No.4 Commando

Hello! Anybody about who was in (that would be tremendous), had a dad who was in (like me) ... or knows what went on, books you've read about these men in particular ... anything really, I'd love to hear what you have to say.

I'm busy reading Commando Attack by Gordon Holman - it's written during the War and the account of them going across to the Lofoten Islands is great, especially knowing my dad's one of those Commandos present on the ship.

Looking forward to getting to know more Commando Bairns. :smile:

 

The book 'Swiftly They Struck' by Murdoch C McDougall is a good one.

 

That's the one my dad gave me but I regret to say that I didn't really ask him anything about it at the time. I love the way they write in those books - especially the one I'm reading just now - gentle, humorous, respectful.

I know there's a book forum somewhere by the way. :wink: Just one of the aspects of my interest in No.4.

When I read about Commandos tending to say nothing of their exploits I realise that dad told me a bit more than most - and I'm glad to say that I remember quite a bit ... but wish I'd paid more attention or asked him about it later in life. Mind you, there are many things I'm sure he wouldn't have talked about anyway.

He used to tell me that it was 'just bad luck' when I asked why some soldiers died - another of his sayings was 'such is life',

 

Just been reading the bit at the top of the page again. My dad wouldn't say so but my Mam reckoned that 'order' was a bit of a badge of honour. I wonder how the soldiers about to be shot felt?

I also googled the words below ... the motto 'our lot' held to was United We Conquer. Army Commandos.

 

4 Commando war diaries refs at the National Archives:


WO 173/308 4 Commando Detachment 1941 Oct.
WO 218/4 4 Commando 1940 July - Nov.
WO 218/24 4 Commando 1941 Feb.- Dec.
WO 218/35 4 Commando 1942 Jan.- Dec.
WO 218/52 4 Commando 1943 Jan.- Dec.
WO 218/66 4 Commando 1944 Jan.- May., Aug.- Dec.
WO 218/84 4 Commando 1945 Jan.- 1946 Jan.

 

Can you please tell me what would be included in these ... and how to go about finding out?

 

You can either visit the National Archives in London in person and order the documents to view and copy or pay someone to copy them. I believe the National Archives charge around £1.00 per page. I charge 10p per page.

The diaries will give you probably the best idea that you will find on what the unit was doing on a day to day basis, whether that is training in the UK or fighting overseas. If you click on my red link below there are quite a few examples of what you may find in the files. I think around Post No. 40 the examples start. Do remember though you don't know what's in a file until you look as they vary greatly in detail and thickness, usually the thicker the diary the more info they contain.

Cheers
Andy

 

Hi, my husbands Grandfather was in No 7 Commando. Andy kindly got hold of the 7 Commando war diaries for me and they make for very interesting reading, there was alot of information in there. I'd definitely recommend getting hold of the No 4 Commando ones if you can, and Andy is very quick (and cheap!).

 

Not wishing to flood this thread with similar comments but I must echo this. The war diaries, although written in military style, are chocked full of information including map references, times, places, names etc. so are very useful.

Andy doing them at 10p per page works out very cost effective when you factor travel etc in just to go and have a look yourself. He's done quite a few for me and it's worked out best for us both, so much so that I have gone back to him for more, a few times. :smile:

 

Thank you for the information, Drew, and thanks for the encouragement, Combover and South I've looked at that thread on here but didn't know how to go about asking - being new and very, very shy. :wink:

I can't get enough of No.4 'stuff' and would love to have the diaries ... but don't know quite what to ask for. I'll nip over to the other thread and put in my request.

 

Don't be shy, we enjoy sharing info here and picking up thibgs we didn't know.

What was your dad's parent regiment just out of interest?

 

The Border Regiment.

 

Awwww thanks guys (group hug).

Do you know the dates he was with the Border Regt and the Bn. I'll reply to your PM in a bit.

 

Posted 6th Bn The Border Regt - Kendal - 12/3/40
6/Borders Attached 520 Petrol Unit
R.A.S.C, Hooge Lines, Catterick - 26/4/40
Posted 10 Independent Coy - 26/4/40

 

Thanks - It was a bit of a long shot. I have all the Borders diaries that served in France with the BEF but he wasn't with them. I'm just having another brew and I'll PM you

 

I think I've put on here that he wasn't in France with No.10 IC - he went to Africa on M.S. Sobieski 28/8/40 til 26.10.40.

Mine's white, no sugar, please.

 

I know there's another thread here somewhere about War Diaries but I remembered this one, so I'll thank Andy, publicly, on here first.

I have received the War Diaries and have had no trouble whatsoever in getting the disc to play, no Sir, no problems. :icon_rofl:

Despite my doolallyness and non-techno-mind .... I'm now about to set out on my quest to find out when and where dad was during his time with No.4. This is so exciting!

Thanks again, Andy. Very much appreciated!

 

I am coming late to this topic. My father H Vincent Richardson was with no 4 Commando in 1940/41. He went on the Lofoten Raid. I would be interested in the diaries and happy to pay for the copying but as some one very new to this I am not quite sure to work out what I want. I have my father's service record if any one can look at it and guide me in the right direction I would be very grateful.

Further I am going to the Lofoten Islands in September and would be interested in any suggestions about what I should see in relation to the raid. I know there is presumably good information in the museum.

I will have a look at the recommended reading so far.

maddogkincaid

 

I'll be very interested to hear about your trip - I'll probably not get over there ... I doubt I'll get to Salerno either (but you never know). Going to Dieppe/Sword/Le Hauger etc in August.

If you haven't already visited the 'Commando Veterans Association' Forum - loads of info and photos on there. The CVA site on Facebook is another great place to go to ... and join.

There are some great books out there about the Lofoten Islands, one is written by a War Correspondent, great stuff. If you want to know titles, etc, just send me a message. I can probably help with regard to finding out what's in the War Diaries, too.

 

LESLIE FRANK TETT. Dear ANDY if you are around this thread drop me an email linne39'hotmail.com I really really need to know more about my fathers movements , his unit which regiment he joined before set to Achnacarry... MORE questions than answers now, having just spent three days at SWORD looking and walking the roads... I am led to believe he was in No 4 [F Troop] sailed on the Astrid. Survived the landing D Day, but he was badly wounded -2nd day -perhaps.
Never got to Pegasus bridge that I do know. [QUOTE="Drew5233, post: 555644, member: 6786"]You can either visit the National Archives in London in person and order the documents to view and copy or pay someone to copy them. I believe the National Archives charge around £1.00 per page. I charge 10p per page.
Andy[/QUOTE]