I believe number 1 to be my Grandfather Ronald Stanley Freeman - 6352714. He shared many of his war stories with me, as well as leaving me his medals, which I am now tallying up against the historical data of the No 3 Commando's activities.
He was wounded on the 21st July 1943 in Sicily during the capture of the Ponte dei Malati Bridge (No 3 Commando Bridge).
He was fortunate enough to recover from his injuries and passed away in 1999.
Posted by Gary Walton on Fri 12 Apr 2024 10:53:56 EDT
No 38: The spit of my dad, John 'Timber' Woods, ex-Coldstream Guards.
Posted by Stephen Woods on Tue 30 Aug 2022 10:45:36 EDT
Back row no 7 bears a strong resemblance to my dad, John 'Timber' Woods, seconded from the Coldstream Guards.
Posted by Stephen Woods on Tue 30 Aug 2022 10:43:07 EDT
The man sitting front row cross legged to the right of the group (left as you look at the pic) is LCpl Chas J Coughlan. His role in HQ Trp was as a signaller. He enlisted in the 70th(Young Soldiers)Bn London Irish Rifles (LIR). He wore the LIR Officers and WOs cap badge on his Commando beret as seen in the picture (as he thought it looked better!) as well as LIR black buttons and Royal Ulster Rifles green on black chevrons (the LIR were part of the RUR). He survived D-Day and fought through France, Belgium, Netherlands and into Germany and died in 2010. Chas was a personal friend of mine and a true LIR Commando to the end.
Posted by Lt Col Ant Maher on Sun 21 Aug 2022 15:08:26 EDT
Photo updated
Better resolution version added replacing previous copy.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Fri 19 Aug 2022 08:31:39 EDT
Earlier comments transferred from detail
Update 10/4/11 by Pete R. Info from Rebecca Hartley her grandfather Fred Hartley is 7th from the left back row.
Update 2/11/11 by Pete R. Info from Trevor Cockbill his father Peter James Cockbill is 2nd row down from the back. 3rd person in from the right
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Fri 19 Aug 2022 08:27:47 EDT
Photo update
Gdsm Thomas Brindle identified as front row 13 by his son Tom who adds that he thinks but is not certain that next to him at 12 is 2722253 GDSM John Ellis Hawksworth with Bren Gun.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Wed 31 Mar 2021 10:17:53 EDT
Tommy Brindle
#59 identified as: 2720672 Gdsm Thomas Brindle, Irish Guards & No.3 Cdo, by his son Thomas Brindle
Posted by Nick Collins on Wed 10 Mar 2021 13:05:29 EST
This photo was originally marked as No.1 Commando 4 Troop, Raiding Party Lofoten Raid (No.1 Cdo. did not take part in this raid) and it is now established as being No.3 Commando 4 Troop. Two Commandos from No.1 were later identified by nephews as Jim Hirst (No.1 Cdo), back row, 3rd from left. and John Abrams (No.1 Cdo) back row 1st left. However as can be seen in the details above, different identifications of No.3 Cdos. are now made.
Posted by Pete Rogers (Admin) on Tue 05 Jan 2021 16:24:49 EST
In the preparation for D-Day Commandos used Bombed and wrecked British Cities to acquire skills for Fighting in Built-Up Areas which was to stand them in good stead once across the Channel. This known by the Acronym FIBUA.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 10 Sep 2020 09:26:06 EDT