Sgt. Colin Anson (birth name Claus Ascher)

Colin Anson, former name Claus Ascher, joined the Commandos from the Pioneer Corps. He was Jewish and a refugee from Germany. Colin was severely injured on the 17th July 1943 during an air raid whilst on board the Queen Emma, having taken part in the Sicily landings the previous week. After life saving surgery and a lengthy recovery period, Colin returned and joined 40 RM Commando in Southern Italy then onto Yugoslavia. He worked in the Intel Section of 2 Commando Bde. He later operated with the Commandos on Vis, Corfu, Albania , subsequently returning to Italy. Colin was promoted Staff Sgt. and post war served as an interpreter with the Control Commission Germany (CCG). This is a very brief outline of Colin's service. Fuller details can be found in a speech he gave in 2007 (copy in the CVA gallery) and in a book about his life written by Helen Fry entitled " German schoolboy, British Commando ". This photo courtesy of Colin Anson.

The speech was given by Colin when he attended a reunion of refugees from Nazism who served in the British Forces in WW2. This took place at the Imperial War Museum on 4th September 2007. Colin has granted the CVA permission to display his speech on our website.

This speech is also now available here on our website entry for 3 troop.