No.12 Commando

Commando units and Commandos during WW2

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Fred Senior and other No.8 Commandos on Arran 1940

Date: 12/08/2009 Views: 11463 Owner: Pete Rogers (Admin)

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	I know exactly where this was taken: it is along the narrow street of Eaat Cliff by Dover Eastern Docks. The other photo shows the front of the same hotel on Marine Parade.[img][/img] Posted by Phil Eyden on Mon 03 Mar 2025 01:03:19 GMT
	I see my Grandpa here, Ray Beggs. I have loads of photos and information on him if you’d like? Kind regards, Eiley Beggs Yorke ^admin…contact made. Posted by Eileybeggs90 on Sat 24 Sep 2022 16:09:11 BST
	Photo update Fred Hunt and Tom Daly served in No.12 Commando and the HOC Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sat 08 May 2021 12:04:06 BST
	Photo update Fred Hunt and Tom Daly served in No.12 Commando and the HOC Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sat 08 May 2021 12:03:36 BST
	Photo update Fred Hunt and Tom Daly served in No.12 Commando and the HOC Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sat 08 May 2021 12:03:01 BST
	Frank Allum Richard. I finally saw your post on the photo of 12 Commando E Troop in Dover for Operation Chess. Unfortunately I don’t get notifications when posts are made as I didn’t put the photo on the site - one of the administrators did on my behalf. My father left behind a note book he kept during some of 1942 when he was still in E Troop and in it are various lists of names of soldiers he served with. Unfortunately your father’s name isn’t mentioned although that of Sgt Parr is. If you could get in touch with me we can discuss the photo - I’m afraid it is very small and rather blurred. Regards Graham Posted by Graham Robinson on Tue 03 Nov 2020 10:54:06 GMT
	Allum Parr Wright Richard and James. Sorry but I haven’t looked at this site for a while and don’t get notified when something is posted about this photo as it was put on the gallery by one of the administrators on my behalf. I think it’s highly likely that Malcolm Parr was on the raid. My father kept a note book of various E Troop activities during 1942 and Sgt Parr gets a mention. John Huntington’s Memories also mentions a Sgt Mac Parr in the list of E Troop comrades. Unfortunately, I can’t comment on anyone called Allum or Wright - neither are mentioned in my father’s notes nor in John Huntington’s Memories (apart from Sgt Knocker Wight and L/Cpl Dicky Wright RMC). The photo is very small and what you see on this site is probably as good as it gets although if you want, once I am able, I will explore what a professional might be able to do with it. Graham Posted by Graham Robinson on Tue 03 Nov 2020 10:22:34 GMT
	That is a serious “Chest full of Medals” by any standard., It is interesting that that General Purdon chooses to wear his original Regimental Cap Badge rather than his entitled Generals’ gold braid badge. ‘ Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 21:32:21 BST
	The informal ‘out of Barracks’ setting means that these Troopers were probably in Civvie Digs using subsistence allowances. To someone not familiar with the set-up this was how Commando Units, with no usual Regimental Home, managed being being constantly on the move when preparing for the coming Invasion and Battles in France and beyond. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 18:25:44 BST
	This is a very interesting photo as there are weapons here which might not be that well known. The long barrelled weapon is a .55” Boyes anti-tank rifle, the other two are both .303” Bren Light Machine Guns but what is most unusual is that these are fitted with a 100 round circular or drum magazine. The Landing Craft is heading ashore to rescue members of the Parachute Regiment who had taken part in the Bruneval Raid where vital German Radar equipment was seized and the Regiment earned its First Battle Honour. In the Raid a RAF Radar Specialist jumped with the Troops and was awarded a very rare Military Medal for a member of the RAF at that time. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 12:27:27 BST
	This Obstacle Crossing was known as “The Postmans’ Walk” and what can be seen is the rope tension is not adequate. This same sort of obstacle was built into all Commando Tarzan Courses and heavy duty pulley blocks used to get that tension right. The CTCRM Tarzan Course had a steel cable for the lower ‘rope’ which was caught against the heel-block when sliding the foot along. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 12:14:59 BST
	Both the Brothers are Royal Navy Stokers, on the left is an Able Seaman on the right a Petty Officer (rank equivalent is Sergeant), both wear one Long Service stripe showing 4 years under the Colours. The Stokers arm Insignia is a Ships’ propeller and the term dates back to coal fired ships. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 12 Sep 2020 20:38:25 BST
	Sergeant Robinson is wearing the distinctive SAS Parachute Brevet (Winged Parachute) above his North Africa Star, later the badge would be worn on the right shoulder below any Regimental Title. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 12 Sep 2020 20:32:13 BST
	This is a vey early Parachute photograph as the Commando is wearing the protective helmet designed to prevent head injury when exiting a Whitley converted Bomber, the only spare aircraft available. A circular hole was cut in the floor, the parachutist sat on the side ready to jump going thru the Red light/a Green light procedure. Many hit their heads on the other side of the hole which was not a good way to start the descent. The padded helmet was intended to prevent that kind of injury. A steel helmet designed for Para Troops’ use was soon issued and the introduction of the US made Douglas DC-3 ‘Dakota’ with side exit ended that problem. Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 12 Sep 2020 20:28:10 BST
	Operation Chess Hi Graham My father was on this raid and I'm pretty sure he is the commando in the middle at the back possibly making a V sign. I have no pictures of him, in uniform other than http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/1/panorama/Numbered+No1+Panorama_.jpg.html. He is number 19 at the back again. Could I possibly have a professional copy of your photo or a more detailed scan if that is possible. I don’t care how much it would cost and would be very happy to pay. I have a letter from Malcolm Parr, who should be in the picture too, who was probably a corporal at the time although later made sergeant. He talks about being fired on and grenading the German post as well as the fact that two were killed. I hope to hear from you. Best Regards Richard Allum Posted by Richard Allum on Fri 21 Aug 2020 15:26:54 BST
	Leslie ‘Red’ Wright I believe my Grandfather was on this raid. Would be good to discuss thing and maybe see a high res copy of this picture. Posted by James Wright on Wed 27 May 2020 06:17:32 BST
	Definitely No 12 Commando 2nd left back is Alf Perry (not Ferry) far right back is Bob Mewett (my father) Posted by John Mewett on Thu 05 Dec 2019 19:19:14 GMT
	Ref previous comments Site Admin have now put Graham in touch with Carol via email. Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Sat 27 Apr 2019 23:44:51 BST
	Hello Carol. I've responded on the other photo. I would really like to contact you to discuss this information which is really helpful to my research. Graham Posted by Graham Robinson on Thu 25 Apr 2019 10:13:27 BST
	Jimmy Flint Hello Carol. I haven't looked at this website for a year unfortuneately but have just seen your post which I'm really excited about. I have for some time been trying to identify all the men in the photo and also to identify beyond doubt those men involved in Operation Basalt. I have alot of information you may want and am happy to share it with you. Posted by Graham Robinson on Thu 25 Apr 2019 10:08:56 BST
	Operation Basalt Hi Graham, Jim or Jimmy Flint is the chap at the front squatting down. Stokesy as we came to know him was a great mate of my father in laws during their time in the services.. Posted by Carol Flint on Thu 17 May 2018 03:25:35 BST
	E Troop No 12 Commando Hi Graham, My father in law is Jim or Jimmy Flint. His sons John & Ken are certain that the chap 1st in the front row on the left hand side is their Dad. Someone has their arm around his neck. Jim was also part of Operation Basalt (Sark). He didn't talk much about his life in the military, mainly spoke about the friendships and funny things that occurred. Unfortunately Jim passed away in 2000 aged 84. I am researching Jims Defence career. Posted by Carol Flint on Thu 17 May 2018 03:21:03 BST
	Photo update I recognise my father Arthur Baseley in this photo. He is in the back row. 5th man in from right to left. I am not 100% sure but I believe the man to his right is Jack Cox. This must have been taken before they went to Achnaccary Posted by Anne George on Mon 20 Feb 2017 18:22:14 GMT
	The road the commandos have been photographed in is East Cliff in Dover, and adjacent to the First and Last pub. At the end of the road is the entrance to Dover Eastern Docks. Posted by Phil Eyden on Tue 04 Oct 2016 16:32:29 BST
	JIMMY DONNELLY My father, Jimmy Donnelly. Extreme Left back row. Posted by KATE DONNELLY on Thu 13 Aug 2015 20:26:05 BST