:55:28 BST
Photo updated
Alan Hunter identifies his father Hector William Hunter
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Mon 19 Aug 2013 10:41:06 BST
Photo updated
Alan Hunter identifies his father Hector William Hunter
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Mon 19 Aug 2013 10:36:29 BST
Photo updated
Alan Hunter identifies his father Hector William Hunter
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Mon 19 Aug 2013 10:31:37 BST
Photo updated
Sarah Baugh identifies her grandfather Norman David Venables
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Mon 12 Aug 2013 13:12:38 BST
Mary Stephenson identifies her father Mathew (Matty) Stephenson 2nd row up 6th from the left
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Fri 16 Nov 2012 22:51:13 GMT
6 cdo ? maybe 9 cdo, no ?
Posted by stephane on Tue 23 Oct 2012 23:14:18 BST
Photo updated
Additional names added and verified as correct with Kate Johnston and Karen Sleith
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Mon 22 Oct 2012 23:35:48 BST
Ref Comments re Robert Griffin
Chris I manage the CVA Gallery. Please email me with as much detail as you may have about your Grandfather's Commando service. My email address is on the CVA Contact Us page ...Pete R.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Mon 05 Dec 2011 22:53:25 GMT
Commando front row 2nd from right.
I believe the commando in the front row 2nd from the right is my grandfather Robert Griffin, who was from Middlesbrough. I would be really pleased if this could be confirmed.
Many thanks
Chris
Posted by Chris Dunne on Mon 05 Dec 2011 22:13:24 GMT
