Eric Stuttard CJX 378 506.

I have been asked by the Eric’s younger brother (now in his 80s) to pass on his brother’s recollections of D Day, written in 1945, about his time in Combined Ops. Can they be included on your notice board? My own father’s recollections of his time in Combined Ops are available here.

Hope these may be of use to researchers.

Yours

Philip Croft

Ward R G R.

Ser No (Chatham) CMX99890. Commissioned new landing craft in the USA and took them to North Africa where he saw action. On D Day, served on LCT(R) 438 off Gold Beach where, despite being in support of the initial assault troops under hazardous enemy fire, he carried out his duties 'with no problems.' Later took landing craft to the Far East.

Allen - Walter Edward Thomas  

For some years I have been trying to trace what my adored dad did during WWII, he passed in 1993. All He ever said was that he was in Combined Ops, mentioned LCTs, that he was in Suez and Italy, which leads me to conclude that he may have, at least been part of Operation Husky. He point blank refused to talk about it any further. His name was Wally Allen. I would be extremely grateful if anyone remembers him, or has any other information to give me a better appreciation of his experiences.

Many thanks,

Stephanie Allen

Hi Stephanie, A good starting point is to apply for your dad's official service record. Scroll up this page, click on FAQ and then the top link on the page that opens up. Best wishes, Geoff.
 

Belleau, Private Gerald Thomas, Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, R.C.I.C.

My great uncle survived the Dieppe Raid but was killed during Operation Spring in July 1944 at the time the better known American Operation Cobra took place. He had no wife and children back home in Garden River, Ontario, CANADA. We have his record of service from Veteran Affairs CANADA but wonder if there's anyone who can add to his history, photo's, girl-friend...anything?

Thank you, Sir, for keeping this memory alive. It is also very important to us.

William Cann, Bolton, Ontario CANADA
 

Blackburn - Frank 47 RM Commando, PO/X105362

My father died when I was 14. His sister recently gave me a letter he wrote while aboard the Empire Arquebus on the 29/12/1944. This kindled an interest in his part in WW2 and as a starting point I sent for his service record. Whilst it doesn't give me much information it did mention 47 Cdo. Any information about Frank Blackburn or what the Empire Arqubus was doing around that time would be very welcome.
 

Many thanks in anticipation
 

Brenda Cogswell nee Blackburn.

[47 RM Cdo landed on the extreme western flank of the British sector in Normandy on D-Day taking Port en Bessin on D + 1 in an independent action. After further actions in France and a spell of rest they took part in Operation Infatuate (Walcheren) in November 1944 followed by further service in Holland from January to April 1945].

Callister - John T. (Jackie)

My father was  born in Andreas, Isle of Man. He passed away in 1985. I am in the process of obtaining his official service record but in the meantime the records I hold show that he enlisted at Liverpool on 25/9/39 for the duration. He served with Unit No. 467 Motor Boat Coy R.A.S.C. engaged in Combined Operations. Other entries refer to HMS Quebec, Barge Engineer Group B Class II, Classified driver H?(CI). At some point he successfully completed Commando training and may have been posted to No 1 Commando. He had crossed rifles on his sleeve that showed he was a sniper. He also had a special knife.

I'd be delighted to hear from anyone who remembers him or who can add to my understanding of his war service. Thanks for such a great web site.

 Jacqueline Mustill (nee Callister), Orleans, Ontario, Canada. (4/07)

Charron - Leopold, Dieppe Raid

I'm very keen to make contact with anyone who knows of the last resting place of my late grandpapa, Private Leopold Charron who served in the Quebec de Regiment in WW2. A newspaper cutting from the Winnipeg Free Press of Saturday, September 19, 1942, includes the following entry under 'missing' following the Dieppe Raid; 'Charron, Leopold, Pte., D63062, Mrs. Rose Emma Charron 6518A St. Dominique street, Montreal, Que'. As far as I know my late grandpapa lived and died in Montreal and had a brother Lucien. If anyone has any information on his last resting place or living relatives, I would be eternally grateful to hear from them. It would mean so much to me. Please contact me at the email link opposite.

Thank you in anticipation.

Chedzey - William Henry

I'm looking for information on my grandfather William (Bill) Henry Chedzey, service No. JX214768/CO. I know he was in the RN Commandos and was listed as serving on HMS Quebec and HMS Copra, but little information beyond this. If anyone reading this has any information of possible interest I'd be very grateful if you 'd get in touch,

Many thanks.

Antony Chedzey.

Crane - Major Jack – COPP 1

I would like to hear from anyone who served in Combined Operations Pilotage Parties (COPP), or from their relatives. My grandfather was Major Jack Crane, Royal Engineers (277770), who was part of the COPP 1 re-commission that served in the Far East (Sri Lanka, Burma, India) from November 1944 to September 1945.

With many thanks in advance.

Rob Crane (2010)

Deakin - Joseph, No 5 Army Commando

I'm looking for a Joseph Deakin of No 5 Army Commando. Black Watch training in Shanklin, Isle of Wight in 1943. Likely in unit boxing team. Will now be in mid 90s. Any information will be gratefully received.

Many thanks.

John Holmberg.

Doble - Edward, Welch Regiment

I'm trying to find ANY information on my grandfathers army records from anyone who knew him. In 1982, he died, aged 61, when I was 16. I know that my grampa was in Burma and in 1943 was second lieutenant, I think maybe promoted Captain. He was with the Welch regiment and his army number was 3960505. Any information would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks.

Frances

Francis - William Alfred

My father served on landing craft at Juno Beach either LCT 1047 or 2047, most likely the latter. He and Mum emigrated here to Western Australia with my sister and I in 1954. He was a wonderful man, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. I would love to hear from anyone who may have any recollection of my father or the craft he served on. He passed away on 18th April, 2012 aged 90. I have some black and white photos of his time in the navy, and if anyone is interested would be happy to share them. There are no names on the back of any of them. Cheers, 

Gillian Marshall.

Golder - Victor Frederick ex RN, Service Number was C/JX 548491 Rank of AB LC/SIG.

I’ve just made a donation to the Combined Ops Memorial Fund, having been prompted by a chance conversation with my Father about his National Service training.

Dad is Victor Frederick Golder ex RN now aged 83yrs. His Service Number was C/JX 548491 and held the rank of AB LC/SIG.  He has some memories of his time at HMS BRONTOSAURUS and remembered that it was a Combined Ops training establishment, but didn’t recall that it was at Castle Toward.  He was there for signals training. He spent his War Service drafted to minesweepers and LCTs and was one of many that embarked troops who landed on D-Day beaches.

 I have found your web-site exceptionally useful and informative, not least of all because I am preparing for Dad a summary account of his Service life, brief though it was (he volunteered at age 17 in 1943 and was demobbed in late ’46).  When I have tidied up a few of the photos that I have of Dad and his mates on board LCTs, I will pass them across in case they stimulate memories in others.  In the family he was known as Joff, maybe that was carried into the Service.  Do you have an appropriate tag within the website to post these (all too brief) details of my Dad at Castle Toward.  I would love to find out if there is anyone that remembers him.

Thanks in anticipation. Stay safe,

Regards,

Steve.

Good - Sergeant Joseph

I am trying to establish the accuracy or otherwise of family accounts of the war service of a relative.

Joseph Good was, I believe, a sergeant with Combined Ops (the description I've been given of his badge indicates this). He was involved with training US Rangers in cliff climbing at Bideford in Devon in preparation for D-Day. He was given permission by his CO Major King Farlow (?) to accompany the Rangers to Normandy.

He was attached to Lt Col James Earl Rudder's group (2nd Ranger Bn, I think) for the assault on Pointe du Hoc. Sgt Good survived the war and got the Military Medal at some point.

On an American website relating to the assault it seems that a Col. Travis Trevor, a British Commando who assisted with training, also went on the assault with Rudder's group. It may be that Sgt Good served under Col. Trevor.

If anyone can throw any light on this I'd be very grateful.

Alan Pritchard MPhil FCLIP MBCS

Greenland - Alfred Henry

I am trying to find out more about my father Alfred Henry Greenland. He joined the Royal Navy on 31/3/1942 at  HMS Duke, Malvern, a RN Training Establishment. He was a Stoker with service number CKX152998. During the D day operation, I understand my dad assisted American troops to their landing beaches. Unfortunately his mother ship was sunk but my dad was on a landing craft and survived. He left the RN on 18/8/1944 to join the Welch Regiment and in December 1944 he joined No 1 Para  and served until 29/3/1947 followed by the  TA reserves. Sadly, my Dad died in 1993 and never really discussed his time during the war. I hold his medals and some history from the Ministry of Defence.

I know this is a very difficult request but any information regarding my dad’s war service, particularly from June 44 to September 44, when I understand him to be involved in the invasion of France.

His address at that time was 3 Kellet Road, Carnforth, Lancashire. His older brother Robert had already joined the Navy and he followed him.

Thank you

Kind regards

Lorna Greenland Manlove

Flt Sgt Lawrence Alfred Hackett, 504 Sqd.

Flt Sgt Hackett was in the Royal Air Force, service number 815012. He served on HMS Bulolo; going to India, Egypt and landings in Italy. Medals 39/45 star, Atlantic Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, War Medal, Air Efficiency Award, Defence Medal and Coronation Medal.

He was called up 23 August 1939 under the provisions of the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces Act.

On behalf of his son Peter Hackett, we would gratefully welcome any information about him from the war years.

Hawes - Daniel George, LCT 390

I am trying to find out as much as I can about my Brother-in-Law Daniel George Hawes ( JX315161 ) who died on LCT390 on 8th June 1944. I have obtained his Service History as follows:

Jacobs - Marine Ronald John

I would be very interested in information about my father or the units he served in and particularly the Commando unit he served in or was attached to. What I know is that on joining the Royal Marines in April 1943 he was at Eastney Barracks, Portsmouth followed by the HBL RM School of Signaling in Nov 1943. In the same month he was attached to Combined Operations until April 1946 - see HMS Copra.

He was in Signals (communications) and was at Westcliff (which I believe was HMS Westcliff II, a Combined Operations holding base for RM landing craft personnel) prior to D-Day and on June 5 he was at Hayling Island. On D-Day his craft headed for Sword Beach (although 651 flotilla – which my father was part of – headed for Juno beach), so I am unsure about this.

A fortnight after D-Day he embarked on a troop carrier for Bombay, India. From there he sailed to Columbo in Ceylon (where he loaded gear) and then onto Port Dickson and Rangoon in Malaya. Other ports of call en-route were Mandapam at the tip of India, and Trincomalee (3-4 days) in Ceylon. Some of the landing craft carriers, among others, he was on included Glenroy, Glen Avon, Silvio (Sylvio).

While in the Far East, he was involved in the assaults on Ramree Island, Akyab Island and the Arakan. I understand that he was put ashore for night patrols under the cover of darkness and left again
under the cover of darkness. Whether these were for reconnaissance missions or raiding parties I do not know.

At the end of the war, he looked after Japanese POWs. He returned from Singapore to the UK in January/February 1946 aboard the Queen Emma.

Thank you in anticipation.

Alan Jacobs

Lankester - Leading Seaman Peter

I was a Leading Seaman Cox'n in LCM Flotilla 143/665 which embarked on three Liberty Ships from Liverpool in (I think) April 1943 for North Africa. My passage was on the SS  Ocean Wanderer. We operated out of  Didjeli  and  Messina aboard HMS Hamilcar and carried out operations around Sicily, Italy and the South of France. I am now ninety years of age and would like to hear from anyone who participated in these operations or has a particular interest in them.

Peter Lankester

Lister - Fred, 45 Royal Marine Commando

I'm seeking information on my father and the part he played with 45 Royal  Marine Commando. I only have limited knowledge but believe he was with A Troop. He was from Burnley, Lancashire. I know he landed on Sword Beach on D-Day but all I have is a small photograph which shows only a small portion of his unit/regiment (as the photo has been torn in half) taken prior to June 6th and on the reverse is printed the name of the photographer and "Shanklin" which I believe is on the Isle Of Wight.

On this website is a nice page entitled 45 Royal Marine Commando WW2  and in the picture on the right is a group from A Troop taken prior to embarkation in Southampton, with Lance Corporal H E Harden, VC, in the right foreground. What interests me about this picture is that some of the men are on the photograph I have, which means they must have known my father and maybe he is on there in the background somewhere. My dad is on the front row of my photo and was a L/Cpl at the time. I don't know much else really but my sister thinks my dad may have been a Medic. We do know he ended up in hospital with shrapnel wounds and finished his service as a sergeant.

If anyone could help me with further information or point me in the right direction I would be entirely grateful. I'd like to trace his steps during 44/45 as well as put a few names to the photo I have.

Many Thanks,

John Lister, Burnley.

Morris - Pte William, 2756712

According to my father's MM citation he was a Private in the Black Watch (parachutist) attached to C Battalion, Layforce, then L Detachment. His Military Medal (MM) was awarded for escape/evasions and Special Operations while working with Partisans in Italy. He is on the right of the photo. I'd be very interested to hear from anyone who has any information about my father and/or his war service. He was taken prisoner in Nov 1941.

Many thanks in anticipation.

Miv Riley (06/09)

Parkinson - Jack, Coastal Command & Combined Operations

I wonder if anyone has information about my father, Jack Parkinson, who joined the RAF at the start of WW2. He was in Coastal Command where he had an accident which resulted in facial burns. After this, he joined Combined Operations. He was very good at radio and technical stuff and some of his closest friends were Canadians. He spent time in Africa, Italy, Egypt and Sicily. He didn't speak about his experiences and although my uncle told me some things, I would really like to know more.  He was also a brilliant artist. He died in 1993.

Maureen Broadhead

Pilling - Stan RNVR

I'm trying to find out as much as possible about my grandfather Stan Pilling. Sadly, Stan died in early 1960s before I was born, but I have recently started to piece together his experiences in the royal Navy / Combined Ops, from family memories, and various archive sources. He volunteered in 1940 and began training with the Combined Ops Royal Navy crews in 1941. I know that he saw action at Dieppe aboard LCT121(5) and at White Queen SWORD Beach as coxswain on LCT859. Both craft were beached and disabled during the battles.

LCT121(5) being one of the famous craft photographed blazing on the beach after the battle. He was fortunate enough to survive unwounded, managing to make a desperate dash for one of the last LCAs sent to withdraw troops from those terrible beaches. I have found this much out about his crew mates at Dieppe:

BROOKES-HILL, Cyril, RNVR (Skipper) (wounded and taken prisoner, but not sure where he was held. Released Apr/May 1945)
ROGERSON, James E, Sub Lieutenant RNVR (No other info thus far)
HEAMES, Harry, Able Seaman, C/JX 300067 (Likely Coxswain – named as Haines in the memoirs of a surviving birth attendant on board LCT121 at Dieppe)
PILLING, Stanley, Ordinary Seaman, C/JX256386 (DOB 12/03/1912, age 30, from Manchester, and working the ramps at Dieppe)
CALLOWAY, Alfred W, P/SR 244 (listed as CALLAWAY in the POW records. He we captured and was held until 1945 at Stalag 344, Lamsdorf, Poland)
ANDERSON, James W M, Motor Mechanic, P/MX 79193, (aged 21 - KIA. SON OF GEORGE AND DAISY ANDERSON, OF ALDWICK, SUSSEX)
MALIN, Ronald R, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 324558 (aged 19 - KIA. SON OF CHARLES RICHARD AND ROSE ELSIE MALIN, OF PLUMSTEAD, LONDON)
MOORE, Albert G, Ordinary Seaman, C/JX 255320 (aged 27 - KIA. Son of Harry and Kathleen Moore, Husband of Matilda Moore, of Ashtead, Surrey)
ADAMS, John, Ordinary Seaman, P/JX 357540 (aged ? - KIA)
PITT, Frank W, Ordinary Signalman, P/JX 322618 (aged 19- KIA)
TAYLOR, David, Able Seaman, P/JX 295532 (aged ? - KIA)
TAYLOR, Ronald F, Ordinary Seaman, C/JX 247223 (aged 31 - KIA - SON OF ASHTON AND ELLA TAYLOR, OF LONGSIGHT, MANCHESTER)

I know that the Flight Commander was also on board LCT121 with his steward:

BROWNELL, Harry P, Ty/Act/Lieutenant Commander, RANVR, killed
PORTER, Kenneth C, Ordinary Seaman, D/JX 243132 (He we captured and was held until 1945 at Stalag 344, Lamsdorf, Poland).

Thus, in my research so far, of the known 14 naval personnel on board LCT121 - 8 were killed, 3 were known to be wounded and captured, and one (my Granddad) got back to England. What happened to Heames (Haines?) and Rogerson I haven't been able to find any specific information.

As far as LCT859 and Stan during the D-Day landings at SWORD (Queen White beach is concerned I know that Stan was the coxswain and that 859 was transporting the 9th (Irish) Field Battery which was part of 7th Field Regiment Royal Artillery. They landed and unloaded their troops and vehicles okay but hit a mine backing off. At which point my grandfather's best friend (Robert Stafford) was killed. The only two crew members I have been able to confirm thus far are:

BROWN, William Chalmers, Temporary Lieutenant R.N.V.R (skipper)
STAFFORD, Robert S, Petty Officer Motor Mechanic, C/MX 116403, DOW

If anyone remembers any of the crewmen mentioned above, or knows of the other names missing from LCT859, or has any information about either craft - perhaps you were transported on them during Operation Jubilee or Neptune, or one of the Dieppe training runs such as Yukon I and II - I would love to hear from you.

Many thanks.

Phil  

Orsborne - George Black "Dod"

I´m a Finnish journalist undertaking research into the war service of George Black 'Dod' Orsborne and I'd be very interested to receive  any information about him or sources of information about him other than his own books. Orsborne claims to have served in Combined Operations under Lord Mountbatten on the Isle of Wight during WW2. He wrote several books in the 1940/50s of his life at sea and in the war, the best-known of which is 'Master of the Girl Pat' published in 1948.