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 Sun 02 Mar 2025 20:03:19 EST
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 11:09:11 EDT
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 07:04:06 EDT
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 07:03:36 EDT
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 07:03:01 EDT
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 05:54:06 EST
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 05:22:34 EST
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.
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Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 16:32:21 EDT
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 13:25:44 EDT
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 07:27:27 EDT
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 07:14:59 EDT
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 15:38:25 EDT
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 15:32:13 EDT
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 15:28:10 EDT
