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View the No 11 Commando Archive

nb. The photos marked as being from the NMS were originally provided to the Isle of Arran Heritage Museum. Some years ago they were given to the National Museum of Scotland and only photocopies were available. The National Museum of Scotland (NMS)have now made these available for reproduction on the CVA website. Any enqs about use of these photos by third parties should be directed to the NMS.

All photos subject of copyright © 2010 CVA unless otherwise stated. Contact the CVA for further details]]> en-us Gallery 2 RSS Module, version 1.1.8 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 03:26:03 +0100 120 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/d/1473-16/11.jpg https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/11/ https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/11/John_Hamilton_11_Comando.png.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/11/John_Hamilton_11_Comando.png.html
[Photo courtesy of his son Ian Hamilton].

Rank: Private (later Lance Corporal)
Unit / Base: 11 Commando and 'C' Bn., Layforce.
Regiment/Corps: Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Service: Army
Service Number: 2937948
Italian P.O.W. camps: Camp PG85, Tuturano, Italy; Camp PG59, Servigliano, Italy; Camp PG146/22, Vairano, Italy

From Glasgow. Trade on enlistment: Commercial Traveller. Deployed with No.11 Commando for the Middle East as 'C' Battalion of Layforce. Active service included Egypt, Cyprus, Litani River in Syria, and Libya. Reported missing 24 November 1941 after a raid in Lbya (Operation Flipper) later confirmed prisoner of war in Italy. Escaped September 1943 after the Italian Armistice and made his way to Switzerland before repatriation to the UK in 1944.
Extract from Prisoner of War Report
On the 22nd of November 1941 we made a commando raid on the German H.Q. at Luigi, Razza. The raid was successful but when returning to beaches we were unable to be taken off by submarines. We headed for the desert to make contact with the L.R.D.G., but were captured by strong Italian and German detachments.
On the 8th September the gates were opened by the Camp Commandant and we escaped. I was hiding in the fields during the day and night time, civilians in the neighbourhood supplied me with all my needs. I stayed in the district of Pavia up to the 7th March when I decided to make my way to Switzerland.
On the 7th March I started my journey from Pavia on foot. Walked to Villa Ada at the foot of the mountains. I started crossing the mountains, eventually made contact with some Italian Contrabandists who showed me the route. I crossed the border near Chiasso. The time taken was about 3 weeks. No organization helped me to Switzerland.
Timeline extracts
27.05.1940 enlisted Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders.
20.10.1940 posted No.11 Commando.
10.11.1940 posted 2 Special Service Battalion (commando unit restructuring).
04.03.1941 posted No.11 Commando, later forming 'C' Bn., Layforce.
11.03.1941 'C' Bn., Layforce disembarked Egypt.
30.04.1941 - 04.06.1941 'C' Bn., Layforce, Cyprus.
09.06.1941 'C' Bn., Layforce, disembarked Syria (Battle of Litani River).
22.11.1941 captured after a raid on the German HQ at Luigi Razza, Libya.
22.11.1941 held at Benghazi, Libya.
17.12.1941 held at Camp 85, Italy.
01.01.1942 held at Camp 59, Italy.
16.05.1943 held at Camp 146/22 Italy.
08.09.1943 escaped from Camp 146/22 at Variano, Italy, after Italian Armistice.
01.04.1944 arrived Switzerland and interned.
03.10.1944 repatriated to UK and granted leave.
04.12.1944 posted 11 Infantry Training Centre (ITC) and appointed Lance Corporal.
10.07.1945 posted 61 Primary Training Wing (PTW).
26.04.1946 released Class 'A' to Reserve List.

John Hamilton
b. 02.09.1914 Glasgow.
d. 27.09.1974 Perth.
In album No.11 Commando]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Fri, 15 May 2026 11:52:20 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/11/Douglas_Keith/Mearns_Leader_15_June_1945_0006_Clip.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/11/Douglas_Keith/Mearns_Leader_15_June_1945_0006_Clip.jpg.html
[Published in the Mearns Leader 15 June 1945, p6.]

https://www.commandoveterans.org/DouglasKeith11Commando
In album Private Douglas Keith, No.11 Commando and SAS, died whilst a PoW]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Fri, 16 Jan 2026 11:49:41 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/11/Douglas_Keith/Douglas_Keith_11Cdo_2_800.png.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/11/Douglas_Keith/Douglas_Keith_11Cdo_2_800.png.html
[Photos from the collection of his sister Jemima Smith Helen Grant Duguid (nee Keith), courtesy of her grandson Murray Duguid].

Private Douglas Keith volunteered from the Gordon Highlanders for special service and was attached to No.11 Commando 8 Troop. After his commando unit had been disbanded he was selected for and joined 'L' Detachment, Special Air Service Brigade, on 28 August 1941. Douglas Keith was reported missing on the 16th November 1941 after being injured during a parachute drop behind enemy lines to destroy aircraft and supplies (Operation Squatter), later confirmed a prisoner of war. He died whilst being transported on the Italian prison ship SS Sebastiano Venier, after it was torpedoed by a British submarine. Foster son of Charles and Helen Keith, of Auchenblae, Kincardineshire

In Memory of 2882330 Private (Trooper) Douglas Keith
Gordon Highlanders, No.11 Commando, and 'L' Detachment Special Air Service.
Born 8 December 1921 Auchenblae, Kincardineshire.
Died 9 December 1941 whilst a prisoner of war after Operation Squatter.
Remembered with honour at the Alamein Memorial.
In album Private Douglas Keith, No.11 Commando and SAS, died whilst a PoW]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sat, 28 Mar 2026 21:39:22 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/11/Douglas_Keith/Douglas_Keith_11Cdo_1.png.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/11/Douglas_Keith/Douglas_Keith_11Cdo_1.png.html
[Photos from the collection of his sister Jemima Smith Helen Grant Duguid (nee Keith), courtesy of her grandson Murray Duguid].

Private Douglas Keith volunteered from the Gordon Highlanders for special service and was attached to No.11 Commando 8 Troop. After his commando unit had been disbanded he was selected for and joined 'L' Detachment, Special Air Service Brigade, on 28 August 1941. Douglas Keith was reported missing on the 16th November 1941 after being injured during a parachute drop behind enemy lines to destroy aircraft and supplies (Operation Squatter), later confirmed a prisoner of war. He died whilst being transported on the Italian prison ship SS Sebastiano Venier, after it was torpedoed by a British submarine. Foster son of Charles and Helen Keith, of Auchenblae, Kincardineshire

In Memory of 2882330 Private (Trooper) Douglas Keith
Gordon Highlanders, No.11 Commando, and 'L' Detachment Special Air Service.
Born 8 December 8, 1921 Auchenblae, Kincardineshire.
Died 9 December 1941 whilst a prisoner of war after Operation Squatter.
Remembered with honour at the Alamein Memorial.
In album Private Douglas Keith, No.11 Commando and SAS, died whilst a PoW]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sat, 28 Mar 2026 21:37:59 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/11/Douglas_Keith/Douglas_Keith_11Cdo_3.png.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/11/Douglas_Keith/Douglas_Keith_11Cdo_3.png.html
[Photos from the collection of his sister Jemima Smith Helen Grant Duguid (nee Keith), courtesy of her grandson Murray Duguid].

Private Douglas Keith volunteered from the Gordon Highlanders for special service and was attached to No.11 Commando 8 Troop. After his commando unit had been disbanded he was selected for and joined 'L' Detachment, Special Air Service Brigade, on 28 August 1941. Douglas Keith was reported missing on the 16th November 1941 after being injured during a parachute drop behind enemy lines to destroy aircraft and supplies (Operation Squatter), later confirmed a prisoner of war. He died whilst being transported on the Italian prison ship SS Sebastiano Venier, after it was torpedoed by a British submarine. Foster son of Charles and Helen Keith, of Auchenblae, Kincardineshire

In Memory of 2882330 Private (Trooper) Douglas Keith
Gordon Highlanders, No.11 Commando, and 'L' Detachment Special Air Service.
Born 8 December 1921, Auchenblae, Kincardineshire.
Died 9 December 1941 whilst a prisoner of war after Operation Squatter.
Remembered with honour at the Alamein Memorial.
In album Private Douglas Keith, No.11 Commando and SAS, died whilst a PoW]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sat, 28 Mar 2026 21:36:24 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/11/Irving/Thomas_T_Irving_11Cdo.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/11/Irving/Thomas_T_Irving_11Cdo.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of his daughter Elizabeth Norris].

Thomas Turnbull Irving, a House Decorator from Glasgow, enlisted into the Cameronians 16 May 1940, service number 3251855, and later volunteered for the Commandos joining No.11 (Scottish) Commando in July 1940.
No.11 Commando formed 'C' Battalion of Layforce on departure for the Middle East. After several notable operations Layforce and No.11 Commando were disbanded towards the end of 1941 with the commandos dispersed to other units.
Lance Corporal Irving, Royal Corps of Signals, was reported missing 4 February 1942 later confirmed captured and a prisoner of war Benghazi, Libya, 29 January 1942.
P.O.W. number: 259665
P.O.W. camps: Camp PG66, Capua, Italy, Camp PG65, Gravina, Italy, Camp PG70, Monte Urano, Italy, Stalag IV-B (4B), Mühlberg, Germany
Whilst in captivity in Germany he was forced to work at a Forced Labour Factory at Frieberg. During the evacuation of the prisoners from the camp by the Germans April 1945 he managed to escape twice but was recaptured on each occasion. Liberated May 1945 and repatriated to the UK.

Thomas Turnbull Irving
b. 08.06.1916 Glasgow.
d. 04.10.1962 Glasgow.
In album Thomas Turnbull Irving, No.11 Commando]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sat, 06 Sep 2025 14:25:51 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/11/Irving/T_T_Irving_11_Cdo.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/11/Irving/T_T_Irving_11_Cdo.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of his daughter Elizabeth Norris].

Thomas Turnbull Irving, a House Decorator from Glasgow, enlisted into the Cameronians 16 May 1940, service number 3251855, and later volunteered for the Commandos joining No.11 (Scottish) Commando in July 1940.
No.11 Commando formed 'C' Battalion of Layforce on departure for the Middle East. After several notable operations Layforce and No.11 Commando were disbanded towards the end of 1941 with the commandos dispersed to other units.
Lance Corporal Irving, Royal Corps of Signals, was reported missing 4 February 1942 later confirmed captured and a prisoner of war Benghazi, Libya, 29 January 1942.
P.O.W. number: 259665
P.O.W. camps: Camp PG66, Capua, Italy, Camp PG65, Gravina, Italy, Camp PG70, Monte Urano, Italy, Stalag IV-B (4B), Mühlberg, Germany
Whilst in captivity in Germany he was forced to work at a Forced Labour Factory at Frieberg. During the evacuation of the prisoners from the camp by the Germans April 1945 he managed to escape twice but was recaptured on each occasion. Liberated May 1945 and repatriated to the UK.

Thomas Turnbull Irving
b. 08.06.1916 Glasgow.
d. 04.10.1962 Glasgow.
In album Thomas Turnbull Irving, No.11 Commando]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sat, 06 Sep 2025 14:26:43 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/11/Irving/Thomas_Irving_11_Cdo.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/11/Irving/Thomas_Irving_11_Cdo.jpg.html
[Photo courtesy of their daughter Elizabeth Norris who adds, "My mum and dad had a double wedding with my mum's sister. My mum and dad are on the right. My mum's name was Jeannie Irving (maiden name Smith) and she served with the ATS in the Lincoln area".

Thomas Turnbull Irving, a House Decorator from Glasgow, enlisted into the Cameronians 16 May 1940, service number 3251855, and later volunteered for the Commandos joining No.11 (Scottish) Commando in July 1940.
No.11 Commando formed 'C' Battalion of Layforce on departure for the Middle East. After several notable operations Layforce and No.11 Commando were disbanded towards the end of 1941 with the commandos dispersed to other units.
Lance Corporal Irving, Royal Corps of Signals, was reported missing 4 February 1942 later confirmed captured and a prisoner of war Benghazi, Libya, 29 January 1942.
P.O.W. number: 259665
P.O.W. camps: Camp PG66, Capua, Italy, Camp PG65, Gravina, Italy, Camp PG70, Monte Urano, Italy, Stalag IV-B (4B), Mühlberg, Germany
Whilst in captivity in Germany he was forced to work at a Forced Labour Factory at Frieberg. During the evacuation of the prisoners from the camp by the Germans April 1945 he managed to escape twice but was recaptured on each occasion. Liberated May 1945 and repatriated to the UK.
In album Thomas Turnbull Irving, No.11 Commando]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sat, 06 Sep 2025 14:27:53 +0100 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/11/Iain+Robinson+Arran+1986+_2_.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/11/Iain+Robinson+Arran+1986+_2_.jpg.html
Meal organised by Iain Robinson who was a Lieutenant in 8 Troop. Photo from the collection of Gordon Edmiston OBE, MC, courtesy of his son David.

Centre on the left looking at camera: Gordon Edmiston OBE, MC.
Centre on the right looking at camera: Laurie Low.
Nearest the camera on the right possibly Lt. Iain Robinson 8 Troop.
In album No.11 Commando]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Tue, 07 Mar 2023 16:00:11 +0000 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/11/Arran_1986_11Cd0_Murray_Lock_Low_Edmiston.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/11/Arran_1986_11Cd0_Murray_Lock_Low_Edmiston.jpg.html
Photo from the collection of Gordon Edmiston (8 Troop, No.11 Commando) courtesy of his son David.
In album No.11 Commando]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Tue, 07 Mar 2023 15:47:30 +0000