Date: 12/03/2010
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Owner: Pete Rogers (Admin)
Bob Loudoun CB, OBE, Norris Peak, Mike McConville, and Tom Baker on a trip back to Vis
43RM Commando. Photo courtesy of Sheila Peak who adds "Bob Loudoun (rear left) and Norris Peak (rear right), Mike McConville (front left) and Tom Baker (front right). Sheila goes on to say "Norris made a trip back to Vis prior to 1970 and the island was really off limits to holiday makers at that particular time as it was still some sort of military base. Later, he and I made other trips back, which included Split, Vis, Brac and Belgrave where the war graves are kept. Members and their wives from “43 Commando Reunion” made up a party and returned again in the early seventies. Several more group return trips followed on from there. There was a lot of respect shown to all (from both sides) on every occasion. Norris sadly died from cancer, 14th March 1995, but he worked up until he was 70 and was constantly challenged by the young men at work as far as strength and agility were concerned, but the young men always failed to compete too well, much to his delight!"
Bob Loudoun joined the Royal Marines as an OR before being commissioned. Later he became 'C' Troop Captain in 43RM Commando, and then Adjutant. After VE day he joined 45RM Commando as a troop commander. His career in Royal Marines flourished post war with senior postings to amongst others, 40 Commando RM, until he retired in 1975 as Major General in charge of RM Training Group. He died on the 28th Dec. 1998.
Michael A. McConville, MBE., formerly Lieutenant in 43RM Commando, was H.M. Consul General in Zagreb from 1974 to 1977. He wrote books under his own name including 'A Small War in the Balkans" and "Nothing Much To Lose." Shelia Peak advises us that he also used the pseudonym of Anthony McCandless "I had the books and they were inscribed by him when he gave them to Norris. They have since been donated to the reformed 43 Commando as part of their museum history." These include "The Burke Foundation" and "Leap in the Dark. A novel of the Partisan War."