Bill Merryweather/ Sam Brodison MM /Joe Barry & Ron Chung

Bill Merryweather/ Sam Brodison MM (12 and 10IA Cdo) /Joe Barry & Ron Chung (12 Cdo). Photo courtesy of Mark Heard. Posted by Pete R.

CSM Samuel James Brodison Royal Irish Fusiliers and Nos. 12 and 10 Cdo.
Military Medal : This SNCO was a member of a military force which landed to the East of Calais on the North coast of France on the night of the 16th -17th May 1944, to carry our a reconnaissance of enemy beach obstacles. This operation was of the highest importance and of an extremely hazardous nature, involving as it did, a 3 mile approach to a heavily defended enemy coastline, by night, in an 18 foot dory. During the run in, and return passage, to the parent MTB, the dory was forced to take avoiding action in order to escape detection by enemy vessels which crossed its course. CSM Brodison, by his cheerfulness and resolution, maintained the morale of the operation, thus allowing the raid commander to concentrate on the conduct of the operation as a whole. This SNCO has taken part in no less than 14 operations of a similar nature in the past, and has shown throughout a high sense of duty and great loyalty to his force commander (L.G.3.8.44)

Update 8/09/11 from Pete R. I believe the Joe Barry here will be Captain Joe Barry who became Chief Instructor at the Commando Mountain Warfare Training Centre when it moved to St Ives

Update from Pete R. Sam Brodison served in Nos. 12 and 10 Commandos his final rank being RSM. In March 1959 he was employed as Sgt.Instructor with the Ulster Special Constabulary (CA newsletter 28)